Pismo State Beach Campgrounds

California's Best Camping

Pismo Beach, CA
Pismo Beach, CA

Pismo State Beach Campgrounds

San Luis Obispo County


Pismo State Beach Campgrounds

Pismo State Beach Campgrounds attract visitors year-round. The nearby beach is popular for swimming, hiking, surfing, clam digging, fishing, and bird watching. During winter months visitors enjoy strolling along the sand and watching the waves crash ashore.

Pismo State Beach Campgrounds are divided between two locations - North Beach Campground and Oceano Dunes Campground. North Beach Campground is immediately off Highway 1 and behind a row of dunes near the beach. Oceano Dunes is beside Oceano Lagoon and a few blocks inland from the beach. Nearby is the popular Oceano Dunes State Vehicle Recreation Area.

North Beach Campground has 103 campsites in several loops along Carpenter Creek and behind a row of dunes close to the beach. All of the sites can accommodate RVs, trailers, and tents.

Oceano Campground has 80 campsites beside Oceano Lagoon. Campsites 1 - 42 are close together and designated for RVs or trailers only. Those sites have electric and water hook-ups. The other 38 sites can accommodate RVs, trailers, and tents.

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Pismo State Beach Campgrounds Basics
Pismo State Beach Campgrounds Location: Off Highway 1, Pismo Beach
Campgrounds Open: year-round
Number of Sites: 183
Max. People per Site: 8 (including children)
Vehicles per Site: Fees cover 1 vehicle and 1 legal tow, fee for additional vehicles
Pets: On leash, always attended
Operated by California State Parks
Information: (805) 473-7220

Reservations for Pismo State Beach Campgrounds
Reservations available Oceano Campground reservations year-round
North Beach reservations mid-May through November, otherwise first come, first served
Booking Window: Reservations taken from 2 days up to 6 months in advance of arrival.
Maximum Vehicle Length: trailer - 31 feet, RV - 36 feet
wheelchair accessible Sites: North Beach # 3, 4, 7, 22, 34, 45, 71, 84,
Oceano #18, 44, 71, 80
Fees: Standard sites - $35 ($25 in off-season)
Oceano Hook-up sites - $50 ($40 off-season)
Online Reservations at ReserveCalifornia: Pismo State Beach Campground Reservations
or call (800) 444-PARK (7275) between 8 AM and 6 PM
Check-in, Check-out: Check-in: 2:00 PM
Check-out: Noon

Pismo State Beach Campground Amenities
Campsites: Picnic table, fire ring with grill; electric and water hook-ups at some Oceano sites
Campground: Restrooms with flush toilets, amphitheater
Showers: Yes
Dump Station: Yes
Campground Map: North Beach Campground Map
Campground Map: Oceano Campground Map
Attractions near Pismo State Beach Campgrounds:
  • At North Beach Campground follow trails to the beach or the Monarch Butterfly Grove.
  • Enjoy campfire programs.
  • Oceano Campground's Nature Center and nearby California native plant garden are worth exploring.
  • Hike the lagoon trail and the beach trail.
  • Find a horseshoe pit near campsite #63.
  • "Pismo is also the only beach in California where it ispermitted to drive a standard highway vehicle along the shore."
  • Enjoy Ocean fishing, swimming, and surfing. Stroll out the Pismo Beach Pier.





Oceano Campground lagoon, Pismo Beach, CA

Oceano Campground Lagoon


Oceano Campground, Pismo Beach, CA

Oceano Campground


North Beach Campground, Pismo Beach, CA

North Beach Campground

Reviews from Previous Campers

2024

  • Friendly staff.
  • Listen to the surf from our campsite.
  • Surrounded by woods and wildlife.
  • Bathrooms were clean.
    •

San Luis Obispo County Attractions

San Luis Obispo County is known for its beautiful beaches and many scenic attractions. Campers at Pismo State Beach Campgrounds have many wonderful places to explore.

  • Fish from Pismo Beach's 1370-foot pier.
  • Explore the tide pools at Shell Beach.
  • Head out sea kayaking through the Dinosaur Caves.
  • Set out on a wine tasting tour through the San Luis Obispo countryside.
  • Hike up the Valencia Peak Trail.
  • Watch elephant seals at Piedras Blancas.
  • Explore Montana de Oro State Park.
  • Take a tour of the famous Hearst Castle.
  • See all the animals at Charles Paddock Zoo in Atascadero.
  • Spend a day at Morro Bay, visiting shops, beaches, and other attractions.
  • Go stand-up paddleboarding at Avila Beach or Morro Bay.
  • Visit old Mission San Miguel.
  • Go cycling around Cambria, set out on scenic Highway 1 or pick a quiet country road

Key Pismo State Beach Campgrounds Regulations

  1. Dogs are required to be on a leash no longer than six feet and under adult supervision at all times. At night dogs must be confined to a vehicle or tent.
  2. Quiet Hours extend from 10 PM to 6 AM.
  3. Generators may only be operated between 10 AM to 8 PM.

Check with Pismo State Beach for any campground updates.

Nearby Campgrounds

San Luis Obispo County


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ReserveCalifornia Reservations Tips

California State Parks' reservation system - ReserveCalifornia - allows campers "to make reservations 6 months to the day in advance of their arrival date." For example, on January 1 reservations can be made for stays beginning on July 1. In the past, reservations were released in one-month blocks. Now it is day by day. For months with fewer days than the month 6 months away, reservations for the remaining days will be released in a small cluster on the first of the next month. Read details at ReserveCalifornia.