Best Dispersed Camping near Santa Margarita, CA

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Santa Margarita, CA (6)


Recent Dispersed Reviews in Santa Margarita

57 Reviews of 6 Santa Margarita Campgrounds


  • Laura M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Williams Hill Recreation Area
    Sep. 30, 2024

    Williams Hill Recreation Area

    Free established BLM campground

    We stayed here for 3 nights in the summer, arriving on a Sunday, and it was great. I was worried about the heat, but it really wasn’t too bad, even on the hot days (low 90s) it cools down in the evening and didn’t get hot until early afternoon. Just be sure to get one of the shady spots! We set up in site #1 when we first arrived because it was private and had nice views, but it was way too much direct sun. We moved to #4 and it was much better- shady and even better views. 

    There were other people here when we stayed here but everyone was very quiet and respectful, and we didn’t hear any shooting like other reviews have mentioned— this may be due to the ban on shooting (and camp fires) at this time because of fire danger, but I was still impressed and surprised that people respected the ban. There is one pit toilet that we didn’t check out, but man you can smell it if you camp in one of the sites near to it. 

    We saw one volunteer/employee come and clean things up while we were here. We were pleasantly surprised that the trash wasn’t too bad here. No trash service so please pack out your waste. Cell service is good up at the campground, though you do lose it in parts on the drive up. We made it up in our 26ft class c no problem, though the road is narrow at times and we were glad we didn’t come across any oncoming traffic. Sites are relatively flat/ fixable with levels. Two of the sites are huge/ pull throughs so would be good for bigger rigs or big groups. If you get up here and all the sites are taken, there are several spots outside of the campground where you can disperse camp. 

    This is an OHV area but we didn’t see any while we were here. We hiked along the OHV trails and there was nothing- but I could see it getting busy on the weekends. 

    There's a 14 day stay limit. No water provided up here.

    My only complaint was the BEES! They were everywhere and aggressive, and all in our face, but didn’t sting us. One of the campers said that this was unusual though. Really nice campground, amazing that it’s free! Thanks BLM!

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from TV Tower Road Dispersed Camping
    Sep. 20, 2024

    TV Tower Road Dispersed Camping

    Spots along road when pavement ends

    Didn't have to go as far as GPS pin led me to believe, spot on right shortly after pavement ends. A bit trashed, wish I had a bag to clean up, some bigger stuff like a kids bike, to etc

  • Andrew S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from TV Tower Road Dispersed Camping
    Jul. 31, 2024

    TV Tower Road Dispersed Camping

    Lots of options

    Along the road, there are lots of exposed options and a few camping options in the trees. I drove the entire road and would not recommend doing that without four wheel drive. Was pleased with all the options though. Stay in the trees to avoid the wind.

  • Rosemary L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Williams Hill Recreation Area
    Jul. 1, 2024

    Williams Hill Recreation Area

    Great get away

    Clean camp. Restroom was clean. View was beautiful. There was a 6 mile dirt road to the camp. Easy signage. Saw wild boar and dear along the way. Drove a Hyundai Accent.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from TV Tower Road Dispersed Camping
    Jun. 17, 2024

    TV Tower Road Dispersed Camping

    Windy with Expansive Views of SLO

    When I saw the TV tower road sign, that marked the last paved road until the actual TV tower hill.  I rode all the way to the end with some medium difficulty off roading there are some steep bits with uneven terrain.  Taking the road up to TV tower are some of the best views you can get from the surrounding area.  John R.'s review accurately sums up the camping experience.  The wind was shaking my tent all night until the morning.  But thankfully I had bugspray the insect problem was solved.  Nightsky was amazing! I saw a shooting star and many satellites.  Would for sure camp again if in the San Luis Obispo area.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Williams Hill Recreation Area
    Jun. 16, 2024

    Williams Hill Recreation Area

    Quiet and peaceful

    The drive up has around five miles of very well maintained dirt road, but very much worth it. Some dispersed camping areas and a campground with 5 spots with a shelter and a picnic table at each one. Bathroom was very clean.

    Views are magnificent.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from TV Tower Road Dispersed Camping
    Jun. 9, 2024

    TV Tower Road Dispersed Camping

    Beautiful View!

    The road was a bit sketchy, any 4WD would be fine I think. I took my mini van and camped at a turn out along the road because I was a bit hesitant, but again, others would probably be fine. There were lots of people going up the road until very late at night, then turning around and coming back down (I assume because there were no spots?) The stars are beautiful and it's very quiet and cool. Got cold at night but nothing unbearable, lovely sunrise too! I'd recommend bringing a warm sleeping bag and any essentials for dispersed camping. Honestly such a beautiful place, next time I'd like to find a space to set up my tent. Loved it!

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Williams Hill Recreation Area
    Apr. 25, 2024

    Williams Hill Recreation Area

    Beautiful Views on Top of the Mountain

    It is a long 5 miles up a long dirt road which is actually pretty nice compared to others we have traveled. There are some steep hairpinish turns that we had to disconnect our toad but wow when you get there it is perfect. So peaceful and very clean. We are in a 36’ class a with jeep toad

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Williams Hill Recreation Area
    Apr. 21, 2024

    Williams Hill Recreation Area

    Nice BLM

    The road to come to the BLM was not bad, we came with a van and had no problems. The campground is nice and clean, vault toilet with TP &clean. Camp spots with table & shade & the view on the hills is incredible

  • sarah M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Other Pullout on TV Tower Road - Dispersed Site
    Mar. 26, 2024

    Other Pullout on TV Tower Road - Dispersed Site

    beautiful spot

    Manageable with fwd vehicle, i’ve taken my car on worse. Got there around 2pm and was the only car in sight until 4 ish when a car pulled up and parked for the night 5 feet away from me 🙄 RUDE!! Remember to be respectful of others space especially if there’s 15+ other spots available. lots of sunset watchers but none stayed the night

  • Nicole M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from TV Tower Road Dispersed Camping
    Mar. 17, 2024

    TV Tower Road Dispersed Camping

    sketchy

    very sketchy getting up there in a van as its a narrow one lane road with a vertical drop, as a solo female traveller felt pretty unsafe around the guys at the top there that i ended up leaving. its beautiful up there but wouldn't feel safe at all staying overnight.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Williams Hill Recreation Area
    Nov. 8, 2023

    Williams Hill Recreation Area

    Better than expected!

    Very nice and quiet and clean campground. Arrived late Friday afternoon and left Sunday evening. Camp had a fire ring, shaded concrete patio and a picnic table. The single vault toilet was clean and sufficiently stocked with TP. No other amenities other than what the forest provides. Lots of area to explore, but this is mainly an off road vehicle area.

  • Jules R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from TV Tower Road Dispersed Camping
    Nov. 4, 2023

    TV Tower Road Dispersed Camping

    Windy cliffside

    Drove up here at night and the road is windy and bumpy and narrow and youre on the side of a cliff. Was a bit scary but the view was beautiful in the morning. The wind is loud and powerful and will push your car a bit thru the night. No restrooms but lots of shrubbery. Got there at 11 pm and the stars were amazing due to no light pollution.

  • GThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Other Pullout on TV Tower Road - Dispersed Site
    Jul. 7, 2023

    Other Pullout on TV Tower Road - Dispersed Site

    Cool Ridgetop camping

    Awesome spot on the ridge, lots of sites up past the mountain bike staging area and the best spots are a little past the TV tower its self. Best with a decent clearance 4wd - definitely not an RV spot. Windy at night for sure, and can be a bit busy with people going past on the road. Takes a while to go up - winding road, so give plenty of time. But cool spot off the 101 and right near SLO

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from TV Tower Road Dispersed Camping
    Apr. 1, 2023

    TV Tower Road Dispersed Camping

    very good view

    When we got here, the sun was setting and we had an incredible view. There is no toilet, but there are bushes everywhere so if you don’t mind that should be no problem. For one night it is perfect, make sure you come here before the sun sets and you have a car that can handle rough terrain.

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Williams Hill Recreation Area
    Mar. 27, 2023

    Williams Hill Recreation Area

    Amazing view

    The view is amazing!! I would recommend driving up the mountain through Lockwood, the drive is much easier and less scary. We arrived around 5:30pm (end of march) and there was only 1 spot left

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Williams Hill Recreation Area
    Mar. 7, 2023

    Williams Hill Recreation Area

    Clean with some views

    Beautiful place, wish I couldn’t hear the gunshots but at least they’re far away. I’m from Los Angeles so I don’t mind the shots but would prefer to hear the birds more.

  • Wandering C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Williams Hill Recreation Area
    Feb. 24, 2023

    Williams Hill Recreation Area

    Free BLM

    Amenities include one vault toilet, sometimes runs out of toilet paper on a busy weekend, picnic tables with shelter and fire pits. No water, no trash, fire bans most the dry months.

  • Tim W.
    Camper-submitted photo from TV Tower Road Dispersed Camping
    Oct. 10, 2022

    TV Tower Road Dispersed Camping

    Easy Access with views

    Was passing thru SLO and needed an easy access spot to sleep for the night. Started with a paved road into dirt on the way up and passed a few other cars on the way up. Found a nice pull out for the truck and woke up to a nice view!

  • John R.
    Camper-submitted photo from TV Tower Road Dispersed Camping
    Sep. 30, 2022

    TV Tower Road Dispersed Camping

    The Battle of Tower Hill

    The road up is truly awesome. However, the flies will swarm and begin to collectively murder you. Once you think you are safe inside your tent, the endless popping of gunshots from the shooting range nearby will lull you to sleep, but also induce some pretty f-d up dreams. Now that it’s actually dark, the TV Tower begins to strobe into your tent all night like a pulsing defibrillator on your eyeballs. After your body is too fatigue to care or you’ve cut a breathing hole into a brown bag and put it on your head, immeasurable gusts of wind will blow your house down. The only thing you can now look forward to is taking out your rage on the flies that will meet you outside of your tent. Let the battle begin.

  • Jade M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from TV Tower Road Dispersed Camping
    Aug. 13, 2022

    TV Tower Road Dispersed Camping

    too much wind

    Pulled up right before sunset. Main lot of was full but kept driving and found a cute little site with a view. Great sunset with magical colors. The wind was INSANE!!! No protection and the wind only got crazier as the night went on. Ended up breaking down camp at 3 am because we did not get any sleep. I would stay here again if there was no wind but if the same conditions I would not camp again.

  • Summer A.
    Camper-submitted photo from TV Tower Road Dispersed Camping
    Jul. 17, 2022

    TV Tower Road Dispersed Camping

    Seclusion

    We came up to TV tower road and found a great spot to pull the car into, with a little trail that pulls off to a spot to pitch the tent. This is definitely a great spot for car camping, parking, or camping. It was absolutely beautiful, and we only passed a few cars on the way up. Our 4WD car was able to handle the dirt road. The drive was manageable, but high up!

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from TV Tower Road Dispersed Camping
    Jun. 4, 2022

    TV Tower Road Dispersed Camping

    Nice views windy. Busy in weekend

    Nice place to go for car camping. There were a lot of other campers along the road in different spots. I didn't drive all the way to the end but turned and picked a spot that looked nice. A bit windy, but great views in the morning.



Frequently Asked Questions

  • Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Santa Margarita, CA?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Santa Margarita, CA is TV Tower Road Dispersed Camping with a 4.1-star rating from 27 reviews.

  • What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Santa Margarita, CA?

    TheDyrt.com has all 6 dispersed camping locations near Santa Margarita, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.