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Established Camping

Creek Tent Campground — Hearst San Simeon State Park

Warning 13 Alerts are In Effect

There are 13 alerts for this campground. Camp safely!

All campgrounds have a 10-day consecutive stay limit with a 30-day per calendar year maximum stay limit. A maximum of eight people are permitted to camp in a campsite. Although the kiosk closes at night, there is a board posted for campers with reservations that arrive late. If you do not have a reservation and arrive late, please use the Iron Ranger envelopes at the kiosk to pay for a vacant site for one night only. There is a small number of overflow parking spaces available adjacent to the campsites for an additional fee If available, only one overflow space may be purchased per registered campsite. However, you may park outside of the San Simeon Creek Campground entrance at no cost. Camping Information & Reservations Policies

Additionally, firewood is for sale from the campground host in the San Simeon Creek Campground. Interpretive campfire and Junior Ranger programs are also regularly scheduled. Junior Ranger Program

 

 

San Simeon Creek Campground (Upper & Lower Sections):

The San Simeon Creek Campground is adjacent to Highway 1 and the beach. It offers 115 reservable campsites for tent camping and recreational vehicles. The maximum length for an RV is 35 feet and there is a self-operated RV dump station available for an additional fee. Each campsite has a fire ring, a picnic table, and a parking pad for 2 vehicles or trailers maximum. Additional parking is limited, so plan accordingly. Flush toilets, token operated shower facilities, and water spigots throughout the campground may also be available.

 

San Simeon Creek Campground (Tent Section):

The Tent Section offers 19 campsites, available only on a walk-in, first come/first served basis - No online reservations are available. It is recommended that you call the park ahead of time to confirm if spaces are available, as they fill up quickly and we do not hold sites. Additional parking is limited, so plan accordingly. No RVs or camper trailers are permitted in the tent section due to limited space.

 

Washburn Campground :

This primitive campground offers 67 reservable campsites and is approximately 1 mile inland from the beach on a plateau overlooking the Santa Lucia mountains as well as the Pacific Ocean. The Washburn campground can only be accessed from the San Simeon Creek Campground entrance station. The maximum length for an RV is 35 feet and there is a self-operated RV dump station available in the San Simeon Creek Campground for an additional fee. Facilities here include a fire ring, a picnic table, and a parking pad for 2 vehicles or trailers at each campsite. Additional parking is limited, so plan accordingly. Washburn Campground has no access to flush toilets or showers. Pit toilets and water spigots throughout the campground may be available.

RV Rentals on the Central Coast  is currently the only approved RV and trailer delivery and pick-up service permitted within the campground. No other RV and trailer delivery services are permitted within the campground. For more information on approved rental deliveries, please visit: RV Rentals on the Central Coast | RV, Trailer, Motor-Home, Event Toilets Rental in the Central Coast

Camping Alert:   Note that RV electrical hookups are not available at Hearst San Simeon SP. Check with Morro Bay or Morro Strand campgrounds for available campsites with electrical hookups. Morro Bay State Park & Morro Strand State Beach

Alerts:  Campsite reservations are subject to change or cancellation due to inclement weather because some sites are subject to seasonal flooding and may be closed. We apologize for any inconvenience.

 

California State Parks wants to thank our park visitors for helping us keep our parks and environment clean. In 2018, State Parks installed new RV dump station collection systems at ten state park units as part of a pilot program to help us protect the environment and are added amenities for our visitors. 

Following the success of the initial pilot program in 2018, an additional eleven park units have been added to the program.  The service is available for campers, day-use or transient visitors for $10-$20 per use, depending on the location. Please note that visitors with current reservations arriving on or after April 13, 2021, who are interested in using the RV dump stations may be required to pay the use fee. The price per campsite for these state parks does not include the use of a dump station.  View the following link:  Camping Information

San Simeon Creek Campground :

The San Simeon Creek Campground offers 134 campsites for tent camping or recreational vehicles. The maximum length for an RV is 35 feet. Each campsite has a fire ring and picnic table. There are currently flush toilets and shower facilities in place. Chemical toilets are available. A dump station and pay phone are available. Firewood is for sale from the campground host. Recreational activities include camping, picnicking, hiking, fishing, surfing, beachcombing, bird watching and whale watching. The Junior Ranger Program is a regularly scheduled interpretive program for children. Interpretive walks of the San Simeon Trail may also be available.

Washburn Campground :

This primitive campground is approximately 1 mile inland from the beach on a plateau overlooking the Santa Lucia mountains as well as the Pacific Ocean. Washburn campground can be accessed from the San Simeon Creek Campground entrance station. Facilities here include a fire ring and picnic table at each campsite. In addition, shower facilities are available to registered campers. This campground has an additional 68 sites.

Camping Alert:  Note that RV electrical hookups are not available at Hearst San Simeon SP. Check Morro Bay or Morro Strand campgrounds for electrical hookups.

 

RV Rentals on the Central Coast is currently the only approved RV and trailer delivery and pick-up service permitted within the campground. For more information on rental deliveries, please visit: RV Rentals on the Central Coast

Alerts: Campsite reservations are subject to change or cancellation due to inclement weather because some sites are subject to seasonal flooding and may be closed. WASHBURN loop has no access to flush restrooms or showers. This campground has a 10-day consecutive stay limit with a 30-day calendar year maximum. A MAXIMUM of eight people are allowed in any site at San Simeon SP. Although the kiosk closes at night, there is a gate that does not close and is open for late campers. The kiosk has a board posted for campers arriving late.

Thank you for your patience as we finalize the 2026 inventory. Please continue to check back. We will be releasing the inventory as soon as it becomes available.

CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Creek Tent Campground at Hearst San Simeon State Park is near Cambria, CA, and features coastal terrain with nearby creeks. Temperatures range from 50°F to 70°F, with cooler conditions in winter months. Campers can explore Hearst Castle and the Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery, both accessible within an hour.

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Location

Creek Tent Campground — Hearst San Simeon State Park is located in California

Detail location of campground

Address

Vangordon At San Simeon Creek
Cambria, CA 93428

Coordinates

35.599058 N
121.122464 W

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Access

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Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)

Features

For Campers

  • ADA Access
  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Firewood Available
  • Reservable
  • Showers
  • Drinking Water
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Big Rig Friendly

Contact

Reservations


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Reviews

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5 Reviews

Reviewed Jun. 14, 2025

Nice place

This campground is fairly open and trees are sparse, but the sites are spaced sufficiently apart that they afford privacy. No hookups, but there’s water at each site and conveniently located flush toilets, sinks and showers.

Right off Highway 1 for a bike ride and walking distance to a beautiful rugged beach. We nerded out on birds and wildflowers.

The campground was full during our stay, but we found the campground quiet at night.

Directly behind the campground is a large, unattractive human-made pond. Lots of fencing, plastic sheeting and a herd of sheep who may have been put there to graze down the grass and weeds. A little jarring in the context of the natural beauty, but nbd. The sheep were actually kind of entertaining.

Rangers and camp host were super friendly. Host sells firewood. Cambria is the best bet for groceries and other necessities. San Simeon is more limited and fancy.

Extremely limited Verizon service here: 1 bar flitting on and off.

SiteCreek Upper Section
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Creek Tent Campground — Hearst San Simeon State Park by Sarah , June 14, 2025
Reviewed Feb. 4, 2025

Nice getaway

We stayed in the upper San Simeon creek campground area - site C25. It had the best view of the ocean but was surrounded by power lines and looked down on camp hosts site/buildings. I felt like it was a little bit of a fishbowl with no privacy and we stared at the RVs in front of us. Which all RV/trailer sites are mostly parallel parking. We drove through the bottom site and it provided much more privacy due to trees and seemed to be more level as well. No view, but you get that “true camping” in the Forrest feeling. The walking trails were fun and the beach was close enough. There are camp kitties that will visit you if you are lucky enough (I think they belong to the host).

SiteC25
Month of VisitFebruary
  • Review photo of Creek Tent Campground — Hearst San Simeon State Park by Soggy Bottoms Camper G., February 4, 2025
  • Review photo of Creek Tent Campground — Hearst San Simeon State Park by Soggy Bottoms Camper G., February 4, 2025
  • Review photo of Creek Tent Campground — Hearst San Simeon State Park by Soggy Bottoms Camper G., February 4, 2025
  • (5) View All
Reviewed Jun. 11, 2021

Nothing fancy, just right

Quick overnight stop on our way south. Disappointed to see that dogs aren’t allowed in the beach. This coastline is an environment sanctuary. Giving this four stars because spot was really nose down even with blocks on the front tires. Camp ranger was nice. Strict with the dog rules but nice…

Site16
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Creek Tent Campground — Hearst San Simeon State Park by L & K S., June 11, 2021
  • Review photo of Creek Tent Campground — Hearst San Simeon State Park by L & K S., June 11, 2021
  • Review photo of Creek Tent Campground — Hearst San Simeon State Park by L & K S., June 11, 2021
Reviewed Mar. 15, 2021

Nice campground but Washburn is better!

San Simeon Creek Campground is one of two campgrounds at Hearst San Simeon State Park, the other being the primitive Washburn Campground. The only difference between the two besides the $15 / night price difference is that San Simeon Creek has flush toilets and showers available, and Washburn has pit toilets.  Neither have hookups and both have access to the dump and water fill which is located between the two campgrounds near the host.

We stayed in site #9 for one night, which I would recommend you avoid. This spot is used as a cut through to the bathroom, not only by campground guests but by people parked on the road behind the campground who hop the fence to come into the campground and use the restroom.  We had people traipsing through all day and all night.

Showers are clean and reasonably priced, at $1 for 12 min. Pressure was decent and temperature was good (warm enough).  

Campground was busy with families and kids and large groups.  It was very active, but we stayed there on a Saturday night so that might be why.

Staff was really friendly.  When we arrived there was a sign indicating both campgrounds were full but we asked if there were any cancellations or anything available and they said one spot had just opened up which they allowed us to pay for and take without making the reservation online.

The campground is close to the cute town of Cambria, as well as some restaurants in San Simeon.

Firewood is sold by the host only during certain hours, currently 330-630pm only.

There was good ATT and ok TMobile service, but Verizon was very weak/unusable.

Site9
Month of VisitMarch
  • Review photo of Creek Tent Campground — Hearst San Simeon State Park by Laura M., March 15, 2021
  • Review photo of Creek Tent Campground — Hearst San Simeon State Park by Laura M., March 15, 2021
  • Review photo of Creek Tent Campground — Hearst San Simeon State Park by Laura M., March 15, 2021
  • (10) View All

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I make reservations for San Simeon Creek Campground?

San Simeon Creek Campground requires reservations through the California State Parks reservation system. You can book online through ReserveCalifornia.com or by calling their reservation line. Reservations can be made up to six months in advance, and it's recommended to book early, especially for summer weekends and holidays when the campground fills quickly. The campground is part of Hearst San Simeon State Park, so when searching, look under this park name to find availability.

What are the differences between the upper and lower sections of San Simeon Creek Campground?

The upper section of San Simeon Creek Campground offers views of the ocean but tends to be more exposed with significant wind in the evenings. These sites have less privacy, with some overlooking other RVs and camp host facilities. Power lines are visible from some upper sites, like C25. The lower section provides better protection from wind and offers more shelter. Both sections have access to the same facilities, including flush toilets and showers, but the camping experience differs primarily in terms of exposure to the elements and privacy levels.

Can you fish at San Simeon Creek Campground?

While fishing opportunities aren't specifically mentioned for the immediate campground area, San Simeon Creek Campground is located near the coastline where shore fishing is possible. The campground is within walking distance of beach access points. Remember that a valid California fishing license is required for anyone 16 or older, and be aware that the coastline around the campground is designated as an environmental sanctuary, so special regulations may apply. Check with camp rangers about current fishing conditions and regulations.

Is San Simeon Creek Campground suitable for RVs?

San Simeon Creek Campground accommodates RVs but with some limitations. The sites don't offer hookups, though water spigots are available throughout the campground. Some sites may present leveling challenges, with campers noting the need for blocks under tires on sloped sites. The upper section has more open sites where RVs are clearly visible to neighboring campsites. For a more comfortable stay, smaller to medium-sized RVs would work best at this campground.

What reviews do campers give San Simeon Creek Campground?

Campers generally rate San Simeon Creek Campground positively. They appreciate the clean bathrooms, showers, and convenient access to water. The campground's proximity to Highway 1 and a beautiful beach within walking distance are highlighted as benefits. While the sites are described as somewhat open with sparse trees, many find the spacing between sites adequate for privacy. Some campers note the evening winds in the upper section and the no-dogs-on-beach policy due to environmental protections. Despite a few minor drawbacks, most visitors enjoy their experience at this coastal campground.