Campground Reservations

South Carlsbad State Beach campsites are booked through ReserveCalifornia, California State Parks' reservation system, at ReserveCalifornia.com or 1-800-444-7275. State Parks says to book up to six months in advance because popular campgrounds fill fast. Each reservation carries a non-refundable $8.25 fee, and the campground is very popular in summer.

How to Book

1. Go to ReserveCalifornia.com and search for South Carlsbad SB, or call 1-800-444-7275 (711 for TTY relay).
2. Pick your dates and a site type: inland, ocean, or hookup. The campground map shows which numbers are which.
3. If you need an accessible site, say so when you book; you will need proof of disability, such as a DMV disabled person placard or plate, a disabled veteran plate, or a State Parks Disabled Discount Pass.
4. For the group site, book North Loop (Group Site), which is Pelican Point.

You must be at least 18 to book, and one person may not hold more than two overlapping reservations. Reservations are for personal use only; resale is banned and gets the booking cancelled.

Cancellations

Under the State Parks policy updated in September 2026:

• 7 or more days before the reservation starts: all site fees refunded, minus an $8.25 cancellation fee.
• 2 to 6 days before: you lose the first night's site fee; the rest is refunded minus the cancellation fee.
• Less than 2 days before, or a no-show: no refund.

State Parks counts the start of a reservation as noon on the arrival date, not the 2 p.m. check-in time. Refunds can take 30 days or more.

Changes and Leaving Early

• Modifications (dates, site, length) cost $8.25 each. You can make up to two, at least 48 hours before the start.
• Leaving early: you can ask park staff for an early-out refund. If approved, you forfeit two nights' site fees, and the reservation and cancellation fees are deducted.
• No-shows: a site is held until noon the day after your arrival date. After that, without a call to the park, it is cancelled and all fees are lost. Three no-shows in a calendar year blocks online and phone booking for 365 days.

Stay Limits at South Carlsbad

• March to November: up to 7 nights in a row.
• December to February: up to 14 nights in a row.
• After either, leave the park for 48 hours before you return.
• No more than 30 nights a year at this park.

Arriving

Check-in is 2 p.m., with no early check-in. Bring your confirmation and a photo ID, plus any pass that gives you a discount. The kiosk is staffed 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. in high season and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. in low season. See parking and directions for the U-turn you need to reach the entrance.