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Julia Pfeiffer Burns Campground
2 units · RV, Tent
This park may only have two camping spots, but they are known to be some of the best camping in California!
Campfire allowed
No pets allowed
No showers
Toilets
No potable water
Picnic tables
No sewage hookups
No electric hookups
2 units
RV, Tent
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98%
67 Ratings · 14 reviews
Recommends
· April 2019
We were so stoked when our friend told us she got permits for this spot! DO NOT try to descend to the falls... it will result in a $500+ fine. Only observe from above :)
Renee W.
5 reviews
Recommends
· January 2019
Beautiful spot that books months in advance. If you’re lucky you’ll have the whole place to yourself as there are only 2 spaces. They let us slide with five people but typically it allows for 4 people per site. The other campers didn’t show so we had the space to ourselves and it was awesome! I recommend grabbing both if you can.
Ocean (not accessible) sounds, dolphins, giant trees, and complete privacy from the Big Sur foot traffic. There’s no water, and it is hike in/out.. but not far at all..,and you can pull your car up at the top of the short walk for unloading and loading so it really still feels like car camping with a little extra hauling required. Definetly in my top 10, a must do!
Bea L.
6 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· October 2018
You will have tourist coming through your campground all day long, even though the sign says not to.
J
Jessica M.
6 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· October 2018
Try to arrive before dark so you can find it and find your campsite. This is a very beautiful campground with big trees and was a very enjoyable stop in Big Sur
Kat S.
6 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· August 2018
One of the best campsites ever! Spot #1 is right at the edge of the cliff with nonstop loud crashing waves below. Has a picnic table, fire pit, bear box, and modern pit toilets. no water. The picnic table is perfectly situated for sunset watching. The nearby trails are closed due to the fire a while back, but there's a lot to do a short drive away.
G
Gina B.
2 reviews
January 2018
Question, where exactly to you check in for these campsites? We were lucky to get some dates in July 2018, but are having a difficult time figuring out the logistics.
J
John S.
7 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· December 2017
Be aware that hikers will come through your site, as they're trying to access a good view. You gotta role with it.
Laura S.
2 reviews
Mixed feelings
· June 2017
Be careful with young children - steep cliffs.
J
J H.
8 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· May 2017
Surprisingly large campground. Great nearby hike options. Working your way up the creek is also a great way to keep cool on a hot Summer day.
Andy P.
8 years on Hipcamp
August 2016
Wow did we ever get lucky by scoring a cancellation spot at this site. SO BEAUTIFUL. Only 2 sites that are right next to each other. In fact...site 1 guests NEVER showed up! what a shame. Really hope it doesnt burn down with those fires going on to the north right now. About the hike in. Its really not a hike at all. Living in SF I usally have to park that distance, or further from my house every day. Yes it can be a little annoying because you have to carry everything in. But its really not bad at all. We parked at the very end of the lot closest to the road and the walk was a piece of cake. Only cumbersome thing was having to check in about 11 miles north of the campground at the main Big Sur park check in area. Dont forget that part!
Alfredo R.
8 reviews
July 2015
The two sites are at a pretty good distance from each other. This is a little paradise with a lot of space. We probably were lucky but we saw whales, dolphins and sea lions hanging around down the cliff. What a spot!
Pierre A.
41 reviews
May 2015
There is NO WATER at these environmental campsites. The only place to fill up is at the spigot right by the restrooms in the parking lot, which is about 1/2 a mile away.
Sasha C.
2 reviews
May 2015
Rather than parking in the JPB lot and schlepping your stuff, drive another 1/4 mile or so down Hwy. 1 until you see a pullout on your right and a fenced fire road. This is the most direct way down to the campsites. It's pretty steep, but MUCH shorter.
Sasha C.
2 reviews
May 2015
Campsite #1 has killer views, but campsite #2 is slightly bigger and flatter (i.e. you could easily fit four tents).
Sasha C.
2 reviews
LocationJulia Pfeiffer Burns Campground, Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, California, United States
Is anything missing?Suggest edits to improve this listing for fellow campers.
Campfire allowed
No pets allowed
No showers
Toilets
No potable water
Picnic tables
No sewage hookups
No electric hookups
Your guide to camping in Julia Pfeiffer Burns Campground
Overview
Hiking
Big Sur has got some of the best hiking on the coast (hike through Redwood groves to dramatic coastal views). If you only have a few hours at Julia Pfeiffer Burns, then you have to check out Mcway Falls. It’s ridiculously short, but the views are RIDICULOUS! If you have a bit more time and want to make a day out of it, we suggest the recently reopened Ewoldsen Trail . It’s 4.5 miles round trip and it’s got old growth redwood forests, scrub landscapes, sweeping canyon and ocean views (all with a nice bit of elevation gain).
Wildlife watching
There she blows! In December and January the bench at the end of Overlook trail is an excellent place to watch for gray whales migrating southward to their breeding and calving grounds off the Baja California coast. Many whales pass close to shore at this point, and occasionally one will come into the mouth of the cove. In March and April, they can be seen returning north to their summer feeding grounds in the North Pacific.
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