Facilities

Club House

Laundry Room

Swimming Pool

Hot Tub

Fitness Center

Game Room

Rec Hall

Pavilion

Exercise Room

Restroom/Shower

Restroom Only

Shower Only

Restaurant

Groceries

RV Supplies

ATM Machine

WiFi

Dog Park

Cocktail Lounge

Dog Washing Station

Pit Toilet

Snack Bar

Play Ground

Sites

Water

20 Amp

30 Amp

50 Amp

Sewer

Cable TV

Services

Escort to Site

Self-Service RV Wash

Metered LP Gas

Firewood

Fishing Supplies

Pet Supplies

Onsite Rentals

Worship Services

Golf Carts

Fishing Guides

Onsite RV Service

Staffed RV Wash

Fishing Licenses

Complimentary Breakfast

Recreational activities in or near the park

Recreational Activities

Archery Range

ATV Riding

Biking

Boating

Body Of Water

Casino

Climbing

Dock

Driving Range

Fishing

Golf

Heated Pool

Hiking

Horseback Riding

Horseshoes

Kayaking

Lawn Bowling

Mini Golf

Paddle Boats

Pickle Ball

Putting Green

Ramp

Sauna

Shuffleboard

Snow Sports

Splash Pad

Swimming

Tennis

Wading Pool

Water Slide

Water Sports

Water Umbrella

Whitewater Rafting

Policies

RV Age Restrictions

Pets Welcome

Pet Restrictions

Pet Restriction on Quantity

Pet Restriction on Breed

Pet Restriction on Size

No Pets

Tent Camping Allowed

Folding Tent Campers Allowed

No Tents

No Overnight Guests

<h2>Overview</h2><p>Riverside Campground in Big Sur, CA, offers a classic, rustic retreat nestled deep within the dramatic landscapes of the Central Coast. This campground captures the quintessential charm of the region, providing a grounded experience for travelers who value proximity to nature over modern resort-style luxury. Whether you are navigating the winding roads of Highway 1 or seeking a quiet place to disconnect, the park provides a <strong>serene forest setting</strong> that emphasizes the raw beauty of Big Sur’s unique topography.</p><h2>Location & Surroundings</h2><p>Situated directly along the Big Sur River, the campground is positioned to take full advantage of the lush canyon floor. The site is surrounded by <strong>towering redwood trees</strong>, which provide significant shade and a sense of deep isolation from the outside world. Because of the rugged nature of the coastal mountains, the surrounding environment feels untouched, offering a perfect base for those looking to immerse themselves in the dense vegetation and wildlife common to the Pacific coastline.</p><h2>Amenities & Park Features</h2><p>The campground focuses on essential comforts to ensure a functional stay in a remote area. Guests can expect <strong>basic utility hookups</strong>, including water and electrical connections, which are necessary for longer stays in the canyon. The facility maintains clean, standard bathhouses and fire pits at most sites. The park is designed to accommodate various camping styles, ranging from smaller travel trailers to tent campers, maintaining an accessible <strong>wilderness-focused atmosphere</strong> throughout the property.</p><h2>Nearby Attractions & Things to Do</h2><p>The location serves as a gateway to some of the most iconic sights in California. Visitors are a short drive from Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, where miles of hiking trails wind through ancient groves. The famous McWay Falls and the scenic overlooks of Bixby Creek Bridge are also within easy reach. Travelers often spend their days <strong>exploring coastal cliffside trails</strong> or visiting the local beaches, making this campground an ideal launchpad for photographers and outdoor enthusiasts.</p><h2>Who This Park Is Best For</h2><p>This park is best suited for nature lovers and road trippers who prioritize location over extensive on-site entertainment. It is an excellent choice for those who enjoy a <strong>rustic camping experience</strong> and prefer to spend their days exploring the rugged coastline rather than lounging at a campsite. If you value quiet nights under the stars and direct access to Big Sur’s natural wonders, this campground will likely fit your travel style perfectly.</p>



Riverside Campground is located in Big Sur, California, and is situated along the Big Sur River. This campground offers a variety of camping options, including tent camping, RV camping, and group camping. Riverside Campground is surrounded by lush forests and offers stunning views of the Big Sur coastline. The campground is also close to a variety of attractions, including the Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, the Point Sur Lighthouse, and the Henry Miller Memorial Library. Amenities at Riverside Campground include picnic tables, fire rings, and restrooms.

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Riverside Campground

Planning a trip? Discover Riverside Campground in Big Sur, CA. A rustic, forest-filled getaway offering riverfront access and proximity to iconic state parks.

Riverside Campground in Big Sur, CA: A Guide for RVers

The campground is great and is by the Big Sur River, people are really nice and quiet. We booked the cabin here and I am going to be honest our cabin which was #1 wasn’t that clean, it had spider web all over and even the headboard of the bed had spiderwebs. Other than that we came across “Skunks” which was pretty scary and there were 2 of them. Due to which we had to leave and we couldn’t stay the other night though we had paid for 2 nights. It was annoying that we paid so much money and couldn’t even stay! Not sure if skunks are common there, we had no idea!

Great chill campsite right in the middle of everything you want in the Big Sur area!

So I am definitely the person to over-research pretty much everywhere I go on a trip, and was pretty nervous to check this spot out after reading a few reviews about management issues and all that. Didn’t find that to be the case at all- whole place is run very well and really feels like your own magical slice of the woods to yourself.

We stayed in cabin 10 since we were travelling and didn’t have any camping equipment. It might be a little small but absolutely has everything you need- bed is comfy, there’s room to sit and cook, and for being in the middle of the woods the bathroom is really solid.

Whole place just feels like a happy little community of campers- all the other guests were super nice to us, you have kids running around and actually enjoying nature, and people actually do chill out and get quieter at 10pm. No one was a jerk about us letting our fire die down after 10pm either. Think everyone here just wants to have a good time.

The “river” the camp is near itself is a little small and more of a creek but still nice and peaceful. Don’t really have any nice trails right off of the property, but you can drive to any major trail in area in like 10 minutes.

It was a bit expensive for us being over the 4th of July weekend, but was overall the exact comfortable nature experience we wanted. Would gladly come back again if we’re in the area.

I stayed in my tent, it was really nice staring up at redwoods going to sleep. Free coffee/tea/hot cocoa is a nice way to start and end the day. Be sure to explore the river. I found an awesome boulder to leap off of into some deep river, and a rope swing.

What a fantastic campground, I wish we could have stayed longer! The entrance is VERY steep and narrow - coming from north to south it's okay, but coming from south to north the turn into the campground isn't possible with an RV, and the curve at the bottom of the hill to enter the campground may have your rig scraping the ground in the back. But the sites themselves are GORGEOUS, especially the waterfront sites - I'm very glad we got one! The campground was clean and well-maintained and the complementary coffee station was much appreciated.

We had a great time during our long memorial weekend. Kids enjoyed river tubing. I love that they have a camp store, a laundry, free coffee, tea and hot chocolate. The place feels safe for the kids as no other travelers can come in except for guests who booked in this place. We already made our advance booking for next year! Hooray!

I have camped in a tent before but wanted to try something new this time, so we booked a cabin. Check in was smooth & clear instructions. Once night time came, we were tired & wanted to get in bed. Upon preparing to go to bed, we noticed some stains on the sheet & some debris of some sort? The top part looked like ear wax perhaps? We were kind of disgusted & disappointed because not only were we already tired but we now had to change the sheets. I think that was just the bad part. I wish the cabins were not attached to the next room over because our neighbors snored incredibly loud & and we could hear everything. Other than that, I love the location.

Overpriced for what you get. $115 per night for an RV site on the river seemed fair until we got there and realized how closely packed and small the sites are. We left after 1 night, forfeiting our second night fee, because the smoke from the next campsite was so close to us and we couldn’t breathe and we just didn’t have the space we needed. The staff was nice, the free coffee in the morning was a nice tough, the bathrooms were clean, the river was clean and nice.

I loved camping at Riverside campground. It was great, the sound of the river was wonderful. They have wifi and it worked great. Every spot had a water spout. The showers had the best smelling toiletries.  The space was perfect, I definitely plan on going back camping 🏕️

A great place to stay, but after years of being a family-run camp ground, it is now corporate. Prices have increased dramatically and after camping there for over 50 years, the warm feeling of "welcome back* is gone.  Since I wrote this, I have new information, the person that was “incharge”. was not really in charge and caused all sorts of problems during the Transition of ownership.. She  is no longer there and I Felt welcome. I’m still removing one star because the prices has have gone up dramatically.

Absolutely no privacy. Only recommend if you are camping with large groups so you can be next to each other. Laundry was poor and bathrooms were meh. Entrance on a dangerous turn with little visability to exit, and with a steep incline. Small vehicles only.

We stayed here in our Class C RV. The spot was level. The spots are close together but we didn’t mind. Staff is very friendly and the store has plenty of options and lots of firewood. Free coffee, tea, and oatmeal! The bathrooms were clean and showers had great water pressure and heat. Absolutely beautiful spot. Riverside sites are feet from the water!

Loved my cabin Number One, it was a perfect way to end the day on my roadtrip. Thanks to a couple a met at Point Lobos for the tip!. The gal at check-in was very personable and fun to chat with - about all sorts of things. Nepenthe is just down the street for sunsets.

We had such a great time staying in cabin 1! It was so peaceful with a lovely woodsy smell, a hot shower, and comfortable beds. We could even hear the soothing sound of the river from our cabin patio. Plus, we really enjoyed the fire pit and the super pet-friendly staff who always gave our furry friend a treat when we visited the camp store. And to top it all off, we loved having a sushi truck on the weekends!

Love coming here. The redwoods and River are great ways to just relax in nature. Staff is great! Very family oriented campground, they're not big on people who just want to party.

Best spot ever! Staff is always cool and calm! (Even if they get some bad seed campers) Patty rocks! Camp Councilor comes around in the AM to check on things! Housekeeping does a great job! Also, very dog friendly!

I spent an amazing couple of nights at Riverside as part of a group of ladies, all getting together after a number (a lot) of years. The venue was ideal for our reunion weekend. We were able to spend time together around the attractive grounds. Anthony lit amazing huge campfires for us on both nights in the charmingly illuminated old quarry. We were spread between our beautifully appointed cabins. They were all a little bit different and provided everything you would need for your stay … and more. It was delightful to wake up and hear nothing other than the sound of water in the river below my individual boutique cabin.
I look forward to returning and showing my other half and four legged friend what a gorgeous place it is!

From the moment you pull in to the campground you are being transported to another world. Happy, beautiful, green, scenic and relaxing. Wonderful and kind staff. Clean bathroom and showers. Great camping sites. The camp store looks like it stepped off the fairy tale book. Absolutely lovely. Fall asleep to the sounds of river and redwood forest. Priceless experience, just a magical place.

What of the most amzing places tongo camping 🏕

Reviews

Riverside Campground