Crystal Cove State Park – Moro Campground California
Crystal Cove State Park – Moro Overview
Crystal Cove State Park – Moro campground has 59 single-family campsites and is located just north of Laguna Beach on Pacific Coast Highway with spectacular sunset views over the Pacific ocean.
There are 28 premium campsites with water & electric hookups (for trailers and RVs – 30 and 50 amp). These sites include 2 to 29 and are for trailers and RVs only (no tents). No Part of RV, Trailer, Toy Hauler, etc should hang over into boundaries of the site into brush or into the street. The (absolute) maximum length is 38 feet (RVs will be measured on entry – trailers without hitch, 5th wheels including gooseneck, and motorhomes bumper to bumper).
There also 29 others (no hookups) for tents, trailers and RVs. These include sites 31 to 60. Free-standing tents only (no stakes). You can also put up to two tents per campsite if there is room.
Each campsite has a picnic table. The campground has drinking water, an RV dump station, showers, campfire center and flush toilets.
No wood/charcoal fires (BBQ) and portable/propane fireplace fires are allow. You can have up to 8 people per campsite. Pets are also okay, but must be on a leash.
Crystal Cove State Park – Moro – Primitive Backcountry Camping
There are also 3 primitive campgrounds available including Deer Canyon, Upper Moro and Lower Moro. Reservations are required and you can click on the ‘Make A Reservation’ button to check availability/make a reservation. All three campgrounds require a 2 to 3 mile hike and you must bring all gear including water, food, tent, etc. Click HERE to view the Crystal Cove Backcountry Camping Route map. Parking is available at the trailhead.
Below the campground is a day use area with beach access. The day use area has picnic tables, an outdoor nature center, showers and drinking water.
Also don’t forget to check out the Crystal Cove State Park Beach Cottages and historic area! Bolsa Chica State Beach is another option about 16 miles north on Pacific Coast Highway. It has 60 campsites with electric/water hookups for trailers and RVs only.
Make a Reservation for Crystal Cove State Park – Moro
Amenities
- Amphitheater
- Campfire Center
- Campground Host
- Campsite Tables
- Cell Service - Good
- Drinking Water
- Dump Station
- Electrical Hookup
- Pets OK
- Picnic Tables
- Ranger Station
- Restrooms (Flush Toilets)
- RV Hookups
- Showers
Activities
- Backpacking
- Beach
- Beach Access
- Beach Combing
- Biking
- Bird Watching
- Creek
- Hiking
- Historic Sites
- Kayaking
- Mountain Biking
- Nature Trails
- Ocean
- Photography
- Picnicking
- Sand Surfing
- Scuba Diving
- Skin Diving
- Snorkeling
- Stargazing
- Surf Fish
- Swimming
- Visitor Center
- Wake Boarding
- Walking Trails
- Water Sports
- Whale Watching
- Wildlife Viewing
Laguna Beach, California 92651
949 494-9143
Lat / Long:
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Crystal Cove State Park – Moro Availability Alerts
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- California Beaches
- California State Beach
- California State Park
- Creek
- Los Angeles Area
- Ocean
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Campsite Types
- ADA
- Electric & Water Hookup
- Electric Hookup
- RV
- Tent
- Trailer
# of Campsites:
57
# of RV Hookup Campsites:
29
Season:
Year Round
Elevation:
130
Crystal Cove State Park – Moro Comments & Reviews
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any where to camp in this area where you can have a campfire??
Hi Cindi,
Moro campground does not permit wood or charcoal fires, but does allow compressed gas BBQs and outdoor fireplaces.
The closest campgrounds that do allow wood/campfires would be San Clemente State Beachh and Doheny State Beach.
Can you elaborate on outdoor fireplaces? Can we provide a fire ring? or outdoor firebowl to burn firewood?
Hi Mia,
Here is the policy/rules for (camp) fires at Crystal Cove State Park / Moro Campground:
Small propane BBQ’s are permitted. Charcoal and wood burning are strictly prohibited. Fire pits are allowed on the beach and in the Moro Campground as long as they are propane burning only. No fires allowed in the “back-country,” which is the wilderness area on the inland-side of PCH. Small, back-packing-style devices utilizing self-contained propane gas type cylinders are allowed in the primitive campsites.
I see tent stakes aren’t allowed: using a basic, 4-person Coleman tent, what do you recommend for keeping it securely in place? Doesn’t it get windy? Thanks
Hi Arnold,
You are correct in that no tent stakes are allowed at Moro campground (Crystal Cove State Park). Only free standing tents are allowed in the campground. The campground is located up on a hill, across the highway from the beach. Generally the wind is not a factor up there unless during a storm or when the Santa Ana winds are blow. In the summer – it is usually calm.
As for securing your tent w/o stakes, I’d recommend bringing some exercise weights and putting those inside (in each corner).
Is there anywhere in California that you are allowed to camp on the beach without a designated campsite? We would like to just find a spot and primitive camp for the night.
Hi Kaitlin,
A very good question. To our knowledge, there isn’t anywhere along the California beaches where you can camp on the beach/sand that is not a designated campsite. There are a few (campsites) at Gold Bluffs Beach where you can pitch a tent on the sand.
I’ll post your question on the CampsitePhotos.com Facebook page. Check there and see if anyone responds.
You can also post a question on the CampsitePhotos.com Forum and see if anyone has any ideas.
Morro Strand has small tent areas along the beach side of what amounts to a former day use beach access parking lot. You are between a curb and a small sand dune.
Do the tent sites have power?
Hi Garrett,
The tent campsites at Moro campground do not have electricity.
Is a tent over the truck allowed for sleeping
Yes, those are allowed at Moro campground.
CAN YOU PUT UP 2 TENTS IN MORO CAMPGROUND?
Hi Jason,
If the site is large enough to accommodate 2 tents – then yes, you can put up two tents at Moro campground campsites. There is a maximum of two tents per site at Moro campground, and remember – no stakes allowed.
Can you have a small tent in arc site?
Also are there RV/trailer sites without hook ups?
Hi Amy,
Moro campground at Crystal Cove State Park does have 30 sites w/o electricity and these can accommodate tents, trailers and RVs. The ‘trailer/RV’ sites have hookups and a pad for a tent.
We are coming to visit from Nebraska March 3rd through the 7th. We would like to set up tent but was wondering how cold it gets at night there. We have 3 kiddos and don’t wanna freeze em. We are from Nebraska though so we can handle it a bit colder. It’s -14 hear right now!!
Hi Melissa,
Sounds like you’re going to have a nice vacation! Typically (in early March) the weather at Moro Campground / Southern California will be in the low to mid 70s during the day and mid to high 50s during the night. With that said, Southern California has been receiving more storms/rain this year so check the weather forecast for Laguna Beach, CA.
HI, I have site #16 and am a little concerned being so close to the bathrooms. Can I have a realistic big picture of what to expect? We have two young children so we are a little worried about all the extra foot traffic? Any smells?
Is Old Moro Campground still accessible via hiking/backpacking? And if so, how does one reserve a spot there?
Great question Jay!
There are also 3 primitive campgrounds available including Deer Canyon, Upper Moro and Lower Moro. Reservations are required and you can click on the ‘Make A Reservation’ button to check availability/make a reservation. All three campgrounds require at least a 3 mile hike and you must bring all gear including water, food, tent, etc. Only backpack stoves are allowed to cook food. Parking is available at the trailhead. FYI we hope to get photos of each campsite in the next few weeks.
We have a small travel trailer(only 12 feet) and will be in site #29. May we have a large tent as well st this site? We should have plenty of room. Thanks!
Hi Brian,
Yes, you can have a tent at Moro campsite 29, as long as everything fits within your campsite. Have a great time!
I read that there is a max occupancy of 8 per campsite, does this include children? We are trying to see if we can fit our family of 5 (three small kids), plus our parents, and then brother, his wife, and toddler. Or if we’d be required to get an additional site. Thanks!
Hi Stephanie,
That 8 per person campsite policy at Crystal Cove State Park – Moro campground does include everyone (adults and children). I doubt the camp host / ranger at the campground would make an exception so you’ll probably need to get another campsite.
We will be in a rented RV and will not be towing a vehicle. How close is the nearest grocery store/market?
Hi Denise,
Crystal Cove State Park – Moro campground is within a few miles (north or south) of a grocery store/market. There’s a Pavilions 3.1 miles to the south in Laguna Beach, and a Smart & Final Extra 4.3 miles north in Corona Del Mar. You’ll probably find a few other convenience stores, etc. in between as well.
We have a 17′ trailer and 16′ long SUV, are the Premium Tent Campsites big enough?
Hi Mario,
The pad lengths at Crystal Cove State Park Moro campground range from 25 to 35 and are wide enough to fit a trailer and SUV side-by-side. You can click on the ‘Make A Reservation’ button to be directed to ReserveCalifornia. From there you can go to the campground and click on each site to get measurements.
I have reservations for site 33. Can you confirm that a 22 foot trailer is allowed on this site.
Hi Shay,
The pad length is 25 feet at Moro campsite #33. Your 22 foot trailer will fit fine.
Hello
What is the difference between ‘Premium tent campsite’ and ‘Hike in Primitive campsite’ ? We are a group of 8 with 2 cars. Kindly suggest if this campsite is best for campfires (during night).
Hi Praneeth,
The ‘premium tent campsites’ are in Moro campground. These have access to water, flush toilets and other facilities. The campsites are also level and have a parking spur. The ‘hike-in primitive’ tent campsites require you to pack in all of your gear, equipment, food, water, etc. A 2 to 3 mile hike is required to reach the campsites in the backcountry. Vault toilets are available, but there is no water.
Hi Praneeth,
The ‘premium tent campsites’ are in Moro campground. These have access to water, flush toilets and other facilities. The campsites are also level and have a parking spur. The ‘hike-in primitive’ tent campsites require you to pack in all of your gear, equipment, food, water, etc. A 2 to 3 mile hike is required to reach the rustic campsites in the backcountry. Vault toilets are available, but there is no water.
Hi! I have Moro Campsite 007 reserved… can we tent camp in this spot? We have a tent and an SUV, just wondering if that’s ok? Thanks!
Hi Amanda,
Unfortunately tents are not allowed in campsite #7.
Is this still true? I just called today and they said tents are allowed. I asked specifically about site 7, so not sure if it was an oversight when they told me or if things have changed.
Hi Lisa,
I have not been able to confirm if tents are okay on the hookup sites as well (sites 2-29). I also called but just go their voice mail. If they told you tents are okay – I guess that may be true. I’ll try and call again tomorrow to check.
Three questions:
1. Are 12ft travel trailers allowed at site #54?
2. Is the wifi good enough to be able to work from the campsite?
3. Where does a second vehicle park and what is the fee?
Hi Tiffany,
You can have up to 3 vehicles and 8 people in campsite #54. The parking pad length is 25 feet so your 12 foot travel trailer will fit. The cell service connection is very good for the main carriers. The park/campground does not have a Wifi connection. There is not overflow parking at the campground, but your site can accommodate up to 3 vehicles.
Just trying to make sure here ….. Tent camping is only allowed in spots 31-60? and propane fire rings are ok? Thanks.
Hi Brian,
You are correct. Tent camping is only allowed in campsites 31 to 60. Portable/free standing propane fire rings are allowed.
Hi,
So 8 people per site, 3 cars are allowed, so how many tents are you allowed to set up? My site is 50.
Thanks
Hi Vinnie,
There’s no mentioned on # of tents allowed in that campsite. Looks like you have about a 20×20 foot area beyond the table and also about 20×20 you could use next to the table. You could try calling park/campground to double check: 949 494-9143
This is our favorite campground, especially the front premium sites! We are looking to get a trailer in the near future and still want to be able to camp here. Does the 25′ limit include the hitch? Or is it just the camper itself?
Crystal Cove State Park / Moro Campground sure is nice and in a great location too. The campsite parking pad measurements include the hitch.
I know there is beach access, but is it a far or short walk from the tent sites and how difficult is that walk?
Hi Adda,
The walk/hike from Moro campground exit is about 1/4 mile (1,300 feet) to the beach. It’s an easy hike along a paved road/trail. The hike from the primitive (backpack) campsites ranges from 1-3 miles.
can a 15′ trailer and tent fit in campsite 35, along with 2 vehicles? Or same in campsite #18?
Hi Peggy,
Campsite 18 will work for a 15′ trailer and 2 vehicles. The longest parking pad/area length for that site is 35 feet (would fit the trailer and towing vehicle), and you’d have another parking area for a 2nd vehicle.
Campsite #35 might be a little tight. The longest parking area pad length is 25′ – so not sure if your towing vehicle and 15′ trailer would both fit in that area. There’s also another parking area for a 2nd vehicle in site #18. You’ll pay an extra fee for the 2nd vehicle in both sites.