Willow Creek Road

This was the first boondocking site that we ever tried to park at but ended up giving up and leaving. The site is a pull out right off Willow Creek Rd., less than ¼ mile from Hwy 1. Look for the for Treebones Resort sign off Hwy 1 to mark the turn. The space was large enough to fit our RV and truck without blocking the road, but we wouldn’t recommend anything bigger. The main problem with the site is that it’s unlevel. We stretched the amount of leveling blocks we had to create four layers to go under the wheels, which is equivalent to about 5 inches, but our RV was still tilted. I think we would’ve needed another two inches to make our trailer level. But since we were out of blocks, we left and just parked at a pull out spot right below Willow Creek Rd. off Hwy 1. If you want a challenge, make sure you have enough leveling blocks, patience and daylight to give this site a go.

While Willow Creek Rd. continues up the mountain, we don’t recommended going past this site. The next day, we left our rig down on Hwy 1 and scouted Willow Creek Rd. in our truck. There aren’t any other boondocking sites that are good for trailers (trucks, vans, tents, and a really small class C can find spots to park). The road after this boondocking site is steep and there aren’t any turnaround spots for trailers.

We didn't have any cell signal (Verizon).

This was breathtaking. I camped over July 4th weekend. The road is a bit steep at the beginning but most cars. trucks and camper vans can get up it. RVs and trailers should not attempt this.

The road is hard packed dirt and on the way up about 1/2 mile there are a few turn outs to park. The spot I was in was more a park and then walk a few feet in to pitch a tent. There are a few spots up to 1/2 mile in that have ridiculous views of the ocean.

This is wild camping, no toilets or water. But right down the entrance to dirt road a little north on HWY 1 is a park area with some toilets plus this spot has a "secret" beach that was awesome.

I will be back to this spot for sure. I only planned to stay 2 days but it was so beautiful I decided to let my mind take in the awe.

If you come to Big Sur: BRING FOOD AND WATER. It's really expensive. The closest cafe to this location (about 1.5 miles south) "Whale Watcher Cafe" is $8 for a crappy bagel and cream cheese. Gas is $6 a gallon. I didn't bring enough food (travel by motorcycle) so I drove 40 miles north to a store that had relatively decent prices.

A lot of cars come up this road and drive way back up into the forest. Its great camping up there as well but you miss the ocean view. I could hear sea lions and the waves each nigh and morning. Also if you want to drive up and down the coast its better to be closer to HWY 1.

Easy to find and gravel road was ok to drive on (dodge van) although wouldn't try it in wet conditions or after rain and i wouldnt recommend anything bigger than us. We found a level spot further up the road so no ocean views for us (early birds get the best spots). Cars did seem to drive pretty fast past us which wasn't the most relaxing, luckily we were well off the road.
Unfortunately when we can through the road south of Gorda was closed so we did make a special trip to come to this campground as only free one we could find along the coast. I think it'd be good of coming to this area specifically, but for us travelling through on our way up towards San Fran we only stayed 1 night instead of the 2 we planned. This was mostly becauae there was no cell/data connection and we needed to get things booked for San Fran. But bearing in mind how close it is to the ocean and free its pretty cool. Shop/gas in local shop is rip off like previously mentioned in other reviews.

Stayed one night in the 2wd westy, made it up the rough hill okay. Only 3 sites to chose from and they were taken so we just parked on the shoulder facing the ocean. Surprisingly busy in the morning with cars and people going by.

As with other reviews the drive up the 7 miles can be a bit rough. We drove in two cars, GTI and Honda HRV had to drive about 10 mph and in some steep spots had a bit of spin out.
There are about 8-10 sites up in the hills all very spacious with incredible views. I would absolutely come back.

The site is still closed from the fires last year. The ranger also said that you are not allowed to camp there

Gorgeous place, multiple good camp sites good for different reasons. The only downside is the dusty road.

I don’t know if this was shut down due to Covid or some other reason but I visited on May 29, 2020 and USFS had closed it down. Several other cars were turning away as well. Too bad, it looks like a gorgeous location. Will try again post Covid

The road leading up to this site as well as all other campsites off Will Creek Rd are closed at the entrance on PCH (by Treebones Resort). There is no access to Alder Creek Camp. We also tried to come around from the north and USFS roads are closed with no access to Prewitt Ridge or Alms. Spoke with USFS personnel and the roads were closed last week due to illegal campfires and over crowding from the previous week. Unclear when roads and sites will be open again.