Overnight trip to Big Sur--campground suggestions

[Remn]

I'm planning to ride from Oakland to Big Sur this Wednesday. I'll be taking my time along Highway 1, making plenty of stops, so I plan on staying overnight at or near Big Sur. I'm wondering if there are any free or cheap places to camp. The state park grounds tend to charge rip-off prices, and since I'll only be camping out 1 night and returning the next day I won't need any fancy amenities. Don't need a shower, or much of anything besides a spot of ground to pitch a tent. I'd be willing to ride 30 minutes out of my way to find an out-of-the-way spot. Any ideas?

 

[revnort]

I found some nice looking places up Naciemento-Fergusson road when I was down there in July. (running water, flat ground).

http://maps.google.com/maps?daddr=3...077162&mra=mift&mrsp=1&sz=14&vpsrc=6&t=h&z=14

I am sure there are a ton of places though if you just go looking outside of the park.

I find it more fun to wing it. Just go, you will find a place

 

[Oh My Sack!]

I found some nice looking places up Naciemento-Fergusson road when I was down there in July. (running water, flat ground).

http://maps.google.com/maps?daddr=3...077162&mra=mift&mrsp=1&sz=14&vpsrc=6&t=h&z=14

I am sure there are a ton of places though if you just go looking outside of the park.

I find it more fun to wing it. Just go, you will find a place

There are 2 campgrounds which I believe are free use. They are just outside of the boundary at Fort Hunter-Liggett just as you start heading up the mountain towards the coast. One is called the Nacimiento campground, the other is called Ponderosa campground. I've utilized both in the past and they are usually empty. That may or may not be the case now since the "A" Zone Deer Hunting Season opened on Saturday.

I have also stayed at the Riverside Campground (Private) just a bit south of the Big Sur Lodge. There are numerous campgrounds but you're going to have to pay. It's just the way it is. Further down the line passed Gorda is Plaskett Ck campground on the inland side of the road and Sand Dollar Beach across the street. Been there a bunch, too. Nice facility.

You might even find it tough to get a spot on the weekdays as the end of summer, before school starts, push is on. One never knows when travelling that area. It's a big destination.

 

[bmer97]

Watch out for thieves at Big Sur....they cleaned us out in 1976! Twice in 2 nights!

Of course they may be a bit geriatric these days!

I was outraged by the extremely high gas prices.... .87/gallon.

 

[Remn]

Thanks for the tips. I checked out the Nacimiento and Ponderosa campgrounds. Look like they're not free any more, but $10-$15 isn't bad. I was kind of wondering if anyone has just tried making their own campground someplace out of sight from the road, but I'm sure they're on the lookout for that sort of thing and the ticket would cost more than just paying the $10 for Nacimiento. Think I'll try that one out, thanks again

 

[Oh My Sack!]

Guaranteed the hippies have been doing that since the way back. Plan your consumables so you're not using a campfire in that scenario. The locals and the forestry don't take kindly to unauthorized camp fires down there.

 

[EastBayDave]

Nacimiento-Fergusson Rd looks like a cool biking road????

 

[Remn]

Nacimiento-Fergusson Rd looks like a cool biking road????

I'll let you know, I plan on taking it to get on the 101 for the return trip

 

[aram]

Nacimiento-Fergusson Rd looks like a cool biking road????

I just took it a few days ago and it's pretty fun!

 

[revnort]

Thanks for the tips. I checked out the Nacimiento and Ponderosa campgrounds. Look like they're not free any more, but $10-$15 isn't bad. I was kind of wondering if anyone has just tried making their own campground someplace out of sight from the road, but I'm sure they're on the lookout for that sort of thing and the ticket would cost more than just paying the $10 for Nacimiento. Think I'll try that one out, thanks again

You could definitely stealth camp. I found a few places that would have been suitable, but yeah no fire.

If you are heading back towards lake Nacimiento to get back to 101, keep in mind once you leave the coast it is HOT. I mean really fuggin hot. Bring plenty of water.

Nacimiento-Fergusson Rd looks like a cool biking road????

I came up from farther down one one toward Lake Nacimiento and then took that road down toward the coast. The road was great and views coming back towards 1 were incredible...

Not to mention the temp was dropping about 40 degrees back towards the coast from 104 to 60, and I realised I was going to live afterall.

I hear old coast road is really good too if you don't mind a dirt road.

 

[monkeythumpa]

I just took it a few days ago and it's pretty fun!

It is epic! After you ride through the bombing range and get close to the base, if you don't mind getting a little wet, disregard the "Military Vehicles Only" sign and take the water crossing.

 

[EastBayDave]

cool, thanks all for the reviews/pics. Looks like a new one to me I'll have to do soon!

 

[Kornholio]

It is epic! After you ride through the bombing range and get close to the base, if you don't mind getting a little wet, disregard the "Military Vehicles Only" sign and take the water crossing.

The water crossing's are high this year. Just a fair warning.

 

[EastBayDave]

The water crossing's are high this year. Just a fair warning.

ah a dual sport or standard will make it.

what about a sportbike?

 

[terdog55]

still? I'd have thought that they would have setteled down by now. I know in my area things have mellowed out.

 

[Kornholio]

ah a dual sport or standard will make it.

what about a sportbike?

I should've said it's so high that it swept away a couple M998's this year. I'd stay away from them all together with a motorcycle unless you have a death wish.

 

[monkeythumpa]

The water crossing's are high this year. Just a fair warning.

It is a wide concrete spillway with slow moving water and the water is not that deep. It is not challenging, but very refreshing on a hot day. Just hit it straight and keep a constant throttle. Take look: http://maps.google.com/maps?q=35.98...-121.238455&cbp=11,0,,0,0&photoid=po-25721994

 

[monkeythumpa]

I should've said it's so high that it swept away a couple M998's this year. I'd stay away from them all together with a motorcycle unless you have a death wish.

What is a M998? It was tame when I was there in April or May???

 

[Kornholio]

What is a M998? It was tame when I was there in April or May???

And it is a rushing torrent now the there's snow melt and such. The military has the gates closed on accessing it right now.


The M998 is your standard HMMWV or Humvee...

 

[ScorpioVI]

I was just down at Big Sur/Nasci-Ferg last Saturday. It was a blast, always worth the ride down.

Can't help you with the camping suggestions, other than I got a look at the camping areas right next to NF and they were packed, tents side-by-side with each other. Not my idea of a fun camping trip.