$70 - $650 / night

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Water
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People
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Facilities

Established Camping

South Carlsbad State Beach

71 Reviews
Review Campground Win Gear

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About

State Park

For many, once the sun comes out and summer rolls around, it can be hard to resist the urge to get outside and soak up some fun. If you relate, and you just need to unplug for a minute, Carlsbad camping offers some of the state’s best camping sites around. When your work has stacked up and you’re overloaded, it’s time to gather your camping gear, and head to Carlsbad State Beach camping for solitude and relaxation.

This San Diego beach and campground feature camping, swimming, surfing, skin diving, fishing and picnicking. The campground is especially popular in the summer, thanks to its scenic location which overlooks the picturesque Carlsbad Beach below. Even better, the campground offers direct access to the beach via a set of well-kept stairs. As a result of the popularity, the campground is reservation only, so don’t show up without one or you’ll likely be unable to stay.

When you’re done with the beach, check out the nearby California geography and some of the trails within the park. If the ocean isn’t your thing, a number of Campfire Programs, Junior Ranger Programs, and Nature Walks may be offered. That said, program availability changes with the season, so be sure to check signs posted on the restrooms and at the entrance station regarding park information during your visit.

At night, campers are gently caressed to sleep by the nearby ocean tide, lapping upon its secluded shoreline. There is plenty of privacy throughout, thanks to the large selection of flora and fauna throughout the campground. The campsites themselves are also spacious, with roughly half of them featuring electric hookups. Additionally, All restrooms and shower buildings have accessible facilities. Prior to arrival, visitors with disabilities who need assistance should contact the unit Supervising Ranger.

South Carlsbad State Beach Campground is perfect for campers and individuals who love the ocean and the outdoors. Whether you’re looking surf the rolling waves, or paddle board out and take part in all that the north county coastline has to offer, you’re sure to have fun here.

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Poor
  • Verizon
    Good
  • AT&T
    Good
  • T-Mobile
    Good

Site Types

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

Features

For Campers

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

For Vehicles

  • Sanitary Dump
  • Sewer Hookups
  • Water Hookups
  • Big Rig Friendly

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Reviews

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4.5

out of 5

71 Reviews

Michele H.The Dyrt PRO User
Reviewed Apr. 13, 2024

Amazing views!

Couldn’t have better views. We watched dolphins and seals playing in the waves. No hookups, but there was water and clean bathrooms.

Site202
Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of South Carlsbad State Beach by Michele H., April 13, 2024
  • Review photo of South Carlsbad State Beach by Michele H., April 13, 2024
  • Review photo of South Carlsbad State Beach by Michele H., April 13, 2024
  • (8) View All
Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
Reviewed Dec. 10, 2023

Perfect if you score an oceanfront site but $$$!

General: 223 sites; most have no hookups but there are a handful of sites that are FHU. Prices range from $50 for a no-hookup site that backs up to the road to $140 for a double hook-up oceanfront site. 

Site Quality: All sites are gravel (except the ADA-accessible ones) and generous in size so that you can park your rig in different configurations. Each site has a picnic table and a fire ring. Some have better privacy separation with foliage, but some don’t. You will hear some road noise if your site is backed up to the highway.

Bath/shower house: Nine bathhouses are sprinkled throughout the campground; each has a mixture of toilets and showers. Showers require tokens (four minutes per $ 1) Some have toilets/sinks while others just have a toilet (there is a sink outside of the bathhouse). The only thing that confused me was that the ones with sinks did not have soap dispensers. 

Activities/Amenities: There is a small camp store/restaurant on-site. Although we did not eat there, we saw many people bringing pizzas back to their sites. The store also rents items such as surfboards and bodyboards. Live entertainment from 5-7 pm most nights. The campground stretches about a mile and a half along Highway 101 and is fairly level so many people (including us) were able to get in a decent run. There are several entry points to the beach via stairs. 

We were pleasantly surprised to snag a reservation for an oceanfront site which made our stay very pleasant.

Site14
Month of VisitApril
  • Review photo of South Carlsbad State Beach by Lee D., December 10, 2023
  • Review photo of South Carlsbad State Beach by Lee D., December 10, 2023
  • Review photo of South Carlsbad State Beach by Lee D., December 10, 2023
  • (14) View All
Christian D.The Dyrt PRO User
Reviewed May. 17, 2023

Ocean view

It was first time camping by the Pacific Ocean and we loved it. Great waterfront site. We had the last site which was very private. There is a small shop/cafe with live music. Lovely place

Site156
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of South Carlsbad State Beach by Christian D., May 17, 2023
  • Review photo of South Carlsbad State Beach by Christian D., May 17, 2023
  • Review photo of South Carlsbad State Beach by Christian D., May 17, 2023
  • (4) View All

Location

South Carlsbad State Beach is located in California

Detail location of campground

Address

7201 Carlsbad Blvd.
Carlsbad, CA 92008

Coordinates

33.10178105226814 N
117.31907306631527 W

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