Description

Take it slow in SLO county, and head to the primitive campground sites at Santa Margarita Lake. The Lake provides boating, fishing, hiking trails, and the joys of nature. The campground provided bathrooms, showers, and picnic stations. You provide the margarita mix.
Campsite area
Tent or RV sites
57 sites
Up to guests per site
Up to 6 vehicles
No wheelchair access
Essentials
Campfires allowed
Toilet available
Pets allowed
Amenities
Potable water available
Showers available
Picnic table available

Activities

Offered near the campground.

Biking
Boating
Fishing
Hiking
Horseback riding
Paddling
Wildlife watching

Terrain

Natural features you'll find at Santa Margarita Lake Recreation Area.

Lake
River, stream, or...
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11 Reviews

750
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Drop some Santa Margarita Lake Recreation Area knowledge on us.
Hipcamper Randall
Randall G.
didn't provide a recommendation.
October 12th, 2017

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.

Hipcamper Glenn
Glenn R.
recommends this listing.
October 11th, 2017

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

Hipcamper Jaymie
Jaymie S.
didn't provide a recommendation.
August 19th, 2015

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!

Hipcamper Ayelet C.
recommends this listing.
August 18th, 2018
Hipcamper Jenny H.
recommends this listing.
December 29th, 2018
Hipcamper Hyo N.
recommends this listing.
August 30th, 2018
Hipcamper Jason T.
recommends this listing.
June 12th, 2018
Hipcamper Tiffany G.
recommends this listing.
May 29th, 2018
Hipcamper Trudy K.
recommends this listing.
April 19th, 2018
Hipcamper Minh N.
recommends this listing.
February 22nd, 2018
Hipcamper Alex G.
recommends this listing.
February 20th, 2017
Park
Santa Margarita Lake
State
California
Country
United States
Phone Number
(805) 788-2397
Directions
View on Google Maps
Official Website
View Website
Coordinates
35.329° N, 120.464° W
Unknown price
Tent / RV / Trailer - Group: 1 Site
(Up to people per site)
Unknown price
Boat In: 2 Sites
(Up to people per site)
Unknown price
Tent / Van: 54 Sites
(Up to people per site)