State parks and coastal campgrounds dominate the camping landscape around Cambria, California, with Hearst San Simeon State Park offering two distinct camping experiences. The San Simeon Creek Campground provides developed sites with flush toilets and showers, while the more primitive Washburn Campground sits on a hilltop with pit toilets and panoramic ocean views. Both accommodate tents and RVs without hookups. Within a 30-minute drive, additional options include Morro Bay State Park Campground and Morro Strand State Beach Campground, both offering year-round access. For those seeking dispersed camping, TV Tower Road near Santa Margarita provides free primitive sites with expansive views of San Luis Obispo.
Reservations are essential for most established campgrounds in the region, particularly during summer months and weekends. San Simeon Creek Campground sites cost approximately $35 per night, while the more basic Washburn sites run about $20. As one camper noted, "San Simeon State Park is easy to get to, as it's right off Highway 1." The coastal location means cool nights year-round, with fog common in summer mornings. Cell service varies significantly between campgrounds, with most reporting limited Verizon coverage but better service for AT&T and T-Mobile users. Many campgrounds sell firewood through camp hosts during limited hours, and fire restrictions may apply during dry seasons.
Beach access represents a major draw for campers in the Cambria area. Several campgrounds feature trails leading directly to the shoreline, with San Simeon Creek offering a boardwalk path to the beach. Wildlife viewing opportunities abound, with one visitor reporting, "There were otters in the lagoon in the morning and the sunset was gorgeous on the beach at night." The proximity to attractions like Hearst Castle, elephant seal viewing areas, and the village of Cambria provides convenient day trip options. Campers frequently mention the peaceful atmosphere despite highway proximity, though site spacing varies between campgrounds. The mild coastal climate supports comfortable camping year-round, with one long-time visitor noting "GREAT weather year round" as a key benefit of the area.
Compare 2 top campgrounds at a time to find your favorite!
Round 1 of 5
$35 / night
"I was just driving down Hwy 1 on a Monday Afternoon."
"and easy camping in Central California."
$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."
"This is a busy campground and your neighbors' sites are fairly close by, limiting privacy."
$35 - $50 / night
"Located just off Highway One between Morro Bay and Cayucos, the grounds look somewhat like a parking lot with trees and shrubs separating it from the sand dunes and the ocean."
"Beach walks can be nice... with scenic views up and down coast. Also neighborhood walks along bluff above campground are relaxing. Restrooms clean but basic."
$20 / night
"There is a path over to the beach, very convenient (goes under Hwy 1). Elephant seal viewing is nearby, as well as being close to the cute town of Cambria and San Simeon."
"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."
$35 - $74 / night
"California, Morro Dunes RV Park Located right on the beach and ocean near Morro Rock. Within walking distance from Downtown Morro Bay.
Directions: From highway 1 exit at E. G."
"Great access to bike path and just a few minutes walk or bike ride to down town/harbor with harbor shops and restaurants. Amazing view of Moro rock, super close by!"
$35 / night
"No hookups, but there’s water at each site and conveniently located flush toilets, sinks and showers. Right off Highway 1 for a bike ride and walking distance to a beautiful rugged beach."
"Neither have hookups and both have access to the dump and water fill which is located between the two campgrounds near the host."
$25 - $150 / night
"Quiet, peaceful and surrounded by skies perched out atop a hill."
"It was peaceful, beautiful surroundings, and a decent amount of space between campsites. The coastal air, hills, and nearby ocean views made it a great escape."
$35 - $39 / night
"Found a location on fcf basis. Campsite #2 was nice but had to walk through campsite no. 1 In order to get to my car, which was kind of a hassle."
"Easy access to hiking trails (Cerro Alto summit) from campsite. About a 20 min drive to Morro Bay/ Morro Rock. Pit toilets. No showers."
"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."
"Lots of area to explore, but this is mainly an off road vehicle area."
"covered structure, picnic table and fire pit A few additional overflow areas to park and camp •Pit toilet - BYO toilet paper •No trash receptacles •Great Verizon reception / Decent Sprint reception •Drive"
TravelerI stayed here on a Monday. The campground is quiet, although most spots were filled. The restroom and shower amenities were fine, although hand soap is not available. Camp staff were very friendly and the squirrels loved greeting me while I cooked dinner!
GuideWe had the best experience here. It was warm, peaceful, and truly the best reset for our family. We took our tent trailer, teenager and 3 dogs. We stayed Thursday through Sunday. The perfect days in my opinion. Water was great for floating and fishing, as well as swimming and watching the boats on the water. We stayed in a campsite, not down by the water. Which was perfect for us. Our dogs loved playing in the water as much as we did. This is truly a great place.
TravelerThis is a busy campground and your neighbors' sites are fairly close by, limiting privacy. The restroom/shower facilities are old-- peeling paint and what appears to be mold. $1 gets you a 6 min shower. Hand soap is not provided in the restrooms. Now for the pros: camp staff are super friendly and you're near some fantastic views in central California!
TravelerReally nice location, with both Oceanside and Redwood surrounded sites. Some sites are somewhat tight, but still great.
TravelerThey have first come first serve but reservations are preferred otherwise great spot , quiet and clean restrooms
ScoutConcrete jungle but friendly staff and very quiet. Great location
TravelerThis is one of the best BLM campground views i have seen on the westcoast.
Incredible views, there are limited spots so getting there early is smart. Also the roads are rough but passable. I would not want to be caught in the rain here though.
Definitely a one of a kind spot.
GuideI loved this campground, but I highly recommend getting a spot with a tree near it for shade OR bring a canopy. Short walk to the ocean and nice distances from other spots!
GuideWe hit gold with Limekiln State Park Campground this time around. Our crew had been camping near Prewitt Ridge not too far and stumbled upon Limekiln on a whim. The rangers told us they had just opened the campground back up the day prior so we got super lucky securing a spot. This site is beautiful so spots do fill up fast with good reason. It is directly off of the 1 and you get a mixture of beach and redwoods. There is a gorgeous hiking trail towards the end of the campground that takes you to through the redwoods and there’s even a waterfall! A creek runs along the side of the campground offering a fairy like feel to the place. There is coin operated showers and restrooms.
Camping near Cambria, California places visitors along a stretch of Central California coastline where average summer temperatures rarely exceed 75°F. The region sits at the edge of the Santa Lucia Mountain Range, creating a unique microclimate where coastal fog rolls in most summer mornings. Most campgrounds in this area operate year-round with water access, though fire restrictions become common during dry seasons from late summer through fall.
Beach exploration: Morro Strand State Beach Campground offers direct beach access with limited development. "The beach is another story. I am from SoCal and my husband is from SoFlo and we were not impressed with the beach at all. It smells, has lots of unsightly and strange looking seaweed that I wouldn't want to ever encounter if I was in the ocean," reports Lynna C., though many visitors find the unique coastal ecosystem fascinating.
Wildlife viewing: Islay Creek Campground — Montaña de Oro State Park provides exceptional wildlife spotting opportunities. "Pretty basic but nice camp ground. Close enough to walk to a cute little beach. Bathrooms but no showers," notes Kelly S. The park's name translates to "Mountain of Gold" for its wildflowers that bloom each spring.
Hiking trails: Multiple trailheads originate within campgrounds. "Cerro Alto Trail is located right inside the campground. Day Use parking is $10. The hike is really beautiful and on a clear day you can see the ocean at peak!" mentions Chanel C. about Cerro Alto Campground. Most trails offer ocean views within the first mile of hiking.
Privacy between sites: At Washburn Primitive Campground, campers appreciate the spacing. "It's lovely, quiet, and dark. You can hear the ocean. Cell reception isn't the best," shares Ashley. The campground sits on a hilltop with minimal tree coverage between sites.
Reasonable pricing: Budget-conscious campers appreciate the value. "Only $20 for a primitive site. The Washburn area is a short drive from the main camping entrance. There are pit toilets and most sites are quite level," notes Isabelle T. This represents significant savings compared to other coastal campgrounds.
Beach access: Morro Dunes RV Park scores high for its location. "Best part about the RV park is its location, right next to the dunes! The RV park is clean and well maintained," reports Esther Y. The park connects directly to beach access points via short trails through protective dune areas.
Connectivity options: Cell service varies significantly by provider. "Att and Verizon have weak but usable service, and the WeBoost does help here," notes Laura M. about Washburn Campground. Most campgrounds feature better reception for AT&T and T-Mobile than Verizon.
Toilet situations: Facilities vary widely between campgrounds. "The bathrooms are not clean and there is no light. It does have beach access and lots of trees," reports Carrie A. about San Simeon Creek Campground. Primitive campgrounds like Washburn offer only pit toilets while developed sites provide flush toilets.
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds fill quickly, especially weekends. At Cerro Alto Campground, "We got here on a Friday around 11am for a walk in site and the campground was packed. Luckily the campground hosts were very nice and had placed us in the overflow campsites," shares Stacy C. Reservations made 3-6 months ahead provide the best site selection.
Potential hazards: Wildlife encounters include more than viewing opportunities. At Montaña de Oro State Park, "Although the location is very scenic and a 10 min walk to the beach, I wouldn't return because there are ALOT of ticks at the campground. We went with a party of 11 and found multiple ticks on 5 people," warns Val H. Thorough tick checks should be part of your daily routine.
Road conditions: Some campgrounds require careful driving. "We were going up these hills and like I've been on some bumpy roads and it started out fine... but the farther we went, the worse the roads got," warns Silas M. about TV Tower Road dispersed camping. Low-clearance vehicles may struggle reaching certain sites.
Choose developed campgrounds: Morro Bay State Park Campground offers family-friendly amenities. "The Morro Bay State park offers a scenic coastal campground nestled in tall eucalyptus trees just a stones throw from the water. There is plenty to see and do in town, and the campground has a kayaking company within walking distance," recommends Jessica P.
Select the right campsite: Location within campgrounds matters. "Sites 17-19 have a decent amount of shade and the most foliage separation. They back up to the park, and there are trails on the hillside above," suggests Annie C. about Morro Strand State Beach. Corner sites typically offer more space for children to play.
Watch for wildlife: While fascinating, local wildlife requires caution. "We had such a wonderful time staying 3 nights at Cerro Alto campground. Most sites are spaced for privacy. Very quite & peaceful. Easy access to hiking trails (Cerro Alto summit) from campsite," shares Becbecandbunny O., though they note the abundant wildlife includes potentially problematic squirrels and raccoons.
Consider site dimensions: At Creek Tent Campground, "The camper pads are level, paved, and designated as either 25 - or 35-foot campsites. Site 102 was a 25-foot site but IMO that is a stretch as our 18-foot campervan fit but not with much extra room," notes Lee D. Always check specific site dimensions when booking.
Plan for limited hookups: Most campgrounds near Cambria lack full hookups. "Sites are spaced close together but no major issues with noisy neighbors. Nice little dog run," reports Esther Y. about Morro Dunes RV Park, one of the few locations offering complete hookups.
Prepare for coastal conditions: Weather affects camping comfort. "Weather can be fickle with cold, wind and fog even in summer. Quiet at night. A few sites have beach views," explains Leonard H. about Morro Strand. Morning fog can create condensation issues for RVs, so proper ventilation remains essential.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best campgrounds near Cambria, California?
The best campgrounds near Cambria include San Simeon Creek Campground — Hearst San Simeon State Park, just minutes north of town right off Highway 1. This popular spot offers large sites with shade trees and easy access to beaches. Another excellent option is Washburn Primitive Campground — Hearst San Simeon State Park, which provides a more secluded experience in the same park. Both campgrounds are conveniently located for exploring Cambria's attractions, Hearst Castle, and the Elephant Seal overlook. For those willing to drive a bit farther, Morro Bay and Pismo Beach areas offer additional camping opportunities with different coastal experiences.
How much does camping in Cambria typically cost?
Camping costs in the Cambria area vary by campground type and amenities. At Creek Tent Campground — Hearst San Simeon State Park, standard tent sites typically range from $35-45 per night, which includes access to water, flush toilets, and shower facilities. For those seeking more amenities, Avila-Pismo Beach KOA about 30-40 minutes south offers full hookup RV sites starting around $65-90 per night depending on the season. Most state park campgrounds in the area charge an additional vehicle fee for more than one car. Prices generally increase during peak summer months and holiday weekends, so booking in advance is recommended.
Is beach camping available in Cambria, CA?
True beachfront camping isn't available directly in Cambria, but nearby options offer coastal access. Morro Dunes RV Park in Morro Bay is located right on the beach with direct ocean access. For a primitive beach camping experience, Limekiln State Park Campground (when open) offers sites where you can camp near the beach or in redwoods. While not directly on the sand, San Simeon Creek Campground has a trail leading to the beach. For those willing to travel slightly farther, Morro Strand State Beach Campground offers camping with immediate beach access approximately 20 miles south of Cambria.
What amenities are available at Cambria camping sites?
Cambria area camping sites offer varying levels of amenities. At Plaskett Creek Campground - Los Padres National Forest, you'll find picnic tables, fire rings, potable water, and vault toilets. For more facilities, Morro Bay State Park Campground provides flush toilets, hot showers, picnic tables, fire rings, food storage lockers, and RV hookups at select sites. Most campgrounds near Cambria offer water at each site, along with centrally located restrooms. Shower facilities are available at many locations, though some may require tokens or quarters. Cell service is generally available but can be spotty in more remote areas. Dump stations for RVs are typically available at the larger campgrounds.
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