Cerro Alto Campground
The numbers that decide it
- Longest rig
- 35 ft
- Sites
- 22
- Electric hookups
- Not published
- Pull-through sites
- Yes
- Paved access
- Yes
- Accessible sites
- Not published
- Driveway grade
- Not published
- Bear boxes
- Not published
- Campfires
- Not published
- Shade
- Yes
- Group sites
- Not published
Site-level detail from Recreation.gov, checked 2026-08-05. Where a field says “not published”, the agency has not published it — it does not mean zero. See it on Recreation.gov
Cerro Alto Campground
The campground sits at 1,000′ above sea level in a verdant canyon pass astride a semiannual creek. Cerro Alto Peak (2,624′) is the destination of Hikers, Bikers and Equestrians with its 360° view encompassing the Central California Coast and Inland Valley. The campground has 22 units, 12 of which are handicapped accessible. Each site has a picnic table, fire ring and most have a pedestal grill. Several of the sites are walk-in sites. Cerro Alto Campground is located at the base of Cerro Alto Peak. The Forest Service maintained a fire lookout tower at the top of Cerro Alto Peak until 1973. At an elevation of 2,620 feet, Cerro Alto Peak provides a commanding view of the Pacific coastline, Whale Rock Reservoir, Morro Bay, and the Santa Lucia Mountains. Reservations: 15 sites are on the reservation system: www.recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. There are 7 campsites available on a first-come, first- serve basis .
Before you go
Reservations
Reservations accepted
Fees
This is a concession managed campground, $35.00 a night (includes one vehicle). Managed by the Parks Management Company (PMC) for the Forest Service. There is a camphost on site. Two cars and 6 people maximum per site. (one vehicle is included in the price of the campsite). Extra vehicles $10.00 per vehicle per night. Interagency Senior Pass or Access Pass provides 50% discount of camping fees only, not for day use parking or extra vehicle parking. Day use fee for parking at the Cerro Alto Trailhead is $10 per vehicle or you can purchase and display the Parks Management Company (PMC) Annual Pass for $50. More info: www.campone.com . Interagency Senoir, Access and Annual Passes are not accepted for day use parking at trailhead or extra vehicle parking overnight.
Hours
Campground check-in time: 3:00pm, check-out time: 12:00 noon. Quiet Hours: 10:00pm – 6:00am.
Restrictions
14 day stay limit.
Accessibility
12 campsites are handicapped accessible.
Scenic drives that pass close
Make it a night on a better road
Byway plans the drive in — real stops, real weather, nothing invented.