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Established Camping

Oceano County Campground — Pismo State Beach

Warning 2 Alerts are In Effect

There are 2 alerts for this campground. Camp safely!

Notice for North Beach Campground and Oceano Campground:

SEVERE WEATHER WARNING:

Winter storm activity may cause standing water in campsites. Sustained winter storm activity may even cause local flooding. To ensure the best possible camping experience, please check the local weather forecast before traveling.

 

California State Parks wants to thank our park visitors for helping us keep our parks and environment clean. In 2018, State Parks installed new RV dump station collection systems at ten state park units as part of a pilot program to help us protect the environment and are added amenities for our visitors. 

Following the success of the initial pilot program in 2018, an additional eleven park units have been added to the program.  The service is available for campers, day-use or transient visitors for $10-$20 per use, depending on the location. Please note that visitors with current reservations arriving on or after April 13, 2021, who are interested in using the RV dump stations may be required to pay the use fee. The price per campsite for these state parks does not include the use of a dump station.  View the following link:  Camping Information

Oceano County Campground — Pismo State Beach is a fantastic spot for those who love the beach and the great outdoors. With easy access to the dunes and the ocean, it’s perfect for a weekend of sun, sand, and relaxation.

This campground offers a range of sites for tents, RVs, and even glamping, making it a versatile choice for different camping styles. Visitors often rave about the clean facilities, including spacious showers and well-maintained restrooms. One camper noted, “The bathrooms have hot water and flush toilets,” which is always a plus after a day of adventure.

You’ll find plenty to do nearby, from hiking the scenic trails to driving right onto the beach. Campers have enjoyed biking along the wet-packed sand during low tide and exploring the beautiful lagoon trails. As one reviewer put it, “There’s lots to do, from renting dune buggies to playing at the main pier.”

Just a short drive away, you can explore downtown Pismo Beach for dining and shopping. While some campers have mentioned the occasional squirrel raid on food supplies, the overall vibe is friendly and welcoming. Whether you’re here for a quick getaway or a longer stay, Oceano County Campground offers a great mix of relaxation and adventure.

Description

Oceano Camp (sites 1-42)

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Location

Oceano County Campground — Pismo State Beach is located in California

Detail location of campground

Directions

Driving South on Highway 101: Take the Hwy 1 Pismo Beach exit. Stay on Hwy 1 and follow it thru the town of Pismo Beach and continue until you get to Pier Avenue, approximately 3 miles. Turn right onto Pier Avenue. Turn left onto Norswing and follow to end of street. Turn right onto Mendel Avenue and right again onto Air Park Drive. Oceano Campground will be on the left. Driving North on Highway 101: Take the Grand Avenue exit in Arroyo Grande. Turn left onto Grand Avenue and follow approximately 3 miles to Hwy 1. Turn left onto Highway 1 (Amtrack Station will be on your left). Follow Hwy 1 for 1 mile to Pier Avenue. Turn right onto Pier Avenue. Turn left onto Norswing. Turn right onto Mendel Avenue. Turn right onto Air Park Drive. Campg

Address

928 Pacific Blvd
Oceano, CA 93445

Coordinates

35.10736 N
120.627281 W

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Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Tent Cabin

Features

For Campers

  • ADA Access
  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Firewood Available
  • Phone Service
  • Reservable
  • Showers
  • Drinking Water
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Sanitary Dump
  • Water Hookups
  • Big Rig Friendly

Reviews

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out of 5

61 Reviews

Reviewed Oct. 27, 2024

You can do better

Probably just due to the time of year but this campground was way too rowdy for my taste, all the sites are close together and it seemed almost every site was a very large group, generators running after 10pm, amplified music and tv! If that’s your jam you’ll love it. I took off after 1 night.

Site53
Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Oceano County Campground — Pismo State Beach by Christine W., October 27, 2024
  • Review photo of Oceano County Campground — Pismo State Beach by Christine W., October 27, 2024
  • Review photo of Oceano County Campground — Pismo State Beach by Christine W., October 27, 2024
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Aug. 17, 2024

Great Campground

We stayed here a few years ago, but on the primitive / non-hookup side. We stayed on the E/W hookup side this time and liked it as well, though it does have the more typical RV/parking lot feel as compared to the other side.  There's a nice walking trail that connects the two sides. It's $50 for an E/W site, plus an $8.25 reservation fee.

There's a cool lagoon that you can walk all the way around on, with lots of birds, and much of it accessible as well which is nice. There's a cool visitor center, open 12-4. The beach is a short walk away. There's a great Mexican restaurant down the road also, Old Juan's, it's so good and has great vegan options.

The showers here are nice and clean, and $1 gets you 4 minutes.  The showers are individual, private, and non-gendered. There was no host on site when we were there, but the rangers were very present.  This campground, like all California State campgrounds we've been to recently, has trash, recycling, and a food compost bin which I love.

There's a fun game for kids where you download an app and go on a scavenger hunt and complete other challenges.

No dump station here, but there's one just 2 miles north at North Beach Campground, and it's $10 for dump and water fill there.

Site38
Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Oceano County Campground — Pismo State Beach by Laura M., August 17, 2024
  • Review photo of Oceano County Campground — Pismo State Beach by Laura M., August 17, 2024
  • Review photo of Oceano County Campground — Pismo State Beach by Laura M., August 17, 2024
  • (15) View All
Reviewed May. 31, 2024

Beautiful, but a little squirrely

This campground is awesome. It’s very beautiful, with lots of wildflowers, trees, trails, beach dunes…and squirrels. Lots of them. But we also saw and heard hawks, turkey vultures, owls, and many other birds. We also saw a cute little weasel. There’s also lots of rangers, which makes for very well-mannered campers. Loved it!! You can walk to the beach or drive on the beach. Driving in the beach was fun, but it was so windy and so cold! This was the end of May. Not sure what the weather is over months. The actual campground was not as cold or windy, since it’s behind the dunes. The bathrooms have hot water and Flush toilets. Showers are huge and are self-contained and not in the bathrooms. Tokens needed. Starting in May there’s a market night at the main pier, small but fun to visit. Lots to do, from renting dune buggies to playing at the main pier. Loved it and can’t wait to go back. Oh, and about the squirrels. They’re not afraid. They ate through my little pantry that’s canvas that’s connected under my table. Also, mosquitoes! How could I forget. Bring bug spray and citronella or thermacills. They’re out and about and it’s not fun if you’re not prepared. There’s a Walmart not too far away. After the citronella incense weren’t working, we went to Walmart and it was war! Another note, campsite 68 does not look like the photo. Tree is gone and the ice plant has invaded the site and made it smaller. One tent will fit, not another.

Site68
Month of VisitMay
Reviewed May. 19, 2024

Great campground, camp hosts not so much

I’ve been coming to this campground for years with friends. It’s an awesome spot. Bathrooms are generally clean however you do need tokens for the showers and the machine only accepts cash so make sure you have some dollars. You get two tokens for a dollar and each token gets you 2 min of shower time. They have garbage and recycling too. The camp hosts are a bit militant about the rules so don’t break them. They have zero tolerance and don’t put up with anything. Also keep your dog on a leash. Someone’s dog attacked another dog this morning and the State Park LEO were on site.

Site13
Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Oceano County Campground — Pismo State Beach by Heather K., May 19, 2024
  • Review photo of Oceano County Campground — Pismo State Beach by Heather K., May 19, 2024
Reviewed May. 9, 2024

Great location for beach and dunes access.

Very nice SP campground. Don't try to check in early, you will get suggestions to park until check in time of 2pm. Once in, the sites with hook ups sans sewer, will actually be pull through sites, which was nice. From there, you can walk. ride or drive on to the beach. There are paths around the camp that go around the estuary type lagoon. Dune trails are nice for hiking although some thick sand in places. We rode our bikes on the beach. Low tide makes it very easy with wet packed sand. The sites are spaced pretty well. We will be back for sure.

SiteOC-13
Month of VisitApril
  • Review photo of Oceano County Campground — Pismo State Beach by Patrick J., May 9, 2024
  • Review photo of Oceano County Campground — Pismo State Beach by Patrick J., May 9, 2024
  • Review photo of Oceano County Campground — Pismo State Beach by Patrick J., May 9, 2024
  • (9) View All
Reviewed Apr. 24, 2024

Green grass near beach

Green, grassy campground with well separated spaces. Most pull thru and level. All surrounded by grass for nice tent camping. Surf sound is continuous. Masks other sounds except noisy generator in next site. Nice restrooms

Site24
Month of VisitApril
  • Review photo of Oceano County Campground — Pismo State Beach by Michael , April 24, 2024
  • Review photo of Oceano County Campground — Pismo State Beach by Michael , April 24, 2024
  • Review photo of Oceano County Campground — Pismo State Beach by Michael , April 24, 2024
Reviewed Apr. 21, 2024

Ocean front recreation

Ocean front, off road sand dune recreation if you have a capable vehicle. It’s great. Best with an off-road capable vehicle. Bathrooms are a bit rough without running water.

Fish, drive off-road, camp, bonfire or hunt for seashells.

Bring a good jacket in April.

Sitedispersed
Month of VisitApril
  • Review photo of Oceano County Campground — Pismo State Beach by Rico B., April 21, 2024
  • Review photo of Oceano County Campground — Pismo State Beach by Rico B., April 21, 2024
  • Review photo of Oceano County Campground — Pismo State Beach by Rico B., April 21, 2024
  • (6) View All
Reviewed Jan. 10, 2024

Nice winter camp with private showeres

I have a truck canopy / rooftop tent, and everything is nicely accessible. I think it was around $35 so it's a great stopping point to shower and freahen up before continuing on. I arrived after new years weekend and walked in to check the available sites that I wanted. Lots of short hike trails and walking distance to the ocean.

Site58
Month of VisitJanuary
  • Review photo of Oceano County Campground — Pismo State Beach by 5 STAR X P., January 10, 2024
  • Review photo of Oceano County Campground — Pismo State Beach by 5 STAR X P., January 10, 2024
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  • (4) View All
Reviewed Dec. 4, 2023

Very nice on the beach

I wish I could say this is the worst campgrounds I’ve been to, just to keep people away. Very nice, clean and spacious park. Maybe 100 feet to the beach. The town of Pismo is very nice to walk around. I must say one of the best parks I’ve been to.

Site27
Month of VisitDecember
  • Review photo of Oceano County Campground — Pismo State Beach by harry S., December 4, 2023
  • Review photo of Oceano County Campground — Pismo State Beach by harry S., December 4, 2023
Reviewed Sep. 22, 2023

Beautiful campground filled with thieves

Beautiful campground in a great location, but sadly it's filled with thieves. We had over$500 worth of stuff stolen, and the things stolen were too big and heavy to be taken by foot. So the ranger station at the front isn't bothering to stop random cars from entering the campground and taking your things. We told the rangers and they didn't care. The camp host said she's never seen so much stealing at a campground and would never be coming back. If you stay here, don't leave anything of value out in the open or it won't be there when you come back.

Site62
Month of VisitSeptember
Reviewed May. 9, 2023

Affordable on the beach!

We rolled through on a Friday night in May with no reservations and got absolutely lucky to snag the very last site.  Would not recommend chancing it on weekends in the high season.  We only were able to get a site because the ADA sites are released at 5pm and we happened to be there right at the right time to get one.

Very nice campground - one side is hookups at $40 (electric and water only), and this side is kind of boring with RVs all lined up in a row. FYI there are no sewer hookups here and no dump station. You can drive two miles up the road to North Beach and use their dump station and water fill for $10.  We stayed on the tent side for $25, no hookups and much more pleasant and green and beautiful.

There's a lagoon and a boardwalk to walk around it, but the boardwalk ends and the trail turns to mud and it was pretty much impassible when we were there - thick black muck that will suck your shoes off and get your dog's belly all dirty. Watch for mosquitoes, especially the sites along the lagoon.

Beautiful walking trails to the beach - we saw a coyote here!  We heard them yipping all night as well.  Interesting experience for us to see and hear them right on the beach. 

As with all state parks now, there are recycling and food waste bins available, thank you California!

The visitor center is right at the entrance of the campground and there's a good Mexican restaurant within easy walking distance as well.

Overall a great place, amazingly cheap, and we're happy we got lucky and snagged a spot!

Site71 (ADA site)
Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Oceano County Campground — Pismo State Beach by Laura M., May 9, 2023
  • Review photo of Oceano County Campground — Pismo State Beach by Laura M., May 9, 2023
  • Review photo of Oceano County Campground — Pismo State Beach by Laura M., May 9, 2023
  • (24) View All
Reviewed Apr. 23, 2023

Lots to do

I would have given this review five stars if the sites had more privacy. The sites are a reasonable distance apart, though. That said, there is so much to do and see nearby, even within walking distance.  The campground is right next to several paths, a boardwalk, a marsh with lots of ducks, and a monarch butterfly habitat. I don’t know if we were just  a lucky, but the campers all seemed very friendly as well. The bathrooms and showers were very clean and private. There were plenty of hosts/rangers so we felt safe. We would love to go back again.

Site74
Month of VisitApril
  • Review photo of Oceano County Campground — Pismo State Beach by Amy H., April 23, 2023
  • Marsh near the campground
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  • Review photo of Oceano County Campground — Pismo State Beach by Amy H., April 23, 2023
  • (13) View All
Reviewed Feb. 27, 2023

Easy check in, plentiful amenities & close to the beach.

Camped here late February, many sites were available and we drove around looking for a good site then registered online.

Easy check in, lots of things nearby & close to the beach.

Lots of space between neighbors as well

Site19
Month of VisitFebruary
  • Review photo of Oceano County Campground — Pismo State Beach by kenny T., February 27, 2023
  • Play button icon
Reviewed Jan. 12, 2023

Tourist destinations

My experience was a wee bit different than anticipated... I arrived just prior to the forcasted “Pineapple Express”. Check in was painless, campground was not packed. Once parked the doggos and I enjoyed a few hours on the beach before sundown. It started raining cats and dogs during the night, 7am the rangers advised that evacuations could be in store....3pm we had to leave the campground and we were directed further down the coast to Oceana. The new campground was also flooded, but I was able to find a spot with a small patch for the dogs to do their thing without having to wade through water. The next day broke to a beautiful sunrise. The rangers and the park police were awesome, I felt completely at ease knowing that they were vigilant for our safety. Both campgrounds are beautiful in each their own way.

Site20
Month of VisitJanuary
  • Play button icon
  • Review photo of Oceano County Campground — Pismo State Beach by Anita , January 12, 2023
  • Review photo of Oceano County Campground — Pismo State Beach by Anita , January 12, 2023
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Sep. 28, 2022

Could not find campground

It was past midnight. Spent an hour trying to look for the campground and even asked a gas station attendant for directions and still couldn’t find it. Apple Maps and can’t seem to properly locate it for some reason.

If there were properly visible signs to direct tired travelers on where to go, that would be so much better.

SiteOC78
Month of VisitSeptember
Reviewed Aug. 11, 2022

Ok in a pinch

Pros: Close to the beach. Affordable, especially considering each spot has power and water.

Cons: Lots of homeless day camps near by, watch for needles. Bathroom was in disrepair. Dumpster was overflowing all 4 days. Coin operated showers, but no change machine. Also, kinda noisy.

Check in is between 3-4pm at a different campground. If you miss it, they expect you to check in the following day. So don’t set up camp.

Site17
Month of VisitAugust
Reviewed Jun. 23, 2022

No Shade at site 72

Overall campground was safe and chill. Easy walk to the dunes that lead to the beach. Site 72 had no shade and was not pleasant during the day with the sun making it feel much hotter than it was. Retreated to the butterfly grove for awhile to get cool. Found out the butterfly action ends in February.

Site72
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Oceano County Campground — Pismo State Beach by Carol , June 23, 2022
  • Review photo of Oceano County Campground — Pismo State Beach by Carol , June 23, 2022
  • Review photo of Oceano County Campground — Pismo State Beach by Carol , June 23, 2022
Reviewed Jun. 15, 2022

Enjoyed staying so close to the beach

Shower are 1$/4minutes, there are sinks for washing dishes which is awesome! Right behind pour campsite was a small beach access so we could eat right on the Beach!

Site20
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Oceano County Campground — Pismo State Beach by eva , June 15, 2022
  • Review photo of Oceano County Campground — Pismo State Beach by eva , June 15, 2022
  • Review photo of Oceano County Campground — Pismo State Beach by eva , June 15, 2022
Reviewed Jun. 9, 2022

Great campsites, awful bathrooms

This campground came to my rescue on a Sunday night when most everything else in the area was full. Coastal Dunes RV Park down the road handles the check-ins for Oceano. This is a small campground with just a single loop, but all the amenities: full hookups at every site and a central bathroom. My site was neat and clean, and there were bushes that provided some privacy.

The bathrooms at Oceano have high-flow faucets, but that's about all they have going for them. The men's room was in dire need of a cleaning and general tune up when I visited. The bathrooms at the nearby Oceano Memorial Park were marginally cleaner, but a superior alternative is the clean, modern, single occupancy bathrooms at Pismo State Beach campground, a minute's walk down the road. I would have preferred a porta potty to the bathrooms at Oceano.

Site3
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Oceano County Campground — Pismo State Beach by Alex M., June 9, 2022
Reviewed May. 4, 2022

Eucalyptus & salt

Well kept campground, surrounded by eucalyptus grove and adjacent to the beach and also a monarch buttefly conservation area, less Than a mile to downtown. No hookups but tap drinking water on site

Site33
Month of VisitApril
  • Play button icon
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  • Review photo of Oceano County Campground — Pismo State Beach by Andrew M., May 4, 2022
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Reviewed Apr. 4, 2022

Great Location

This is a great campground. Sites far apart, easy access to garbage disposal, flush toilets, showers and nice grassy sites. It is a short walk to the beach. You can walk along the beach to Pismo Pier or you can take with paved walking path into town. The Monarch Butterfly Grove is right next to the campground. You can walk along a boardwalk to Pismo Dunes. The only two negative things were the luke warm shower and someone stole my collapsible water container (why would someone do that?).

Site36
Month of VisitMarch
Reviewed Mar. 29, 2022

Nice place

Stopped here for two night, clean, well maintained. Very close to the beach, hike through the dune or get down with your car and drive in the beach. The campground entrance included the fee to access the beach with your car.

Site77
Month of VisitMarch
  • Review photo of Oceano County Campground — Pismo State Beach by Edy K., March 29, 2022
  • Play button icon
  • Review photo of Oceano County Campground — Pismo State Beach by Edy K., March 29, 2022
  • (5) View All
Reviewed Mar. 14, 2022

Good location and quiet

Close to beach, clean bathrooms (no hand soap or hand dryers), park rangers routinely available. I stayed in an RV slot with E/W. Next time I’d stay without - better sites, spaces farther apart with grass (no electric but water available).

Site30
Month of VisitMarch
  • Review photo of Oceano County Campground — Pismo State Beach by Jennifer B., March 14, 2022
  • Review photo of Oceano County Campground — Pismo State Beach by Jennifer B., March 14, 2022
Reviewed Feb. 19, 2022

Oceano state park

This is next to the only place you can drive your truck on the beach.

SiteOC 16
Month of VisitFebruary
  • Review photo of Oceano County Campground — Pismo State Beach by LeAnne W., February 19, 2022
Reviewed Jan. 23, 2022

Iffy tent camping

I think there is a HUGE difference between the RV section and the tent section of this campground. We are tent campers and were in the back area. It was a reasonable walk from our campsite to the beach. The beach was nice. Showers take tokens but machines that take dollar bills are outside restroom/shower building. Showers were hot. The campground was clean (surprisingly, considering my following comments). 

Now for the negatives. It's a bit noisy (you can hear road traffic). Sites have a bit of space between them but virtually no privacy. My biggest issue with the campground are the homeless people. I highly doubt that many of them squat in the RV section and I think they hang out in the back in the tent section. Sadly, many of them had obvious mental health illnesses. Several of them go into the bathrooms and lock the doors to sleep overnight with a roof over their head. They mostly kept to themselves but it made me a little uneasy. We left our stuff to go into town for dinner and our tent, sleeping bags, etc. were not messed with (stolen) while we were gone.

Site63
Month of VisitJanuary
  • Review photo of Oceano County Campground — Pismo State Beach by Melissa W., January 23, 2022
  • Review photo of Oceano County Campground — Pismo State Beach by Melissa W., January 23, 2022
  • Review photo of Oceano County Campground — Pismo State Beach by Melissa W., January 23, 2022
  • (10) View All
Reviewed Jan. 19, 2022

Love it

Large camp sites, beach access is directly from the site, cheap rates, clean bathrooms. Great experience all around!!

Site39
Month of VisitJanuary
  • Review photo of Oceano County Campground — Pismo State Beach by Steven T., January 19, 2022
  • Review photo of Oceano County Campground — Pismo State Beach by Steven T., January 19, 2022
  • Review photo of Oceano County Campground — Pismo State Beach by Steven T., January 19, 2022
Reviewed Dec. 2, 2021

Chill even when chilly

People walking & talking. Up and over the Dunes to the ocean. Parents spending time with their children. Family volley ball from 4-7 ish down the way with lots of laughter. Geese heading out in formation over the central camp-plane. Butterflies butterflies butterflies 😯

Site23
Month of VisitDecember
  • Review photo of Oceano County Campground — Pismo State Beach by Ben J., December 2, 2021

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How much does it cost to camp at Oceano County Campground — Pismo State Beach?

    Camping at Oceano County Campground — Pismo State Beach can cost between $25.00 and $40.00 depending on the site.

  • Does Oceano County Campground — Pismo State Beach have RV hookups?

    According to TheDyrt.com, Oceano County Campground — Pismo State Beach has water hookups.

  • What is the max vehicle length at Oceano County Campground — Pismo State Beach?

    Oceano County Campground — Pismo State Beach allows vehicles up to 36 feet.

  • Are fires allowed at Oceano County Campground — Pismo State Beach?

    Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at Oceano County Campground — Pismo State Beach, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

  • Does Oceano County Campground — Pismo State Beach have wifi?

    No, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, Oceano County Campground — Pismo State Beach does not have wifi.

  • Is there cell phone reception at Oceano County Campground — Pismo State Beach?

    According to campers on TheDyrt.com, Verizon signal is poor, AT&T is good, and T-Mobile is good.

  • How hard is it to get a campsite at Oceano County Campground — Pismo State Beach?

    Some campers book as far as 6 months in advance, so on high-demand weekends it can be very difficult to get a campsite at Oceano County Campground — Pismo State Beach. If you want to get a last-minute campsite at Oceano County Campground — Pismo State Beach, try setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts

  • Why is it so hard to get a campsite at Oceano County Campground — Pismo State Beach?

    There are 67 campsites at Oceano County Campground — Pismo State Beach and over 80 million Americans who camp! Try snagging a cancellation by setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts