Santa Margarita Lake Campground
Santa Margarita Lake Campground is east of San Luis Obispo and southeast of the town of Santa Margarita. Santa Margarita Lake and its surrounding Natural Area offer a wonderful array of recreational opportunities from boating and fishing to hiking and cycling.
Santa Margarita Lake and Natural Area
Santa Margarita Lake is perhaps best known for boating and fishing. A variety of fish are caught by anglers, including trout, catfish, and redear. Boaters enjoy cruising the lake's long twisting channel and inlets. The lake includes a marina with boat rentals. Because the lake serves as a drinking water supply, no body contact is allowed with the water. Instead, a swimming pool is open at the lake during the summer. Visitors to the lake enjoy the adjoining Santa Margarita Lake Natural Area for hiking, bicycling, and horseback riding. The thousands of acres of open space in the Natural Area are home to many species of wildlife.
Santa Margarita Lake Campground
Santa Margarita Lake Campground includes 60 campsites spread among 4 campgrounds. Campsites have picnic tables and fire pits. In the campgrounds are restrooms with flush or vault toilets, showers, and drinking water spigots. A camp store is available. None of the campgrounds has hook-ups.
- Coyote Campground has 13 tents-only campsites close to the lake.
- Roadrunner Campground has 7 tents-only campsites close to the lake.
- Grey Pine Campground has 24 RV or trailer campsites. It is located on a hillside near the entrance to the park, a short distance from the lake.
- Osprey Campground has 10 RV-only campsites along the lake's edge.
There are also 2 Boat-in Campgrounds for individuals or groups. Santa Margarita Lake Campground also provides a separate Group Campsite.
Sapwi and Khus Boat-in Campgrounds
Sapwi and Khus are remote, boat-in campsites. They are accessible via the Blinn Trail from River Road Access and Staging Area. Campers must bring in their own water and firewood. The 5 campsites at each campground are equipped with fire pits with benches and picnic tables. Chemical toilets are located close by. Food must be stored in a safe way to prevent bears from getting to it. What you pack in you must pack out.
Check-in time is 3:00 PM, check-out at 11:00 AM.
Individual Site Fees: $21 per night plus a $9 reservation fee
Group Fees: $107 per night plus a $27 reservation fee
Reservations: (805) 788-2397.
Santa Margarita Lake's Heron Group Campsite
Heron Small Group Campsite is a tent campground near the main facilities at the lake. Heron can accommodate up to 50 people and 8 vehicles included in the reservation price. A maximum of 15 vehicles can be parked in the Heron group area. Vehicles beyond the first 8 will be charged $21 per night. Heron has 2 chemical toilets. Restrooms are a short drive away. The campsite has shaded picnic tables, BBQ, and a campfire circle. The campground is available from May through October.
Fees: $220 per night plus a $27 reservation fee
Reservations: (805) 788-2397.
TOP
Reviews from Previous Campers
2022 - 2024