Established Camping

Refugio State Beach Campground — Refugio State Beach - TEMPORARILY CLOSED

25 Reviews

Warning 1 Alert is In Effect

There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!

GROUP CAMPS ONLY: The maximum number of vehicles listed under Unit Details for the group camps are covered in the price of the reservation. If you bring additional vehicles, they will have to be parked in the overflow lot, and you will pay an additional fee per vehicle per night.

About

State Park

3/15/2024 - Refugio State Beach is closed until further notice. Due to infrastructure failures including the main entrance and exit road, the park will remain fully closed for repairs. All reservations through May 16th are cancelled and will be contacted accordingly. There is no anticipated date of re-opening at this time.

The campsite fee covers one vehicle. There are additional fees for extra vehicles. Please note: Fires are allowed in fire rings only - not allowed on the beach.

OCCUPANCY: Eight people maximum are allowed per campsite (including children). VEHICLE PARKING: Vehicles may only be parked in your assigned campsite. They must remain on the pavement and must not extend into the roadway beyond the campsite number or limit line. Three vehicles maximum are allowed per campsite. Trailers must be backed into the campsite parking space. Motor homes may be pulled forward or backed in.

A 66-site family campground and three group sites are close to the beach. There are no RV hookups. Observe quiet hours. Reserve campsites well in advance at www.parks.ca.gov or call (800) 444-7275.

Visitors will be able to reserve campsites and lodging six months in advance from the current date. Bookings may extend from the arrival date to the desired departure date – based on availability and the park’s maximum stay rules.

Refugio State Beach offers excellent coastal fishing as well as trails and picnic sites. Palm trees planted near Refugio Creek give a distinctive look to the beach and camping area. Lifeguards patrol the beach year around while lifeguard towers are only staffed roughly from Memorial day weekend through Labor day weekend. Beach wheelchairs are available for use by the public at no cost. With this specially designed chair, wheelchair users may access the beach at several locations. Contact a ranger or lifeguard for additional information.

Visitors can get a unique perspective of the coast line by taking the kayak tours offered by State Park Lifeguards. There are tours available for intermediate and beginning kayakers, and are held roughly from Memorial Day weekend through August.

Reservation Info

DOGS must be kept on a leash no longer than six feet and under control at all times. They are not permitted in buildings or on the beach (except for service dogs). Dogs must be confined to a vehicle or tent at night. Please clean up after your pet.

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Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Stay Connected

WiFi
Good
Verizon
Good
AT&T
Fair
T-Mobile
Good

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)
Group

Features

For Campers

Market
ADA Access
Trash
Firewood Available
Phone Service
Reservable
Drinking Water
Alcohol

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Emily S.

Traveler

Reviewed Jul. 19, 2023

Retirement Goals

Camp here as frequently as possible! Snagged a morning-of cancellation for two night at site 49. This is the furthest spot away from the ocean we’ve ever stayed, but the site was large and exposed, which meant our solar panels were able to get all the charge they needed each day to easily power everything. Be sure to fill up tanks at El Capitan before entering. Otherwise, bring lots of water or a 5-gallon refillable water tote. Nearest dump is Carpinteria (to the south) or Flying Flags (they charge—to the north).

Pros:

Large site
Some sites offer more shade than others.
Camp host (Here’s looking at you, Goldie!!!)
Clean bathrooms
FINALLY put in a token machine next to the showers! Great water pressure and temp!
Location!!!

Cons:

Lots of tar (bring essential or baby oil OR WD-40 to remove)
Next to train tracks (don’t run frequently at night, but could still wake tent campers and sensitive sleepers)
Dogs not allowed on beach (I know… but my Labradors don’t understand!!! :)
Lots of foxtails on our site

Site49

Month of VisitAugust

Tabitha

Traveler

Reviewed Aug. 17, 2022

Brilliant beach campground

Nice and clean campground next to the ocean. You do not hear the highway, restrooms are okay, showers need coins. We really enjoyed our short stay there.

Site59

Month of VisitAugust

Alex M.

Legend

Reviewed Jun. 9, 2022

Oceanside paradise with a few flaws

This place is magnificent, and also chaotic. Its strength is its location. Every campsite is a few steps from the beach, made picturesque by a line of palm trees. There is little shrubbery to give campers privacy, but this is as it should be. Shrubs would only block the view.

Amenities are good. Bathrooms are single occupancy and fairly clean and modern. The one I used had a high-flow faucet that delivered hot and cold water without needing to be held down or pressed repeatedly. Many dishwashing stations are also available.

There was, as I said, some chaos: children riding scooters, children riding bicycles, children driving a Barbie jeep, children running and hollering and being rambunctious. There is also a railroad track just east of the campground. Multiple Amtrak and freight trains passed during my stay. Lastly, the wind picked up in the evening and forced me to stake down my tent more securely. All told, it was a noisy stay, but the beach made it worthwhile.

Final note: the water here, while potable, does not taste very good. Recommend bringing a good supply of drinking water.

Site58

Month of VisitJuly