Best Camping in and near Montaña de Oro State Park

94% (70 reviews)

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Montaña de Oro State Park adventure.

Discover seven miles of sandy shores and sea views.

Popular ways to camp

Community favorites near Montaña de Oro State Park

Book externally

Public campgrounds in the park
Book externally

Stay at a public campground in Montaña de Oro State Park

We arrived with heavy rain and dark clouds overhead but as we settled in it resolved to an incredible sunset. We can't wait to come back.

94%

(69)

Islay Creek Campground

55 sites · RVs, Tents In Montaña de Oro State Park

Environmental Camping

1 site In Montaña de Oro State Park

from

$30

/ night

Horse Camps

1 site In Montaña de Oro State Park

from

$30

/ night

Top-rated campgrounds near Montaña de Oro State Park

97%

(116)

La Montaña Ranch

5 sites · RVs, Tents142 acres · Santa Margarita, CA

Our property is 142 acres located on the top of east Cuesta grade, elevation approximately 2100. We are secluded enough to feel like you're far away from city life but in reality only 20 minute drive to downtown San Luis Obispo. The main road up continues past our property and turns into the Los Padres National Forest and is very popular for hiking and biking with locals. We also have private trails within our property. We have a farm consisting of 10 sheep, 10 goats, 30 chickens, 2 pigs, 4 dogs, a cat. Interaction with farm animals may be possible upon request. Most campsites are close to our animal pastures. Guests have enjoyed having a morning coffee in the company of sheep and a couple of pigs on the other side of the fence. Bee hives are located on the property as well. Honey, eggs and firewood are available for purchase. :)

96%

(864)

Camp Arroyo Grande

21 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents29 acres · Arroyo Grande, CA

Welcome to Camp Arroyo Grande! Enjoy our 29-acres that feature beautiful ocean views, oak woodlands, and plenty of rustic charm. All this is conveniently tucked into the hillside just steps away from the Village of Arroyo Grande where you will find restaurants, coffee, shopping, parks and roosters. The property is home to many youth groups and local non-profits, continuing a 135-year legacy as an Event Center and Retreat Space. The historic Tabernacle building has been hosting church and schools gatherings, dinners, fundraisers, weddings, family reunions, festivals and more since 1897. Community Events are likely to be taking place but follow quiet time guidelines. *pool is seasonal and subject to availability

99%

(296)

Hideaway Oaks

4 sites · RVs, Tents40 acres · Lockwood, CA

This campsite is a natural setting in the corner of our lower pasture. It features several oaks and lots of room. It is an extremely private spot free from other campers or busy traffic. This site now includes a picnic table on a leveled area, a firepit and a toilet . Water is available if you wish to hike a bit up a hill. You can enjoy our beautiful evening skies, sunrises and starlit nights. If you are looking for a peaceful, poison oak free, quiet hideaway, this is your place. Trails are available for walks and taking in the views of the valley below. Since this site is tucked away in our pasture we recommend that campers arrive before dark. We are located near Lake San Antonio, Lake Nacimiento, San Antonio Mission, San Miguel Mission, Fort Hunter Liggett, and the Nacitone Museum. There is local wine tasting and we are 45 minutes away from wine tasting in Paso Robles. Many campers find this to be an ideal meeting place for family and friends coming from the north and south.

98%

(595)

Enney's Ranch

4 sites · Lodging850 acres · San Miguel, CA

Enney's Ranch is one of the few remaining grain and cattle operations on the Central Coast. We dry farm and malt barley, wheat and rye for local breweries and distilleries. We have a small herd of cattle and rotate them between the fallow fields. Our goal is to maintain the natural beauty of the ranch and share it with you.

99%

(1224)

SLO Country Camp

2 sites · RVs, Tents10 acres · San Luis Obispo, CA

SLO Country Camp was once a part of the Serpa Ranch, one of the early ranches of the Central Coast. It’s remained a beautiful rural pocket in the Edna Valley area of San Luis Obispo. It’s quiet and peaceful, enjoy your morning coffee listening to all the birds waking up. There’s a private creek not far away that draws deer and wildlife. Just saw 3 deer run through out property 2 days ago. Owls, red tail hawks, eagles, squirrels and jack rabbits we see frequently. And you can listen to the coyotes howling at night. We’re surrounded by rolling coastal hills, vineyards, horses, cattle and also land apportioned to the Land Conservancy. Walk down our road and then left up to the top of the hill for a panoramic view of the entire area with the city San Luis Obispo at a distance. Our two sites are flat on decomposed granite pads. Both have excellent views and easy access to our common areas: wash/kitchen prep, and cold-water outdoor shower. Site 1 is best for trailers but Site 2 is adequate. Firewood is available for purchase at camp for those wanting to use the fire pit, or you can bring your own. The San Luis Obispo, Central Coast has so much to see and do! Hiking trails abound, my favorites are Bob Jones trail to walk or bike to Avila Beach, Johnson Ranch and Irish Hills for hiking hills, the Ridge trail for a view over Shell and Avila beaches, and the Harmony Trail to walk grassy cliffs by the ocean. Montano de Oro is only 15 minutes away with rocky ocean cliff trails that lead down to the coastline. We are 5 minutes from the beginning of the Edna Valley winery trail with 30 wineries or more I’ve lost count. Tasting and relaxing in great atmospheres. My favorites are Biddle Ranch, Talley, Mailene, Chamisal, Bailyanna... but there are so many more. We’re 10 minutes from downtown San Luis Obispo, 10–12 minutes to Avila or Pismo beaches. Morro Bay is 25 minutes. And we’re just 5 minutes off the 101 for easy access to traveling. The Central Coast has almost everything for fun, adventure and food. Surfing, biking, hiking, ocean kayaking, paddle boarding, golf, wine and beer culture, ranch lands, shopping and restaurants and we’re close to it all.

95%

(87)

Union Road Wine Trail Sites

3 sites · RVs20 acres · Paso Robles, CA

We bought this place as our eventual retirement home. We love to share the space with friends and family hence here we are even sharing it on this platform

98%

(645)

Vinyl Vineyards

20 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents120 acres · Paso Robles, CA

Vinyl Vineyards is a 120 acre ranch, working vineyard, wine label, and 10 site private glampground on the Union Rd wine trail in Paso Robles, CA. The magnificient property includes hiking trails through vineyards, ancient oak forests, canyons, and flower filled fields, creeks, two seasonal ponds, 26 acres of vineyards, alpacas, vegtable gardens, sunset vistas, bbq grills, outdoor tables, frisebee golf, and more... We also raise alpacas, chickens, and honey bees which you can experience on the ranch. Just 15 minutes from downtown Paso Robles, we are walking distance to several wineries, a 5 minute drive to golf, Sensorio, Vina Robles, and boast enough natural beauty and amenities to never leave your site. Check our website for FAQ's, how to plan your trip, and liability waiver downloads.

86%

(641)

Creekside Camping and Mineral Baths

12 sites · RVs, Tents124 acres · Cambria, CA

We can accommodate tent campers or car campers. Each campsite fits 4-6 people. The price is $40/per person. Kids under 12 are free. Most campsites are accessible by car and all campsites are accessible by foot. PLEASE NOTE, we do not have a traditional check in procedure. Campsites are first come first serve. Expect a "self-check in process" most of the time. However, there are sometimes people working onsite that you may run into, that are happy to help and lead you in the right direction. You choose your own campsite so plan to arrive early. You can park and walk around. There is signage that says "CAMP" with Arrows. BYO water. We have sulfur spring water. Great for your skin, not good to drink! There's a couple outhouses on the property. One in the main camp zone, one at the far north end of the lower Redwood campsite. You can also bring a shovel and take a walk if you're in the more remote campsites. We have a dumpster outside the gate for your garbage. IMPORTANT INFO Please don't mind our farm junk/tools as you enter Gate 1! We are slowly working on clean up and relocation of materials from the entry road and away from view. Before you arrive, have knowledge of poison oak because it is a native plant. The main photos in the listing are taken from Hipcamp Scouts back in 2018 and they are featuring our Original campsite. This is located past the mineral baths. It's the furthest one to reach, and accessible by foot. I will update photos to depict all the campsites, but please share your photos with us on Instagram and tag @charanspringsfarm to help future campers get a view of what the sites look like with a tent set up! SULFUR MINERAL BATHS Include in your experience the use of our sulfur mineral baths. It's $10 per person. PLEASE BOOK THIS AS AN EXTRA AT CHECKOUT. The mineral baths are 2 funky vintage clawfoot tubs that are pictured in the actual listing.The photos show an accurate description of the Mineral Baths. They are not located in the main camp zone. Please call ahead to book your time slot and get directions to the mineral baths. PLEASE DO NOT BOOK IF: You are looking for "Glamping," (Glamour Camping). It's primitive camping on a private property with bonuses like the garden, rustic baths, and beautiful nature. This property has been a working farm for decades, which has struggled with hard times. If farm yards/junk piles make you uncomfortable or give you a creepy feeling, don't book because our boneyard is adjacent to the entry road and it can't be ignored. Thank you for reading this whole description and we hope you have a good experience.

89%

(184)

Coyote Mynt Ranch, Paso Robles

8 sites · Lodging, Tents42 acres · Lake Nacimiento, CA

Our 42 acres is located at the beginning of the award winning Adelaide Wine trail in Paso Robles. Our ranch was once home to a horse boarding and breeding ranch which bred Paso Fino horses, known for their beautiful gait. Having been a horse ranch, it left us with some nice trails that you can enjoy during your stay. We have some nice uphill walks to view your local surroundings while sitting to enjoy a glass of wine or you morning cup of coffee/tea. We are on a well out here so at times you may get a sulphur/mineral smell to the water. Please bring your own drinking/cooking water. It is safe to shower, my hair feels so much thicker! On the ranch you will see that we have 2 donkeys, Desi (black) and Lucy (light grey). Along with our donkeys we have to friendly goats, Fiona (brown) and Sadie (white), they love carrots. but please stick to one carrot a day each, we don't want to over feed them. We also have chickens which means have farm fresh eggs. $5 for 1/2 dozen. Up on the hill you will see Connie a cow and her buddy Samuel, the bull. they love carrots but please do not go into their pasture. She'll think you're bringing food and gets very dangerously excited. Please feel free to walk the property and become one with nature while observing the local indigenous floral and fauna.

100%

(24)

Historical Almond Springs!

6 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents4500 acres · Paso Robles, CA

This is an ultimate glamping experience! This experience is where stunning nature meets modern luxury! This is a beautiful peaceful space! The Miller Moth Ranch, home of Historic Almond Springs Historic Agri tourism center & farm stays, is a 5 generation working ranch. The ranch has been in the family since the early nineteen hundreds. The first generation started with dryland Almonds and was part of the Paso Robles Associated Almond Growers. The cabins are located on the land that once was a fully operational almond camp. Through the generations the ranch evolved from producing dryland almonds to livestock, hay and grain production. Currently the ranch raises Angus cross cattle, African Boer market goats and farms dryland barley and forage hay. The ranch is now diversifying into Agritourism and we now offer a rustic venue, Historic Almond Springs, and a butcher shop, Ranchita Meat Company. Almond Springs one room cabin experience is designed to ensure your comfort and cleanliness expectations are met while enjoying the historic property and nature’s beauty. The rustic surroundings are described as vintage country chic and authentic country charm. You will find historic pieces of machinery, wagons, pictures, etc.. While staying at the ranch you will enjoy an ultimate remote country experience in comfort. The cabins are located 2 miles within the property on a maintained dirt road. We are located within the Pleasant Valley Wine Trail. · High Camp Winery- 7.2 Miles Away (10 minutes) · Villa San Juliette Winery- 7.2 Miles Away (10 minutes) · Four Sisters Winery- 8 Miles Away (12 minutes) · Graveyard Vineyards- 8.8 Miles Away (13 minutes) · Riverstar Vineyard-9 Miles Away (13 minutes) · Tackitt Family Vineyards- 7.6 Miles Away (11 minutes) · Arndt Cellars- 9.6 Miles Away (14 minutes) · Locatelli Vineyards & Winery- 10 Miles Away (16 minutes) Location: · 25 minutes from downtown Paso Robles. The drive is a beautiful country drive! · 18 minutes from San Miguel · 1 hour from the coast (Cambria, Cayucos, Morro Bay) Cabin: Each cabin has 1 queen size bed, dresser, sink, mirrors, chair, mini fridge, and Keurig coffee maker. Bathrooms: We have 2 full and 2 half shared bathrooms. Both full bathrooms have showers. These are cleaned daily. Each cabin is assigned a full bathroom so it will be private and not shared. Tent and RV stayers have bathrooms but No showers. Kitchen: The communal kitchen has a refrigerator, sink, microwave, BBQ, coffee maker, dishwasher, stove, oven, and ice maker. The kitchen has A/C and heat. Other Shared Structures: The Lounge Barn, Legends Saloon, Loading Dock Stage, Antique Barns and the Game Room. Evenings: Evening time at Almond Springs is spectacular. There is no light pollution, and the stars are amazing! The space is also well lit with intimate café lighting. Weather: This is a remote country space. The Cabins and Kitchen both have Heat and A/C. Please come prepared for what the weather predicts for San Miguel, CA. Dogs: We allow up to two dogs. They must remain on leash at all times. There is a $50 pet fee per pet. Campfires: Allowed Cellular Service: Cell Service is spotty but we have Wi-Fi for you to connect to! Check in: 3PM-8PM Checkout: 11AM (Late checkout inquiries are welcome! We cannot guarantee late checkout.) Working Ranch: We are a working ranch. The family may be around during your stay or operating around the ranch. Feel free to stop and ask them questions! Interested in Ranch activities? Please Ask!! Activities: · Horseback Riding: (5 miles away) The Work Family Guest Ranch: https://www.workranch.com/trail-rides-horseback-riding/ · Hot Air Balloon Ride: https://www.balloonsoverpaso.com/our-story · E Bike Rentals: https://www.pasoroblestour.co/ · Wineries! Paso Robles now has over 250 + Wineries for you to enjoy! · Ravine Water Park (13.9 miles away) https://ravinewaterpark.com/ · Estrella Warbirds Museum (13 miles away) https://www.ewarbirds.org/index.html

93%

(64)

A Simple Getaway

6 sites · Lodging1 acre · Creston, CA

You won’t forget your time in this romantic, memorable place. A-frame camping! Retreat to our ranch and enjoy the country. This 80sqft site has an additional 24sqft porch when you open up the swing wall. Welcome in more than 260° of the Paso Robles Mountain views and the fresh air that makes you feel like you're lounging outside. We're 25 minutes away from the cities. Close enough but far enough to see the stars. Note: We have a full-size mattress but bring your own linen to sleep in.

93%

(60)

Camp Seclusion

2 sites · RVs, Tents2 acres · Garden Farms, CA

A quiet secluded parcel nestled away on the outskirts of atascadero that backs up to the Salinas River. We get a nice breeze every afternoon and the eucalyptus trees provide ample shade when needed. Town is just a 5 minute drive and we are right in the center of the county making it an ideal place for wine lovers wanting to visit any of our beautiful local vineyards. We have two spots to camp with fire pits and shared running water. Also feel free to enjoy our horseshoe pits or take a walk through the back down to the riverbed.

The best camping near Montaña de Oro State Park guide

Overview

About

Coastal California is at its postcard best in Montaña de Oro State Park. Think sweeping golden dunes peppered with lush eucalyptus groves and rugged sea cliffs blanketed with vibrant orange wildflowers and swirling tidepools. Hike along the coastal bluffs or bring your horse or mountain bike to hit the ocean-view trails, then head down to the beach to paddle, surf, or fish for your dinner. When it comes time to camp, it’s all about getting back to nature. Park your RV at the primitive campground, snag a spot at the equestrian campground, or hike out to the secluded environmental campsites.

Notable campgrounds

Best for beach camping: The main Islay Creek Campground has 47 primitive campsites for tents or RVs (up to 27 feet) within walking distance of Spooner’s Cove beach.
Best for wild campers: The four Environmental Camps are the ideal spot to escape the crowds, a short hike from the parking areas.
Best for horse lovers: Hazard Canyon Horse Camp has four sites for equestrian campers with horse stalls, fire rings, and chemical toilets on site.

Tips for snagging a campsite

You can reserve a campsite at Montaña de Oro State Park via the Reserve California website.
Online reservations open at 8am, six months in advance of the first night of your stay.
The park’s campsites can fill up quickly, especially over summer and holiday weekends, so plan ahead and book as soon as possible.

When to go

Taking its name—the “Mountain of Gold”—from the swathes of golden wildflowers that sweep its coastline in spring, it’s no surprise that the seasonal displays pull in the crowds to Montaña de Oro State Park. March through May is the best time to admire the blooms or else join the summer surfers down at the beach. Whenever you come, pack layers, as the ocean winds can be cool even in mid-summer.

Know before you go

Montaña de Oro State Park sits along the California coast between Los Angeles and San Francisco, about 10 miles south of Morro Bay.
There are day-use fees for all California State Parks, and campsite booking fees also apply.
Facilities at Montaña de Oro include restrooms and picnic areas, but there are no showers or RV hookups within the park. For groceries, gas, dining, and other supplies, the town of Morro Bay is a 20-minute drive away.
Dogs must be kept on a six-foot leash and are not allowed on trails or beaches.
There are accessible restrooms, picnic areas, trails, and campsites at Montaña de Oro State Park.