Lake San Antonio and Lake Nacimiento are the primary camping destinations near Jolon, California, located in southern Monterey County. The area sits at approximately 1,000 feet elevation and experiences hot, dry summers with temperatures often exceeding 100°F and mild winters with occasional rainfall. The region offers diverse camping options including free BLM sites, established campgrounds, and yurt accommodations throughout the oak woodlands and chaparral ecosystem.
What to do
Waterfall hiking: 1-2 miles of moderate terrain at Limekiln State Park Campground with accessible trails to historic limekilns. "Enjoyed this campground. The park features breathtaking views of the Big Sur Coast, the beauty of the redwoods, the rugged coast and the cultural history of limekilns. Waterfall is pretty and runs to the ocean," notes a camper.
Night fishing: Early morning or dusk from shore at Lake San Antonio - North Shore. "Fishing was great from shore in morning and dusk. They had clean bathrooms and showers," reports a recent visitor. The lakes are known for striped bass fishing.
Wildlife viewing: Dawn or dusk wildlife walks near campgrounds to spot local fauna. At Upper Sweetwater Laguna Mountain Campground, campers report rich biodiversity: "Fresh Air + Nature (deer, quails, turkeys, coyotes in one night) + Dark New Moon Skies means Bright Stars with Clear View of the Milky Way."
What campers like
Dark sky stargazing: No light pollution in most campgrounds. Upper Sweetwater offers "Dark New Moon Skies means Bright Stars with Clear View of the Milky Way + Safe (Popular with Campers but well distanced from one another)."
Riverside camping: Creek-adjacent sites available at several locations. At Ponderosa Campground, "This site is run by the US Forest service and sits alongside the really pretty Nacimiento River. If you don't mind the noise from the road, the best two sites with the river running next to them are right in front across from the pay station and host site."
Free camping options: No cost alternatives to paid campgrounds. "Clean and well kept. Level ground all be it hard and difficult to get stakes in. I would return if ever in the area. Sites are well spaced and dead quiet at night," notes a visitor to Upper Sweetwater Laguna Mountain Campground.
What you should know
Limited cell coverage: No service in remote areas - plan accordingly. "You'll lose reception about half way getting there (at least with Verizon you will)," warns a camper at Upper Sweetwater.
Toilet facilities vary: From vault to flush across campgrounds. At Pinnacles Campground, "What really threw me off was the bathroom situation. I expected flush toilets, as advertised, but our loop only had Port-a-Potties."
Water restrictions: Bring your own drinking water to many campgrounds. Ponderosa Campground has "water taps were not operable but the one by the toilet near the entrance did work and was labeled 'non-potable, not for drinking or cooking'."
Yurt camping options: Limited availability in Jolon, California area requires advance planning. At Lake Nacimiento Resort, yurts provide alternatives to traditional camping with thirty-amp hookups and picnic areas.
Tips for camping with families
Wildlife education: Prepare kids for encounters with local animals. "Raccoons are very active here so be sure to lock all of your food away and don't leave anything out through the night," advises a Pinnacles visitor.
Heat management: Plan activities for cooler hours during summer months. "The temperature at the lake often exceeds 100 in the summer. During the drought the water level has dropped significantly as well as the quality of the water," notes a Lake San Antonio visitor.
Swimming options: Research water levels before promising lake activities to children. At Nacimiento Campground, one visitor shared, "So beautiful and right next to a creek with fish to play in. The views from the top of the mountain when driving to the ocean are the most beautiful views in the world!"
Tips from RVers
Size restrictions: Check length limits before arrival. Many forest campgrounds have limitations of 25 feet or less.
Hookup availability: Limited options for full services. Lake San Antonio North Shore offers "electric-hookups, thirty-amp-hookups, sanitary-dump, sewer-hookups," making it suitable for RVs requiring utilities.
Level sites: Prepare for uneven terrain at forest campgrounds. "Some sites are hike in only and should you choose those you had better pack extremely light as the climbs up were incredibly steep," notes a camper, highlighting the importance of site selection when bringing larger equipment.
