North Beach Campground, near Oceano, California, is a fantastic spot for those looking to soak up the sun and enjoy the beach vibes. With direct access to the beautiful Pismo State Beach, it’s a prime location for beach lovers and families alike.

The campground features a park-like setting with spacious sites that give you a sense of openness, though some campers have noted that the sites are pretty close together. Clean restrooms and showers are available, and visitors appreciate the well-maintained facilities. As one camper mentioned, “Everything was clean and kept up,” which is always a plus when you’re out in nature.

You’ll find plenty of opportunities for outdoor fun right at your doorstep. The beach is just a short walk away, and you can easily explore nearby attractions like the Monarch Butterfly Preserve and downtown Pismo. Some campers have enjoyed the convenience of being able to walk to these spots, making it easy to grab a bite or check out local sights.

While the campground doesn’t offer hookups, it does have a dump station and potable water available, which is handy for RVers. If you’re planning to visit during peak season, be sure to make reservations ahead of time, as spots can fill up quickly. Whether you’re here for a quick overnight stay or a longer beach getaway, North Beach Campground has a lot to offer.

North Beach Campground features tent camping facilities and a campfire center.  There are no hook-up sites available in this campground. Visitors can access the beach from the campground and enjoy the the views along Carpenter Creek. The Pismo State Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove is accessible from the campground. In the summer months, Jr. Ranger Programs and Campfire Programs are held at the campfire center. Click here to view a map of the North Beach Campground: North Beach Campground Map

North Beach Campground — Pismo State Beach

Grover Beach is the perfect place for adventurous campers and RVers. Grover Beach is an adventure-filled destination for those who love the outdoorsy camper lifestyle. But it's also great for those who prefer to spend time near the city, exploring and sightseeing. At The Dyrt, campers like you share their favorite spots, plus tips and photos. No matter where you're headed in Grover Beach, you'll find the best spot for you and your camping crew.

Grover Beach

The Best Camping Near Grover Beach, California

Love beach camping.  Go here every year for Thanksgiving.  Beautiful place.  Lots of dunes to ride and fun times ocean fishing 

Pismo

Great place to camp right off the dune though can be crowded and has many spots that are not on the beach. The sites are not ocean view with the sand dunes but a short walk over and your there. Also a very easy walk on the beach to downtown. It can get crowded and their is a security booth where you have to sign in, little annoying when they tired to charge our two motorcycles as two cars but they let's us by.

Crowded but right on the beach

A bit crowded, but it's hard to beat camping right on the beach

Beach camping

This is the North Beach Campground at Pismo State Beach. We stayed in October and it was 90 during the day and around 60 at night. We were tent camping and while better than the neighboring RV park, there were still more RVs than tents- I’d say 80%/20% RVs to tents. That being said our campsite was large with a picnic table, fire ring and water hook up. There were restrooms at central locations throughout the park. Showers are $.50 for two minutes, accepts dollar bills only. We were at site 48 and it was a very large site, could fit 3-5 tents easily and runs along a center large grassy area. The big draw back with the campground is there is very little to no shade and no privacy. The best sites in my opinion were sites 7-25 ish that run along the side of the park closest to the beach path. Those spots had easy beach access, a bit more privacy as you don’t have campers along your backside, and afternoon shade from a row of trees. The rest of the sites are all in a grass field. Some have trees and some don’t, it’s kind of a crap shoot. It’s a short 5 minute walk to the beach from anywhere so that’s a huge plus, the park rangers were all very nice while we were there and there’s a Monarch butterfly sanctuary within walking distance (they weren’t there when I stayed in the park). Bathrooms were clean for a state park, shower was sandy but it was getting high usage. Overall I’d return if I was in the area and didn’t care about privacy. 

ETA: I forgot to mention the sand flies, mostly in the evenings, were fierce and left huge itchy welts on me (less so on my husband) so I highly recommend bringing bug spray. 

Great Proximity to Beach, No Shade or Privacy

Good dry camping with water and dump station at the exit. Cheap and safe. Check out. 

Dry camping but quiet. 

Great beach access and sites are spread enough apart. It does feel  little like a trailer park because of all the rigs that stay here die a few nights,  but the updated bathrooms and showers are worth it!

Big Rigs, but good access 

Came in at dark and reserved on the fly.  Easy, clean, and close to beach.

Perfect spot for the night

This a a great campground. It is very well kept. Walking distance to the beach, the Monarch Butterfly Preserve and town.

Can walk to all the tourist sites 

Good for a few days at the beach with kids. Neighbors are close, but everything else is nice. :) 

Direct beach access, pool. Holiday place

Only stayed here for one night. Everything was clean and kept up.

Clean and comfy 

Lots of space, you don't feel cramped even with all sites around you occupied. Toilets are very clean, there are lots of trash cans, can't complain. Nice rule that prohibits generators use after 8pm. There are sites for tents, small campervans and bigger rigs.

Quite cheap and very pretty 

I love pismo beach, dune and the town, very convenient!

Only $25, quiet, extremely 5G

This Campground is a wonderful place to enjoy the outdoors, family and friends.  We have been coming here for over 10 years for an annual reunion.  The sits give you a lot of open space.  If you are a Boondocker type you will enjoy the experience

  

In walking distance to downtown Pismo and a short ride to Arroyo Grande

Our Go To each August to enjoy the Ocean air and Beach

Beautiful campground - open park-like setting, not much division between sites. No hookups available here (Oceano 2 miles south has sites with electric and water hookups though). 

  

There's a dump station here, $10 (even for campers), payable by credit card only at a little fee station right at the dump. There's potable water at the dump station as well to fill your tanks.

  

As with all California state parks now, not only is there recycling bins available but also food waste / compost bins (yay!).

  

Showers available, payable via tokens.  Good cell reception here.

  

Really hard to get a spot here during busy season - recommend reservations!

Beautiful

Stopped here for a quick overnight stay on the way to Big Sur over New Year’s Eve weekend.  Bathrooms were clean, campground seemed well maintained.  Sites very close together with limited to no shade.  


Good for overnight stay  

Being so close to this awesome beach is definitely a hook, but something is off about this place. The staff are on top of you from the time you pull in to if you are a couple minutes late leaving. Little to no shade. Said hello to other campers with no so much of a nod.  

  

Not my scene for sure.

Awesome Beach - Weird Campground

I skipped out on Oceano and came here hoping they might have something open. Turns out they had 8 and the park ranger let me drive in to scope it out. I picked a site close to the beach and even better my Oceano reservation could be transferred. Yay. Loved this campground so much. It’s well laid out and all the sites are well spaced and clean. The evening was much quieter, with a sunset and sounds of waves. A ten minute walk to the beach and right next to the butterfly grove. I have already made another reservation to see about the butterflies when they are in season. Pismo Beach is fantastic! 


A winner

Large sites with fire rings, picnic tables, some sites don’t have much shade and some do. Less than 1/2 mile walk to beach. Couple miles from Oceano dunes. Hot showers. Can get windy. Dog friendly. 


North Beach

This was my first time camping independently, so didn't know what to expect. Everyone was really nice, camp host, camp ranger, etc. A lot of good amenities and very close to the beach. Loved my site specifically as well, especially since walking down noticing others didn't have as much space, shade, etc. Will say this is a really good rv place, did not see a lot of tent campers. They also sell fire wood for $10 so be ready with cash! 

A good beginner camp!

Lots of space for campers and tents. Nice, CLEAN, showers and restrooms.  Staying here gives free access to driving onto the beach. 

Lots of families and dogs. Noise wasn't a problem other than generators constantly running. 

Nice campground, dog friendly 

Well-placed sites, with easy access to the beach. The lack of electricity, water, etc at each site keeps the tenor of the place pleasantly low-key (tents and small trailers primarily when we were there).  Firering and picnic table at each site.  Sites 7-31 are on the part of the loop closest to the beach, and some of those back up against the bluff between the campground and the beach.  For us, it was a perfect alternative to the commercial, packed-in-like-sardines options that surround this little green oasis.

Great location and friendly vibe

I love Pismo Beach! The sites are large and perfect for a group of friends. They have incredible amenities. The beach is steps away. And the community has a good walking path and restaurants within walking distance.

Perfect spot for the beach and gatherings with friends

Booked a couple of nights here at the last minute and, while crowded, I was pleasantly surprised at how quiet and tidy this campground was. 

It is however the off-season and not a place I’d consider otherwise as I can only imagine how wild it must get when kids are off of school, as it is right on the beach. 

The sites are pretty leveled and the facilities offer all one needs, and it’s all very clean. Spigots for free water refill are also available throughout the campground. 

At $25/night, this is a wonderful and very safe campground for all. 

Perfect off-season 

Lovely state park campground with access to the beach over some dunes and waterways. Pismo Beach is a huge and beautiful beach. Even with a lot of people it cannot feel crowded. If you are willing to get your feet wet crossing some creeks that empty into the ocean you can walk to the pier along the beach. This park is a delight compared to the cramped RV Parks right next door. Clean bathrooms and showers. Shower tokens $1 for 2 will get you a 4 minute shower. Peaceful place on a Sunday in March. 

Photos of North Beach Campground — Pismo State Beach

Real photos from real campers