The best desert campgrounds near Paso Robles, California

Situated on the Salinas River in inland San Luis Obispo County, Paso Robles is a great base for campers visiting Central California's beaches and forest areas alike. It's about a half-hour drive from the 5,000-acre Lake Nacimiento and a 45-minute drive to the Pacific Coast, but plenty of visitors opt to stay closer to town, either to go wine tasting at some of many area wineries, to check out the 18th-century Mission San Miguel, or to take a dip in the city's three public hot springs. Camping in Paso Robles can be as rustic or luxurious as you want, though it is mostly limited to private campgrounds and RV parks as well as Hipcamps—a few are even located on ranches or in vineyards. Choose from RV parks with pools, club rooms, and other cool extras, or find a state park for wilderness tent camping. If you're looking for glamping options, you can't beat a romantic getaway in a chalet, cottage, or vintage Airstream trailer.

78% (79)

Top-rated campgrounds near Paso Robles

Situated on the Salinas River in inland San Luis Obispo County, Paso Robles is a great base for campers visiting Central California's beaches and forest areas alike. It's about a half-hour drive from the 5,000-acre Lake Nacimiento and a 45-minute drive to the Pacific Coast, but plenty of visitors opt to stay closer to town, either to go wine tasting at some of many area wineries, to check out the 18th-century Mission San Miguel, or to take a dip in the city's three public hot springs. Camping in Paso Robles can be as rustic or luxurious as you want, though it is mostly limited to private campgrounds and RV parks as well as Hipcamps—a few are even located on ranches or in vineyards. Choose from RV parks with pools, club rooms, and other cool extras, or find a state park for wilderness tent camping. If you're looking for glamping options, you can't beat a romantic getaway in a chalet, cottage, or vintage Airstream trailer.

78% (79)

Top-rated campgrounds near Paso Robles

1. Heavenly Views

100%

(5)

37mi from Paso Robles · 1 site · Lodging

Rural Southern Monterey County hilltop with 360° views of the surrounding valley. To the west is an unobstructed view of the Los Padres National forest, sunsets over the coast ridge from Junipero Serra peak to the north and Rocky Butte to the south. To the east is Williams Hill BLM area, with clear views of the sunrise. To the southeast is Lake San Antonio. Nacimiento Lake is a beautiful 45 minute drive to the south. Although the dirt access road can be a little dusty and bumpy for a sports car, in the 35 years I've been here it has always been accessible for a 2 wheel drive vehicle. The property is at the end of the road. No traffic, no noise, only views of the surrounding area. If you are interested in night skies, the milky way is a constant. After winter rains, everything is green and wild flowers are abundant. Stay and enjoy the vistas or travel relatively short distances for hiking in the Los Padres forest, drive CA HWY 1, visit Paso Robles wineries, boat or fish at Lake San Antonio or Lake Nacimiento. Nearby Williams Hill BLM area for hunting, shooting or ATV riding. For hunters and fisherman, Ft Hunter Liggett is to the immediate west. Occasional weekend's be entertained by military training and occasional aircraft, helicopters and planes. It is so quiet that you can hear vehicles passing several miles away on Jolon Rd in the valley below. Visitors travel to Morro bay, Avila beach to the south or Big Sur and Monterey Bay to the north. Motorcycle enthusiasts can enjoy 100's of miles of uncrowded country roads. Host is an avid motorcyclist and will provide enough helpful guidance for all levels of riding. Corbin saddle in Hollister is a great destination for lunch and a custom made seat by appointment. Getaway to the central coast of California and leave the city behind. San Francisco is a bit over 2 hours to the north and LA about 4 hours to the south. Owner has intimate knowledge of way to many destinations.

2. Glamping in the Horizon

100%

(3)

38mi from Paso Robles · 1 site · Lodging

The Hills are part of a beautiful and peaceful farm landscape where you can experience silence, fresh air and pleasant weather. It's an ideal relaxation place and amazing opportunity to experience nature in its simplicity.

3. Little Brave House, Soda Lake CA

87%

(117)

44mi from Paso Robles · 9 sites · Lodging

Rustic cabin on 2.5 acres. Come see the Carrizo Plains! Whether you're into Soda Lake, wildflowers, zillion-star views, the rare local fauna, or exploring the nearby beaches and wineries, there's something here for everyone. Grab your own pillows and blankies and come check it out! We look forward to sharing this incredible & unique experience with you! The space The Little Brave House offers unique accommodations in the middle of this incredible setting. Our off-the-grid cabin offers most of the comforts of home, including a brand new memory foam mattress, upgraded bathroom with comfy Cabela's toilet chair, outdoor theater with 2 incredible gravity chairs, solar shower, solar electricity, outdoor games, internet connection and so many more comfy, clean accommodations. LBH inhabits a snuggly reading nook with a hanging hammock chair where you can also find some books and games. Solar energy provided outlets for standard 2 prong plugs + 3 prong plug adapters, as well as USB ports. A sweet solar shower available (bring your own water). Outdoor, patio seating (gravity chairs) plus a picnic table. You can find a Coleman 2 burner camp stove, small charcoal grill (bring your own propane and charcoal), and a brand-new propane heater (bring your own propane; 1lb). Leave your world behind for a while and come see what this incredible experience has to offer. Whether it’s relaxing in the outdoor theater, partaking in our fun outdoor games, or snuggling up in the hammock chair with a good book, LBH has something for everyone! Other things to note. Very rustic cabin. No running water or trash service. We do not live nearby. In order to bring you this unique experience in this remote area, we ask that guests provide their own bedding and clean up after themselves, including packing out trash. There are no services for an hour in each direction, so please bring plenty of water and food and fill up your gas tank. There is a solar shower available for use, as well as a Coleman 2-burner gas stove, a charcoal BBQ and a brand-new propane heater for those cold nights. Please remember to bring sheets & blankets as we ask that guests do not sleep directly on our brand-new mattress pad.

4. Vineyard View NoFuss

21mi from Paso Robles · 7 sites · Tents, RVs

Vineyard view dry camping minutes away from Lake San Antonio with access to stocked reservoir. A perfect spot for wildflower triathalon campers. Access to porta potty and potential for guided pig hunting with reservation.

5. Lost Hills Point of Rocks

100%

(1)

37mi from Paso Robles · 1 site · Tent, RV

This exceptional land has been used privately by our family for decades for camping, offroading, exploring, getting away from it all. And now we have made it availalbe to the public! This land is located in Western Kern County north of Hwy 46. You will enjoy exclusive use of over 400 acres of untouched land. One of the most unique features of this property is the sandstone rock formations. The formations have been shaped over the centuries by the wind and rain, resulting in the coolest places to explore, windblown arches, and shallow caves and hollows. The sandstone can be slick and there are cliffs on this property, so please be very careful, especially with children.

Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community

C

Chuck

November 2025

With kids

Weekend Trip to Heavenly Views

My sons and I had an incredible experience on Stephan’s property. We intentionally avoid the hustle and bustle of the campsites in the parks and this property was exactly the solitude we were looking for. A beautiful setting to make family memories. Great spot!

R

Rachel

September 2025

2 nights at Heavenly Views

We had an amazing stay here! We were traveling back to Southern California from San Francisco and found ourselves needing to stop soon, but didn't prefer a motel in King City. We're so happy we found Stephan and his beautiful setup not far off the 101, west of King City. The RV was spotless, cozy, and perfectly set up for a comfortable getaway. The views are absolutely stunning — both during the day and especially at night with a sky full of stars right outside the door. Stargazing in front of the fire pit was the highlight of our trip! The host went above and beyond with his hospitality. We had forgotten groceries for breakfast, and he kindly provided us with organic free range eggs, ham, and even fresh fruit so we didn’t have to stress. Cooking and eating outside while enjoying the scenery was such a highlight. Between the peaceful setting, the fire pit for evenings under the stars, and the thoughtful touches from the host, this was one of the best camping experiences we’ve had. Highly recommend to anyone looking for a mix of relaxation, comfort, and nature.

A

Ariel

September 2025

1 night at Glamping in the Horizon

Had a really nice time, the view was amazing. I will definitely be back to stay here. If you like stargazing this is the place to go.

Matt

September 2025

Weekend Trip to Heavenly Views

Perfect weekend getaway spot. The view is absolutely beautiful and feels wonderfully remote. The camper was spotless and very comfortable, the grill outside and oven/stove inside made cooking easy no matter what weather you get, and we really appreciated the perfect fire starters that they prepared with the fire wood… no need to be a pro with fire pits. Everything was well thought out and taken care of. One of the highlights for us was stargazing. The host provided a telescope, and the sky here is unbelievably clear. Stars lit up the sky at night. The Milky Way was as incredible as I can remember ever seeing anywhere. The host is super friendly, helpful, and welcoming. You can tell they thought through every little thing you could need and then made sure it was there and easy to find. It definitely made it even more relaxing. When driving in, make sure to use the hosts directions since for the last sections the road is dirt and slight inclines. Research satellite view of the map ahead of time from Jolon Rd onward and you’ll be good. The road is definitely fine for two-wheel drive as long as it’s not pouring rain. I wouldn’t take a low ground clearance car… a bit tricky for a miata for example. We had no problem and way more clearance than needed with our 2wd RAV4 though. Between the comfort of the camper, the thoughtful amenities, the hospitality, and the night sky, this is easily one of my favorite camping spots now. We’ll definitely be back

M

Michael

August 2025

1 night at Heavenly Views

Great place to stay, King City is about 20 minutes away, came over from HWY 1 and i was looking for a nice quiet place. The place is wonderful and the night skies are amazing. But the nearest cold beer and groceries are in King city. The Host was great the AC running when i got their but was not needed that night as it gotten cool. The bed was awesome.Just bring your own beer and food before getting there. Will stay again when passing thru the central coast.

Host on Right welcoming dog friendly Hipcamp

T

Tom

August 2025

Weekend Trip to Heavenly Views

This litte hidden Gem is at a mid point between San Francisco and Los Angeles 20 min South of King City off the 101 freeway on Jolon Rd. With a true 360 degree view on top of hill. The Lockwood valley has some of the best star gazing clear skies with little light pollution. The host Stephan, aka (Steve) was a hoot, super cool ole army fellow master meat cooker had smoked brisket that was amazing cheese and wine waiting in the fridge when I flew in and landed next to the trailer. Message him ahead before you fly in. The day was warm but the nights are cool so bring light coat or sweater. It is after all summer in coastal CA but the A/C worked well mid day and trailer was very clean and comfy. Trailer has a nice awing out front chairs on large gravel area with a fire pit and firewood so you dont have to bring your own logs. I will go back again thanks (Steve) keep up the great Hipcamp.....

P

Pradeep

May 2025

With pets

Weekend Trip to Glamping in the Horizon

This place is an absolute marvel. It’s tucked into nothingness and an experience I’ve never had before. The host is super responsive and met me at the gate. I truly truly would recommend it to anyone looking to go off grid

Beautiful views from the top of on of the sandstone formations

Alexander

January 2025

Tent

2 nights at Lost Hills Point of Rocks

A beautiful and private ranch for a group or a romantic getaway. Super secluded from anyone else with great views of the stars and mountains. Fun areas to walk around and drive off road. We set up with our dogs and absolutely loved it. Totally worth the price.

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

The best desert camping near Paso Robles guide

Where to go

San Luis Obispo County

A stay in Paso Robles means easy access to the many attractions and communities in the surrounding SLO County. Popular destinations include Morro Bay State Park and its year-round campground, known for its kayaking near Morro Rock, golf course, and natural history museum, and Hearst Castle, a 19th-century mansion that now operates as a museum. Sea otters and spouting whales are a common sight, so don't forget binoculars.

Big Sur

One of the most beautiful parts of California’s Central Coast, Big Sur draws in crowds with its cliff-lined coastal views and huge state parks. This area was made famous by Henry Miller and his contemporaries and has a large counterculture community to this day.

Los Padres National Forest

If you want to get out and explore in the woods, Los Padres National Forest is the place to do it, with miles of hiking trails and massive expanses of protected wilderness. There’s a lot to cover—around 2 million acres in total.

When to go

Paso Robles's inland location means that it tends to be considerably warmer than nearby coastal communities. Summers are hot and dry, with highs in the 90s and wine tasting crowds, and it's rare that it drops below freezing in winter, even at night. Winter is the rainy season—if you're planning a January trip, remember your rain gear. There are plenty of events throughout the year, from the Paso Wine Fest held every May to the annual Pioneer Day, held on the second Saturday of October.