Best Campgrounds near Morro Bay, CA
Morro Bay's coastal camping landscape spans from oceanfront state parks to inland forest campgrounds. The area includes Morro Bay State Park Campground with both tent and RV sites, offering views of the iconic Morro Rock and estuary access. Morro Strand State Beach Campground provides beachfront camping with direct ocean access, while dispersed options like TV Tower Road near Santa Margarita offer more primitive experiences. Several private RV parks including Morro Dunes RV Park and Bay Pines Travel Trailer Park cater to visitors seeking full hookups and amenities within walking distance to town attractions.
Reservations are essential for most developed campgrounds in the region, particularly during summer months when coastal sites fill quickly. "Morro Bay is one of my favorite spots. This campground is always perfect. The staff is great. Always clean. Close to everything," noted one visitor about Morro Bay State Park. Weather conditions remain mild year-round, though coastal fog and afternoon winds are common, especially at Morro Strand where campers should bring extra-long tent stakes for sandy terrain. Most state park campgrounds provide drinking water and restrooms, while some offer showers for a small fee. Cell service is generally reliable throughout the coastal areas but may be limited at inland dispersed sites.
The proximity to both beach and bay creates unique camping experiences around Morro Bay. Campers at oceanfront sites enjoy direct beach access with opportunities to collect sand dollars and watch wildlife. "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," one camper shared about Morro Bay State Park. Sites at El Chorro Regional Park, located inland between Morro Bay and San Luis Obispo, provide a more sheltered experience with access to hiking trails, botanical gardens, and a golf course. Many campgrounds serve as convenient bases for exploring the region's attractions, including kayaking in the estuary, visiting downtown Morro Bay's shops and restaurants, or taking day trips to nearby coastal towns like Cayucos and Cambria.
