Santa Margarita Lake Recreation Area

The drought really changes this place. The water level is v low so it's not like the lake is the point of camping here. What's great about this place is the hikes around the lake. They take you up classic central coast ecology—beware poison oak and ticks! Camping here was chill. Lot's of stars!

Hard to believe but the KOA rustic cabins in this area are surprisingly nice, spread out nicely through the woods.

I spent a weekend at Khus Camp, which is one two boat-in sites. It was peaceful. The environment is unspoiled and there is wildlife. Khus isn’t developed so you have to pack-in/out your gear, water and trash. There is a communal fire-ring and a clean composting toilet. Since I kayaked in, my kit was a cross between backpacking and car-camping gear. If you have a motor boat, you might do it differently.

I didn’t love the second boat-in camp, Sapwi. It’s nice but Khus is shadier. The developed, car-camping sites are fine too. There are clean showers and a swimming pool.

The only drawback to this lake is that swimming isn’t allowed. That said, I’m already planning another ~300 miles trek back to this sleepy, little spot.