USDA Forest Service · California
Cerro Alto Campground
USDA Forest Service · California, United States
- Sites
- 22
- Hookups
- 18 no hookups
- Season
- Year-round
- Max RV length
- 35 ft
- Drinking water
- No
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Pets
- Yes
- Elevation
- 912 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 2
- Cell coverage
- Verizon weak · T-Mobile good · AT&T good (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Access road
- CERRO ALTO CG (NFSR 29S11) · bituminous surface treatment · moderate degree of user comfort
- Lake
- Los Padres National Forest
- Nearest town
- San Luis Obispo
- Phone
- 805-434-1996
- Activities
- Biking, Camping, Fishing, Hiking, Hunting, Kayaking, Scuba Diving, Swimming, Wildlife Viewing
22 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.
About
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.
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).
Extra Vehicle and person fees will be charged at the facility.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 59° | 45° | 34° | 73° | 0 of 11 |
| February | 59° | 43° | 33° | 78° | 0 of 11 |
| March | 61° | 45° | 36° | 86° | 0 of 11 |
| April | 64° | 47° | 40° | 80° | 0 of 11 |
| May | 68° | 51° | 47° | 82° | 0 of 11 |
| June | 75° | 56° | 51° | 94° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 78° | 59° | 53° | 95° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 76° | 59° | 54° | 95° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 75° | 58° | 51° | 93° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 74° | 54° | 45° | 88° | 0 of 10 |
| November | 64° | 48° | 37° | 78° | 0 of 10 |
| December | 60° | 44° | 36° | 74° | 0 of 10 |
Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.
Nearby campgrounds
- El Chorro Regional Park Campground · City, County & Regional Parks · 6 mi · 61 sites
- Morro Strand State Beach · California State Parks · 7 mi · 81 sites
- Morro Bay State Park · California State Parks · 7 mi
- Montaña de Oro State Park · California State Parks · 13 mi
- Santa Margarita Lake Recreation Area Campground · City, County & Regional Parks · 17 mi · 60 sites
All public campgrounds in California · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-02-25. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.