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Woodside Campground

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What’s that amidst the shady pines of Salt Point State Park?

It’s Woodside Campground and we’re not gonna lie, it’s pretty good looking. There are 79 campsites here, all of which are closeby to some quality hiking trails (many of which lead you the the cliffs overlooking the ocean). This campground is in the forest, which is awesome, but if you prefer coastal views directly from your tent, then check out the nearby Gerstle Cove Campground (it’ pretty much across the street). The campsites here are fairly private which is nice. Each one features a picnic table, bathroom access, fire ring,, and food locker. Have fun amongst the trees!

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44 ratings · 6 reviews

Charley M.

August 14, 2024

Stayed at site 84 looking forward to seeing the meteor showers. The bathroom light was so bright it ended up making it nearly impossible to see the stars and we ended up having to put tarps over our tent to go to bed.

Rob & Anita M.

July 10, 2018

Stayed here during the first week of June. Couldn't reserve specific sites in advance - you just make a reservation, then pick when you get there from what's open. We chose Site 34 as it was a) available (!), near the (clean and modern) restrooms, near the trail to the coast, and surrounded by trees and brush. We had a nice flat shaded lawn to pitch the tent, and it seemed somewhat protected from the wind (but perhaps we just got a calm weekend?) The trail down to Gerstle Cove from Woodside did not appear to be maintained and was overgrown, so wear long pants if you react to poison oak. Gerstle Cove is utterly beautiful, the tiny Visitor's Center is scenic, the tidepools were bit disappointing. Do NOT miss the sunset over the water!

Cynthia S.recommends

July 6, 2017

Lower campground can be really windy.

Ze P.recommends

June 16, 2017

West Woodside is more private

Andy P.recommends

May 2, 2017

Many great car camping sites. This campground is in from the coast a bit and the sites tend to be sheltered from the wind as well as from other campsites.

Courtney C.

August 2, 2015

Nice space between sites. Good spots: 96 (one tent space only), 99, 101, 102, 103, 104, and 109. Convenient to the beach if you're abalone diving but its crowded and loud during the season. Lots of families with screaming kids unfortunately. Still a nice spot

Other campgrounds in Salt Point State Park

Warren Group Camp Area

In Woodside Campground

Overflow Camping

1 site In Woodside Campground

Gerstle Cove Campground

110 sites · RVs, Tents In Woodside Campground

Hike and Bike Campsites

1 site In Woodside Campground

from

$30

/ night

Your guide to camping in Woodside Campground

Overview

Biking

Mountain bikes must stay on paved or fire roads, however, fire roads are closed to bicycles from October 31 to April 30. Bikes are not allowed on single-track trails, however there are some local biking tips you can get here .

Boating

Motorized boating isn’t really available at this park, but that doesn’t mean you can’t hit the water! Grab your paddle and check out our section on kayaking and canoeing for tips and info!

Fishing

Salt Point is a very good spot for surf fishing. In the Gerstle Cove State Marine Reserve and the Stewarts Point State Marine Reserve, marine life is completely protected. Abalone diving, spearfishing, and rod and reel fishing are permitted elsewhere in the area. Anglers over the age of 16 must carry a valid California Fishing license . It also helps to learn from anglers who frequent the area, which you can do here .

Hiking

Salt Point has a ton to offer for the adventurous, but even a casual in hike in the park is pretty darn epic. There are over 20 miles of trail to choose from, but we recommend the Salt Point Trail , which gives you a good feel for the rugged coastline and beautiful rock landscapes (come on...get out there, it’s only 3 miles!). If you’d like to get into the forest a bit (there’s even a pygmy forest), go for the 4.6 mile Powerline Loop.

Horseback riding

There are over 20 miles of hiking and equestrian trails to explore in Salt Point State Park. Trail maps are available at the entrance station.

Paddling

Gerstle Cove is a protected launch site that kayakers often use to make their way out of the cove and into the open ocean for fishing and diving fun.

Climbing

Salt Point is known for its climbing, particularly its bouldering (which to date has over 30 problems to work on). The climbing is “tough,” but it’s incredibly beautiful, as a lot of it is along dramatic coastal stretches and nearby forests. It is worth doing some research beforehand and getting beta on the area here.

Wildlife watching

At Salt Point State Park, visitors can spot an array of birds such as pelicans, ospreys and woodpeckers. On land, visitors may also run into wildlife such as deer, bobcat and foxes. Hit the park on the right day, and you may even be able to wave hello to a gray whale or two.