Many people recognize Morro Bay because of the 581-foot giant rock that sits on the edge of the Pacific Ocean. It’s called Morro Rock, which in reality is the neck of an extinct volcano.
So it’s not surprising that campers prefer RV campsites that are in close proximity to the rock. If you happen to be one of them, consider reserving a spot at Morro Dunes RV Park. It’s one of the best parks in the Morro Bay region and is located within a mile of the volcanic rock.
This article reviews the Morro Dunes RV Park in greater detail and looks into its campsites, amenities, and rates. You’ll also learn about the activities that campers at this park get to enjoy.
Morro Dunes RV Park: An Overview
Morro Dunes RV Park is a small RV park with 170 campsites. It sits close to the head of the Morro Bay, overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
The closest most notable city from Morro Dunes is San Luis Obispo, which is 14.2 miles away via the CA-1N highway. It will take you through the vineyards and farms of San Luis Obispo County.
Another route is via Baywood-Los Osos and the Morro Bay State Park. While it’s 19.4 miles long, it does offer coastal views as you drive down to the RV Park.
Arguably, the biggest draw of this RV park has to be the Morro Rock. You’re bound to get a clear view of the rock from any corner of the park. It’s where the Peregrine falcons nest. So you have a good chance of spotting them.
The RV park has 170 campsites. You’ll find both full hook-up and partial hook-up sites. But contrary to the name Morro Dunes ‘RV Park,’ it offers both RV and camping sites. So people can set up camp if they want.
The park is very neat and organized. The staff cleans the infrastructure quite regularly, and there are trashcans in every corner of the park. Since it’s a small park, you won’t have problems navigating the property even though there are signboards to guide you.
Who Owns Morro Dunes RV Park?
The Morro Dunes RV Park is owned by Doug Classen. In one of his interviews, he opened up about how the RV park is in great demand and people have to wait to get a reservation. He oversees the daily operation and ensures that campers at the park are well taken care of.
Are Dogs Allowed at Morro Dunes RV Park?
If you’re visiting Morro Bay with your canine friends, you can camp at the Morro Dunes RV Park, as it is dog-friendly. There’s a dog-run area that’s fenced. So you can unleash the pooch and let it roam freely and interact with other dogs.
However, at the property, it’s the camper’s responsibility to ensure the safety of their respective dogs. Also, you should keep your dogs in control, so they don’t trouble other campers.
Facilities and Amenities at Morro Dunes RV Park
An RV park (or campground) is measured by its amenities. More amenities always translate to a better park. Morro Dunes RV Park is undoubtedly big on convenience, and you’re going to find all the necessary amenities. Here are a few amenities you should be aware of:
- Full Hook-up Sites
Out of the 170 campsites at the Morro Dunes RV Park, 139 are full hook-up sites. You’re going to have electricity, water, and cable TV made available at these places. There are both pull-through and back-in sites.
These sites are located in different sections of the park. You get to choose the spot and park your RV the way you see fit. But allocation is subject to availability.
- Tent Sites
Besides the RV sites, you have tent sites at Morro Dunes RV Park. These are either partial hook-up sites with the availability of electricity and water or no hook-up site.
When setting up the tent, there are some restrictions. The size of the tent must fit that of the allocated spot. Moreover, if you have a vehicle, you must park it within the area or book an additional one.
- Dump station
Morro Dunes has multiple dump stations in the mark where you can empty the gray and black tanks. Full hook-up sites will have a sewer connected to the dump station, thus making it easier for you to empty the tanks.
The dump station is free of cost for campers. But you’d have to pay for any additional vehicles you may have.
- Restrooms with shower
The Morro Dunes RV Parks have restrooms for all the guests at the park. These are equipped with showers and are open to both RV campers and tent campers.
You can clear the sand off of yourself at the restrooms after a beach session or go in for a late-night hot shower before going to bed. The restrooms are open 24X7 and are well-maintained.
- Laundry
There are laundry facilities within the RV park to help you clean your clothes on the trip. There are two laundries located next to the restrooms.
You’ll find coin-operated washing machines and dryers. You can wash as many clothes as you want and pay per use.
The laundries are open 24X7 for the convenience of all campers at the park.
- Horseshoe Pit
You can challenge your pal to a game of horseshoe in the horseshoe pit at the RV park. It’s the only outdoor game available at the RV park.
Pitching a horseshoe near the shore as the wind breezes past you would calm the nerves and help create moments to cherish forever.
Morro Dunes RV Park offers all the equipment for the game and you can collect them from the office.
- Clubhouse
The clubhouse is where you can get together with your friends and arrange a party or play some indoor games like billiards, darts, and ping pong.
There are rooms you can use for weddings or corporate meetings. But you must book the rooms beforehand and let the park authorities know.
Some of the facilities at the clubhouse might not be available if it’s already booked.
- General shop
You can grab essential supplies from the general shop located within the RV park. It’s located right at the entrance gate. The shop is open to all campers and may offer seasonal discounts.
Doug Classen and his employees are continuously renovating the RV park and building additional facilities. So expect more amenities at the park by the time you visit.
Exciting Things to Do at Morro Bay
At Morro Bay, you’ll never run out of fun activities. The Morro Dunes RV Park is ideally located in a section that offers easy access to the following activities:
- Visit the Morro Rock
Morro Rock is the most recognizable landmark in the Morro Bay region. Therefore, visiting the site should be on the top of your to-do list.
The plug of an underground volcano, Morro Rock, is connected to the mainland via the Morro Bay jetty. There are nine other peaks at this location, but Morro Rock is the most visible one at 576 feet.
The rock is now home to thousands of bird species, including the Peregrine falcon. As camping is allowed, you can set up a tent camp and take in the ambience.
But bear in mind that scaling the rock is against the law. Therefore, bar yourself from such endeavors. There are other hiking trails out there for that purpose.
- Adventure Watersports
With the beach, bay, and harbor, the Morro Bay region has got plenty to offer ocean lovers.
Morro Rock Beach is the closest beach to the Morro Dunes RV Park. That’s where you can relax in the clean sands and bask in the sun. Morro Strand State Beach and Pit Beach are other notable beaches.
After sunbathing, you can head out for surfing, paddleboarding, or kayaking into the waters. There are several companies that offer boards, kayaks, and guided tours. The bay is full of life, and you can explore it on a bay cruise trip.
Finally, you can visit the harbor and hop on a boat to catch some fish for dinner. There are species like salmon, tuna, and rockfish to look out for.
- Hiking and Trekking
You can’t trek the Morro Rock, but there are plenty of other options in Morro Bay.
The best hiking trail in Morro Bay is Cerro Alto. The five-mile loop will take you 1,500 feet above sea level. On clear days, you can spot Morro Rock from the top and get an overlooking view of Morro Bay. But hiking Cerro Alto can be difficult.
For an easy trekking trail, you should consider Black Hill. There’s a three-mile round-trip trail leading to the top. Also, there’s a shorter route that is only 0.6 miles. Both the routes offer an excellent view of the bay and several creeks.
- Golfing
Bring out the Tiger Woods in you at the 18-hole Morro Bay Golf Course. It is just three miles from the Morro Dunes RV Park. A beginner-friendly golf course, it offers a stunning panoramic view of the bay from every hole. On top of that, it’s quite affordable.
There are two additional local courses within close proximity and eight courses overall in the region. You can take a trip there if you feel that the golf course is overcrowded.
- Explore the Morro Bay Maritime Museum
The Morro Bay Maritime Museum is one of its kind. It houses an iconic fleet like the Spindrift, Alma, Avalon, and USCG Surf Rescue, among others.
Each member of the fleet has a story to tell. The DSRV (Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle) Avalon was built to bring back the crews of submarines that drowned in the ocean. The Spindrift is one of few fishing boats from the 1930s.
You should also visit the Morro Bay Estuary Nature Center or the numerous art galleries in the region for further exploration.
- Dine at the Local Eateries
Morro Bay has a thriving fishing and agriculture sector. This means the availability of good food year-round.
You can dine at one of the many eateries to taste the exotic produce of Morro Bay. Most of the ingredients are locally produced, which ensures freshness and nutrition.
Galley Seafood Grill & Bar is a well-known waterfront restaurant in Morro Bay. Bayside Cafe and House of Juju are other restaurants that serve fresh seafood.
If you want to prepare food from scratch, consider visiting the Thursday farmer’s market, where you can buy local produce at a bargain.
All in all, Morro Bay is a place that’ll keep you fairly busy. There are many more things to explore in and around Morro Bay. So look forward to an adventure and not a mere RV trip.
How Much is Morro Dunes RV Park?
Morro Dunes RV Park is quite affordable for most campers. Thus, you can camp on a budget.
Full hook-up sites at Morro Dunes RV Park are priced at $61.50 per night. You can book a site for a week and pay the weekly rate of $430.45. Or, you can reserve the site for a month for $900, which is a big discount. But weekly or monthly bookings are limited to off-seasons.
Similarly, a partial hook-up will cost $44.60 per night. You can also book them on a weekly or monthly basis.
Lastly, the tent sites at the RV Park cost $39.03 per night.
Each campsite is intended for two campers. Additional campers will have to pay $2.23 per night. The same fee applies to pets.
Morro Dunes RV Park Reservation
To book a camping site at Morro Dunes RV Park, you need to get in touch with the reservation counter. Find the contact information on their website and call the number.
You can also reserve a spot at the reservation counter. This method isn’t recommended if you’re visiting during peak seasons when the bookings are made well in advance.
Can You Car Camp at Morro Rock?
Unfortunately, you can’t car camp at the Morro Rock. In March 2022, the Morro Bay City Council voted against the continuation of a pilot program that created 19 RV sites. These were located near the oceanfront overlooking Morro Rock.
Only tent camping in a limited capacity is allowed. Therefore, gather sufficient information from the authorities before setting up camp.
Other RV Parks Near Morro Dunes RV Park
Morro Dunes RV Park is a fan-favorite because of its proximity to Morro Rock and superior camping sites. Therefore, you may not be able to secure a spot, especially during peak seasons.
But that shouldn’t deter your camping plans at Morro Bay as there are numerous RV parks in the region. Here are a few recommended parks:
If camping near the Morro Rock is your topmost priority, then Morro Strand RV Park is the best alternative. It’s located next to the Morro Dunes RV Park and offers the same immersive view of the rock.
It’s an RV-exclusive park, and tent camping isn’t allowed within the property. There are actually two RV parks; one for bigger rigs that measure 45 ft. or above, and the other for smaller ones.
You’ll find essential amenities like washrooms, coin-operated laundry, picnic tables, BBQs, and free Wi-Fi at this RV park. The beach and other attractions are within walkable distance from the park.
Standard full hook-up sites cost $55 a night, while Deluxe sites are priced at $65 a night. Discounted rates on monthly stays are available only during certain promotional seasons.
Silver City RV Park is located half a mile away from the beach. But it still offers a stunning view of Morro Rock.
The RV park has spacious full hook-up sites with a concrete patio. Along with water, sewer, and 30/50-amp power, you’ll have free cable TV and Wi-Fi at your chosen site.
Within the park, you’ll find community gardens, a large clubhouse, restrooms, and space for bingo and card games. A few minutes’ walk will take you to the beach or the golf courses.
The daily rate for one RV site is $45. You can book the sites for a month at a discounted price subject to availability.
The Morro Bay State Park campground is another exciting RV campsite that’s located in the middle of the bay.
The campground has 120 sites, 87 of which are intended for RVs. It’s a mix of full hook-up and partial hook-up sites. Full hook-up sites cost $50 per night, while other sites are priced at $35.
Upon request, you can get a fire ring with a grill and a picnic table at the campsite.
One advantage of camping at this campground is you get to explore the Morro Bay State Park. There are opportunities for kayaking, paddleboarding, bicycling, and hiking within the state park.
The state park is also a prime spot for birdwatching. You can spot hundreds of different species of birds in a day. Besides that, you can explore nearby attractions like the Los Osos Oaks State Reserve or the Monarch Butterfly Preserve.
