Crystal Cove State Park
A cool experience with 6 to 10 mile hikes
Trek into the wilderness and sleep in the backcountry
Ideal for first-timers
Trip · 3-day backpacking trip
For · Friends and first-time backpackers
Vibe · Moderate and fun
Distance · 5 miles round trip and 1,581 feet of elevation gain
Permits · Yes! Book a site at Lower Moro Campground
Drive · 1 hour from LA
Ideal dates · September to December or March to May
Pets · Not allowed on trails
Crystal Cove State Park (CCSP) is one of the largest open spaces and natural seashores in SoCal's Orange County. Treat yo' self to 3.2 miles of sandy beach, 2,400 acres of backcountry wilderness, and awesome campsites along the Pacific Ocean. Scuba divers frequently explore Crystal Cove's underwater park, and trail runners and mountain bikers love to whiz through its steep hills and canyon floors. Take a break from Twitter, and swap your screen for a weekend of sun, stars, and surf at Crystal Cove.
Official Crystal Cove SP Trail Map
Main image credit: N/A
Each campsite comes with a:
Crystal Cove SP has three backcountry campgrounds: Lower Moro, Upper Moro, and Deer Canyon. Lower Moro Campground is the most easily accessible from the trailhead and a great destination for beginners to try out backpacking. Every backcountry campsite reservation comes with one vehicle parking pass; Each extra car is $15 a night. Trash collection isn't available so be sure to pack out what you pack in. Practice Leave No Trace!
Check-in: After 2 PM · Check-out: Before noon
View Backcountry Camping Route Map
View Lower Moro Campground Map
Nightly Rate: $25
In 1979, the Irvine Company, a family-owned ranch, sells the parkland to the state. Crystal Cove Historic District is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places
Thousands of years ago, the Tongva and Acjachemen tribes lived in this area. They manufactured soapstone bowls and knives, along with weaving exquisite baskets and nets
When logging began in the 1850s, there were over 2 million acres of redwood forests, but by the 1960s, nearly 90% of all original redwoods were gone
You won't be saving money, but you'll save space and weight with these camp sandals.
Clothes
Sleepover! This is a tent you can stand up in and have plenty of space for air mattresses, doggos, and more.
Shared Gear
A reliable, popular, and relatively affordable dual-burner camping stove that is fairly heavy, but performs well.
Kitchen
It's pricey, but the New York Times' Wirecutter recommended this attachment as a way for wheelchair users to navigate uneven terrain.
Essential Items
Instead of transporting stuff on your lap, use this storage bag to easily store items underneath your wheelchair.
Essential Items
Never dig around your pack to find some hand sanitizer. Instead, hang this one on the outside of your pack.
Personal Stuff
If you're an experienced backpacker, this is the lightest full-size, full-featured, frameless pack made.
Essential Items
Add a little magic to your experience by hanging these twinkling lights around your tent every night.
Shared Gear
Sometimes you just want a camp chair that gets the job done. Nothing glamorous or fancy. Well, this is it.
Shared Gear
The more you backpack the lighter your shelter becomes, and the lighter it is, the more expensive it can be.
Shared Gear
Camp underneath the stars and watch glorious sunrises in Joshua Tree National Park, the second largest national park in California.
