Morro Bay Campground

Many of the available trails in the Morro Bay are open to your wildest mountain biking desires, and a full list of paths in and around the park can be accessed here. One commonly-traversed track that we recommend is Black Hill, but make sure to check out many of the other trails!

It’s not called Morro Bay State Park for no reason, as boating on the bay is one of the most enjoyed elements for visitors. Head out to the marina and rent yourself a sailboat or kayak and embark on a serene boating adventure through the bay, it’s definitely a great activity for anyone while staying by the water. Check out the kayaking & canoeing section for places to rent and explore boating options.

Due to the Marine Life Protection Act, Morro Bay State Park area is split up into an area for recreational fishing and the Morro Bay State Marine Reserve, which is completely cut off from public usage. The Bay supports more than two-dozen endangered species, some of which are fish, thus making angling a highly regulated activity. Nonetheless, fishing is permitted in specific areas, and per California norm, you’ll need your fishing license. You can also find available fishing areas/species here.

Morro Bay isn’t all about the Bay, as hiking is another very common endeavor among visitors to the Park. The most common trail traversed by visitors is an easy one (only 0.6 miles, phew!), but don’t despair as the view at the top allows for a beautiful panorama of the bay. From the top, the awesome Morro Rock points above the Pacific and the alluring rolling hills of California to the East. Cerro Cabrillo is another highly-coveted trail which offers some more strenuous and less-maintained paths for the more adventurous type. Hikers are enveloped by surrounding sage brushes and chaparral/grass-covered hillsides, and are rewarded at the top with beautiful views of the estuary and mud flats as well as the geologically stunning Tiki Rock. Both hikes summit their own personal “morros” and are a great way to spend a day on the Central Californian coast.

Kayaking Morro Bay among the plethora of wildlife is one of the best ways to immerse yourself in the beauty that is the National estuary. Why not get the best seat in the house--the one directly on the water--and kayak along the easy flat-water of the bay. This is one of the only options that really allows visitors to experience the incredible wildlife that Morro Bay offers first hand, and many guided tours offer incredible insight through oyster farms, otter families, hundreds of birds, and many of the other species that inhabit the estuary. We highly recommend getting out on the water and enjoying the sunset from your kayak, as the serenity of the bay coupled with being surrounded by the myriad of wildlife is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Thanks to the sand spit that separates the bay from the rougher Pacific, the waters are relatively flat and allow for any level of kayaker to enjoy such an immersive opportunity. Make sure to check the tide schedule before heading out, though, as it tends to floccuate. You can also easily rent a kayak by the marina (which conveniently is right next to the Morro Bay campgrounds!)

If you’re ready to brave the cold central Californian waters, then throw on your wetsuit and head out to one of the many beaches where surfing is available. Morro Rock Beach is known as a local surf spot, and you can check out the surf report here.

One element that separates Morro Bay from many other parks is the diversity and overall magnitude of species that inhabit the area. After all, part of the park is an estuary, with the additional Heron Rookery Natural Preserve providing the breathtaking presence of herons and many other avian species. Morro Bay’s expansive 2,700 acre territory, consists of spanning grasslands and sage scrub habitats coupled with mudflats, tidal wetlands, and freshwater/saltwater riparian areas. Wow. If that doesn’t get your engine revving then we don’t know what will. In reality, wildlife is what really makes Morro Bay one of the more incredible stops along the California coast, as Morro rock itself is host to the previously-endangered Peregrine Falcon, who make their home above the rock where they can stay relatively safe. The Bay also provides visitors with year round birdwatching opportunities, for over 100 migratory birds come through the area on their annual journeys while many others stay for the whole year to enjoy the park; just like the visitors! You can also check out the Morro Coast Audubon Society for programs and field trips to open your eyes to the glory of the avian community on the coast. Morro Bay state park is a haven for bird-lovers alike and is a necessary stop for anyone who enjoys such a diversity of wildlife.