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Crystal Cove State Park RV & Campground Guide

California

Crystal Cove State Park is a gorgeous seaside camping destination off the Pacific Coast Highway in Southern California. The park rests at the southern end of Newport Beach, between Corona del Mar and Laguna Beach. Its lovely coastline and tidepools, cool surf, and wooded hills and canyons attract visitors who enjoy experiencing the glorious outdoors. Crystal Cove is home to hundreds of species of birds and several different reptiles and hosts a marine conservation area that provides a wonderful opportunity to observe local sea creatures. The seaside and bluffs provide the perfect setting for everything from swimming and paddleboarding to hiking, biking, camping, and wildlife watching.

Nearby Cities:

  • Newport Beach, CA

  • Irvine, CA

  • Santa Ana, CA

  • Huntington Beach, CA

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Weather
Spring 45-71 F
Summer 55-78 F
Fall 48-78 F
Winter 41-66 F
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RV Resorts & Campsites in Crystal Cove State Park

Campground Accommodations

Moro Campground

  • Water hookup: Yes

  • Electrical hookup: Yes

  • Sewer hookup: Yes

  • Wi-Fi: Yes

  • Pet-friendly: Yes

  • Max RV length: 38 feet

  • Other amenities: Cellphone service, ADA access, picnic tables, trash receptacles, sanitary dump, showers, toilets, tent sites, RV sites, alcohol permitted, fires permitted

Sunset Vista RV Park

Just 12.3 miles from the state park isSunset Vista RV Park, which offers stunning beach views and is within walking distance to a number of great bars, clubs, and restaurants. Prices start at $60 per night (excluding a $10 processing fee).

  • Water hookup: yes

  • Electrical hookup: yes

  • Sewer hookup: no

  • Wifi: no

  • Pet-friendly: yes

  • Other amenities: fire rings, dump station.

Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina

Newport Dunes has been named one of the Top Destinations for RV Vacationers and one of the Top 10 Best Luxury RV Resorts in the U.S. Here, you’ll find 372 Newport Beach campsites, accommodating a wide array of RVs, trailers, and camping options. Rates start from $67.00 per night.

  • Water hookup: yes

  • Electrical hookup: yes

  • Sewer hookup: yes

  • Wifi: yes

  • Pet-friendly: yes

  • Other amenities: dog park, fire pits, clubhouse, outdoor cinema, laundry facility, boat launch, swimming pool, spa.

Live Oak Grove Campground

Live Oak Grove Campground is located in theCaspers Wilderness Park and features 42 camp spots, as well as restrooms and showers. Here, visitors will love fun, in-park activities, including horseback riding, hiking, mountain biking, and more. Parking fees start from $3 per day.

  • Water hookup: no

  • Electrical hookup: yes

  • Sewer hookup: no

  • Wifi: no

  • Pet-friendly: no

  • Other amenities: picnic tables, BBQs, fire rings, restrooms, showers.

RV Rentals Near Crystal Cove State Park

Nearby RV Rentals

Restaurants

What to Do at
Crystal Cove State Park

Crystal Cove’s visitors can take in the scenery and enjoy a wonderful array of beach and underwater activities, like surfing, paddleboarding, swimming, scuba diving, and exploring nearby tide pools. They can also enjoy hiking the canyons, mountain biking, camping, and taking in views of the local wildlife. Visitors who want a taste of civilization can check out the nearby historic district, and guests are welcome to bring their RVs to a variety of RV parks and campsites nearby.

Inside Crystal Cove State Park

At Crystal Cove State Park, there’s something for every type of visitor – whether it’s picnicking, wildlife viewing, swimming, or exploring the region’s seemingly endless trails. You won’t want to waste your precious time spent at Crystal Cove, so we’ve rounded-up the state park’s most popular activities below.

Hiking : The backcountry and wilderness areas offer 18 miles of hiking trails through 2,400 acres of native wilderness, so when it comes to choosing a trail, you’re certainly spoilt for choice. For an easy walk, trek out to Moro Canyon. For something more strenuous, you’ll love exploring the ‘Perimeter of the Park’ trail. View the full list of trailshere.

Tidepool Exploration : The state park also has some wonderful tide pools to explore, each home to creatures such as periwinkle snails, sea anemone, California sea hare, octopus, starfish, and more. Just be sure to familiarise yourself with tidepoolrules and regulations first.

Swimming and Surfing : The state park is home to 3 miles of pristine beaches and the best swimming areas include Muddy Creek, El Moro, Historic District, 3.5 Cove, and Middle of Treasure Cove. Surfing, body surfing, and diving are also activities you can partake in. Viewthis guide for more information.

Bicycling : Bicycles are allowed on paved roads and mountain bikes are allowed in the backcountry (before dark). Keep in mind that anyone under 18 must wear a helmet.

Fishing Fishing

Fishing, including spear fishing, is permitted on the beach and in the park with a valid fishing license. The park is adjacent to the protected Crystal Cove State Marine Conservation Area, and species, size, and take limits apply. Guests must bring their own bait; sourcing bait from the park is not allowed.

Geocaching Geocaching

Geocaching enthusiasts can enjoy hunting for treasure at Crystal Cove State Park. Players of all ages can participate in this high-tech scavenger hunt by using a hand-held GPS (Global Positioning System) or smartphone app to search for a hidden cache, take their prize, and leave something fun for the next adventurer to find.

Nature Watching Nature Watching

With over 3 miles of beach and 2,400 acres of backcountry wilderness, the park is full of gorgeous scenery. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy birding and looking out for local mammals and reptiles as they trek through the canyons and over the bluffs.

Stargazing Stargazing

The coastline at Crystal Cove State Park is one of the best places to stargaze in California. Travelers can watch the stars from the beach as they listen to the waves and enjoy the ocean air.

Flora and Fauna

Crystal Cove State Park is home to coyotes, deer, and bobcats; gopher snakes; western fence lizards; hummingbirds; finches; and hawks. Visitors are encouraged to help the Crystal Cove Conservancy identify animals that have been photographed by the park’s motion-activated cameras. Guests who go tide-pooling in the underwater park may encounter abalone, barnacles, anemones, bat stars, sea urchins, sea hares, snails, and more. Gray whales are sometimes visible between December and April, and other whales can be seen throughout the year. The park is full of flowering plants, cacti, and trees, including lupines, California poppies, coastal chollas, caterpillar phacelia, and oak and sycamore trees.

Hiking Hiking

Hikers can take on more than 18 miles of trails that run through the park’s backcountry and wilderness areas. Backpackers can set up camp in the canyons or on the bluffs. Trails at higher elevations offer gorgeous views of the landscape, its geological formations, and the Pacific Ocean. The lower trails will take hikers through the woodlands and along the bank of Moro Creek.

Boating

Visitors may launch or land kayaks, surf-skis, wave-skis, and stand-up paddleboards from the northernmost end of Treasure Cove to the south end of the Historic District and from Abalone Point to Muddy Creek.

Swimming Swimming

The beach at Muddy Creek is one of the best swimming spots at Crystal Cove. Swimmers are encouraged to practice ocean safety and to swim in lifeguard-protected areas.

Climbing Climbing

Climbing is only allowed in designated areas. Mounting, scaling, ascending, or descending any rock face or bluff that has not been identified or developed as a climbing area is prohibited.

Biking

Mountain bikers can ride several trails along Moro Canyon and Moro Ridge that range from moderately difficult to extremely challenging. The 5-mile-long El Moro Canyon Loop Trail features beautiful views of the ocean and a chance to spot local wildlife.

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How to Get to
Crystal Cove State Park

Crystal Cove State Park is located between Corona del Mar and Laguna Beach, CA, off the Pacific Coast Highway. The site is easily accessible via I-5, I-405, and I-73. The Pacific Coast Highway, Route 1, also passes by the park.

Entering Crystal Cove State Park

The park has four day-use general parking areas. Day-use parking is $15, senior day-use parking is $14, and disabled discount parking is $7.50. RV drivers may have a difficult time finding parking anywhere but Moro Campground, and walking or biking to the park after setting up camp is recommended. Contact park officials to make sure that your destination is RV-friendly and that campsites are available for your vehicle.

Crystal Cove State Park Daily : $15.0

Crystal Cove State Park for Seniors : $14.0

Crystal Cove State Park for Disabled Patrons : $7.5

Crystal Cove State Park is a wonderful, attractive destination that offers plenty of activities for people of all abilities and ages.

Frequently Asked Questions About Crystal Cove State Park

What is the best time of year to visit Crystal Cove State Park?

Late summer and early to mid-autumn are the best times to visit the beach and go hiking at Crystal Cove State Park. Tide pool visitors should contact the park to discover the ideal times to explore the waters during the year.

What kind of wildlife can be found in Crystal Cove State Park?

Crystal Cove State Park has a wonderful array of marine and terrestrial wildlife, including bobcats, coyotes, diamondback rattlesnakes, deer, sea urchins, anemones, and whales.

Are there designated RV camping spots in Crystal Cove State Park?

Crystal Cove State Park has designated RV camping spots at Moro Campground with water, electricity, and a nearby dump station.

Do you have to reserve a camping spot at Crystal Cove State Park and what is the cost?

The park requires reservations, a $30 basic campsite fee, and a day-use parking pass. RV hookup sites are 20 feet wide and up to 40 feet long. Front-row, beachfront sites are $70 per night while back-row sites are $60 per night, year-round. Day-use parking is $15, senior parking is $14, and parking for disabled people is $7.50. Park passes are required for each day of camping. Veterans may also be able to receive discounts.

Are pets allowed at Crystal Cove State Park?

Leashed pets are permitted at Crystal Cove State Park campsites at no additional charge. Dogs can only be walked on paved areas and are not allowed on unpaved trails, hiking trails, or the beach. Service animals may be allowed with certain limitations.