The aquamarine waters of the Pacific Ocean can be heard rumbling below as trekkers ascend a series of dusty switchbacks. When it’s sunny outside, the beginning of the trail is very hot and exposed, a 3-mile uphill climb with little shade. “Vicente Camp is in a beautiful redwood grove and both Cone Peak and Vicente Flat are amazing hikes, depending on whether you want to see the ocean or the trees,” said backpacker Sarah Peloquin on AllTrails. Park off the road and you’ll see a large, wooden sign boasting the mileage up to Vicente Flat Camp and beyond. The trail starts off across the street from the Kirk Creek Campground, a car camper’s paradise (if you can snag one of the always booked reservations!). This makes it a great hike for beginner-intermediate backpackers who just want to escape for the weekend. The Kirk Creek Trail offers a taste of the best that Big Sur has to offer, all crammed into an epic overnight trip that’s only 5 miles each way. Why you should go: Steep hike to epic mountaintop views of the Pacific Ocean. Kirk Creek Trail to Vicente Flat Camp Photo: Andrew K. Here’s a list of our favorite backpacking trips in the area, with a few hidden gems thrown in for good measure.įor tips on day hiking or car camping in Big Sur, check out our other two articles:ġ0 Best Camping Spots in Big Sur, CA 1. Escape the crowds and plan an overnighter to really experience the magic of this far-flung locale. Related Read: How To Go Backpacking Solo & Start Enjoying Solitude Like No Other Big Sur’s Best Backpacking Trailsįrom creek-fed oak groves, to fern-covered redwood forests, to enchanting ocean viewpoints, there’s something for everyone in the Big Sur backcountry. Day hikers and overnight travelers will want to come prepared with a hardy bug spray and long hiking pants. Visitors to Big Sur will want to note a few more things – ticks and poison oak are common sights in the backcountry. Check the Big Sur Parks and Recreation website to see if any seasonal fire restrictions are in place before you venture out. They are free to obtain and can be found here.įires are only allowed in pre-existing fire rings, and fires must be completely extinguished with water and a shovel before you go to bed. ![]() In fall, you’ll see moderate temps and seasonal color changes, and winter brings gray whale watching, more rain, and fewer crowds.įor those planning to camp overnight in the Ventana Wilderness / Big Sur backcountry, California fire permits are required if you intend on lighting a fire or even using a camp stove. In summer, sunny skies and warm temperatures crowd the trails. In spring, Indian paintbrush and California poppies burst with color along every hillside. ![]() Backpackers here will want to purchase or print out paper trail maps or download a topographic map onto a GPS app before hopping into the car.Įvery season brings a little something different to Big Sur, making the optimal tourist season year-round. With only one main road into and out of Big Sur retains its rugged remoteness.įar away from large cities and bordered by mountains and sea, there’s no cell service for about a mile radius in any direction. ![]() ![]() It’s also a great locale for winter and spring months when the Sierras are still socked in with snow.Ĭalifornia’s famous Highway 1 cuts right through the heart of the woodsy little town, cruising right past notable spots like Nepenthe, Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, and the Piedras Blancas elephant seals. This makes it an excellent option for last minute backpacking trips coming from Los Angeles, Sacramento, or San Francisco. Unlike California’s national parks or the Eastern Sierra Mountains, Big Sur does not yet require permits for intrepid hikers looking to spend a night among the big trees and stunning ocean vistas. With panoramic coastal views, backcountry camps aplenty, and towering groves of those famous redwoods, it’s hard not to fall in love with this slice of central California. See our editorial policy to learn more.īig Sur is a hiker’s paradise. We may earn a commission when you book or purchase through our links. We research, evaluate and select travel destinations based on a number of factors, including our writers’ experience and expertise, user reviews and more.
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