Santa Lucia Campground & Chapel is the kind of place you plan around first—because it’s not a typical open-to-everyone campground. This is a privately owned Big Sur property that offers outdoor and wilderness enjoyment to non-profit organizations, churches, and families associated with All Saints’ Church and All Saints Day School.
On-site, the setting is a big part of the appeal: the campground sits “under the Redwoods on the Big Sur River,” with a rustic, nature-forward feel rather than a high-amenity commercial experience. If you’re deciding whether it fits your trip, these details—who it’s for, what “rustic” means in practice, and how access affects reservations—are the most useful starting points.
Who Santa Lucia Campground & Chapel is for (and why that matters)
Santa Lucia is explicit about its audience: non-profit organizations, churches, and families connected to All Saints’ Church and All Saints Day School. On the practical side, the property has a strong community orientation, which is also why reservations are described as required and tied to eligibility.
Locationally, it’s listed at 46896 CA-1, Big Sur, CA 93920, with phone access at +1 831-667-2310 and an official website at http://allsaintscarmel.org/. Reviewers rate the property 4.9 out of 17 reviewers.
Rustic tent camping details: what you’ll have and what you won’t
Santa Lucia Campground & Chapel covers six-and-a-half acres and operates with three group campsites. The camping setup is built for tents and simple, outdoors-focused use, with spaces centered around fire rings and picnic-style seating.
Expect a restroom facility, fresh drinking water from the property well, and the distinctive landscape feature of a rocky beach along the Big Sur River. At the same time, it’s important to plan around “no extras” realities—most notably, there are no showers at the campground.
Plan around the fire-pit rhythm
Because the campsites are arranged around open fire pits and fire rings, the evenings naturally become a core part of the experience. Pack for safe, fire-ready use, and follow the regulations provided during reservation confirmation.
Vehicle limits: RVs and trailers aren’t permitted
A key decision point for many travelers is access. Santa Lucia states that RVs and trailers are NOT permitted due to limited access. If your plan depends on RV or trailer setup, the campground isn’t a match, and it’s worth confirming your arrival plan early if you’re unsure.
Reservations, timing, and confirming eligibility
For the group campsites, reservations are described as required. The campground notes that booking is usually one year in advance, and availability needs to be confirmed before making a camp-site reservation.
For inquiries, Santa Lucia provides email santalucia@allsaintscarmel.org and phone (831) 667-2310. Because the property’s access is connected to the church and school community, contacting them directly is the best way to confirm eligibility and current steps for your dates.
Getting there and arriving on time
Directions are straightforward if you’re coming via Highway 1: the campground is about 26 miles south of Carmel on Highway 1. The entrance is on the west side of the highway, approximately one-quarter mile south of the River Inn. You’ll turn immediately right, drive past the Big Sur Health Center, and then turn left into Santa Lucia Chapel and Campground.
On arrival, plan for a waiting period: you’re instructed to stop at the entrance and wait to be admitted by the Campground Caretakers. Build that into your schedule, especially if you’re traveling with kids or a group and need everyone accounted for before the campsite area.
Santa Lucia Campground & Chapel is a Big Sur stay built around community, redwoods, and river life. If your group fits the intended eligibility, you’re prepared for tent-only access, and you plan around no-shower rustic camping, it can be a memorable way to experience California’s coastal wilderness.
