White Oaks Campground

Picture-perfect and conveniently close to some furrific hiking trails -- White Oaks Campground might just be the paw-fect place for you and your buddy to stay during your Santa Lucia Mountains adventure! You’ll have to be willing to "ruff" it a bit, of course -- White Oaks offers a true wilderness experience, and you won’t find any showers, electricity, or RV hookups.

However, you might be too awestruck by the spectacular scenery to complain too much! White Oak is shaded by a grove of oak and fir trees, but that’s not all. The area is dotted with colorful bushes and bright wildflowers, and a giant berry bush sits right in the center of the clearing. Deer, chipmunks, and other woodland critters have been known to casually wander through camp -- it’s enough to make you feel like you’ve walked into a Disney movie. Now if only you could get them to pitch your tent for you…

Not to mention, you’ll have fabulous views of the mountain range in just about any direction you look! The seven-site campground has been designated as medium-usage by the US Forest Service, but it’s still best to make your reservation early to ensure your spot. There’s no entrance fee to the area, and sites start at $20. RV campers are welcome, but only rigs up to 20 feet are recommended -- sites are small, and the road up to the campground is a terrifying trip in a regular car.

The area around White Oaks is a haven for hound-dog hikers. There’s a trailhead for the Pine Ridge Trail just under three miles away from camp. One of the most famous routes in the region, this furrific long-distance trail leads all the way through rocky landscapes and river valleys to the heart of the Big Sur River Valley. If you’re looking for something a little shorter, the Arroyo Seco and Avenales Trail are just a little fur-ther afield.

Wifi isn’t available at White Oak, and there’s no cellular coverage in the area. You’ll have to wait until you get home to upload those Insta snaps (and trust us, there will be many). Fires are permitted, but only in designated rings, and regulations can change with the weather. Unfortunately, there’s no drinking water on-site -- you’ll need to bring your own bottle. Remember to bring waste bags for your doggo, and have a furrific vacation!