Cerro Alto Campground
Cerro Alto Campground is a well-known hiking and mountain biking paradise. It is located a short distance from the sandy beaches of Morro Bay, where visitors enjoy surfing, fishing, kayaking, sailing, scuba diving and more. While the campground offers a serene, relaxed environment, both Morro Bay and the nearby town of Atascadero offer numerous dining opportunities, shopping, museums and other activities. Wine Tasting in the Tempelton, Paso Robles Area is also a very popular experience.
More like this: reservable in California · pets allowed in California
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Tent-only | 9 |
| Standard, no hookups | 9 |
| Walk-in | 4 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 30 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
22 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Tent only | Back-in | 20 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 2 |
| 002 | Tent only | Back-in | 20 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 2 |
| 003 | Tent only | Back-in | 20 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 2 |
| 004 | Walk-in | Back-in | 20 | Paved | Full | 8 / 2 |
| 005 | Walk-in | Back-in | 20 | Paved | Full | 8 / 2 |
| 006 | Walk-in | Back-in | 20 | Paved | Full | 8 / 2 |
| 007 | Walk-in | Back-in | 20 | Paved | Full | 8 / 2 |
| 008 | Standard | Back-in | 15 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 2 |
| 009 | Standard | Pull-through | 25 | Paved | Full | 8 / 2 |
| 010 | Tent only | Back-in | 20 | Paved | Full | 8 / 2 |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 3:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 35 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Fees | All single campsite reservations are good for 6 people and 1 vehicle. Maximum number of people per single site is 8 ($10.00 additional charge per person per night after 6 people). Maximum number of vehicles per single site is 2 ($10.00 additional charge for 2nd vehicle per night). |
The campground offers single-family sites for tent or RV camping. Each site is equipped with a table and campfire ring and grill. Accessible vault toilets and drinking water are provided, but no hookups are available. Trash collection bins are scattered throughout the campground.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Open |
| Forest | Los Padres National Forest |
| Booking | www.recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. Reservations are recommended during the summer months and holiday weekends. Reservations need to be made 3 or more days in advance. |
| Fees | This is a concession managed campground, $35.00 a night (includes one vehicle). Managed by the Parks Management Company (PMC) for the Forest Service. There is a camp host on site. Two cars and 6 people maximum per site. (one vehicle is included in the price of the campsite). |
| Rules | 14 day stay limit. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Atascadero, travel southwest on Highway 41 for about 8 miles. Campground entrance is on the left; turn and continue south for about 1 mile to the campground. From Morro Bay, travel east on Highway 41 for about 8 miles. Campground entrance is on the right; turn and continue south for about a mile to the campground.
| Coordinates | 35.4275° N, 120.7383° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| RV sales & service | California RV Outlets ↗ | 6 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 7.5 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Kayak Horizons ↗ | 7.8 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
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Video
Cerro Alto Campground, CA
Public land it sits in
Santa Lucia Wilderness begins about 13.9 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 13.9 miSanta Lucia Wilderness ↗Wilderness · BLM/FS · 20,241 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Administration Building, Atascadero ColonyBuilding · Atascadero · 5.9 mi
- Atascadero PrinteryBuilding · Atascadero · 6 mi
- Eight Mile HouseBuilding · Santa Margarita · 7 mi
Natural features
The campground is situated in 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
Visitors enjoy ample hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding opportunities, along with a 360-degree view of the Central California coast and inland valleys. The 4-mile Cerro Alto Trail, which leads to the peak, begins within the campground. Morro Bay beaches are less than 10 miles from the campground, offering wide sandy stretches and swimming, surfing, fishing, kayaking, sailing, scuba diving and more. An 18-hole championship golf course is located in the oceanside town.
Nearby
Paso Robles, which is quickly becoming known as a premier spot for Central Coast wines, is located 20 miles from the campground. Wine tasting tours are offered daily, or visitors can select individualized tours of numerous wineries located in the area. The campground makes a great base camp for motorcyclists or day-trippers to visit the quaint, neighboring towns of San Luis Obispo, Cayucos, Harmony and Cambria, all of which are within 35 miles of the campground. Tours of historic Hearst Castle are also available. Visitors can spend time relaxing at the many available day spas located at nearby Avila or Grover beaches. Off-road vehicle trails are available on famous Pismo Beach.
Guidebooks for California
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Cerro Alto Campground?
Sites at Cerro Alto Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. www.recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Cerro Alto Campground?
All single campsite reservations are good for 6 people and 1 vehicle. Maximum number of people per single site is 8 ($10.00 additional charge per person per night after 6 people). Maximum number of vehicles per single site is 2 ($10.00 additional charge for 2nd vehicle per night).
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Cerro Alto Campground?
Check-in 3:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Cerro Alto Campground open right now?
Open as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Cerro Alto Campground have?
22 sites, including 9 tent-only sites, 9 standard sites without power, and 4 walk-in sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Cerro Alto Campground?
The longest site here provides 35 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are pets allowed at Cerro Alto Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Cerro Alto Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Cerro Alto Campground?
Visitors enjoy ample hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding opportunities, along with a 360-degree view of the Central California coast and inland valleys. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What if Cerro Alto Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Turkey Flat OHV Staging Area (22.5 mi), Navajo Flats Campground (24.3 mi), and Navajo Flat OHV Staging Area and campsites (25.8 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby