Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Santa Maria, CA
Oceano Campground at Pismo State Beach welcomes pets across its tent and RV sites with standard leash requirements. Most campgrounds near Santa Maria permit dogs, including Lopez Lake Recreation Area and Pismo Sands RV Park, where cabin accommodations also accept pets. Colson Canyon Campground offers primitive pet-friendly camping options in Los Padres National Forest, though recent reviews indicate the site may be permanently closed despite no official signage. The Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area provides a unique experience with dogs permitted on the beach camping area. The facilities vary significantly between locations—Santa Maria Fairpark provides basic necessities with water and electric hookups but no showers or toilets, while Pismo Sands features full amenities including a heated pool and spa where pets are welcome.
Camp Arroyo Grande offers a quieter alternative to the busier coastal options, with reviewers noting its welcoming approach to pets and serene ridge camping overlooking two valleys at half the price of Pismo Beach sites. Most campgrounds require pets to remain leashed throughout the property. Jalama Beach County Park provides oceanfront pet camping with access to beach areas. Campers with dogs should be prepared for varying terrain—from the soft sand at Oceano Dunes requiring 4WD vehicles to the more developed grounds at Flying Flags RV Resort. Wildlife awareness is important, particularly at primitive sites like Colson Canyon where no facilities exist for waste disposal. The beach camping areas can get extremely busy during weekends and holidays, with ATVs operating until sunset before quieting down for overnight campers.
