Washburn Campground
500 San Simeon-Monterey Creek Rd, Cambria, CA 93428, United States
Overview
Located on a plateau within San Simeon State Park, Washburn Campground has 68 sites and shares an entrance with the San Simeon Creek Campground. As a primitive campground, amenities are limited to restrooms, picnic tables, and fire rings. Campsites are limited to two vehicles (including RVs and trailers).
Drinking water, showers, and a dump station are located in the nearby San Simeon Creek Campground. There are no group campsites at Washburn Campground.
Dogs are allowed on boardwalks and W.R. Hearst Beach in addition to being permitted within the campgrounds themselves.
Best Campsites at Washburn Campground
Below are Power Camper’s recommended sites if you want to have the best experience at Washburn Campground.
Most private: sites #212–214, #253
- Located at the end of a row
- Close to parking and restrooms
- Easy access to San Simeon Trail
- Downside: longer drive to exit or reach San Simeon Creek Campground
Most convenient: sites #229–232
- Quick access to a network of foot trails
- Next to restrooms
- Shortest distance to San Simeon Creek Campground by foot
- Close to the boardwalk, the beach, and the Washburn day-use area
Unique Experiences
- Tour the San Simeon Trail to discover scenic overlooks and learn more about the preserve from the interpretive panels along the way.
- Visit the Elephant Seal Boardwalk for a safe place to view northern elephant seals and get a glimpse of the incredible animals that live off the coast of Hearst San Simeon State Park.
- Take your pup for a romp along W.R. Hearst Beach in the sunshine and the cool ocean air.
- Head to Hearst Castle to view a famous collection of fine art and get a glimpse of Hearst Ranch, a private farm that sometimes plays host to descendents of the exotic animals that once resided within a nearby zoo.
Washburn Campground Campground Rules
Max Trailer/RV Length
35Max People per Site
8Max Vehicles per Site
2Fires allowed?
Only in designated fire ringsPets allowed?
YesWashburn Campground Reservation Information
Reservations Allowed?
Reservations Required?
YesReservations at Washburn Campground are coordinated through Reserve California. Visit online at www.reservecalifornia.com, or call 1-800-444-7275. Washburn Campground is primitive and does not offer hookups or other upgrades. The cost is $20 per night. All reservations will be charged a $7.99 booking fee.
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 sites at Washburn Campground. However, guests are welcome to reserve multiple individual sites that are close to each other to create a shared area. Those reservations will be subject to all requirements for individual sites, including the $7.99 nonrefundable reservation fee.
Campsite Reservation Cancellations
You can cancel your reservation by calling 1-800-444-7275 or visiting www.reservecalifornia.com. You will need to pay an additional $7.99 to cancel, and you will lose your $7.99 reservation fee. If you cancel after 6 p.m. the evening before you’re scheduled to arrive, you will also be charged the cost for one night.
Washburn Campground Campground Cost
Standard Campsite
$20Activities
Whale Watching
Swimming
Hiking
Bike Trails
Photography
Boating
Canoeing / Kayaking
Amenities
RV/Trailers
Hookups
Pull Through Spots
Pet Friendly
ADA Sites
Showers
Wifi
Cell Service
Campfire Rings
Picnic Tables
Campground Host
Grills
Wood for Sale
Directions
FAQs
Nearby Campgrounds to Washburn Campground
One of the main differences between Washburn and other campgrounds is the lack of hookups and campground amenities. Aside from restrooms, picnic tables, and fire rings, accessing all other amenities requires traveling to the neighboring campground at San Simeon Creek.
However, camping at Washburn is much more affordable than many other options. Sites are only $20 per night. Some campers may also find this campground more convenient since dogs are allowed on some parts of the beach and adjoining trail network.
Morro Strand State Beach
Morro Strand’s campground features 25 RV-only sites with full hookups and 56 mixed-use sites. The maximum length in RV sites is 40 feet, and mixed-use sites can accommodate vehicles up to 24 feet. The cost of basic sites without hookups is $35 per night, and hookups are available for an additional $15. Dogs are not allowed on the beach.
Morro Bay State Park
Morro Bay has 28 sites with partial hookups (electric and water only), 5 tent-only sites, and 87 mixed-use sites without hookups. There are also several hike-and-bike camping areas and two group sites that can fit 25 guests in one and 35 guests in the other. This makes Morro Bay a more appealing option for groups since Washburn does not have a group site of its own. Morro Bay also has showers and a dump station.
Pismo State Beach
Pismo State Beach has 42 RV-only sites with partial hookups (electric and water only) for $50 in peak season and $40 the rest of the year. There are also 40 sites without hookups at a rate of $35 during peak season and $25 during off-season months. Vehicles are permitted on the beach.
Limekiln State Park
Limekiln has fewer sites than Washburn, but it offers a more diverse environment with one camping area by the river and another by the ocean. The campgrounds can accommodate RVs up to 24 feet and trailers up to 15 feet in length. There are coves and cliffs around the campground. Showers are available within the campground. Dogs are not allowed on trails.
