Cerro Alto Campground

928 Pacific Blvd, Oceano, CA 93445

Experience the freedom of primitive beach camping at Oceano Dunes Campground, where endless stretches of sand meet the Pacific Ocean. This unique destination welcomes adventurers seeking an unrestricted camping experience with no designated sites—just you, your gear, and miles of pristine coastline. Renowned as a premier destination for off-highway vehicle enthusiasts, the campground combines the thrill of dune riding with breathtaking ocean vistas and the simple pleasure of falling asleep to crashing waves.

555 Pier Ave. Oceano, CA 93445

Nestled between rolling sand dunes and a serene freshwater lagoon, Oceano Campground welcomes both RV enthusiasts and tent campers to experience coastal California at its finest. Wake up to the sound of waves and spend your days exploring pristine beaches, while enjoying modern comforts including well-maintained restrooms, token-operated hot showers, and shaded picnic areas perfect for sunset dinners.

399 S. Dolliver St, Pismo Beach, CA 93449

Wake up to the sound of crashing waves at North Beach Campground, where the rhythm of the Pacific Ocean sets the pace for your coastal adventure. Nestled within Pismo State Beach, this year-round camping haven offers spacious, level sites just a short stroll from the shoreline. Each thoughtfully arranged campsite comes equipped with picnic tables and fire rings for evening gatherings under starlit skies. Modern restroom and shower facilities ensure comfort during your stay, while the nearby Monarch Butterfly Grove adds a touch of natural magic to your camping experience.

Los Padres National Forest

Escape to Hi Mountain Campground, where ancient oak groves create a natural cathedral in the heart of Los Padres National Forest. This secluded primitive camping haven offers an authentic wilderness experience beneath a canopy that filters 90% of the sunlight, creating dappled shadows perfect for afternoon relaxation. The journey here is part of the adventure—rugged roads wind through the mountains, demanding a high-clearance vehicle but rewarding you with increasing solitude at every turn. Once you arrive, you'll find thoughtfully placed fire rings and BBQ grates at each site, sturdy picnic tables weathered by countless camping stories, and clean vault toilets maintaining the site's rustic charm.

Islay Creek Campground, Pecho Valley Road, Los Osos, CA 93402

Tucked behind the historic Spooner Ranch House in Montaña de Oro State Park, Islay Creek Campground offers a genuine back-to-nature experience that feels worlds away from civilization. This peaceful retreat features 47 primitive campsites welcoming tents, trailers, and motorhomes seeking an authentic outdoor adventure. While you won't find modern hookups or shower facilities here, the campground provides everything you need for a memorable stay: sturdy picnic tables for sunset dinners, fire rings for evening storytelling, fresh drinking water, and convenient vault-style toilets. What truly sets Islay Creek apart is its perfect balance of accessibility and wilderness—you're just steps from spectacular hiking trails and breathtaking coastal vistas that remind you why California's Central Coast is legendary.

Los Padres National Forest

Tucked away in a cathedral of ancient oaks at the edge of the Machesna Wilderness, American Canyon Campground offers 12 intimate sites for those seeking true backcountry solitude. This primitive campground provides pit toilets but no water or trash services, and motorized access through the Avenales Ranch gate is available only during deer hunting season via rec.gov reservation—making this a seasonal sanctuary for adventurers who come prepared.

3550 Pecho Valley Rd, Los Osos, CA 93402

Escape to the Environmental Campground at Montaña de Oro, where adventure begins with a scenic hike from the parking area to your secluded wilderness site. This primitive camping experience strips away modern distractions, offering pure connection with nature. Leave your expectations of running water and evening campfires behind—this is camping at its most authentic, where the sound of crashing waves replaces crackling flames and starlight provides your evening entertainment.

Montana De Oro SP

Saddle up for an unforgettable adventure at Horse Campground, a hidden gem within Montaña de Oro State Park where equestrian dreams meet coastal splendor. This specialized primitive campground caters exclusively to riders and their four-legged companions, offering a rare opportunity to explore California's dramatic coastline from horseback. With dedicated horse facilities and exclusive trail access, it's a haven where the rhythm of hoofbeats mingles with the crash of Pacific waves.

State Park Road, Morro Bay, CA 93442

Nestled between the shimmering waters of a protected lagoon and the dynamic natural bay, Morro Bay State Park Campground invites you to experience coastal camping at its finest. Choose from 134 thoughtfully positioned campsites that welcome both tent enthusiasts and RV adventurers (up to 35 feet). Wake up to the sound of seabirds and enjoy modern conveniences including flush toilets, token-operated hot showers, and convenient dump and water-fill stations. Your days here can be as adventurous or relaxed as you wish—trek scenic hiking trails, paddle through calm waters in a kayak, spot rare coastal birds through your binoculars, or take a fascinating journey through time at the Museum of Natural History, just a pleasant walk from your campsite.

State Park Road, Morro Bay, CA 93442

Nestled along California's stunning Central Coast, Morro Bay State Park Campground offers an unforgettable escape where ocean breezes meet ancient eucalyptus groves. With 134 thoughtfully designed campsites accommodating everything from intimate tent spots to spacious RV setups and group gatherings, this coastal haven provides the perfect basecamp for your adventures. Modern conveniences blend seamlessly with nature, featuring token-operated hot showers, clean flush toilets, crackling fire rings for evening storytelling, and sturdy picnic tables for memorable outdoor meals under towering trees.

Los Padres National Forest

Turkey Flat OHV Staging Area beckons to the adventurous spirit, offering a gateway to 45 miles of exhilarating off-road trails that wind through the rugged California backcountry. This no-frills basecamp welcomes riders of all skill levels, from families on their first ATV adventure to seasoned dual-sport motorcyclists seeking technical single-track challenges. Here, the rumble of engines mingles with the whisper of wind through ancient oaks as riders gather to share stories and plan their next trail conquest.

11156 Red Hill Rd, Santa Margarita, CA

Tucked away in the rugged wilderness, Navajo Flat Campground beckons adventure seekers with its promise of untamed trails and authentic outdoor experiences. This intimate, back-to-basics retreat serves as the perfect basecamp for off-highway vehicle enthusiasts, offering immediate access to an impressive network of 45 miles of marked trails that wind through diverse terrain. While amenities remain purposefully simple to preserve the natural experience, the campground provides everything needed for those who appreciate the freedom of self-sustained camping and the thrill of exploring California's backcountry on wheels.

Los Padres National Forest

Hidden within a sprawling canopy of ancient oaks, this secluded campground offers a true escape from the crowds. Vehicle barriers preserve the peaceful atmosphere, ensuring tent campers can immerse themselves in nature's tranquility. The site features three or more fire pits scattered throughout, complemented by picnic benches perfect for outdoor meals under the oak branches. Previous visitors often find themselves with generous amounts of space, creating an intimate camping experience where the only sounds are rustling leaves and crackling campfires.

Yerba Buena and Highway 1, Morro Bay, CA 93442

Wake up to the rhythmic sound of Pacific waves at Morro Strand State Beach Campground, where more than 70 thoughtfully positioned tent and RV spaces bring you as close to the California coastline as camping allows. While the sites may be cozy neighbors and embrace a back-to-nature simplicity, each offers its own slice of coastal paradise with sweeping ocean vistas and the iconic silhouette of Morro Rock standing sentinel in the distance. Choose between dry camping for the purist adventurer or full-hookup sites for those seeking modern conveniences, all while enjoying spotlessly maintained restrooms that make roughing it a little less rough.

500 San Simeon Creek Road, Cambria, CA 93428

Perched on a windswept plateau a mile from the crashing Pacific surf, Washburn Campground offers adventurous souls a true back-to-basics camping experience. From your tent site, watch the sun paint the Santa Lucia Mountains in golden hues while ocean breezes carry the salt-tinged air across this primitive paradise. Simple amenities—fire rings for evening gatherings, picnic tables for sunset dinners, and chemical toilets—ensure you can focus on what matters: the raw beauty of California's central coast.

500 San Simeon Creek Road, Cambria, CA 93428

Nestled along California's stunning Central Coast, Creek Campground welcomes families and adventurers alike to experience the perfect blend of coastal camping and wilderness exploration. With 134 thoughtfully positioned campsites accommodating both tent campers and RV enthusiasts, this beloved destination serves as your gateway to pristine beaches and meandering hiking trails. Wake up to the sound of ocean waves and spend your days discovering scenic vistas that showcase the raw beauty of the Pacific coastline.

Islay Creek Campground, Pecho Valley Road, Los Osos, CA 93402

399 S. Dolliver St, Pismo Beach, CA 93449

555 Pier Ave. Oceano, CA 93445

State Park Road, Morro Bay, CA 93442

State Park Road, Morro Bay, CA 93442

11156 Red Hill Rd, Santa Margarita, CA

500 San Simeon Creek Road, Cambria, CA 93428

500 San Simeon Creek Road, Cambria, CA 93428

Los Padres National Forest

3550 Pecho Valley Rd, Los Osos, CA 93402

Montana De Oro SP

Yerba Buena and Highway 1, Morro Bay, CA 93442

Los Padres National Forest

Los Padres National Forest