Lake San Antonio North Shore offers equestrian camping with corrals, full hookups, tent sites, and cabin options near Paso Robles. Lake levels can drop during drought years, affecting the riding experience. Access to water, showers, and well-maintained corrals makes this location popular for horseback riders, and staff are known to be helpful. Camping spaces have varying shade coverage, an important consideration with summer temperatures frequently exceeding 100 degrees.
What to do
Explore hiking trails: Montana de Oro State Park features numerous hiking opportunities with ocean views. "Hikes, ocean, cliffs, caves. Amazing place," notes visitor Brooke R., who rates this park as "the most beautiful place on earth." The park's varied terrain offers both challenging and accessible trails.
Fish at Lopez Lake: The lake provides good fishing opportunities, especially during spring and fall. "We launch our kayaks 20' from our camper and when we had a boat we would launch it when we got there and leave it in the water right next to the camper which was very convenient," explains Corey L. from Santa Margarita Lake Recreation Area.
Visit nearby beaches: The Pacific coast is accessible from several campgrounds. "Close enough to walk to a cute little beach," says Kelly S. about Montana de Oro State Park, which offers a coastal experience without the crowds of more popular beaches.
What campers like
Stargazing opportunities: The rural location provides excellent night sky viewing. "Sitting out at night with a clear view of the stars was breathtaking," reports Roxanna L. from Santa Margarita KOA, noting their hillside site offered panoramic views.
Wildlife encounters: The region hosts diverse wildlife. "We have been to the ropes course too, which is really fun," writes Linda S., who camps at Lopez Lake Recreation Area regularly. The park features "squirrels, deer, turkey, and even some mountain lions and bears."
Privacy between sites: Several campgrounds offer good site separation. "Camping spaces are spread out with varying degrees of shade," at many horse campgrounds near Paso Robles, California. At Santa Margarita KOA, sites are described as "nice private sites" by satisfied campers.
What you should know
Temperature fluctuations: Summer days can be extremely hot while nights cool significantly. "It was a warm weekend at San Antonio. The temperature at the lake often exceeds 100 in the summer," warns Chip K. about Lake San Antonio - North Shore.
Limited cell service: Reception is spotty throughout the region. "No cell reception," notes Corey L. about Santa Margarita Lake, though some campgrounds offer WiFi. Lopez Lake campers report: "No cell reception, not for us on Verizon anyways, but you can drive about 1/2 mile down the road for it."
Insect awareness: Ticks can be present in some areas. "Although the location is very scenic and a 10 min walk to the beach, I wouldn't return because there are ALOT of ticks at the campground," cautions Val H. about Montana de Oro State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Utilize swimming pools: When lake swimming isn't permitted, pools provide relief from heat. "I came here in July of 2018. It was extremely hot and I made good use of their pool," shares Andre V. about Santa Margarita Lake.
Kid-friendly activities: Several campgrounds offer dedicated play areas. "There is a playground and a pool available in summer as swimming in the lake is not allowed," explains Margo A. about Santa Margarita Lake Regional Park. The KOA features "fun bounce pad... frisbee golf and horse shoes."
Wildlife watching opportunities: Children enjoy spotting local animals. "There is a little camp store, but it was closed during my visit (closes at 4pm)... Raccoons will 100% rush your site as soon as you go to sleep," reports Ryan W. about Montana de Oro State Park.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for shade: Choose wisely to avoid extreme heat. "Campground is decent but spots are close together," notes Andre V. about Santa Margarita Lake. At Lake San Antonio, "camping spaces are spread out finding shade can be a challenge."
Water pressure variations: Some campgrounds have inconsistent water service. "The water pressure was a little low compared to other places," reports stacey S. about Pacific Dunes Ranch, though full hookups are available.
Level site availability: Many equestrian campgrounds near Paso Robles offer level parking. "My site #171 was a pull-through and was completely level, a definite plus," writes Rainer M. about Pacific Dunes Ranch, where the roads inside the park are paved but the sites are gravel.
