Description

Sleep in a grassy open meadow in your Big Sur campsite at Andrew Molera Trail Camp, waking early to meander along a trail beside the Big Sur River to Molera Beach—a pristine cove that offers excellent surfing, beachcombing, and access to miles of trails along picturesque meadows, beaches, and striking stretches of coastline. Choose among 24 walk-in campsites, none of which offer much privacy due to the meadow features of the campground. Each campsite is about a .3 mile walk from the parking lot, so come prepared to trek supplies into your site. Sites come equipped with a picnic table, fire ring, and access to a food storage locker to keep animals at bay. To truly experience all in nature that Big Sur has to offer, Andrew Molera State Park camping is not to be missed.

Campsite area
Tent sites
24 sites
Up to 4 guests per site
Other
No wheelchair access
Essentials
Campfires allowed
Toilet available
Amenities
Potable water available
Picnic table available

Activities

Offered near the campground.

Biking

Andrew Molera features out-and-back bike trails for a reason - you’ll want to see the park’s scenery more than once. Andrew Mo...Read more

Boating

While there is no motorboating in the area, check out our kayaking & canoeing section for more information.

Hiking

Andrew Molera State Park offers a variety of trails that can take hikers along the Big Sur river or more towards the coast. A...Read more

Horseback riding

Is there anything more picturesque than riding a horse down California's coastline? We couldn’t think of anything either. That ...Read more

Paddling

Although the Big Sur coast is, by nature, fairly inaccessible, it can be a rewarding place for kayakers to explore. Andrew Mol...Read more

Wind sports

When the conditions are right, Andrew Molera can be a wonderful place for watersports such as kiteboarding and windsurfing. Th...Read more

Off-roading (OHV)

Much of Andrew Molera is off the beaten path, making it suitable for off roading. Rocky mountain trails connect Bixby Bidge to ...Read more

Surfing

Surfing at Andrew Molera State Park can be a hit-or-miss adventure (but when it’s a hit, it’s a hit). The area doesn’t coincide...Read more

Wildlife watching

Marked by a variety of different landscapes, Andrew Molera state park is great for those seeking to watch wildlife . If patie...Read more

Terrain

Natural features you'll find at Andrew Molera Trail Camp.

Beach
Forest
Waterfall
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11 Reviews

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Drop some Andrew Molera Trail Camp knowledge on us.
Hipcamper Sean
Sean L.
didn't provide a recommendation.
October 26th, 2020

Tried finding this campground this weekend and it was not easy. The trail to the campground is CLOSED but we gave it a go anyway figuring we were skilled hikers and being that it was a short distance from the parking lot that it wouldn't be a problem. Wrong. The trail is overgrown with poison oak EVERYWHERE. We made it about half way through only to find a short tunnel of more poison oak to trudge through. No thanks. Turned around and camped on the beach instead. Explored a bit more the next day only to find a gate about 100m north of the park entrance where you can walk to the CLOSED campground. Place was deserted aside from a couple cars who must have had a key to the locked gate. Place was overgrown and looked spooky TBH. Don't do it!

Hipcamper Vincent
Vincent S.
recommends this listing.
November 9th, 2018

There is surf!

Hipcamper Kris
Kris Z.
recommends this listing.
October 26th, 2017

It's been washed out since the rains last year so I think it's closed now!

Hipcamper Alyssa
Alyssa R.
didn't provide a recommendation.
August 1st, 2017

Great surfing here when the conditions are right!!! Get the latest here: http://magicseaweed.com/Andrew-Molera-State-Park-Surf-Report/260/

Amazing place to watch the sunset, one of the best.

A beautiful campground in a meadow, pretty open so not much privacy. You'll be carrying your stuff in from the parking lot maybe 1/4 mile and then it's another 10 minutes or so to the beach. All first come first serve! Last time I was there someone got a ticket for having their dog...

Hipcamper Misha
Misha V.
recommends this listing.
July 12th, 2017

Be prepared to carry everything in for the first come first serve sites :)

Hipcamper renee
Renee W.
recommends this listing.
June 2nd, 2017

Hike in, nice spread out camp spots. Hike another mile to get to the purple sand beach, popular for surfers.

Hipcamper Stef
Stef G.
didn't provide a recommendation.
March 14th, 2016

My friends and I loved this site! It is a huge open field so be prepared for the beaming sun unless you get lucky to snag one of the couple spots with a tree. The hike to the site and the beach is very easy ehich made this ideal for our weekend in big sur. There is TONS of wildlife at this site so use the lockers and a dry bag for any food or scents. We encountered bears, raccoons, squirrels, and deer during our stay in October. After our first night there we were not bothered so it seems the animals were just curious.

Hipcamper William Ray
William Ray L.
didn't provide a recommendation.
January 12th, 2016

This is a beautiful, open place to camp. My partner and I camped on a weekday in December and there were only three other campers. If you are lucky, as we were, the sites around two incredible Sycamore trees will be open and you can camp underneath their massive canopies.
A couple of warnings about the area:
Poison oak is everywhere; up, down, all around. Stay in the center of the trails if you are allergic. Also, the trail to the beach from the campsite floods out when there has been rain. However, it's not much of a hassle to head back to the main parking lot and take that trail down; and it is a very enjoyable walk no matter which way you take.

Hipcamper Alex
Alex P.
didn't provide a recommendation.
August 3rd, 2015

Make sure to get there VERY early (around 7am) and walk into the campsite, and ask people who are awake if they plan on leaving or not. If so, tell them that you'll be taking their place, then go fill out a self-reservation form at the ranger's station

Park
Andrew Molera State Park
State
California
Country
United States
Phone Number
(831) 667-2315
Directions
View on Google Maps
Official Website
View Website
Coordinates
36.287° N, 121.851° W
$25/night
Tent Only - Hike In: 24 Sites
(Up to 4 people per site)