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Submission
Montana de Oro camping features rugged cliffs, secluded sandy beaches, coastal plains, streams, canyons, and hills, including 1,347-foot Valencia Peak. Naturalists and backpackers enjoy the solitude and freedom found along the park's trails. There are also mountain biking and equestrian trails. The best-known beach is Spooner's Cove, across from the campground. The park's name, "Mountain of Gold," comes from the golden wildflowers that bloom in spring. Wildlife in the park includes black tailed deer and the black oystercatcher. The park includes primitive and equestrian campsites.
A primitive campground in the canyon behind the Spooner Ranch House offers 47 campsites for tents, trailers, or motorhomes. The vehicle length limit for all trailers and motorhomes is 27 feet. Tables, firepits, drinking water, and primitive toilets are nearby. There are no showers or dump stations.
Some campers may prefer the walk-in environmental campsites, which are secluded but campers should not be surprised to wake up to the yapping of coyotes or the rustling of other nighttime creatures.
For those who wish to bring horses to the park and camp overnight, there are six horse camps for family and group outings, complete with pipe corrals and limited parking for horse trailers. No horse rentals are available.
Only giving four stars because there are no showers. Cindy and her husband were great camp hosts in this very popular yet still under the radar park. Jut beware of the raccoons, poison oak/ivy and the rattlesnakes. The quail sang sweet songs through the night and the costal views are difficult to surpass as well as the beautiful geology exposed. I could have stayed much longer but the weekend brought the crowds. It was somewhat fun to haze the Poly Cal ROTC unit as they treked the coastline with lightweight packs in full camo. Just kidding, those cats were troopers bound for great adventure with that style of training. Overall a fun Saturday of hiking before my pack out. This park has a bright future ahead of itself. I think ultimately a one way road in and out will have to be additionally built. I feared for the cyclists in various passing maneuvers with on coming traffic. I didn’t see the appeal of cycling the main road between Los Osos and the campground with so much vehicular traffic coming from both directions. But to each their own. There are miles of trails that I left undiscovered for a latter date. For now I’ve scouted the rest for a latter date, God willing and the Creek don’t rise.
Campsite is quiet and the restroom is clean. Not much shade. Walking distance to Spooner’s cove.
There are some hiking trails nearby. Overall a good weekend getaway campground.
Small area campground. Surrounded by hills and brushes. Hills next to it have bike and hike trails. Very quite. Near the beach about quarter mile walk. You can hear the waves early in the morning like its just a hundred feet away. Theres just no view since its surrounded by hills. Camp host gordon such a nice guy. Who also sells fire wood. Keep your food and trash at night or raccoons will visit you. Check trees next to car park if there are any bees before putting up tent.
Good-looking, well-maintained campground with easy access to the beach, coastal bluffs, and trails through the hills. I tented here for three nights in January with family. The campground was fully booked with a good mix of tents, vans, and motorhomes. Sites are relatively spacious but not all have enough level space for a large tent so do your homework.
Access to the campground is uncontrolled -- there is no entrance station so anyone can drive in. This worried me at first but it turns out to be very quiet. And the camp host patrols throughout the day. Nevertheless, our neighbor's chairs were stolen along with a container of supplies during an afternoon while they were out.
Pit toilets all around, but they are well-maintained. No showers or sinks. Water is available. The park store does not sell any food or camping supplies, but the camp host has firewood $10 and fire starters $1.
