Cerro Alto Campground

Campground · 22 bookable sites ·

Managed by the USDA Forest Service

Los Padres National Forest (NF) · Open Access

22
Bookable sites
35 ft
Max rig length
up to 8
People per site
1,194 ft
Elevation
Cerro Alto
Photo: PMC · Recreation.gov

Overview

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.

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.

Facilities

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.

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.

Nearby Attractions

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.

The facts

  • 22 bookable sites
  • Vehicles up to 35 ft
  • Up to 8 people per site
  • Loops: CERRO ALTO CAMPGROUND

Site types

  • 9 Standard Nonelectric
  • 9 Tent Only Nonelectric
  • 4 Walk To

Amenities

  • Shade
  • Pets allowed

Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups, campfires allowed, fire pits, picnic tables, grills.

Book on Recreation.gov

22 campsites at Cerro Alto Campground

Check-in 3:00 PM · Check-out 12:00 PM

SiteLoopTypeEntrySurfaceMax rigPeople
001CERRO ALTO CAMPGROUNDTent Only NonelectricBack InPaved20 ft8 🐾
002CERRO ALTO CAMPGROUNDTent Only NonelectricBack InPaved20 ft8 🐾
003CERRO ALTO CAMPGROUNDTent Only NonelectricBack InPaved20 ft8 🐾
004CERRO ALTO CAMPGROUNDWalk ToBack InPaved20 ft8 🐾
005CERRO ALTO CAMPGROUNDWalk ToBack InPaved20 ft8 🐾
006CERRO ALTO CAMPGROUNDWalk ToBack InPaved20 ft8 🐾
007CERRO ALTO CAMPGROUNDWalk ToBack InPaved20 ft8 🐾
008CERRO ALTO CAMPGROUNDStandard NonelectricBack InPaved15 ft8 🐾
009CERRO ALTO CAMPGROUNDStandard NonelectricPull ThroughPaved25 ft8 🐾
010CERRO ALTO CAMPGROUNDTent Only NonelectricBack InPaved20 ft8 🐾
011CERRO ALTO CAMPGROUNDTent Only NonelectricBack InPaved20 ft8 🐾
012CERRO ALTO CAMPGROUNDTent Only NonelectricBack InPaved15 ft8 🐾
013CERRO ALTO CAMPGROUNDTent Only NonelectricBack InPaved33 ft8 🐾
014CERRO ALTO CAMPGROUNDStandard NonelectricBack InPaved35 ft8 🐾
015CERRO ALTO CAMPGROUNDStandard NonelectricBack InPaved15 ft8 🐾
016CERRO ALTO CAMPGROUNDStandard NonelectricBack InPaved25 ft8 🐾
017CERRO ALTO CAMPGROUNDStandard NonelectricBack InPaved25 ft8 🐾
018CERRO ALTO CAMPGROUNDStandard NonelectricBack InPaved24 ft8 🐾
019CERRO ALTO CAMPGROUNDTent Only NonelectricBack InPaved24 ft8 🐾
020CERRO ALTO CAMPGROUNDStandard NonelectricBack InPaved30 ft8 🐾
021CERRO ALTO CAMPGROUNDStandard NonelectricBack InPaved30 ft8 🐾
022CERRO ALTO CAMPGROUNDTent Only NonelectricBack In——8 🐾

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.

35.42750, -120.73833 · 35°25'39.0"N 120°44'18.0"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F————————————
Low °F————————————
Precip in7.46.85.31.80.70.20.10.00.11.62.55.2

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 6.8 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Fees and stay limits

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). Extra Vehicle and person fees will be charged at the facility.

From Recreation.gov, which is not always current. The operator's own page is the authority on what you will be charged.

More photos

Cerro Alto Trail
Photo: PMC · Recreation.gov
CERRO ALTO CAMPGROUND

Member photos

Common questions about Cerro Alto Campground

Can you reserve a site at Cerro Alto Campground?
Yes, Cerro Alto Campground is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Cerro Alto Campground have?
22 sites.
What is the maximum RV length at Cerro Alto Campground?
35 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
Are pets allowed at Cerro Alto Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Cerro Alto Campground.

Also listed by

Cerro Alto Campground also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Cerro Alto Campground's operator.

USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026

  • 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 camphost on site. Two cars and 6 people maximum per site. (one vehicle is included in the price of the campsite). Extra vehicles $10.00 per

Restrictions:

  • 14 day stay limit.

Accessibility:

  • 12 campsites are handicapped accessible.

USDA Forest Service's own page

Camping near Cerro Alto Campground

Comments

Contact

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.

Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.