Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park adventure.
Settle into the Big Sur forest at this inland state park.
Situated just inland from the Big Sur Coast, on the banks of the Big Sur River, Pfieffer Big Sur State Park is among the most popular spots for camping and hiking in the region. It provides a habitat for all sorts of wildlife, from California condors to bobcats, and offers over half a dozen trails ranging from short jaunts to more challenging uphill treks. The park's 189-site campground stretches along the river and features a camps store, a laundromat, a dump station, and token-operated showers. Some sites have direct river access, but they cost a bit more.
The entire Big Sur area is at its most popular—and its busiest—during the summertime. The weather this time of year is usually at its finest, but you’re likely to encounter equally pleasant weather if you visit in early- to mid-September, when summer break is over and the crowds begin to subside. Winters can get stormy, leading to flooding, mudslides, and road closures. The area often stays wet into the spring, when wildflowers in the area begin to bloom.