Big Sur · California

Fernwood Resort

Fernwood Resort is the best-known private campground in the Big Sur corridor of California, sitting directly on Highway 1 about a mile south of Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. It is part campground, part resort and part bar; the on-site tavern is one of the few places in Big Sur to get a burger and a beer without a fine-dining bill, and there is a camp store and weekend live music. It suits RVers who want an electric hookup in a corridor where almost nobody offers one, and who are willing to trade site size for location.

Fernwood Resort at a glance

Hookups Electric (30 amp) and water — no sewer
Sites Approximately 25 RV sites
Max RV length Verify with the operator for the exact site
Cost Live quote by dates and site type
Reservations fernwoodbigsur.com — book directly, phone reservations recommended
Season Year-round
Cell signal Minimal — same dead zone as the rest of the corridor

Why RVers stay here

Fernwood Resort is the best-known private campground in the Big Sur corridor of California, sitting directly on Highway 1 about a mile south of Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. It is part campground, part resort and part bar; the on-site tavern is one of the few places in Big Sur to get a burger and a beer without a fine-dining bill, and there is a camp store and weekend live music. It suits RVers who want an electric hookup in a corridor where almost nobody offers one, and who are willing to trade site size for location.

Practically, roughly 25 RV sites have 30-amp electric and water but no sewer, so you still need a dump station. Sites are tight because the layout grew out of a tent campground, and backing in on a busy weekend with cars and pedestrians everywhere can be an adventure; verify rig fit with the operator for the exact site. Pricing is a live quote by dates and site type, booked directly at fernwoodbigsur.com with phone reservations recommended, and the park is open year-round. Cell signal is minimal, as everywhere on this stretch. Summer weekends need booking three to four months ahead.

  • One of only three Big Sur campgrounds with electric hookups, at 30 amp
  • Walking distance to the Big Sur River, the General Store across the highway, and a short drive to Pfeiffer Beach
  • On-site tavern, camp store and weekend live music
  • Open year-round with direct online and phone booking
  • !No sewer, so a dump-station stop is still required
  • !Tight sites designed before modern RVs; backing in on busy weekends is difficult
  • !Minimal cell signal in the Big Sur dead zone

What our guides say about Fernwood Resort

Excerpts from the RV Parks Guide articles that cover this campground. Each links to the full guide.

Regional guide

Big Sur RV Camping (2026): Campgrounds, Rig Limits & Highway 1

Fernwood is the most well-known private campground in Big Sur, located directly on Highway 1 about a mile south of Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. It is part campground, part resort, part bar — the on-site tavern is one of the few places in Big Sur to get a burger and a beer without a fine-dining price tag.

The campground area offers a handful of RV sites with electric hookups (30 amp), which makes Fernwood unique in the Big Sur corridor. Water is available at the sites, but there is no sewer hookup — you will still need to use a dump station. The sites are tight. Fernwood was not designed for modern RVs, and the layout reflects its origins as a tent campground that added RV sites over time. Backing in can be an adventure, particularly on busy weekends when cars and pedestrians are everywhere.

That said, the location is excellent. You are within walking distance of the Big Sur River, the General Store is across the highway, and Pfeiffer Beach — the one with the purple sand and the keyhole rock arch — is a short drive down Sycamore Canyon Road.

Read the guide →

Our verdict

Book Fernwood if you have a smaller rig, want an electric hookup in Big Sur, and like having a tavern next door. Skip it if you have a big rig, need sewer, or want a quiet, spacious site.

Fernwood Resort: frequently asked questions

Does Fernwood Resort have full hookups?

No. RV sites have 30-amp electric and water but no sewer; no campground in the Big Sur corridor offers sewer or full hookups.

How much does Fernwood Resort cost per night?

Pricing is a live quote by dates and site type. Book directly at fernwoodbigsur.com or by phone.

What is the max RV length at Fernwood Resort?

Our guide does not publish a hard maximum; the sites are tight, so verify fit with the operator for the exact site before booking.

Do you need reservations at Fernwood Resort?

Yes. Book directly online or by phone, and for summer weekends plan three to four months ahead. Midweek arrivals are much easier.

Is Fernwood Resort open year-round?

Yes.

Is there cell service at Fernwood Resort?

Minimal. It sits in the same dead zone as the rest of the Big Sur corridor.

More campgrounds around Big Sur

Compare alternatives before you book — or browse the whole California hub.