Pismo beach camping

Do I need reservation for camping here or can I just roll in and find a spot? I'm planning to camp there this weekend. What's the best time to show up, if there is such a time, on a Saturday?

 

Scroll down to 'Camping and Facilities'

http://ohv.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=1207

 

If you're planning to camp you will need reservations

 

People roll in and try to set up camp wherever but the reservation guarantees you'll have a spot for you and yiu won't get kicked out or a fine

 

you just need to call 48 hrs in advance to make reservations. I was just there 3 weeks ago. So awesome!

 

Are there dispersed areas for setting up camp or you're pretty much bunched up in one area on the beach at the water crossing?

 

It gets ridiculously crowded during the summer and especially on weekends....it's like an enormous frat party. Go in the Fall/Winter if you can stand the chilly weather, it'll be a lot more enjoyable.

 

There arent designated areas to camp. You just pick a spot and set up camp. If you want to be away from people you can go into the dunes a good distance but if you're towing a trailer it might be difficult due to the loose sand.

 

Only thing I have heard is don't park to close to the water, people have had there vehicles in the ocean from wanting the "beach front" campsite but I believe part of the park is camp anywhere. People have gotten vehicles stuck from this

 

I will definitely need to check this spot out. Thanks @locster for posting this.

 

Going Sunday the 2nd myself. Would love to bring the bike but I have my girl and son coming with me so the truck will do. Hopes it's not too crazy Labor Day weekend. Yes reservations are good it gaurentees you a spot. Anyone know if the dunes are small enough to have a good amount of fun in a midtravel 4x4? I've only been to dumont on bikes a few times.

 

LOL...a holiday weekend at Pismo? You couldn't pay me to go. If you don't have reservations by now, it's too late.

 

Definitely enough of every size dunes out there to have fun. Make sure you air down plenty and you'll also need a flag on your truck. The rangers are pretty strict out there.

 

Yeah 18psi and a flag from my bike. I also made a reservation already. I've been holiday weekends to dumont but there's a lot of space out there. I just wanted to go camping for my son and Is bdays and we're Labor Day babies. I'm sure it will be fun either way and much safer in the truck than a bike.

 

I've used reserveamerica in the past. Easiest and best to grab a spot IMO. Then, like everyone else has noted, get there early so you can gnab a spot. The second row can get dicey if you're pulling a trailer.

 

Slightly off topic but slightly related ... Is it better to be in auto lsd, Trac completly off, or locker on when driving on sand. I'm a 2wd trd offroad.

 

Locker on as soon as you hit the sand I would say. Don't go under 10mph and when you stop always face downhill.

 

2wd in sand = likely needing to get some help pulling out

 

I'm definitely not a great source, but last time I went to pismo I was in 4wd auto lsd the whole time and never got stuck. I would imagine for 2wd having the locker on would be ideal as long as it doesn't limit your speed.

 

I ran at 8 - 10 psi the whole time I was in Pismo. Anything higher and it was too easy to get stuck even with 4wd and AT tires.

of course how low you air down has a lot to do with your tires as well. We came across sooo many people stuck out in the dunes with street tires or 2wd trucks, it was crazy. Helped as many as we could but at a certain point if you're intent on helping everyone, you won't get to do anything but rescues the whole time. That's how many people were out there when I went a couple years ago this time in August, not including the massive groups of ATVs and dirt bikes and crowds of people that just go to camp and party in the camping section. The whole night was loud until probably 3 or 4 am.

Its going to be insanely packed on Labor Day weekend.

I'll never do Pismo again unless it's during the week in the Fall or winter...too much like a giant frat party otherwise