The Central Coast area surrounding Templeton offers a mix of hillside campsites and lakeside accommodations within 25 miles of town. Summer temperatures typically range from 50°F at night to 90°F during day, with most campgrounds accessible year-round despite seasonal water level fluctuations at lake properties. Several campgrounds combine conventional camping with boutique accommodations that provide alternative options to the popular glamping spots.
What to do
Hike Cerro Alto Trail: Located inside Cerro Alto Campground, this trail provides excellent views on clear days. A camper noted, "Cerro Alto Trail is located right inside the campground. Day Use parking is $10. The hike is really beautiful and on a clear day you can see the ocean at peak!"
Explore marine wildlife: Take a short 20-minute drive from camping areas to coastal attractions. According to a reviewer at Cerro Alto Campground, "Easy drive to Morro Bay Rock where you can see otters, sea lions, and lots of marine life. Morro Bay is a bird sanctuary so you can always see Great Blue Herons, White Herons, Ospreys, Pelicans, Cormorants, Turkey Vultures, and more!"
Rent boats and equipment: Several lake-based campgrounds offer watercraft rentals. At Lopez Lake Recreation Area, "There is a launch ramp and marina store in the campground." Another camper mentioned, "Kayaking and fishing are both nice at Lopez as well."
Visit nearby wineries: The Paso Robles wine region sits minutes from most Templeton area campgrounds. From Oceano Campground, one visitor noted it was "Just a couple blocks from the beach make this conveniently located. A couple liquor stores and restaurants down the street as well."
What campers like
Lake access for recreation: Lake San Antonio offers multiple water activities. A visitor shared, "Launched the boat and anchored it to shore. Literally had the place to ourselves. Fishing was great from shore in morning and dusk."
Nature observation opportunities: Bird watchers appreciate the diverse wildlife. One camper at Cerro Alto Campground commented, "There are so many different birds here as well. We fell asleep to the sound of a resident Pygmy Owl hooting and woke up to Acorn Woodpeckers, Toweys, Robins, Steller Jays, and Warblers singing."
Spacious campsites: Many campers appreciate sites with adequate room. At Cerro Alto, one visitor mentioned, "Campsites are spread pretty far apart, are fairly large, and have most have pretty good privacy. I think Campsite #18 is one of the best! It's HUGE, tucked in the far corner, close to the hiking trail, fairly close to toilets, and has its own water spigot."
Star viewing: The minimal light pollution creates excellent night sky viewing opportunities. A reviewer at Santa Margarita KOA mentioned, "We had some great views, great trails for hiking and I enjoyed the fact that they had an astronomer one of the evenings to star gaze."
What you should know
Wildlife precautions: Be alert for various wildlife encounters. A Cerro Alto Campground visitor warned, "There is poison oak EVERYWHERE so do not go wandering off into the brush. TICKS TICKS TICKS. Make sure you read the warnings and stay on the trails. We actually saw ticks during our hike."
Water status changes: Lake levels fluctuate seasonally. At Lake San Antonio South Shore, a camper reported, "There is no potable water available, not even a water fountain. People and animals cannot touch the water. You cannot fish or swim in the lake."
Bathroom facilities vary: Campground bathroom quality differs widely between locations. At Cerro Alto Campground, one camper warned, "No showers and only pit (long drop) toilets. They provide toilet paper, but it is superrrrr thin. Bring your own."
Seasonal differences: Weather conditions change dramatically by season. A visitor to Lopez Lake Recreation Area noted, "No cell reception, not for us on Verizon anyways, but you can drive about 1/2 mile down the road for it."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Santa Margarita KOA offers numerous activities for children. One visitor shared, "Great for young families. There is a pool, jumping pillow, playground, etc. RV spots are on flat, dusty parking areas and are easy to navigate."
Water activities: Families enjoy water recreation opportunities. A camper at Lake Nacimiento Resort stated, "We camped right on the lake and were able to pay to have our boat docked overnight. Huge lake awesome experience, we were able to do some night wake boarding which I had never done."
Alternative glamping accommodations: For families wanting more comfort near Templeton, look beyond standard camping. According to a Santa Margarita KOA visitor, "They have yurts for tent & cabins."
Bathroom proximity: Consider site location relative to facilities. A camper at Cerro Alto mentioned, "Our site (#18) was awesome! It was spacious enough for our 10-person tent and more. It even had a water faucet for easy cleaning."
Tips from RVers
Site selection cautions: Large rigs face challenges at some locations. At Flying Flags Avila Beach, a camper noted, "When they designed it, they didn't really make enough room to maneuver. I watched a Class A next to plow up a bank with his front end. Some scratches resulted and some plowed earth."
Hookup availability: RV services vary by campground. At Lake Nacimiento Resort, visitors can access "electric hookups, thirty-amp hookups, sewer hookups, showers, toilets, trash, water hookups."
Dust considerations: Some sites have dirt roads that create dust issues. At Santa Margarita KOA, a camper observed, "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."
Off-grid preparation: Not all glamping areas near Templeton provide full hookups. One camper at Oceano Campground advised, "Only sites with hookups can be reserved."
