Cerro Alto Campground, CA

Cerro Alto Campground is located in the Santa Lucia Ranger District, Los Padres National Forest (32 min northwest of San Luis Obispo, CA) with an elevation of 1,196 feet. There are a total of 22 campsites including 13 tent-only sites. The campground is open all year. 9 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 15 and 35 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. Prices start at $35.00 per night. Some amenities include drinking water, swimming, restroom, trash dumpster. Activities include biking, boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.

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Campground Capacity (Next 30 Days)

Campsite Reviews (144)

4.3 out of 5

5 star		58%
4 star		19%
3 star		10%
2 star		8%
1 star		3%

@DestinyCB9F1B9 · Camped on Apr 4, 2025 at Campsite #8

I had an amazing time at this campsitedefinitely a 5/5 experience. It was quiet, peaceful, and totally secluded, which made it perfect for introverts or anyone just looking to unplug and enjoy nature without neighbors nearby. We heard and saw wildlife, and the whole area felt like we were deep in the forest. The beach is only about a 15-minute drive away, which was a great bonus.A heads-up though: the road leading in is very narrow and winding, so I wouldnt recommend it if youre an inexperienced driver or if youre bringing a big truck. It can be a bit nerve-wracking getting in and out. If youre staying at Site 8 like we did, I recommend using the bathrooms to the south. The western bathrooms were pretty much inaccessible on foot because of water running through the road.There is some poison oak near the creek and nettle in the grass, so if you have small kids or dogs, youll want to be extra cautious. The site is down in a valley, so it gets pretty cold at nightdefinitely bring extra blankets or something to keep warm while sleeping. One last thing: I didnt see any trash bins around, so make sure to bring a trash bag and pack everything out.All in all, it was such a beautiful, peaceful spot and Ill be back!

@GlennBEE215EAF · Camped on Mar 23, 2025 at Campsite #16

Don't get much for the money. Tree maintenance must not be in the budget. Low hanging branches everywhere. Very unlevel campsites. This is a twenty dollar a night campground. Not going back.

@RyanH4459660 · Camped on Mar 14, 2025 at Campsite #15

Too cold

@LisaH3162185 · Camped on Feb 21, 2025 at Campsite #20

Really lovely campsite, loved the nearby trails up to the top of the hill with stunning views down to the ocean and all the way to the east. Hosts were super nice.Our campsite was too close to the 2 surrounding campsites, (sites at the end of the campground I think numbering in the 20s) and all the smoke from the campfires was too much so I had retire early to sleep squished in the airtight car instead of the tent so I could breathe. Lots of ticks so do tick checks!

@NicolePD40DEEA · Camped on Feb 14, 2025 at Campsite #10

Road in/out is single lane, someone has to pull over if they encounter a driver from the opposite direction. Although there was a decent amount of day use traffic, it didn't feel intrusive. Bathroom was out of TP for a couple days. I never saw a ranger come around. All the campsites are fairly shady, ground area for tent was semi grassy. Although it had rained the day before there weren't any puddles. The campground felt very secluded, although the individual sites did not have much separating them from each other. Overall it was a nice campsite with quick access to SLO, Paso Robles, and Morro Bay via car.

@LoriW4261886 · Camped on Jan 30, 2025 at Campsite #9

Nice small campground with sites spaced really well, not cramped. Good 2 mile hiking trail to Cerro Alto, and allowing leashed dogs. We really enjoyed our 1 night stay, glad we experienced it. We would not stay there more than 1 night, but that's not a criticism of the campground.

@AmandaP3442502 · Camped on Jan 14, 2025 at Campsite #18

The hosts were friendly and helpful. They kept the campground clean and safe. There were plenty of bathrooms. I enjoyed the quiet campground and bird viewing.

@Christoph19649 · Camped on Dec 28, 2024 at Campsite #15

The site we reserved was occupied, but the host was very accomodating

@CarolynB215464 · Camped on Dec 25, 2024 at Campsite #14

The website photos and description are extremely deceiving. Almost all campsites are really tent only. You can park a tiny RV/trailer but you will have to hike up a slippery, non-maintained path to get to the table and fire ring. The road is one lane only so pray you do not meet up with someone else going the other way.

@SarahW4027937 · Camped on Nov 28, 2024 at Campsite #14

These campsites among the oak trees in the steep hills outside of San Luis Obispo is an excellent retreat from the busyness of the towns below. The trails were also well capped and exciting, with lots of opportunity for a mountain biking. The bathrooms were clean, and the campsites were clearly marked.

@KellyM9992231 · Camped on Oct 14, 2024 at Campsite #16

Tics, bears, rattlesnakes, and noisy scrub jays ... what's not to love?? I camped in mid-October, not very crowded, clean bathroom, great hiking, excellent wineries within 30 minutes away... I thought it was great. Excellent 5G UC service on my tmobile phone. No tics, bears or rattlesnakes, but oh... the scrub jays... SQUAWK!!

@AmandaS6104080 · Camped on Oct 2, 2024 at Campsite #16

Clean sites and wonderful camp hosts!

@MaddieM59E7744 · Camped on Sep 6, 2024 at Campsite #13

Must walk up short but steep path to campsite. This site has shade in the morning and sun the the afternoon and is private from the road. There is also a small trail that connects to site 14. Close to the restroom which was very clean for a vault toilet! Would camp here again!

@IsabellaD8AC01 · Camped on Aug 18, 2024 at Campsite #8

This campsite is gorgeous, definitely coming back!

@DustinB1202239 · Camped on Aug 4, 2024 at Campsite #13

Lovely staff and interesting camping areas. But... TERRRRRRIBLE Poison oak. There was no path that wasn't consumed with it. We have kids, and we won't be back.

@KatS625F4CA4B5 · Camped on Jul 26, 2024 at Campsite #14

There is a lot of poison oak all around the camp ground sites and trails. Cleared away from the picnic tables and tent spots but if you have a dog or kids, be careful. Camp host was not open to get firewood until after 10AM.

@MarrokS6F2334A · Camped on Jun 30, 2024 at Campsite #16

A very quiet campground with one big loop hike. Very easy to get down to the beach to cool off if it gets hot during the afternoon. The one downside is if you get one of the sites within eyesight of a pit toilet, you will smell that pit toilet. (Although this is normal/expected.)

@NickA5023435 · Camped on May 20, 2024 at Campsite #12

Nice and tidy and great location!

@ZacharyB979819 · Camped on Apr 20, 2024 at Campsite #8

Zachary baron I had reservations here already cerro alto for spott 008 witch was double booked according to camp host witch we had made contact with at 4pm witch we were 1 of 4 camp sites they said were doubled book they offered free fier wood and offerd us a spot witch had storm damage and the road was caved into the creek we have 2 toddler's we had a very bad experience with this site and camp host were tried to contact the booking company but since our cell service was bad and no phone number for them we were stuck I belive the host are not capable of doing there jobs properly and were up all night drinking and listening to music

@MikeF675E8EA70 · Camped on Apr 14, 2024 at Campsite #16

Great Camp Hosts. Location is perfect! About 20 min from Paso Robles Wine Country and 20 min the other direction to Morro Bay with the best seafood ever. The camp is very quiet and peaceful. Pit Restrooms are clean. We enjoyed our stay.

@NathanA8717725 · Camped on Apr 5, 2024 at Campsite #13

Amazing place!

@RyanS4713424 · Camped on Feb 9, 2024 at Campsite #12

We had a great time. It was cold and had just rained buckets. It made it REAL camping! :) We will definitely be back!

@MargiE98DCB453 · Camped on Jan 11, 2024 at Campsite #16

Nice campground, very busy with hikers. TONS of teeny tiny ticks, tho, so we probably wouldn't return.

@AnnN3481504 · Camped on Jan 3, 2024 at Campsite #16

The grounds were beautiful. But it was very sad to see that it was infested with Asian beetles. They coated the bathroom walls, along with trees, bushes, and grass along the lower part of the path leading up the mountain.

@LynnS1903043 · Camped on Dec 9, 2023 at Campsite #16

Beautiful location, easy drive from Paso Robles or Morro Bay.

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Cerro Alto Campground, CA

Cerro Alto

Campground Capacity (Next 30 Days)

Campsite Reviews (144)

4.3 out of 5

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