$35
Cerro Alto
Total sites: 22
Available Today: 13 FF*
Available this Weekend: 5 FF*
Booking Window: 6 months
Available Today: 13 FF*
Available this Weekend: 5 FF*
Booking Window: 6 months
1,196 ft
64°F
48°F
48°F
poor
Los Padres National Forest › Santa Lucia Ranger District › California
› San Luis Obispo County
› Morro Bay
› Cerro Alto Campground
Cerro Alto Campground, CA - Latest Reviews, Photos & Campground Map
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.
Campground Capacity (Next 30 Days)
Campsite Reviews (305)
4.3 out of 5
| 5 star | 60% | |
| 4 star | 20% | |
| 3 star | 9% | |
| 2 star | 6% | |
| 1 star | 4% |
@PatriciaT51824 · Camped on Apr 13, 2026 at Campsite #20
This is a fairly hidden, remote campground. Many of the sites require climbing up steps to get from the pad to the picnic tables. Some are very close to one another (sites 20 and 21). It was very quiet and peaceful while we were there as it was mostly empty. Lots of birds could e heard singing. The camp hosts (Ken and his wife) were VERY helpful and kept the place spotless. Please note that many of the campsites are ringed with large amounts of poison oak.
@LaurenM8658949 · Camped on Apr 9, 2026 at Campsite #11
Its cute
@CalebF8080753 · Camped on Apr 3, 2026 at Campsite #22
Excellent campground, super nice hosts campsite wasnt the best situated kinda in middle of a trailhead parking lot and combined with the site next to it. But as with most campgrounds not all sites are created equal.
@PeterS7845234 · Camped on Mar 31, 2026 at Campsite #8
We were at site 8 and had a great time. Even though it's towards the front so cars went past regularly, we had our own space which was nice. It's about 200 feet to the nearest bathroom walking along the road, so not ideal for younger kids walking on their own. Bugs weren't bad, bathrooms were clean, campground was quiet. Keep in mind site 8 doesn't have a water spigot either.Biggest tip: don't buy firewood at the campground. It's $10 a bundle and it is super light/sparse wood that is definitely not local to the area. We went through 6 bundles in a couple of hours so the next night we got wood elsewhere.
@DannielK8A4D5B · Camped on Mar 30, 2026 at Campsite #14
Our campsite and every trail is surrounded by poison oak, so just be careful. Our campsite was relatively secluded but some are right next to toilets, so be careful when choosing your site. Camp manager was friendly. Honestly, its a little too close to the highway and civilization for my liking (one of the trails goes parallel to the highway), so I wont be going back, but some people might find that as a plus.
@KeithM6446150 · Camped on Mar 24, 2026 at Campsite #14
Parking for site 14 was next to a pit toilet/trash can. Hike to campsite was about 30yards uphill path was worn uneven rutted. Very unsafe when traversing at night. Campsite was uneven in all directions, tent pad was uneven. Only good thing was it was shady. Be very careful when booking this campground. There were a few good sites but several were right next to pit toilets. I do not recommend site 14.
@PollyVC963632F · Camped on Mar 23, 2026 at Campsite #16
Nice camp site, plenty of space for two tents. Nice shade in the morning and evening with only direct (hot) sun in the middle of the day. Unfortunately the perimeter of the site was poison oak but everyone did a good job of staying away from it. There was lots of poison oak along all the edges of roads and trails. The picnic table was a good size and we had space for people, food, and stove. The fire pit was great and firewood was $10/bundle (~5 logs). Our site was a short walk to two bathrooms (pit toilets, no lights) and we were actually close to the camp host in cast we needed anything. Each site had a water spigot nearby. The trees and birds were wonderful to listen to and watch. There were bugs around but with bug spray we didn't seem to get many bites at all. The rocks were nice for the kids to play on and stay away from the poison oak :)
@DawnH3920486 · Camped on Mar 22, 2026 at Campsite #9
I LOVE the Cerro Alto Campground and surrounding hiking trails. The views from the Cerro Alto are amazing on a clear day. I have been going there for years and I have to say the campground really has gone downhill. During the 4 days we were there no one ever emptied the already overflowing trash cans and the bathrooms looked like they hadn't been cleaned or swept out in a very long time. We only saw one employee who collected fees right after we arrived during our entire stay.
@BeccaG5876513D · Camped on Mar 20, 2026 at Campsite #18
Camspites #18 & #19 were perfect for a big group! We had our own running water, close to the bathrooms, and our spot was right along the creek. We did day trips to Paso Robles and the tour bus had no problem locating us and picking us up for the day.
@AlexisK2171208 · Camped on Mar 13, 2026 at Campsite #8
Site 8 was the best site in the campground. Plenty of room and privacy from other sites. This campground is smaller, but very well kept. There is a hiking trail to the top of Cerro Alto within the campground. Highly recommend the hike! Drinkable water available throughout the campground. Pit toilets. Firewood for sale if needed.
@AnthonyR794985 · Camped on Mar 11, 2026 at Campsite #8
Great halfway point for us on our road trip up to the Humboldt Redwoods SP. We enjoyed it so much, we came back on our way home and stayed another night.
@DerrickB4E93B0 · Camped on Feb 13, 2026 at Campsite #21
I love this place!
@AndreSAA2321D0 · Camped on Feb 13, 2026 at Campsite #19
Great campsite especially if you want to be close to Morro Bay. Host was very kind. Firewood available on site for 10$ a bundle.
@Erinc6378035 · Camped on Feb 6, 2026 at Campsite #8
The campground was well maintained. Our campsite was in a great location.
Excellent
@michaelk687828 · Camped on Jan 30, 2026 at Campsite #15
Super clean everywhere.George is an excellent Host. Great guy!
Some Coverage
@BrianT1694442 · Camped on Dec 29, 2025 at Campsite #17
Campground was beautiful. The sites were nice, clean and the fire rings were maintained. The bathrooms were horrible. Sewage was at the top of the tank on one and close on the other. It doesn't look like they are cleaned or maintained. If this was addressed, it would be a 5 star campground and a highly recommend.
No Service
@GregJ8955932 · Camped on Dec 29, 2025 at Campsite #8
Previous campers at my site did not check out until 3:30 pm. Therefore, I was not able to set up camp until after 4 pm. It was dark an hour later. Not a good experience.
@KathyF2E2A5FD5 · Camped on Dec 16, 2025 at Campsite #8
Quiet time of year so not a lot of campers here. I was allowed to have a fire and I enjoyed that. Pit toilets looked a little neglected so I didnt use one. Nice to be away from urban areas.
Some Coverage
@PaulM6940902 · Camped on Nov 25, 2025 at Campsite #20
This campground was a bit of a surprise. We drove in at night so didn't see the lay of the land. But in the morning we found ourselves in a beautiful spot. The campgrounds are a little strange. Some require parking your car then taking stairs up to your site. Other sites are close together and share a parking space. But other than that we had a splendid time. The hike up to Cerro Alto peak is incredible. There is running water and pit toilets. The toilets were clean and did not have an unpleasant smell.
Some Coverage
@MichaelM541440 · Camped on Oct 17, 2025 at Campsite #9
Nice campground close to hiking and fun places to visit and explore.
Major Issues
@RobertL7452920 · Camped on Sep 22, 2025 at Campsite #9
A hidden gem. I almost didn't want to review it.
No Service
@DouglasG241363 · Camped on Sep 12, 2025 at Campsite #15
The campsite was lovely... except for poison oak everywhere. Step one foot in any direction outside the small dirt area of where our tent was, and you're knee deep in poison oak.
@DavidV5073563 · Camped on Aug 3, 2025 at Campsite #14
This is a surprisingly amazing campground in a beautiful wooden setting! The campsites are well equipped, and clean. The camp hosts make their rounds on their golf cart regularly and happy to answer any questions and help out anyway they can. Even the bathrooms are not too unpleasant and cleaned regularly. We really enjoyed our stay there.
No Service
@TiffanyP241995 · Camped on Aug 3, 2025 at Campsite #13
This is our favorite campground. The new managers are so sweet and accommodating! We will be back every year.
Some Coverage
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