Morro Bay Camping

Camping at Morro Bay State Park

The Morro Bay State Park’s camping site is one of the closest to Morro Bay and is found just next to the Morro Bay Golf Course as well as the marina. There are a wide variety of spots there that are great for tents or RVs that span up to 25 and even 35 feet. The place is also very close to a number of hiking and biking campsites. Campers will also have access to the area’s picnic grounds.

The campsite is a pretty great place for those who want to experience camping but still have access to a number of facilities. There’s plenty of room for you and your group there with more than 126 campsites available. The location is also made more convenient thanks to water and electricity hookups. In addition to those, campers also have access to:

- Sanitation stations

- Campfire center

- Coin operated showers and restrooms

Finally, there are a number of trails that campers can trek as well as breathtaking views that they can witness.

Camping at the Morro Strand State Beach

• Where is the oceanfront campsite located?
  • This campsite is located in the coastal area between Morro Bay and Cayucos, just off Highway 1 on Yerba Buena Street.
• What does the campsite look like?
  • The oceanfront campsite resembles a parking lot adjacent to the sand, where people can set up their tents or RVs.
  • The area can get pretty windy due to its proximity to the ocean.
• How many campsites are available?
  • The area has 75 campsites and can accommodate RVs up to 25 feet in length.
• What amenities are available at the campground?
  • The campsite has restrooms available for everyone.
  • However, there are no hot showers at the facility.
• How do campers access the campground?
  • To enter the campground and access its facilities, campers need to show their receipt at the Morro Bay State Park.
• How can reservations be made?
  • Reservations can be made online or by calling (800) 444-PARK (7275).

Islay Creek Campground

• Where is Islay Creek Campground located?
  • Another interesting campsite near Morro Bay is Montaña de Oro State Park’s Islay Creek Campground.
  • It is located near Spooner Cove, by the park headquarters.
• When is the campground open for reservations?
  • The campground is open for reservations during the summer.
  • During the off-season, half of the site is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
• How many campsites are available?
  • The campgrounds have 47 standard sites for tents or RVs up to 27 feet in length.
  • There are also four environmental campsites and three sites designated for groups with horses.
• What amenities does the campground offer?
  • All campsites have accessible restrooms, picnic tables, food storage lockers, and fire pits.
• How do campers access the camping grounds?
  • Campers only need to show their receipt at the Morro Bay State Park to gain access to the campgrounds and use the facilities.
• What activities are available near the campground?
  • Islay Creek Campground is close to Spooner’s Cove and several hiking trails.
• Are pets allowed at the campground?
  • Dogs are allowed on the beach as long as they are leashed.
  • However, pets are not allowed on park trails.

Campsites for Groups and Horses

There are two group horse sites that people can look at in Morro Bay. Each of these two sites can accommodate 50 campers and up to 20 vehicles. Unlike the other sites, however, these ones only have pit toilets and don’t have potable water. The only catch here is that you need to get a minimum of seven horses, with additional horses costing extra and up to a max of 25 horses. There’s a water supply there that’s exclusively for horses.

Regular campers with horses can choose between three regular campsites, with each one having up to eight people and four vehicles max. Each camper must have at least one horse and each additional horse would cost extra. Just like the other horse campsites, these ones also have pit toilets only and supply water for horses only. Meanwhile, campers will have to bring their own supply of drinking water and haul out their own garbage.

Environmental Sites

Those who want to enjoy a bit more hiking, there are environmental campsites that people can hike to. There’s a parking place about 100 yards away from the campsite. You’ll want to hike when there’s still sunlight, though, as the paths can be hard to navigate in the dark. Each of these hike-in sites can accommodate up to eight people. The campsites have pit toilets and don’t have water supply. Two out of the four campsites are closer to the horse group sites while the other two offer more isolation.

Travel Tips and Things to Know

- As you notice, most of the campsites are designed to let you rough it out, make sure you bring all you need to stay comfortable during your camping trip;

- Don’t forget to bring your own supply of potable water, as some campsites don’t have any for its campers;

- Keep those receipts! That’s how you get into the campsites for free and use their facilities;

- If you’re bringing pets, make sure to pick the campsites that let you bring them around, and don’t forget your leash;

- Remember that rates may change from time to time, so it’s better to call up the park management for the updated rates.

Whether you’re going alone or with a group of friends (or horses), camping at Morro Bay can be such a worthwhile activity when accompanied with the right preparation. Keep in mind that the campsites mentioned above are not the only campsites in Morro Bay, but these ones should give you a good list to start with.