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Best Campgrounds near Morro Bay, CA

705 Reviews

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.

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Best Camping Sites Near Morro Bay, California (83)

    1. Morro Bay State Park Campground

    62 Reviews
    Los Osos, CA
    3 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."

    "Great camp just outside of the city of Morro Bay. And within walking distance, there is a Museum of natural history. In the Bayside Café has a good food which is right across the street"

    2. Morro Strand State Beach Campground

    37 Reviews
    Morro Bay, CA
    2 miles
    Website

    $35 - $50 / night

    "You can’t get much closer to the beach than this campground in Morro Bay."

    "Great spot right near Morro bay on a nice beach. A bit of a parking lot but if you get a good beach front spot you won’t care as you sit and look at the ocean."

    3. Islay Creek Campground — Montaña de Oro State Park

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

    $25 - $150 / night

    "There are many trails to choose from. The park is about a 5-10 minute drive to Morro Bay which is a fun little town to check out as well. I highly recommend Montana de Oro :)"

    "Ignore CAMPGROUND FULL sign at north end near Los Osos as you drive into park about 5 miles north of campground. People cancel and sign is not updated on regular basis."

    4. Morro Dunes RV Park

    23 Reviews
    Morro Bay, CA
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (805) 772-2722

    $35 - $74 / night

    "California, Morro Dunes RV Park Located right on the beach and ocean near Morro Rock. Within walking distance from Downtown Morro Bay.

    Directions: From highway 1 exit at E. G."

    "Nice place, walking distance to the beach & downtown Morro Bay. Get a site that has a view of The Rock."

    5. TV Tower Road Dispersed Camping

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

    "You can see Morro Bay, Los Osos, and San Luis Obispo. And to top it all off, you also get an ocean view in the distance."

    "We were trying to find a spot to camp near San Luis Obispo and hoped to find a place in Los Padres Natl Forest. We saw the road in our map book and aimed to follow it."

    6. San Simeon Creek Campground — Hearst San Simeon State Park

    60 Reviews
    San Simeon, CA
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (805) 772-6101

    $35 / night

    "General: Two campgrounds: San Simeon Creek, close to Highway One and the beach and Washburn Primitive, located about a mile inland."

    "This is a quaint campsite along California’s Central Coast. Not a lot at the site but in great proximity to Hearst Castle, elephant seals, zebras (no joke) and cute towns."

    7. El Chorro Regional Park

    17 Reviews
    Los Osos, CA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (805) 781-5930

    $25 - $50 / night

    "It is not far from Morro Bay and worth the trip to travel even further and see the elephant seals in San Simeon."

    "This is a great campground close to San Luis Obispo. It is great for tent or RV camping and is located near a park, garden, and golf course."

    8. Cerro Alto Campground

    15 Reviews
    Atascadero, CA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (805) 434-1996

    $35 - $39 / night

    "Easy access to hiking trails (Cerro Alto summit) from campsite. About a 20 min drive to Morro Bay/ Morro Rock. Pit toilets. No showers."

    "Close to Morro Bay. Campground had access to Cerro Alto Summit which had 360 views at the top. Bathrooms were clean and 2 locations on site."

    9. Oceano Campground — Pismo State Beach

    64 Reviews
    Grover Beach, CA
    23 miles
    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!)"

    10. Bay Pines Travel Trailer Park

    4 Reviews
    Morro Bay, CA
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (805) 772-3223

    "Morro strand in Morro Bay, CA is so perfect. Pets allowed, great water pressure in the showers, laundry is cheap and it's also right around the corner from the beach!"

    "Sonia allowed us to park in a space and fill up then drive away - free of charge. What a legend"

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Recent Camping Photos near Morro Bay, CA

178 Photos of 83 Morro Bay Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Morro Bay, CA

705 Reviews of 83 Morro Bay Campgrounds

  • Greg W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 10, 2025

    El Chorro Regional Park

    El Chorro

    It's clean, quiet and your belongings are safe. The stsff takes great care of the grounds, and are friendly. I use this when I'm working locally.

  • 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.

  • K
    Sep. 27, 2025

    Williams Hill Recreation Area

    Camping spot

    Great spot with fire pits & gazebos it’s first come first serve also has a bathroom, no water or electricity, park ranger comes up nd does routine check but it’s great camping spot over all very quiet came up here an their was others but everyone minds their own really great place to camp, I’ll definitely becoming back again

  • 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.

Guide to Morro Bay

Camping near Morro Bay, California, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you’re looking for a beachside retreat or a forest escape, there’s something for everyone in this area.

What to do:

  • Beach Access: Many campgrounds, like Morro Strand State Beach Campground, are right by the beach. One camper mentioned, “We could see the ocean from our bed, very nice.” This makes it easy to enjoy sunbathing, swimming, or beachcombing.
  • Hiking Trails: Explore the trails around Morro Bay State Park Campground. A visitor noted, “There are paths around the camp that go around the estuary type lagoon.” It’s a great way to see local wildlife and enjoy nature.
  • Bird Watching: The area is known for its birdwatching opportunities. One reviewer at Oceano County Campground shared, “There’s a cool lagoon that you can walk all the way around on, with lots of birds.”

What campers like:

  • Scenic Views: Campers rave about the stunning views. A visitor at Kirk Creek Campground said, “Amazing place to stay! Great view, access to the beach through a small path.”
  • Clean Facilities: Many campgrounds, such as Morro Dunes RV Park, are praised for their cleanliness. One camper mentioned, “Bath and showers, while older, are super clean.”
  • Friendly Staff: Campers appreciate the helpfulness of campground hosts. A reviewer at San Simeon Creek Campground noted, “The camp host, Shelby, was delightful and very accommodating.”

What you should know:

  • Crowded Campgrounds: Some campgrounds can get packed, especially during peak season. A camper at Morro Bay State Park Campground said, “This year when we stayed it was packed, and definitely not as nice of an experience.”
  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have full amenities. For example, Kirk Creek Campground has no showers or drinking water, so be prepared to bring your own supplies.
  • Wildlife Encounters: Be cautious of wildlife. A camper at Oceano County Campground warned about squirrels, saying, “They’re not afraid. They ate through my little pantry.”

Tips for camping with families:

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with activities for kids. At Oceano County Campground, there’s a fun scavenger hunt app for kids to enjoy.
  • Private Sites: Choose campgrounds with spaced-out sites for more privacy. A visitor at Morro Dunes RV Park mentioned, “Sites are tight but not overly cramped.”
  • Bring Bug Spray: Mosquitoes can be a nuisance. A camper at Morro Bay State Park Campground advised, “Bring bug spray and citronella or thermacills.”

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Size: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at San Simeon Creek Campground noted, “The camper pads are level, paved, and designated as either 25 - or 35-foot campsites.”
  • Early Reservations: Book your spot early, especially in summer. A camper at Morro Dunes RV Park said, “Make reservations early for this campground. It’s usually booked solid all summer.”
  • Bring Cash for Showers: Some campgrounds have token-operated showers. A visitor at Morro Bay State Park Campground reminded, “You need tokens for the showers and the machine only accepts cash.”

Camping near Morro Bay, California, offers a unique blend of outdoor fun and relaxation. With its beautiful landscapes and friendly campgrounds, it’s a great spot for your next adventure!

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities are available at Morro Bay State Park campground?

Morro Bay State Park Campground offers comprehensive amenities including flush toilets, hot showers, drinking water, picnic tables, and fire rings at each site. The campground provides both standard and hookup sites with electricity and water for RVs. Facilities include a dump station, trash and recycling services, and ADA-accessible sites. The park is conveniently located within walking distance to the marina, Bayside Café restaurant, and the Museum of Natural History. Hiking trails connect directly to the campground, offering scenic views of Morro Rock and the bay. While cell service is generally good, some campers report inconsistent cleanliness of restroom facilities, so bringing personal supplies is recommended.

Where are the best campgrounds in Morro Bay for tent camping?

Morro Bay State Park Campground is ideal for tent camping with spacious sites separated by trees and shrubs for privacy, clean facilities, and walking trails with stunning views of Morro Rock. For a more rustic experience, Cerro Alto Campground offers secluded tent sites nestled among oak trees with direct access to hiking trails and is just a 20-minute drive from Morro Bay. Tent campers seeking beachfront options should consider Islay Creek Campground at Montaña de Oro State Park, which provides a more primitive experience with beautiful coastal access. Most tent sites include a fire ring, picnic table, and nearby restrooms, though amenities vary by location.

What are the best times of year to go camping in Morro Bay?

The best times to camp in Morro Bay are late spring (April-June) and early fall (September-October) when temperatures are mild (60-75°F) and crowds are thinner. Summer months offer warmer weather but expect more visitors and foggy mornings that typically burn off by midday. Winter camping (November-March) provides solitude and whale watching opportunities at Morro Strand RV Park, though prepare for cooler temperatures and occasional rain. El Chorro Regional Park offers beautiful wildflower displays in spring. For the most comfortable experience, mid-week camping during shoulder seasons provides the perfect balance of good weather and fewer crowds.

How much does camping in Morro Bay cost?

Camping costs in Morro Bay vary by location and amenities. Morro Strand State Beach Campground typically charges $35-45 per night for sites, with slightly higher rates during peak seasons. RV parks tend to be pricier, with Morro Dunes RV Park running $50-75 per night depending on the site location and view. For budget-conscious campers, nearby options like Cerro Alto Campground offer more affordable rates around $25-30 per night. Most state park campgrounds in the area require an additional reservation fee of $7.99. Many campgrounds also offer discounts for seniors and disabled visitors, typically 10-15% off standard rates.

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