1 / 10

Islay Creek Campground

92%

55 sites · RV, Tent

Discover top-notch camping just seven miles south of Los Osos at Montana De Oro State Park. The Islay Creek Campground offers 50 reservable campsites over the summer, and 25 during the winter months (the others are first-come, first-served). There are also six primitive sites to backpack into.

These sites are secluded but campers should not be surprised to wake up to the yapping of coyotes or the rustling of other nighttime creatures. The Islay Creek campground is located along the coast and offers beautiful coastal views.

Although there is no camping on the beach, there is easy access to the Bluff Trail and Valencia Peak trailheads. Tables, firepits, drinking water, and primitive toilets are nearby. For those who wish to bring horses to the park and camp overnight, there are six horse camps for family and group outings.

What this place offers

Campfire allowed

Pets allowed

No showers

Toilets

Potable water

Picnic tables

No sewage hookups

No electric hookups

55 sites

RV, Tent

Explore 388 campgrounds near Montaña de Oro State Park

Scanning sold-out campgrounds every 15 seconds. Get notified the moment Islay Creek Campground becomes available.

Available campgrounds nearby

Top-rated for location, privacy, and amenities near Montaña de Oro State Park

More to explore nearby

92%

74 ratings · 18 reviews

Mixed feelings

· October 2025

Class a

I “Maybe” recommend this campground depending on your intentions. This campground isn’t the type to lounge around at the campsite all day. It’s more of a place to set camp, eat, sleep, and then go do stuff. Definitely bring bug spray, your own toilet, and your own way to protect your food (raccoons can get into the bear box).

Fernando P.

5 reviews

Mixed feelings

· June 2025

Know your neighbors?

Tent

I love that the ocean can be heard crashing against the rocks at schooner cove. I love the numerous quail, hawks and wild turkeys spotted on the road coming into camp. The spaces fit two cars and the primitive pit toilets were clean. But the campground itself is very open, at least my unit space was (#24) and the folks across from me were up late, flashing headlights and horns in and out of their cars as they prepared their campground at midnight. I found that disturbing.

K B.

7 months on Hipcamp

Mixed feelings

· February 2019

Aggressive raccoons. Be warned.

Peter D.

6 years on Hipcamp

Recommends

· September 2018

If you have the opportunity to visit Montana de Oro State Park, DO IT! It is beautiful! This campground was great for our needs! It was a quick walk to the beach, hiking trails, and mountain biking trails. Here are important things to know: - Raccoons do come out at night, so remember to hide all trash and food! - The Bluff Trail is walking distance to the campground. It's an easy to walk trail with gorgeous views of the ocean. - Los Osos, the town you drive through before entering the park, has Ralph's and a drive thru Starbucks. There is also a liquor store in town with amazing chicken tenders and fries. And a Mexican market with the best nachos ever...if you happen to want food before or after your trip, haha.

Marisa D.

3 reviews

March 2018

Nice mountain bike trails. Fast and flowing with a 5 mile climb and fun descend.

Dwight V.

7 years on Hipcamp

Recommends

· November 2017

If you are tenting try to get one of the "environmental" walk in sites.

Andrew J.

8 years on Hipcamp

Recommends

· July 2017

Great hiking. Fall is magnificent

Cynthia F.

8 years on Hipcamp

June 2017

wonderful campground, pretty remote from the rest of morrow bay, great trails and beach adjacent walking. also great horse trails nearby. also campground spaces are further apart then most campgrounds i have been to. . only negative is the lack of showers. you can drive to the morrow bay campground and use theirs, but its over 20+ miles away

Paul B.

13 reviews

Recommends

· June 2017

Tucked away, modest campground. Main attractions are tide pools, beach and small cliffs. Caves make for good photo ops at sunset. Not too far of a drive to towns like morro bay and San Luis Obispo.

Renee W.

5 reviews

May 2017

We had an amazing experience camping here! The campsite was well maintained, sites weren't too close together, and the surrounding campers were a healthy mix of families and friends group camping. The beach is a quick walk and provides some great tide pooling! What's especially wonderful is the hiking in the area. We found a 9.2 mile loop that gets you deep into the hills; the views and surroundings were absolutely breath taking! Plus at the half way mark, there was a great peak to stop and have lunch. Will be camping here again.

Megan G.

2 reviews

Recommends

· May 2017

beautiful and isolated. Often foggy by the beach.

Adam R.

8 years on Hipcamp

Recommends

· May 2017

Do the cliff walk - flat, easy, stunning

Sarah L.

8 years on Hipcamp

Recommends

· March 2017

Nice spacing between sites, can be windy,

Kristi R.

8 years on Hipcamp

March 2017

Nice quiet spot away from the cities. There are trails up the canyon and trails along the beach to hike. Nothing too strenuous from what I remember. The beach was beautiful when you could see it. During the Fall there was a ton of fog that would roll in quite often, though.

Michael A.

10 reviews

March 2017

Beautiful tide pools. There's a historical museum too which is shockingly kid friendly and interactive. The campgrounds like most state parks is busy during the summer and you may find yourslf closer to your neighbors than you like. There are more racoons than I have ever seen at this site. Make sure to secure food and coolers at night.

Stacie S.

8 years on Hipcamp

Recommends

· February 2017

Got to fall asleep to the sound of crashing waves in the distance and frogs in the nearby creek. Absolutely beautiful. A short walk to the cruel beach, you are tucked I. The canyon so it's not as windy as I would have thought. Drop your money in the camp box as you drive in for the night and you are all good to go!

Kelsey S.

8 years on Hipcamp

October 2015

Lovely campground. Make sure to book well in advance because it fills up quick. Something to note -- if you hear strange animal growls in the night, it's the bobcats. They're all over the place. Also, Valencia Peak trail is a must, even if it's shrouded in fog.

Ryan And Bernadette M.

10 years on Hipcamp

April 2015

Bluff trail is a must if your near Islay Creek Campground, trail starts by the Bluff Trail Parking Area, take it all the way along the shore to Corallina Cove, it won't disappoint.