Crystal Cove State Park
8471 N Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, CA 92651, United States
Overview
Located along the N. Coast Highway, south of Corona del Mar in Orange County, California, Crystal Cove State Park has 3.2 miles (5.1 km) of inland chaparral valleys, Pacific shoreline, and the Crystal Cove Historic District of beachfront homes. The park is situated in Newport Beach and is a section of the South Coast Wilderness. 3 miles of beaches and tidal pools, a 1,400-acre marine conservation area and undersea park, 2,400 acres of canyons, and 400 acres of bluffs make up the entire park.
Situated on a hillside with ocean views, the Moro Campground is approximately a 10-minute walk from the fascinating beach and has 57 sites that allow a mix of tents and RVs up to 38 feet. Full hookups and dump stations are available, and restrooms have flush toilets and hot water.
Dogs are allowed on paved areas only, primarily at the campground and in parking lots, as well as the 3-mile paved trail along the Pacific Coast Highway as long as they are kept on a six-foot leash. However, dogs aren’t allowed on any backcountry hiking trails or beaches to preserve the park’s resources and for safety reasons.
Best Campsites at Crystal Cove State Park
Of the 57 campsites at Moro Campground, 27 are designated for travel trailers or RVs up to 38 feet while the rest are “low-impact” sites and meant for vans, tents, and soft-sided trailers.
#12, 14, 25, 30, 45, 49, and 58 are accessible sites, scattered around the campground that is split into three loops of about 20 sites each.
Sites 50 and Above (Dolphin Loop)
- Give you best view of the ocean
- the tiered design of the campground means almost every site can enjoy ocean views!
Unique Experiences
- Enjoy loads of hiking along 18 miles of backcountry trails spread over 2,400 acres of wilderness containing a plethora of wildlife including endangered sage plants.
- Go on a gentle hike along the Moro Canyon trail, a 1-hour stroll that starts at the Ranger Station and goes through the beautiful canyon. This is the only trail that dogs are allowed on.
- For avid hikers, numerous trails like the Park Perimeter Trail will keep you occupied for about 5 hours. Note that no dogs are allowed on backcountry trails.
- Check out Crystal Cove State Park's 3.2 miles of beach, which can be used for swimming, fishing, surfing, and other activities, which is one of the attractions of camping there. The Reef Point, Moro Beach, Historic District, and Pelican Point are the park's four primary beach access locations.
- Go see the Historic District, a 12-acre section with 47 beach cottages that are available for rent. Give yourself a treat and book yourself into one of the charming cottages! Be warned, the cottages book out fast!
- Go wildlife spotting and try to spot numerous aquatic life such as the sea lions, sea otters, and seals that call Crystal Cove’s beautiful beaches their home. Furthermore, the park's boundaries are home to more than 70 different species of birds.
- If you’re feeling adventurous, check out the nearby campgrounds at Lower Moro, Upper Moro, and Deer Canyon. These primitive sites have no water, pit toilets, and a picnic table. These sites are a 3-mile hike inland, and you’ll have to pack everything in and out. Leave the rainfly off and sleep under the stars for a truly rustic experience!
Crystal Cove State Park Campground Rules
Max Trailer/RV Length
38' if Hookup, 25' otherwiseMax Length of Stay
30 daysMax people per site
8Max vehicles per site
2 (one towed)Fires allowed?
Only propane fire ringsPets allowed?
Yes, but not on beach/trailsCrystal Cove State Park Reservation Information
Reservations Allowed?
Reservations Required?
YesIt is advised that you register your site as far in advance as six months due to the high demand for camping at Crystal Cove State Park and the relatively small number of available campsites. To reserve your spot right away, go to the Reserve California website or call (800) 444-7275 between 8 am to 6 pm.
Sites with hookups cost $75 while standard sites cost $55.
Ensure you have the following information to make a reservation:
- Park selections
- Date you wish to start camping
- Type and size of camping equipment
- Number of people that will occupy the campsite
- Number of nights you wish to camp
- Alternative park and camping date choices
- Your phone number and area code
- Method of payment/Credit card number and expiration date
- Mailing address
Group Camping Reservations
There are no group camping facilities, and each site allows a maximum of 8 people with two vehicles (one towed). Hookup sites cost $75 per night while standard sites at Moro Campground cost $55.
Campsite Reservation Cancellations
There is a $7.99 cancellation fee for each reservation that you make. You can cancel either online or by phoning their Customer Call Center at (800) 444-PARK (7275).
Crystal Cove State Park Campground Cost
Standard Campsite
$55Full Hookup Sites
$75Activities
Scuba Diving
Surfing / Windsurfing
Swimming
Fishing
Hiking
Bike Trails
Photography
Tide Pools
Whale Watching
Backpacking
Canoeing / Kayaking
Amenities
RV/Trailers
Hookups
Pull Through Spots
Pet Friendly
ADA Sites
Showers
Trash
Picnic Tables
Alcohol
Cell Service
Potable Water
Visitors/Rec Center
Campground Host
Directions
FAQs
Nearby Campgrounds to Crystal Cove State Park
The 18 miles of backcountry hiking trails around Crystal Cove’s Moro Campground will please the avid hiker, while other campgrounds in Southern California like Doheny and San Clemente will be better suited for surfers and ocean lovers.
Crystal Cove Beach Cottages
The recently renovated Crystal Cove Beach Cottages are located in the Historic District within the park. Step back in time and stay in a charming little cottage surrounded by stunning ocean views, quaint historical accents, and a look at a distinctly Southern California beach town from a bygone period.
If you want a different experience or get tired of tenting it, you might want to treat yourself to a cottage stay! But be warned, these cottages get booked fast, so make your reservation way in advance. ** **
Doheny State Beach
There are two distinct day-use sections at Doheny State Beach (north and south), each with its own parking space. All beach venues have access to the state beach via Dana Point Harbor Drive. Seniors pay $14 and vehicles cost $15 each.
The entrance is free for pedestrians and bikes. There are campgrounds on the state beach's southern end, some of which are just a few steps from the water. Camping costs $40 for inland sites, $60 for the beachfront, and “hike and bike” entry is $10.
Doheny State Beach has no hookups and has a pet policy. However, there IS a group campsite at Doheny and it supports up to 40 people.
San Clemente State Beach
This large campground has over 150 campsites with hookups available on 1 to 72 for vehicles up to 42 feet.
The mile-long beach extends between the waves of the ocean and the base of a tall bluff. Camping, swimming, snorkeling, beach combing, surf fishing, surfing, hiking, motorcycling, whale watching, and even cruising into town to shop and visit a few restaurants are among the many activities available here.
Bolsa Chica State Beach
Bolsa Chica offers the ideal playground for campers, families, fishermen, and surfers of all skill levels. Many visitors stick around well into the night for a traditional beach bonfire.
Three miles of unbroken beachfront, unending summertime and a variety of beach activities are all features of Bolsa Chica State Beach. At Bolsa Chica State Beach, there are outdoor activities for everyone to enjoy, including volleyball, bonfires, biking, and fishing.
