When I was traveling up the coast of California, sleeping out of my car, I knew I wanted to stop in San Luis Obispo for a few nights. It was honestly hard to find free spots to camp in SLO specifically, but here’s some information, along with a few spots I found.
Although car camping on streets in San Luis Obispo is illegal, you can either reserve a campground or take part in dispersed camping. Baja Campground and TV Tower Road Dispersed Camping are both dispersed camping spots near the city. Most campgrounds require paying a fee, while the dispersed campgrounds are free.
So, where are other spots you can car camp at and what are they like? Read to find out!
Where Can You Car Camp Around San Luis Obispo?
| Dispersed Camping | Reservation? | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Baja Campground | No | Free |
| TV Tower Road Dispersed Camping | No | Free |
| Los Padres National Forest | No | Free |
| Campgrounds | Reservation? | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Oceano Campground | Required | Starting at $10 |
| Islay Creek Campground | Required | Starting at $10 |
| Cerro Alto Campground | First-come, first-served | $25/night |
| Santa Margarita Lake Recreation & Natural Area | Required | Starting at $27 |
| Lopez Lake Recreation & Natural Area | Required | Starting at $27 |
3 Dispersed Camping Spots Around San Luis Obispo (Free)
1. Baja Campground
Located inside Los Padres National Forest, Baja Campground is a pretty good-sized oak-shaded campsite on the banks of Alder Creek. You can camp here at no cost.
Amenities: Parking spots (car camping), tent camping, picnic tables, toilets
Directions: From Santa Maria: Highway 166 25 miles east. Branch Creek Rd. 3 miles northwest.
2. TV Tower Road Dispersed Camping
TV Tower Road is one of the more well-known areas in San Luis Obispo to car camp at.
The road is located inside of Los Padres National Forest, so you can park on the side of the road at any point and set up camp for the night. Although, most people who decide to car camp here make the trek all the way to the top until they find a designated lot.
This spot does not have any amenities but is known for its gorgeous sunsets and mountainous views.
The road is paved most of the way until you get higher up in the mountains. Van-lifers can make the trek up the mountain, so don’t be discouraged if you think your car can’t make it.
Directions: Campers can just search “TV Tower Road” on a GPS to find the road.
3. Los Padres National Forest
Los Padres National Forest is a part of the U.S. Forest Service. In National Forests, you can take part in dispersed camping anywhere that is outside of a campground.
All national forests offer land that is free to be explored and camped on with limited rules and regulations compared to National Parks. Without an established campground, you can expect a lack of common amenities like a bathroom, showers, fire rings, and even phone service.
To take part in dispersed camping on national forest land, research the rules to follow beforehand. Most forests have forest roads that can be trickier to find without a map and may require an off-road or high-clearance vehicle to access.
Big Sur and San Luis Obispo are similar when dealing with rules regarding car camping, as they both allow car campers on land owned by the U.S. Forest Service. To see dispersed camping spots in Big Sur, check out my post Car Camping in Big Sur (Where, How Much, & Is it Legal)?.
5 Campgrounds Around San Luis Obispo
1. Oceano Campground
My favorite campground in all of San Luis Obispo, Oceano Campground is a 5-minute walk from the beach!
Oceano Campground has 24 campsites and each site will accommodate up to 8 people with either one RV or a couple of tents. Each campsite is equipped with full hook-ups (electricity, sewer, and water). Coin-operated showers are available.
SLO County Parks
When I went here to car camp, I was amazed at everything this campsite had to offer. Not only could you easily walk to the beach, but they also had trails surrounding the campsite and a visitor center with a little museum.
2. Islay Creek Campground
Located inside Montaña de Oro State Park, The Islay Creek Campground offers 47 primitive campsites for tent camping and recreational vehicles. Each campsite has a fire ring and picnic table with water spigots and toilets nearby. Firewood is for sale from the campground host.
The campground is located in a valley surrounded by many large trees. The State Park itself is located close to Morro Bay and consists of over 8,000 acres of cliffs and seven miles of beaches.
3. Cerro Alto Campground
This campground shares its home with a mixed oak, pine and sycamore forest at an elevation of about 1,000 feet. It lies in a verdant canyon pass along a semiannual mountain creek.
The roads are paved, but narrow, winding and single lane with turnouts to each site (Recreation.gov).
Amenities: Each site is equipped with a table and campfire ring and grill. Vault toilets and drinking water are provided, but no hookups are available.
4. Santa Margarita Lake Recreation & Natural Area
Santa Margarita Lake Recreation & Natural Area is a popular camping destination located only 20 minutes from the heart of San Luis Obispo.
The lake itself provides opportunities for boating, fishing, and kayaking, and the surrounding terrain is home to a variety of wildlife, including deer and birds of prey. Beyond water-based activities, the area features multi-use trails suitable for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding.
Amenities: Each site is equipped with fire rings and picnic tables. Additionally, there are restroom facilities and potable water sources available for convenience.
5. Lopez Lake Recreation & Natural Area
Lopez Lake Recreation & Natural Area is situated near Arroyo Grande in California. The lake itself is a focal point for a variety of water-based activities including boating, fishing, and jet skiing.
For those interested in terrestrial adventures, Lopez Lake boasts a network of trails suitable for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. Additionally, the park offers boat rentals, a marina, and even a water slide park for family fun.
The surrounding terrain is characterized by rolling hills and dense woodlands, home to numerous wildlife species.
Amenities: Each site is equipped with standard amenities like fire rings and picnic tables. Modern restroom facilities are strategically located throughout the camping area.