TV Tower Road Dispersed Camping

Stunning view, campsites have a lot of broken glass but the views make up for it

We stayed here for 2 nights in February. We ended up getting there later than expected the first night and it was already dark. There was one part of the road that we were skeptical of making it up, so we slept in the car on the side of the road at the bottom of the hill. The next morning we made it up with a few attempts. I drive Honda CRV front wheel drive. With my car in lower gear, and sticking to the left side of the hill, we made it up. It was very cold, but manageable with hats, gloves, and coats. It was very windy, and misted every so often because we were up in the clouds. We decided to camp right at the top of the difficult hill, and it was amazing 360 views. The road keeps going miles further, and was easy for any car to access past the one difficult hill.

Rain washed away top of road. Low clearance cars can’t get to even first camp spots.

Hard to access. Rutted dirt road. We are traveling in a truck/cabover combo and we did see a camper van along with day use cars. I wouldn’t try to tow anything up here. It is busier than I was expecting with other overnighters and day hikers and mountain bikers but worth the sunset and sunrise.

I arrived on motorcycle at 10:30 at night. I hate being that guy that shows up late while everyone is in their tents, but it happens. First 90% of the road/trail is pretty easy, but the last 10% did get a little sketchy at night, while on a motorcycle and being my first time there. It was fairly crowded when I got there but was able to find a spot so quickly pitch my tend and get some well needed sleep. I woke first thing in the morning and the view to the west is stunning, a sea of clouds and islands of distant mountain peaks all the way to the coast. I would only recommend experienced riders take a large street motorcycle up there, but it is doable. I set up my tent on the first spot on the left, on the little ridge.

There are lots of pullouts. I did see a Prius go as far as I did. So higher ground clearance suggested but not needed. Everyone said it's a camp and bushes for the wind. Seems to be the right thing to do so far. Beautiful views though.

We were going up these hills and like I’ve been on some bumpy roads and it started out fine so I wasn’t worried about it but the farther we went, the worse the roads got. Like fucking waves in the earth and just straight rocks. There was one spot that was legitimately just a fucking crater. My headlight actually popped out, decided to go all the way to this specific point to basically find jack shit, the ground is like straight rock so you can’t really pitch a tent which is what we were gonna do so we just had to turn around. Even if you have 4 wheel drive this is just god awful and I would not intend to stay up there unless you’re sleeping in your vehicle.

The spot is honestly wonderful! Such great views, quiet, not even too windy. The road up here is indeed a little challenge: first there is pavement but the last 1/3 of the road is dirt only; also very bumpy. We made it through with our van, 2 wheels only haha, but it was rough indeed. It’s best to have an offroader to come here, but van can do too.

Wasn’t sure I was going to make it even with my Subaru Forester (would have been fine I think but I have a hitch mounted basket). It’s absolutely gorgeous up here! Can’t set up my bathroom and have a lot of vertigo though.

Nous étions en RV 24 feet et nous avons dû faire demi tour! Route à sens unique étroite sinueuse et dangereuse. Pas fait pour un RV

Easy enough to find for a night’s stop.

Didn't have to go as far as GPS pin led me to believe, spot on right shortly after pavement ends. A bit trashed, wish I had a bag to clean up, some bigger stuff like a kids bike, to etc

Along the road, there are lots of exposed options and a few camping options in the trees. I drove the entire road and would not recommend doing that without four wheel drive. Was pleased with all the options though. Stay in the trees to avoid the wind.

When I saw the TV tower road sign, that marked the last paved road until the actual TV tower hill.  I rode all the way to the end with some medium difficulty off roading there are some steep bits with uneven terrain.  Taking the road up to TV tower are some of the best views you can get from the surrounding area.  John R.'s review accurately sums up the camping experience.  The wind was shaking my tent all night until the morning.  But thankfully I had bugspray the insect problem was solved.  Nightsky was amazing! I saw a shooting star and many satellites.  Would for sure camp again if in the San Luis Obispo area.

The road was a bit sketchy, any 4WD would be fine I think. I took my mini van and camped at a turn out along the road because I was a bit hesitant, but again, others would probably be fine. There were lots of people going up the road until very late at night, then turning around and coming back down (I assume because there were no spots?) The stars are beautiful and it's very quiet and cool. Got cold at night but nothing unbearable, lovely sunrise too! I'd recommend bringing a warm sleeping bag and any essentials for dispersed camping. Honestly such a beautiful place, next time I'd like to find a space to set up my tent. Loved it!

very sketchy getting up there in a van as its a narrow one lane road with a vertical drop, as a solo female traveller felt pretty unsafe around the guys at the top there that i ended up leaving. its beautiful up there but wouldn't feel safe at all staying overnight.

Drove up here at night and the road is windy and bumpy and narrow and youre on the side of a cliff. Was a bit scary but the view was beautiful in the morning. The wind is loud and powerful and will push your car a bit thru the night. No restrooms but lots of shrubbery. Got there at 11 pm and the stars were amazing due to no light pollution.

When we got here, the sun was setting and we had an incredible view. There is no toilet, but there are bushes everywhere so if you don’t mind that should be no problem. For one night it is perfect, make sure you come here before the sun sets and you have a car that can handle rough terrain.

Was passing thru SLO and needed an easy access spot to sleep for the night. Started with a paved road into dirt on the way up and passed a few other cars on the way up. Found a nice pull out for the truck and woke up to a nice view!

The road up is truly awesome. However, the flies will swarm and begin to collectively murder you. Once you think you are safe inside your tent, the endless popping of gunshots from the shooting range nearby will lull you to sleep, but also induce some pretty f-d up dreams. Now that it’s actually dark, the TV Tower begins to strobe into your tent all night like a pulsing defibrillator on your eyeballs. After your body is too fatigue to care or you’ve cut a breathing hole into a brown bag and put it on your head, immeasurable gusts of wind will blow your house down. The only thing you can now look forward to is taking out your rage on the flies that will meet you outside of your tent. Let the battle begin.

Pulled up right before sunset. Main lot of was full but kept driving and found a cute little site with a view. Great sunset with magical colors. The wind was INSANE!!! No protection and the wind only got crazier as the night went on. Ended up breaking down camp at 3 am because we did not get any sleep. I would stay here again if there was no wind but if the same conditions I would not camp again.

We came up to TV tower road and found a great spot to pull the car into, with a little trail that pulls off to a spot to pitch the tent. This is definitely a great spot for car camping, parking, or camping. It was absolutely beautiful, and we only passed a few cars on the way up. Our 4WD car was able to handle the dirt road. The drive was manageable, but high up!

Nice place to go for car camping. There were a lot of other campers along the road in different spots. I didn't drive all the way to the end but turned and picked a spot that looked nice. A bit windy, but great views in the morning.

Anytime I can find a new spot, i get excited. The last time i attempted to camp here the gate was closed, and because we live so far away from here, its always risky. Im glad to report that i can finally check this site off of my bucket list, and it did not disappoint. Nobody was able to sleep due to windy conditions, but the view from our campsite made it all worth while.

Little bit of mountains in ocean number one for today's country

Good spot for car camping. We were into the clouds when we arrived but in the morning we had a beautiful view. Some other campers around, really quiet and respectful.

Super spectacular views! I went all the way to the end as it allows some walking around room. If you’re tent camping beware the wind, gets pretty crazy. Had one wind free day out of three. Looking down on the bay, San Luis Obispo and HW 1. Can’t stress how flippin beautiful it was. Just. Wow.

Great views, just a spot to park, and maybe go for a walk but nothing else.

This spot was perfect for car camping. The night I was there was very windy and rocked the car most of the night. 3 other cars also stayed at the top of this mountain. Beautiful views in the morning!

NOTE: VISITED BEFORE TEMPORARY CLOSURE
For the second night of my 3-month long road trip, we stayed up here and cooked a wonderful meal that overlooked a sprawling landscape of fog, mountains, valleys, and the ocean off in the distance. True beauty but was rather busy. Make sure you really have a capable vehicle as the climb up the road is not suited for small or casual cars.