The best camping near Lopez Lake Recreation Area

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Lopez Lake Recreation Area adventure.

Lopez Lake campers can enjoy a tranquil waterfront, waterpark, ziplines, and more.

Popular ways to camp

Community favorites near Lopez Lake Recreation Area

Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

Top-rated campgrounds near Lopez Lake Recreation Area

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SLO Country Camp

2 sites · RVs, Tents10 acres · San Luis Obispo, CA

SLO Country Camp was once a part of the Serpa Ranch, one of the early ranches of the Central Coast. It’s remained a beautiful rural pocket in the Edna Valley area of San Luis Obispo. It’s quiet and peaceful, enjoy your morning coffee listening to all the birds waking up. There’s a private creek not far away that draws deer and wildlife. Just saw 3 deer run through out property 2 days ago. Owls, red tail hawks, eagles, squirrels and jack rabbits we see frequently. And you can listen to the coyotes howling at night. We’re surrounded by rolling coastal hills, vineyards, horses, cattle and also land apportioned to the Land Conservancy. Walk down our road and then left up to the top of the hill for a panoramic view of the entire area with the city San Luis Obispo at a distance. Our two sites are flat on decomposed granite pads. Both have excellent views and easy access to our common areas: wash/kitchen prep, and cold-water outdoor shower. Site 1 is best for trailers but Site 2 is adequate. Firewood is available for purchase at camp for those wanting to use the fire pit, or you can bring your own. The San Luis Obispo, Central Coast has so much to see and do! Hiking trails abound, my favorites are Bob Jones trail to walk or bike to Avila Beach, Johnson Ranch and Irish Hills for hiking hills, the Ridge trail for a view over Shell and Avila beaches, and the Harmony Trail to walk grassy cliffs by the ocean. Montano de Oro is only 15 minutes away with rocky ocean cliff trails that lead down to the coastline. We are 5 minutes from the beginning of the Edna Valley winery trail with 30 wineries or more I’ve lost count. Tasting and relaxing in great atmospheres. My favorites are Biddle Ranch, Talley, Mailene, Chamisal, Bailyanna... but there are so many more. We’re 10 minutes from downtown San Luis Obispo, 10–12 minutes to Avila or Pismo beaches. Morro Bay is 25 minutes. And we’re just 5 minutes off the 101 for easy access to traveling. The Central Coast has almost everything for fun, adventure and food. Surfing, biking, hiking, ocean kayaking, paddle boarding, golf, wine and beer culture, ranch lands, shopping and restaurants and we’re close to it all.

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Camp Arroyo Grande

21 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents29 acres · Arroyo Grande, CA

Welcome to Camp Arroyo Grande! Enjoy our 29-acres that feature beautiful ocean views, oak woodlands, and plenty of rustic charm. All this is conveniently tucked into the hillside just steps away from the Village of Arroyo Grande where you will find restaurants, coffee, shopping, parks and roosters. The property is home to many youth groups and local non-profits, continuing a 135-year legacy as a Community Center and Retreat Space. The historic Tabernacle building has been hosting church and schools gatherings, dinners, fundraisers, weddings, family reunions, festivals and more since 1897. Community Events are likely to be taking place but follow quiet time guidelines. *pool is seasonal and subject to availability

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La Montaña Ranch

3 sites · RVs, Tents142 acres · Santa Margarita, CA

Our property is 142 acres located on the top of east Cuesta grade, elevation approximately 2100. We are secluded enough to feel like you're far away from city life but in reality only 20 minute drive to downtown San Luis Obispo. The main road up continues past our property and turns into the Los Padres National Forest and is very popular for hiking and biking with locals. We also have private trails within our property. We have a farm consisting of 10 sheep, 10 goats, 22 chickens, 3 pigs, 4 dogs, a cat. Interaction with farm animals may be possible upon request. Bee hives are located on the property as well. Honey, eggs and firewood are available for purchase. :)

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Hazel Homestead -Quiet Coastal Farm

3 sites · Lodging, RVs1 acre · Nipomo, CA

We are a small farm on a 1 acre gated property that has two RV spots and a bar shed. We have full hookups in both sites. Our town is rural but it's still close to HWY 101. We do live on the property, close enough if you need anything but far enough for privacy. We host happy hour for campers who are interested. Although the hours depend on arrival and our availability. We have a common area between the two sites that offered a nice fire pit. Our farm has 3 goats, 2 pot bellied pigs and 20 chickens that lay fresh eggs daily. We LOVE animals but we CANNOT ALLOW PETS. Also, sorry no tent camping. RV's only. We do not provide bathrooms or showers on site. Don’t have an RV? RENT OURS! We have everything you need for your family. Enjoy a weekend on the farm and glamp in our RV. We have all the amenities of home. Coming to enjoy the area? The property is just a few mins off the 101 freeway on the Central Coast. We are only 15 mins South of Pismo Beach, 30 mins south of San Luis Obispo and an hour North of Santa Barbara. The beach, wineries and shopping are all very close. Or if you are looking for a quiet retreat with some super sweet farm animals stay here and enjoy the farm. We do rent both sites out at the same time so if it’s privacy you are looking for please message us. Or If you would like to camp with friends or family we can accommodate two additional trailers. Again please message us to arrange this. Come stay awhile! It doesn't get any better than this!

Booked 1 time

The Aussie Hacie Campsite

1 site · RV1 acre · Arroyo Grande, CA

The campsite is located on the front 1/2 acre of the property. It is equipped with full hook ups - water, sewer, and electricity. The campsite is nestled between our garden and chicken coop.The property is located 7 mi. from the Oceano Dunes Vehicular Recreation Area. Great location for wine tasting a dn enjoying the central coast lifestyle.

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Carrizo National

18 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents2 acres · Mc Kittrick, CA

Enjoy the wonders of Carrizo National Park. Home to the largest Soda Lake with 360 degree views and the super bloom that attracts thousands of people every Spring. Reconnect with nature and escape the noise and pollution of the city. The majestic hills frame a perfect view of the sky so you can experience sunsets, sunrises, full moons, eclipses and starry nights like never before. You may see local wildlife such as mountain lions and elk in the surrounding hills, rabbits and tarantulas in the fields or even hear foxes and coyotes howling in the distance. Driving Instructions: Head toward the middle of 7 Mile Road until you see a Green outhouse building on the south side. Coordinates: 35°17'04.6"N 119°54'13.7"W Don't forget to walk on the soda lake! It's a short drive just south of the property. There is cell service on the property for most carriers. Please be extra cautious with your campfires. Your Feedback is appreciated and is used to improve future experiences for guests. Thank you!

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Rancho Del Sol

4 sites · Lodging20 acres · Santa Margarita, CA

🌄 Discover Serenity at Santa Margarita Rancho del Sol 🌄 Nestled atop a majestic ridge in the picturesque countryside just outside Santa Margarita, California, lies the enchanting Rancho del Sol. A hidden gem where panoramic views dance to the horizon, offering a breathtaking tableau of nature's finest. 🌟 Sprawling Views to Feed the Soul 🌟 At every hour, the landscape tells a different story. From the first shimmer of dawn, where the sun kisses the rolling hills, to the twilight's glow setting valleys ablaze; every glance is a moment of serenity. Here, eagles soar against the backdrop of cerulean skies, while the whispers of the wind play a melody only nature knows. 🌳 Find Your Peace 🌳 This isn’t just a stay; it’s a retreat. A journey back to nature, back to quiet, back to yourself. Every corner of our wild ranch offers moments of reflection, relaxation, and rejuvenation. Wander through the meandering trails, breathe in the fresh country air, or simply lounge with a book and let time slip away. 🌍 World-Renowned Destinations at Your Doorstep 🌍 While the allure of solitude might beckon, the world outside is waiting to be explored. Rancho del Sol is your gateway to some of California's most coveted attractions. Wine enthusiasts can savor the world-class vineyards nearby, while adventurers can explore the mesmerizing coastlines, historic towns, and verdant parks just a short drive away. ✨ Tranquil Experience Awaits ✨ Only a select few get to experience the magic of Rancho del Sol. Reserve your spot and let the horizon broaden your perspective, the silence speak to your soul, and the beauty of untouched nature captivate your heart. Dive into peace and make memories at Rancho del Sol.

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Blue Sky Center

31 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents267 acres · New Cuyama, CA

1948- On January 1, 1948 a wildcatter named George Hadley, who had been oil prospecting in the valley for 10 years, made the first oil strike in the Cuyama Valley. Richfield Oil Company soon moved in and extracted nearly 300 million barrels of oil in just a few short years. To accommodate an exploding workforce in the early 1950s, the company built the town of New Cuyama, its infrastructure, public buildings, the Cuyama airstrip (L88) and all the industrial structures that are now home to Blue Sky. Richfield Oil Company, later merging with Atlantic Oil Company forming the Atlantic Richfield Oil Company (ARCO), created high-paying jobs, a safe and prosperous community, and developed schools, churches, and recreational areas for the employee-residents.1973- With dwindling production in the area and new discoveries in Alaska, Atlantic-Richfield Oil Company put the town of New Cuyama and its associated infrastructure up for sale. Word of an entire town for sale made its way to entrepreneur, Russell O’Quinn of the Foundation for Airborne Relief (FAR) and Mildred Dotson, a wealthy widow from Tulsa, Oklahoma. The two worked together to acquire the townsite and adjacent land. O’Quinn, an aviator, inventor, and test pilot, aspired to use the New Cuyama airstrip and facilities as a base for humanitarian relief and a non-profit trade school. Though not fully realized, FAR’s primary vision included utilizing converted military aircraft to airlift food and medical supplies to developing countries and global disaster areas. Dotson had loftier goals. Her plans included an 18-hole fly-in golf course, expansion of the Buckhorn Restaurant and Motel, and a 40- to 50-acre lake for amphibious landing and water sports. 1986- Another visionary, Harry Kislevitz, inventor of the popular design tool Colorforms® and founder of Future City/Villages International, sought to develop the site as a “City of Friendship,” an all-electric village of 5,000 earthen homes. The dwellings were to be designed by Nader Khalili, an Iranian-born architect who specialized in earthen structures, worked with NASA on prototypes for lunar homes and received an award from the United Nations for his work towards the development of low cost, sustainable structures for human shelter in impoverished and disaster prone environments. One 628-sq-ft Khalili prototype remains on the property today ("the Cantina"). Khalili went on to form the California Institute for Earth Art and Architecture, Cal-Earth, in Hesperia, CA.1993- Recognizing the transformative potential of clean, solar power and the attractiveness of a rural destination, entrepreneur Mike Nolan worked to develop the Solar Skypark and Big Sky Guest Ranch with Santa Barbara Architect, Barry Berkus. The Sky Park included plans for sixty-five fly-in residences on one-acre lots powered completely from clean, solar energy. The Big Sky Guest Ranch was intended to function as a clubhouse for Skypark residents complete with an equestrian center, a small subsistence farm, pool and plenty of enriching recreational activities. 2012- At the end of 2011, the Zannon Family Foundation made a long-term investment in acquiring the New Cuyama Airport property with the vision of rehabilitating the site to be a low-cost resource for programs and organizations working to advance sustainable living practices and technologies. Plans began soon after towards developing a framework and organization to develop the space and coordinate with prospective programs and institutions. In 2014 Blue Sky Sustainable Living Center ("Blue Sky Center") received 501(c)(3) not-for-profit status, endeavoring to reclaim this property for the public good. Today, Blue Sky Center provides unduplicated services and technical assistance to support small businesses and entrepreneurs as well as the local food system, with core work focused on community research and advocacy led by Cuyamans. Learn more on our website and consider supporting our community work with your donation or by hosting your next special event here!

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Creekside Camping and Mineral Baths

10 sites · Tents124 acres · Cambria, CA

We can accommodate tent campers or car campers. Each campsite fits 4-6 people. The price is $40/per person. Kids under 12 are free. Most campsites are accessible by car and all campsites are accessible by foot. PLEASE NOTE, we do not have a traditional check in procedure. Campsites are first come first serve. Expect a "self-check in process" most of the time. However, there are sometimes people working onsite that you may run into, that are happy to help and lead you in the right direction. You choose your own campsite so plan to arrive early. You can park and walk around. There is signage that says "CAMP" with Arrows. BYO water. We have sulfur spring water. Great for your skin, not good to drink! There's a couple outhouses on the property. One in the main camp zone, one at the far north end of the lower Redwood campsite. You can also bring a shovel and take a walk if you're in the more remote campsites. We have a dumpster outside the gate for your garbage. IMPORTANT INFO Please don't mind our farm junk/tools as you enter Gate 1! We are slowly working on clean up and relocation of materials from the entry road and away from view. Before you arrive, have knowledge of poison oak because it is a native plant. The main photos in the listing are taken from Hipcamp Scouts back in 2018 and they are featuring our Original campsite. This is located past the mineral baths. It's the furthest one to reach, and accessible by foot. I will update photos to depict all the campsites, but please share your photos with us on Instagram and tag @charanspringsfarm to help future campers get a view of what the sites look like with a tent set up! SULFUR MINERAL BATHS Include in your experience the use of our sulfur mineral baths. It's $10 per person. PLEASE BOOK THIS AS AN EXTRA AT CHECKOUT. The mineral baths are 2 funky vintage clawfoot tubs that are pictured in the actual listing.The photos show an accurate description of the Mineral Baths. They are not located in the main camp zone. Please call ahead to book your time slot and get directions to the mineral baths. PLEASE DO NOT BOOK IF: You are looking for "Glamping," (Glamour Camping). It's primitive camping on a private property with bonuses like the garden, rustic baths, and beautiful nature. This property has been a working farm for decades, which has struggled with hard times. If farm yards/junk piles make you uncomfortable or give you a creepy feeling, don't book because our boneyard is adjacent to the entry road and it can't be ignored. Thank you for reading this whole description and we hope you have a good experience.

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Rancho San Marino

3 sites · RVs, Tents5 acres · Orcutt, CA

We have a level and easily accessed site just off the pavement for an RV or trailer stay and we also have a secluded tent-camp site with water and electric accessed by a (rough) dirt road. We are very close to the 101 Fwy supermarket, gas station and numerous Santa Barbara County wineries.

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Freedom Ranch

1 site · RV10 acres · Arroyo Grande, CA

Learn more about this land:“Self Contained” Vehicles only 😊. Amazing 360 degree views! You really feel like your camping with only a 20 minute drive to the adorable quaint village of Arroyo Grande with local boutiques, coffee shops, restaurants, brewery and winery. You may have a secluded getaway, but also have a nice dinner in town if you choose. With a 15 minute drive there is Edna Valley AVA with breathtaking majestic views and various wineries. Several outstanding local beaches only 20 mins away (Pismo/Shell/Avila Beach) with mesmerizing sunsets. Lopez Lake is also very close if you would like to do some local fishing. You may bring dogs only if they are friendly as we have two Queensland Heeler’s who are companionable. You get good AT&T service, but not Verizon. We can take any camper vehicles (RV’s, trailers, Campervans) as long as they are self contained because we don’t not have showers or bathrooms available on site, but we do have water hookups :-).

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Twisselman Ranch

15 sites · Lodging, Tents200 acres · Santa Margarita , CA

Twisselman ranch is a 6 generation working cattle ranch that has been in the family since the 1800’s. We all enjoy this wonderful place and hope to share our experiences with others. Voted BEST HIPCAMP Glamping in the United States to visit in 2021 & 2022!! Come Glamping & experience our Rual Retreat here at Twisselman Ranch. We are located about 1 hour east of Paso Robles California a short drive off highway 58 and about 1.5 hours west of Bakersfield. Carrisa Plains is known for its beautiful display of wild flowers in the spring time, incredible sunny days, and spectacular wildlife viewing. The ranch is also located a short 29 min drive from the Carrizo Plain National Monument and Las Padres National Forest. Tule elk, prog horn antelope, and valley quail are just some of the animals you may encounter on our ranch. The pond is full of fish (bass, blue gill & sun perch) so don’t forget your fishing poles (catch & release). -We have beautiful 2 stall hot water showers, and three stall restroom including handicap stall. **Cleaned & Sanitized DAILY Our communal kitchen has : a large gas bbq grill, 3 smaller gas grills as well as gas burners & sink. **Cleaned & Sanitized DAILY. There are several counter high prepping tables around the kitchen (please clean up your cooking essentials & food after each meal as everyone shares this space). Campfires - We are an ember free site year round due to wildfire risks & insurance purposes. We do however have propane fire pit rentals for $20 per night. - great for roasting s’mores & the ambience of camping. Please do not cook any meals on them. All cooking is to be done in the communal kitchen area. The summer days can get pretty toasty and the winter nights can get very chilly so check the weather before your stay and plan accordingly. Don’t forget your swim suits as we have soaking troughs for you to cool off in. -Also please note we are located an hour from the nearest town, no stores or gas stations. Please come fully equipped with your own utensils, cooking essentials, food and beverages. We sell ICE!! $5 per 5lb bag. We are off grid, there is no electricity, all lights are battery or solar powered. You may want a flashlight or headlamp for walking around at night. We have wildflower honey available for sale straight off the ranch. If your interested in purchasing during your stay please visit Twisselman Ranch . Com be sure to specify in comment at check out that your a guest. Cellular Service - Verizon is the only dependable steady service out here as we have a Verizon tower on the ranch. All other service is spotty if existent at all. We are a self check-in site. Upon arrival show yourself to the site following welcome note directions. Check in is anytime after 3pm, but no later than 9pm unless arranged with us (a $20 late fee will apply after 9pm). Check out is 11am on the day of departure. Instagram @temblormountainpacktrain #temblormountainpacktrain #camptheranch #twisselmanranch

The best camping near Lopez Lake Recreation Area guide

Overview

About

Just outside of Arroyo Grande, the Lopez Lake Recreation Area features a beautiful blue reservoir that winds around the foothills of the Santa Lucia Mountains and offers swimmers, boaters, and fishers a cool reprieve from the Central Coast heat. Lopez Lake features 22 miles of shoreline and windy coves popular with windsurfers, while hikers and bikers can explore trails through the sage scrub and oak forests surrounding the water. And if all that isn’t enough, the Lopez Lake Recreation Area is also home to the Mustang Water Park and Vista Lago Adventure Park, which features a ropes course and ziplines. The single Lopez Lake campground features over 350 RV and tent sites, plus some cabins. Campsites come with picnic tables and fire pits, while amenities range from minimal primitive access to full hookups. Restrooms and hot showers are available throughout the campground.

Tips for snagging a campsite

Reservations for the Lopez Lake Recreation Area can be made online or by calling (805) 788-2381.
You can reserve sites up to one year in advance.
Summers and weekends are popular, so book ahead.

When to go

Summer is the most popular season at Lopez Lake, when highs reach the mid 80s. But winters are also great, with highs in the 60s and lows in the mid-40s. Rain is most likely in winter, while spring visits typically feature higher water levels on the lake and the possibility of seeing wildflowers.

Know before you go

The Lopez Lake Recreation Area features a variety of hiking and mountain biking trails, but if you need more, the surrounding Los Padres National Forest contains 1,257 miles of trails throughout the coastal mountains of Central California.
The Lopez Lake area is home to wildlife including black bear, rattlesnakes, deer, and mountain lions, so be on the lookout and store food safely.
The park’s marina has a boat ramp, boat rentals, bait shop, bar and grill, and store. Rentable watercraft include pontoons, WaveRunners, kayaks, and stand-up paddle boards.
The Mustang Waterpark features two 600-foot water slides, a halfpipe slide for inner tubes, a kiddie pool, and a bar for the adults.
The Vista Lago Adventure Park has an 850-foot-long zipline and an elevated ropes course to keep thrill-seekers busy.