Islay Creek Campground (Montana De Oro)
3550 Pecho Valley Rd, Los Osos, CA 93402
Overview
Islay Creek Campground is located in Montaña de Oro State Park along the California coast in San Luis Obispo County. The campground features 50 sites for tents or small RVs/trailers with a maximum length of 27 feet. Dogs are allowed in the main campground and horse camps, along paved roads, and on part of the beach near Spooner’s Cove.
Main campground amenities include vault toilets, potable water, picnic tables, and fire rings. Guests may also use the showers and pay-per-use dump station at neighboring Morro Bay Campground. Firewood is available for sale through the camp host.
There are also 4 primitive equestrian sites for up to 8 people and 2 vehicles as well as 4 hike-in environmental camps with the same capacity. Additionally, a pair of group equestrian sites can fit 50 guests and 20 vehicles each.
The equestrian sites include fire pits, picnic tables, pit toilets, and nonpotable water. Hike-in sites only have pit toilets.
Best Campsites at Islay Creek Campground (Montana De Oro)
Below are Power Camper’s recommended sites if you want to have the best experience at Islay Creek Campground.
Best ADA-Accessible Site: #35AD
- Most secluded and private
- Backs up to a hill with some shade
- Close to restrooms
- Downside: farther from drinking water
Most Private: #IC19, #IC31, #IC44
- #IC19: only one neighboring site to the side
- No neighbors to the rear of the site
- Backs up to hills
- Downside: #IC44 farther from amenities
Most Convenient: #IC18–#IC19, #IC04, #IC06
- Close to restrooms and drinking water
- Not far from camp host and Campfire Center
- Easy access to entrance and camp host/firewood sales
Unique Experiences
- Head to nearby Spooner’s Cove to see tide pools, explore the seaside caves, or simply bask in the refreshing ocean air.
- Take the kids into nearby Los Osos to visit The Tiny Trotters farm, where children can learn how to care for miniature horses and even go for a ride.
- Walk along the bluffs for incredible views of the sunset and plenty of photo opportunities with just the waves and the beach at your back.
- Take a hike on the Oats Peak Trail for a bird’s eye view of the campground or continue for the full 5.4-mile hike to the summit of Oats Peak.
Islay Creek Campground (Montana De Oro) Campground Rules
Pet Friendly
YesMax Trailer/RV Length
27 feetMax People per Site
8Max Vehicles per Site
1 (with the option to pay a fee for additional vehicles)Fires Allowed
YesIslay Creek Campground (Montana De Oro) Reservation Information
Reservations Allowed?
Reservations Required?
NoReservations for Islay Creek Campground are available at www.reservecalifornia.com or 1-800-444-7275. All reservations will be charged a $7.99 booking fee.
The cost per night for a standard or hike-in environmental site is $25, which includes 1 vehicle and space for up to 8 guests. Individual equestrian campsites are $50 per night for 4 vehicles, 8 guests, and 1 horse.
Additional vehicles may be added for $10 per night with a maximum of 2 vehicles per site. Horses above the single horse included in the reservation price are $2 per night with a maximum of 6 horses.
Group Camping Reservations
Reservations for the equestrian group camps are available at www.reservecalifornia.com or by phone at 1-800-444-7275. A reservation fee of $7.99 will apply. The group sites are $150 per night and can accommodate up to 20 vehicles, 50 people, and 25 horses. There are 10 large stalls and 6 small stalls in the camp area.
Campsite Reservation Cancellations
Cancellations can be made on www.reservecalifornia.com or by calling 1-800-444-7275. Cancellations will incur an additional $7.99 fee in addition to the nonrefundable $7.99 reservation fee. Guests who cancel after midnight the day before their planned arrival will also be charged for one night in the campground.
Islay Creek Campground (Montana De Oro) Campground Cost
Standard Campsite
$25Activities
Fishing
Hiking
Snorkeling
Scuba Diving
Swimming
Boating
Bike Trails
Surfing / Windsurfing
Horseback Riding
Photography
Amenities
RV/Trailers
Hookups
Pull Through Spots
Pet Friendly
ADA Sites
Showers
Campfire Rings
Grills
Visitors/Rec Center
Potable Water
Wood for Sale
Picnic Tables
Directions
FAQs
Nearby Campgrounds to Islay Creek Campground (Montana De Oro)
Compared to neighboring campgrounds, Islay Creek is more affordable but primitive in its offerings. At $25 per night, reservations are much cheaper than many other campgrounds, but guests who enjoy amenities may dislike the lack of a dump station or showers.
For equestrians, the park’s individual and group horse camps are unbeatable. Not only is it rare to have group horse camps at all, but these sites also include fire pits, picnic tables, pit toilets, and nonpotable water.
The ability to bring dogs along paved roads and out to Spooner’s Cove Beach is an added plus for travelers who prefer to camp with their four-legged family members.
Morro Bay State Park Campground
Morro Bay is larger than Islay Creek and has more amenities. With 28 sites that include water and electric hookups, 5 tent-only sites, and 87 RV or tent sites without hookups, there are plenty of choices for guests. Standard sites are $35, and sites with hookups are $50.
There are also 2 group sites that can fit 25–30 people, but there aren’t any horse camps. Showers and a dump station are located within the campground.
Morro Strand State Beach Campground
Morro Strand has 76 sites along the beach, 23 of which offer full hookups for trailers and RVs. The remaining sites don’t have hookups and can fit tents or RVs under 24 feet. The price per night is much higher than at Islay Creek, with standard sites at $35 per night and sites with full hookups at $50 per night. There are no group or environmental sites at this campground.
Cerro Alto Campground
A night at Cerro Alto costs the same as at Islay Creek. Cerro Alto is smaller and only has 22 campsites in total. Of those, 8 are for tents only, 10 can fit RVs or trailers, and 4 can only be reached via a short hike. Horses are not allowed, and there is no beach access at Cerro Alto.
