Best Equestrian Camping near Lompoc, CA

Recent Equestrian Reviews in Lompoc

166 Reviews of 16 Lompoc Campgrounds

• S

  Susie B.

  Traveler

  

  Aug. 30, 2024

  Cachuma Lake Recreation Area

  Please Don’t Tell Anyone About This — OOPS

  This is tragi-comedy: I was invited to a wedding in Santa Barbara. It was summer and the most fleabitten motel prices were astronomical. I began to look at campsites within driving distance, I was desperate. Booked Catchuma and thought, hoorah, I’ve defeated the tourism trap. 

  Well… from the moment I arrived . . . I really could not care less about the wedding. My god. I think I’ll leave it at that. 

  Bring binos. Boat, bring your canoe/kayak.

• K

  Kim G.

  Ranger

  

  Aug. 20, 2024

  Lopez Lake Recreation Area

  Not our scene: hot, crowded, buggy

  We had reservations for 2 nights on an Augugst Friday / Saturday at Lopez Lake in a full-hook-up site in Bandtail (Site 38). The reviews of this place were great, and the photos were beautiful. We arrived to find a HUGE park (yes, I should have noted how many campsites there are). Check-in involved parking our van and standing in line like Disneyland. The park employees were nice though. There were big signs all around "NO FIRES" (more on this later) and I was also told at check in that there were no fires. We found our site easily enough, only to realize how closely packed the sites were in Bandtail. Some nice folks to our right had three sites - 11 kids and 21 people between them. The kids rode their bikes all over, and even onto our site (while also running around our van chasing a chipmunk). We had our daughter's dog, so tried sitting outside in the shade, only to find that in addition to the heat (it was mid 80s), there were biting flies. :( Poor puppy got bit or stung more than once. So we went in our van and turned on the AC (it could run on low with the 20A service there). Then, after dark, a dad and his young son arrive on our other side and had to back in their boat in the dark. We got out of our rig and helped them (twice) with our portable lights and guidance. In the morning, they spoke in very loud voices and we were right next door. We did take one of the trails in the heat, but they are not at all well maintained - basically trampled grass that could easily hold a snake. While the area is pretty, it is just way too crowded for our taste. Oh, and the bathrooms were dimily lit, had a couple of non-functioning toilets, and were dirty. We were ready to get out of there and will not be back. Lastly, though the fire danger was marked as extremely high and "NO FIRES" signs at check-in, along with verbal warnings of no fires, I saw two campsites had open fires in the fire pits. This blatant lack of regard for rules and safety didn't sit well with me. And no one was enforcing the fire ban. Sad.

• 

  Jeremy F.

  Guide

  

  Jun. 27, 2024

  Lopez Lake Recreation Area

  Great time with the whole family

  Large sites with plenty of room for tents and all the other camping necessities. This site backs up into the hills and there are black bears that roam the area so be sure to prepare for that. The lake is full and lots of areas to fish.

• 

  Michelle W.

  Ranger

  

  Jun. 17, 2024

  Islay Creek Campground — Montaña de Oro State Park

  Nice location, my site had no privacy

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

• D

  Danny

  Traveler

  

  May. 3, 2024

  Islay Creek Campground — Montaña de Oro State Park

  Beautiful, clean & quiet

  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.

• C

  Claudia H.

  Traveler

  

  May. 2, 2024

  Pacific Dunes Ranch

  Best camping spot in the area.

  Stayed here in a cabin for 2 yrs because of work in area. Quiet, clean and away from the city. Love this place.

• 

  Julian M.

  Guide

  

  Mar. 7, 2024

  Sycamore Campground

  Birthday party

  Great weekend experience

• 

  Shari G.

  Legend

  

  Oct. 19, 2023

  Cachuma Lake Recreation Area

  Huge County Campground with Numerous Site Types

  The lovely county run park in the hills above the Santa Barbara coastline, is a great campground offering a wide variety of camping experiences from full hook ups to grass covered spaces under the trees along the shores of this lovely reservoir. The sites offer the usual camp picnic table and fire ring, and the many group sites offer large grills and even a few picnic shelters. 

  The sunshine is typically abundant in this California park, and even without full hook ups you can easily get all the power you need with an appropriately sized solar panel system. We’ve run on solar for over 10 years, and it saves us thousands of dollars each year for our full-time camping life. 

  The flush bathrooms are clean and spacious. Water spigots were plentiful throughout the campground. The coin operated showers got the job done, but since we were there during a chilly March, things could have been warmer. But hey, everything important got clean… 

  The lake is perfect for boating, but since it’s a drinking water reservoir, there is no body contact with this body of water. So plan on using the campground pool to cool off during the summer months. Hiking and mountain biking trails are abundant throughout the area, and kayaking, canoeing, fishing or sailing on the lake is the perfect way to spend the afternoon. 

  The campground offers some excellent yurts and cabins for nightly rent right on the shores of the lake. These are often booked out so plan ahead. 

  The camp store offers enough grocery supplies in case you forgot something, including ice, snacks, fire wood, and gas.  There is also a cool pub down by the boat ramp which offers live music in the weekends.  The nearby tourist town of Solvang offers a great day trip to sample the amazing Dutch pastry treats, pick up some groceries, wine tasting, or a night out on the town.

• 

  Lee D.

  Legend

  

  Oct. 13, 2023

  Cachuma Lake Recreation Area

  Quiet in the off-season

  General: Many different options from tent sites to premium tent sites, water/electric, and FHU sites in addition to yurts and cabins. 

  Site Quality: Varies greatly depending on what type of site you choose. The only sites with gravel paved pads were the ones with water/electric hookups or FHU; all others were grass. Most seemed level. It was raining heavily when we were there and some of the sites were flooded. Very little to no separation/privacy between sites. We were in a w/e site, and it was long enough to easily accommodate two camper vans.

  Activities/Amenities: Off-season, everything was closed but in-season, there is a marina, boat rentals, restaurant, store, gas station, pool, and laundry. 

  Bath/Shower house: Clean but very basic. No hooks or shelves for toiletries. Cold water only. The shower looked nice but did not use so cannot comment on it. 

  IMO, the best options are the premier tent sites, yurts, and cabins as they offer the best lake views. We had not planned on camping here but after evacuating from Jalama Beach, we were told this park would honor our reservation. It rained most of the time we were there, and it was off-season, so I imagine it would be an entirely different experience in the summer when all amenities were offered and the campground was full.

• G

  Gary G.

  Scout

  

  Aug. 14, 2023

  Santa Margarita Lake Regional Park

  Fantastic place to chill -- look at the stars and relax

  loved this place!!!  Was a bit of escape from heat - nice breezes.  And no internet!! YAY  I spent almost two weeks there -- camping at different spots.  If you are in a tent Roadrunner is the place to be.  Good shade.  No RVs - you can pull a trailer up there which some people did.  Beautiful views of the lake from #3,4 and 6.  #3 has less shade but a great rock to sit on for morning coffee and looking at the lake.  #4 is huge --2 picnic tables -- and good views.  #6 set off a little more and great views.  Osprey on lake -- no tents.  Coyote -- most well shaded but no view of lake

  Also stayed  at Grey Pine on weekend (I had no reservations - for weekends must for Roadrunner and Coyote)  Limited shade up here -- also can be a lot of RVS but lots of tents too. Good stars here too -- I would stay on outer rim - Stayed at #12 and #14 -- great views of the valley.  Nice breezes so even when really hot doable.

  Bathrooms and showers are fine. And pool when open (limited amount of staff) so nice and cool.

• a

  averee

  Traveler

  

  Jul. 29, 2023

  Islay Creek Campground — Montaña de Oro State Park

  Amazing spot

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

• 

  Jenn-X •.

  Traveler

  

  Jul. 28, 2023

  Cachuma Lake Recreation Area

  Cachuma Lake

  Sprawling campgrounds.

• j

  jerry

  Traveler

  

  Jul. 6, 2023

  Cachuma Lake Recreation Area

  Camp ground site 143 partial hook ups

  Stayed at camp site #143 no shade trees very dusty site. Rental boats pontoon type are brand new. Boat rental opens at 7am close at 7pm boat harbor is very nice with new boat docks. If going fishing the K boats are nice but anchor line to short to use I bring my own 50’ of anchor rope and use their anchor. Came hear to get away from all the illegal fire works where I live. Not one fireworks at the park yea the dog had a great nights sleep. Plus the swimming pool was great open from 12 noon to 5:30pm they have plenty of chairs and have life guards

• 

  Jessie F.

  Scout

  

  Jun. 28, 2023

  Islay Creek Campground — Montaña de Oro State Park

  Try the environmental campsites!

  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!

• 

  AM S.

  Guide

  

  Apr. 15, 2023

  Cachuma Lake Recreation Area

  Wholesome experience

  Something for everyone, no matter your level of camping. Staff was great when my car battery died too.

• Z

  Zak

  Guide

  

  Mar. 25, 2023

  Lopez Lake Recreation Area

  The lake is FULl

  Called to see if they had spots and they did. Super helpful staff to help get us a spot. The lake level is at 100% and is amazing to see. With all the rain some of the sights still have water running through them.

• G

  George K.

  Scout

  

  Mar. 23, 2023

  Lopez Lake Recreation Area

  The joys of bad weather

  Very popular but everyone stayed home! Hilly area, lots of trails, lots of rain…

• D

  Debbie M.

  Guide

  

  Mar. 9, 2023

  Cachuma Lake Recreation Area

  Excellent location

  We stayed during the recent storm of the century in Central California so weren’t able to take advantage of what the park has to offer. The sites are very long and not too jammed together. Immaculate bathrooms and showers. Close to Los Olivos (great wine tasting) and Solvang. Disc gold course.

• 

  Mario I.

  Scout

  

  Jan. 23, 2023

  Lopez Lake Recreation Area

  Camping

  You

• L

  Linda S.

  Guide

  

  Dec. 27, 2022

  Cachuma Lake Recreation Area

  Lots of different kinds of sites.

  Good experience overall. There are many kinds of sites including full hook up, partial, primitive, cabins & yurts. Many sites have views of the lake.

• L

  Linda S.

  Guide

  

  Nov. 27, 2022

  Lopez Lake Recreation Area

  Something to please everyone

  We’ve camped here many times over the last 15 years. 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. There isn’t much fishing now, because the water is so low, but there are still pretty hikes to be had and water slides if it’s hot. We’ve been to the ropes course too, which is really fun.

• m

  mary F.

  Legend

  

  Nov. 22, 2022

  Cachuma Lake Recreation Area

  Mostly a good camp

  Huge campground! Variety of sites from dry to full hookups. Anything with hookups is cramped though. We originally booked FHU and opted out for much more spacious dry site. Dry sites really vary but all are largish. Fire pit at 409 put in a strange location so that we is located on the back side of our trailer. Really no other way we could have configured it. For such a large park with so many amenities I cannot believe the dog park is downright tiny. But park during week is largely vacant so a lot of space to let your dog run (which is against policy). Sure the place is a muddy mess is the rain. Ground squirrels got the place all torn up but hey they were there first. Generally this is a great destination resort! Go see the monarch butterflies in Goleta in winter months. They overwinter there!

• 

  Ariya B.

  Guide

  

  Oct. 27, 2022

  Lopez Lake Recreation Area

  Beautiful spot

  Had a great time here. Cool hiking trails where you’ll see lots of deer.

• 

  Care B.

  Legend

  

  Oct. 19, 2022

  Islay Creek Campground — Montaña de Oro State Park

  Quiet clean and private

  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!

• P

  Paul

  Scout

  

  Oct. 17, 2022

  Pacific Dunes Ranch

  Tightly packed but great spot

  Great spot super close to dunes about a mile to the ocean

• 

  Emily B.

  Traveler

  

  Oct. 9, 2022

  Cachuma Lake Recreation Area

  Clean campsite and facilities

  Okay so spot 289 has an amazing view - but somehow that gives your fellow camper the green light to just confidently stroll through your campsite without saying a word? I’m a small woman - was sitting alone in my site. A man just strolled up to take in the view right next to my tent. My dudes - please be aware of how eerie it can feel for a woman to have a man just assert his dominance and presence without permission!! I would never in a millions years just go hang out at another person’s campsite.

• l

  luis

  Scout

  

  Aug. 9, 2022

  Cachuma Lake Recreation Area

  Our first raid trip

  It was pretty clean. Everything was nice. Even the market was good. The only disappointing things was not be able rent a boat . There not strict with policy of 2 hours and return the boat back. That just the disappointing part of our trip. Rather then that it was pretty good.