Cerro Alto Campground

$35.00/night

Show on map 805-434-1996 info@camplospadres.com

Santa Lucia Ranger District Storm Damage Recovery

1/2

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.

Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (820) 500-1099.

Camp site features

Across 22 camp sites:

Pets allowed: all 22 sites
Longest RV: 35 ft
Largest party: 8 people
Equipment: Tent

Services within 25 miles · OpenStreetMap

Nearest dump station: 6.6 mi · El Chorro Regional Park Campground

Nearest water fill: 13.4 mi

Fees

Up to 8 people and 2 vehicles per site.

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

320 reviews

5 stars

196

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 stars

Murisa B

Loop:Cerro Alto Campground

Site:

Reviewed 16 days ago

Reserved site 10 and 11 but ended up staying in site 10 due to it being flat. The site was large we were able to set up a 10 person tent and a 6 person tent with lots of room left over. We did not have any problems with the bathroom or dumpster smelling but I could see it being a problem in hotter weather. The bathroom was clean and the dumpster was empty when we came in Friday. If you’re staying in colder weather definitely recommend this site. If you want two sites together rent site 9 I reserved site 11 and it ended up being up the road a bit.

Dorte Gilsa H

Loop:Cerro Alto Campground

Site:

Reviewed 20 days ago

The hosts are very nice and helpful. Keep restrooms clean all day long.

everest s

Loop:Cerro Alto Campground

Site:

Reviewed a month ago

clean campsite, clean bathrooms, camp rangers were helpful and friendly. Really enjoyed the nearby hikes and scenery.

Aleksander A

Loop:Cerro Alto Campground

Site:

Reviewed a month ago

Host was awesome, great campsite!

Mark C

Loop:Cerro Alto Campground

Site:

Reviewed 2 months ago

Gorgeous and quiet and close to Morro Bay! But you'd never know until you take the beautiful hike to the top of the mountain and see the view! Hate to recommend because I'd rather keep it quiet, but it's a beauty little campground on a lovely seasonal creek. (Still water in August!) The ONLY downside is the little black flies, but if you keep a slightly smoky fire going, they are not a problem.

Severine L

Loop:Cerro Alto Campground

Site:

Reviewed 3 months ago

Absence de dump station et d eau Cadre peu accueillant Gardien peu aimable Nous ne sommes pas restés

Availability

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

Reserve

Popularity: Very quiet

Busiest in November, when about 6% of guest capacity is reserved. Based on 5 years of reservations.

Season dates

Peak season

Jan 1, 2026 – Dec 31, 2026

Reservable online

Peak season

Jan 1, 2027 – Dec 31, 2027

Reservable online

Peak season

Jan 1, 2028 – Dec 31, 2028

Reservable online

Camp Sites

Availability not checked yet

We don't have availability data yet for camp sites at .

Interested in seeing what camp sites you can reserve here? Check it now, or watch this campground so we keep checking it for you.

Camping

Pro