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Best Tent Camping near Arroyo Grande, CA

645 Reviews

Tent camping options near Arroyo Grande, California include several established campgrounds in Los Padres National Forest, offering a mix of primitive and developed sites. Notable tent campgrounds include Miranda Pine Campground, situated atop a mountain with panoramic views extending to the ocean, and Colson Canyon Campground, a secluded location approximately 30-45 minutes from Santa Maria with basic amenities for tent campers.

Most tent camping areas require significant travel on unpaved forest roads, with many sites accessible only by high-clearance vehicles. Miranda Pine Campground is reached via a 10-mile dirt road that becomes increasingly rough near the ridge. Brookshire Campground requires a 2-3 hour drive on rough fire roads and is not suitable for passenger cars. A camper noted, "You will need a vehicle with clearance; I did not put my 4runner into 4wd but I would not try this without an SUV or pickup truck." Facilities are minimal throughout the region, with most campgrounds featuring pit toilets without toilet paper, picnic tables, and fire rings. No potable water is available at primitive tent sites, making it essential to bring adequate water supplies.

The tent camping experience in this region offers exceptional seclusion and scenic views. Many sites provide access to hiking trails and natural features. As described in feedback on The Dyrt, "Miranda Pine campground gives sweeping views all the way to the ocean... Sunset and Sunrise views are incredible." The elevated locations can experience challenging weather conditions, particularly wind exposure. Campers should be prepared for variable conditions at sites like Miranda Pine, where strong winds can affect comfort, especially in spring. Wildlife sightings are common throughout the area, with some campers reporting bear and mountain lion activity at more remote tent camping areas. The region's primitive character appeals to tent campers seeking solitude away from developed areas.

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Best Tent Sites Near Arroyo Grande, California (11)

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13 Photos of 11 Arroyo Grande Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Arroyo Grande, CA

645 Reviews of 11 Arroyo Grande Campgrounds

  • Amanda M.
    Oct. 24, 2018

    Nira Campground

    Nira Campground

    Nira is a small, primitive campground in the San Rafael wilderness behind the Santa Ynez Valley. The campground is a bit of a haul to get back to, and is often used as a base for backpackers entering the San Rafael wilderness or the Manzana Creek trail. I myself have only tent camped at Nira, just to go somewhere different - my boyfriend and his friends have backpacked out of Nira into the San Rafael Wilderness and to the Manzana Schoolhouse on multiple occasions.

    Nira is the second, smaller campground back on Sunset Valley Road - Davy Brown Campground is up the road a little ways. Nira is small, with only 12 sites in a densely wooded live oak grove. The oaks provide a lot of shade and help separate the various camp sites. The Manzana Creek runs behind the campground; the main road leading into Nira is right above the campground, however, you’re pretty far back in the hills, so there isn’t a lot of noise from traffic.

    Each site has a fire ring and a picnic table. There are no hook ups and only pit-toilets are available. There is NO DRINKING WATER available at Nira Campground, so be sure to bring plenty of water, especially if you plan to backpack through the area.

    WARNING: You ARE in black bear country! While it is unlikely that a black bear will enter the campground, I would suggest locking your food and coolers in your car at night, as there are no food lockers in the campground. When hiking the Manzana Trail be aware of your surroundings: Black bears, coyotes, mountain lions, bob cats, and coyotes have been seen on the trail. CAMPSITE SPECS

    Fees: $20/night (+ $10/ extra vehicle)

    Plumbed Toilets: No - vault

    Drinking Water: No

    Showers: No

    Picnic Table: Yes

    Firepit: Yes

    Cooking Grate: Yes

    Shade: Yes

    Cell Service: No

    Animal Bins/Food lockers: No

    Trash: Yes

  • Amanda M.
    Oct. 27, 2018

    Lopez Lake Recreation Area

    Lopez Lake

    Lopez Lake Recreation Area is 15 minutes behind the “Village” of Arroyo Grande, CA.

    Lopez is a frequently visited spot for us - We generally camp in a primitive site the back of the Squirrel Loop of the park. The Squirrel Loop is not a lakeside loop (you cannot see the lake at all from here), but we have found it to be one of the quieter, less trafficked campground in the park. The Squirrel Loop is nestled inside a canyon, surrounded by big, beautiful live oak trees.

    Lopez Lake is a very large campground with many different loops, so many of which are nearby the lake. If you haven’t been to the campground before and are not worried about reserving a site ahead of time, take some time to drive around the park when you arrive to see what area you would most like to camp in - there are a lot of great spots here there and everywhere!

    Each site has a picnic table and a fire ring. There are clean plumbed bathrooms, and coin-operated showers. Lopez has full hook-ups for RVs, and a marina to launch boats. There is a small but well-stocked convenience store in the marina with food, ice, firewood, beer, fishing gear, etc. There is also a small cafe located in the marina store, with limited hours.

    Lopez Lake is the home of the Mustang Waterpark, a small, but super fun water park. I believe the park is closed during the fall and winter months, but is open during the spring and summer. Swimming is allowed in the lake, and there are some “beach” areas that have been cleared of lake plants and rocks for safe swimming.

    Hiking to Big Falls is a fun adventure if you want to leave the campground. There are certain times when the falls are not accessible without 4WD, however, we have been in severe drought conditions in Central California for the last few years, so you don’t have to worry about crossing any deep creeks, if any. A super low clearance vehicle may have a challenging time crossing the creek beds, even when dry. The drive to Big Falls trailhead from Lopez is short, but probably takes 15-20 minutes as you are driving through a curvy, narrow canyon road. The hike is through live oak trees most of the way, so most of the hike is nice and shaded. Keep and eye out for salamanders when crossing the creek beds! While it is unlikely, black bears mountain lions have been spotted on the Big Falls trail, so be aware of your surroundings. Here are directions to the Big Falls trailhead: http://www.hikeslo.com/big-falls/

    WARNING : While the possibility of a black bear sighting is fairly uncommon, black bears are seen every year at Lopez Lake. You are in black bear county, and there are no bear boxes/ food lockers at Lopez Lake. I would suggest locking your food and coolers up in the car at night to avoid attracting wild animals to your campsite.

    CAMPSITE SPECS

    Fees: $35/night (primitive site)

    Plumbed Toilets: Yes

    Drinking Water: Yes

    Showers: Yes (coin-operated)

    Picnic Table: Yes

    Firepit: Yes

    Cooking Grate: Yes

    Shade: Yes

    Cell Service: No

    Animal Bins/Food lockers: No

    Trash: Yes

  • Chanel C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 16, 2017

    Morro Bay State Park Campground

    More RV campers than tent campers

    [ LOCATION -5 Stars ]

    • Walking distance to the Morro Bay Natural History Museum -- great for kids and very educational for all ages. Admission is only $3 and they have a fun Nature Shop to pick up souvenirs and gifts.
    • Bayside Cafe is adjacent to the Campgrounds. If you don't feel like going through the hassle of cooking an elaborate meal at camp, you can take it easy and eat at the cafe. It has a great view of the marina and Morro Bay Rock.
    • Campgrounds is a stone's throw from the marina. This is especially great if you enjoy being by the water. A lot of campers bring their own kayaks, canoes, SUP boards, etc.
    • Less than 2 miles from the Embarcadero where there are shops, restaurants, bars, cafes, boat tours, and water equipment rentals. It's a beautiful walk, an easy bike ride, and a quick drive into town. Best part, FREE PARKING everywhere! Also, plenty of public restrooms that are relatively clean.
    • The campgrounds is right by a large and well-manicured golf course. So that's cool…if you're into golf!

    [ AMENITIES -4.5 Stars ]

    • Plenty of showers and restrooms throughout the campgrounds. Some are not all operational but it's not that far of a walk to get to the next available one. PRO TIP: Exchange your shower tokens at the check-in Kiosk. A lot of the token machines were out of order. 2 tokens for $1. Each token buys you 2 minutes time.
    • Firewood & fire starters can be purchased at Camp Host sites. $7 for a bundle and $1 for firestarters. The profits go back to CA state parks :)
    • Sites are very close together and not very spacious or private. Each campsite comes with parking for 1 car, a charcoal BBQ grill, a firepit, bear box, and picnic table.
    • There are plenty of shared water spigots for potable water by every site. Make sure you turn it gently because the water pressure is super strong and you'll get a ton of splash back.

    [ CLEANLINESS -5 Stars]

    • Restrooms & showers are SO CLEAN! Most of the campers here are RV campers, so they aren't really using the public restrooms. Less foot traffic = cleaner!
    • The majority of campers here are older, retired RV campers so the campgrounds are kept-up meticulously well. Everyone is very considerate and clean up after themselves. There aren't too many pests or ants either.
  • E
    May. 24, 2019

    Islay Creek Campground — Montaña de Oro State Park

    Beautiful cove

    The best part of this campground is access to the beach. We were there in early July and the water was like ice but absolutely beautiful. The campground itself was ok, it was a bit more primitive than I’m used to, but the sites themselves were nice. Each had a picnic table and fire ring. Most of the sites were nice sized as far as I could tell. There are no showers and only vault toilets so I wouldn’t stay here for more than 2 nights. Another perk is how it feels so far removed from civilization, but it’s really not.

  • Dani P.
    Jul. 12, 2019

    Miranda Pine Campground

    Secluded but difficult to get to campground

    Set atop a mountain, Miranda Pine campground gives sweeping views all the way to the ocean. Beware the road is long and unpaved, not suitable for a compact car. I did it with a high clearance 4WD and made it to the top. Only a couple sites at the top, but they are free. Picnic tables at each site. Named for the larged Pine tree at the top of the mountain. Sunset and Sunrise views are incredible. Brought my dogs and they loved it. No real services up here so its especially important to pack out all your trash and follow Leave No Trace ethics.

  • Stephanie F.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 31, 2025

    KCL Campground

    So peaceful, really serene

    It’s a very simple place but I found it so peaceful being surrounded by the golden plains, the breeze through the big shaded eucalyptus trees, and hearing the owls near sundown. Theres also hummingbirds that’ll get up right in your face. I was also the only one at the site so that was nice. The area is clean, vault toilets kinda gross though. Very small campground, a couple drive in sites and a couple walk in sites but each drive in site had a picnic table, fire ring, and a metal pole hook and theres one drinking water spigot for the whole campground. So not bad!! Road was surprisingly smooth majority of way and has some paved parts but there was some washboard parts too. Road to get here was long though about 13 miles from the blm sign. There was paper maps at the sign area. I got 3 bars at the campground with AT&T but was spotty on the drive over.

  • Amanda M.
    Oct. 27, 2018

    Mt. Figueroa Campground

    Figueroa Mountain

    Figueroa Campground is a 33-35 site campground behind Los Olivos, CA. It is surrounded by live oaks and gorgeous manzanita trees, so there is a lot of shade available.

    Each site has a fire ring and a picnic table. There are no hook ups, and only pit-toilets are available. Note that there is NO DRINKING WATER available at Figueroa Campground, so be sure to bring plenty of water, especially if you plan to hike or backpack through the area.

    There is a a lot of hiking trails available in the nearby area. Both Figueroa Mountain and nearby Grass Mountain are extremely popular hiking spots, especially in early spring when the wildflowers bloom in late March or early April . During the wildflower bloom, the sides of the hills and mountains can look solid vibrant ORANGE from afar - the wild California poppies grow dense in this area. Purple mountain lupine flowers are also found during the wildflower bloom.

    If you or anyone in your party does not want to/cannot hike, the top of Figueroa Mountain is completely assessable by car - all of the big lookout points for optimal wildflower viewing are accessible by car, so the wildflowers are essentially accessible to everyone, hikers or not.

    The Davy Brown Creek and Manzana Creek trails are also accessible from the Figueroa Mountain area; the area is popular for cyclists and off-road cyclists.

    WARNING: You ARE in black bear country! While it is unlikely that a black bear will enter the campground, I would suggest locking your food and coolers in your car at night, as there are no food lockers in the campground. When hiking be aware of your surroundings: Black bears, coyotes, mountain lions, bob cats, and coyotes have been seen on the trails.

    While the campground is fairly remote in the the hills, you are only 20 minutes away from Los Olivos, and 30 minutes away from Santa Ynez. Los Olivos has a great market with groceries, a bakery/coffee shop, a deli, and beer and local wine. There are many local vineyards, wineries, and breweries nearby. The Firestone Walker brewery, taproom, and Resturant is close-by - we highly recommend their food and beers!

    CAMPSITE SPECS

    Fees: $20/night (+ $10/ extra vehicle)

    Plumbed Toilets: No - vault

    Drinking Water: No

    Showers: No

    Picnic Table: Yes

    Firepit: Yes

    Cooking Grate: Yes

    Shade: Yes

    Cell Service: No

    Animal Bins/Food lockers: No

    Trash: Yes

  • Mon M.
    Jul. 2, 2018

    KCL Campground

    BLM site for remote camping

    A small remote site on a BLM land, so it is free but it is a first come first serve site. Not many facilities or gas stations nearby so it may be a good idea to bring extra gas if you plan to explore Carrizo Plains. It is right off of Soda Lake Road, about half a mile from the road at a shady little grove. Went on a windy weekend, but campground was nestled under eucalyptus trees so it helped. There are owls in those trees, so they were hooting loud into the night. Some may like it, but it was pretty loud. There are two restrooms (vault toilets - no water), fire pits and picnic tables. Bring your own water. No trash service so pack in and pack out. Views are nice especially if you get sites facing the open plains. Went in June so it was already fire season so no camp fire was allowed. It was a non-busy weekend, but campers arrived late throughout the evening and it was almost full. Weekdays may be pretty deserted out there. Weather can get very hot so make sure to check weather forecast before heading out.

  • April C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 14, 2023

    KCL Campground

    Great location

    Nice and clean. Vault toilets. There’s water, but not sure if it’s potable, there wasn’t a sign. No trash service, you have to pack it out. There is an area for your horse. Walk in sites, rv/car camp/van/tent sites. It’s first come first serve, no reservations and it’s free.

Guide to Arroyo Grande

Tent camping near Arroyo Grande, California requires preparation for varied forest terrain and potentially challenging weather conditions. Most primitive campsites sit at elevations between 3,000-5,000 feet with temperature swings of 30-40 degrees between day and night. These Los Padres National Forest campsites typically require Adventure Passes ($5/day or $30/year) for overnight stays at established locations.

What to do

Hiking opportunities: Several trails branch from Bates Canyon Campground, leading to seasonal creeks and lookout points. "There's a nice trail that leads to the creek but unfortunately wasn't flowing right next to camp but it was just upstream," notes one camper.

Stargazing sessions: The dark skies at KOA Campground Santa Margarita offer excellent astronomy options. A camper mentioned, "We had some great views, great trails for hiking and I enjoyed the fact that they had an astronomer one of the evenings to star gaze."

Wildlife observation: Forest areas support diverse animal populations. At Wagon Flat Campground, a visitor reported, "You can hunt fish hike horse back riding and wake up to the sound of birds. I have seen bears and mountain lions so be prepared for that. Never been attacked by them."

What campers like

Off-grid seclusion: The remote settings provide true disconnection from urban areas. A camper at Brookshire Campground wrote, "Great campsite well secluded... worth the extra driving if you want to camp in a quite secluded area."

Mountain vistas: Most campsites offer views across valleys and ridgelines. At Miranda Pine Campground, visitors note impressive panoramas: "We drove back down the road back to Miranda pines and everybody had left, we had the whole campground to ourselves. There was a full moon that night that lit up everything beautifully."

Seasonal creek access: Water features vary by rainfall amounts. A Bates Canyon visitor shared, "We thought this campground was absolutely gorgeous... Theres a nice trail that leads to the creek but unfortunately wasn't flowing right next to camp but it was just upstream."

What you should know

Road conditions vary significantly: Most campgrounds require driving on unpaved roads of varying quality. For Barrel Springs Campground, travelers should verify current access status as one reviewer noted, "I heard that it's closed now but hopefully it is still open."

Weather preparation essential: Wind exposure affects comfort at higher elevations. A Miranda Pine camper explained, "Went on a Saturday night in the spring, and it was incredibly windy all day/night. Like... too windy to cook, hang out, relax. Probably picked the worst time of year for wind."

Facility limitations: Most sites offer only basic amenities. At Colson Canyon Campground, a visitor advised, "Colson is basic, fun, old school camping... No bathrooms. Bring water."

Access confusion: Campground locations sometimes conflict with GPS directions. A camper warned about Brookshire, "Don't use Google Maps... We arrived at a locked gate with a 'private property, no trespassing' sign and didn't see any other way to get to where we thought the campground was."

Tips for camping with families

Activity planning: The best tent camping near Arroyo Grande for families includes KOA Campground Santa Margarita, which offers structured recreation options. A visitor reported, "Great for young families. There is a pool, jumping pillow, playground, etc."

Communication backup: Cell reception is unreliable across most wilderness sites. One camper at KOA Campground Santa Margarita warned, "There is no reception at all, you have to drive outside of the campsite about 7-10 miles to get reception."

Wildlife awareness: Teach children about potential animal encounters. A Wagon Flat camper noted, "I have seen bears and mountain lions so be prepared for that. Never been attacked by them."

Tips from RVers

Site limitations: Most primitive sites accommodate only small trailers or truck campers. At Bates Canyon Campground, a reviewer cautioned, "All of the sites are not flat, some are so slanted that I can't believe someone made a campsite there."

Vehicle requirements: High-clearance vehicles are needed for many locations. A visitor to Bates Canyon explained, "Wayy off the main road on a non-maintained dirt road, only 4x4 accessible."

Level spots at developed sites: KOA Campground Santa Margarita provides more accessible RV options. A camper shared, "RV spots are on flat, dusty parking areas and are easy to navigate. Very friendly staff. Internet is slow."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Arroyo Grande, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Arroyo Grande, CA is KOA Campground Santa Margarita with a 3.5-star rating from 2 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Arroyo Grande, CA?

TheDyrt.com has all 11 tent camping locations near Arroyo Grande, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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