Plaskett Creek Campground
Plaskett Creek Campground offers a beautiful location just minutes from Sand Dollar Beach, one of the largest and most popular beaches in central California. The campground gives visitors access to a variety of outdoor activities, including water play and exploration of the surrounding hills and forests. The family-friendly campground offers comfortably equipped sites, allowing anyone to enjoy a relaxing stay in the Los Padres National Forest.
More like this: reservable in California · big rigs in California · pets allowed in California · group sites in California
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 43 |
| Group sites | 3 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 50 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
46 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS1 | Group | Back-in | Paved | 25 / 7 | |||
| GS2 | Group | Back-in | Paved | 40 / 10 | |||
| GS3 | Group | Back-in | Paved | 40 / 9 | |||
| 001 | Standard | Back-in | 41 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 2 | |
| 002 | Standard | Back-in | 35 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 2 | |
| 003 | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 2 | |
| 004 | Standard | Back-in | 33 | Paved | Full | 8 / 2 | |
| 005 | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Paved | Full | 8 / 2 | |
| 006 | Standard | Back-in | 46 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 007 | Standard | Back-in | 41 | Paved | Full | 8 / 2 | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 3:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 50 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Fees | 6 PEOPLE, 1 VEHICLE |
The campground offers single-family sites, as well as three group campsites, for tent and RV camping. Group sites can accommodate up to 40 people and 10 vehicles. Extra vehicles will be charged an additional fee. Utility hookups are not available. Individual campsites are each equipped with a table and campfire ring with grill. Flush toilets, sinks and drinking water are provided throughout the campground. An accessible flush toilet is located near Site 10. Group sites are equipped with several tables, grills and campfire circles. Vault toilets and drinking water are provided in the group area.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Open |
| Forest | Los Padres National Forest |
| Booking | By reservation only. Call 1-877-444-6777 or visit www.Recreation.gov. |
| Fees | Fees are $200.00 per night. Sites accommodate up to 40 people and 10 vehicles per site. |
Weather by month
Getting there
Hwy 1 is TEMPORARILY CLOSED from the Monterey area. From San Luis Obispo, travel north on Highway 1 for approximately 65 miles to the campground.
| Nearest town | Big Sur, California |
| Coordinates | 35.9172° N, 121.4650° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- WildfireTimber
25 mi from the campground · 25,350 acres · 97% contained
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 30.8 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Kahunas Surf Skate and Snow ↗ | 47.9 mi |
| RV sales & service | California RV Outlets ↗ | 51.7 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Plaskett Creek Campground: Best place to camp in Big Sur?
Trails nearby
- 0.3 miSand Dollar/Jade Cove #60.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.3 miSand Dollar/Jade Cove #10.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.3 miSand Dollar/Jade Cove #30.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.4 miSand Dollar/Jade Cove #2under 0.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.1 miPrewitt Loop ↗12.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 2.3 miWillow Creek ↗6.3 mi trail · hiking, horse
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
Silver Peak Wilderness begins about 4.3 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 4.3 miSilver Peak Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 31,415 acres
- 9.7 miVentana Wilderness ↗Wilderness · BLM/FS · 236,726 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Milpitas RanchhouseBuilding · King City · 14 mi
Natural features
The campground is located in west-central California, on the east side of Highway 1. Sand Dollar Beach, the largest sandy beach in the Big Sur area, is just south of the campground. The Pacific Ocean borders the campground to the west and the surf can be heard at many campsites. The campground has a park-like setting, under a scattered canopy of mature Monterey pine and cypress trees. Cedar trees provide a fragrant aroma. All sites are grassy. The campground is situated at an elevation of about 200 feet in the Los Padres National Forest. Wildlife in the area includes fox, bobcat, deer and raccoon. Mountain lions and bears are occasionally seen in the area, although they have never entered the campground.
Recreation
A short walk leads to Sand Dollar Beach, a very popular spot for surfing, fishing, swimming, exploring, sunbathing and more. Fishing permits are required for anyone over age 16. Anglers can expect a catch of yellow perch and other coastal surf fish. The beach is dog-friendly, as long as dogs are leashed and waste is picked up. A variety of trails exist along the beach, which lead to the bluffs that overlook the beach and coves in the area. Additional hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding trails can be accessed within a short drive from the campground, and offer scenic views of waterfalls, redwood groves and mountain meadows and streams.
Guidebooks for California
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Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Plaskett Creek Campground?
Sites at Plaskett Creek Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. By reservation only. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Plaskett Creek Campground?
6 PEOPLE, 1 VEHICLE
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Plaskett Creek Campground?
Check-in 3:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Plaskett Creek Campground open right now?
Open as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Plaskett Creek Campground have?
46 sites, including 43 standard sites without power and 3 group sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Plaskett Creek Campground?
The longest site here provides 50 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are there showers or a dump station at Plaskett Creek Campground?
Flush toilets, sinks and drinking water are provided throughout the campground.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Plaskett Creek Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Plaskett Creek Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Plaskett Creek Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there is 1 active fire within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one.
Source: Fire nearby
What is there to do at Plaskett Creek Campground?
A short walk leads to Sand Dollar Beach, a very popular spot for surfing, fishing, swimming, exploring, sunbathing and more. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Plaskett Creek Campground?
Big Sur, California.
Source: Getting there
What if Plaskett Creek Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Kirk Creek Campground (5.4 mi), Nacimiento Campground (7.2 mi, first-come), and Ponderosa Campground (7.8 mi, partly first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby