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This park features expansive views of Monterey Bay, from its hiking trails in the grasslands of the higher peaks of the Gavilan Range. Other views include the San Benito Valley, Salinas Valley, and the Santa Lucia Mountains east of Big Sur. Pine and oak woodlands in the park are home to many birds and mammals. There are camping and picnic facilities in the park. The park also features an astronomical observatory with a 30-inch telescope, which is open for public programs on selected evenings. Seasons/Climate/Recommended Clothing
The weather can be changeable. Layered clothing is advised.
Facilities - Activities
Astronomical Observing
It’s best to arrive before sundown as vehicle headlights after sunset disrupt astronomers’ night vision. Clouds or rain will cancel astronomy programs. Call the park for weather and program updates before you go.

In general, astronomers are friendly, outgoing, and happy to allow you to view through their telescopes and answer your questions. A few courtesies that will enhance everyone’s experience: Do not touch any part of any telescope unless the owner instructs you on the proper method. In   particular, do not touch any glass optical surfaces. Please be sure that all children are supervised around telescopes. Remember, using lights near telescopes at night is highly disruptive. A piece of red "cellophane" wrapped over the end of a flashlight and held in place with a rubber band works great.
Fremont Peak Day - April
This annual event is an old fashioned picnic sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Native Daughters of the Golden West. The event commemorates Captain John C. Fremont and his expedition’s U.S. flag raising in 1846 in defiance of the Mexican government. The April event date varies, so please call the park for information.

Centrally located sixteen miles north west of Highway 101 in Paso Robles, on Nacimiento Drive G-14. Unsurpassed beauty awaits you in the Coastal Mountains of San Luis Obispo County.

Lake Nacimiento covers over 5,000 surface acres surrounded by 165 miles of scenic shoreline, unspoiled wilderness, mountains, river canyons, oak and pine forests, spring waterfalls and abundant wildlife. Skiers and wakeboarders love the morning and late afternoon glass. Clean, warm water, the long open ski areas and slalom course are fantastic. Home of the famous White Bass, there is no fishing experience quite like the one you'll have with Nacimiento's fiesty fighters.

A year round general store and seasonal restaurant are located right at the water's edge. The full service Marina features 120 rental boat slips, available yearly, monthly, weekly or daily. A rental fleet that is quite likely the best in California offers everything from family pleasure boats, pontoon/patio boats, to ski and deck boats.

Lodge accommodations are available or for the hardy who want to experience the great outdoors, Lake Nacimiento has over three hundred and fifty campsites available. There are a number of campgrounds and RV-sites located in the resort. Some of the campgrounds and RV sites such as Oak-Knoll and Pine Knoll, offer more conveniences with full hook-ups, while Eagles Ridge and Sandy Point campgrounds are considered more remote tent sites. All camping sites (with the exception of Sandy Point) are offered on a first com-first service basis.

Sandy Point Campground offers group areas, and is available April through September by reservation and site assignment only.

Summer Rates: April 1 – September 30
Winter Rates: October 1 – March 31

Quail Roost
First campground through Entry Gate on your left. Narrow roads, not suggested for RV or large vehicles towing boats. Tent camping, no hook-ups, water throughout, restrooms/showers. Best for tent camping, NO campfires, BBQs only-60 single sites. First come first serve. Oak Knoll
Second campground after Entry Gate turn right. Full hook-up, RV sites, requires reservation or site assignment, must have yellow camp permit to use. Narrow roads, many sites back-in. Use caution, not suggested for RVs towing boats – 40 single sites.

Rocky Canyon
Third campground after Entry Gate, turn right. No Large RVs or large vehicles towing boats allowed to enter this campground. Narrow roads, small parking areas. For use by tent camping groups only. First come, first serve – 14 single and group sites.

Sandy Point
Fourth campground after Entry Gate, turn right twice. Reservation and site assignment by Office prior to use required. Green camp permit required for use. No hook-ups, water only. Narrow roads, use caution. Not suggested for vehicles towing boats – 12 single and group sites.  Eagles Ridge
Fifth campground just past Sandy Point. Remote parking and hike-in tent sites. No restrooms or showers – porta potties only. Tables, BBQs and fire rings on all site. Some group sites – 60 single and group sites. First come and first serve.

Pine Knoll-Past Store
This is the best campground for large RVs and large vehicle towing boats. Use caution, some narrow roads. No hook-ups, water throughout. Two restrooms and shower buildings – 120 sites.

Over Flow Beach
Camping Pine Knoll. No water, no beach camp fires.

Motorcycles, mopeds and unlicensed vehicles may not be operated in the Resort.

Plaskett Creek Campground is located in Big Sur, CA approximately 40 miles north of Cambria, CA and 55 miles south of Carmel, CA. It sits on the east side of Hwy. 1 and is just south of Sand Dollar Beach Day Use area which is the largest sandy beach in Big Sur. Altitude is approximately 150 above sea level. Average Temperature in the summer is high 60s to mid 70s in the day and high 50s to mid 60s at night. Average Temperature in the winter is mid 60s in the day and high 40s to mid 50s at night. Wildlife includes Fox, Bobcat, Deer and Raccoon. Occasional Mountain Lion and Bear are seen in the area although they have never entered the campground. Keep food in a secure location as the Raccoons will get at anything left out. Campground is like a large meadow with mature pine trees located throughout campground.
Forest Service is enforcing a 2 car maximum per family site at the campground. Location: Big Sur Coast
Description: Campsites nestled among large Monterey Pines.
Number of Sites: 45 units
Directions: Take Highway 1, 35 miles North of San Simeon State Park. Campground is just off Highway 1 on the inland side of the highway and 60 miles south of Carmel.
Activities: Hiking, fishing, scenic viewing, and beach access.
Facilities: Flush toilets (group sites have vault toilets), developed water, picnic tables, fire rings, grills, and garbage bins.
Special Rules: Plaskett Creek is a campfire-use site. Maximum stay is 14 days.
Family Campsites: Fees are 22.00 per night. Sites accommodate 6-8 people and 2 vehicles per site. max. Reservations available for 50% of sites (reservations www.Recreation.gov) or call 1-877-444-6777.
Group Sites: There are 3 group sites. Fees are $80.00 per night. Sites accommodate up to 40 people and 10 vehicles per site. Group sites are filled by reservation only. For group site reservations, call: 1-877-444-6777 or visit www.Recreation.gov.
Seasonal Use: Open all year
Helpful Hints: Nearest store in Lucia. Nearest dump station 40 miles south to San Simeon State Park. Large amounts of poison oak on trails. Campground host sells firewood.
Contact: Concession managed by Parks Management Co. (805) 434-1996 or (805) 434-9199. Website http://www.campone.com.

Ponderosa Campground is located in Big Sur, CA approximately 45 miles north of Cambria, CA (to Nacimiento/Ferguson Rd.) and 55 miles south of Carmel, CA (to Nacimiento/Ferguson Rd.).
Ponderosa Campground has family campsites along a mountain trout stream under a canopy of beautiful trees approximately 13 miles east from Kirk Creek campground on the Nacimiento-Ferguson Road. The Nacimiento-Ferguson Road runs from the coast at Kirk Creek on Rt. 1 to the Big Sur high country.
38 miles east of Nacimiento, the road provides access to King City and US 101 via Jolon Road (County Road G-14), passing through the Hunter-Liggett US Military Reservation. Ponderosa's rich environment contains Ponderosa Pine, Oak, Madrone & Sycamore trees in a high valley with the Nacimiento River running through. The Nacimiento River is great for fishing and there are many places for a cool dip in the stream.
The campground has 23 units, each with a picnic table, fire ring and pedestal grill. Average Temperature in the summer is high 80s to mid 90s in the day and high 50s to mid 60s at night.
Wildlife includes Fox, Bobcat, Deer and Raccoon. Occasional Mountain Lion and Bear are seen in the area although they have never entered the campground. Keep food in a secure location as the Raccoons will get at anything left out.
The Forest Service is enforcing a 2 car maximum per site at the campground. Location: Near Fort Hunter Liggett
Description: Small campground located among the oaks. Located near a running creek.
Number of Sites: 23 units
Directions: From Salinas take Interstate 101 south and take the Ft. Hunter Liggett exit. Then go 17.5 miles to the junction with Mission Road.
From Interstate 101 south, take exit #252 and take county road G18, 21.7 miles to the junction at Mission Road. From the junction proceed 3.2 from the junction to Naciemento Ferguson Road and turn left. It is 12 miles to Ponderosa CG from this point.
Activities: Hiking, fishing, camping, hunting (check with California Department of Fish and Game for hunting season in the area).
Facilities: Vault toilets, picnic tables, fire rings, barbecue grills, RV's no longer than 35'.
Special Rules: Campfire Use Site. 14 day maximum stay.
Fees: $15.00 per site. 6-8 people per site.
Seasonal Use: Open all year
Helpful Hints: Water available from March through November. Nearest gas, food, and supplies 14 miles west to Pacific Valley. During summer months temperatures may get above 100 degrees. Concession managed by Parks Management Co. (805)434-1996 or (805) 434-9199. Website http://www.campone.com
Reservations: Reservations available for 50% of sites (reservations www.Recreation.gov) or call 1-877-444-6777.