Campground Reservations
Campsites at Carpinteria State Beach are reserved through ReserveCalifornia, online at ReserveCalifornia.com or at 1-800-444-7275. State Parks says you can book the same day or up to six months ahead to the day of arrival. A non-refundable $8.25 reservation fee applies, and summer weekends fill early.
Reservations at a Glance
How to Book
- Go to ReserveCalifornia.com, or call 1-800-444-7275 (711 for TTY relay).
- Pick a loop and a site. Check the site's maximum vehicle length and equipment types; not every site takes every rig. See the campground map.
- Pay the site fees plus ReserveCalifornia's non-refundable $8.25 reservation fee.
- Bring the reservation confirmation and photo ID to check-in, plus proof of disability if you booked an accessible site.
State Parks' park page also shows a two-week availability strip, updated every 15 minutes, for whether any site is open for two nights from a given date.
Cancellations and Refunds
From State Parks' statewide policy:
- 7 or more days before the reservation start: site fees refunded, minus the $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.
The "reservation start" is noon on your arrival date, not check-in time. Refunds can take 30 days or more. Cancel online or by phone, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Pacific.
No-Shows and Late Arrivals
A reservation is held until noon the day after it starts. If you haven't arrived or notified park staff by then, it is a no-show: all fees are lost, and three no-shows in a calendar year block online and phone booking for 365 days. If you'll arrive later than that, tell park staff by noon each day to hold the rest of the stay.
Changing a Reservation
Changes to dates, sites or length count as modifications: $8.25 each, at most two, and at least 48 hours before the start. An early checkout may qualify for a partial refund (minus two nights' fees) if you ask park staff.
Walk-Up Sites and Staying Longer
To stay longer than your reservation, State Parks says to check ReserveCalifornia or ask staff at the entrance station. En-route camping for self-contained vehicles opens when the campgrounds are full; see camping.
Booking Around the 2027 Maintenance
From February 15 to March 13, 2027, none of the four loops (including group camps) can be reserved. Some sites will be offered first-come, first-served at the entrance kiosks, and any reservation made for those dates is cancelled automatically, with fees.
Accessible Sites
If you need an accessible site, say so when you book; you'll be asked for proof of disability at check-in. Unoccupied accessible sites are held for people with disabilities until 5 p.m. each day. See accessibility.
Campground Reservations FAQ
How far ahead can you book Carpinteria State Beach?
Up to six months ahead to the day of arrival, through ReserveCalifornia.com or 1-800-444-7275. Same-day booking is allowed when sites are open.
Can you get a refund on a Carpinteria campsite?
Yes, if you cancel 7 or more days ahead (minus an $8.25 fee). Between 2 and 6 days you lose the first night, and under 2 days there is no refund.
Does Carpinteria State Beach have first-come, first-served sites?
Not as a rule; sites are reserved through ReserveCalifornia. En-route sites open for self-contained vehicles when the campgrounds are full, and walk-up sites are planned during the February 15 to March 13, 2027 maintenance.
What happens if I arrive late to my Carpinteria reservation?
Your site is held until noon the day after your start date. After that it's a no-show unless you have told park staff you'll arrive late.