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Established Camping

Washburn Primitive Campground — Hearst San Simeon State Park

Warning 5 Alerts are In Effect

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Camping Alert:  Note that RV electrical hookups are not available at Hearst San Simeon SP. Check Morro Bay or Morro Strand campgrounds for electrical hookups.

 

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

San Simeon Creek Campground :

The San Simeon Creek Campground offers 134 campsites for tent camping or recreational vehicles. The maximum length for an RV is 35 feet. Each campsite has a fire ring and picnic table. There are currently flush toilets and shower facilities in place. Chemical toilets are available. A dump station and pay phone are available. Firewood is for sale from the campground host. Recreational activities include camping, picnicking, hiking, fishing, surfing, beachcombing, bird watching and whale watching. The Junior Ranger Program is a regularly scheduled interpretive program for children. Interpretive walks of the San Simeon Trail may also be available.

Washburn Campground :

This primitive campground is approximately 1 mile inland from the beach on a plateau overlooking the Santa Lucia mountains as well as the Pacific Ocean. Washburn campground can be accessed from the San Simeon Creek Campground entrance station. Facilities here include a fire ring and picnic table at each campsite. In addition, shower facilities are available to registered campers. This campground has an additional 68 sites.

RV Rentals on the Central Coast is currently the only approved RV and trailer delivery and pick-up service permitted within the campground. For more information on rental deliveries, please visit: RV Rentals on the Central Coast

Alerts: Campsite reservations are subject to change or cancellation due to inclement weather because some sites are subject to seasonal flooding and may be closed. WASHBURN loop has no access to flush restrooms or showers. This campground has a 10-day consecutive stay limit with a 30-day calendar year maximum. A MAXIMUM of eight people are allowed in any site at San Simeon SP. Although the kiosk closes at night, there is a gate that does not close and is open for late campers. The kiosk has a board posted for campers arriving late.

Washburn Primitive Campground, near Cambria, California, is a laid-back spot that offers a peaceful escape in Hearst San Simeon State Park. With its primitive sites, you can expect a more rustic experience, complete with picnic tables and fire rings for those cozy campfire nights.

The campground is known for its spacious sites, which are set apart from each other, giving you a bit of privacy while enjoying the great outdoors. Visitors have mentioned the quiet atmosphere, making it a great place for stargazing and soaking in the sounds of nature, like the distant ocean waves. As one camper noted, “It’s lovely, quiet, and dark. You can hear the ocean.”

Amenities include pit toilets and trash disposal, and while there’s no cell service for some, that might just be the perfect excuse to disconnect and enjoy your surroundings. Plus, there’s a convenient path leading to the beach, so you can easily take a stroll along the coast or check out the nearby elephant seals.

If you’re up for some exploration, you’re just a short drive from the charming town of Cambria and the iconic Hearst Castle. Whether you’re pitching a tent or parking your RV, Washburn offers a simple yet satisfying camping experience that keeps you close to nature.

Description

State Park

Hearst San Simeon State Park

This primitive campground is approximately 1 mile inland from the beach on a plateau overlooking the Santa Lucia mountains as well as the Pacific Ocean. Washburn campground can be accessed from the San Simeon Creek Campground entrance station. Facilities here include a fire ring and picnic table at each campsite. In addition, shower facilities are available to registered campers. This campground has an additional 68 sites.

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Location

Washburn Primitive Campground — Hearst San Simeon State Park is located in California

Detail location of campground

Directions

San Simeon State Park is located 35 miles north of San Luis Obispo on Highway 1, and 5 miles south of the Hearst San Simeon State Historical Monument Visitor Center. The community of Cambria is located 2 miles to the South and offers gas stations and grocery stores.

Address

Vangordon At San Simeon Creek
Cambria, CA 93428

Coordinates

35.59486 N
121.11112 W

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  • WiFi
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  • Verizon
    Fair
  • AT&T
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  • T-Mobile
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Site Types

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

Features

For Campers

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

For Vehicles

  • Sanitary Dump

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General Info

Reservations


Reviews

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4.5

out of 5

4 Reviews

Reviewed Nov. 2, 2023

Good price

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. Hearst castle was fun to visit.

Site206
Month of VisitOctober
Reviewed Jun. 22, 2023

Hill top big sky view

Nice family oriented campground. Many tents, trailers, few rv’s. Spots are fairly far apart 50-70 feet. Just fire ring, table, and parking spot. Vault toilets. Few trees. In mid June mostly dry grass with little shade, but fine tent pitching area. Most spots are mostly level for rv parking. Few bugs. Hawks,crows, towhee, quail. Should be good star gazing. Quiet. No road noise. Somewhat windy.

Sitew205
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Washburn Primitive Campground — Hearst San Simeon State Park by Michael , June 22, 2023
  • Review photo of Washburn Primitive Campground — Hearst San Simeon State Park by Michael , June 22, 2023
  • Review photo of Washburn Primitive Campground — Hearst San Simeon State Park by Michael , June 22, 2023
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Oct. 26, 2021

Great little spot

We stayed in the more primitive campground, Washburn. It’s lovely, quiet, and dark. You can hear the ocean. Cell reception isn’t the best.

Site234
Month of VisitOctober
Reviewed Mar. 16, 2021

Low Key, and Low Cost

Washburn Campground is one of two campgrounds in Hearst San Simeon State Park, the other being San Simeon Creek Campground.  We stayed in both campgrounds. The two campgrounds have different amenities and features, with the Washburn one being more "primitive" even though neither have hookups.  

Coin operated showers are technically available to San Simeon Creek guests only, though I'm not sure how anyone would know or care if a Washburn camper went over to shower at San Simeon Creek. 

There are pit toilets available in Washburn, as well as trash and mixed recycling dumpsters.

Washburn is $20/night, with an $8 reservation fee when making reservations online.

There is practically zero verizon service, very weak AT&T service, but decent T-Mobile service on our hotspot.

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.

Warning: the map is wrong!  We picked site #226 based on the map showing that it wasn't next to the toilet.  The toilets ended up being directly next to 226, which was fine but not our favorite thing.

There is a dump and water fill for RVs located in between the campgrounds, and they are available to guests of both (or $5 to use for people not staying at the campgrounds).  Firewood also available for sale from the host, but check out the hours before heading over to buy wood.

We stayed here in mid-March, and the campground was beautiful and green and peaceful.   The landscape may turn brown later in the year.  

The sites are nicely spaced out for the most part.  Each site has a picnic table and steel fire pit.  Some sites have some trees for shade, but most do not.

We really liked it here.  The $20/night compared to the $35 at the busier and more active San Simeon Creek makes it a no-brainer that Washburn is where we'd choose to come.

Site226
Month of VisitMarch
  • Review photo of Washburn Primitive Campground — Hearst San Simeon State Park by Laura M., March 16, 2021
  • site #226
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  • Review photo of Washburn Primitive Campground — Hearst San Simeon State Park by Laura M., March 16, 2021
  • (10) View All

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the max vehicle length at Washburn Primitive Campground — Hearst San Simeon State Park?

    Washburn Primitive Campground — Hearst San Simeon State Park allows vehicles up to 35 feet.

  • Are fires allowed at Washburn Primitive Campground — Hearst San Simeon State Park?

    Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at Washburn Primitive Campground — Hearst San Simeon State Park, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

  • Does Washburn Primitive Campground — Hearst San Simeon State Park have wifi?

    No, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, Washburn Primitive Campground — Hearst San Simeon State Park does not have wifi.

  • Is there cell phone reception at Washburn Primitive Campground — Hearst San Simeon State Park?

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

  • How hard is it to get a campsite at Washburn Primitive Campground — Hearst San Simeon State Park?

    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 Washburn Primitive Campground — Hearst San Simeon State Park. If you want to get a last-minute campsite at Washburn Primitive Campground — Hearst San Simeon State Park, try setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts

  • Why is it so hard to get a campsite at Washburn Primitive Campground — Hearst San Simeon State Park?

    There are 65 campsites at Washburn Primitive Campground — Hearst San Simeon State Park and over 80 million Americans who camp! Try snagging a cancellation by setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts