The best waterfall 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.

88% (66)

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.

88% (66)

Top-rated campgrounds near Paso Robles

1. UpperLopez Creek Camp

88%

(8)

28mi from Paso Robles · 4 sites · Tents, RVs

Backwoods adventure! HIGH clearance vehicle access only. Rustic and unique space in a canyon filled with all the nature you can get and nore. The creek winds through the whole property. Bring a fishing rod or pan for gold! Big falls and small falls, very close short hike with natural watering holes. This is an extremely secluded space that is off grid solar powered compost toilet site! Please respect the space and nature. Pack out what you packed in.

2. Comfortable Creekside Campsite

96%

(69)

29mi from Paso Robles · 6 sites · Tents, RVs

NOTE: The campsite is fully occupied from Oct 2023 through March 2024 by monthly tenants. Check back for Summer of 2024 openings. Get away to serene Upper Lopez Canyon in Los Padres National Forest. Picturesque creekside campsite with year round flowing water right at the site, and offsite hikes to beautiful nearby waterfalls. 48' RV Barn with full hookups. 2nd RV hookup area with creek views also available (see 2 trailer add on for groups with 2 trailers). Fire pit with 2 chairs and picnic table provided. Campsite host occupies main house on property. About 20 minutes to Lopez Lake Park and Boat Ramp. Lopez Lake Recreation Area is one of the top choices for camping and leisure trips. With 22 miles of shoreline and summer lake temperatures around 70°F, there is something for everyone; camping, fishing, boating, picnicking, hiking and equestrian trails, mountain biking, zip-lining, birdwatching and so much more. The warm climate of the Central Coast makes Lopez Lake the ideal, year-round recreational destination. There is a pretty good phone signal at the property. WiFi is weak and unreliable, but you can use your phone as a HotSpot. Fire Ban currently in effect.

3. Los Padres National Forest

95%

(452)

762 sites · Mission Canyon, California

From beach to mountain, California's second largest forest offers recreation in diverse ecosystems.

Pets

Toilets

Campfires

Public campgrounds near Paso Robles

79%

(7)

Cerro Alto Campground

15mi from Paso Robles · 22 sites · Tents, RVs · in Los Padres National Forest

Friis Campground

25mi from Paso Robles · 3 sites · Tents, RVs · in Los Padres National Forest

Hi Mountain Campground

29mi from Paso Robles · 11 sites · Tents, RVs · in Los Padres National Forest

100%

(2)

La Panza Campground

29mi from Paso Robles · 15 sites · Tents, RVs · in Los Padres National Forest

American Canyon Seasonal Campground

33mi from Paso Robles · 14 sites · Tents, RVs · in Los Padres National Forest

100%

(4)

Alder Creek Campground

44mi from Paso Robles · 2 sites · Tents, RVs · in Los Padres National Forest

Baja Campground

45mi from Paso Robles · 1 site · Tent, RV · in Los Padres National Forest

100%

(1)

Buck Spring Campground

46mi from Paso Robles · 1 site · Tent, RV · in Los Padres National Forest

60%

(5)

Ponderosa Campground

48mi from Paso Robles · 22 sites · Tents, RVs · in Los Padres National Forest

100%

(59)

Plaskett Creek Campground

49mi from Paso Robles · 40 sites · Tents, RVs · in Los Padres National Forest

If you don't make it to the top, there are lots of rad pull-offs on the way up to grab a spot. C'mon, look at that view!

91%

(27)

Nacimiento Camp Campground

50mi from Paso Robles · 8 sites · Tents, RVs · in Los Padres National Forest

Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community

R

Ryan

November 2025

Tent

With pets

1 night at UpperLopez Creek Camp

Amazing location! The campsite even had wifi in the middle of the mountains haha! We booked during a rainstorm and still were very comfortable with our canopy over the entrance of our tent. Thank you so much!

S

Scott

July 2025

Tent

With kids

3 nights at UpperLopez Creek Camp

Excellent location right on the creek. Quiet, we were the only ones there. Short 15 min hike to Big Falls trailhead which is a great trail to a waterfall the kids had a lot of fun at. Cabana was great for all three of us to sleep, hot shower, bathroom.

K

Kinga

July 2025

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to UpperLopez Creek Camp

We crossed the creek 13 times (I think😊) while we were driving towards Varonica's place hidden deep in the wilderness. We saw deer, a bear, domestic pigs and dogs on the way. Getting there was a true adventure! Trout Corner was just what we wanted: an isolated place surrounded by nature. The soothing sound of the creek right next to the campsite was so relaxing to hear all night. Our dog loved running into the creek, and he was happy to sniff around without his leash. We didn't even set up our tent, we just used the canopy that was already there. There's an outlet with electricity. Bring an extension cord and you can have electricity inside the tent.

J

Juanita

July 2025

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to UpperLopez Creek Camp

We booked Trout Corner for 4th of July weekend and it was lovely! Host was friendly and responsive. The space was super nice and we could hear the creek the whole time. There a lot of little gnat flies but they don’t bite and once you light your fire they disperse. The spot is super close to the Big Falls Trail, which is a beautiful hike! Fair warning: the post says you don’t need 4x4 wheel drive but I would highly recommend 4x4 wheel drive. At least a car that has some clearance as you do have to drive through shallow parts of the creek. Overall, we enjoyed the privacy, nature, and the relaxing atmosphere! Would definitely book again!

Nearby public parks

Browse national and state parks near Paso Robles

95%

(452)

Los Padres National Forest

Mission Canyon, California

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

The best waterfall 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.