San Luis Obispo camping ranges from sea level coastal sites to dispersed locations at 1,400 feet elevation, with the inland areas experiencing temperature swings of 30-40 degrees between day and night. The region's Mediterranean climate supports camping year-round, though winter camping requires preparation for occasional rainstorms that can make dirt access roads temporarily impassable.
What to do
Kayak the estuary: At Morro Bay State Park Campground, visitors can access the bay directly. "Quick walk to the harbor, cafe, waterfront and walking trails," notes Louis F. The park's location offers water activities within walking distance as "there is a kayaking company within walking distance," according to Jessica P.
Explore tidepools: The beaches near Oceano Campground provide excellent marine wildlife viewing opportunities. "You can walk to the beach or drive on the beach. Driving on the beach was fun, but it was so windy and so cold! This was the end of May," shares Barbara M., highlighting the need for wind protection even in late spring.
Hike to Big Falls: From Lopez Lake Recreation Area, take a short drive to access this trail. "There are a lot of great spots here there and everywhere," notes Amanda M. The trail offers shade and wildlife spotting: "Keep an eye out for salamanders when crossing the creek beds!"
Visit the Butterfly Grove: Near the North Beach campground, thousands of Monarch butterflies gather during winter months. "We went in January and had no idea about the Monarch Butterflies. About 300 feet from the campsite is a grove of trees where thousands of Monarchs fly and mate," shares Garrett M.
What campers like
Off-grid panoramic views: TV Tower Road Dispersed Camping offers expansive vistas from higher elevations. "The view to the west is stunning, a sea of clouds and islands of distant mountain peaks all the way to the coast," says Kyle K. Sites are primitive but rewarding: "The stars are beautiful and it's very quiet and cool," notes Caitlyn R.
Family-friendly facilities: El Chorro Regional Park provides amenities close to town. "This is a great campground close to San Luis Obispo. It is great for tent or RV camping and is located near a park, garden, and golf course," explains Hannah O., making it convenient for families seeking both outdoor recreation and urban amenities.
Wooded solitude: Islay Creek Campground at Montaña de Oro State Park creates a sense of remoteness despite proximity to towns. "This place is 10/10. Clean bathrooms, quiet and quaint. Close to one of the most beautiful beaches. The campsites in the way back are the best..much quieter," recommends Soggy Bottoms Camper G.
Beach access: Multiple campgrounds offer direct beach access, with Pismo Coast Village RV Resort standing out for convenience. "Large spots and amazing facilities," notes Andre P., while another camper adds, "We try to stay at this campground every chance we get. Has all the amenities you could ask for. Walking distance from the beach and town."
What you should know
Road conditions vary dramatically: Access to TV Tower Road requires proper vehicles. "The road was a bit sketchy, any 4WD would be fine I think. I took my mini van and camped at a turn out along the road because I was a bit hesitant," shares Caitlyn R. Another camper warns, "Like fucking waves in the earth and just straight rocks. There was one spot that was legitimately just a fucking crater."
Reservations essential: Book well ahead for peak seasons, particularly at popular locations like Morro Strand State Beach Campground. Sites with ocean views fill fastest: "If you are lucky enough to camp in one of the sites on the west side, you have an unobstructed view of the waves," notes Angela D.
Wildlife concerns: Both beneficial and problematic wildlife interactions are common. At Montaña de Oro State Park, "We had problems with raccoons trying to get in our tents at night," reports Amanda K. Lopez Lake Recreation Area has diverse wildlife: "There isn't much fishing now, because the water is so low, but there are still pretty hikes to be had," notes Linda S.
Insect awareness: Ticks and biting flies can be problematic at certain campgrounds. One visitor to Montaña de Oro warns, "We went with a party of 11 and found multiple ticks on 5 people." At North Beach Campground, "sand flies, mostly in the evenings, were fierce and left huge itchy welts," according to Alexandra T.
Tips for camping with families
Water activities: Lopez Lake Recreation Area offers a water park and lake swimming. "Lopez Lake is the home of the Mustang Waterpark, a small, but super fun water park. Swimming is allowed in the lake, and there are some 'beach' areas that have been cleared of lake plants and rocks for safe swimming," explains Amanda M.
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds feature play equipment for children. At Pismo Coast Village RV Resort, "Play structures are throughout, and the sites are tight, but clean and mostly level," notes Jason M., adding that "the park has excellent activities, and an on-site restaurant delivers to your site."
Educational opportunities: Several campgrounds offer nature programs or nearby learning experiences. "In the Bayside Café has a good food which is right across the street," mentions Wayne S. about Morro Bay State Park, while another camper notes, "There is also a great little museum in the same place."
Biking-friendly spots: Look for campgrounds with safe cycling areas. At Morro Dunes RV Park, enjoy "great access to bike path and just a few minutes walk or bike ride to down town/harbor with harbor shops and restaurants," says Dennis V., making it ideal for families with children who enjoy biking.
Tips from RVers
Hookup variability: Full hookup availability varies widely among San Luis Obispo campgrounds. At Lopez Lake, "We've camped here many times over the last 15 years. We've tent camped on primitive sites and camped with a pop-up with electricity & water. None of the full hookup sites have a view," explains Linda S.
Site dimensions matter: Many RV sites have specific limitations. At Morro Strand, "The sites are almost on top of each other and there are only two restrooms for the 80 or so sites. They do keep the bigger camper/RV sites along the back row, but any rig under 24' can get all other sites," notes Annie C.
Dump station access: Not all campgrounds offer on-site dump stations. At Morro Bay State Park, "$10 dump station can be used if camping at nearby state parks w/o dump station," notes Leonard H., providing a useful option for RVers staying at parks without this facility.
Ocean proximity trade-offs: Oceanfront RV camping often means tighter spacing. At North Beach Campground, "It does feel little like a trailer park because of all the rigs that stay here for a few nights, but the updated bathrooms and showers are worth it!" explains Kerry G.
