1 campground with availability next weekend
Lake San Antonio - North Shore offers horse corrals for equestrian campers, combining accommodations for both horses and their owners within the campground area. The campground provides access to riding trails while maintaining facilities suitable for multiple camping styles including tent, RV, cabin, and glamping options. Water hookups and a dump station support extended stays with horses, while picnic tables at each site offer convenient areas for equipment sorting and meal preparation. Fishing opportunities from shore are particularly productive during morning and dusk hours. The facilities remain open year-round with spacious campsites that can accommodate both living quarters and horse trailers.
The equestrian area at Montana de Oro State Park includes pipe corrals for horses alongside primitive camping facilities. Trail systems connect riders to coastal paths with beach access, sand dunes, and cliff views throughout the 8,000-acre park. The park features both designated horse camping areas and regular campsites within Islay Creek Campground. Horse-friendly trails traverse diverse terrain including eucalyptus groves, coastal bluffs and mountainous inland routes. A paved road system allows for easy horse trailer access to parking areas near trailheads. Pack extra water and supplies as facilities are basic with pit toilets and no showers available. Raccoons are highly active in the campground, requiring secure storage of both human and horse feed.
"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!"
"Quiet, peaceful and surrounded by skies perched out atop a hill."
Available next weekend
from $25 - $150 / night
"We stayed at a cottage at Lake San Antonio. We were fortunate to have a local show us around."
"The temperature at the lake often exceeds 100 in the summer. There is ample space for camping . You’ll need reservations if you want a hookup . Boat ramps are available."
from $30 - $120 / night
"I grew up camping at Lopez Lake as well as other campsites. Lopez Lake offers a lot. Fishing hiking camping horse back riding etc. I highly recommend camping here."
"It was located right next to the water park but they had already closed for the season."
from $60 - $70 / night
"There is frisbee golf and horse shoes. They even have an Emu that is friendly and your kids can pet. The place is very clean and the staff is friendly."
"Staff helpful..friendly..restrms clean..quiet at night..fun things for kids..lake nearby also. Only 1 pitfall...we tent camped in space #63..next to a dirt road which looped around the campground."
from $40 / night
"Right next to some beautiful dunes. Rv / pull in sites. Have tables restrooms and fire pit relatively close to Oceano/ piano"
"There are two levels of this campground, I stayed at the upper level just steps from the sand dunes which will lead you to the Pacific Ocean about 1/2 mile away."
"Santa Margarita Lake is a lovely, quiet medium size lake used for drinking water in San Luis Obispo County, Los Padres National Forest."
"We thoroughly enjoyed our drive-in tent site, the scenery, and the abundant bird life."
"Perfect location walking distance to the Ocean. Numerous restaurants and a Vons grocery store less than a mile away on Grand Avenue. Very clean and quiet. We're looking forward to staying here again."
"Close to the beach."
"This lake has a no body contact rule which makes it a great quiet fishing lake with no jet skiing, swimming etc... there is a seasonal swimming pool that is right across from the rv spots."
"Turkey Flat is a great place for groups to camp and drink beer around a fire. Wake up and fire up those off - road vehicles and maybe take a gun out to where they hunt turkeys or wild boar."
from $30 - $34 / night
TravelerNice place, great access to dunes, but about a mile to beach across said dunes. Beautiful though. Only down sides were the bathrooms. Broken stall door, dirty showers. Good for last minute reservation or if you have your own bathroom/shower.
TravelerLove this Park. This was our first time camping here. The Park has only 60 spaces and was less than 1/3 full. Perfect location walking distance to the Ocean. Numerous restaurants and a Vons grocery store less than a mile away on Grand Avenue. Very clean and quiet. We're looking forward to staying here again. We had our 5th wheel towed here by Pismo Coast Village Resort's RV Storage. Fin's Bar & Grill is fantastic. Francisco's Country Kitchen is awesome for breakfast and lunch.
LegendGeneral: 47-site campground at the end of the road. No utilities and no (or very limited) cell service.
Site Quality: All camper pads are paved and wide enough to fit two vehicles. No designated tent pad (but there is room to pitch a tent). RV size is limited to 27 feet. A fire pit, wooden picnic table, and food box complete each site. Most sites are level, but a few are slightly sloped. Good amount of space between sites.
Bath: Vault toilets only; the one nearest our site was clean and well-maintained. I have never seen a vault toilet with a linoleum floor!
Activities/Amenities: Many trails – some just for hiking, but many are multi-use (for hikers, bikers, and horseback riders), and they range from easy to challenging. The Bluff trail has stunning views when the campground is not shrouded in fog. The sunsets can be beautiful as well. The Spooner Ranch House visitor center is worth a quick visit if it is open (hours vary). No dump station, and there are shared water spigots. Firewood is available from the camp host. The host was very present and friendly when we were there.
This is camping the way I like it – no frills, just time to relax and take in the rugged coastline. At night when it is quiet, you can hear the waves. The beach is pebbly sand and not the best for walking on, but nice to take chairs there and enjoy the waves. Poison oak grows throughout the campground, so be cautious.
GuideWe had the best experience here. It was warm, peaceful, and truly the best reset for our family. We took our tent trailer, teenager and 3 dogs. We stayed Thursday through Sunday. The perfect days in my opinion. Water was great for floating and fishing, as well as swimming and watching the boats on the water. We stayed in a campsite, not down by the water. Which was perfect for us. Our dogs loved playing in the water as much as we did. This is truly a great place.
GuideIt was great camping at Islay Creek Campground. It was peaceful, beautiful surroundings, and a decent amount of space between campsites. The coastal air, hills, and nearby ocean views made it a great escape. Access to hiking trails, tide pools, and scenic drives. Watch for ticks, found one on my dog so keep out of the tall grass.
Sites were clean and well cared for, restrooms were not a far walk from my campsite and the overall vibe was quiet and relaxing. Limited cell service, if you’re trying to unplug. Nights get cool and foggy, so pack layers.
Would definitely camp here again.
TravelerThis is a huge park with many places to camp. We were the only ones in the camping loop on the water the night we were there. Tons of birds, wildlife. Only downside was some minor litter.
GuideThis campground is only 25 minutes from the beach. The staff is extremely helpful and friendly and we're very accommodating to me and my dog during a heat wave that was moving through.
Showers are available, they take quarters.
Would absolutely stay here again.
RangerIgnore CAMPGROUND FULL sign at north end near Los Osos as you drive into park about 5 miles north of campground. People cancel and sign is not updated on regular basis. Spooner Ranch House open daily 10am-4pm provides good historical background before taking scenic coastal walk along the Bluff Trail. Other more adventurous inland hike/bike trails also available. Front loop offers camping spaces slightly further apart. Pit toilets in center of loops generally clean. Asphalt paved parking slots a little sloped but can level with blocks. Very dry and brown in campground in August. Foggy and cool most of day... only saw sun a few minutes. Nice paved almost level parking lot with views of Morro Bay about half-way between entrance and campground. Beautiful beach with non-RV parking right below Ranch House.
ScoutThis KOA has had some upgrades. It’s great for trailers. They also have tent camping and some cabins. It’s not a flat cement camping experience. Lots of trees and hills. Mostly dirt roads so it is a little dusty. We have a 45’ 5th wheel and had no problem getting in. The space has full hookups with 50 amp. The water pressure was a little low compared to other places. Great areas for the kids to play and nice pool. Staff is awesome very helpful. There is a large veg fire nearby and we are in a evac warning they made sure everyone was notified and they answered any questions. Definitely will return.
Equestrian camping near San Simeon, California offers options across varied terrains from coastal bluffs to inland foothills at elevations ranging from sea level to about 2,000 feet. The region experiences mild temperatures year-round with summer highs typically reaching 75°F while winter lows rarely drop below 45°F. Fall months bring particularly stable weather patterns, making September through November ideal for extended trail riding trips.
Trail riding with lake views: At Santa Margarita Lake Regional Park, riders can explore miles of trails with lake vistas. "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," notes reviewer Margo A.
Beach riding access: Coastal riding opportunities extend to Oceano's dune system near Pacific Dunes Ranch, where dedicated riding trails connect to beach areas. "Right next to some beautiful dunes. Rv / pull in sites. Have tables restrooms and fire pit relatively close to Oceano/piano," reports Wutang P.
Off-road adventures: For those who prefer motorized recreation with their equestrian activities, Turkey Flat OHV Staging Area offers a combination of horse trails and OHV access. "Turkey Flat is a great place for groups to camp and drink beer around a fire. Wake up and fire up those off-road vehicles and maybe take a gun out to where they hunt turkeys or wild boar," explains Margo A.
Peaceful lake atmosphere: Lopez Lake Recreation Area receives praise for its tranquil setting and wildlife. "We've been to the ropes course too, which is really fun," shares Linda S., highlighting recreational opportunities beyond riding. Another camper notes, "There's lots of trails and quite a bit wildlife: squirrels, deer, turkey, and even some mountain lions and bears."
Spacious campsites: Riders appreciate ample room at Lake San Antonio - North Shore for their equipment. "Launched the boat and anchored it to shore. Literally had the place to ourselves. Fishing was great from shore in morning and dusk. They had clean bathrooms and showers," reports Jack J.
Diverse terrain: The variety of landscapes accessible from Montaña de Oro State Park impresses trail riders. "A beautiful spot. I was hear with a very large group where we split up into smaller group tent sites. We had a good experience but had problems with raccoons trying to get in our tents at night," Amanda K. reports.
Wildlife concerns: Riders must secure feed and equipment due to active wildlife. At Montaña de Oro State Park, raccoons are particularly problematic. "Raccoons will 100% rush your site as soon as you go to sleep to see if there are any fun goodies laying about. Put stuff away," warns Ryan W.
Tick prevalence: Some campgrounds report significant tick issues during spring and early summer months. "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. We went with a party of 11 and found multiple ticks on 5 people," cautions Val H.
Water availability: Water access varies significantly between locations, with some campgrounds requiring riders to bring additional water for horses. Seasonal variations affect water levels at Lake San Antonio, as one camper notes: "During the drought the water level has dropped significantly as well as the quality of the water. Some years the lake is almost dry."
Pool facilities: Santa Margarita KOA offers family-friendly amenities that complement equestrian activities. "They have yurts for tent & cabins," mentions Martha G., while another camper adds, "Fun bounce pad. There is frisbee golf and horse shoes. They even have an Emu that is friendly and your kids can pet."
Educational opportunities: Schedule time to visit the Spooner Ranch House at Montaña de Oro for historical context about regional ranching. "Spooner Ranch House open daily 10am-4pm provides good historical background before taking scenic coastal walk along the Bluff Trail," recommends Leonard H.
Reservation timing: For family equestrian camping trips, book well ahead for holiday weekends and summer dates. "You can make reservations online and you can reserve a specific site. They have sites ranging from primitive to full hookups," advises Jeremy F.
Hookup availability: While many equestrian campgrounds offer basic services, full hookups are limited. "The site has full hookups with 50 amp. The water pressure was a little low compared to other places," notes stacey S. at Santa Margarita KOA.
Leveling requirements: Many equestrian sites require additional leveling equipment due to natural terrain. "Asphalt paved parking slots a little sloped but can level with blocks," shares Leonard H. about Montaña de Oro.
Site selection strategy: Choose sites away from high-traffic riding areas to minimize dust. "We tent camped in space #63..next to a dirt road which looped around the campground. We got nailed with dirt dust every time someone drove by," cautions Lauretta M.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near San Simeon, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near San Simeon, CA is Islay Creek Campground — Montaña de Oro State Park with a 4.3-star rating from 31 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near San Simeon, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 10 equestrian camping locations near San Simeon, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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