Established Camping
Islay Creek Campground — Montaña de Oro State Park
Warning 1 Alert is In Effect
There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!
Warning 1 Alert is In Effect
There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!
<p><strong>RV Rentals on the Central Coast</strong> is currently the only approved RV and trailer delivery and pick-up service permitted within the campground. For more information on rental deliveries, please visit: <a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Frvrentalscc.com%2F&data=05%7C01%7CSusan.Smith%40parks.ca.gov%7Ce9ee3d6f214448af917b08db39e0bc8c%7C06fd3d24656448018226b407c4d26b68%7C0%7C0%7C638167409646611772%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=xHlkcj3X6aM0XGhbPK8wa%2BzLMB%2Brpj%2B3ylmw0OZbD1E%3D&reserved=0">RV Rentals on the Central Coast</a></p>
About
State Park
Montana de Oro camping features rugged cliffs, secluded sandy beaches, coastal plains, streams, canyons, and hills, including 1,347-foot Valencia Peak. Naturalists and backpackers enjoy the solitude and freedom found along the park's trails. There are also mountain biking and equestrian trails. The best-known beach is Spooner's Cove, across from the campground. The park's name, "Mountain of Gold," comes from the golden wildflowers that bloom in spring. Wildlife in the park includes black tailed deer and the black oystercatcher. The park includes primitive and equestrian campsites.
A primitive campground in the canyon behind the Spooner Ranch House offers 47 campsites for tents, trailers, or motorhomes. The vehicle length limit for all trailers and motorhomes is 27 feet. Tables, firepits, drinking water, and primitive toilets are nearby. There are no showers or dump stations. Some campers may prefer the walk-in environmental campsites, which are secluded but campers should not be surprised to wake up to the yapping of coyotes or the rustling of other nighttime creatures.
For those who wish to bring horses to the park and camp overnight, there are six horse camps for family and group outings, complete with pipe corrals and limited parking for horse trailers. No horse rentals are available.
Location
Islay Creek Campground — Montaña de Oro State Park is located in California
Address
3550 Pecho Valley Road
Los Oso, CA 93402
Coordinates
35.2747102121999 N
120.882079571 W
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Stay Connected
- WiFiGood
- VerizonAvailable
- AT&TFair
- T-MobileUnknown
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
- Equestrian
Features
For Campers
- Market
- ADA Access
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Water Hookups
Beautiful, clean & quiet
One of my favorite established campgrounds this far. Small and secluded and plenty of space between most sites. Wood and water both widely available, not sure about electric though. Short walk to Bluff Trail trailhead and Spooner’s cove.
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Amazing spot
Coolest little tucked away camp group with the most amazing beach and view of the coast line
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Try the environmental campsites!
We spent our first night in environmental site 3, which was absolutely stunning. The walk to the campsite is short, but be advised, uphill. We had all our car camping equipment and big tent so it was a lot of work. Totally worth it though to get up there and be perched alone at the top of a little bluff with the hills behind us and the ocean/cliffs sprawled below. Absolutely snag this site if you can.
The second two nights we stayed down in the regular campground at site 27. Very spacious sites. Our site was along the road and didn't have shade. All sites on the south side of the road back to a large hill and I'd try to get something in sites 8-17 or back in the 40s if we go back. They had more shade and seemed more private than sites along the main stretch of road.
Ticks are SO bad this year, so come prepared and diligently check yourselves and things. The campground host was very friendly and helpful.
The views, the hike along the bluff trail, the beach cove, all spectacular!
Quiet clean and private
Small campground in a beautiful area surrounded by hills right next to the beach. Hidden gem & a MUST see. Local firewood in Los osos on the corner of 9th street & pismo street for cheap. Try local restaurant beerwood or the Alehouse on Los osos valley road on the way to the campground. Beautiful year round. All sites equally spaced and good-you’ll love anyone you get!
Tent and Group Horse Camping
Montana de Oro is a beautiful treasure located along a wild coastline, sand dunes, tall peaks and high cliffs above beautiful beaches. Tent camping is limited but the availability of group horse camping is a rare treat. With pipe corrals, pit toilets and trails to the ocean, these site are primitive but worth it. The park has plenty of sun and shade, with mostly eucalyptus trees, great hiking trails and a beach with car parking that is popular with tourists and a few secret beaches locals know. Wildflowers abound in the spring and a car friendly paved road takes to the end and back with plenty of bathrooms and a State Park office/store you can get maps and tips.
- (7) View All
What a spectacular place!
This was our very first trip in our new TT. It was a little chilly at night, but the crashing of the surf made it magical. Fiercely big raccoons :)
The camp host was great, and the sites are not huge, but decently spaced.
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Wonderful primitive campsites
My favorite thing about this campground are the 4 primitive sites scattered throughout the park—#4 being particularly incredible. Quiet, peaceful and surrounded by skies perched out atop a hill. It is close to the hiking trail so there’s typically foot traffic throughout the day, but you really couldn’t ask for a more quintessential coastal camping experience. Non-strenuous, short distance, easy access hike/gentle walk to the site from where you park. You can request it with the host in the main camp during check in—you won’t regret it. So many stars, beautiful skies and trails accessible to all hiking levels
- (17) View All
Amazing!
This place is amazing! Love the “hidden” beaches, the hiking trails and the beautiful beach!
Chill Coastal Canyon Campground
Sorry for the alliteration...we really enjoyed this CA State Park campground that is so close to the Pacific you can walk from your site to Spooner’s Cove Beach (dog-friendly). LOTS of trails for any activity you choose: hiking, biking, horseback riding, birding, nature ID walks...you name it! This is a gem!
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Beautiful cove
The best part of this campground is access to the beach. We were there in early July and the water was like ice but absolutely beautiful. The campground itself was ok, it was a bit more primitive than I’m used to, but the sites themselves were nice. Each had a picnic table and fire ring. Most of the sites were nice sized as far as I could tell. There are no showers and only vault toilets so I wouldn’t stay here for more than 2 nights. Another perk is how it feels so far removed from civilization, but it’s really not.
Basic campground on central California coast.
This campground is near the beach on the central California coast . It has tent and RV sites. The only amenities are non-flushing toilets and water . There are no lights at night, so it is very dark. A flashlight is a must. Our site did not have a flat spot for a tent so we had to pitch it on a parking spot .
Hidden Gem on Central Coast
While not a glamourous campsite, mostly a level area, its near the awesome hidden gem of Montana de Oro and lessor known beach. Makes for an easy walk to the seaside bluffs and cliffs for stunning views of the ocean without the huge number of crowds found at other beach camp sites.
Most beautiful place on earth
Hikes, ocean, cliffs, caves. Amazing place.
Small campground on the central coast
This campground was in a great location, but that's the end of the good. There was very little shade, and the toilets were just holes in the ground. It did not seem well maintained, and I will not be going there again.
Spooner's Cove access
You can camp just steps from Spooners Cove (great place for swimming!) in Islay Creek Campground. It’s in the Montana De Oro State Park. There are about 50 campsites on either side of a in and out kind of lollipop road up on a flat hill above Spooner’s Cove. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring with grill, and there are a couple of clean vault toilets scattered in the campground. There are some nice trees, but most sites are not suited to hammocking. Many sites will be in full sun most of the day, and there is not much privacy. There is a trail that cuts through the campground, and there are many trailheads nearby. I would not suggest bringing your dog with you because while pets are allowed in the campground, they are not allowed on the trails or on the beach. Also, if you want a fire plan on bringing your own wood or buying it from the camp host as you are not allowed to forage for downed wood. The camp host didn’t seem to have a problem with me collecting some of the wild nasturtiums to add to my dinner (so fun to have edible flowers on my salad, wish I took a picture!).
Supposedly there is a horse camp not too far away, but I can neither confirm or deny as I did not go looking for it.
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Peaceful and Spacious Camp Sites!
This campground is quiet and super spacious compared to other campsites. It's a short distance/walk to the beach, a hike, horseback riding and biking. Its beautiful! The downside is the lack of storage to put your dry goods, no showers and the raccoons-they will attack any food item left out and there are no showers. There are "pit" toilets/outhouses located a short distance from your campsite. My family and I have been visiting this campsite for years and we love it.
Get an environmental campsite
It's worth dragging your stuff up a small path to get away from the crowds. You can surf and mountain bike here. Our tent was even visited by some people on horse back!
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Great remote spot
Pretty basic but nice camp ground. Close enough to walk to a cute little beach. Bathrooms but no showers.
Coastal Breezes, Sycamore Forests and Golden Cliffs Will Enchant You
This is a fabulous coastal state park and campground. There is plenty of shade and fog that keep the sites cool. Bring a sweater, even during summer. Hiking paths weave around the shoreline and give you access to the beautiful golden rock formations that jut out into the water.
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bit of heaven
This is a beautiful area to camp! Not many sites, but they are full much of the time so make sure to reserve early. The park is a beautiful place to do hiking. There are many trails to choose from. The park is about a 5-10 minute drive to Morro Bay which is a fun little town to check out as well. I highly recommend Montana de Oro :)