Dispersed Camping in San Luis Obispo County, California
Showing 124 locations in San Luis Obispo County.
6 South Coast Road Dispersed
Scenic forest road corridor within the Los Padres National Forest offering dispersed camping opportunities on native dirt surfaces. Accessible to passenger vehicles under dry conditions.
American Canyon Campground
A secluded and heavily restricted Forest Service campground bordering the Machesna Mountain Wilderness, shaded by large oaks. Motorized access is restricted to deer hunting season and requires a reservation with a gate combination code to cross private ranch land.
Arroyo Grande Forest Road
A scenic forest corridor within the Arroyo Grande region of Los Padres National Forest, providing dispersed camping opportunities along a maintained roadway.
Arroyo Grande Urban Stealth & Commuter Parking
A designated commuter park-and-ride and roadside parking zone along the highway access road. Ideal for quick overnight stays, though highly exposed to passing traffic.
Atascadero Urban Stealth Parking
Paved street parking option located on Hospital Drive adjacent to the Stadium Park Trailhead. Municipal code allows overnight vehicle habitation under specific restrictions, making this a viable stopover for self-contained vans.
Avila Hot Springs Resort
A historic commercial hot springs resort offering dry camping and RV spaces at the back of the property, with access to mineral soaking pools included in the nightly fee.
Bee Rock Road Dispersed
A quiet dispersed camping area located on public land near Lake Nacimiento and the Bee Rock formation.
Behlman Truck Trail
An improved dirt route traversing BLM-managed lands near Santa Margarita, offering dispersed camping opportunities with scenic views of the rolling hills.
Black Mountain Road Dispersed
Dispersed camping corridor running along Black Mountain Road within the La Panza Range. The road climbs into scenic oak-pine woodlands and chaparral, offering wide pullouts and mountain vistas suitable for self-contained rigs.
BLM Land near Cayucos, CA
Spot
BLM Land near Lake Nacimiento, CA
Spot
BLM Land near Nipomo, CA
Spot
BLM Land near Santa Margarita, CA
Spot
BLM Land near Shandon, CA
Spot
BLM Primitive Road (Rocky Butte)
This primitive BLM road winds through rugged coastal mountains near Rocky Butte and Pine Mountain, offering remote dispersed camping options along its corridor. The route is highly rugged and requires a capable vehicle to navigate safely.
BLM Primitive Road Corridor
A rugged BLM primitive road offering dispersed camping opportunities on public lands near Cayucos. High clearance is recommended due to unmaintained and unpredictable road conditions.
BLM Primitive Road Corridor
A rugged BLM road corridor located near Shandon and Orchard Peak. It provides primitive dispersed camping in a secluded, remote setting.
BLM Primitive Road Dispersed Area
A quiet dispersed camping corridor situated on BLM-managed land near Freeborn Mountain, accessed via a primitive dirt road.
BLM Primitive Road Dispersed
Dispersed camping options along a primitive BLM road corridor located in the rugged backcountry of San Luis Obispo County. The surrounding landscape offers a remote getaway with natural chaparral and rolling terrain, located near the Avenales Observation Point.
BLM Primitive Road Dispersed
Dispersed camping corridor along an unpaved primitive road on Bureau of Land Management land near Pilitas Mountain. The area offers rustic, off-grid camping in a dry, rugged coastal ridge environment.
BLM Primitive Road Dispersed
Dispersed camping is permitted on public lands along this primitive BLM road corridor near Freeborn Mountain. High-clearance vehicles are recommended for navigating the unpaved surface.
BLM Primitive Road Dispersed
This remote BLM primitive road offers dispersed camping options in a rolling, arid landscape near Shandon. High-clearance vehicles are recommended due to undeveloped dirt road conditions.
BLM Primitive Road Dispersed
This primitive dirt corridor offers dispersed camping on Bureau of Land Management land near Shandon. The area provides basic pull-offs suitable for self-contained rigs under dry conditions.
BLM Primitive Road Dispersed
This primitive BLM road corridor winds through rolling hills east of Shandon, offering dispersed camping in a remote, peaceful setting.
BLM Primitive Road Dispersed
A rugged primitive road corridor on Bureau of Land Management territory near Santa Margarita. This area provides secluded, primitive dispersed camping opportunities in the coastal foothills of California.
BLM Primitive Road Dispersed
A rugged dirt corridor winding through public lands near Cypress Mountain, offering quiet dispersed camping with beautiful coastal mountain views.
BLM Primitive Road Dispersed
A remote dirt corridor offering dispersed camping on Bureau of Land Management land near Shandon.
BLM Primitive Road Dispersed
This primitive BLM road corridor near Lake Nacimiento offers remote dispersed camping in a typical California oak woodland and chaparral setting. Access is via a rough, unimproved dirt road best suited for high-clearance vehicles.
BLM Primitive Road
A remote primitive dirt corridor on BLM-managed land near Freeborn Mountain, offering basic dispersed camping opportunities in a rugged setting. Ideal for self-contained, high-clearance rigs seeking isolation.
BLM Primitive Road
A primitive BLM road corridor near Shandon offering secluded dispersed camping opportunities on public land.
BLM Primitive Road Motorcycle Trail
A rugged motorcycle-only primitive route branching off Behlman Truck Trail, best suited for dual-sport riders seeking tent camping.
BLM Primitive Roads - Santa Margarita
A network of BLM primitive roads located in the hills near Santa Margarita, offering opportunities for dispersed camping. The terrain consists of rolling hills and oak chaparral, providing a secluded environment but requiring high-clearance vehicles due to rough, unimproved dirt tracks.
BLM Route 14E30 Dispersed Camping
Remote primitive dirt road corridors traversing BLM managed lands east of Santa Margarita. Ideal for self-contained, high-clearance vehicles seeking isolated dispersed camping in rugged oak woodland terrain.
Buckeye Trail Camp
A scenic backcountry trail camp nestled under majestic oaks and redwoods in a grassy meadow along the Salmon Creek Trail, offering a true wilderness experience for backpackers.
Calf Canyon Truck Trail
Calf Canyon Truck Trail provides access to primitive dispersed camping opportunities on BLM-managed land. The main road is an improved dirt route, while connecting tracks are highly rugged and limited to OHVs.
Camatta Ranch - Lazy Arrow Adventures
A working family ranch offering private dry camping alongside a unique farmstay experience. Guests can view roaming exotic animals including buffalo and peacocks, with the surrounding hills coming alive with vibrant wildflower blooms during the spring season.
Cambria & Moonstone Beach Coastal Parking
This zone covers street parking along Moonstone Beach Drive, local commercial side streets, and dirt pull-offs along Highway 1 in the coastal community of Cambria. While scenic coastal views are highly appealing, local regulations strictly prohibit overnight parking and vehicle habitation. Travelers should expect highly active enforcement and numerous signs detailing these restrictions throughout the area.
Camp Natoma
Camp Natoma is a private youth summer camp facility located in a wooded canyon near Lake Nacimiento, offering restricted access reserved for registered programs.
Cattle Drive Dispersed
Cattle Drive offers primitive dispersed camping opportunities on public lands along a remote dirt corridor in eastern San Luis Obispo County.
Cava Robles RV Resort
Cava Robles RV Resort is a premium, highly developed RV park located in Paso Robles. Mapped as individual site nodes in open data, the resort offers spacious paved pull-through and back-in sites with full hookups, alongside luxury pools, clubhouses, modern bath facilities, a dog park, and wine country setting.
Cerro Alto Campground
A tranquil canyon campground nestled in Los Padres National Forest, Cerro Alto serves as the main trailhead for the scenic Cerro Alto Trail. It offers shaded, paved sites with picnic tables, fire rings, vault toilets, and potable water, located just miles inland from Morro Bay.
Coastal Dunes RV Park and Campground
A county-managed RV park situated adjacent to Highway 1 and the main entrance to the beach dunes. It is optimized for large self-contained RVs with full hookups, offering paved pull-through pads, laundry services, and hot showers. Due to its location next to the highway and local transit tracks, noise is expected.
Cruickshank Campground
A remote, hike-in backcountry campsite located along the Cruickshank Trail in the Silver Peak Wilderness.
Cypress Mountain BLM Roads
A network of primitive BLM roads near Cypress Mountain, offering dispersed camping in a rugged setting of oak woodlands and chaparral. Ideal for off-grid camping with scenic mountain views, but requires capable high-clearance vehicles.
East Pozo Road BLM Dispersed
This dispersed camping corridor along East Pozo Road is situated on BLM-managed public land. It features scenic pullouts near a seasonal creek surrounded by wooded hills. The area offers a peaceful, low-traffic alternative to busy coastal spots, though seasonal fire bans are common.
East Pozo Road Dispersed
Dispersed camping options situated along East Pozo Road near Pozo Summit. The area contains a mix of secluded, spacious clearings with rock views and exposed ridgetop turnouts offering panoramic vistas.
El Chorro Regional Park Campground
A well-maintained county park campground nestled between San Luis Obispo and Morro Bay. The park offers three loops: one with primitive, gravel-backed sites and two featuring full hookups, alongside amenities such as coin-operated showers, flush toilets, and adjacent botanical gardens.
Elk Walk-In Site
A remote walk-in wilderness site located in the scenic coastal backcountry near Jones Mountain.
Estrella Camp
Estrella Camp is a beautiful hike-in wilderness site situated higher up the Salmon Creek canyon, nestled in a flat oak grove next to the creek.
Fern Canyon Trail Urban Stealth
An urban residential street in Cambria located near apartments and a school. Posted signage along the street restricts overnight stays.
Fernandez Road & Red Hill Road Dispersed
A scenic dirt road corridor winding through rolling hills in the Los Padres National Forest. This route offers multiple dirt and gravel pullouts, with the most spacious and level options concentrated near the intersection of Fernandez Road. Further down, the terrain becomes steeper and narrower, making vehicle turnaround points trickier. Visitors are treated to panoramic views of surrounding grassy hills, which bloom with wild flowers in spring. To avoid highly rutted and unmaintained track sections, access is highly recommended from the CA-58 side.
Fernandez Road Dispersed
This dispersed camping corridor along Fernandez Road offers rustic campsites tucked into the scenic oak woodlands of Los Padres National Forest.
Flying Flags Avila Beach
A developed, premium oceanside RV resort located directly off Diablo Canyon Road in Avila Beach. The park features dedicated RV sites with hookups alongside designated, lower-cost spots suitable for vans, car campers, and tents. Visitors enjoy direct ocean vistas, immediate beach access, and clean, modern facilities.
Franklin Hot Springs Attraction and Campground
A rustic, highly eclectic hot springs property offering basic camping on an open dirt field. The main draw is the 24-hour access to the natural sulfur mineral pools, ranging from a large swimming pool to smaller, hotter soaking tubs. While the facility is beloved by locals for its relaxed, bohemian vibe, visitors should expect very basic, unrefined amenities and a noticeable sulfur aroma.
Hi Mountain Lookout Road Dispersed
Scenic dispersed camping pull-offs and unmaintained campsites located along Forest Service Route 30S11 (Hi Mountain Lookout Road) within Los Padres National Forest. This high-elevation corridor offers sweeping ridge-top views, sunrise vistas, and access to the historic lookout. The route features a mix of completely undeveloped pull-outs and the basic, unmaintained Hi Mountain campground area, which contains primitive fire rings and an vault toilet.
Hi Mountain OHV Road
A rugged dirt road corridor in the Los Padres National Forest offering primitive dispersed camping.
Highway 1 Coastal Pullout
A wide dirt and gravel pullout located on the oceanside edge of Highway 1, providing high exposure to the highway.
Highway 1 Roadside Turnouts (Cambria)
A series of paved roadside pull-offs directly adjacent to California State Route 1, situated just north of Cambria. These turnouts are highly exposed to highway traffic and are primarily designated for day-use sightseeing and slow-vehicle passage. Local ordinances strictly prohibit overnight stays.
Holiday RV Resort
A convenient in-town RV resort offering tight but clean paved parking spaces. On-site facilities include a swimming pool, spa, laundry, and individual picnic tables with barbecue areas.
Hopkins Lane Industrial Area Stealth Parking
An industrial street parking corridor along Hopkins Lane in San Luis Obispo. While local business employees and visitors park here during the day, overnight stays are highly exposed to active industrial machinery noise and strict municipal code enforcement.
Huasna Road Dispersed Camping
Dispersed camping corridor along Huasna Road within BLM-managed land in San Luis Obispo County. This quiet, rural corridor is situated near the Avenales Observation Point and offers rustic roadside camping options along improved dirt surfaces.
Indian Midden Camping Area
Located within the dunes of Oceano Dunes SVRA, this primitive camping area offers direct access to off-road riding. Campers must park on open sand and be prepared for high-wind conditions.
Islay Creek Campground
A beautiful coastal state park campground set in a scenic canyon. Paved, level spurs offer basic developed dry camping within walking distance of the beach and numerous multi-use trails.
Khus Campground
A primitive, secluded walk-in or boat-in campground nestled along the shores of Santa Margarita Lake. Ideal for backpackers and kayakers seeking a quiet, natural escape under the oaks.
KOA Avila-Pismo Beach
A developed KOA campground located close to the highway and local beaches, offering basic amenities, full hookups, and level gravel spots.
La Panza Campground
A rugged developed forest campground situated near the Machesna Mountain Wilderness. Features 15 spacious sites geared toward tents and small campervans. Visitors must be fully self-sustainable as there is no drinking water or electricity on-site.
Lake Nacimiento Resort
An extensive county park campground complex operated by a concessionaire on the shores of Lake Nacimiento. The resort encompasses multiple individual campgrounds, including Pine Knoll, Oak Knoll, Eagles Ridge, Quails Roost, and an overflow area, offering hundreds of sites with lake views, full hookups, or mountain-side placements. On-site facilities include flush toilets, hot showers, a boat launch, boat rentals, and a seasonal restaurant. It is a highly popular destination that can be crowded during peak season, while offering a peaceful and scenic experience during off-season weekdays.
Lake San Antonio North Shore
A developed lakeside campground located on the north shore of Lake San Antonio. The facility provides basic camping amenities but has received mixed reviews regarding service and maintenance standards. Ideal for water recreation and quiet overnight stays during off-peak times.
Lion Den Camp
Lion Den Camp is a remote, primitive backcountry campsite located along the South Coast Ridge Road in the scenic high country of Los Padres National Forest.
Lopez Lake Campground
A large, popular county-run developed campground situated near the shores of Lopez Lake. It offers a variety of camping options including standard dry camping, full hookup RV sites, and cabin rentals, surrounded by abundant wildlife such as deer and squirrels.
Lottie Potrero Trail Camp
Lottie Potrero is a primitive backcountry trail camp located along the San Carpoforo Creek trail network within the scenic Los Padres National Forest.
Lower Cruikshank Camp
A rustic wilderness trail camp situated in a shaded redwood canyon along the Cruickshank Trail.
Montaña de Oro State Park - Enroute Camping
An enroute camping option located within Montaña de Oro State Park, providing self-contained recreational vehicles with a basic overnight parking option. This program is typically utilized when the primary campgrounds are fully booked and is restricted to one-night stays.
Montaña de Oro State Park - Environmental Camp Area 3
Secluded environmental walk-in campsite nestled within a scenic coastal canyon in Montaña de Oro State Park.
Montaña de Oro State Park - Environmental Camps
Primitive hike-in campsites located in the scenic coastal territory of Montaña de Oro State Park. These environmental sites require a short walk from the designated parking area, offering a secluded, natural experience amidst coastal scrub, with direct access to nearby bluff trails and stunning ocean vistas. Pit toilets and trash collection are available, but campers must carry in all fresh water.
Morro Bay State Park Campground
This scenic state park campground features a variety of paved sites near the Morro Bay marina and golf course. Accommodation options range from walk-in hiker/biker sites to full-hookup spots suitable for recreational vehicles up to 35 feet. On-site facilities include token-operated hot showers, clean restrooms, water spigots, fire rings, and a dump station, though additional fees apply for some services. Sites are situated close together with minimal privacy, but the campground offers excellent access to local walking paths, the waterfront, and town amenities.
Morro Dunes RV Park
A popular private RV park and campground situated steps from the beach and within walking distance of Morro Rock. The property offers both full hookup RV sites and affordable tent/dry sites equipped with power plugs, well-suited for campervans and small trucks. Guests have access to heated, coded restrooms, hot showers, and laundry facilities on-site.
Morro Road Highway Turnout
A paved highway turnout located along Morro Road west of Atascadero, situated near local residential properties and regional trailheads. This spot provides a quick overnight option for smaller, low-profile vehicles but offers minimal privacy.
Navajo Flat Campground
A primitive developed campground and OHV staging area tucked in the Los Padres National Forest. Featuring six campsites equipped with shade canopies, picnic tables, and fire rings, it serves as an excellent basecamp for off-highway vehicle recreation.
New Drags Camping Area
A primitive camping zone nestled in the sandy landscape of Oceano Dunes SVRA, ideal for off-road vehicle enthusiasts seeking dune access.
Oceano County Park Campground
A peaceful, smaller county park campground set along a tranquil lagoon. Located within easy walking distance of the beach, local eateries, and coastal attractions, it provides level campsites equipped with full hookups, clean restrooms, and coin-operated hot showers.
Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area
Beach camping directly on the sand within the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area. This unique destination allows campers to drive right onto the shoreline and camp under the stars. Access requires driving on soft sand and crossing a small creek, making four-wheel drive and tire deflation highly recommended. The area is extremely popular with off-highway vehicle enthusiasts, resulting in a lively, active atmosphere.
Oceano Dunes SVRA Beach Camping
A unique and famous coastal adventure spot where visitors can camp directly on the sand within the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area. This is a dry camping experience with no services, offering postcard-worthy Pacific Ocean sunsets and immediate access to massive sand dunes. High-clearance vehicles are strongly advised.
Oceano Dunes SVRA Primitive Camping
Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area offers a unique opportunity to camp directly on the beach and among the sand dunes. Accessible only by driving along the shoreline, this active recreation area is popular with off-highway vehicle enthusiasts.
Oceano Urban Stealth
Street-side parking opportunities situated in residential and public areas of Oceano. Visitors should remain highly low-profile and respect school hours, local neighborhood traffic, and county vehicle ordinances.
Old Creek Road Pullouts
A series of paved roadside pullouts located along Old Creek Road between Cayucos and Templeton. These spots offer quick overnight stops but are highly exposed to passing traffic and local scrutiny.
Pacific Coast Highway Coastal Pullouts - Cambria
A series of paved roadside pullouts along the Pacific Coast Highway (CA-1) near Moonstone Beach. These pullouts offer scenic ocean views but are highly exposed to active highway traffic. Overnight camping is highly restricted, with explicit regulatory signs posted at various locations, and active municipal enforcement is common in the area.
Pacific Dunes Ranch & RV Resort
A commercial RV resort nestled against the scenic sand dunes, offering full hookups and convenient access to the beach. The resort provides a comfortable base camp with hot showers, restrooms, and recreational activities like local horseback riding tours. It is an excellent option for larger rigs and trailers that cannot navigate the soft sand of the beach.
Paso Robles RV Ranch
A well-maintained and secure RV park located twenty minutes outside downtown Paso Robles. It features level pea gravel sites, paved roads, and professional hospitality, serving as a reliable alternative to boondocking in the municipal area.
Pipeline Panhandle
A sandy dispersed camping area near the Oceano Dunes SVRA, accessible primarily via loose sand tracks that require 4WD.
Pismo Coast Village RV Resort
Highly organized, large-scale commercial RV resort offering full-hookup sites with grass and gravel. Features premium resort amenities including an on-site restaurant, bar, pool, general store, and private beach access.
Pismo State Beach - Oceano Campground
A popular, scenic state park campground situated directly behind the coastal dunes in Grover Beach. It features flat, paved parking spaces with electric and water hookups, as well as separate dry camping sites. Facilities are extremely clean and well-kept, offering visitors individual restroom suites and warm token showers.
Pismo State Beach, North Beach Campground
This beautifully maintained State Park campground offers grassy sites steps from the beach, with excellent walking trails and scenic dunes. Facilities include drinking water, a dump station, clean restrooms, and hot token-operated showers. It provides a peaceful, natural coastal environment near local attractions.
Planet Fitness Arroyo Grande
Paved parking spaces in a commercial shopping plaza. Best suited for low-profile campervans; larger trailers and RVs are not recommended due to limited turnaround and potential property management restrictions.
Private Vineyard and Mountain Views Campsites
Secluded paid campsites nestled in a scenic grove of oak trees, offering impressive views of the surrounding vineyard and mountains. It provides a peaceful retreat with electricity and water hookups.
Queen Bee Loop OHV Dispersed
A rustic dirt corridor winding through the Los Padres National Forest, offering dispersed camping opportunities along the loop. The native dirt route is best suited for dry weather exploration.
Salmon Creek Station Road
This paved access road in Los Padres National Forest offers quick roadside access near the Salmon Creek Falls trailhead. It serves as a convenient staging or overnight pull-off, though proximity to the highway brings regular traffic noise.
San Carpoforo
A quiet, remote hike-in camp along the San Carpoforo Creek trail. Ideal for backpackers seeking pristine wilderness and natural beauty in a quiet canyon setting.
San Luis Obispo Urban Stealth Parking
A collection of street parking areas around San Luis Obispo, including streets near Emerson Park, Meadow Park, and local industrial zones. While historically utilized for quick overnight stays, local municipal codes strictly prohibit vehicle habitation and overnight street parking, making overnight stays highly restricted and subject to active enforcement.
San Simeon Creek State Campground
A large, popular developed campground in Hearst San Simeon State Park. Features shaded paved loops with clean restrooms, coin-operated hot showers, and a dump station within easy walking distance of the beach.
Santa Margarita BLM Primitive Road
A quiet dispersed camping corridor along a primitive BLM road near Santa Margarita and the Salinas Benchmark.
Santa Margarita Lake Primitive Camps
A collection of quiet, primitive campgrounds along the remote southern shores of Santa Margarita Lake, situated within the Los Padres National Forest boundary. Accessible only via watercraft or hiking trails, these sites offer deep tranquility and beautiful oak-studded scenery.
Santa Margarita Lake Recreation Area
An established county recreation area situated on a beautiful reservoir, surrounded by scenic mountains and oak-studded hills. The property offers multiple loops with over 50 campsites, ranging from rustic dry camping to sites with electric hookups. Visitors can enjoy walking trails, birding, and boating, though swimming in the reservoir is prohibited.
Sapwi Campground
Secluded primitive campground accessible only by trail or boat on the southern shore of Santa Margarita Lake. Features basic clearings for tents beneath mature oak trees with excellent water views.
Shandon Rest Stop (Eastbound)
A modern highway rest area located along California State Route 46 Eastbound, offering restrooms, drinking water fountains, vending machines, and EV charging stations. While official state regulations limit stays to 8 hours, it is a highly common overnight stopover for both passenger vehicles and large trucks. Expect standard highway noise and idling vehicle sounds throughout the night.
Silver Camp
A quiet backcountry campsite nestled in the redwood forests along the Silver Peak wilderness trail system.
Silver Peak Trail Camp
A remote, high-ridge trail camp offering deep wilderness solitude for backpackers tackling the demanding terrain of the Silver Peak trail system.
South Coast Ridge Road Dispersed
Dispersed camping corridor along the scenic South Coast Ridge Road in Los Padres National Forest. The dirt road route winds through rugged mountainous terrain with sweeping coastal ridge vistas.
Spruce Creek Camp
Spruce Creek Camp is a serene backcountry trail camp along the Salmon Creek Trail, offering a shaded, creekside setting under a dense redwood and bay canopy.
State Park - Montana de Oro Environmental Camp Area 4
Secluded walk-in environmental campsite located along the Rattlesnake Flats Trail in Montaña de Oro State Park. This site offers an immersive coastal backcountry experience, requiring a hike from the designated trailhead parking lot. Campers must pack in all gear and water.
State Park - Montana de Oro Horse Camp
An equestrian-focused developed campground in Montana de Oro State Park, featuring multiple designated loops including Oak, Sage, Lupine, Chamise, and Manzanita. It offers direct access to scenic horse riding trails and the coastline.
Sun Outdoor Central Coast Wine Country
A well-equipped developed RV campground located in Paso Robles, situated conveniently near the Vina Robles Amphitheatre and the Sensorio outdoor light display. The property sits adjacent to a waterpark, making it a functional base for exploring local attractions. Overnight stays are fully developed with utility connections and standard RV amenities.
Three Peaks Camp
A primitive walk-in trail camp nestled along the scenic Three Peaks Trail in the backcountry of the coastal ranges.
Turkey Flat OHV Staging Area and Campground
A year-round staging area and campground primarily geared toward OHV riders, offering access to 45 miles of designated trails. Campsites feature picnic tables and vault toilets, but visitors must pack in all water and be fully self-sustainable.
Turkey Springs Camp
A primitive backcountry trail camp tucked into the coastal mountains of the Los Padres National Forest. Best reached by foot or highly capable high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicles via the rugged Baldwin Ranch Road corridor.
TV Tower Road Dispersed
A scenic ridge dispersed camping corridor along TV Tower Road in the Los Padres National Forest. This area offers panoramic views of the coastal valleys, though it is highly exposed to severe overnight winds. The route starts paved but quickly degrades into a steep, narrow, and severely rutted dirt track that demands high-clearance vehicles.
TV Tower Road Dispersed
Winding along the scenic ridge of the Santa Lucia Mountains, TV Tower Road offers spectacular 360-degree views of the valley and coast. The road is rough, narrow, and heavily rutted, requiring high-clearance vehicles and making it unsuitable for large rigs or trailers. Numerous pull-offs exist along the first few miles on US Forest Service land, but it gets highly crowded during sunset and on weekends with local visitors. Be prepared for steep drop-offs, tight switchbacks, and potential seasonal closures due to high fire danger.
Urban Stealth Parking (Templeton)
An urban street-side parking option on T-Diamond Way near businesses and a local park in Templeton. Best suited for low-profile rigs seeking a quick, self-contained overnight stay.
Villa Creek Camp
A scenic redwood-shaded backcountry trail camp situated beside Villa Creek in the Silver Peak Wilderness.
Vines RV Resort
A premium, manicured RV resort offering paved pull-through sites, standard accommodations, and extensive amenities. It is conveniently situated directly off Highway 101.
Washburn Campground
Washburn Campground offers spacious, rustic campsites nestled on a scenic hillside overlooking the San Simeon coastline. Positioned slightly inland, the loops feature sites surrounded by pines and coastal scrub, providing more shelter and a quieter atmosphere than the lower beachside loop.
Washburn Primitive Campground
This primitive section of the state park, known as the Washburn Campground, sits on a hill overlooking the ocean. Sites are more open and exposed than the lower loop, providing coastal views with simpler amenities.
Williams Hill BLM Dispersed
A scenic dispersed camping area located on BLM land near the summit of Williams Hill. The area offers panoramic views, level parking options, and quiet solitude, though the access road can be winding and rough in sections.
York Mountain Road BLM Primitive Area
A network of primitive BLM roads branching off York Mountain Road, offering remote dispersed camping on public lands. The terrain is rugged and requires high-clearance vehicles to navigate safely.