Best Campgrounds near Grover Beach, CA

Grover Beach in California draws many campers with its diverse outdoor settings. Morro Bay State Park Campground sits about 20 miles from Grover Beach and has both tent and RV sites along with restrooms and showers. North Beach Campground within Pismo State Beach is close to the ocean and comes with picnic tables and fire rings. The Nice Campground is quieter and more basic but good for those wanting fewer neighbors. Watch out for local wildlife like raccoons and birds - store your food properly to avoid problems. Spring and fall bring the best camping weather around Grover Beach with mild temperatures. Summer can get hot while winter tends to be cool with some rain. Most campgrounds connect to paved roads, but check conditions during rainy periods when mud can be an issue. Grover Beach works well for both tent and RV camping, just pack for changing weather conditions. The central California coast location makes Grover Beach a good base for exploring the shoreline.

Best Camping Sites Near Grover Beach, California (96)

    1. Oceano Campground — Pismo State Beach

    64 Reviews
    Grover Beach, CA
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (805) 473-7220

    $25 - $40 / night

    "Popular with families and groups Grass around tent sites still green. Most parking spots close to level but bring some blocks. Individual large restrooms with flush toilets and sinks."

    "Tucked behind the dunes (and you definitely want a site next to the dunes!)"

    2. Lopez Lake Recreation Area

    35 Reviews
    Arroyo Grande, CA
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (805) 788-2381

    $60 - $70 / night

    "It's a nice area, multiple camp grounds throughout the lake, some having hookups and other areas undeveloped and better for tent camping."

    "It was located right next to the water park but they had already closed for the season."

    3. North Beach Campground — Pismo State Beach

    22 Reviews
    Grover Beach, CA
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (805) 473-7220

    $25 / night

    "The beach is steps away. And the community has a good walking path and restaurants within walking distance."

    "Turns out they had 8 and the park ranger let me drive in to scope it out. I picked a site close to the beach and even better my Oceano reservation could be transferred. Yay."

    4. Morro Bay State Park Campground

    62 Reviews
    Los Osos, CA
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (805) 772-2560

    $35 - $165 / night

    "Unlike many state campgrounds you find near the highway or railroad tracks, this one is located a nice distance from the road.  Still, it is within walking distance to a small marina and restaurant."

    "It is only 2 miles away from Morro Rock and the adorable tourist town full of shops and eateries."

    5. Pismo Coast Village RV Resort

    17 Reviews
    Grover Beach, CA
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (805) 773-1811

    "Steps away from the ocean. We will return."

    "This is a pricey rv park, but great location and very busy. It is competitive with the others around and think it was the best one in the area."

    6. TV Tower Road Dispersed Camping

    35 Reviews
    Santa Margarita, CA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (805) 865-0416

    "The drive up is a bit treacherous but nothing unbearable. Our car can off road quite well, but our friend had a Volkswagen Golf and it also did perfectly fine and never bottomed out."

    "It’s best to have an offroader to come here, but van can do too."

    7. Pacific Dunes Ranch

    11 Reviews
    Oceano, CA
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "There are two levels of this campground, I stayed at the upper level just steps from the sand dunes which will lead you to the Pacific Ocean about 1/2 mile away."

    "Right next to some beautiful dunes. Rv / pull in sites. Have tables restrooms and fire pit relatively close to Oceano/ piano"

    8. Avila-Pismo Beach KOA

    14 Reviews
    Avilla Beach, CA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (805) 595-7111

    $225 / night

    "Campground is tucked away within the mountain and there are many things to do just outside the campground. Beach, trails and golfing all within 5min."

    "Located just north of Pismo Beach, Avila is tucked away down a hill that is totally worth venturing off to."

    9. Islay Creek Campground — Montaña de Oro State Park

    29 Reviews
    Los Osos, CA
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (805) 772-6101

    $25 - $150 / night

    "Quiet, peaceful and surrounded by skies perched out atop a hill."

    "This campground is near the beach on the central California coast . It has tent and RV sites. The only amenities are non-flushing toilets and water . There are no lights at night, so it is very dark."

    10. Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area Campground

    7 Reviews
    Oceano, CA
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (805) 473-7220

    $10 / night

    "A vehicle beach with unlimited things to do fishing, offroad sand dunes, hike, camp rv vehicle theres class A B C home made its awesome dogs allowed, after 10pm it's so quite"

    "We did see 2 skoolies on the beach, but then we also saw a pickup truck stuck in the sand in the parking lot outside of the beach, so there's that."

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Recent Reviews near Grover Beach, CA

754 Reviews of 96 Grover Beach Campgrounds


  • Sophia L.
    Sep. 28, 2025

    San Simeon Creek Campground — Hearst San Simeon State Park

    Raccoon Attack

    the overall site was nice and everything went smoothly during the day. There are no bear boxes (big metal boxes at most campsites to store food so animals can’t get to it) so we put all our food in a big cooler that we thought nothing could get into. Wake up after 30 mins of sleeping to noises outside, a whole family of raccoons are eating our food. they destroyed a good amount of our food and our camping materials and the problem was they wouldn’t leave us alone. they were aggressive and would not leave, climbing the trees above us and popping left and right out of the bushes. we have no where to put our food (since raccoons can get into your car through the engine and cause major damage). They were surrounding us, we were yelling and jumping to try and scare them away but they were persistent. We thought they might even attack us as they did not seem very scared and were very aggressive. We had no choice but to quickly pack up all our stuff while someone was on raccoon guard and leave in the middle of the night. I was very disappointed.

  • Bobbii J.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 24, 2025

    Vinyl Vineyards

    GORGEOUS !

    I had such an unforgettable stay at Vinyl Vineyards! I stayed at the David Bowie trailer, and it was pure nostalgia full of vintage charm, character, and cozy vibes. Everywhere I looked felt like stepping into a different era in the best way possible. The property itself is expansive and breathtaking. I got a private UTV tour across their 120 acres of vineyards, and it was absolutely unbeatable, wide open views, rolling vines, and that peaceful Paso Robles magic. The vibe on the property was incredible, and the outdoor shower was such a unique, refreshing touch that made the stay even more memorable. And the wine? Unforgettable. Their rosé is absolutely on point, hands down my favorite. Do the tasting, you won’t be disappointed! I felt completely at home here, and I can’t wait to come back, next time with my pets and my daughter in tow. Vinyl Vineyards is such a gem, and I’m already counting the days until I return.

  • Michael S.
    Sep. 22, 2025

    Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area Campground

    Use your 4x4 for what it was intended for, but use caution

    Just spent the weekend in the Oceano SVRA, and some things I noticed:

    1. Even with the reduced number of campers, the camping area still seemed really full.

    2. The sand was very soft and deep in the camping area, and I saw multiple 4x4 trucks getting stuck, including a Lexus GX460, 2 Toyota Tacomas and 1 4Runner, and a stock Jeep Wrangler. 

    3. The dunes are ridiculously fun to drive on, but they are also dangerous. They are also very devoid of other vehicles due to the limited number of entries, so DO NOT go out alone. There are plenty of places to get lost in, and if you're at the bottom of a dune, you cannot see where you are and will be lost. 

    So much fun, even the mariachi bands blasting music until 3 in the morning was fun.

  • Barbara G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 22, 2025

    Flying Flags Avila Beach

    Great place

    Views are amazing. You can hear the sea lions at Port San Luis, birds of paradise and other lovely flowers, palm trees and eucalyptus. Very well maintained. Beach is 10 minute walk and allows dogs. Near to San Luis Obispo and so much more that the lovely Central Coast has to offer. Staff were very attentive and helpful. There are areas with community fires for gathering, small store. Bocce ball and other games. I dry camped which worked out just fine. $10 dump fee when you leave is available for dry campers. Full hookups also available but they fill up so advance reservations needed.

  • Barbara G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 19, 2025

    The Beachhouse RV Park

    Ok if you just need a basic place and is near Beach

    Misremembered names, ended up at Morro strand RV park when meant to be at Morro dunes RV park. This one, Morro strand is in a depressing area and park itself is gravel everywhere not grass or plants. At least it's only a 10 min walk to the Morro beach, with great view of Morro Rock. It does have ok facilities including coin laundry on site

  • Michael R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 17, 2025

    San Simeon Creek Campground — Hearst San Simeon State Park

    San Simeon Camping

    Great campground with plenty of space between sites! Sites have plenty of shade and facilities are clean and well kept! No more than two vehicles are allowed in a site, but there’s free parking on the road that runs next to the campground and it’s easy to walk up the embankment and get to your site from the road.

  • Patrick J.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 3, 2025

    Bella Vista By The Sea

    Walk to beach, pier, trails and nice town of Cayucos.

    Accurate description in other reviews. This is a mobile home park with RV sites(FHU). This lends to a different experience, but a good one. Walking distance pretty much anything. Ride or walk out of Bella Vista to beach, pier, trails and town. Had back in site# 66. Lots of maneuvering room for our 35 feet TT. I'd go back.:-)


Guide to Grover Beach

Camping near Grover Beach, California, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you’re looking for a beachside retreat or a spot surrounded by nature, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do

  • Beach Access: Enjoy the sandy shores just a short walk from your campsite. At Oceano County Campground — Pismo State Beach, one camper mentioned, “The beach is a short walk away,” making it easy to soak up the sun or take a stroll along the shore.
  • Bird Watching: If you love wildlife, head to Morro Bay State Park Campground. A visitor shared, “We got to visit the museum this time as well, small and cute and well worth the $3 entry fee,” highlighting the area's rich biodiversity.
  • Hiking Trails: Explore the scenic trails around Cachuma Lake Recreation Area. One reviewer noted, “Hiking and mountain biking trails are abundant throughout the area,” perfect for outdoor enthusiasts.

What campers like

What you should know

  • Noise Levels: Be prepared for some noise, especially near train tracks. A camper at Refugio State Beach Campground noted, “Next to train tracks (don’t run frequently at night), but could still wake tent campers,” so light sleepers might want to bring earplugs.
  • Limited Privacy: Some campgrounds have sites that are close together. A visitor at Morro Strand State Beach Campground mentioned, “Sites very close together,” which might not be ideal for those seeking solitude.
  • Bring Your Own Water: Many campgrounds do not have potable water. A camper at Cachuma Lake Recreation Area advised, “Be sure to fill up tanks at El Capitan before entering,” so plan accordingly.

Tips for camping with families

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with nearby attractions. One family at Jalama Beach County Park enjoyed, “Great walks along a long beach that is nestled in a cozy bay,” perfect for kids to explore.
  • Safety Precautions: Keep an eye on your kids, especially around wildlife. A camper at Morro Bay State Park Campground mentioned, “There’s also lots of rangers, which makes for very well-mannered campers,” ensuring a safe environment.
  • Pack Snacks: Having snacks on hand can keep the little ones happy. One reviewer at El Capitán State Beach Campground said, “The area has a run-down feel,” so it’s best to come prepared.

Tips from RVers

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site dimensions. A camper at Morro Bay State Park Campground noted, “The pull-in for site 118 isn't quite level,” which could be a concern for larger rigs.
  • Bring Cash for Showers: Some campgrounds have token-operated showers. A visitor at Morro Bay State Park Campground reminded others, “You do need tokens for the showers and the machine only accepts cash,” so be prepared.
  • Dump Stations Nearby: If you need to empty your tanks, check for nearby dump stations. A camper at Oceano County Campground — Pismo State Beach mentioned, “There’s a dump station just 2 miles north at North Beach Campground,” making it convenient for RVers.

Camping near Grover Beach, California, offers a variety of experiences, from beach fun to nature exploration. With a little planning, you can enjoy all that this beautiful area has to offer!

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best times of year to camp at Grover Beach?

The best times to camp near Grover Beach are late spring through early fall (May-September) when temperatures are mild and rainfall is minimal. Summer brings warm days perfect for beach activities, though it can get crowded during peak season. Morro Bay State Park Campground stays relatively peaceful even during busy periods and offers services year-round. Fall provides fewer crowds while maintaining comfortable temperatures. Winter camping is possible but expect cooler temperatures and occasional rain. Le Sage Riviera RV Park remains popular year-round due to its proximity to water, but requires advance reservations during peak seasons.

Is camping allowed on Grover Beach?

Camping directly on Grover Beach itself is not permitted. However, you can enjoy beach proximity at nearby Oceano Campground — Pismo State Beach, which is tucked behind the dunes with easy beach access. Some visitors prefer Pismo Dunes Travel Trailer Park, which offers clean grounds and convenient access to dunes and beaches. For beach camping in the general area, consider the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area, which allows camping on designated beach areas (not Grover Beach specifically).

Are there designated campgrounds at Grover Beach?

While there are no campgrounds on Grover Beach itself, several excellent options exist nearby. Morro Dunes RV Park is located right on the beach with ocean views near Morro Rock and within walking distance of downtown Morro Bay. Another popular option is Pacific Dunes Ranch, which offers multiple access options including drive-in, hike-in, and walk-in camping with water, toilets, and big-rig-friendly sites. Both provide convenient beach access while offering the amenities that Grover Beach itself lacks for overnight stays.