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Camping near Morro Bay, CA

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    Camping near Morro Bay spans from oceanfront state parks to inland forest campgrounds, with options ranging from tent sites and full-hookup RV parks to primitive dispersed sites. 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 near 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.

    Best Campgrounds near Morro Bay (90)

    Filters    Tent onlyRVDispersedCabinGlampingPetsEquestrian

      1. Morro Bay State Park Campground

      4.5(71)3mi from Morro Bay95 sitesRVs, Tents

      "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"

      from $35 - $165 / night

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      2. Morro Strand State Beach Campground

      3.8(43)2mi from Morro Bay73 sitesRVs, Tents

      "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."

      from $35 - $50 / night

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      3. Morro Dunes RV Park

      4.5(28)1mi from Morro BayRVs, Tents

      "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."

      from $35 - $74 / night

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      4. Islay Creek Campground — Montaña de Oro State Park

      4.3(31)7mi from Morro Bay51 sitesRVs, Tents

      "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."

      from $25 - $150 / night

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      5. TV Tower Road Dispersed Camping

      4.0(42)13mi from Morro Bay

      "Great view of the pacific and that enormous rock protruding from the ocean in Morro Bay."

      "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."

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      6. El Chorro Regional Park

      4.0(20)8mi from Morro BayRVs, Tents

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

      "If anyone needs a good place to stay near Morro Bay (Central CA coast), El Chorro Regional Park has 43 reasonably priced FHU back-in sites."

      from $38 - $65 / night

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

      4.3(64)21mi from Morro Bay66 sitesRVs, Tents

      "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."

      from $35 / night

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      8. Cerro Alto Campground

      3.8(16)8mi from Morro Bay22 sitesRVs, Tents, Glamping

      "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."

      from $35 - $39 / night

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      9. Oceano Campground — Pismo State Beach

      4.1(67)23mi from Morro Bay67 sitesRVs, Tents, Glamping

      "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 $25 - $40 / night

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      10. Cypress Morro Bay RV Park

      4.8(4)1mi from Morro BayRVs

      "Morro Bay CA. Clean and located smack in the middle of town within short walk to restaurants, hikes, and more. Very nice and helpful owner."

      "Went to breakfast down the street, then walked around the pier and took lots of great pictures. Sea otters were floating around nursing their young. Had a great time!"

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    Recent Camping Photos near Morro Bay, CA

    172 Photos of 90 Morro Bay Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers

    Recent Reviews near Morro Bay, CA

    789 Reviews of 90 Morro Bay Campgrounds

    • HThe Dyrt Pro User
      Oct. 6, 2026

      Cerro Alto Campground

      Peaceful

      This hosted usfs campground is far enough from highway 41 that you cannot hear it at all. The birds and grey squirrels are abundant. The eucalyptus trees are highly fragrant and a few of the sites are well situated away from vault toilet smells and other sites.  Be careful if booking online, as some sites require a small upward hike from the parking spot, and others (particularly in the cul de sac at the end of the narrow but paved road) share parking pads and are quite close to one another. 

      Although situated between Atascadero and Morro Bay, the temperature was cooler than Atascadero by at least 15 degrees in this hotter than usual October. Sites in the cul de sac are noticeably warmer than those on the road in. 

      Fee stations are located in two places: when you first drive in and at the cul de sac where the host is located. Firewood is available. $10 as of 2026. Fee is $35 for weeknight, $37 for weekend night. Senior National Parks pass is honored.)

    • KThe Dyrt Pro User
      Sep. 16, 2026

      TV Tower Road Dispersed Camping

      What a view!

      Really nice spot, the way up here was a bit rough and challenging but it was worth it (but you have to be really careful and confident with your moves)!

    • C
      Sep. 15, 2026

      pismo state beach

      Gorgeous Beach!

      Roomy campground with large sites. The beach is a short walk away. Dogs are allowed on the beach on leash.

    • SThe Dyrt Pro User
      Sep. 11, 2026

      Morro Strand State Beach Campground

      Great coastal campground

      Most spaces don’t have shade. I saw some tent campers erect their tents in shady spots, but for RVs there’s no shade from trees…. At all. The beach view is not a view unless you have a tall unit or a rooftop tent. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed the stay. The walk to the waters edge is maybe 150 yards at the most.

    • C
      Sep. 8, 2026

      North Beach Campground — Pismo State Beach

      Short walk to uncrowned beach!

      Nice sized campsites. It’s a short walk to a beautiful beach! Uncrowned the day after Labor Day. Dogs are allowed on leash. We saw plenty of clams and sand dollars.

    • BThe Dyrt Pro User
      Sep. 8, 2026

      Morro Bay State Park Campground

      Lovely Location

      Great location, walking distance to the bay for kayaking or paddling, yummy cafe across the street, lots of dirt at sites and weird placement of fire pit but overall a nice spot

    • Michael B.The Dyrt Pro User
      Sep. 6, 2026

      Overnight Parking Near Hearst Castle

      Pretty, but very bait spot....

      Literally on the side of the road. I did see another RV, but not sure at all if this is okay. Very pretty with cool view.

      There are no signs. Next to the 1, and cars zipping by mostly 50-60 occasionally.

      Gonna sleep until sunrise then GTFO. I got caught after dark here and none of the hotels had rooms that I called. Very busy location, I gather, for visitors, so book your hotels ahead or be prepared to sleep a bit lightly.

    • Janie H.
      Aug. 31, 2026

      Pismo Coast Village RV Resort

      RV Storage, on site Restaurant and General Store

      We love the convenience of having our 5th wheel stored by Pismo Coast Village. We purchased our 5th wheel across the street from Pismo Coast Village at Sky River RV. The resort is well maintained and the staff are very friendly and helpful. The general store and restaurant located at Pismo Coast Village are superb.

    Guide to Morro Bay

    Morro Bay provides multiple campground options along the central California coast, from established state park facilities to private RV parks. Morro Bay State Park Campground and Morro Strand State Beach Campground offer tent and RV sites within walking distance of the ocean, while TV Tower Road offers free dispersed camping approximately 10 miles east near Santa Margarita. The surrounding area includes additional established campgrounds at Montaña de Oro State Park and San Simeon State Park, providing varied camping environments from oceanfront to forest settings.

    Most developed campgrounds in the area require reservations, especially during summer months and weekends. Morro Bay experiences a mild coastal climate with fog common during mornings and evenings, particularly in summer. Sites at Morro Dunes RV Park and other waterfront facilities often fill quickly due to their popularity and prime location. One visitor noted, "Great location, right next to the dunes! The RV park is clean and well maintained. Sites are spaced close together but no major issues with noisy neighbors." Road access is generally good throughout the area, with most campgrounds accessible via paved roads. Cell service is reliable near town but may be limited in more remote areas like TV Tower Road.

    Many campers highlight the proximity to beaches and views of Morro Rock as standout features of camping in this region. The established campgrounds provide amenities including showers, drinking water, and picnic tables, while the dispersed options offer more solitude but fewer services. Several visitors mentioned the easy beach access as a key benefit. A camper reported, "Just walk across the road to the dunes and onto the beach. Morro Rock in view. Perfect." Wildlife viewing opportunities include sea otters and sea lions in the harbor area. Campers should be prepared for coastal wind conditions, which can affect tent camping, particularly at sites directly adjacent to the ocean.

    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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