North Beach Campground Pismo
399 S Dolliver St, Pismo Beach, CA 93449, United States
Overview
North Beach Campground Pismo is a beautiful campground immediately off Highway 1 and behind an array of dunes near Pismo Beach. One of the two campgrounds for Pismo State Beach, North Beach expands over 103 campsites along multiple loops of carpenter creek, with amenities such as fire rings, dump sites, restrooms, picnic tables, and paid shower facilities.
All the sites can accommodate RVs up to 36 feet, trailers up to 31 feet, and tents. Up to eight people and two vehicles (one towed) are allowed per site, and there is a dump station but no hookups.
Only leashed pets are allowed at campsites and must be attended to at all times. Nestled beside the Monarch Butterfly Grove, the campground isn’t directly located on the beach but is a short walk away and easily accessed by trails.
The campground is open all year round with reservations from mid-May to November, and first-come-first-served during the off-season.
Best Campsites at North Beach Campground Pismo
All the campsites at North Beach are spacious and offer plenty of privacy.
Sites 3,4,7,22,34,45,71 and 84
- Wheelchair accessible.
- Site 84 is near the Creek Trail.
- Site 4 is covered by trees and shrubs on three sides, offering more privacy.
Sites 100,97,64,12,47 and 45
- Quick access to showers and washrooms.
- Site 97 offers a cool and shaded area.
- Site 47 is good for tents.
Site 7,9,11,13,83,81,31, and 79
- Quick Beach Access
- Closer to monarch butterfly grove.
- Site 13 is closest to the beach foot trail.
Unique Experiences
North Beach Pismo Campground offers a unique camping experience like no other. With loads of fun-filled activities waiting, and the Monarch Butterfly Grove just a stone’s throw away, there will be something for everyone.
- Hike along the Shell Beach Bluff's trail, leading you on a path next to the area's breathtaking coastal cliffs. A perfect opportunity to soak in the sun's warmth while you look at jaw-dropping ocean views.
- Try your luck and go fishing for flounder, perch, and walleye, at Pismo North Beach.
- Laze by the beach, go for a swim, or simply soak up some sun.
- Explore Oceano Campground’s Nature Center next door and the California native plant garden.
- Catch glimpses of migrating whales, sea otters, and seals while sitting on the breathtaking North beach. Every winter, the Monarch Butterfly Grove hosts a mass migration of butterflies, an ethereal experience even for non-butterfly enthusiasts.
North Beach Campground Pismo Campground Rules
Max Trailer/RV Length
31/36 FeetMax people per site
8Max vehicles per site
2Fires allowed?
Only in designated fire ringsPets allowed?
Yes, but not on beach/trailsNorth Beach Campground Pismo Reservation Information
Reservations Allowed?
Reservations Required?
YesNorth Beach Pismo Campground reservations are available from mid of May through November. All other times, reservations are made on a first-come, first-serve basis. Standard sites are $35 and $25 during the off-season.
You can reserve your spot on the Pismo state beach reservation page at Reserve California or call 800-444-7275 between 8 am and 6 pm.
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 is no group camping on North Beach, but each site can accommodate up to 8 people so you can book multiple sites.
Campsite Reservations Cancellation
If you want to change your dates or campsite, you must contact Reserve California at 1-800-444-PARK or log into ReserveCalifornia.com by 6 pm, the day before their arrival. Anyone who cancels after 6 pm will be charged $7.99, and their reservation fee will be forfeited.
North Beach Campground Pismo Campground Cost
Standard Campsite
$35Standard Campsite during the off-season
$25Group Campsite
$235 - $320Activities
Fishing
Bike Trails
Swimming
Hiking
Boating
Horseback Riding
Canoeing / Kayaking
Photography
Amenities
RV/Trailers
Hookups
Pull Through Spots
Pet Friendly
ADA Sites
Showers
Wood for Sale
Cell Service
Campfire Rings
Visitors/Rec Center
Picnic Tables
Grills
Storage Lockers
Amphitheater
Campground Host
Trash
Directions
FAQs
Nearby Campgrounds to North Beach Campground Pismo
California State is home to multiple recreational areas and beautiful parks. To help you make your decision, here’s the low-down of all the nearby campgrounds and their similarities and differences to North Beach.
Pismo Oceano Campground
Oceano Campground is the other campground located in Pismo Beach. Featuring 82 campsites compared to North Beach’s 103, Oceano provides full hookups, compared to none in North Beach. Campsites 1 to 42 are for RVs and trailers only with hookups while the rest of the sites can accommodate tents as well. All of Oceano’s sites cost $50 and $40 in the off-season compared to North Beach’s $35 and $25.
Morro Bay State Park
Located inland and facing the estuary, Morro Bay has 120 sites and is similar in size to North Beach. Morro Bay offers full hookups which North Beach doesn’t.
Morro Bay also has 2 group camping sites; Chorro which can host up to 35 people, and Osos, which can host 25. Chorro costs $165 and Osos cost $100.
Morro Strand State Beach
Morro Strand is immediately north of Morro Bay, faces the Pacific Ocean, and has 76 campsites with 23 of them on the back row offering full hookups. In contrast, North Beach offers no hookups. They both charge $35 for sites with no hookups.
Oceano Dunes SVRA
The only driveable beach in the country, the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area allows you to drive your car onto the sand right by the edge of the Pacific Ocean. It offers primitive beach and dune camping with chemical toilets or facilities but has a fee-based dump station.
