Best Equestrian Camping near Cambria, CA

Santa Margarita Lake is a lovely, quiet medium size lake used for drinking water in San Luis Obispo County, Los Padres National Forest. There are 60 campsites; 54 tent/RV, 2 Boat-in and 4 horse camps. There is a playground and a pool available in summer as swimming in the lake is not allowed. Canoe/boat rentals are available as well as a launch ramp and marina store. This lake is popular with smaller fishing and recreational boats. Amenities include flush toilets in main camp, picnic table, fire pits but no hook ups. Reservations are online except for horse camps which require a phone call to County Parks 805-788-2387, fees run 38$-36$ per night.

It's worth dragging your stuff up a small path to get away from the crowds. You can surf and mountain bike here. Our tent was even visited by some people on horse back!

Montana de Oro is a beautiful treasure located along a wild coastline, sand dunes, tall peaks and high cliffs above beautiful beaches. Tent camping is limited but the availability of group horse camping is a rare treat. With pipe corrals, pit toilets and trails to the ocean, these site are primitive but worth it. The park has plenty of sun and shade, with mostly eucalyptus trees, great hiking trails and a beach with car parking that is popular with tourists and a few secret beaches locals know. Wildflowers abound in the spring and a car friendly paved road takes to the end and back with plenty of bathrooms and a State Park office/store you can get maps and tips.

You can camp just steps from Spooners Cove (great place for swimming!) in Islay Creek Campground. It’s in the Montana De Oro State Park. There are about 50 campsites on either side of a in and out kind of lollipop road up on a flat hill above Spooner’s Cove. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring with grill, and there are a couple of clean vault toilets scattered in the campground. There are some nice trees, but most sites are not suited to hammocking. Many sites will be in full sun most of the day, and there is not much privacy. There is a trail that cuts through the campground, and there are many trailheads nearby. I would not suggest bringing your dog with you because while pets are allowed in the campground, they are not allowed on the trails or on the beach. Also, if you want a fire plan on bringing your own wood or buying it from the camp host as you are not allowed to forage for downed wood. The camp host didn’t seem to have a problem with me collecting some of the wild nasturtiums to add to my dinner (so fun to have edible flowers on my salad, wish I took a picture!).

Supposedly there is a horse camp not too far away, but I can neither confirm or deny as I did not go looking for it.

This campground is near the beach on the central California coast . It has tent and RV sites. The only amenities are non-flushing toilets and water . There are no lights at night, so it is very dark. A flashlight is a must. Our site did not have a flat spot for a tent so we had to pitch it on a parking spot .

This was our very first trip in our new TT.  It was a little chilly at night, but the crashing of the surf made it magical.  Fiercely big raccoons :)

The camp host was great, and the sites are not huge, but decently spaced.

Small campground in a beautiful area surrounded by hills right next to the beach. Hidden gem & a MUST see. Local firewood in Los osos on the corner of 9th street & pismo street for cheap. Try local restaurant beerwood or the Alehouse on Los osos valley road on the way to the campground. Beautiful year round. All sites equally spaced and good-you’ll love anyone you get!

We spent our first night in environmental site 3, which was absolutely stunning. The walk to the campsite is short, but be advised, uphill. We had all our car camping equipment and big tent so it was a lot of work. Totally worth it though to get up there and be perched alone at the top of a little bluff with the hills behind us and the ocean/cliffs sprawled below. Absolutely snag this site if you can. 

The second two nights we stayed down in the regular campground at site 27. Very spacious sites. Our site was along the road and didn't have shade. All sites on the south side of the road back to a large hill and I'd try to get something in sites 8-17 or back in the 40s if we go back. They had more shade and seemed more private than sites along the main stretch of road.

Ticks are SO bad this year, so come prepared and diligently check yourselves and things. The campground host was very friendly and helpful. 

The views, the hike along the bluff trail, the beach cove, all spectacular!

Coolest little tucked away camp group with the most amazing beach and view of the coast line

One of my favorite established campgrounds this far. Small and secluded and plenty of space between most sites. Wood and water both widely available, not sure about electric though. Short walk to Bluff Trail trailhead and Spooner’s cove.

I loved walking to the ocean in the morning. Many birds and bunnies hopping around.
I would not choose my spot again.

This place is 10/10. Clean bathrooms, quiet and quaint. Close to one of the most beautiful beaches. The campsites in the way back are the best..much quieter.

This campground is quiet and spaces aren't too close together. East walk to trails and the beach at the cove.

Came here on a recommendation from a friend. Beautiful beach in this area. The beach area is very popular. But I was able to get a campsite no problem on a beautiful week in March. 

There's plenty to do here--visit the beach, walk on the cliffs, see the wildflowers. I'll definitely be back.

This is a beautiful area to camp! Not many sites, but they are full much of the time so make sure to reserve early. The park is a beautiful place to do hiking. There are many trails to choose from. The park is about a 5-10 minute drive to Morro Bay which is a fun little town to check out as well. I highly recommend Montana de Oro :)

This is a fabulous coastal state park and campground. There is plenty of shade and fog that keep the sites cool. Bring a sweater, even during summer. Hiking paths weave around the shoreline and give you access to the beautiful golden rock formations that jut out into the water.

Pretty basic but nice camp ground. Close enough to walk to a cute little beach. Bathrooms but no showers.

This campground is quiet and super spacious compared to other campsites.  It's a short distance/walk to the beach, a hike, horseback riding and biking.  Its beautiful!  The downside is the lack of storage to put your dry goods, no showers and the raccoons-they will attack any food item left out and there are no showers.  There are "pit" toilets/outhouses located a short distance from your campsite.  My family and I have been visiting this campsite for years and we love it.

This campground was in a great location, but that's the end of the good. There was very little shade, and the toilets were just holes in the ground. It did not seem well maintained, and I will not be going there again.

Hikes, ocean, cliffs, caves. Amazing place.

While not a glamourous campsite, mostly a level area, its near the awesome hidden gem of Montana de Oro and lessor known beach. Makes for an easy walk to the seaside bluffs and cliffs for stunning views of the ocean without the huge number of crowds found at other beach camp sites.