Memorial Campground, near [Los Padres National Forest](https://thedyrt.com/camping/california/near/los-padres-national-forest), is a rustic retreat that invites you to unwind among the towering oak trees and the soothing sounds of the nearby Arroyo Seco River. With a handful of campsites, this location offers a blend of privacy and natural beauty, making it a great choice for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle.

The campground features picnic tables and fire pits at each site, perfect for gathering around the fire after a day of hiking. Visitors have noted the stunning views and the abundance of wildlife, with one camper mentioning the delightful sounds of Acorn Woodpeckers in the morning. Just keep in mind that there are no showers or running water, so come prepared with your supplies.

For outdoor enthusiasts, the area boasts fantastic hiking trails, including routes leading to Junipero Serra Peak. The drive to the campground is scenic and winding, offering glimpses of deer and rabbits along the way. Just remember, this spot is off the grid—no cell reception here, so you can truly disconnect and enjoy nature.

## Overview

 Escape the hustle and bustle of the city at Memorial Park -- a scenic and remote campground tucked away in the Santa Lucia Mountains. A beautiful trout stream surrounded by spectacular rock formations and sprawling oaks are just a few of the of the attributes of this unspoiled family-friendly campground.
## Recreation

 Memorial Park Campground has trailheads located right in the campground and is just a short drive to multiple other trails just waiting for backpacking, hiking, biking and horseback riding. These trails offer a variety of experiences for the outdoor enthusiast. Sandstone landscapes, wildflowers and wildlife are part of the experience in this pristine part of the forest.
## Facilities

 Open daily and year-round, there are eight campsites each with a picnic table and fire ring. Two vault toilets are located near the campsites. You should plan to be completely self-sustainable for the duration of your trip. There is no potable water (drinking water) onsite. There is no dump station.
## Natural Features

 Along with breathtaking view, Memorial Park's landscape includes ponderosa pine, oak madrone and sycamore trees just to name a few. A thriving trout stream runs along the campground as well as unique rock formations meant for exploring. 
## Nearby Attractions

 Hiking trails, biking, fishing, and horseback riding trails are within minutes of the campground. The San Antonio Mission, one of the oldest of the California Missions, is within a 15-minute drive.

Memorial Campground - Los Padres National Forest

Are you in need of a campground near Lucia, CA? There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in. Experience some of the most stunning views that California camping has to offer. Find the best campgrounds near Lucia, plus reviews and photos from other campers like you.

Lucia

The Best Camping Near Lucia, California

Bare bones, cool spot lots of trees. Right next to a river. Vault toilet. No staff on duty.

Santa Lucia Memorial Park 

*   A primitive campground that has about 8 campsites. Some campsites are pretty big and have privacy. Some are closer together than others. We stayed at site 8 and it was really nice. Tucked in the back with lots of privacy and space.
*   First-come, first-serve walk-in campground ($20/day) but I was able to make reservations online as well.
*   No running water, but there is are vault toilets (long drop) near the entrance of the campground
*   Lots of fantastic hiking nearby including Junipero Serro Peak. Trails are a little difficult to see because there are so many going in different directions, so a map can help. You can also see LOTS of animal scat so there are animals using hiking paths as game trail. Stay alert and be careful. Otherwise, it's so beautiful here and you can get AMAZING VIEWS!
*   This campground is in the valley of a few peaks so it was freezing at night (especially without a campfire)
*   Each campsite has a picnic table, firepit, and trashcans (with lids). The campground floors were covered with leaves but for the most part very flat and easy to find good spots for pitching a tent.
*   There was a fire ban during the time we stayed so no fires were allowed
*   Lots of wildlife and animal activity nearby. Loved camping underneath the canopies of Live Oak trees and listening to Acorn Woodpeckers in the morning. They are loud but still pleasant
*   The 18-mile drive getting here off the main highway was also beautiful and windy. We saw lots of deer and rabbits. This campground is far from shops or stores so make sure you come with plenty of supplies and water.
*   Very secluded and rustic campground. We only saw one other group in the evening, and they ended up leaving. During the day time there were more people coming for day hikes and parked at the visitor parking lot.
*   No cell reception AT ALL so you feel like you're off the grid (AT&amp;T)

Camp under Oak trees near the Arroyo Seco River

BEWARE! The ticks out here are horrible. If you plan on going please please wear long, light colored pants and tick check often. Over the two day stay we probably pulled 100 ticks off each other.s Even after all that my son was still bitten and contracted lymes disease. Thankfully I kept the infected tick and we caught it early but it is still nothing to risk.

PLEASE BE CAUTIOUS OF TICKS HERE

A nice quiet spot to camp… can walk to Wagon Cave and scout the rocks and wade in San Antonio Creek

Photos of Memorial Campground - Los Padres National Forest

Real photos from real campers