Santa Margarita is located in the foothills of the Santa Lucia Range at 995 feet elevation, offering milder temperatures than the surrounding valleys. The oak woodland landscape creates natural shade at many campsites, with temperature variations of up to 25°F between day and night during summer months. Camping options span from primitive dispersed sites with challenging access to developed campgrounds with comprehensive facilities.
What to do
Hiking trails: 5-6 miles from TV Tower Road dispersed camping to breathtaking viewpoints. Visitors can access scenic trails with ocean views when conditions are clear. "There are lots of pullouts. Beautiful views though," notes one visitor at TV Tower Road Dispersed Camping. Another camper adds: "I woke first thing in the morning and the view to the west is stunning, a sea of clouds and islands of distant mountain peaks all the way to the coast."
Kayaking: Lake activities at Lopez Lake, just 15 miles from Santa Margarita. The lake offers boat rentals and calm waters for paddling. "Kayaking and fishing are both nice at Lopez as well. The lake is wonderful and usually very mellow," says a visitor at Lopez Lake Recreation Area. The recreation area features boat-in campsites as well as traditional camping options.
Beach access: 25-minute drive to coastal camping with ocean proximity. Campers can easily reach the shore for swimming, tide pooling, and beach walks. A camper at Morro Strand describes: "You can't get any closer to the ocean, and if you are lucky enough to camp in one of the sites on the west side, you have an unobstructed view of the waves."
What campers like
Wildlife viewing: Early morning and dusk provide best wildlife spotting opportunities. Camping near Santa Margarita offers chances to see local fauna. A Lopez Lake visitor shared: "There's lots of trails and quite a bit wildlife: squirrels, deer, turkey, and even some mountain lions and bears." Another notes seeing "wild turkey and deer right next to our site" at Santa Margarita KOA.
Star gazing: Clear night skies away from light pollution. The higher elevation sites provide excellent astronomical viewing. "Nightsky was amazing! I saw a shooting star and many satellites," reports a TV Tower Road camper. Another mentions: "The stars are beautiful and it's very quiet and cool."
Water recreation: Multiple lakes within 20 miles for swimming and fishing. The region offers several water bodies for recreation. "There is a small but well-stocked convenience store in the marina with food, ice, firewood, beer, fishing gear, etc. There is also a small cafe located in the marina store, with limited hours," explains a visitor describing Morro Bay State Park Campground.
What you should know
Road conditions: High-clearance vehicles recommended for dispersed sites. Access to some camping areas requires appropriate vehicles. "The road up here is indeed a little challenge: first there is pavement but the last 1/3 of the road is dirt only; also very bumpy. We made it through with our van, 2 wheels only haha, but it was rough indeed," reports a TV Tower Road camper.
Weather variations: Coastal fog can extend several miles inland. Morning coastal fog often burns off by midday. "Weather can be fickle with cold, wind and fog even in summer. Quiet at night. A few sites have beach views. Most views are hidden by scrubs between parking area and beach," notes a visitor to Morro Strand State Beach Campground.
Wildlife precautions: Food storage important at all area campgrounds. Local wildlife may be attracted to unsecured food. "While the possibility of a black bear sighting is fairly uncommon, black bears are seen every year at Lopez Lake. You are in black bear county, and there are no bear boxes/food lockers at Lopez Lake," advises a camper. "Raccoons will 100% rush your site as soon as you go to sleep to see if there are any fun goodies laying about," warns another visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Activity options: Recreational facilities for children at developed campgrounds. Many of the best places to camp near Santa Margarita include family-friendly amenities. A Santa Margarita KOA visitor shares: "Fun bounce pad. There is frisbee golf and horse shoes. They even have an Emu that is friendly and your kids can pet."
Swimming spots: Safe areas for children to cool off during hot months. Several campgrounds offer swimming opportunities. "Lopez Lake is the home of the Mustang Waterpark, a small, but super fun water park. I believe the park is closed during the fall and winter months, but is open during the spring and summer. Swimming is allowed in the lake, and there are some 'beach' areas that have been cleared of lake plants and rocks for safe swimming," explains a camper.
Educational opportunities: Ranger programs and wildlife viewing for kids. Local parks offer learning experiences. "There is also a great little museum in the same place. You can also walk to rent a canoe to paddle around the bay," notes a visitor to Oceano Campground describing nearby attractions.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Request specific sites when making reservations. Some campgrounds have significantly different site qualities. "The sites on the dry loop (Bishop) have little privacy, but most are pull-through. The loops with services have much more tree coverage, but when I was there seemed to be mostly occupied by long term RVs," advises a visitor to El Chorro Regional Park.
Hookup availability: Call ahead to confirm service levels. Amenities vary widely between campgrounds. "We've tent camped on primitive sites and camped with a pop-up with electricity & water. None of the full hookup sites have a view but some of the tent sites do," reports a Lopez Lake visitor.
Leveling requirements: Bring blocks for uneven surfaces. Many sites require leveling equipment. "Most parking spots close to level but bring some blocks. Nice large showers take state park tokens," recommends a camper describing Morro Strand.
