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Best Tent Camping near Paso Robles, CA

585 Reviews

Tent camping options dot the landscape around Paso Robles, California, with several campgrounds nestled in the surrounding mountains and near local lakes. Lake San Antonio North Shore offers tent sites with basic amenities, while Nacimiento Campground provides a more secluded experience along the Nacimiento River. The Santa Margarita KOA also accommodates tent campers seeking established sites with additional amenities. Most locations remain open year-round, allowing for camping experiences across all seasons in this central California region.

Tent sites at these campgrounds vary considerably in terrain and amenities. Many locations feature unpaved, natural surfaces that work well for tent setups but may become dusty during dry summer months. Nacimiento Campground contains approximately 9-10 sites positioned along the riverbank, providing natural white noise that masks road sounds. Facilities at most tent campgrounds are basic, with vault toilets being standard at locations like Friis Campground and Buck Spring Campground. Water availability is inconsistent across the region, so tent campers should bring sufficient supplies. A review mentioned that "sites are set right next to the river which drowns out any road noise" at Nacimiento Campground.

Walk-in tent sites are available at several locations, offering a more immersive outdoor experience than drive-up alternatives. Tree cover provides essential shade at many campgrounds, with Nacimiento offering "great tree cover" according to camper feedback. Most tent areas include fire pits and picnic tables, though fire restrictions may apply during dry seasons. Sites at Lake San Antonio provide water access for swimming and fishing opportunities, with tent campers noting the quality fishing from shore during morning and evening hours. The proximity to hiking trails enhances the tent camping experience, particularly at Santa Margarita KOA where the park features "really nice hiking trails." Primitive tent camping at Alder Creek requires high-clearance vehicles, as the access road extends 8 miles from Highway 1 with challenging terrain that standard passenger vehicles may struggle to navigate.

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Best Tent Sites Near Paso Robles, California (8)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Paso Robles, CA

16 Photos of 8 Paso Robles Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Paso Robles, CA

585 Reviews of 8 Paso Robles Campgrounds

  • Billy W.
    Feb. 15, 2023

    Vines RV Resort, A Sun RV Resort

    Great weekend

    This is a clean quite place to stay. Only about 5 min from Paso Robles. nice dog park for your dog.

  • E
    Feb. 28, 2025

    Ponderosa Campground

    Nice quiet spot in early spring

    We camped here February 24-26, 2025. The forest service website indicated the campground is open all year, but when we arrived on the site one through four were available. Beyond site number five was a locked gate. Site five was closed due to “hazardous tree“. The stream was running plentifully and gave a lovely background noise. Sites 1 & 2 share a parking pad which is almost level. Site 1 is completely exposed and quite spacious and full of ground squirrel disruption. Site 2 is very convenient to the parked car, and it was our choice because we sleep in our van. Most of the water taps were not operable but the one by the toilet near the entrance did work and was labeled “non-potable, not for drinking or cooking”. The tap in site number 2 had no handle and was dripping at a rapid pace so we hung a bucket on that tap and use the collected water for handwashing. There were trash cans conveniently located to all of the sites, and there was a good supply of toilet paper, but even though the weather was cool, the toilet closest to the entrance was a bit smelly. It is a pit stop for people driving over or back on Naciemiento-Ferguson Road. I noted that reviewers indicated that they were plagued by flies and yellow jackets in the mid summer, but we had only a couple of flies, no yellow jackets. The weather was predicted to be sunny and pleasant with highs of 70° based on checking the weather reports for Jolon, California. It was almost a new moon and the stars at night we’re gorgeous. There was heavy dew which turned into frost in the early morning. We saw the occasional lizard and a couple of slow moving salamanders. We saw no raccoons, and considering that they have switched from having dumpsters to having trash cans I suspect that raccoons are not a problem. There was a posted memo dated February 2 reported that for the Monterey Ranger district, campfire restrictions were lifted until March 25, due to sufficient rain having been received. We walked the loop of the other campsites; some of them have the picnic table and fire ring located some distance from the parking spot, a few are possibly suitable for RV camping but most of those would require at least some leveling. I don’t know when they plan to open the rest of the sites, but probably March would be a good time to come and enjoy this campground. Bring your own drinking water. The fee is expensive for a no-water campground, but I was willing to pay the discounted price with my lifetime senior pass.

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

    Nacimiento Campground

    Hidden jem

    If you can’t secure a spot on the coast in Big Sur, this might be a nice option for you. Tucked in the forest along the Nacimiento River is this nice little campground with just a few campsites (9 or 10 sites total). There really isn’t room for RV’s or campers (I think the limit is 25 feet), so most of your neighbors will be tents. Sites are set right next to the river which drowns out any road noise. Sites are also fairly close to each other, tho there is some underbrush and there is great tree cover for shade. Most sites have good hammocking trees. The vault toilet is fairly clean and each site has a picnic table and fire pit with grill. These sites are not reservable, so first come first serve. It’s only about 10 or so miles to the coast and there are lots of hiking trails nearby both in the forest and on the coast.

  • 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.
  • 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.

  • Amanda M.
    Oct. 3, 2018

    San Simeon Creek Campground — Hearst San Simeon State Park

    Washburn Campground at San Simeon State Park

    Washburn Campground at San Simeon State Park

    The Washburn Campground at San Simeon State Park is our go-to campground for quick and easy camping in Central California. My boyfriend and I met at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and love visiting SLO and the surrounding areas. If we don’t want to pay to stay at a hotel and can’t crash with some friends, we like to set up our base-camp at Washburn, the primitive campground within San Simeon State Park. SSSP does have full campsites with hookups on its Creek Campground, but we prefer the views and the star gazing at the primitive Washburn sites - Washburn is on the top of a hill, with beautiful views of the ocean and surrounding hillsides and mountains. The fees for the primitive Washburn sites are $18 per night, versus $35 per night for the full campsites in the Creek Campground.

    San Simeon State Park is easy to get to, as its right off Highway 1. You can make a reservation ahead of time, but you cannot select a specific site until you arrive. The ranger will ask you to go check out the campgrounds, and compile a list of site numbers that you are interested in. Once you return, they will go over the list with you and if one that you like is available, that site is yours.

    Each primitive campsite has a fire ring and a bench, and there are pit toilets available. These are the nicest pit toilets I have seen anywhere. There are water spigots in Washburn, which have had running water for the last year or so; the water had previously been shut off due to the drastic drought. I believe there are plumbed toilets in the lower Creek Campgrounds, but we have yet to go down and confirm that.

    Some sites are on the perimeter of the Washburn are more barren, but most sites have trees for some shade. Because you are right by the ocean, it can get pretty cold at night. Each site has a picnic bench and a fire pit - I can’t recall if the fire pits have grates. We generally do not cook while we camp at Washburn, as we usually pick something up in the nearby cities. Sebastian’s Store in San Simeon has GREAT burgers and various barbecue sandwiches. There is also a Hearst Ranch wine tasting room in the same shared building that sells frozen steaks from Hearst Ranch - great quality steaks, if you will be camping for a couple nights I suggest getting some Hearst steaks to cook while you are there.

    There is a great new-ish restaurant and bar called Centrally Grown just down the road on Highway 1. This place has great, locally sourced food, and a good bar. We have been there for dinner, breakfast, and just for drinks, and have always had a great experience - the view from the upstairs restaurant is GORGEOUS. Centrally Grown is part of what looks like a compound called Off The Grid - it has a Bed and Breakfast, some goats and chickens, an event space for bands, and a very very interesting garden. Even if you want to just stop in for a coffee or pastry, I think Off The Grid is worth seeing - we like sitting in the garden with coffee.

    I am a rock hound and Central California beaches have some reach rocks! To the North is Big Sur, so small jade can be found. There are moonstones from Cambria, and lots of agate and quartz.

    The small town of Harmony (literally - it has a population of 18) is worth the visit - there is a lot of local art to be seen and purchased there at the hand blown glass shop and the pottery shop. There is also a winery and ice cream.

    The elephant seals are always fun to go watch, and individuals can sometimes be seen on San Simeon beach. This beach is open to the public, and the seals are not behind any barriers as they are at the rookery. If you see a seal on the beach, give him lots of space and don’t harass him - elephant seals are huge animals, and are quicker than you’d think.

    The Firestone Walker Brewery is in nearby Paso Robles - if you like beer, the tour is super interesting, and they have a tap room and store. The tap room restaurant is very good.

    CAMPSITE SPECS

    Fees: $20/night (primitive site fee)

    Plumbed Toilets: No - pit

    Drinking Water: Yes

    Showers: No

    Picnic Table: Yes

    Firepit: Yes

    Cooking Grate: Yes

    Shade: Yes

    Cell Service: Limited

    Animal Bins/Food lockers: No

    Trash: Yes

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

    Ponderosa Campground

    Pretty campground in need of service

    This is a gem of place to camp with only one black mark against it (I’ll get to that in a minute). This site is run by the US Forest service and sits alongside the really pretty Nacimiento River. If you don’t mind the noise from the road, the best two sites with the river running next to them are right in front across from the pay station and host site. The river is great for wading and supposedly for fishing. There are some swimming holes further up the river (but still in the campground area) as well. There are no hookups for RV’s and the road is very narrow; probably not the ideal place to bring your rig, which makes it perfect for tent camping. Some sites are really private and spread out, and others are on top of each other. They all have picnic tables and fire rings with grills, and there was water available.  Alright, now for the bad part. The vault toilets were terrible! They definitely needed to be pumped out, and were in desperate need of a good cleaning. The flies and smell was overwhelming. They had obviously been “maintained” as they were stocked with toilet paper, but that was the extent of that. There are lots of nearby hiking trails to pick from and you are not too far from the coast.

  • Kari T.
    Apr. 5, 2020

    Navajo Flat Campground

    Great place to get away from reality

    If you want to escape, this is the place. No signal, hardly ever see any other people and tons of open space and trails for motorcycles and quads. Dry camping only. No water available but there is a vault toilet and picnic tables.

  • John Y.
    Oct. 8, 2019

    Coastal Dunes RV Park & Campground

    Great location but no privacy

    I was attending a weekend Jeep event at Pismo Dunes and had booked a space in the OHV area on the beach.  When I got there the wind was so bad it was impossible to put up a tent.  So I looked up this place, which is probably 1/2 mile from the entrance to the beach.

    The campground has mixture of tent and pull-through sites.  All sites have full hookups, and include a fire ring and picnic table.  The bathrooms were clean and had showers, but everything was very old.  There was also a pool and laundry rooms on the property.

    The sites were flat, but there was no barrier between you and your neighbors.  The RV sites looked very cramped but the tent sites seemed adequately spaced for the most part.  I stayed in site 252 which appeared to be some kind of double site, because there were two sets of hookups in the space (one of which required a large pole in the middle of the site).

    In spite of the convenience of the location, there were drawbacks.  The campground is narrow and situated directly between PCH and the railroad tracks on either side.  So traffic noise was significant, and as an added bonus, every now and then Amtrack would roll past.

    Over all, it met all the basic needs, was well maintained, and was close to the beach.  And the noise was probably less than I would get sleeping in the OHV camping area.

Guide to Paso Robles

Tent campsites near Paso Robles, California range from primitive locations requiring high-clearance vehicles to established sites with amenities along lakes and rivers. The region sits at the convergence of the Salinas Valley and the coastal mountain ranges, with elevations between 700-1500 feet creating varied camping climates. Summer temperatures frequently exceed 100°F at many campgrounds, while winter nights can drop below freezing.

What to do

Water recreation access: Lake San Antonio offers comprehensive water activities for tent campers. "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. at Lake San Antonio - North Shore.

Mountain hiking: Santa Margarita KOA provides extensive trail networks through the surrounding mountains. According to Sherry D., "The park is loaded with really nice hiking trails. We are enjoying our weekend stay." The KOA Campground Santa Margarita offers family-friendly hiking options with marked paths of varying difficulty.

Coastal exploration: Tent sites in the region provide base camps for coastal adventures. "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 camping options west of Paso Robles.

What campers like

Privacy from tree cover: Nacimiento Campground's vegetation creates secluded tent spaces. "There is some underbrush and there is great tree cover for shade. Most sites have good hammocking trees," notes Annie C. at Nacimiento Campground.

River sounds: Waterfront tent sites provide natural white noise. "We drove to Big Sur and all the campgrounds were closed/full so we started driving around and stumbled upon this amazing campground," reports Abigail A. about discovering river camping options near Paso Robles.

Astronomical viewing: Clear skies away from city lights allow for exceptional stargazing. "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," mentions Genie N. about regional camping experiences.

What you should know

Road access limitations: Some campgrounds require appropriate vehicles. "Alder Creek campsite is 8 miles offroad from Hwy 1 in the Big Sur area. 4x4 is definitely recommended," warns Kai J. at Alder Creek Camp.

Facility closures: Check current status before traveling. "Closed," reports Kelly M. simply about Nacimiento Campground in October 2021, highlighting the importance of verification.

Water fluctuations: Lake levels vary significantly by season and year. "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 regional lake camping.

Tips for camping with families

Kid-friendly amenities: Some campgrounds offer dedicated activities for children. "There is a pool, jumping pillow, playground, etc. RV spots are on flat, dusty parking areas and are easy to navigate," mentions Sherry D. about family options at KOA Campground Santa Margarita.

Wildlife viewing opportunities: Children can observe local fauna from safe distances. "We saw a small bobcat at night driving to the campsite," reports Jillean G. about nighttime wildlife encounters.

Cabin alternatives: For families new to camping or during inclement weather. "We stayed at a cottage at Lake San Antonio. We were fortunate to have a local show us around," explains Armando C. at Military Park Fort Hunter Liggett Primitive Campground.

Tips from RVers

Size restrictions: Many tent sites cannot accommodate larger vehicles. "There really isn't room for RV's or campers (I think the limit is 25 feet), so most of your neighbors will be tents," notes Annie C. about campground limitations.

Connectivity challenges: Cell reception varies significantly by location. "There is no reception at all, you have to drive outside of the campsite about 7-10 miles to get reception," warns Genie N. about communication limitations at certain campgrounds.

Weather preparation: Summer heat requires adequate cooling solutions. "It was a warm weekend at San Antonio. The temperature at the lake often exceeds 100 in the summer," cautions Chip K. about camping conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is free camping available near Paso Robles for tent campers?

While true free camping is limited near Paso Robles, Military Park Fort Hunter Liggett Primitive Campground offers a tucked-away camping experience on military base property that's open to the public (unless closed for military exercises). For more primitive options, Friis Campground near Santa Margarita provides basic facilities with minimal fees. Always check current regulations before heading out, as fees and availability can change seasonally, and some areas may require permits even for dispersed camping.

Where can I find the best tent camping sites in Paso Robles?

For excellent tent camping near Paso Robles, check out Lake San Antonio - North Shore, which offers beautiful lake views and ample camping space. The lake provides great recreational opportunities, though reservations are recommended if you want hookups. Another good option is KOA Campground Santa Margarita, which features hiking trails, great views, and even offers stargazing events with an on-site astronomer. Both locations provide a different camping experience – lakeside relaxation at San Antonio or more amenities at the KOA.

Can I find tent camping along the river in Paso Robles?

Nacimiento Campground offers beautiful riverside tent camping along the Nacimiento River. With only 9-10 sites total, this small campground is particularly suited for tent campers, as the 25-foot limit discourages larger RVs. The sites sit right next to a creek with fish, providing a serene water experience. For a more rugged option, Alder Creek Camp provides primitive camping spots, though note that it requires traveling 8 miles off-road from Highway 1, and 4x4 vehicles are recommended for access.

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