Description

Come take a view into the Ventana Wilderness from Botcher’s Gap Campground. The first-come first served sites are pleasant, rustic, and close to Big Sur. On the adventurous drive up on Palo Colorado Road you will pass beautiful redwoods and mountain views. Once you get to the campground kick back with a beer in hand or head out on the trail. Either way it’s time to zen out Big Sur style!

Campsite area
Tent or RV sites
11 sites
Up to guests per site
Up to 6 vehicles
No wheelchair access
Essentials
Campfires allowed
Toilet available
Pets allowed
Amenities
Picnic table available
No potable water

Activities

Offered near the campground.

Biking

Ride along the beautiful Santa Barbara coast, the central Monterey coast, or anywhere you want in this huge forest. The recomme...Read more

Fishing

You can fish in the rivers and streams located throughout the forest, and fish in the ocean on the Monterey coast at Sand Dolla...Read more

Hiking

Up by Big Sur, the Ventana wilderness is a popular hiking destination, with 260 miles of hiking trails, making it a unique exp...Read more

Horseback riding

The Saint Lucia Mountains have been taken by horseback many a’ times, and the time you visit should be no exception. To truly f...Read more

Paddling

Lake Cachuma in the Santa Barbara region offers some of the best kayak fishing, especially with its location admist the mountai...Read more

Swimming

You can’t go wrong at Pfeiffer Beach in Big Sur, but it’s no match for the Seven Falls in Santa Barbara. This hike might not be...Read more

Wildlife watching

Whether you are an avid birdwatcher (California Condor...check), or just enjoy seeing what the wilderness has to offer, Los Pad...Read more

Terrain

Natural features you'll find at Bottchers Gap Campground.

Beach
Cave
Forest
Hot spring
Lake
River, stream, or...
Swimming hole
Waterfall
Hipcamp makes it easy to find unique camping experiences.
Discover campsites, ranches, vineyards, farms, glamping, public parks and more.

7 Reviews

750
No one? Bueller? Sharing is caring, y'all.
Drop some Bottchers Gap Campground knowledge on us.
Hipcamper Julie
Julie K.
didn't provide a recommendation.
June 15th, 2019

Permanently closed according to Google Maps.

Hipcamper Jordan
Jordan B.
didn't provide a recommendation.
June 16th, 2016

I've never camped at Bottcher's Gap, but it has often been my trailhead for trips deeper into Ventana Wilderness. Larry, the camp manager, is a really nice guy and always has the inside scoop on trail conditions. This is an excellent trailhead for wilderness camping, and the campground also seems very nice. Lots of nice day hikes accessible, including a 4 mile hike to Devil's Peak, which is a great lunch spot. Be on the lookout for poison oak, ticks, and rattlesnakes on the trails.

Hipcamper Tabitha
Tabitha T.
didn't provide a recommendation.
May 15th, 2016

My boyfriend and I camped here during Valentine's Day weekend with our dogs (a Great Dane and Chihuahua). We came around noon and were the first to get a spot. We liked it! However, if you want a lot of privacy, I wouldn't recommend this campsite, as the campsites are very close to each other. The host was pretty cool - the only thing we had a problem with was both of our dogs got a lot of bites on their stomachs and the inside of their legs. When we asked the camp host about what it could be, he claimed that they were hot spots, that our dogs MUST HAVE done it by themselves, and "nothing here would have bitten them". I called BS. According to our vet, they were fly bites. We were never upset about the bites, just by the attitude.

Hipcamper Mary
Mary J.
didn't provide a recommendation.
September 10th, 2015

This place is awesome for getting an early start on a Big Sur weekend when driving from the bay area! We were able to grab a site last minute on a Friday night in August. The camp host was a great guy, too.

Hipcamper Deniz A.
has mixed feelings towards this listing.
February 1st, 2018
Hipcamper Joseph G.
recommends this listing.
January 19th, 2018
Hipcamper Nick V.
recommends this listing.
May 3rd, 2017
Park
Los Padres National Forest
State
California
Country
United States
Phone Number
(805) 968-6640
Directions
View on Google Maps
Official Website
View Website
Coordinates
36.354° N, 121.814° W
$15/night
Tent / RV / Trailer: 11 Sites
(Up to people per site)