Walk-Up7/10
Pfeiffer Big Sur Hike/Bike Sites permit
Walk-in sites for hikers and cyclists....
ReservationOvernightVery High Demand
Pfeiffer Big Sur Campground Permit
Main family campground along the Big Sur River.
Other permits in Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park we can watch
“189 sites strung along the Big Sur River under redwoods - the largest campground on the Big Sur coast, and it fills six months out.”
How to get Pfeiffer Campground
There is no single Pfeiffer Big Sur Campground reservation. ReserveCalifornia books the campground as three separate loops — South Camp (sites 1-78), Weyland Camp (sites 79-130) and Main Camp (sites 131-188) — and you reserve a site in one of them, so there is no one calendar covering the campground for us to watch. Live check of the ReserveCalifornia catalogue on 2026-09-10 confirmed those three loops plus the group sites, which are sold separately and have their own page here. We link the park booking page so you can pick the loop you want.
More about Pfeiffer Big Sur State ParkPlanning another trip? See the permits we watch.
How to get Pfeiffer Campground
There is no single Pfeiffer Big Sur Campground reservation. ReserveCalifornia books the campground as three separate loops — South Camp (sites 1-78), Weyland Camp (sites 79-130) and Main Camp (sites 131-188) — and you reserve a site in one of them, so there is no one calendar covering the campground for us to watch. Live check of the ReserveCalifornia catalogue on 2026-09-10 confirmed those three loops plus the group sites, which are sold separately and have their own page here. We link the park booking page so you can pick the loop you want.
More about Pfeiffer Big Sur State ParkPlanning another trip? See the permits we watch.
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Pfeiffer Campground Quick Facts
Permit RequiredYes
Booking MethodReservation
Demand LevelExtremely High9/10
SeasonYear-round - Year-round
Cost$50 per night standard site, $60 premium riverfront, $10 second vehicle; $10 per vehicle day use
Max Group Size6 people
Pfeiffer Campground Permit Facts
- As of September 2026, Pfeiffer Campground in Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, California requires a permit issued via reservation.
- Pfeiffer Campground is one of the most competitive permits in the United States, rating 9/10 on PermitSnag's demand index.
- The permit season for Pfeiffer Campground runs year-round.
Key Information
Key Dates
SeasonYear-round - Year-round
Permit Details
TypeOvernight
Booking MethodReservation
Demand Level9/10
LocationBig Sur Coast, CA
Pro Tips
- •Set an alarm for exactly six months before your arrival date. The park states outright that sites fill six months ahead.
- •If you missed the window, drive in and ask at the entrance kiosk after 3 p.m. - that is the only way day-of sites are released.
- •Riverfront sites cost $10 more and are the first gone; a standard site 30 seconds further from the water is a far easier target for a cancellation watch.
- •Buy shower tokens at the entrance kiosk when you check in rather than hunting for them later.
- •If you are visiting between mid-June and the end of October, the two seasonal footbridges are in - that opens river crossings that simply do not exist in winter.
- •Bring cash or card for firewood at the kiosk; collecting wood in the park is prohibited.
- •Check Highway 1 conditions before you drive, especially November through March.
What to Expect
Route Details
Route Type
Varies
Duration
1-7 nights
Difficulty
EasyHighlights
- •189 RV and tent sites on or near the Big Sur River, split across three loops
- •No hookups at any site; fresh water, hot showers and toilets throughout the campground
- •Six people and two vehicles maximum per site
- •Token showers - $1 buys five minutes, tokens sold at the entrance kiosk and select bathrooms
- •A dump station with potable water for freshwater fills, free to campers with reservations and en route campers
- •Summer mornings start in fog that usually burns off by midday
- •Two seasonal footbridges over the river, installed around June 15 and removed around October 31
Best Time to Visit
Fall is the sweet spot - the fog thins, the crowds drop after Labor Day, and daytime temperatures stay in the 70s and 80s. Winter is the quietest and cheapest-feeling time to be here, with daytime highs from the low 50s to the mid 70s, but it is also when Highway 1 is most likely to close. Summer books out the instant the six-month window opens.
Hazards & Considerations
- !The Big Sur River has shallow, rocky stretches - the park bans head-first and feet-first diving outright
- !Highway 1 access is fragile: landslides and closures have repeatedly cut the Big Sur coast
- !Fire history is real here - the 2008 Basin Complex Fire burned more than 160,000 acres along this coast and parts of the park are still recovering
- !Poison oak is throughout the park; stay on trails
- !Steep drop-offs past the paved end of the Big Sur River Gorge trail
Weather Forecast
Trailhead (5,000 ft)
Today
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71°
58°
Sun
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60°
Mon
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Tue
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Wed
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59°
Thu
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81°
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Fri
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89°
66°
View full NWS forecast →Mountain weather changes rapidly. This forecast is a guide—always be prepared for worse conditions.
How to Get This Permit
1
Create an account before permits drop
Find this permit on the managing agency's booking system and set up an account with your payment info ready.
2
Know the release schedule
Permits typically release on a rolling basis. Check the specific release time for your desired dates.
3
Be ready when permits drop
Log in a few minutes early. Have your dates, group size, and payment ready to go.
Learn More
When to Go
Peak: Memorial Day through Labor DayShoulder: October through April
Conditions
Green valley, strong river flow, and the seasonal footbridges not yet installed.
Crowd Level
HighAdvantages
- +Pfeiffer Falls at its fullest
- +Cooler hiking on Buzzard's Roost and Mt. Manuel
- +Wildflowers in the valley
Challenges
- !The footbridges are not in until around June 15, limiting river crossings
- !Winter storm damage can still have trails closed
Difficulty Assessment
Physical Demand1/5
Fitness and endurance required
Technical Skill1/5
Climbing, scrambling, or specialized skills
Exposure Risk1/5
Steep dropoffs and fall potential
Navigation1/5
Route finding and trail clarity
Commitment2/5
Difficulty of bailing out mid-route
Best For
Anyone who wants to sleep in Big Sur without a backcountry permit. You drive to the site, there are hot showers, and the trailheads start in camp.
Recommended Experience
None. The only real skill is booking at the right hour.
Not Recommended For
RV travelers who need hookups - no site has them. Also anyone who cannot commit six months out or show up in person after 3 p.m. for a day-of site.
About This Permit
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park's main campground has 189 RV and tent sites on or near the Big Sur River, under redwoods in the middle of the Big Sur valley. No site has hookups, but fresh water, hot showers and toilets are spread through the campground, and every site has a parking area, fire pit and picnic table. Each site takes a maximum of six people and two vehicles.
Booking is the hard part. Reservations run through ReserveCalifornia and the park says sites fill six months in advance - the full rolling window. You cannot reserve inside the 48 hours before arrival, so late plans mean showing up in person: the park releases day-of sites only through the entrance kiosk, and tells you to check after 3 p.m. on the day you want to camp.
Rates are $50 for a standard site and $60 for a premium riverfront site, plus $10 for a second vehicle. Day use is $10 per vehicle and firewood is $12 a bundle at the entrance kiosk. Showers are token-operated at $1 for five minutes.
The Experience
Why It Matters
Highway 1 has almost nowhere to legally sleep. Pfeiffer Big Sur is the biggest reservable campground on the coast, sits at the center of the Big Sur valley, and is the difference between a Big Sur trip and a long drive. That is why every site is gone the day the six-month window opens.
The Route
The campground runs three loops along the river, and which one you draw changes the trip. South Camp holds sites 1-78 at the downstream end. Weyland Camp covers 79-130 in the middle. Main Camp has 131-188 nearest the entrance, the Nature Center and the trailheads. From camp, the Valley View and Pfeiffer Falls trail is a 2-mile round trip that climbs 200 feet to a fork - right to a 60-foot waterfall, left another 300 feet to the Valley View overlook. Buzzard's Roost is the harder option at 3 miles round trip and 750 feet of gain, crossing the river and climbing through redwoods to a ridge with ocean views. Around June 15 the park installs two seasonal footbridges over the Big Sur River; they come out around October 31, which quietly changes what is walkable from your site.
The Feeling
You wake up under second-growth redwoods with the Big Sur River twenty feet away and fog in the canopy that usually burns off by midday. It is not wilderness - there are hot showers, a lodge, and a softball field - and that is exactly the point. It is a basecamp inside the most crowded stretch of coastline in California.
Trailhead Information
Main Camp (sites 131-188)
Closest loop to the entrance kiosk, Nature Center and the Valley View / Pfeiffer Falls trailhead.
Restrooms
Water on site
Parking
Parking is permitted only in designated lots and at campsites; two vehicles maximum per site.
Getting There
Entrance is on Highway 1 in the Big Sur valley; day use is $10 per vehicle.
Nearest Services
Big Sur Lodge inside the park has a cafe, gift shop and grocery store.
Weyland Camp (sites 79-130)
Middle loop along the Big Sur River.
Restrooms
Water on site
South Camp (sites 1-78)
Downstream loop, furthest from the entrance kiosk.
Restrooms
Water on site
Rules & Regulations
- •Maximum 6 people and 2 vehicles per campsite
- •Quiet hours are 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.; generator hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- •Fires are allowed only in the provided metal fire rings, and firewood must be purchased rather than collected
- •Peak-season stay limit is 7 consecutive nights, with a 30-day limit per calendar year
- •Campsites cannot be reserved inside the 48 hours before arrival
- •Except for service animals, pets may not use trails, the river or other natural areas, and all animals must be on a six-foot leash
- •Diving head or feet first into the Big Sur River is not permitted, and moving rocks or building dams is prohibited to protect steelhead habitat
Gear Checklist
Required
- Shower tokens or cash for them - $1 per five minutes at the kiosk
- A lighter and fire starter; firewood is $12 a bundle at the entrance kiosk
- Layers for coastal fog: winter overnights run 30s-50s and summer overnights 50s-70s
- A headlamp - the redwood canopy makes camp dark early
- Water containers if you want to fill at the dump station rather than walk to a spigot
Plan Your Trip
🎒
Gear Checklist
Required and recommended gear for Pfeiffer Campground
🚐
Shuttle Services
Trailhead transportation options
Browse all shuttles🧭
Guide Services
Experienced wilderness guides
Browse all guidesSome links may be affiliate links. Purchases support PermitSnag at no extra cost to you.
Key Landmarks
Main Camp (sites 131-188)
Closest loop to the entrance kiosk, Nature Center and trailheads
Weyland Camp (sites 79-130)
Middle loop along the Big Sur River
South Camp (sites 1-78)
Downstream loop, furthest from the entrance
Pfeiffer Falls
60-foot waterfall reached on the 2-mile Valley View and Pfeiffer Falls round trip
Valley View Overlook
Left fork past the falls junction, another 300 feet of climbing for the valley view
Buzzard's Roost
Ridge with ocean views - 3 miles round trip and 750 feet of gain from the campground
Big Sur River Gorge
0.5-mile paved round trip; going beyond the pavement is hazardous
Safety & Planning
🚨
Emergency Info
Emergency contacts, ranger station locations, and satellite communicator tips for Pfeiffer Campground.
🐻
Food Storage
Bear canister requirements, approved container lists, and rental locations for this permit.
Pfeiffer Campground FAQ
How far in advance can I reserve a Pfeiffer Big Sur campsite?
Six months. Reservations go through ReserveCalifornia and the park says sites fill six months in advance, which is the full rolling window.
Can I get a Pfeiffer Big Sur campsite last minute?
Only in person. Campsites cannot be reserved inside the 48 hours before arrival. To get a day-of site you must be physically present at the park's entrance kiosk, and the park says to check after 3 p.m. on the day you want to camp.
How much does a Pfeiffer Big Sur campsite cost?
$50 per night for a standard site and $60 for a premium riverfront site, plus $10 per night for a second vehicle. Day use is $10 per vehicle and firewood is $12 a bundle at the entrance kiosk.
Does the Pfeiffer Big Sur campground have hookups or showers?
No hookups are provided at any site. Fresh water, hot showers and toilets are located throughout the campground; showers are token-operated at $1 for five minutes.
How many people can stay on one Pfeiffer Big Sur campsite?
Six people and two vehicles. The peak-season stay limit is 7 consecutive nights, with a 30-day limit per calendar year.
How big an RV fits at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park?
The park lists a maximum trailer length of 27 feet and a maximum camper or motorhome length of 32 feet.
What hikes start from the Pfeiffer Big Sur campground?
Valley View and Pfeiffer Falls is 2 miles round trip - 200 feet up to a fork, then a 60-foot waterfall on the right or another 300 feet to the Valley View overlook on the left. Buzzard's Roost is 3 miles round trip with 750 feet of gain. The Big Sur River Gorge is a 0.5-mile paved round trip, and Mt. Manuel is 8 miles round trip and strenuous.
👥Community
Trail Conditions
No active conditions reported
Sign in to report trail conditions.
Photography Guide
Golden Hour
First light in the redwood canopy along the river, when the fog is still holding and shafts cut through the trees.
Best Light
Late afternoon from the Valley View overlook, when the low sun rakes across the valley toward the ocean.
Beat the Crowds
Walk the Valley View and Pfeiffer Falls loop before 8 a.m. - it is the park's most popular trail and the day-use lots fill later. Buzzard's Roost sheds almost everyone at the first climb.
Classic Shots
- 📍Pfeiffer Falls dropping 60 feet into the redwood gorge
- 📍The Valley View overlook looking down the Big Sur valley to the Pacific
- 📍Ocean and ridgeline from Buzzard's Roost after the 750-foot climb
- 📍The Big Sur River braiding through campsite redwoods at dawn
- 📍Fog in the canopy above the campground before it burns off
Can't Get a Pfeiffer Campground Permit?
Consider these alternatives if your preferred dates aren't available.
Pfeiffer Big Sur Hike/Bike Sites
Same AreaWalk-in and ride-in sites in the same park at $5 per person, limited to two consecutive nights.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
Far cheaper and far easier to get, but you cannot drive to it and you are capped at two nights.
Pfeiffer Big Sur Group Campground
Same AreaTwo walk-in, tents-only group sites at $150 per night, mid-June through mid-October, for 9 to 35 people.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
Only works for a real group, and only in the summer season.
Andrew Molera Trail Camp
Similar ExperienceWalk-in trail camp at Andrew Molera State Park, 4 miles north on Highway 1.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
A short walk in with no showers and no river-side redwoods, but far less competition.
Limekiln Campground
Same AreaSmall campground in a redwood canyon further south on the Big Sur coast.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
Much smaller and quieter, but its availability depends on Highway 1 conditions.
🏕️
Where to Stay
Nearby campgrounds to complete your Pfeiffer Campground trip
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