Camp beneath ancient coast redwoods and swim in the cool, clear Big Sur River at this historic riverfront haven just off California's Highway 1.
Riverside Campground & Cabins occupies 16 densely forested acres along the banks of the Big Sur River, positioned roughly 22 miles south of Carmel-by-the-Sea and just past the Big Sur River Inn. Operating since the 1960s, this river terrace retreat provides a cool, shaded sanctuary where the coastal redwoods, maples, sycamores, and bay laurels filter the bright California sun into soft, shifting columns of light. Unlike the exposed, wind-swept bluffs of the nearby coastline, the campground is sheltered within a deep canyon, where the constant rush of the river over smooth stones serves as the dominant soundtrack. The property has transitioned through decades of family stewardship and is now managed by EOS Hospitality, yet it maintains its classic, unpretentious character. Guests descend from Highway 1 directly into a quiet, cathedral-like grove where the air is noticeably cooler and rich with the scent of damp earth and redwood duff.
The accommodations are carefully arranged to maximize privacy while keeping guests close to the water. The property features 34 campsites and 11 cabins and rooms, offering options for traditional tent campers, RV travelers, and those seeking the comfort of solid wood walls. The RV sites are equipped with 20-amp electrical hookups and water connections, designed to host trailers and motorhomes up to 25 feet in length. For tent campers, the riverside sites are highly coveted, placing tents just steps from the water's edge. Each campsite is furnished with a heavy wooden picnic table and a steel fire ring for evening campfires. The cabins and rooms feature warm, natural wood interiors, comfortable queen beds, and private or shared decks that look out into the forest. These units range from simple, rustic one-room cabins to spacious two-bedroom layouts complete with fully equipped kitchens and stone fireplaces, offering a cozy refuge after a day of coastal exploration. Several of the cabins are also pet-friendly, making this one of the more accommodating destinations in the region for travelers with dogs.
On-site activities and amenities are designed to support a self-contained, classic camping experience. During the warm summer months, the Big Sur River becomes the center of daily life, where guests of all ages swim, wade, and float down the gentle currents on inner tubes. From November through February, the river opens for seasonal catch-and-release fishing. The camp store serves as the property's social and practical hub, stocked with basic groceries, snacks, cold beverages, ice, and firewood, as well as inner tubes for the river. Essential comforts include clean restrooms, hot showers, and coin-operated laundry facilities. While the setting encourages a complete escape from the digital world, the campground has integrated high-speed Starlink Wi-Fi across most of the property, though the signal remains sparse near the southern tent sites. To help preserve the fragile local ecosystem and support the tight-knit Big Sur community, a dedicated impact fee is collected to fund local emergency services and resource protection, ensuring this historic riverfront grove remains preserved for future generations.
The riverside tent sites are coveted for their direct water access and should be booked well in advance. For those seeking solid walls without losing the classic camp atmosphere, Cabin Eight and Cabin Nine offer comfortable queen beds and private outdoor fireplaces but utilize the property's clean shared bathhouse. If you are traveling with a dog, keep in mind that pets are welcome in most cabins (such as Cabin One or Cabin Two) for a nightly fee, though they are strictly prohibited in the Studio Cabin. The on-site camp store sells firewood, ice, and inner tubes for floating the gentle currents of the Big Sur River.
Where to Stay — Curated accommodations hand-picked by Basecamp West. Glamping, boutique hotels, historic lodges, and unique stays across the American West.