Deer Canyon Campground

1 site

The primitive, hike-in Deer Canyon Campground is a backcountry campground in Crystal Cove State Park, accessible only via a 3-mile uphill hike from the El Moro parking lot. The reward for this trek is a peaceful, secluded campground surrounded by native plants on a canyon ridge with views of the stars and the ocean. It’s hard to find a setting this natural to pitch your tent anywhere else in Orange County. The campground has a vault toilet and picnic tables, but campers must hike in all of their own water and pack out all trash. No pets or campfires are allowed.

Tips for Snagging a Campsite Reservation

The five Deer Canyon campsites can be reserved 7 months in advance.

Reservations can be made online or by calling 1-800-444-7275.

Although not as popular as the park’s drive-in campground, Deer Canyon Campground does book out for weekends and in summer.

When to Go

Deer Canyon Campground is open year-round, but because of the challenging hike in, you’ll want to monitor the weather and avoid summer heat waves or winter rainstorms when planning a camping trip. Spring is a good time for wildflowers, while winter campers should bring adequate cold-weather gear for nighttime temperatures in the 40s.

What this place offers

No campfire allowed

No pets allowed

No showers

Toilets

No potable water

Picnic tables

No sewer hookups

No electric hookups

Explore 616 campgrounds near Crystal Cove State Park

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Available campgrounds nearby

Top-rated for location, privacy, and amenities near Crystal Cove State Park

Splitrock Farm and Retreat

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Electrical hookup

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(140)

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(198)

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