Located in the heart of the spectacular Orange County coastline, the campground is open for reservations as of today by contacting Reserve America at www.reserveamerica.com or by calling 1-800-444-7275. The public is invited to a free visit of the site during an open house on Thursday, June 30from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
It may seem odd that a new campground is opening at a time when State Parks is proposing to close some parks due to budget reductions. However, this park is located in one of the highest demand areas of the state and park officials are projecting that revenue from this campground will provide additional funding for other parks within the system.
“This is an exciting and long-awaited milestone for full public use and enjoyment of one of our treasured California State Parks,” said Ruth Coleman, director for California State Parks. “Not only will this park generate revenue to support this park and others, it will bring an economic boost to Orange County.”
With 60 overnight campsites and 200 day use parking spaces, the park will attract an influx of local and out-of-town tourists traveling to the area, buying gas, groceries and other supplies, and taking advantage of local restaurants and other tourism businesses, added Coleman.
The park is also supported by a corps of volunteers and docents, campground hosts, and the non-profit Crystal Cove Alliance, one of nearly 85 official State Park Cooperating Associations who help raise funds and support for a variety of educational programs and park preservation projects. Future plans for the Moro Canyon area include a small scaled concession operation which will offer quality food and beverages, camping supplies, recreational equipment sales and rentals, and event catering to park visitors. Finishing touches on the outdoor educational amphitheater will be completed by the Fall.
The $15M campground and park improvement project was funded by 2000 Proposition 12 voter approved bond monies and completes a major component of the publicly approved 1982 Crystal Cove State Park General Plan.
The new campground is the first coastal campground to be added to the State Park system in roughly 20 years. Its completion is doubly important because it will be offering new camping and affordable overnight lodging opportunities in an urban area where the demand for coastal camping spaces has far outstripped the supply. Given the popularity of coastal park camping, it will likely be sold-out year-round. In 2006 the parklands were dedicated as part of the Irvine Ranch National Natural Landmark and subsequently received California Natural Landmark status.
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