The best waterfall campgrounds near San Luis Obispo, California

Looking for the perfect camping experience near San Luis Obispo, California with stunning waterfalls? Look no further than Hipcamp! With over 40 options specifically catered to your preferences, you'll find the perfect spot to immerse yourself in nature. From the serene DABUDAGE (367 reviews) to the rustic Arber-Moore's Ranch (158 reviews) and the luxurious Harmony's Glamping (148 reviews), you'll have plenty of highly rated campsites to choose from. Plus, with popular amenities like showers, potable water, and toilets, you'll have all the comforts you need. And if you're feeling adventurous, you can even enjoy activities like wind sports, biking, and boating. So grab your gear and get ready for an unforgettable camping experience in the heart of nature!

88% (66)

Top-rated campgrounds near San Luis Obispo

Looking for the perfect camping experience near San Luis Obispo, California with stunning waterfalls? Look no further than Hipcamp! With over 40 options specifically catered to your preferences, you'll find the perfect spot to immerse yourself in nature. From the serene DABUDAGE (367 reviews) to the rustic Arber-Moore's Ranch (158 reviews) and the luxurious Harmony's Glamping (148 reviews), you'll have plenty of highly rated campsites to choose from. Plus, with popular amenities like showers, potable water, and toilets, you'll have all the comforts you need. And if you're feeling adventurous, you can even enjoy activities like wind sports, biking, and boating. So grab your gear and get ready for an unforgettable camping experience in the heart of nature!

88% (66)

Top-rated campgrounds near San Luis Obispo

1. Comfortable Creekside Campsite

96%

(69)

11mi from San Luis Obispo · 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.

2. UpperLopez Creek Camp

88%

(8)

8.8mi from San Luis Obispo · 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.

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 San Luis Obispo

79%

(7)

Cerro Alto Campground

12mi from San Luis Obispo · 22 sites · Tents, RVs · in Los Padres National Forest

Hi Mountain Campground

14mi from San Luis Obispo · 11 sites · Tents, RVs · in Los Padres National Forest

Friis Campground

20mi from San Luis Obispo · 3 sites · Tents, RVs · in Los Padres National Forest

American Canyon Seasonal Campground

22mi from San Luis Obispo · 14 sites · Tents, RVs · in Los Padres National Forest

100%

(2)

La Panza Campground

23mi from San Luis Obispo · 15 sites · Tents, RVs · in Los Padres National Forest

Baja Campground

31mi from San Luis Obispo · 1 site · Tent, RV · in Los Padres National Forest

100%

(1)

Buck Spring Campground

32mi from San Luis Obispo · 1 site · Tent, RV · in Los Padres National Forest

100%

(2)

Horseshoe Springs Campground

35mi from San Luis Obispo · 3 sites · Tents, RVs · in Los Padres National Forest

67%

(3)

Colson Canyon Camp

36mi from San Luis Obispo · 5 sites · Tents, RVs · in Los Padres National Forest

Brookshire Campground

38mi from San Luis Obispo · 2 sites · Tents, RVs · in Los Padres National Forest

100%

(2)

Wagon Flat Campground

38mi from San Luis Obispo · 3 sites · Tents, RVs · in Los Padres National Forest

Barrel Springs Campground

39mi from San Luis Obispo · 6 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!