Reservation9/10
Pfeiffer Big Sur Campground permit
Main family campground along the Big Sur River....
Walk-UpOvernightHigh Demand
Pfeiffer Big Sur Hike/Bike Sites Permit
Walk-in sites for hikers and cyclists.
Other permits in Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park we can watch
“Five dollars a night on the Big Sur River, for anyone arriving on foot or by bicycle.”
How to get Hike/Bike
Hike-and-bike sites are not reserved and not permitted. California State Parks: "A permit is not required to hike and bike in state parks", and the sites go "on a first-come, first-served basis for a per-person fee" — the park collects it when you arrive, so it is worth getting there early in the day. Nothing is sold in advance, so there is no reservation to cancel and nothing for us to watch.
Official permit pagePlanning another trip? See the permits we watch.
How to get Hike/Bike
Hike-and-bike sites are not reserved and not permitted. California State Parks: "A permit is not required to hike and bike in state parks", and the sites go "on a first-come, first-served basis for a per-person fee" — the park collects it when you arrive, so it is worth getting there early in the day. Nothing is sold in advance, so there is no reservation to cancel and nothing for us to watch.
Official permit pagePlanning another trip? See the permits we watch.
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Hike/Bike Quick Facts
Permit RequiredNo
Demand LevelHigh7/10
This permit is not bookable online
Hike-and-bike sites are not reserved and not permitted. California State Parks: "A permit is not required to hike and bike in state parks", and the sites go "on a first-come, first-served basis for a per-person fee" — the park collects it when you arrive, so it is worth getting there early in the day. Nothing is sold in advance, so there is no reservation to cancel and nothing for us to watch.
Official permit page →Key Information
Permit Details
TypeOvernight
Demand Level7/10
LocationBig Sur Coast, CA
What to Expect
Route Details
Route Type
Out & Back
Duration
1-2 nights
Difficulty
EasyHighlights
- •$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
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.
Hazards & Considerations
- !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.
Weather Forecast
Trailhead (5,000 ft)
Today
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71°
58°
Sun
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73°
60°
Mon
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87°
59°
Tue
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78°
61°
Wed
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78°
59°
Thu
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81°
64°
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.
Difficulty Assessment
Physical Demand2/5
Fitness and endurance required
Technical Skill1/5
Climbing, scrambling, or specialized skills
Exposure Risk2/5
Steep dropoffs and fall potential
Navigation1/5
Route finding and trail clarity
Commitment1/5
Difficulty of bailing out mid-route
Best For
Cyclists riding the Pacific Coast route and hikers arriving on foot, at $5 a night with hot showers.
Recommended Experience
The fitness to ride or walk into Big Sur, and a Highway 1 conditions check before you commit to the route.
Not Recommended For
Anyone with a vehicle — that alone disqualifies you. Anyone wanting more than two consecutive nights, and anyone hoping to reach a beach from this park.
About This Permit
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.
The Experience
Why It Matters
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 Route
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.
The Feeling
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.
Trailhead Information
Pfeiffer Big Sur entrance kiosk
Where hikers and cyclists register. No vehicle may be associated with a hike/bike site.
Restrooms
Water on site
Parking
None — hikers and bikers must arrive on foot or by bike and cannot have a vehicle.
Getting There
Near mile marker 47.2 on Highway 1, 26 miles south of Carmel. Cyclists should check Caltrans for Highway 1 closures and one-way controls before riding this stretch.
Nearest Services
Big Sur village. Firewood and shower tokens at the kiosk.
Rules & Regulations
- •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 Checklist
Required
- 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
- 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
Plan Your Trip
🎒
Gear Checklist
Required and recommended gear for Hike/Bike
🚐
Shuttle Services
Trailhead transportation options
Browse all shuttles🧭
Guide Services
Experienced wilderness guides
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Key Landmarks
Pfeiffer Big Sur entrance kiosk
Check-in, firewood and shower tokens.
Big Sur River
Runs the length of the campground; many campsites are located along it.
Pfeiffer Falls
A 60-foot waterfall over moss-covered granite, on a two-mile round trip with Valley View.
Buzzard's Roost
Three miles round trip, about 750 feet of gain, to an exposed ridge above Sycamore Canyon.
Safety & Planning
🚨
Emergency Info
Emergency contacts, ranger station locations, and satellite communicator tips for Hike/Bike.
🐻
Food Storage
Bear canister requirements, approved container lists, and rental locations for this permit.
Hike/Bike FAQ
How do I get a Hike/Bike permit?
Hike/Bike is not sold online. Hike-and-bike sites are not reserved and not permitted. California State Parks: "A permit is not required to hike and bike in state parks", and the sites go "on a first-come, first-served basis for a per-person fee" — the park collects it when you arrive, so it is worth getting there early in the day. Nothing is sold in advance, so there is no reservation to cancel and nothing for us to watch. PermitSnag does not send alerts for it — check the official permit page for the current process.
When is the best time to visit Hike/Bike?
Check with the managing agency for current season dates. Weekdays generally have better availability than weekends.
How competitive is the Hike/Bike permit?
This permit has a demand score of 7/10, making it highly competitive. We recommend having backup dates and reading the official permit page for how this one is issued.
What if I can't get a Hike/Bike permit?
On this permit there is no cancellation queue and no alert to set, because nothing is re-released onto a calendar we could watch. Bring backup dates, and check the official permit page for the current process and any closures.
👥Community
Trail Conditions
No active conditions reported
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Questions
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Trip Reports
Write ReportPhotography Guide
Golden Hour
The exposed ridge at Buzzard's Roost, above Sycamore Canyon.
Best Light
Mid-morning along the river, when light breaks through the canopy rather than blowing out the frame.
Beat the Crowds
Hike/bike sites are their own small corner of a 189-site campground. Buzzard's Roost and the Mt. Manuel Trail climb away from the campground floor.
Classic Shots
- 📍Loaded touring bikes against redwoods
- 📍Pfeiffer Falls dropping 60 feet over granite
- 📍The Big Sur River through the campground
- 📍Valley View Overlook toward Point Sur
- 📍Highway 1 cyclists rolling in at dusk
Can't Get a Hike/Bike Permit?
Consider these alternatives if your preferred dates aren't available.
Pfeiffer Big Sur Campground
Same Area189 sites along the Big Sur River, standard $50 and premium riverfront $60, with a dump station and one cabin.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
You can bring a vehicle and stay longer than two nights, but you are competing in a campground the park says fills six months out even in winter.
Andrew Molera Trail Camp
Similar ExperienceTwenty-two walk-in tent sites plus two hike-and-bike sites in a meadow near the Big Sur River, six miles north.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
Also has $5 hike/bike sites, plus real beach access. But it closes for the winter season and has no showers.
Limekiln Campground
Easier AlternativeTwenty-nine sites in a redwood canyon and on the beach, 30 miles further south, with $5 hike and bike sites.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
Beach sites and hot showers, but everything there is cash only, and Highway 1 there was closed for over a year by landslides before reopening in February 2026.
🏕️
Where to Stay
Nearby campgrounds to complete your Hike/Bike trip
Trip planning
Articles that plan a trip around this permit.
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