How to Get a Hike/Bike Permit
Five dollars a night on the Big Sur River, for anyone arriving on foot or by bicycle.
Check Hike/Bike permit availability1-2 nights
Duration
easy
Difficulty
About Hike/Bike
Pfeiffer Big Sur's hike and bike sites cost $5 a night and are reserved for people arriving under their own power: hikers and bikers must arrive on foot or by bike, they cannot have a vehicle, and the stay is limited to two consecutive nights. The senior discount that applies to other sites in this park explicitly does not apply here. They sit inside a campground of 189 RV and tent sites situated on or near the Big Sur River, and share its facilities — fresh water, hot showers and toilets throughout, with showers token-operated at $1 for five minutes for registered campers only. Each site has a fire pit and a picnic table, and no site in the park has hookups. This matters for anyone riding the coast. The park says reservations fill up six months in advance, even in the winter, and that during peak season the entire campground is usually reserved. Hike/bike sites are the practical answer for a cyclist who cannot plan half a year ahead.
Pfeiffer Big Sur's main campground is reserved six months in advance even in winter. The hike/bike sites are for visitors travelling under their own power, at a fraction of the price, with a two-night cap that keeps them turning over.
The Experience
The same redwood river canyon as the $50 sites, with a bike leaned against a tree instead of a car parked beside you. Highway 1 cyclists arrive at dusk, stiff and hungry.
The hike/bike sites sit within Main Camp, the section holding sites 131 to 188 along the Big Sur River. Hikers and bikers must arrive on foot or by bike and cannot have a vehicle, and the stay is limited to two consecutive nights.
The campground's facilities are shared: fresh water, hot showers and toilets are located throughout, with showers token-operated at $1 for five minutes for registered campers. Each site has a fire pit and a picnic table.
Trails leave from the campground. Valley View and the Pfeiffer Falls Trail together make two miles round trip, climbing 200 feet to a fork then 300 more to the Valley View Overlook, or right through redwoods to the 60-foot Pfeiffer Falls. Buzzard's Roost is three miles round trip with about 750 feet of gain. Remember that there is no beach or ocean access in this park.
What to Expect
$5 per night, for arrivals on foot or by bike only
A two-consecutive-night limit
Shared access to fresh water, hot showers and toilets
Fire pit and picnic table, no hookups
A redwood river canyon with no beach or ocean access anywhere in the park
No senior discount on these sites
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Permit Requirements
Hikers and bikers must arrive on foot or by bike and cannot have a vehicle.
Hike and Bike stay is limited to two consecutive nights.
Senior Citizen Discount applies to all campsites except Hike/Bike.
Quiet hours are 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Generator hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Check-in is 2 pm. Check-out is 12 noon.
Fires are allowed only in the provided metal fire rings; do not gather firewood, buy it at the entrance kiosk.
Dogs must be on a leash at all times, and are allowed on the Warden's Path and River Path and in the day-use lots and campground, but not on other trails.
Use the provided metal storage bins for all food and scented items.
Speed limit is 10 mph.
Diving and jumping into the river is prohibited at the Big Sur River Gorge.
Gear & Preparation
Required Gear
- •A bicycle or your own two feet — a vehicle disqualifies you from these sites
- •Shower tokens from the kiosk ($1 for five minutes)
- •Firewood bought at the kiosk
- •Lights and high-visibility kit for riding Highway 1
- •Warm layers for a cold, shaded canyon
Recommended Gear
- •Repair kit and spares
- •A cooler or food bag that fits the metal storage bin
- •Rain gear outside high summer
- •Long sleeves and long pants for poison oak on the trails
- •A Caltrans check for one-way controls before riding
Hazards & Safety
Highway 1 riding conditions — as of August 2026 there was one-way controlled traffic at Rocky Creek Bridge, 15.7 miles south of Monterey.
Poison oak throughout the Big Sur parks, in bush, vine and ground-cover form.
Ticks on trailside grasses; check yourself frequently.
Mountain lions are present, particularly at dawn and dusk.
Raccoons are aggressive nocturnal scavengers; use the storage bins.
The Big Sur River Gorge has loose rock and slippery surfaces.
Best Time to Visit
Late spring through early autumn, which is when Highway 1 is most reliably open and riding the coast is realistic. Winter brings rain and the highest chance of a road closure.
100+ wilderness permits, extensive backcountry experience
This guide is based on personal experience obtaining wilderness permits and is regularly updated to reflect current policies and strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a Hike/Bike permit?
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Hike/Bike permits require advance reservations. Book online as soon as reservations open for your desired dates.
When is the best time to visit Hike/Bike?
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Late spring through early autumn, which is when Highway 1 is most reliably open and riding the coast is realistic. Winter brings rain and the highest chance of a road closure.
How difficult is Hike/Bike?
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Cyclists riding the Pacific Coast route and hikers arriving on foot, at $5 a night with hot showers.
What gear do I need for Hike/Bike?
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Essential gear includes: A bicycle or your own two feet — a vehicle disqualifies you from these sites, Shower tokens from the kiosk ($1 for five minutes), Firewood bought at the kiosk, Lights and high-visibility kit for riding Highway 1, Warm layers for a cold, shaded canyon.
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