Best Campgrounds near Grover Beach, CA

Coastal campgrounds dot the area surrounding Grover Beach, California, with options ranging from beachfront RV parks to dispersed sites in the nearby hills. Several established 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.

Best Camping Sites Near Grover Beach, California (97)

    1. Oceano Campground — Pismo State Beach

    65 Reviews
    Grover Beach, CA
    1 mile
    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!)"

    2. Lopez Lake Recreation Area

    35 Reviews
    Arroyo Grande, CA
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (805) 788-2381

    $60 - $70 / night

    "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."

    3. North Beach Campground — Pismo State Beach

    22 Reviews
    Grover Beach, CA
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (805) 473-7220

    $25 / night

    "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."

    4. Pismo Coast Village RV Resort

    18 Reviews
    Grover Beach, CA
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (805) 773-1811

    "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."

    5. Morro Bay State Park Campground

    62 Reviews
    Los Osos, CA
    20 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."

    "It is only 2 miles away from Morro Rock and the adorable tourist town full of shops and eateries."

    6. TV Tower Road Dispersed Camping

    36 Reviews
    Santa Margarita, CA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (805) 865-0416

    "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."

    7. Pacific Dunes Ranch

    11 Reviews
    Oceano, CA
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "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."

    8. Avila-Pismo Beach KOA

    14 Reviews
    Avilla Beach, CA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (805) 595-7111

    $225 / night

    "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."

    9. Islay Creek Campground — Montaña de Oro State Park

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

    $25 - $150 / night

    "Quiet, peaceful and surrounded by skies perched out atop a hill."

    "This campground is near the beach on the central California coast . It has tent and RV sites. The only amenities are non-flushing toilets and water . There are no lights at night, so it is very dark."

    10. Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area Campground

    7 Reviews
    Oceano, CA
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (805) 473-7220

    $10 / night

    "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."

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Recent Reviews near Grover Beach, CA

763 Reviews of 97 Grover Beach Campgrounds


  • marcus K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 30, 2025

    Franklin Hot Springs

    Awesome sulfuric hot baths

    Awesome lil private hot spring in Paso. Has a few campsites adjacent to the small pond. Some sites are assigned with a table and others are in a large field where you pick your own spot. We were there mid week and hardly anyone else there.

    Sulfuric hot spring are a joy. There are multiple pools of varying temperature. Don’t miss the little hot tub at the far end.

  • kThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 29, 2025

    TV Tower Road Dispersed Camping

    Beautiful view / very windy

    Hard to access. Rutted dirt road. We are traveling in a truck/cabover combo and we did see a camper van along with day use cars. I wouldn’t try to tow anything up here. It is busier than I was expecting with other overnighters and day hikers and mountain bikers but worth the sunset and sunrise.

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 29, 2025

    Washburn Primitive Campground — Hearst San Simeon State Park

    Nice Hilltop Basic Campground

    Compacted gravel roads and mostly level pads in good condition. Most sites nicely spaced apart. Modern pit toilets inside buildings in good condition. Most sites have views of mountain range. A few sites with shade next to trees. Only 20% occupied late October. Close to Hearst Castle, elephant seals, State Beach w/ pier, nice coastal overlooks. $20 without typical discounts. Showers and dump station bottom of hill (1/2 mile) in adjacent state park campground.

  • kThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 28, 2025

    Washburn Primitive Campground — Hearst San Simeon State Park

    Basic campground

    The upper grounds: Washburn campgrounds are primitive but nicely kept and do have pit toilets and some water spigots as well as fire rings and picnic tables. This area is a little less ($20) vs the lower grounds ($35). But the lower grounds do have showers. We did find Washburn quieter with less freeway traffic

  • Rory P.
    Oct. 24, 2025

    Figueroa Mountain Road Pullout 01

    Pretty

    Very pretty area! Lots of little trashes I found in the gravel and grass, so please make sure to pack in and pack out! We had to pick up lots of trash from people before. Leave it better than you found it!

  • Patrick J.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 21, 2025

    Oceano Campground — Pismo State Beach

    Our Third Visit

    Our 3rd visit here. Sites are pull through, Power and water. Asphalt pads are in good condition. Easy access to the beach from your site, or turn right out of the camp and drive on the beach. Bathrooms are close by and clean. Getting a reservation is moderately easy, with sites being limited. Will be back for sure.

  • R
    Oct. 13, 2025

    Pismo Coast Village RV Resort

    Great

    We try to stay at this campground every chance we get. Has all the amenities you could ask for. Walking distance from the beach and town. Perfect vacation destination

  • 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.


Guide to Grover Beach

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.