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Camping near Grover Beach, California ranges from beachfront RV parks with full hookups to free dispersed sites in the nearby hills. Campgrounds like Oceano Campground at Pismo State Beach and Lopez Lake Recreation Area provide access to both tent and RV camping, while some locations like TV Tower Road offer free dispersed camping opportunities. Pismo Coast Village RV Resort and Pacific Dunes Ranch also feature cabin accommodations alongside traditional camping, with many sites offering beach access or water views, making the region popular for weekend getaways.
Most campgrounds in the area remain open year-round due to the mild coastal climate, though advance reservations are strongly recommended, particularly during summer months and holiday weekends. The coastal campgrounds generally provide amenities like showers, drinking water, and toilets, while dispersed sites typically offer no facilities. Sites near Pismo Beach and Oceano often accommodate large RVs with full hookups, while more remote locations may have limited space or require high-clearance vehicles. As one camper noted, "Great location, clean and well-run. There are both tent and RV sites of all sizes, 30/50A hookups, water & sewer, plus concrete fire rings and picnic tables at each site."
The proximity to beaches and dunes represents a significant draw for campers visiting the Grover Beach area. Several visitors mentioned that campgrounds like Pismo Coast Village RV Resort and Oceano Campground provide convenient beach access and proximity to downtown areas. Campers report mixed experiences with site spacing, with one reviewer noting that "spaces between RVs are too tight" at certain locations, while others appreciate the "large grassy area" at campgrounds like Pismo Sands. Family-friendly amenities such as swimming pools, arcades, and beach access trails enhance the camping experience at several developed sites. For those seeking more solitude, the dispersed camping options provide alternatives to the more crowded beachfront RV parks, though with significantly fewer amenities.
"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!)"
from $35 - $50 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $60 - $70 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $35 / night
Check Availability"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."
"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."
"This is a busy campground and your neighbors' sites are fairly close by, limiting privacy."
from $35 - $165 / night
Check Availability"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."
"Right next to some beautiful dunes. Rv / pull in sites. Have tables restrooms and fire pit relatively close to Oceano/ piano"
"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."
"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."
from $225 / night
Check Availability"Quiet, peaceful and surrounded by skies perched out atop a hill."
"It was peaceful, beautiful surroundings, and a decent amount of space between campsites. The coastal air, hills, and nearby ocean views made it a great escape."
from $25 - $150 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $10 / night
Check Availability
ScoutPros:
Cons:
LegendGeneral: Two campgrounds– San Simeon Creek, which is the developed campground, and Washburn, the primitive one (258 sites total). The main discernible difference between the two is that Washburn has vault toilets and San Simeon Creek has flush toilets. There is also a hiker/biker section of San Simeon, but it is very close to the highway. No utility hookups at all. This review is for San Simeon Creek. The maximum length of RV permitted is 35 feet.
Site Quality: Camper drives are paved and level. Some are VERY short; our friends made reservations, so I am not sure if you can tell when reserving the length of each pad. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring.
Bath/Shower: As is typical with California state parks, the bathrooms in San Simeon Creek are individual units, with most having a toilet and sink and one with just a toilet. No hot water, soap, paper towels, or air dryers, but they do have toilet seat covers. Token-operated showers.
Activities/Amenities: Firewood is available for $11/bundle from the host between 3 and 7 pm. I saw a somewhat overgrown horseshoe pit, and there is a nice-looking amphitheater (although I don’t know if there are still programs). There is a boardwalk that takes you to the beach, and the San Simeon trail winds around the Washburn campground and was prolific with wildflowers at the end of April. However, the trail was narrow, and there was a lot of poison oak. There is a (double) dump station. Very limited to no cell service (on Verizon).
This campground is typical of what we have come to expect from California state parks– it is less expensive than some, but still short in amenities. While the Washburn campground is further inland, note you will hear road noise from many of the sites in San Simeon Creek (but you do have direct access to the beach). At night when the road noise subsides, you can hear owls and/or frogs if your site backs up to the creek.
LegendGeneral: Small campground (38-site) with direct ocean access.
Site Quality: All sites have paved driveways but would not be suitable for large RVs. All but five sites are “partner” sites, so they would be better suited for friends or family camping together. Most people were tent camping in the grassy area behind the driveway pads.
Bath/Shower: Very basic all-gender units with a toilet and sink. Cold water only and NO soap, paper towels, air dryer, or light, so make sure you bring your own (especially at night). Did not use the shower, but from what I heard, people had difficulty getting it to work (as is usual with CA state parks, it looked like you needed tokens to operate).
Activities/Amenities: Mainly make your own fun. There is a small sandy beach. The Gaviota rail bridge runs directly overhead. We saw several Amtrak trains running, and they were not very loud (apparently, this bridge is the most photographed bridge for Amtrak, and I caught a few trains going over the bridge). There was also a small store, but it was not open at all on Saturday or Sunday in late April, so not sure when/if it would be open.
I loved the easy beach access but was disappointed in the lack of privacy with “partner” sites. In the end, this was not a huge issue, but it would have been more fun if we had been here with friends.
TravelerThis campground is not right on the beach, but its an easy walk to trails, the bay, the views, a restaurant, and golfing. Weird but true. Bring a couple clubs! Hike around, travel to other places in the central coast, or just enjoy the campground. Bring bikes for the kids! You will have a ton of fun and enjoy fantastic weather and sunsets! We have camped here at different times of the year and highly recommend any season. In the summer, there are usually cancellations during the week that you can grab.
There are docks and a nice boardwalk. You will see- and hear- lots of birds. Its an easy walk to the natural history museum, which also has a gift shop.
TravelerWe've had great experiences at this campground. Great place to get disconnected, relax, enjoy the views & beach.
TravelerOne of my favorite CA state parks! Well maintained and spacious sites with easy access to nearby trail systems. Definitely worth a visit!
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.
ScoutCamping spots were spacious clean and close to restrooms had a ball enjoyed every moment there. Wasn’t far from water either just a short drive beautiful scenery
GuideAwesome views, couple of other campers and people watching the sunset nearby
Grover Beach, California provides camping access to both beach environments and inland recreation areas with options for various accommodation preferences. Established campgrounds in the area include Oceano Campground at Pismo State Beach and Pacific Dunes Ranch which accept tents, RVs, and offer cabin rentals. Lopez Lake Recreation Area, located about 10 miles from Grover Beach, provides boat-in, drive-in, and hike-in access with tent, RV, and cabin options. Pismo Coast Village RV Resort offers full hookup amenities within walking distance to the shoreline. The region balances beach-oriented sites with inland options that provide more seclusion.
Most campgrounds in the Grover Beach vicinity require advance reservations, especially during summer months when beach access is in highest demand. Full hookup sites for RVs are common at established campgrounds like Holiday RV Park and Pismo Sands RV Park, while more primitive camping can be found further inland. Weather remains mild year-round, though coastal fog can occur in summer mornings. Most campgrounds remain open throughout the year, making this a viable camping destination regardless of season. Site availability varies significantly between weekdays and weekends, with Friday and Saturday bookings often requiring months of advance planning. A visitor noted, "Spaces are close and no pool, but the beach is a 5 minute, easy walk. We plan to return again."
Campers frequently mention the prime location and beach proximity as major advantages of camping in this area. Those seeking more space between sites often prefer campgrounds at Lopez Lake Recreation Area rather than the tightly-packed beach camping options. Sites directly adjacent to the beach consistently receive high ratings despite typically offering less privacy between camping spots. Several visitors commented on the tight spacing at beach campgrounds while still appreciating the location value. "The campground has a mixture of tent and pull-through sites. All sites have full hookups, and include a fire ring and picnic table," explained one reviewer about Coastal Dunes RV Park. Most camping areas provide basic amenities including toilets, showers, picnic tables and fire rings, though guests should verify specific amenities when booking as they vary by location.
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.
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