21 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Songdog Ranch and Cuyama Oaks Ranch provide luxury canvas tent accommodations near Carrizo Plain National Monument. Both properties feature glamping yurts and spacious sites with picnic tables and fire pits for an elevated outdoor experience. Songdog Ranch sits on a ridge offering expansive views of the plains, particularly stunning during wildflower season, while Cuyama Oaks Ranch provides a more secluded setting with on-site showers and toilet facilities. Each glamping accommodation includes comfortable sleeping arrangements with convenient access to drinking water. The properties maintain clean facilities and offer firewood for purchase on-site, ensuring a comfortable stay without sacrificing modern conveniences. One visitor noted, "The sites are spacious with potable water and the chemical toilets are actually clean. The host is friendly and sells wood, if you don't bring enough."
Wildlife viewing opportunities abound throughout these glamping properties, with guests regularly spotting black bears, mountain lions, and wild turkeys in the surrounding landscape. Several hiking trails start directly from the campgrounds, including access to the Manzana Creek trail and San Rafael Wilderness from nearby Nira Campground, which offers additional glamping options. The Carrizo Plain becomes especially vibrant during spring when wildflowers blanket the landscape, creating ideal conditions for photography and nature appreciation. Both properties accommodate pets, allowing for complete family adventures. A recent visitor mentioned, "Lots of campsite choices along the ridge with beautiful expansive views of the plain. During springtime, the wildflowers are beautiful. Site also has unique glamping options." For the best experience, visitors should book well in advance, particularly during peak wildflower season when accommodations fill quickly.
"We're excited to have this campground on the Dyrt and ready for you to book, check them out and make sure to leave a review!"
from $55 - $200 / night
Check Availability"Most yurts have a foot trail down to the water. The Yurt I stayed in (we camped 3 nights and had a yurt the last two) slept 4-6 people, 6 if you have kids. Yurts do not have bathrooms."
"clean spacious sites, pool, laundry, grocery store, gas. Sites have fire pit, grill grate and picnic table. Great views of the sunset from our site #287. Beer and wine for sale."
"Short walk to the beach, clean restrooms. You can hike or bike all the way up or down the canyon to Newberry Park! Lots of wildlife and flowers."
"Great hikes nearby and the beach is just a short walk away! We saw lots of cute animals during our stay. The campsite pass also gets you free parking at pretty much any beach along the PCH."
"It was located right next to the water park but they had already closed for the season."
"Lopez Lake Recreation Area is 15 minutes behind the “Village” of Arroyo Grande, CA."
from $60 - $70 / night
Check Availability"We checked in late evening, it was nice that the gate/entrance was open for late arrivals. Campground was walking distance to the beach."
"Ocean front, off road sand dune recreation if you have a capable vehicle. It’s great. Best with an off-road capable vehicle. Bathrooms are a bit rough without running water."
from $25 - $40 / night
Check Availability"Beautiful drive to get to Nira with stunning views. Had a nice visit having the whole campground to ourselves, although the nearby trailheads had several cars."
"Nira is a small, primitive campground in the San Rafael wilderness behind the Santa Ynez Valley."
from $30 - $34 / night
Check Availability"There's plenty of tree and shade coverage, nice spread out spots to set up camp, and good nearby hikes. We stayed here during our PCT thru hike after crossing mile 100."
"Brought us an ice chest with dinner and breakfast for us to cook over the fire. We happened to be there when the Hale-bopp comet was overhead and had a front row seat for that show. "
"Just a table, fire pit, and water spigot. The hosts are very accommodating and made sure I was able to find my site after dark and were very responsive to my texts! "
from $40 / night
Check Availability"We had the best time renting an air stream from tgis location. It was retro and such a great experience. We had air conditioning, running water, and perfect amenities available."
"It is located in Buellton, CA very near the historic town of Solvang, as well as Lake Cachuma and Los Padres National Forest. The campsite is in a beautiful setting surrounded by green rolling hills."
TravelerNice place, great access to dunes, but about a mile to beach across said dunes. Beautiful though. Only down sides were the bathrooms. Broken stall door, dirty showers. Good for last minute reservation or if you have your own bathroom/shower.
TravelerLove this Park. This was our first time camping here. The Park has only 60 spaces and was less than 1/3 full. Perfect location walking distance to the Ocean. Numerous restaurants and a Vons grocery store less than a mile away on Grand Avenue. Very clean and quiet. We're looking forward to staying here again. We had our 5th wheel towed here by Pismo Coast Village Resort's RV Storage. Fin's Bar & Grill is fantastic. Francisco's Country Kitchen is awesome for breakfast and lunch.
LegendITS BIG.... tons of great sites some not do good, some packed right others lots of space, a great lake, a fun bar café, super good general store and lots of people, ther is plenty to do and it's a big chunk of land. And the oak trees and wildlife is fantastic....looking forward to seeing how winter is
Scout30 amp electric and water in the first 40 spaces. Close to the beach lots of kids here. Shade trees. It’s a well equipped campground, but a little crowded. Reservation through reservecalifornia.com.
TravelerThe lake was amazing. The bar & grill stocks some great craft beers (didn't try the food so can't speak to its quality). The store was well stocked, the staff were friendly and helpful. The sites were reasonably well spread out (at least where we were).
That's the good. Here's the bad.
Ants. So many ants. But that's just camping - come prepared with ant spray, ant baits, and diatomaceous earth.
But the worst part was the group campsite near us. Nice enough people, looked like they were having a great time and making good memories for their kids. But someone brought a jobsite style generator - one of the extremely noisy ones - and had it running from 7am to 10pm every day, so that constant rattle was completely inescapable. You can't hang out in your site in peace. You can't wake up and enjoy the birds. You can't sing by a campfire. All you have is rattling generators.
We told the park staff about this, but it didn't seem to matter. And we never once saw park staff anywhere near our site - I haven't been to a single other campground, whether county, state, federal, or private, where that's been the case.
GuideThe far end, higher number camp spots, are water only. There is also a train close by every couple hours. It is a state park so there will be an inconsiderate ass.
ScoutThis campground is fantastic. Pool, hot tub, privacy between RV spots, the staff is amazing. There’s a little store to get stuff you forgot. Will definitely be back!
ScoutStayed here several years ago on a motorcycle trip. Owner guided us to our tent site up on the ridge. Tent was top quality with very comfortable mattress. Brought us an ice chest with dinner and breakfast for us to cook over the fire. We happened to be there when the Hale-bopp comet was overhead and had a front row seat for that show. Sounds like they still provide the same great service. Heading that way in a coupe of weeks and will have to check out the RV sites.
GuideAfter staying in Sun Outdoors San Diego, this was a let down. The sites were small, our original site sewer drain was submerged under water ("it rained" - great, why is it below the surrounding ground in the first place???). The young staff person was rude to my wife when she inquired why the bathrooms and showers were being cleaned prior to check out time (when we needed to prepare to leave...). The site was dirt, and very small, so nothing special. The pool and hot tub looked nice. The bathrooms were typical. We paid a premium price for an average to below-average place.
Camping near Carrizo Plain National Monument offers options ranging from primitive sites to modern glamping accommodations. The monument sits at elevations between 2,000 and 5,000 feet, with temperatures reaching over 100°F in summer and dropping below freezing in winter. Weather conditions can change rapidly, with strong winds common across the exposed plains.
Hiking trails: Access the Manzana Creek trail directly from Nira Campground, which serves as an entry point to the San Rafael wilderness. "Nira Campground is a great start to a backpacking trip into the San Rafael wilderness. This is a remote campground, bring all amenities including water. Excellent views along the Manzana trail."
Wildlife photography: The diverse ecosystem provides numerous photography opportunities year-round. "We enjoyed a spur of the moment night away in our four wheel camper at Nira on a chilly (28f) night. We had the place to ourselves! Trail head directly from parking lot and campground."
Beach excursions: Many visitors combine their Carrizo Plain visit with trips to coastal areas just an hour away. "We tried to reserve online but site said they were full and sign at entrance said they were full. We waited at check in gate at 2pm (check in time) for about 10 minutes. Staff came by in a car and registered us from their car! Strange but we were grateful. Many available spaces!"
Lake activities: Cachuma Lake Recreation Area offers boating and fishing options for a change of scenery from the monument plains. "Cachuma Lake is a great place for wildlife viewing and birding. I am a photographer, and love seeing all of the birds that hang out around Cachuma - ducks, coots, Western and Clark's grebes, loons, osprey, hawks, turkey vultures."
Spacious campsites: The open landscape provides ample room between sites at certain locations. A camper at Songdog Ranch noted, "I stayed for a quick stop overnight and found the site as described. Just a table, fire pit, and water spigot. The hosts are very accommodating and made sure I was able to find my site after dark."
Clean facilities: Several campgrounds maintain better-than-expected restrooms and amenities. "Beautiful drive to get to Nira with stunning views. Had a nice visit having the whole campground to ourselves, although the nearby trailheads had several cars. The sites are nicely dispersed with a running creek nearby."
Star viewing: The remote location with limited light pollution creates exceptional night sky visibility. "I stayed for a quick stop overnight and found the site as described. The hosts are very accommodating and made sure I was able to find my site after dark and were very responsive to my texts!"
Seasonality considerations: Winter camping offers solitude but requires preparation for cold temperatures. "We enjoyed a spur of the moment night away in our four wheel camper at Nira on a chilly (28f) night. We had the place to ourselves!"
Water availability: Many campgrounds near the monument lack reliable drinking water. "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."
Extreme temperatures: Summer heat can exceed 100°F while winter nights frequently drop below freezing. "Every time I have gone I was there by myself or with friends. 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."
Limited cell service: Most areas within and around the monument have no cellular coverage. Barrel Springs Campground visitor mentioned: "Barrel springs campground is a super sweet place. There's plenty of tree and shade coverage, nice spread out spots to set up camp, and good nearby hikes."
Wildlife encounters: Visitors should be prepared for potential wildlife sightings including predators. "I have seen bears and mountain lions so be prepared for that. Never been attacked by them. Bring your own water."
Yurt accommodations: Family-friendly yurt camping near Carrizo Plain Monument offers sturdy shelter with basic amenities. At Cachuma Lake Recreation Area, "We have rented a yurt a couple times, and hope to do so again soon. The yurts have bunk beds inside (bring your own bedding!), an overhead light, and a heater."
Educational opportunities: The monument provides excellent learning experiences about geology and ecology. "Barrel springs campground is a super sweet place. We taught several youth camping skills here. Lots of hiking and just a beautiful place."
Proximity to amenities: Some campgrounds offer convenient access to supplies. "This campground is awesome. It's very beautiful, with lots of wildflowers, trees, trails, beach dunes…and squirrels. Lots of them. But we also saw and heard hawks, turkey vultures, owls, and many other birds."
Protection from elements: Consider wind and sun exposure when selecting sites. "This campground is awesome. The bathrooms have hot water and Flush toilets. Showers are huge and are self-contained and not in the bathrooms. Tokens needed."
Access roads: Some campgrounds have challenging access for larger rigs. Oceano Campground visitor noted: "Our 3rd visit here. Sites are pull through, Power and water. Asphalt pads are in good condition. Easy access to the beach from your site, or turn right out of the camp and drive on the beach."
Site specifications: Verify site dimensions before booking for larger vehicles. "Sites are pull through, Power and water. Asphalt pads are in good condition. Easy access to the beach from your site, or turn right out of the camp and drive on the beach."
Hookup availability: Most primitive campgrounds lack water and electric connections. "Nice place and clean place, but not really a campground as it much as it's an rv park with cabins. Not much nature. Use to go years ago when they had tent camping."
Dump station locations: Plan ahead for waste disposal as facilities are limited. "Lopez Lake Recreation Area is 15 minutes behind the 'Village' of Arroyo Grande, CA. Lopez is a very large campground with many different loops, so many of which are nearby the lake."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Carrizo Plain National Monument?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Carrizo Plain National Monument is Cuyama Oaks Ranch with a 5-star rating from 1 review.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Carrizo Plain National Monument?
TheDyrt.com has all 21 glamping camping locations near Carrizo Plain National Monument, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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