Camping near Laguna Beach

Where these stays are

None of the three places on this page is inside Laguna Beach’s city limits. Crystal Cove State Park lies along Pacific Coast Highway north of Laguna Beach, between Corona del Mar and the city. State Parks lists a Laguna Beach street address for the park, but a Coastal Commission report places the park along the southeast coast of Newport Beach, and the Crystal Cove Conservancy charges the City of Newport Beach lodging tax on cottage stays in the Historic District. Doheny State Beach is in the city of Dana Point, south of Laguna Beach. For stays inside the city, see the Stay pages or the city’s rules for vacation rentals.

Beach cottages at Crystal Cove

The cottages are restored beach cottages in the state park’s Historic District, which State Parks calls one of the last remaining examples of early 20th century Southern California coastal development. State Parks lists them as studios, one- and two-bedroom houses and hostel-style dormitories. The Conservancy, the nonprofit partner to the park, publishes each cottage’s page and rates. This page does not print prices.

Reservations go through ReserveCalifornia, online or by phone at 800-444-7275. You need a ReserveCalifornia profile first, dates open on a daily rolling window up to six months ahead (three cottages use a 30-day window), and the Conservancy sets a seven-night maximum per calendar year. Guest vehicles park in the Los Trancos lot across the highway, and a courtesy shuttle carries belongings to individual cottages. In October 2026 State Parks closed parts of the Historic District beach after storm damage, and its October 15 update reopened the North Beach Cottages while the South Beach Cottages waited on water line repairs. On October 27, 2026, it listed the park as open with restrictions in services and facilities, so check its current restrictions and the Conservancy’s notices before you book.

Moro Campground and backcountry sites

State Parks lists two kinds of camping at Crystal Cove. Moro Campground has 58 campsites with picnic tables, restrooms and showers, and reservations include one driven vehicle and one towed vehicle. The primitive sites require a hike of about three miles inland, mostly uphill, with all water packed in. Wood and charcoal fires are not allowed anywhere in the park. State Parks lists dogs on paved areas only at Crystal Cove, with leashed pets allowed in Moro Campground and none at the primitive sites. The hiking page covers trails closer to Laguna Beach, such as Laguna Coast Wilderness Park.

Doheny State Beach campground

Doheny’s campground sits at the south end of the beach in Dana Point, with RV and tent sites, some a short walk from the ocean. Two dates matter. Since July 1, 2026, the booking window is three months instead of six. State Parks also expects a temporary campground closure sometime between 2027 and 2029 and says the campground stays open through at least the end of 2026.

Getting there

The city’s free Coastal Route trolley runs between North Laguna/Heisler Park, downtown, South Laguna/Mission Hospital and the Ritz-Carlton in Dana Point, and neither park is among those points. The Getting around guide covers what the trolley does serve. Inside Laguna Beach, the Parking guide covers lots and meters, Aliso Beach is in South Laguna, and Aliso and Wood Canyons has a trail entrance at Top of the World in Laguna Beach.

More places to stay

For hotels in town, see North Laguna and South Laguna. Fees, hours and closures at both state parks are set by California State Parks and can change, so confirm them on its pages.