Michael K. P.
Scout
Scoutatascadero, ca
Just a spot u can put a tent next to a creek that u can camp for free. Ain't nothing else there .
Tent Camping near Cambria, CA
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Tent camping options near Cambria, California include several established campgrounds within driving distance of the coastal town. Nacimiento Campground in Big Sur offers a small collection of tent sites situated along the Nacimiento River. Lake San Antonio North Shore provides tent camping with more developed amenities, while Alder Creek Camp offers a more primitive experience. Military Park Fort Hunter Liggett Primitive Campground provides basic tent sites on military land that remains open to the public when not in use for exercises.
Access conditions vary significantly between campgrounds. Nacimiento Campground features approximately 9-10 sites that accommodate tents but have limited space for larger vehicles, with a 25-foot length restriction. Sites include picnic tables and fire pits with grills. Alder Creek Camp requires high-clearance vehicles and possibly 4x4 capability, as it sits 8 miles down an off-road trail from Highway 1. Several tent sites are available near the highway, but fallen trees may block access to some areas. Most campgrounds provide vault toilets or portable facilities, though maintenance can be inconsistent.
Tent campers at Nacimiento Campground benefit from riverside sites where flowing water helps mask road noise. The campground features good tree cover providing shade, and many sites have suitable trees for hammocks. According to one camper, "Sites are set right next to the river which drowns out any road noise." At Alder Creek, the primitive setting offers privacy and quiet camping opportunities, though visitors should watch for cow patties in the area. Lake San Antonio provides more open sites with less shade but offers amenities like showers and bathrooms. The campground at Fort Hunter Liggett features sites that are reasonably spaced to avoid crowding, with some offering picnic tables and fire pits.
Best Tent Campgrounds near Cambria (10)
1. Lake San Antonio - North Shore
"The temperature at the lake often exceeds 100 in the summer. There is ample space for camping . You’ll need reservations if you want a hookup . Boat ramps are available."
"The lake is everything. A few years ago it was dried up. Thank you rain! Now it’s back and better than ever."
2. Limekiln State Park Campground
"There are 12 ocean sites, three of them are up a rocky slope. There are other sites in the redwoods."
"The trails are easy and worth it. Camp hosts have been wonderful. Restrooms are clean. Sites are always booked up so don’t expect to walk in!"
Check AvailabilityCampground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $50 / night
3. atascadero, ca
"Just a spot u can put a tent next to a creek that u can camp for free. Ain't nothing else there ."
4. Alder Creek Camp
"We camped at a primitive spot off the road on the way to the main camp. It was very quiet. Do watch for the cow patties!"
"Alder Creek campsite is 8 miles offroad from Hwy 1 in the Big Sur area. 4x4 is definitely recommended."
5. Nacimiento Campground
"Tucked in the forest along the Nacimiento River is this nice little campground with just a few campsites (9 or 10 sites total)."
"So beautiful and right next to a creek with fish to play in. The views from the top of the mountain when driving to the ocean are the most beautiful views in the world!"
6. Military Park Fort Hunter Liggett Primitive Campground
7. KOA Campground Santa Margarita
"The lake is 1/2 mile away, so very convenient. The park is loaded with really nice hiking trails. We are enjoying our weekend stay."
8. A Place to Stay in Big Sur
"If you're trying to find a great spot in Big Sur, you found it, this is a great spot to pitch a tent and enjoy being near the ocean and the redwoods forests! "
9. Los Padres National Forest dispersed camping
"It was very quiet and walking down the road was pleasant as there weren't any OHVs riding around on a Monday. It is a fairly flat spot and we had no trouble with our 26ft Class C."
10. Friis Campground
Drive Time
- 33 min from San Luis Obispo, CA
- 1 hr from Santa Maria, CA
- 1 hr 49 min from Salinas, CA
- 1 hr 51 min from Hanford, CA
Recent Tent Camping Photos near Cambria, CA
18 Photos of 10 Cambria Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Tent Camping Reviews near Cambria, CA
745 Reviews of 10 Cambria Campgrounds
Kim G.
LegendVinyl Vineyards
Beautiful area but some caveats. We stayed one night in a dry site. Pros: the sites are somewhat well spaced, and don’t feel crowded and they have nice furniture. There are a lot of places to walk a dog along dirt access roads in the vineyard. Plus it is cool to stay near a vineyard. Cons: the bathrooms (which are in a trailer) are a bit of a walk from the dry sites and, the check in email said don’t flush the toilet paper, but put it in a waste can. When I looked at the bathroom this morning the waste can was full with used TP sitting on top. It was gross. I decided not to use the toilet. The showers seemed ok with two inside and two outside showers. We have been at other RV areas carved out of wilderness that had very nice upscale bathrooms. These did not feel upscale mainly because my first impression was of used toilet paper out in the open (see circled area in photo). I’m sure the owners are working very hard to make a beautiful place, but wanted to be honest about the bathroom situation. Also, it was hard to find the turn-in to the camping area off of Union Road. Sending a map along with the check-in mail could have been helpful. The road into the campground is very narrow and wash-boarded and would be hard to manage if someone was coming the other way. If you are down for dry camping in your rig and don’t want to use their bathroom and shower this may be an ok place for you.
Janice M.ScoutAvila Hot Springs
Great place@
No other campers today as the forecasted rain came. Quiet place surrounded by trees, although little noise. The pool is great, hot springs water 87 degrees. There are many cabins, 5 RV sites and tent sites. The folks here are super friendly and helpful. You can get a massage here.
James W.
TravelerRoad's End, Bradley Lockwood
A bit hard to find if you don't know what olive trees are... (Added pict to review). Spot is really nice. Breeze coming up valley. Water, power, shaded trees, quiet, and great cell (ATT) signal.
- HHope H.
GuideCerro 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.)
- CColeen B.Guide
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.
- SSteven D.Scout
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.
- CColeen B.Guide
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.
- BBrooke D.Scout
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
Guide to Cambria
Tent camping near Cambria, California includes several established sites within a 30-60 minute drive. The area features diverse ecosystems from coastal bluffs to inland forests, with elevations ranging from sea level to over 2,000 feet. Weather patterns can shift dramatically between the coast and inland areas, with summer coastal temperatures typically 15-20 degrees cooler than inland campgrounds.
What to do
Explore ocean access: At Lake San Antonio - North Shore, visitors can enjoy water activities when lake levels are sufficient. "We launched the boat and anchored it to shore. Literally had the place to ourselves. Fishing was great from shore in morning and dusk," reports Jack J.
Visit nearby attractions: The Big Sur coastline is accessible from several campgrounds. "A 30min drive to the ocean where you can surf or spy starfish. This is one of my favorite places to camp," notes Jillean G. about the Nacimiento Campground.
Hiking opportunities: Several forest trails surround the campgrounds. "The park is loaded with really nice hiking trails. We are enjoying our weekend stay," writes Sherry D. about KOA Campground Santa Margarita.
What campers like
Privacy in primitive settings: Some campers prefer more secluded options. "We camped at a primitive spot off the road on the way to the main camp. It was very quiet. Do watch for the cow patties!" advises Andrew M. about Alder Creek Camp.
Riverside locations: Campsites along waterways provide natural soundscapes. "So beautiful and right next to a creek with fish to play in. The views from the top of the mountain when driving to the ocean are the most beautiful views in the world!" shares Jillean G. about Nacimiento Campground.
Scenic drives: Routes to campgrounds offer memorable vistas. "We saw a small bobcat at night driving to the campsite," adds Jillean G. about her experience at Nacimiento.
What you should know
Variable road conditions: Access to some sites requires appropriate vehicles. "Alder Creek campsite is 8 miles offroad from Hwy 1 in the Big Sur area. 4x4 is definitely recommended," warns Kai J.
Facility maintenance varies: Bathroom availability and conditions can fluctuate. "Something went wrong with the bathrooms and we could not shower or use restroom for the last day and a half, no one ever came by to tell us or give us any updates on the inconvenience," reports Genie N. at KOA Campground Santa Margarita.
Seasonal changes: Weather and water levels affect camping experiences. "During the drought the water level has dropped significantly as well as the quality of the water. Some years the lake is almost dry," explains Chip K. about Military Park Fort Hunter Liggett Primitive Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Consider amenities for kids: Some campgrounds offer specific family-friendly features. "Great for young families. There is a pool, jumping pillow, playground, etc.," recommends Sherry D. about KOA Campground Santa Margarita.
Plan for limited connectivity: Cell service can be nonexistent. "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," cautions Genie N.
Educational opportunities: Look for unique learning experiences. "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," shares Genie N. about her stay at KOA Campground Santa Margarita.
Tips from RVers
Size restrictions matter: Some campgrounds have limitations on larger vehicles. "RV spots are on flat, dusty parking areas and are easy to navigate," notes Sherry D. about KOA Campground Santa Margarita.
Check clearance requirements: Rough roads can be challenging for trailers. "Would not recommend for a trailer as theres 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 Alder Creek Camp.
Consider alternative accommodations: Some locations offer cabin options for those without tents or RVs. "We stayed at a cottage at Lake San Antonio. We were fortunate to have a local show us around," shares Armando C.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent
campsite near Cambria, CA?
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Cambria, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Cambria, CA is Lake San Antonio - North Shore with a 4.9-star rating from 7 reviews.
What is the best site to find
tent camping near
Cambria, CA?
What is the best site to find tent camping near Cambria, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 10 tent camping locations near Cambria, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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