Campground Review: Morro Bay State Park

[@NorwayHikesTrails]

Nice review 👍 😊

[@hikingforhealthca5619]

Thanks!

[@rsdempster]

We had the worst camping experience that we have ever had at that campground. Didn't have a reservation, but thought that we would give it a try if they had any sites available. They had a site, but told us that we might not be able to stay more than one night. This is kind of strange, since reservations have to be made at least 3 days in advance. We went ahead and took the site. Went to get something to eat, and when we came back, there were kids riding their bikes through our campsite. Neighbors stayed up until about midnight talking and laughing loudly. A little while later, a small child started crying and saying that he wanted to go home, this lasted for about 1/2 hour. Woke up at about 2am to go to the restroom. Had to wait in line with about 5 people in front of me. Managed to get back to sleep, and at 3 am, another neighbor's car alarm started going off. In the morning, I went back to the entrance station to see if I could renew the site, since we really didn't want to waste time breaking camp. They told me to come back at 11. At 11, they said that we couldn't renew. Went to Morro Strand and had a wonderful experience.

[@hikingforhealthca5619]

It's unfortunate that you had a bad experience. Camping anywhere can be a little bit of a gamble as far as the luck of the draw for what kind of "neighbors" you have, how loud they are, what kind of handle they have on their kids, and the like. I do understand a campground located in or very near a major tourist draw town not having multi day openings for non-reservations. When we camped there, we picked up one of the last available openings. It's a popular place, mostly because it is located right there in the town practically and is cheaper than a hotel room. That's the gamble one takes with not having a reservation now-a-days. Glad you liked Morro Strand, I also like that place and will probably be reviewing it too.

[@fatguyhisbackpack5755]

Dude well done as always. Could you give me some trail ideas? My wife hates camping but she might be okay with staying in Moro Bay. I would love some ideas for my next Fat Guy and His Backpack video. Keep up the great videos!

[@hikingforhealthca5619]

There are lots of trails in that central coast area. Right there near Morro Bay SP is the Black Hill Trail and the Pipeline Trail. There are several trails ten minutes south in Montana del Oro SP as well

[@markwilliamson2795]

Be careful around the Morro Bay campground and from Pismo Beach to Hearst Castle ...a few of the Calif State Park Rangers are overly aggressive , The campground is open 24 hours I was stopped by Ranger " B . E " as I drove into the campground in the early morning. He took 15 mins to run my drivers license and registration then he wrote me a $100 dollar ticket for " Non payment of camping fees " I explained to him he watched me drive into the park 15 mins ago and the normal procedure is find a empty space then write the space number on the after hours envelope then deposit that in the " Iron Ranger " or take your spot then wait till morning when the gate booth is open for payment by debit or credit card. And that is the job of the Campground host to tell people that at 7 am. that have not paid. Then he proceeded to ban me from the campground for 24 hours. While I was leaving I stopped at the gate pay booth to read the rules he pulled up on me again as I stood there and told me to get away from there I was banned from the park for 24 hours. My court date is written 4 months away from now for Grover Beach Court off Grand Ave. This seems way out of line to me I had done nothing wrong and was doing as any person wanting to go camp would do. So I would say to you be very careful but then again I had done nothing wrong...For those from out of town I don't think you would come back from your home town to pay for his overly aggressive ticket writing. I write this here to hopefully keep him from becoming more aggressive and maybe hurting someone or bringing a huge lawsuit against the City of Morro Bay . Calif State Park Ranger " K " is not far removed in her aggressive ticket writing ......anyone else have this problem ?

[@hikingforhealthca5619]

We are from out of town, have camped there several times now and have had no issues at all with the rangers. Also, it is a STATE park and the ranger works for the state of California so not sure how a law suit against the city of Morro Bay would be appropriate or accomplish anything.