Cerro Alto Campground

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Santa Lucia Ranger District Storm Damage Recovery

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To provide for public health and safety, the following acts are prohibited within the Santa Lucia Ranger District of the Los Padres National Forest.

1. Entering or using the following developed recreation sites or portions thereof, as shown on the attached maps.

a. Cerro Alto Campground: Sites 5, 6, 7 only.
b. Wagon Flat Campground
c. Brookshire Campground

2. Being on National Forest System (NFS) roads or portions thereof, as shown on the attached map.

a. 11N04.4/ Colson Canyon Road
b. 11N04A/ Brookshire OHV

FOREST ORDER NO. 05-07-53-26-06

SPECIAL CLOSURE - STORM DAMAGE RECOVERY

LOS PADRES NATIONAL FOREST

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(a) & (B), and to provide for public safety, the following acts are prohibited within the Santa Lucia Ranger District of the Los Padres National Forest. This Order is effective from July 15, 2026, through July 14, 2027.

Entering or using the following developed recreation sites or portions thereof, as shown on the attached maps. 36 C.F.R. § 261.58(b).

a. Cerro Alto Campground: Sites 5, 6, 7 only.
b. Wagon Flat Campground
c. Brookshire Campground

Being on National Forest System (NFS) roads or portions thereof, as shown on the attached map. 36 C.F.R. § 261.54(e).

a. 11N04.4/ Colson Canyon Road
b. 11N04A/ Brookshire OHV

Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:

Any Federal, State, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or fire-fighting force in the performance of an official duty.
Persons with a Forest Service non-recreation special use authorization, such as for electric transmission lines and associated facilities, oil or gas pipelines and surface operations, or communications sites and tenants;
Persons with a non-special use Forest Service written authorization to conduct non- recreational activities including, but not limited to hazardous fuels reduction, habitat/ ecological restoration, research, resource surveys, or grazing livestock activities; and
Persons with a Forest Service Permit No. FS-7700-48 (Permit for Use of Roads, Trails, or Areas Restricted by Regulation or Order), specifically exempting them from this Order.

These prohibitions are in addition to the general prohibitions in 36 C.F.R. Part 261, Subpart A.

A violation of these prohibitions is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than six months, or both. 16 U.S.C.§ 551 and 18 U.S.C. §§ 3559, 3571, and 3581.

Executed at Solvang, California this 14th day of July, 2026.

Kimberly A. Winter
Forest Supervisor
Los Padres National Forest

Forest Order 05-07-53-26-06 supersedes Forest Order 05-07-53-24-13, executed on July 18, 2025

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.

Camp site features

Across 22 camp sites:

Pets allowed: all 22 sites
Longest rig: 35 ft
Largest party: 8 people

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.

Directions

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.

Stay Limit

Check in from 3 PM, check out by 12 PM.

Reviews

314 reviews

5 stars

191

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 stars

Robert B

Loop:Cerro Alto Campground

Site:

Reviewed 5 days ago

Very friendly and kind Host. Asked us if we want to change our site, because site 14 is not so beautiful as it seems. You have to park near the toilet and walk up a steep way to get to your place. The other sites are more comfortable. But we changed our site and had a good time at site 17.

Arthur G

Loop:Cerro Alto Campground

Site:

Reviewed 18 days ago

I've been to Cerro Alto twice now, and see myself going back again. The campground is spread out so the campsites are not stacked on one another like other campgrounds. Every site is unique. The hosts are friendly and professional. I would definitely recommend this campground to others.

Dana E

Loop:Cerro Alto Campground

Site:

Reviewed a month ago

Nature can’t help it, but in saying that, cerro alto is wall to wall poison oak. It is everywhere. I know they cut it back in the winter which helps, but right now that plant is flourishing out there, lol. Site 21 is a joke. We could hear word for word every thing our neighbors were saying. It’s way too close for comfort, I don’t know why they squeezed that site in between the two others. We straight up had zero privacy. No matter which direction we faced, we saw neighbors. I’d say about 10 ft away both directions. The midges and flies are in full force during the day, so bring bug spray. We got eaten up pretty good by the midges. To end on a positive note….Shout out to Ken & Tina, lovely camp hosts and hospitable. Location wise we really love cerro alto but site 21 - never again. It’s only good if you’re a group and getting the 2 other sites on either side.

John H

Loop:Cerro Alto Campground

Site:

Reviewed a month ago

#15 close to restroom but not too close, bear box close,, secluded. water, trash

Vicky G

Loop:Cerro Alto Campground

Site:

Reviewed a month ago

Really love that quiet spot, host was really friendly. Will return for sure!

Kate G

Loop:Cerro Alto Campground

Site:

Reviewed a month ago

Site 12 is on a slope. There is exactly one level spot for camping, and it's surrounded by poison oak. There was no way for us to set up the tent without either us or the tent getting into the poison oak. We tried to sleep on a sloped surface and it was just the worst experience. I kept sliding to the bottom of the tent. We left after one day. It was a waste of money. It was a pretty area but I can't recommend this to anyone.

Availability

See the Camp Sites section below to find detailed booking availability.

Reserve Watch

Popularity: Quiet

Busiest in August, when about 35% of guest capacity is reserved. Based on 11 years of reservations.

Camp Sites

Camping