Hearst San Simeon State Park Campground California
Hearst San Simeon State Park Overview
Hearst San Simeon State Park, famous for the Hearst Castle and spectacular views of the coast, has two campgrounds with a combined total of 202 campsites for tents, trailers and RVs. San Simeon Creek Campground has 134 campsites and Washburn Campground has 68 primitive campsites.
Washburn Campground is a primitive campground with 68 campsites and is located approximately 1 mile inland from the beach on a plateau overlooking the Santa Lucia mountains and Pacific Ocean. Washburn campground can be accessed from the San Simeon Creek Campground entrance station. Each campsite also has a table and fire ring. The campground has drinking water, vault toilets and access to an RV sanitation dump station. Our Favorite San Simeon Washburn Campground Sites: 202, 204, and 255.
San Simeon Creek Campground has 134 campsites for tent camping or recreational vehicles. Sites 116-134 are ‘walk-to’ sites, but have parking. Campsites 120 and 121 are usually held for hike/bike campers. The maximum length for a RV is 35 feet. Each campsite also has a fire ring and picnic table. The campground has drinking water, flush toilets and coin operated showers, a dump station and water fill-up for RV’s. Firewood is also available for sale from the campground host. Our Favorite San Simeon Creek Campground Sites: 24, 25, 38, 47, and 50.
Hearst San Simeon State Park – Area Recreation
The park is a great base camp to visit Hearst Castle, explore William Randolph Hearst Memorial Beach, the Santa Rosa Creek Natural Preserve, San Simeon Natural Preserve or the Pa-nu Cultural Preserve. You’re also close to the historic town of San Simeon located on Highway One. Outdoor activities include hiking, biking, swimming, surf fishing, beach coming, picnicking and kayaking. Wildlife viewing is also really nice here (birds, fox, deer, sea creatures, whales and more). Be sure to make your reservations to tour Hearst Castle well in advance as the tours often sell out. You can click HERE to check availability and make reservations for tours at Hearst Castle.
If you’re heading south on Highway 1, you may also be interested in Morro Strand State Beach. Plaskett Creek campground is to the north in Big Sur.
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Amenities
- BBQ Grills
- Campground Host
- Campsite Tables
- Cell Service Fair
- Drinking Water
- Dump Station
- Fire Pit
- Fire Rings
- Firewood Available
- Grills
- Pay Phone
- Pets OK
- Picnic Tables
- Restrooms (Flush Toilets, Vault Toilets)
- Showers
Activities
- Beach
- Beach Combing
- Biking
- Bird Watching
- Boating (non motorized)
- Creek
- Cultural Sites
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Historic Sites
- Horseshoes
- Kayaking
- Mountain Biking
- Nature Trails
- Ocean
- Photography
- Picnicking
- Snorkeling
- Stargazing
- Surf Fish
- Surfing
- Swimming
- Walking Trails
- Whale Watching
- Wildlife Viewing
- Wind Surfing
Cambria, California 93428
805 927-2035
Lat / Long:
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Campsite Types
- ADA
- RV
- Tent
- Trailer
- Walk-To
# of Campsites:
202
Campsite Vehicle Size:
Up to 35 feet.
Season:
Year Round
Elevation:
75
Hearst San Simeon State Park Comments & Reviews
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We recently enjoyed a few days at this awesome place, we really enjoyed the campground and the area, couple of negatives, if you bring dogs, they are not allowed in the trails or at The beach, also lots of ticks, so you need to be aware, also thought the had a place to fill water, we had a Dougherty at our site# 64, but it had a lick on it, not sure why,no biggybt I’ll ask next time, it would have come in handy when we ran out of water in the evening, our sensors in the RV gave us a bad report, and it was our first trip. But over allá great experience, do stop at Sebastian’s in nearby San simeo, across the entrance to Hearst Castle for some wine tasting and a delicious burger, I highly recommend their green chili 1/2 burger and shared i with someone is huge, and onion rings! Happy Camping!
I have reserved campsite 36 at the San Simeon campground. Maximum occupants is 8. Can I fit 3 medium sized tents?
Hi Sarah,
I don’t think so, but maybe – depending on the size of the tents. It is a tent only site (2 vehicles and 8 people max) with a total camping area listed as 14′ wide by 30′ long (but that includes the fire ring and table).
Thank you for your response. Is it possible to switch my paid reservation to one of the first-come-first-served sites, if available, when I arrive- or switch with a possible cancellation? I appreciate your consideration.
Hi Sarah,
It should not be a problem, but you’ll need to check with the ranger first.
Hi Sarah,
It should not be a problem for first-come, first-serve sites, but you’ll need to check with the ranger first. I’m pretty sure they won’t allow you to switch to an open reservable campsite.
Greetings. I am interested in campsites #120 and #121.
Am I understanding this correctly ? Hike or bike only ? Meaning I would not be able to bring my vehicle at all ?
Thank you.
Hi Johnny,
Campsites #120 and #121 are usually held for hike/bike campers and do not have a designated parking spur. I don’t think a vehicle is permitted for those sites.
Hi there, I booked site 82, will two tents fit at that site and is it a level spot for tent campers? Thank you!
Hi Lisa,
Campsite #82 can definitely fit two tents and is level. It can also fit up to 2 vehicles and 8 people. Have fun!
We have camped several times at this state park and keep coming back for more.
It’s a perfect set-up for a family (we have 4 kids) for several reasons:
1) Most sites have a really nice amount of privacy. When you combine CampsitePhotos.com with the satellite images you can get the sense for which sites have the most privacy.
2) Quiet campground with lots to do nearby. There are lots of beaches within a 15 minute drive and Cambria has good options for a quick bite to eat. I was originally concerned about the highway noise, but that’s never been a problem (although all 4 of our sites have been towards the eastern end of the loop).
3) Facilities are well kept. No complaints here!
Are ticks a problem within the campsites
Not so much within the campsites, but ticks can be found in long grassy/brushy areas – like along trails. The nymph stage (juveniles) are most actively biting from March through August, while adult ticks are most commonly found from October through June.