Best Dispersed Camping near San Luis Obispo, CA

Ok so my first encounter with this road (TV Tower Road) was after 10 p.m. in mid-July. We were trying to find a spot to camp near San Luis Obispo and hoped to find a place in Los Padres Natl Forest. We saw the road in our map book and aimed to follow it.

It was dark, and we had to anticipate the road off 101 S, because it comes quickly and the signs are easy to miss. We were able to exit and follow the one-lane road (it’s narrow) as it began to wind up the hillside. We weren’t counting on gaining so much elevation, but we were pretty stoked because after two switchbacks we had an amazing view of the sky. The pavement ended and we continued on a packed dirt road.

It is quite narrow at parts, but there are spots along it where 2 cars can pass each other. There are bumps and rough patches, but nothing you haven’t encountered if you do much backwoods driving. Anyways.

That night was a Friday, and it was also a peak viewing night for the comet, and there were SO many (like 8) cars that we had to pass/maneuver around. In the dark, without knowing the road, it was pretty high pressure, and we chose to turn around about halfway up, without knowing how the road ended.

So, disappointment. However, after a fun day in Los Osos and Morro Bay, we decided to tackle the road in the daylight. We got there around 6, in full summer light, and only encountered one driver coming down. 

When you reach the top of the ridge, the road opens up. It’s the bumpiest here, but there’s a lot of space to spread out & set up. We saw probably 12 other cars (vans, SUVs, RVs) there, and some people had set up tents. The views are incredible. It’s a super peaceful place to spend a night or two.

We had binoculars for stargazing, but with them we could explore the details of the hills and landmarks. If you’re into radio, reception is very clear. The temperature was overall very comfortable, and we had a great night car camping. 

The biggest caution is driving—expect to have to deal with some cars going the other way. Also, keep an eye out for hikers and mountain bikers who also use the road. If you’re down to try it, this spot is so worth it!!

Bring food, water, a flashlight...the regular. There are no bathrooms, so be warned.

Super spectacular views! I went all the way to the end as it allows some walking around room. If you’re tent camping beware the wind, gets pretty crazy. Had one wind free day out of three. Looking down on the bay, San Luis Obispo and HW 1. Can’t stress how flippin beautiful it was. Just. Wow.

When I saw the TV tower road sign, that marked the last paved road until the actual TV tower hill.  I rode all the way to the end with some medium difficulty off roading there are some steep bits with uneven terrain.  Taking the road up to TV tower are some of the best views you can get from the surrounding area.  John R.'s review accurately sums up the camping experience.  The wind was shaking my tent all night until the morning.  But thankfully I had bugspray the insect problem was solved.  Nightsky was amazing! I saw a shooting star and many satellites.  Would for sure camp again if in the San Luis Obispo area.

Turning on Redhill Road from hwy 58 follow the dirt road about 2 miles to the intersection of Redhill and Fernandez. This spot, and there are others, is right at the intersection so it can have some traffic with residents that live further down the road and OHV riders. It is a good spot for the night or to stay while you bike or ride ATVs. We stayed one night. 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. The road in is wide and dirt with some washboard but fairly smooth overall. Further down the road is Navajo Flat Campground which is $20/night with additional fees. (see review of Navajo Flat campground) This spot is in National Forest Land so we camped for free. There seem to be other areas for dispersed camping but be mindful of the private property areas.

There is zero amenities so pack in and pack out. There is no water, garbage or fire pits. Cell service is spotty with Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile. Download map before you come so you don't camp on private land.

Campfires are allowed with permit.

Overall a nice place to stay, quiet at night less traffic on weekdays. We would stay here again.

The road was a bit sketchy, any 4WD would be fine I think. I took my mini van and camped at a turn out along the road because I was a bit hesitant, but again, others would probably be fine. There were lots of people going up the road until very late at night, then turning around and coming back down (I assume because there were no spots?) The stars are beautiful and it's very quiet and cool. Got cold at night but nothing unbearable, lovely sunrise too! I'd recommend bringing a warm sleeping bag and any essentials for dispersed camping. Honestly such a beautiful place, next time I'd like to find a space to set up my tent. Loved it!

My husband and I decided to do a road trip along the PCH up the coast (with Big Sur as the final destination). Along the way, we made multiple stops and camped at TV Tower Road since we heard so many phenomenal things about the view.

[ PROS ]

• VIEWS VIEWS VIEWS!! The view is spectacular up this mountain. 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. You can even see the infamous Morro Bay Rock and the 3 smokestacks in the horizon.
• It’s FREE! When you’re doing a road trip along HWY 1 during the summer, you’ll notice that almost all campsites are full if you haven’t made a reservation months in advance. This place is perfect for last minute campers who need a place to park for the evening.
• Stargazing is out of this world. We had the clearest night sky with very little light pollution, and we were able to see the Milky Way so vividly. We also saw multiple shooting stars.
• This campsite is off the beaten road, so it’s very remote. We saw two other campers nearby but other than that, we had the entire place to ourselves.
• Great hiking spot! It’s only a 1.5 mile hike up to the campsite, but it’s steep. You can find the entrance to TV Tower Road at the West Cuesta RIdge Trailhead. Lots of cyclist and morning hikers come through at dawn.

[ CONS ]

• Really terrifying drive up the mountain with a few sharp turns and a narrow one-car dirt road. We were able to take our Escape Camervan up the mountain with no problem, but this road is for confident drivers. There are some parts of the road where two cars can fit, but just make sure you drive slow and check weather conditions.
• No toilets, no showers, no water, no hook ups, no amenities. Make sure you bring your own food/water/supplies, practice LNT, and be safe.
• There is practically no shade on this mountain ridge so it can get hot during the day with the sun beaming down on you. Just prepare for that.

Pro Tip: Drive up TV Tower Road before sunset. 1) Sunsets are magical here 2) Better visibility of the road while the sun is still out. There are no road or street lights to guide you.

Product Review

As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I get products to test from time to time - this weekend I was incredibly BLESSED with the opportunity to test out the Maverick Camper by Escape Campervans. This opportunity couldn’t have come at a better time since my cat recently just passed away, and I do not take a second of this for granted. So where did we decide to go? First on the list, Morro Bay! My (now) husband and I fell in love in Morro Bay 6 years ago, and then he proposed to me at the Morro Bay Rock 2 years later. We figured we would bring our cat’s ashes to “The Rock” as a final resting place so we can make an effort to return as often as possible. After our day in Morro Bay, we continued on along the majestic Pacific Coast Highway until we reached Big Sur on Hwy 1.

I’ve done this road trip many times since childhood, but it felt like an entirely new experience doing the trip in a campervan. I am, now, totally convinced that the #vanlife is for me. Here are my thoughts on the Maverick #JetsonVan.

• TRAVELING IN STYLE - I just LOVE LOVE LOVED the custom painted design on our campervan. Just seeing the beautiful colors and design put a smile on my face and made me happy. It brought out my inner-child and a reignited a new sense of adventure and curiosity that I haven’t felt since I was in grade-school. We need more of this in our everyday lives. Thank you Escape Campervans for reminding me of this.
• ROAD TRIP READY - I’ve done road trips, but never like THIS! The Maverick has everything you need to have the most relaxing, easy, and hassle-free experience ever. The campervan is so well-designed and packed with handy and useful features that really make your trip a breeze. I was able to spend less time packing and setting up, and more time to play. Escape Campervans also came with everything you can think of -- chairs, bedding, pots/pans, bowls/cups/utensils, you name it! There was very little that we needed to pack from home. Below are a few of our favorite features
• Rooftop sleeper - This is a MUST! It was so fun sleeping on the roof of the van. It’s a little tricky at first to get up and down, but we were able to get the hang of it in no time.
• Solar powered refrigerator - I don’t know how I lived without this. It was so nice having our food and drinks chilled without having to worry about a cooler of melting ice sloshing around.
• Storage - there is so much storage for all your gear so it’s so easy to stay organized.
• Trunk Kitchen - The kitchen is so convenient and it facilitates spur-of-the-moment cooking with very little set up or clean up required. The counter space was really nice for prepping and easy to clean.
• THE ROAD TO FREEDOM - Our Maverick became our home away from home, and the best part? We were able to bring it with us everywhere. It’s super easy and smooth to drive, and we had the freedom of the open road ahead of us. I loved being able to just pull over during lunch time and enjoy a meal wherever we decided to park. While we did our day trip to Big Sur, we picked a quiet, shady spot to park with an EPIC VIEW of the Pacific Ocean. And if you’ve ever driven along the PCH past Hearst Castle to Big Sur, you’ll know there are so many lookout points to stop for sightseeing.

Tips for maximizing your campervan experience!

1. Make it your own! Bring some stuff from your house to really make your campervan feel cozy and homey. Be careful not to overpack, but a couple throw pillows, blankets, and even a houseplant can make all the difference. You don’t normally get this opportunity in a regular car, so take advantage of the space.
2. Bring a partner in crime or 2! Road Trips are more fun with people who you know are going to be flexible, spontaneous, and up for the unknown. Every trip can have unexpected obstacles and can be exhausting so bring a playmate who will be up for the challenge and up for an adventure.
3. A little planning goes a long way. While my favorite part about road trips are the random little stops along the way, but it makes a huge difference when you do a little research on the route, conditions, and place to stay for the evening ahead of time.
4. Split the load! Whether it’s taking turns driving, or alternating who cleans the dishes, make sure everyone throws in a helping hand.
5. Make a playlist. Having music ready for those long drives can be super helpful when your car stereo loses goes out of range. While I prefer having conversations on road trips over music, sometimes some tunes really help break up the drive.
6. TREAT YO’SELF. Don’t forget to allow yourself to splurge a litttllleee even if you’re on a tight budget. It’s nice to be able to cook your own food on the road, but it’s also totally okay to eat out a few meals or unwind with a nice bottle of wine after hours of driving or after a stressful day of navigating the road. Just make sure you’re parked for the evening when you uncork!

Anytime I can find a new spot, i get excited. The last time i attempted to camp here the gate was closed, and because we live so far away from here, its always risky. Im glad to report that i can finally check this site off of my bucket list, and it did not disappoint. Nobody was able to sleep due to windy conditions, but the view from our campsite made it all worth while.

We were amazed by this site! I have never seen anything like it. 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. There are three pull offs to park and camp at the top of the mountain and each one had 2-3 cars when we were there which still left plenty of space. Very quiet and views were unbelievable (get there for the sunset!!!). This place is a gem and it’s free, don’t miss it!

Drove up here at night and the road is windy and bumpy and narrow and youre on the side of a cliff. Was a bit scary but the view was beautiful in the morning. The wind is loud and powerful and will push your car a bit thru the night. No restrooms but lots of shrubbery. Got there at 11 pm and the stars were amazing due to no light pollution.

This place was awesome. Heard about it from a friend who goes to school at SLO. We arrived around 4pm on a Saturday and all spots were open except for one. The road is a bit rocky and steep but we were fine in an old ass 2WD 4runner. We settled on a nice spot nestled in the trees. There was a pre made fire pit which we may or may not have used. The road is a hiking trail as well so we went on a little walk to watch the sunset. Only bad thing was the flies. These bitches were on the offense. Bring bug spray and citronella candles or be smart and don’t go in mid july like we did. It’s close to downtown slo which is very charming with great food. On our way out we ate at seeds for some delicious smoothies and paninis. Overall very great place and have recommended it to friends.

Amazing views! The road is a little scary with lots of large drop offs without guardrails. We used our 4 wheel drive all the way. It did get pretty windy at night but it was worth it.

You can find a video of our trip here: https://youtu.be/k9vPYImXCMY

I love this spot. The sunset is out of this world. I was there Saturday night and there were some party people, but there’s enough room to spread out with the two flat areas, and then there’s some single pullout spots. It doesn’t feel like an intentional campground, but camping is allowed here. A tent would be rough only because the wind is so strong. I slept in my car with a fan for the early evening (the residual heat from the day lasted for a while) and lots of shades and blackout curtains for the morning, since there’s zero shelter from the sun. Another bonus about this spot is that it’s not far off the 101, maybe 3 miles. The road is definitely bumpy, windy, and a bit scary since it’s narrow and there’s no guardrail just cliff edge. But it’s definitely doable and totally worth it

Nice place to go for car camping. There were a lot of other campers along the road in different spots. I didn't drive all the way to the end but turned and picked a spot that looked nice. A bit windy, but great views in the morning.

We came up to TV tower road and found a great spot to pull the car into, with a little trail that pulls off to a spot to pitch the tent. This is definitely a great spot for car camping, parking, or camping. It was absolutely beautiful, and we only passed a few cars on the way up. Our 4WD car was able to handle the dirt road. The drive was manageable, but high up!

Pulled up right before sunset. Main lot of was full but kept driving and found a cute little site with a view. Great sunset with magical colors. The wind was INSANE!!! No protection and the wind only got crazier as the night went on. Ended up breaking down camp at 3 am because we did not get any sleep. I would stay here again if there was no wind but if the same conditions I would not camp again.

The road up is truly awesome. However, the flies will swarm and begin to collectively murder you. Once you think you are safe inside your tent, the endless popping of gunshots from the shooting range nearby will lull you to sleep, but also induce some pretty f-d up dreams. Now that it’s actually dark, the TV Tower begins to strobe into your tent all night like a pulsing defibrillator on your eyeballs. After your body is too fatigue to care or you’ve cut a breathing hole into a brown bag and put it on your head, immeasurable gusts of wind will blow your house down. The only thing you can now look forward to is taking out your rage on the flies that will meet you outside of your tent. Let the battle begin.

Good spot for car camping. We were into the clouds when we arrived but in the morning we had a beautiful view. Some other campers around, really quiet and respectful.

Little bit of mountains in ocean number one for today's country

When we got here, the sun was setting and we had an incredible view. There is no toilet, but there are bushes everywhere so if you don’t mind that should be no problem. For one night it is perfect, make sure you come here before the sun sets and you have a car that can handle rough terrain.

This spot was perfect for car camping. The night I was there was very windy and rocked the car most of the night. 3 other cars also stayed at the top of this mountain. Beautiful views in the morning!

Great views, just a spot to park, and maybe go for a walk but nothing else.

NOTE: VISITED BEFORE TEMPORARY CLOSURE
For the second night of my 3-month long road trip, we stayed up here and cooked a wonderful meal that overlooked a sprawling landscape of fog, mountains, valleys, and the ocean off in the distance. True beauty but was rather busy. Make sure you really have a capable vehicle as the climb up the road is not suited for small or casual cars.

very sketchy getting up there in a van as its a narrow one lane road with a vertical drop, as a solo female traveller felt pretty unsafe around the guys at the top there that i ended up leaving. its beautiful up there but wouldn't feel safe at all staying overnight.

Along the road, there are lots of exposed options and a few camping options in the trees. I drove the entire road and would not recommend doing that without four wheel drive. Was pleased with all the options though. Stay in the trees to avoid the wind.

Closed due to fire hazard since 9/7. Gate blocking road up.

Saw all the awesome reviews and wanted to go the first weekend of September, drove three hours and they have completely closed off the road due to covid. Sign says it has been closed since may 7 but reviews on hear say otherwise. Hope to do it soon

Easy enough to find for a night’s stop.