A Guide to California's Big Sur

Along the Highway

Nacimiento-Fergusson Road

Nacimiento-Fergusson Road is a mountain road, subject to closure, providing the only automobile access within the Big Sur region between Highway 1 and the inland US Highway 101. The two campgrounds and their restrooms are about 9 and 11 miles (14 and 18 km) east of Highway 1 along this road.

Nacimiento-Fergusson Road provides vehicle access to Cone Peak Road, which travels northward toward the summit of Cone Peak and provides vehicle access to several Ventana Wilderness trails. Cone Peak Road is closed from approximately November to May; contact Big Sur Station or Pacific Valley Station for road status information.

From along US-101, Highway 1 can be reached at Nacimiento-Fergusson Road from the King City area at Jolon Road (county road G-14), from the Bradley area at Jolon Road (county road G-18), or from Paso Robles along county road G-14. Travel to the town of Jolon, continue west along Mission Road about 4 miles (6 km), then west on Nacimiento-Fergusson Road for about 19 miles (30 km). Much of the area is within the Hunter-Liggett military reservation; you may be asked for your driver's license and vehicle registration or auto rental contract at the reservation's gates, and military traffic may be using the roads. You should telephone in advance and obtain a good local map before using these roads.

Reference

• Road status and military reservation access information: 831.386.2513 and 925.875.4636
• Nacimiento Campground is located within Los Padres National Forest and is managed by Parks Management Company.
  • Information from Los Padres National Forest 831.385.5434
  • Information from Parks Management Company 805.434.1996
• Ponderosa Campground is located within Los Padres National Forest and is managed by Parks Management Company.
  • Information from Los Padres National Forest 831.385.5434
  • Information from Parks Management Company 805.434.1996
• Fort Hunter Liggett

Activities, Facilities, and Services

• Camping - Campgrounds
  • Nacimiento Campground
  • Ponderosa Campground
    • Half of the sites are reservable; half of the sites are first come, first served
    • Camping reservations
      • You can make camping reservations by telephone with ReserveAmerica at 877.444.6777
      • You can make camping reservations on line with ReserveAmerica
    • User fee
    • RVs not exceeding 40 feet in length permitted at some sites, but not all
• Picnic Areas
  • Nacimiento Campground
  • Ponderosa Campground
• Restrooms
  • Nacimiento Campground
  • Ponderosa Campground
• Ranger Stations: Nacimiento Station
• Scenic Vistas
• Hiking and Backpacking: In Ventana Wilderness, Cone Peak Trail, Vicente Flat Trail, Stone Ridge Trail, Gamboa Trail, and the trail to Fresno Camp can be reached from Cone Peak Road. For more detailed information, contact Big Sur Station or Pacific Valley Station and see the resources listed on the Books and Maps page.
• Fishing