Bottchers Gap Campround

4.15

15 reviews

Featured in:Camping Near Big Sur

Quick Facts

1,860 ft

Price

$15/night

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

12 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

Check Policy

Opens Monterey Ranger District site

Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

1,860 ft

Price

$15/night

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

12 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

Check Policy

Opens Monterey Ranger District site

Official Website

Get Directions

Bottchers Gap Campround

$15.00 - $15.00 / night

Campsite Fees

The nightly fee for camping is $15. However, as of the latest information, the campground remains closed due to road and fire damage.

Standard Site Fee$15.00

Hookup Site Fee$0.00

Premium Site Fee$0.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00

Group Site Fee$0.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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USFS

Provider

(831) 385-5434 ext. 0

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What Campers Say

4.15

Satisfactory

Based on 15 reviews

13 Google reviews

Most mentioned

views

"User reviews are limited and primarily focus on the campground when it was operational. Reviewers noted scenic views, proximity to Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), and site-specific issues such as flies and wind."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

Bottchers Gap Campround

36.3537, -121.8131

Driving directionsFrom Carmel, CA, take State Rt. 1 south 11.2 miles to Palo Colorado sign. Turn left at the sign and go 7.7 miles on Palo Colorado to campground. NOTE: The Palo Colorado road is paved, but is steep, winding, and single-lane with turnouts most of the way.

The road access to the campground is described as steep, winding, and single-lane with turnouts. Palo Colorado Road is paved but presents challenging navigation due to its terrain. The road to the campground is currently closed, contributing to the campground's indefinite closure.

Nearby places

Carmel, CA is approximately 11.2 miles from the campground.

Nearby supplies

Water is available at the Julia Pfeiffer-Burns State Park located 14.9 miles south of the campground on State Rt. 1.

Best Time to Camp at Bottchers Gap Campround

The mountain climate here dances between seasons with dramatic flair. Cool mountain air prevails year-round, with temperatures typically hovering between 40-60°F, creating perfect conditions for cozy campfire evenings. Winter months bring refreshing rains that nourish the surrounding forest, while gusty winds—sometimes reaching up to 35 mph—sweep through the saddle, carrying the scent of oak and madrone. Summer transforms the landscape into a sun-dappled paradise, with clear skies and gentle breezes making it the ideal season for pitching your tent under the stars. Spring and fall offer their own magic, with wildflowers or autumn colors painting the hillsides.

Summer(Jun-Aug)

3.0 / 5

Warmer months give better access and views but reviewers report flies and wind in summer.

Fall(Sep-Nov)

3.5 / 5

Cooler fall conditions and good views historically noted; generally pleasant seasonally.

Best

Spring(Mar-May)

3.5 / 5

Mild spring temps and scenic views; historically a favorable season for access and hiking.

Winter(Dec-Feb)

3.0 / 5

Cool mountain air year-round; winter is accessible but offers limited activities and wind.

Planning Tips

Operating Season: Open year-round; currently closed indefinitely due to road damage and other factors.
Current Alerts: "CLOSED INDEFINITELY due to Palo Colorado Road closure." The campground has been closed since July 2016.

About Bottchers Gap Campround

Tucked away in the rugged wilderness of Los Padres National Forest, Bottchers Gap Campground offers adventurous souls a chance to disconnect from civilization and immerse themselves in California's untamed backcountry. Though currently closed indefinitely since July 2016 due to the Palo Colorado Road closure, this remote sanctuary once beckoned campers seeking solitude among ancient oaks and sweeping mountain vistas. Perched at the edge of the Ventana Wilderness, the campground's more elevated sites reward visitors with panoramic views that stretch across the coastal mountains, making it a coveted destination for those willing to venture off the beaten path.

Bottchers Gap Campground historically provided tent camping opportunities. There are no RV or group camping options. The campground features sites primarily for standard tents, numbering 12 in total.

Historical SignificanceThis mountaintop retreat holds stories etched deep into its soil. During the Great Depression, young men of the Civilian Conservation Corps established a guard station here, watching over these precious forests and helping to build the infrastructure that would later welcome generations of campers. Their legacy lives on in the campground's rustic character, where modern adventurers can still feel the echoes of those who came before, working to preserve and protect this slice of California wilderness.

Weather and SeasonsThe mountain climate here dances between seasons with dramatic flair. Cool mountain air prevails year-round, with temperatures typically hovering between 40-60°F, creating perfect conditions for cozy campfire evenings. Winter months bring refreshing rains that nourish the surrounding forest, while gusty winds—sometimes reaching up to 35 mph—sweep through the saddle, carrying the scent of oak and madrone. Summer transforms the landscape into a sun-dappled paradise, with clear skies and gentle breezes making it the ideal season for pitching your tent under the stars. Spring and fall offer their own magic, with wildflowers or autumn colors painting the hillsides.

ElevationAt 1,860 feet above sea level, Bottchers Gap occupies a sweet spot in the coastal mountains where the air is crisp and clean, and the views are nothing short of spectacular. This elevation creates a unique microclimate—high enough to escape the coastal fog that often blankets lower elevations, yet accessible enough for most vehicles and hikers. From select campsites perched along the ridge, visitors can witness sunrise painting the eastern peaks while evening brings stunning sunsets over the Pacific horizon.

Natural Features and SceneryNature has crafted a masterpiece at Bottchers Gap, where ancient Madrones twist skyward alongside five distinct species of Live Oaks, creating a canopy of green that filters sunlight into dancing patterns on the forest floor. Sites 9 through 12 serve as natural balconies, offering breathtaking panoramic views that make you feel like you're camping on top of the world. For the ultimate vista, seasoned campers know to seek out the area known as the 'heliport spot,' where the landscape unfolds in a 360-degree tapestry of mountains, valleys, and distant ocean glimpses that will leave you reaching for your camera—or simply sitting in silent awe.

Geological RegionBottchers Gap sits atop one of nature's most dramatic geological features—a natural saddle carved by the ancient forces of the Palo Colorado fault. This unique positioning creates a mountain pass where tectonic history meets botanical diversity, with the fault line having shaped not just the topography but the entire ecosystem. The resulting landscape supports an extraordinary grove of Madrones and five different species of Live Oaks, each adapted to the specific conditions created by this geological phenomenon. Once home to a Civilian Conservation Corps guard station, this remarkable saddle in the mountains continues to tell the story of both human and natural history, written in stone and soil over countless millennia.

Best Campsites

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Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

Maximum stay is 14 consecutive days.

Guests Allowed Per Site

No specific guest count per site is mentioned.

Groups

No group sites are available, and there is no information about accommodations for large parties.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Site layoutThe campground contains 12 tent sites with tables and grills. Sites 9 through 12 are highlighted for their views.

Reservation PlatformsReservations are not available for this site.

Walk-in AvailabilityThe campground was open to walk-ups before closure. Visitors were advised to arrive early due to limited spots (12 sites total).

AccessibilityWheelchair-friendly toilets are not available, and there is no specific mention of other accessibility features.

Site SizeTent sites are suitable for standard tents.

PrivacySites are relatively close together, as noted by reviews mentioning shared tent pads separated only by posts in the ground.

Total Campsites12 campsites

Recommended SitesVisitors are advised to explore the 'heliport' for the best views.

Amenities available

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

The campground offers limited activities due to its closed status. Historically, it provided access to Skinner Ridge Trail, which leads to a network of trails in the Ventana Wilderness. Fishing or water-based activities like swimming, boating, and water sports are explicitly not available.

HikingThe Skinner Ridge Trail provides access to a 156-mile network of trails in the Ventana Wilderness. Hiking is limited to foot and horse travel.

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsBefore its closure, driving on Palo Colorado Road was notably challenging due to steep, winding, and narrow conditions. Currently, the road is damaged and impassable.

Active Alerts"CLOSED INDEFINITELY due to Palo Colorado Road closure." The campground has been closed since July 2016.

No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

No Cell ServiceCell phone service is not available at this campground. Plan accordingly for emergencies and download offline maps before arriving.

Weather at Bottchers Gap Campround

Reviews

4.2

15 reviews

Satisfactory

Bottchers Gap Campround is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

User reviews are limited and primarily focus on the campground when it was operational. Reviewers noted scenic views, proximity to Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), and site-specific issues such as flies and wind.

Review Summaries

Based on 15 reviews

What Campers Love

Positive aspects include scenic views, proximity to PCH, and availability even during high season when other campgrounds were full.

Based on 15 reviews

Common Concerns

Complaints focus on persistent flies, windy conditions, and lack of water or basic amenities.

Based on 15 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Tips from users include driving cautiously on the winding and steep road, arriving early to secure a spot, and bringing essentials like water and fly swatters.

Based on 15 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Reviews generally reflect better experiences in warmer months due to accessibility and scenic views. Seasonal issues include flies and wind.

Based on 15 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Perfect for spontaneous stays even during high season! The campsites along PCH were all packed but this one was half empty and perfect for us (tent, low budget)." - Jessica Lee "The drive up to the...

Based on 15 reviews