Big Sur International Marathon 2028
26.2 miles up a closed Highway 1 — routinely called the most scenic marathon in America.
Days to go
603days · Apr 30, 2028
Where to sleep in California
California campgrounds we keep verified — rig limits, fees and booking windows straight from the operator. Distances to Big Sur to Carmel (Highway 1) vary, so check the map before you commit.
- Upper Pines Campground (Yosemite NP)Nearest town: Yosemite Valley · National Park Service$36/nightRigs to 35 ftBooks 5 months ahead on the 15th 7am pt via recreation.gov
- Jumbo Rocks Campground (Joshua Tree NP)Nearest town: Twentynine Palms · National Park Service$20/nightRigs to 35 ftBooks 6 months ahead via recreation.gov
- Lodgepole Campground (Sequoia NP)Nearest town: Three Rivers · National Park Service$32/nightRigs to 42 ftBooks 6 months ahead via recreation.gov
- Furnace Creek Campground (Death Valley NP)Nearest town: Furnace Creek · National Park Service$22–$36/nightRigs to 35 ftBooks 6 months ahead via recreation.gov for reservable season
Going to Big Sur Marathon 2028? Tell us the nights.
Local owners list their own rigs here. You get a single email when one is listed for your window.
What you need to know
The Big Sur International Marathon runs point-to-point up Highway 1 from Big Sur to Carmel on a road closed entirely for the race — past Bixby Bridge, with a grand piano traditionally playing at Hurricane Point's base. It is set for April 30, 2028 — the last Sunday of April, per the race's published future dates — and entry is by lottery and registration tiers that open the preceding summer. The logistics are the trick: runners bus to the start in darkness because the course road is closed, and spectator access along Highway 1 is essentially nil — supporters wait in Carmel. That makes an RV base in the Monterey area the practical setup: Marina Dunes RV Park sits on the dunes 20 minutes north of Carmel, and the Monterey Peninsula fills race weekend, so 10 weeks of lead protects your options. Late April is superb on the central coast — whales migrating, hills green — and the same rig covers a Highway 1 recovery cruise south once the road reopens.
Official source: bigsurmarathon.org
Safety + legal
Race-morning fog and 40-degree starts are normal on this coast — runners and waiting families should both pack warm layers that peel to sunshine by 10am.
Insider tip
Highway 1 south of Carmel is closed to vehicles until early afternoon on race day — plan your rig's moves for the day before or the evening after, not race morning.
Plan your trip · Apr 30, 2028 · Big Sur to Carmel (Highway 1)
Rent an RV near Big Sur Marathon 2028
Search runs on your Apr 30, 2028 window with a one-day buffer on each side — arrive early, leave late. Whether an RV is listed for those dates depends on what California hosts have posted, so the campsite plan below is worth locking either way.
- Dates
- Apr 30, 2028
- Days away
- 603
- Location
- Big Sur to Carmel (Highway 1)
- Book ahead
- 10+ weeks
- Planning window
- Plan ahead
Hosting near Big Sur to Carmel (Highway 1)? List your rig and put your calendar in front of event travellers.
List your rig →Start early, arrive easy — the whole runway
The honest runway from start-looking to head-home, with a one-day buffer on each end.
Start
~10 weeks out
Give yourself ~10 weeks to line up a rig and a campsite.
Arrive
Apr 29
Roll in a day early and set up camp.
Event
Apr 30
Big Sur International Marathon 2028
Head home
May 1
Leave a day late and skip the exodus.
Best rigs for Big Sur Marathon 2028
First pick first — each row opens a search for Apr 30, already filtered to the class.
Plan it by rig
Each class above has its own planning page for Big Sur Marathon 2028 — class fit and booking guidance in one place.
Frequently asked about Big Sur Marathon 2028
When is Big Sur International Marathon 2028?
Big Sur International Marathon 2028 takes place on Apr 30, 2028 in Big Sur to Carmel (Highway 1), California.
Where is Big Sur Marathon 2028 held?
Big Sur to Carmel (Highway 1), California.
What are the exact 2028 dates?
Apr 30, 2028 (single-day event).
What RV should I rent for Big Sur Marathon 2028?
Best categories: rv, trucks-vans. The Big Sur International Marathon runs point-to-point up Highway 1 from Big Sur to Carmel on a road closed entirely for the race — past Bixby Bridge, with a grand piano traditionally playing at Hurricane Point's base. It is set for April 30, 2028 — the last Sunday of April, per the race's published future dates — and entry is by lottery and registration tiers that open the preceding summer. The logistics are the trick: runners bus to the start in darkness because the course road is closed, and spectator access along Highway 1 is essentially nil — supporters wait in Carmel. That makes an RV base in the Monterey area the practical setup: Marina Dunes RV Park sits on the dunes 20 minutes north of Carmel, and the Monterey Peninsula fills race weekend, so 10 weeks of lead protects your options. Late April is superb on the central coast — whales migrating, hills green — and the same rig covers a Highway 1 recovery cruise south once the road reopens.
How early should I book an RV?
Recommended lead time: 10 weeks. Event windows book up early, so search and lock your dates as soon as your plans firm up.
When is the Big Sur Marathon 2028?
April 30, 2028 — the last Sunday of April, published on the race's official future-events page. Entry lotteries and registration tiers open the preceding summer.
Can spectators watch along the Big Sur course?
Essentially no — Highway 1 is closed for the race and spectator access along the route is extremely limited. Support crews base in Carmel near the finish; an RV at Marina Dunes RV Park is a strong setup.
Does an RV work for Big Sur itself after the race?
Yes — once the road reopens, Highway 1 south is one of America's classic RV drives. Check current road-status advisories for Big Sur before the trip; the highway does close for slides some seasons.
What safety and legal guidance applies?
Race-morning fog and 40-degree starts are normal on this coast — runners and waiting families should both pack warm layers that peel to sunshine by 10am.
What's an insider tip?
Highway 1 south of Carmel is closed to vehicles until early afternoon on race day — plan your rig's moves for the day before or the evening after, not race morning.
Ready to roll?
California is waiting.
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Plan around the event · 3
Hub state · nearest city · nearest park · recommended rig category — one click each.
State rules, safety and legalLicence + towing rules, insurance basics and the non-affiliation notice.
Important: travel + safety + insurance disclaimer
This guide is provided for general informational purposes only. PickRV is not an insurer, legal advisor, or vehicle-safety authority. Trip planning, route selection, rig suitability, weather, and emergency decisions are the renter's responsibility. Always consult the rig manufacturer's owner's manual, your insurance provider, the U.S. National Park Service (nps.gov), NOAA / NWS weather alerts (weather.gov), state and local emergency-management agencies, and current local regulations before and during travel. Cost figures, season windows, road conditions, and fee references on this page are estimates as of May 2026 and vary by season, location, rig, carrier, and operator. Mentions of brand names, state-tourism marks, national-park feature names, or third-party programs are informational only and do not imply affiliation, sponsorship, or endorsement.
Before you rent in California — key local rules
Noncommercial Class B for motorhomes > 40 ft or > 3 axles — California Vehicle Code §12804
California Boater Card mandatory by 2025 (all ages) — California State Parks — Boater Card
Green sticker / red sticker required for OHV use on public land — California State Parks OHMVR Division
0.08% BAC limit; open container prohibited in passenger area — California Vehicle Code §23222
Editorial summary, not legal advice. Verify with California DMV before relying. Reviewed in the last 4 months (as of 2026-05-24).
California rules · last verified 2026-05-10
- State rental tax
- 9.75% · not collected by PickRV
- Min driver age
- 21+ std · 25+ Class A
- Gravel roads
- Permit required
- Generator quiet
- 22:00-06:00