Skip to content
Upper Moro Campground permit area in Crystal Cove State Park - backcountry hiking destination
One date at a time

Upper Moro Campground Permit

Crystal Cove State Park · California

Primitive hike-in camping in upper Moro Canyon.

Get an alert when Upper Moro opens on your dates.

Get alerts for your Upper Moro dates

One Upper Moro reservation is one date. Tell us every date you'd take and we'll ping you the second one of them opens up.

Leave the second date blank if only one day works. A wider window catches more openings.

Party

This permit allows up to 4 people per group.

When it opens

6 months
First come, first served from six months before your start dateYou book on the agency's site.

Source: parks.ca.gov

70% of the openings our scanner caught on Upper Moro were gone within 10 minutes.

Upper Moro reservation dates

Season
Year-round
route distance, out and back
3mi
max group size
4people

How to get an Upper Moro permit

As of September 2026, Upper Moro in Crystal Cove State Park, California requires a permit issued via reservation. Upper Moro is a high-demand permit, rating 7/10 on PermitSnag's demand index. Cancelled Upper Moro permits are re-released on the booking system, and PermitSnag alerts you the moment one opens. The permit season for Upper Moro runs year-round. The Upper Moro route covers 3 miles, rated moderate.

Type
Overnight
Location
Orange County Coast, CA

  1. Step 1: Create a ReserveCalifornia account

    Sign up at ReserveCalifornia if you don't have an account. Have your payment info ready.

  2. Step 2: Know the release schedule

    Permits release on a rolling basis. Check the release time for your dates.

  3. Step 3: Be ready when permits drop

    Log in a few minutes early. Have your dates, group size, and payment ready to go.

  4. Step 4: Monitor for cancellations

    If your dates are sold out, people cancel all the time. Set up PermitSnag alerts to catch openings instantly.

Book at ReserveCalifornia
Learn more:
Best booking timesCancellation hunting

Upper Moro pro tips

  1. Set an alarm for 8:00 a.m. Pacific exactly six months out. These are small campgrounds in the middle of Orange County.
  2. Weigh your water before you leave the car. Three miles uphill with a full carry is the whole difficulty of this trip.
  3. Carry a rubbish bag. There are no trash cans at any of the primitive sites.
  4. Bring a backpack stove and nothing else: wood and charcoal fires are banned parkwide, not just at camp.
  5. Check in at the Moro Canyon kiosk first. This is not a self-register trailhead.
  6. Plan to be back on the trails inside the 6 a.m. to sunset window; they close at sunset.
  7. Leave the dog at home. No pets at the campgrounds and none in the backcountry either.

More on Upper Moro: Live availability activityWhen Upper Moro permits open upDo I need a Upper Moro Campground permit?

How much an Upper Moro permit costs

Upper Moro permit fee: Nightly rates are set in ReserveCalifornia at booking. Reservations go through ReserveCalifornia, six months in advance beginning at 8:00 a.m. Pacific.

The Upper Moro hike

Distance
3 miles
Route Type
Out & Back
Duration
1-7 nights
Difficulty
Moderate

Upper Moro landmarks

  1. 1Moro Canyon kiosk

    Where primitive campers check in before hiking inland; the parking lot is where vehicles stay

  2. 2Moro Canyon backcountry

    2,400 undeveloped acres of fire roads and single-track open to hiking, biking and equestrian use

  3. 3Deer Canyon Campground

    The furthest of the three primitive campgrounds, five sites

  4. 4Crystal Cove Historic District

    The federally listed enclave of vintage rustic coastal cottages down on the beach side of Pacific Coast Highway

Thirteen hike-in sites higher up Moro Canyon, the biggest of Crystal Cove's three primitive campgrounds, and the one with the ridge views.

About this permit

Upper Moro Campground is one of three primitive hike-in campgrounds in the Moro Canyon backcountry at Crystal Cove State Park. ReserveCalifornia lists 13 sites here, coded as hike-in primitive campsites #01 through #013, with a maximum stay of seven nights.

The approach is the defining feature. California State Parks describes it plainly: after checking in at the Moro Canyon kiosk, campers must hike inland about three miles, mostly uphill, and the trail is strenuous at times and in the opposite direction of the beach. All supplies must be packed in, including water, and packed out.

What you get at the site is a picnic table and a pit toilet. What you do not get is drinking water, trash cans, or the option of a fire. Fires are restricted to backpack stoves, and wood and charcoal fires are not permitted anywhere in the park. Cellular service is limited. Sites are only accessible by foot or bicycle, and vehicles must be left in the parking lot. No pets are allowed.

The Moro Canyon backcountry covers 2,400 undeveloped acres of fire roads and single-track open to hiking, biking and equestrian use, with maps at the Ranger Station. Trails are open 6 a.m. to sunset, and pets are not allowed in the backcountry.

Reservations go through ReserveCalifornia, which California State Parks takes six months in advance beginning at 8:00 a.m. Pacific, online, by mail, or on 1-800-444-7275. This is a state park, so it is not on Recreation.gov.

The route

Check in at the Moro Canyon kiosk and leave your vehicle in the parking lot. The hike is about three miles inland, mostly uphill, and strenuous at times. Upper Moro sits above Lower Moro on the way up the canyon, with ReserveCalifornia listing 13 sites numbered 01 through 013 and a maximum stay of seven nights. Deer Canyon, the smallest and furthest of the three, is beyond it.

Why it matters

Upper Moro is the largest of the three primitive campgrounds at Crystal Cove, which makes it the most realistic booking in a park where every one of these sites is fought over. It also sits higher in the canyon than Lower Moro, which is what you are paying for in extra climbing: more of the ocean, more of the ridge, less of the road.

The feeling

Higher in the canyon the sage scrub opens out and you start getting the long view back down to the water. It is completely quiet after sunset because the trails close then, and on a clear evening you can see Catalina sitting out past the coastline you walked away from.

Upper Moro hike highlights

  1. 13 hike-in primitive campsites, coded #01 through #013
  2. A roughly three-mile hike inland from the Moro Canyon kiosk, mostly uphill and strenuous at times
  3. A picnic table and a pit toilet at the site
  4. No drinking water and no trash cans
  5. A maximum stay of seven nights
  6. Backpack stoves only: no wood or charcoal fires anywhere in the park
  7. Limited cellular service

How hard the Upper Moro hike is

  • Physical DemandFitness and endurance required3/5
  • Technical SkillClimbing, scrambling, or specialized skills1/5
  • Exposure RiskSteep dropoffs and fall potential2/5
  • NavigationRoute finding and trail clarity2/5
  • CommitmentDifficulty of bailing out mid-route2/5

Best for: Anyone who wants a genuine backpacking overnight in Orange County, and is willing to carry every drop of water three miles uphill.

Recommended experience: Enough to carry a full pack including water on a three-mile climb and camp without a water source.

Not recommended for: Dog owners, anyone hoping to camp near the beach, and anyone unwilling to carry water and pack out all their rubbish.

Trailhead information

Moro Canyon entrance (Moro Campground kiosk)

Primary

The main check-in and trailhead. All backcountry sites are a 3- to 4-mile hike from the parking lot.

  • Restrooms
  • No water

Parking

Vehicles must be left at the Park Office or the Moro Campground Day Use lot. Check in at the campground kiosk to obtain a permit for overnight parking. Vehicle day use is $15.00, or $20.00 at the special holiday, seasonal and weekend rate.

Getting There

The park is off Pacific Coast Highway between Corona del Mar and Laguna Beach, at 8471 North Coast Highway. Trails are open from 6 a.m. until sunset.

Nearest Services

Laguna Beach or Newport Coast. Nothing in the backcountry.

When to hike Upper Moro

Best time to visit

Autumn and spring. The approach is three miles uphill in coastal sage scrub with almost no shade, which makes summer afternoons the wrong time to be carrying all your water. Winter is mild and the easiest season to book, but trails may be closed for inclement weather. Because ReserveCalifornia opens six months out, an October trip means booking in April.

Peak
March through October
Shoulder
November through February

  • Spring

    Green hills and wildflowers on the coastal sage scrub, with the most comfortable hiking temperatures of the year.

    Crowd level · high

    • Advantage: Best hiking weather for a three-mile uphill approach
    • Advantage: Wildflowers through Moro Canyon
    • Advantage: Cool enough to carry water comfortably
    • Challenge: Weekend demand from the whole Los Angeles and Orange County basin
    • Challenge: Marine layer can sit all morning
    • Challenge: Ticks are active

  • Summer

    Hot inland in the canyon even when the coast is cool, with the marine layer clearing by midday.

    Crowd level · extreme

    • Advantage: Longest days
    • Advantage: Warmest ocean for the beach side of the park
    • Advantage: Latest sunsets from the ridge
    • Challenge: Heat on an uphill carry with all your water
    • Challenge: Peak competition for a small number of sites
    • Challenge: Very little shade in the backcountry

  • Fall

    The best combination here: warm, dry, clear, and past the summer crowd.

    Crowd level · high

    • Advantage: Clearest ocean views from the ridges
    • Advantage: Warm days and mild nights
    • Advantage: Marine layer thins
    • Challenge: Santa Ana wind events bring heat and fire risk
    • Challenge: Fire restrictions
    • Challenge: Dry, dusty trails

  • Winter

    Mild and green after rain, with the best availability of the year.

    Crowd level · low

    • Advantage: Easiest booking
    • Advantage: Green hills after the first rains
    • Advantage: Comfortable temperatures for the climb
    • Challenge: Trails may be closed for inclement weather
    • Challenge: Short days against a sunset trail closure
    • Challenge: Cold, damp nights

Weather Forecast

Trailhead (5,000 ft)

⚠️

Backcountry Tips

  • Day 4: Extreme heat (95°F). Carry extra water, start at dawn.
  • Day 5: Extreme heat (99°F). Carry extra water, start at dawn.
  • Day 6: Extreme heat (99°F). Carry extra water, start at dawn.

Today

☀️

83°

59°

Wed

☀️

78°

60°

Thu

☀️

89°

69°

Fri

☁️

95°

73°

Sat

☀️

99°

80°

Sun

☀️

99°

83°

Mon

☀️

91°

82°

View full NWS forecast →Mountain weather changes rapidly. This forecast is a guide—always be prepared for worse conditions.

Upper Moro photography guide

Golden Hour

Sunset from the ridges above camp, looking back down Moro Canyon to the Pacific.

Best Light

The hour after the marine layer burns off, when the canyon has light but the coast below is still under cloud.

Beat the Crowds

The three-mile uphill approach does the filtering for you. Day-use traffic in Moro Canyon thins fast beyond the first mile, and the trails close at sunset, so the campgrounds are quiet from then on.

Classic Shots

  1. The Pacific from high in Moro Canyon, with Catalina on the horizon on a clear day
  2. Coastal sage scrub ridgelines stacked in evening haze
  3. Camp with the canyon dropping away below it
  4. The Crystal Cove cottages on the beach side of the park at low light

Upper Moro rules, gear and safety

Gear checklist

Required
  • All your water. The park states there is no drinking water available at the primitive sites
  • A backpacking stove, because fires are restricted to backpack stoves and no wood or charcoal is permitted anywhere in the park
  • Bags to carry out all your rubbish: there are no trash cans
  • Sun protection for an exposed, mostly uphill approach
  • A headlamp, since trails close at sunset and the walk back is three miles

Rules & regulations

  1. 01Sites are only accessible by foot or bicycle; vehicles must be left in the parking lot
  2. 02Check in at the Moro Canyon kiosk before hiking in
  3. 03No pets are allowed at the primitive campgrounds, and pets are not allowed in the backcountry at all
  4. 04Fires are restricted to backpack stoves; wood and charcoal fires are not permitted anywhere in the park
  5. 05All supplies must be packed in, including water, and packed out: there are no trash cans
  6. 06Backcountry trails are open from 6 a.m. until sunset
  7. 07Stay on designated trails; trails may be closed for inclement weather or public safety

Hazards & considerations

  • No drinking water at any of the primitive campgrounds: every drop is carried in
  • A roughly three-mile hike inland, mostly uphill and strenuous at times, with a full pack
  • Southern California heat on coastal sage scrub with very little shade
  • Limited cellular service in the canyon
  • Rattlesnakes and ticks in the backcountry, which is normal for Orange County chaparral

Safety & planning

Emergency Info

Emergency contacts, ranger station locations, and satellite communicator tips for Upper Moro.

Food Storage

Bear canister requirements, approved container lists, and rental locations for this permit.

Gear Checklist: Required and recommended gear for Upper Moro · Shuttle Services: Trailhead transportation options · Guide Services: Experienced wilderness guides

Some links may be affiliate links. Purchases support PermitSnag at no extra cost to you.

Upper Moro FAQ

How far is the hike to the Upper Moro Campground at Crystal Cove State Park?

California State Parks says that after checking in at the Moro Canyon kiosk, campers must hike inland about three miles, mostly uphill, and that the trail is strenuous at times and in the opposite direction of the beach.

Is there water at the Upper Moro Campground?

No. The park states there is no drinking water available at the primitive sites, and that all supplies must be packed in, including water, and packed out. There are no trash cans either.

How many campsites does the Upper Moro Campground have?

ReserveCalifornia lists 13 sites, coded as hike-in primitive campsites #01 through #013, with a maximum stay of seven nights.

Can I have a campfire at the Crystal Cove primitive campgrounds?

No. Fires are restricted to backpack stoves, and the park states that wood and charcoal fires are not permitted anywhere in the park.

Are dogs allowed at the Crystal Cove primitive campgrounds?

No. The park lists no pets allowed at the primitive sites, and pets are not allowed in the Moro Canyon backcountry at all.

Can I drive to the Crystal Cove primitive campgrounds?

No. The park says the sites are only accessible by foot or bicycle and that vehicles must be left in the parking lot.

How do I reserve a Crystal Cove primitive campsite?

Through ReserveCalifornia: online, by mail, or on 1-800-444-7275. California State Parks takes reservations six months in advance beginning at 8:00 a.m. Pacific. Crystal Cove is a state park, so Recreation.gov does not carry it.

Upper Moro trail conditions and trip reports

Trail Conditions

No active conditions reported

Sign in to report trail conditions.

Questions

No questions yet

Be the first to ask about Upper Moro.

Trip Reports

Write Report

No trip reports yet

Be the first to share your experience at Upper Moro.

Write the First Report

Alternatives to an Upper Moro permit

  • Same AreaPermit required

    Lower Moro Campground

    Eleven hike-in primitive sites in lower Moro Canyon, the closest of the three campgrounds to the kiosk.

    Tradeoffs

    The shortest carry of the three, and the most sites, which also makes it the most contested.

  • Same AreaPermit required

    Deer Canyon Campground

    Five hike-in primitive sites, the furthest and smallest of the three campgrounds.

    Tradeoffs

    The quietest of the three by a wide margin, and the hardest to get with only five sites.

Where to stay near Upper Moro

Plan the full trip, not just the permit

Build your full itinerary start to finish

Add your dates and get a day-by-day plan: what needs a permit, what gear to bring, and one link to share with your whole group to coordinate every step.

Plan a trip here

No permit needed to start

One tick helps us more than you’d think

Google lets you pick the sites it highlights for you. Add PermitSnag and our permit pages get marked as one of yours in AI Overviews and AI Mode.

Add PermitSnag in Google

Takes less than a minute.