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!
Warning 13 Alerts are In Effect
There are 13 alerts for this campground. Camp safely!
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
Description
California Department of Parks and Recreation
Hearst San Simeon State Park
Creek Campground Upper Section (sites 1-35)
Location
Creek Tent Campground — Hearst San Simeon State Park is located in California
Address
Vangordon At San Simeon Creek
Cambria, CA 93428
Coordinates
35.599058 N
121.122464 W
Access
Stay Connected
- WiFiFair
- VerizonGood
- AT&TFair
- T-MobileUnknown
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
Drive Time
- 37 min from San Luis Obispo
- 1 hr 4 min from Santa Maria
- 1 hr 53 min from Salinas
- 1 hr 55 min from Hanford