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Best Tent Camping near Morro Bay, CA

556 Reviews

Tent camping options around Morro Bay, California include a mixture of established campgrounds and more remote sites within the surrounding forests and recreation areas. KOA Campground Santa Margarita offers tent sites with amenities like showers and toilets, while more primitive options such as Brookshire Campground and Alder Creek Camp provide a more rustic experience. Most tent sites in the region are situated within accessible driving distance from Morro Bay, allowing campers to explore both coastal and inland camping environments.

Many tent campgrounds in the area require campers to be self-sufficient with supplies. Brookshire Campground features basic amenities including picnic tables, fire pits, and vault toilets, but no potable water. High-clearance vehicles are recommended for accessing more remote tent sites, particularly Alder Creek Camp which requires navigating 8 miles of unpaved forest roads. Fire restrictions vary seasonally, with complete bans common during dry summer months. Most primitive tent areas require campers to pack out trash and follow Leave No Trace principles, as garbage service is typically unavailable at backcountry sites.

Tent campers seeking solitude often prefer the more secluded options like Colson Canyon Campground, where sites are well-spaced and provide a more authentic outdoor experience. The primitive tent sites generally offer better access to hiking trails and natural settings than developed RV campgrounds. While amenities are limited, the trade-off is increased privacy and natural surroundings. Areas deeper in Los Padres National Forest provide access to creek-side camping with opportunities for wildlife viewing. According to one visitor, "Alder camp is quite far down the road. There were only a few campsites that we could pull our cars into because the road leading to more had some trees down. Anyone who wants to go exploring, this is your place!"

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Best Tent Sites Near Morro Bay, California (9)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Morro Bay, CA

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Tent Camping Reviews near Morro Bay, CA

556 Reviews of 9 Morro Bay Campgrounds

  • Chanel C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 16, 2017

    Morro Bay State Park Campground

    More RV campers than tent campers

    [ LOCATION -5 Stars ]

    • Walking distance to the Morro Bay Natural History Museum -- great for kids and very educational for all ages. Admission is only $3 and they have a fun Nature Shop to pick up souvenirs and gifts.
    • Bayside Cafe is adjacent to the Campgrounds. If you don't feel like going through the hassle of cooking an elaborate meal at camp, you can take it easy and eat at the cafe. It has a great view of the marina and Morro Bay Rock.
    • Campgrounds is a stone's throw from the marina. This is especially great if you enjoy being by the water. A lot of campers bring their own kayaks, canoes, SUP boards, etc.
    • Less than 2 miles from the Embarcadero where there are shops, restaurants, bars, cafes, boat tours, and water equipment rentals. It's a beautiful walk, an easy bike ride, and a quick drive into town. Best part, FREE PARKING everywhere! Also, plenty of public restrooms that are relatively clean.
    • The campgrounds is right by a large and well-manicured golf course. So that's cool…if you're into golf!

    [ AMENITIES -4.5 Stars ]

    • Plenty of showers and restrooms throughout the campgrounds. Some are not all operational but it's not that far of a walk to get to the next available one. PRO TIP: Exchange your shower tokens at the check-in Kiosk. A lot of the token machines were out of order. 2 tokens for $1. Each token buys you 2 minutes time.
    • Firewood & fire starters can be purchased at Camp Host sites. $7 for a bundle and $1 for firestarters. The profits go back to CA state parks :)
    • Sites are very close together and not very spacious or private. Each campsite comes with parking for 1 car, a charcoal BBQ grill, a firepit, bear box, and picnic table.
    • There are plenty of shared water spigots for potable water by every site. Make sure you turn it gently because the water pressure is super strong and you'll get a ton of splash back.

    [ CLEANLINESS -5 Stars]

    • Restrooms & showers are SO CLEAN! Most of the campers here are RV campers, so they aren't really using the public restrooms. Less foot traffic = cleaner!
    • The majority of campers here are older, retired RV campers so the campgrounds are kept-up meticulously well. Everyone is very considerate and clean up after themselves. There aren't too many pests or ants either.
  • Care B.
    Jan. 14, 2023

    Morro Dunes RV Park

    Very friendly perfect location

    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. Lewis Highway(41) and go west toward the beach. The campground will be on the left in less than one mile.

    Please see the Campbase map tab for the exact location.

    Comment Morro Dunes RV Park is open all year with 170 RV and tent sites available. What a fun place to stay in Morro Bay. It's the best campground in Morro Bay if you want to be right on the beach and close to all the activity of the beach, marina, bay, and downtown area. You can park the car and walk or bike everywhere. The campground is the closest camp spot to Morro Rock. There is a lot of "fun factor" at this campground.

    Make reservations early for this campground. It's usually booked solid all summer. If you are unable to obtain a camp site, at the bottom of this page are other near bye campgrounds.

    The campground has paved camp roads with level crushed rock parking pads. Picnic tables and fire rings are also available. Shade spots are limited.

    There is HorsebackIng in the dunes in front of the campground. There is also a dirt area for parking and unloading horses.

    Cell phone service in the area is excellent.

  • Barbara M.
    Feb. 8, 2022

    El Chorro Regional Park

    Great central location

    We live this park! It is not far from Morro Bay and worth the trip to travel even further and see the elephant seals in San Simeon. At the park, there is a play structure, a botanical garden, golf course next door and a few nice hikes that are great for kids. We stay in Romauldo loop when we go and it is always quiet and peaceful.

  • E
    May. 24, 2019

    Islay Creek Campground — Montaña de Oro State Park

    Beautiful cove

    The best part of this campground is access to the beach. We were there in early July and the water was like ice but absolutely beautiful. The campground itself was ok, it was a bit more primitive than I’m used to, but the sites themselves were nice. Each had a picnic table and fire ring. Most of the sites were nice sized as far as I could tell. There are no showers and only vault toilets so I wouldn’t stay here for more than 2 nights. Another perk is how it feels so far removed from civilization, but it’s really not.

  • cal K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 4, 2023

    Morro Strand State Beach Campground

    Sweet spot right on beach.

    These sites are along paved parking area/ road loop- there are beachside spots, a few with ocean views and some blocked by shrubs. Dogs are not allowed on beach to protect endangered species but walking the camp road up to the main road gives enough elevation you can see the ocean and Morro rock in the distance, and the houses have lovely landscaping of aloe, rosemary, and other pretty plants. The sites are very simple with picnic table and firepit either in a grass median or along the edge. We were near a restroom, dumpster and water fill up. You can buy wood from camp host for $10. No showers but your pass gets you into nearby Morro Bay SP where they have nice clean token showers that get warm enough. The camp was not very full while I was there car camping and pleasant enough. There are signs warning of stolen generators and to lock up valuables.

  • Chanel C.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 7, 2019

    Cerro Alto Campground

    Ranger Review: RovR RollR 60-quart cooler at Cerro Alto Campground

    [ PROS ]

    • Plenty of walk-in sites available. Easy to reserve online! $25/night (this is cheap for the area!)
    • One of the few campsites near Morro Bay that ever have availability for last minute campers
    • Close to avocado groves! We went to Morro Creek Ranch (about 3.5 miles from campground) to pick up fresh avocados to make breakfast with
    • Easy drive to Morro Bay Rock where you can see otters, sea lions, and lots of marine life. Morro Bay is a bird sanctuary so you can always see Great Blue Herons, White Herons, Ospreys, Pelicans, Cormorants, Turkey Vultures, and more!
    • Beautiful primitive campground with lots of lush greenery all around and lots of wildlife. Most of the sites have plenty of shade from the canopies of trees. There are so many different birds here as well. We fell asleep to the sound of a resident Pygmy Owl hooting and woke up to Acorn Woodpeckers, Toweys, Robins, Steller Jays, and Warblers singing.
    • Cerro Alto Trail is located right inside the campground. Day Use parking is $10. The hike is really beautiful and on a clear day you can see the ocean at peak!
    • Campsites are spread pretty far apart, are fairly large, and have most have pretty good privacy. I think Campsite #18 is one of the best! It’s HUGE, tucked in the far corner, close to the hiking trail, fairly close to toilets, and has its own water spigot. If you have a large group, I would suggest booking Sites #18 & 19. They are side by side and would be perfect for accommodating a larger party.
    • Each site comes with a picnic table, fire ring, and 1 parking spot. Additional cars need to park in the day use area.
    • Very popular campground and it feels very safe. People are very respectful of quite hours and other campground rules. There is a camp host on site who is present and you can buy firewood from.

    [ CONS ]

    • No showers and only pit (long drop) toilets. They provide toilet paper, but it is superrrrr thin. Bring your own.
    • The actual campground is pretty deep-in from the main road, but it’s a very narrow and winding one car lane that goes for about a mile. Drive slow!
    • Not close to any gas station or store so come prepared.
    • There is poison oak EVERYWHERE so do not go wandering off into the brush.
    • TICKS TICKS TICKS. Make sure you read the warnings and stay on the trails. We actually saw ticks during our hike
    • Lots of hikers come in and out of the campgrounds to access the Cerro Alto trailhead. Although it felt very safe, just make sure you pack away valuables when you leave your site. The hiking trail is very popular so there is a lot of activity and strangers walking around and exploring.
    • We heard a lot of people complaining about the smell of the toilets, but we didn’t experience that problem from our campsite. After a while, we started noticing a smell and realized it was the fragrance coming off the flowering Eucalyptus trees -- they have a funny smell that can smell like urine.

    Note: No reception at campgrounds (0 bars with AT&T)

    Product Review

    As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I get products to test from time to time. This weekend I had the opportunity to test out RovR RollR 60-quart cooler on a camping trip to Cerro Alto. I recently just purchased a Yeti Cooler which I am in love with so I was skeptical about the RovR. It has a lot of really cool features that I felt were just extraneous when I was shopping around, but now I’m a total believer. I can actually say that I prefer the RovR cooler over my Yeti cooler now!

    • As far as cooling, it does just as good a job as other equivalent coolers. It’s very sturdy and the walls of the cooler are thick and insulates like a boss.
    • Transporting this cooler is CAKE! The tires are amazing. We tested it on different terrains and were very impressed with how easy the cooler was to maneuver. Even when we rolled it on very loose dirt trails that sinks a little, it performed beyond our expectations. The wheels are large enough to roll over bumpy roads and rocks, they turn well, and are extremely sturdy.
    • The handle on the cooler is the perfect length and folds flush to the side of the cooler and out of the way. My husband typically find wagons, cooler, and luggage handles a little on the short side which make it awkward for him to pull, but he was very pleased with the height of the handle.
    • The dry bin is soooo clutch! It’s very deep and you can fit a wine bottle standing up. You can even uncork the bottle and stick it back in the dry box without worry about wine spilling. We used it to keep things dry and it worked like a charm. We had small tupperware in there that we never had to worry about water seeping into. It also makes organization really nice. I don’t know how I survived this long without this feature in a cooler!
    • I love the wagon bin!! The way it straps to the top of the cooler is extremely secure. That box is staying put and not going anywhere! It’s also very sturdy and thick. It’s so nice to have extra storage to store items when you’re towing the storage. It really frees up your hands and overall, it’s just a freakin’ nice bin to have when camping. We used it for stashing away our tent bags, blanket stuff sacks, and other miscellaneous items. It folds away really nice and attaches back to the top of the cooler which makes storing it really nice.
    • We purchased the prep board (table/cutting board) attachment and we are so happy we did. It works great as an extra table so you can still open and close your cooler. It has a really smooth surface that’s easy to clean after using as a cutting board. It attaches really easily and can be removed really easily.
    • We also purchased the bike kit to attach the cooler to our bike. We live close to the beach and bringing a cooler is always something we’ve been restricted on when we bike, but now our day trips to the beach just got A WHOLE LOT BETTER!
    • We also registered our cooler and got a free stash bag that attaches to the cooler. We’re so excited to use it on our next trip. It’s perfect for storing lighters, beer openers, multi-tools, headlamps, and other small gear items in.

    There are SOOO many different attachments you can add to the cooler to make it more functional. You can’t do this with any other cooler on the market which really sets it apart from everyone else. My husband and I just placed an order for the Umbrella/Rod Holder which will come in handy for the beach and future camping trips. We cannot say enough good things about the Rovr cooler.

  • Annie C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 1, 2018

    Morro Strand State Beach Campground

    Tight, older, but on the beach

    This is a tightly packed campground on the edge of the beach. The sites are almost on top of each other and there are only two restrooms for the 80 or so sites. They do keep the bigger camper/RV sites along the back row, but any rig under 24’ can get all other sites (which means no dedicated tent only sites). That being said, the primo sites are odd numbers 35-45 since they are at the far end and back up to the dunes with some scrubby trees that you might could hang a hammock in. They also are between two different beach access trails. On a walk thru the campground it looked like most (but not all) sites had a picnic table and either grill or fire pit. There is a free trolley pick up point at the first restroom; the trolley will take you to Morro Beach. If you remember to take your receipt for this campground with you, you can use that to get access to the showers at Morro Bay Campground. If I got to choose, I might pick Morro Bay over this campground because the showers are there, but this one isn’t terrible, just very crowded.

  • Anne O.
    Aug. 20, 2017

    Morro Strand State Beach Campground

    Beautiful...but pick your site wisely!

    Morro Strand is steps away from a beautiful stretch of beach filled with sand dollars and an amazing view of Morro rock looking south. It gets windy starting around 2pm into the evening - right when you are setting up camp. If you are tent camping on the beach side, bring some extra long tent pegs as you are staking into sand. We had to go to Ace hardware while we were there to get extra long tent pegs. We also had a few ropes that came in handy to tie the tent down further.

    If you are tent camping, make sure to get a spot on the beach side. Beach side sites are: A-D (30-40ft long) and odd numbered sites 1-45 (24ft or less). The middle sites (even numbered sites 2-46) are in a narrow parking median and pretty tight on space. Our site D was far and away the largest site with the highest view (meaning we could see Morro rock from our tent) and had the most distance from other campers. Snag that one if you get a chance. Not all beachside sites have views of the oceans since some sit further down. Odd sites 35-45 have a better view of the beach.

    All the RV hook up sites are on the east side of the campground/parking lot.

    The bathrooms are centrally located, but there are no showers. Luckily your parking pass gets you into Morro Bay State Beach Park and you can buy tokens there and shower.

    I would definitely return. This location is beautiful and peaceful with amazing long empty stretches of beach to walk on. It stayed pretty cool, even in June. Downtown Morro Bay is delightful to spend the day walking through with amazing seafood, cute shops and even a skateboard museum. We even saw sea otters playing in the bay!

    The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars was that it seems like an old beach parking lot that was converted into a campsite, so not all the sites are great. But the location can't be beat and if you get a beachside spot you are good to go!

  • Shari G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 20, 2023

    Avila Hot Springs

    Good for 1 Night & Quick Soak

    This small hot springs resort has a unique charm about it. With not a lot of acreage, they maximize the space for sure. The main attraction is the warm pool, 25 yards with swimming lanes, and the hot pool which can accommodate 30 people. We found this rustic resort a good place to spend the night and get in a quick soak, but not exactly someplace we’d like to spend a weekend. 

    The RV lot is a large parking lot with spaces allocated on the outside of the gravel road. The tent camping section was a narrow patch of grass, with sites slotted in together along a tight corner of the property. Get to know your neighbors, because you’ll be close! Our little camper and truck rig was just small enough to fit into one of the grass camping sites at 32 feet combined, but it was a tight fit.  We were easily able to run on solar instead of paying for an electrical site.

    There's a picnic table and fire ring at each site, but the sites are so small, you are practically on top of your neighbors with zero privacy.  There are pit toilets in the campground as well as flush toilets and showers available near the bath house.  They also offer cabins for rent.

    The town of Avila Beach has restaurants and a few convenience stores, but the larger grocery stores are available in nearby Pismo Beach.  Morro Bay is definitely worth a visit as well!

Guide to Morro Bay

Tent camping opportunities around Morro Bay extend beyond coastal areas into the nearby mountains and forests of central California. The region sits at the intersection of coastal and inland ecosystems, creating diverse camping environments within a 45-mile radius. Summer temperatures typically range from 55°F to 75°F at the coast, while inland camps often experience 85°F to 100°F daytime highs during peak season.

What to do

Fishing at Lake San Antonio: The North Shore campground provides both shoreline and boat fishing opportunities. "Fishing was great from shore in morning and dusk. They had clean bathrooms and showers," notes Jack J., who visited Lake San Antonio in 2023. Lake San Antonio is approximately 60 miles from Morro Bay.

Stargazing at remote sites: Santa Margarita KOA offers occasional astronomy programs. One camper reported: "We had some great views, great trails for hiking and I enjoyed the fact that they had an astronomer one of the evenings to star gaze." The dark skies at remote locations make for exceptional stargazing conditions.

Hiking near primitive camps: The Los Padres National Forest trail system connects many of the rustic campgrounds. "Beautiful area to get away but close enough, you don't have to go far," writes Jeannette P. about Colson Canyon Campground. Most trails are unmaintained and require proper footwear and navigation skills.

What campers like

Secluded camping options: The off-road experience to reach Alder Creek Camp appeals to adventurous campers. "Alder Creek campsite is 8 miles offroad from Hwy 1 in the Big Sur area. 4x4 is definitely recommended," writes Kai J. This remoteness creates camping opportunities with minimal crowds.

Family-friendly amenities: The Santa Margarita KOA offers structured activities for children. "Great for young families. There is a pool, jumping pillow, playground, etc. RV spots are on flat, dusty parking areas and are easy to navigate," notes Sherry D.

Well-spaced sites: Many tent campers appreciate the layout at more primitive campgrounds. "Areas are well spaced out. First compound of campsites are the best," reports Francisco M. about the Colson Canyon Campground. This spacing provides more privacy than typically found at developed campgrounds.

What you should know

Access challenges: Many tent camping locations require appropriate vehicles. "You will need a truck to get here, but Colson Canyon is a beautiful area that has streams, caves and plenty of oak trees," explains Nathan M. High-clearance vehicles are necessary for most primitive campgrounds.

Water availability: Most primitive tent sites have no potable water. At Brookshire Campground, visitors must "bring your own TP and water," according to Ethan S. Plan to carry all needed water or bring filtration equipment for streams when available.

Seasonal considerations: Lake levels fluctuate dramatically at some locations. "During the drought the water level has dropped significantly as well as the quality of the water. Some years the lake is almost dry," notes Chip K. about Lake San Antonio. Research current conditions before selecting a water-dependent campsite.

Tips for camping with families

Research bathroom facilities: Comfort stations vary widely between campgrounds. Military Park at Fort Hunter Liggett has limited facilities: "The privy was closed, so there were porta potties and a hand washing station," reports Annie C. Call ahead to confirm current bathroom conditions.

Consider drive times: Remote campgrounds require significant travel from Morro Bay. "You have to take the long way in that takes about 2 to 3 hours of a bit rough fire road driving," warns Ethan S. about reaching Brookshire Campground. Factor drive time into your trip planning.

Cell service limitations: Many campgrounds have no mobile connectivity. One visitor to Santa Margarita notes: "There is no reception at all, you have to drive outside of the campsite about 7-10 miles to get reception. The good thing about it was that we all spent time off technology but in case of an emergency it was a bit unnerving."

Tips from RVers

Site access restrictions: Many primitive tent camping areas near Morro Bay cannot accommodate RVs. "I would not try to bring any type of RV or trailer here, as the road is very rugged," cautions Nathan M. about Colson Canyon. Most forest service roads leading to primitive sites have tight turns and rough surfaces.

Seasonal closures: Verify campground status before traveling. "This campground is now permanently closed," reported Livie S. about Colson Canyon in 2021, though other reviews indicate some dispersed camping still occurs in the area. Contact ranger stations for current information.

Road condition alerts: Even established campgrounds may have challenging access. "Would not recommend for a trailer as there's not a lot of room for oncoming cars to negotiate, and I could see towing be an extra issue if the roads are wet," advises Andrew M. regarding the road to Alder Creek Camp.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Morro Bay, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Morro Bay, CA is KOA Campground Santa Margarita with a 3.5-star rating from 2 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Morro Bay, CA?

TheDyrt.com has all 9 tent camping locations near Morro Bay, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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