Outdoors
Lakes, rivers and beaches near San Luis Obispo where swimming is allowed on public land.
Good to know: Most natural swimming areas have no lifeguard; check water-quality advisories and current conditions before swimming.
Cerro Alto Campground is a well-known hiking and mountain biking paradise. It is located a short distance from the sandy beaches of Morro Bay, where visitors enjoy surfing, fishing, kayaking, sailing, scuba diving and more.
Ponderosa Campground offers visitors a beautiful location to relax and enjoy nature. It runs along the Nacimiento River, which provides a variety of recreational opportunities.
Los Prietos Campground is situated in the Los Padres National Forest and provides access to a variety of outdoor adventures, including water-related recreation and hiking.
Paradise Campground is a beautiful place to enjoy California's westernmost national forest. It provides access to a variety of recreational activities, including hiking, biking, horseback riding and more.
Distances are straight-line miles from downtown San Luis Obispo. Listings come from Recreation.gov’s federal recreation database; check each official page for hours, fees, fire restrictions and closures before you go.
Cerro Alto Campground (USDA Forest Service), about 11 miles north of San Luis Obispo as the crow flies. Next are Ponderosa Campground (64 mi) and Los Prietos (70 mi).
Based on San Luis Obispo’s average highs, June–October. Conditions at higher elevations can be much cooler.
Federal agencies including USDA Forest Service. Each listing links to its official page for hours, fees, closures and current conditions.