Cerro Alto Campground
Open — Open year-round. Fifteen sites are reservable through Recreation.gov on a 6-month rolling window, and 7 sites are first-come, first-served. Check-in is 3:00 p.m., check-out is 12:00 noon. Limited to 14 consecutive nights.
Gifford Fire Closure Order
Gifford Fire Closure Order 05-07-53-25-21 supersedes Order 05-07-53-25-20 executed on August 24, 2025.
Sespe Condor Sanctuary Closure
The Los Padres National Forest will prohibit entry by the public to the Sespe Condor Sanctuary to support ongoing Condor recovery efforts. This special closure order supports the overall survivorship and sustained population increase of the California Condor species.
Special Closure - SBRD Storm Damage Recovery
Closure of developed recreation sites, roads, and trails in the Santa Barbara Ranger District impacted by storm damage and some roads restricted to non-motorized use.
Special Closure - SLRD Lake Fire Post-Burn Public Safety
Closure of developed recreation sites and roads on the Santa Lucia Ranger District impacted by the Lake fire.
Dry Canyon Area, Roads and Trails, and Wilderness Closure
Mt. Pinos Ranger District, Dry Canyon Area, Roads, Trails and Wilderness Closure
Road Use Restriction - Sycamore Cyn Rd to Pfeiffer Beach
Prohibits being on Sycamore Canyon Road (Forest Road No.
West Cuesta Fire Use Restrictions
Prohibits building, maintaining, attending, or using a wood or charcoal campfire, or cooking fire, on National Forest System lands within the West Cuesta Fire Use Restriction Area. Reference the description of the area and attached map for details.
San Carpoforo Beach Prohibition of Overnight Camping and Campfires
Prohibits overnight camping and building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire on San Carpoforo Beach, which includes all National Forest lands west of Highway 1 to the mean high tide line of the 
Santa Barbara Front Country Fire Use Restrictions
Prohibits building, maintaining, attending, or using a wood or charcoal campfire, or cooking fire, on National Forest System lands within the Fire Use Restriction Area which is the front country of Santa Barbara. Reference the description of the area and the attached map for details.
About
Cerro Alto Campground is situated at 1,000 feet elevation in a lush canyon pass within Los Padres National Forest, surrounded by mixed oak, pine and sycamore trees along a seasonal mountain creek. The campground offers 22 campsites, with 15 available through advance reservation and 7 on a first-come, first-served basis. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring, with most sites also featuring pedestal grills. Twelve sites are ADA accessible, and several are walk-in sites. The campground serves as the trailhead for the popular 4-mile Cerro Alto Trail, which climbs to the 2,624-foot summit where a Forest Service fire lookout once stood until 1973. Hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians enjoy the challenging ascent and are rewarded with spectacular 360-degree views encompassing the Pacific coastline, Whale Rock Reservoir, Morro Bay, and the Santa Lucia Mountains. The roads within the campground are paved but narrow and winding with single-lane access and turnouts. Located less than 10 miles from the sandy beaches of Morro Bay, the campground provides easy access to coastal activities including surfing, fishing, kayaking, sailing, and scuba diving. The nearby towns of Morro Bay and Atascadero offer dining, shopping, and museums. The campground is also within 20 miles of Paso Robles wine country and makes an excellent base for exploring the Central Coast communities of San Luis Obispo, Cayucos, Harmony, and Cambria, as well as historic Hearst Castle.
Directions
From Atascadero, travel southwest on Highway 41 for about 8 miles. Campground entrance is on the left; turn and continue south for about 1 mile to the campground. From Morro Bay, travel east on Highway 41 for about 8 miles. Campground entrance is on the right; turn and continue south for about 1 mile to the campground.
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $35 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | 35ft |
| Max Trailer Length | 30ft |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| parksman@fix.net | |
| Phone | +1 (805) 434-1996 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | Yes |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
Availability
Photos
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