10 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Lake San Antonio North Shore offers horse corrals for equestrian camping near Templeton, California, approximately 60 miles northwest of town. This campground provides full hookups for RVs alongside equestrian-specific amenities. The facility accommodates both overnight horse campers and day riders with direct lake access. Tent camping, RV sites, cabins, and glamping options are available throughout the property, with designated areas for horses away from non-equestrian campers. Santa Margarita Lake Regional Park, about 15 miles from Templeton, also offers horse camping with four dedicated equestrian sites. The horse camps require telephone reservations through County Parks rather than online booking like standard sites. Beautiful park with abundant bird life and convenient access to riding opportunities.
Daily trail rides connect campers to the extensive riding network surrounding Lake San Antonio, where riders can explore oak woodland terrain and lake vistas. Horse owners should bring their own feed, as on-site supplies are limited. Trailer parking is available adjacent to the horse corrals at Lake San Antonio, while Santa Margarita Lake provides more primitive accommodations for equestrians. The camping areas remain quiet and super spacious compared to other sites in the region. Water access is available for horses at designated points, though during drought periods, riders should confirm current conditions before arrival. Seasonal considerations affect trail quality, with spring offering the best wildflower viewing and cooler temperatures for riding. Both locations require standard camping fees plus additional charges for horse accommodations, averaging $36-$38 per night for standard sites.
"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."
from $25 - $150 / night
Check Availability"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
Check Availability"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
Check Availability"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
from $30 - $120 / night
"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 - $34 / night
Check Availability
GuideIt's worth dragging your stuff up a small path to get away from the crowds. You can surf and mountain bike here. Our tent was even visited by some people on horse back!
LegendThis is a great spot if proximity to water is important to you. Sites are well maintained but hard to come by—make reservations in advance! Hop away from water and another highlight are the nearby monarch groves where the butterflies migrate to the trees and you can walk through on paths.
GuideSanta Margarita Lake is a lovely, quiet medium size lake used for drinking water in San Luis Obispo County, Los Padres National Forest. There are 60 campsites; 54 tent/RV, 2 Boat-in and 4 horse camps. There is a playground and a pool available in summer as swimming in the lake is not allowed. Canoe/boat rentals are available as well as a launch ramp and marina store. This lake is popular with smaller fishing and recreational boats. Amenities include flush toilets in main camp, picnic table, fire pits but no hook ups. Reservations are online except for horse camps which require a phone call to County Parks 805-788-2387, fees run 38$-36$ per night.
TravelerI 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.
LegendMy favorite thing about this campground are the 4 primitive sites scattered throughout the park—#4 being particularly incredible. Quiet, peaceful and surrounded by skies perched out atop a hill. It is close to the hiking trail so there’s typically foot traffic throughout the day, but you really couldn’t ask for a more quintessential coastal camping experience. Non-strenuous, short distance, easy access hike/gentle walk to the site from where you park. You can request it with the host in the main camp during check in—you won’t regret it. So many stars, beautiful skies and trails accessible to all hiking levels
TravelerI camped in Mustang during the last weekend of September. It was located right next to the water park but they had already closed for the season. The campsites were pretty close to each other and unfortunately we were stuck between two different groups that did not obey the quiet hours. Not a huge deal at night since they were quiet by midnight or so but one of the groups was also loud with kids early in the morning as well. This didn't make the best camping experience but we tried to make the best of it.
The lake was within walking distance but since the water level is so low, you had to walk quite a way out. There are some decent hiking trails you can go on right from the campground. We took the Escondido trail from camp that took us to the top of a ridge and had numerous switchbacks. Great views from the top.
LegendYou can camp just steps from Spooners Cove (great place for swimming!) in Islay Creek Campground. It’s in the Montana De Oro State Park. There are about 50 campsites on either side of a in and out kind of lollipop road up on a flat hill above Spooner’s Cove. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring with grill, and there are a couple of clean vault toilets scattered in the campground. There are some nice trees, but most sites are not suited to hammocking. Many sites will be in full sun most of the day, and there is not much privacy. There is a trail that cuts through the campground, and there are many trailheads nearby. I would not suggest bringing your dog with you because while pets are allowed in the campground, they are not allowed on the trails or on the beach. Also, if you want a fire plan on bringing your own wood or buying it from the camp host as you are not allowed to forage for downed wood. The camp host didn’t seem to have a problem with me collecting some of the wild nasturtiums to add to my dinner (so fun to have edible flowers on my salad, wish I took a picture!).
Supposedly there is a horse camp not too far away, but I can neither confirm or deny as I did not go looking for it.
TravelerThis 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. It is a dry campground and the 7 rv spots are basically on a parking lot but are on the waters edge which is nice. The tent sites are nice and are close the the lake. There is a well stocked and surprisingly well priced store as well as a marina that rents boats and kayaks. The lake has 2 boat launches and miles of hiking trails all within a short walk to the camping area. We get a few tv channels on our antenna but there is no cell reception. 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. This of course always depends on the water level which has been very low some years, but has been good this year. The pool, showers and restrooms are newer, clean and very close to the rv spots but a bit of a walk to most of the tent sites.
LegendLopez Lake Recreation Area is 15 minutes behind the “Village” of Arroyo Grande, CA.
Lopez is a frequently visited spot for us - We generally camp in a primitive site the back of the Squirrel Loop of the park. The Squirrel Loop is not a lakeside loop (you cannot see the lake at all from here), but we have found it to be one of the quieter, less trafficked campground in the park. The Squirrel Loop is nestled inside a canyon, surrounded by big, beautiful live oak trees.
Lopez Lake is a very large campground with many different loops, so many of which are nearby the lake. If you haven’t been to the campground before and are not worried about reserving a site ahead of time, take some time to drive around the park when you arrive to see what area you would most like to camp in - there are a lot of great spots here there and everywhere!
Each site has a picnic table and a fire ring. There are clean plumbed bathrooms, and coin-operated showers. Lopez has full hook-ups for RVs, and a marina to launch boats. There is a small but well-stocked convenience store in the marina with food, ice, firewood, beer, fishing gear, etc. There is also a small cafe located in the marina store, with limited hours.
Lopez Lake is the home of the Mustang Waterpark, a small, but super fun water park. I believe the park is closed during the fall and winter months, but is open during the spring and summer. Swimming is allowed in the lake, and there are some “beach” areas that have been cleared of lake plants and rocks for safe swimming.
Hiking to Big Falls is a fun adventure if you want to leave the campground. There are certain times when the falls are not accessible without 4WD, however, we have been in severe drought conditions in Central California for the last few years, so you don’t have to worry about crossing any deep creeks, if any. A super low clearance vehicle may have a challenging time crossing the creek beds, even when dry. The drive to Big Falls trailhead from Lopez is short, but probably takes 15-20 minutes as you are driving through a curvy, narrow canyon road. The hike is through live oak trees most of the way, so most of the hike is nice and shaded. Keep and eye out for salamanders when crossing the creek beds! While it is unlikely, black bears mountain lions have been spotted on the Big Falls trail, so be aware of your surroundings. Here are directions to the Big Falls trailhead: http://www.hikeslo.com/big-falls/
WARNING : While the possibility of a black bear sighting is fairly uncommon, black bears are seen every year at Lopez Lake. You are in black bear county, and there are no bear boxes/ food lockers at Lopez Lake. I would suggest locking your food and coolers up in the car at night to avoid attracting wild animals to your campsite.
CAMPSITE SPECS
Fees: $35/night (primitive site)
Plumbed Toilets: Yes
Drinking Water: Yes
Showers: Yes (coin-operated)
Picnic Table: Yes
Firepit: Yes
Cooking Grate: Yes
Shade: Yes
Cell Service: No
Animal Bins/Food lockers: No
Trash: Yes
Templeton, California sits at the eastern edge of the Santa Lucia Mountains with elevations ranging from 700 to 1,100 feet. This region experiences a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. Camping options span from lakeside facilities to mountain retreats with temperatures often dropping 20-30 degrees at night even during summer months.
Hiking the Bluff Trail: Montana de Oro State Park offers scenic coastal walking paths within an hour's drive of Templeton. "The sunset from the cliff is a must," notes Ryan W., who adds that "the state park offers days worth of outdoor activity and views forever and ever, with the ability to feel alone only miles from town."
Lake activities: At Lopez Lake Recreation Area, visitors can enjoy water recreation beyond basic swimming. "There is an abundance of wildlife. I came here back in May and the bountiful rain this year led to an abundance of green vegetation," explains Andre V. The lake includes a water park that's popular during hot summer months.
Wildlife viewing: Birdwatching opportunities abound in campgrounds throughout the region. At Santa Margarita Lake Regional Park, campers report excellent wildlife encounters. "Osprey on lake... also saw wild turkey and deer right next to our site," shares Lauretta M., highlighting the diverse fauna in this protected watershed.
Private, secluded sites: Many campgrounds offer well-spaced camping areas that provide privacy. "We were king of the mountain. Campground is remote but SO worth it. A bit pricy but each site has concrete patio along with patio furniture and a nice charcoal grill," shares Roxanna L. about Santa Margarita KOA.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms and shower facilities are consistently mentioned in positive reviews. "Bathrooms and shower are available," notes Chip K. about Lake San Antonio North Shore, adding that "camping spaces are spread out finding shade can be a challenge."
Lake access: Direct water access is highly valued by campers. "Launched the boat and anchored it to shore. Literally had the place to ourselves. Fishing was great from shore in morning and dusk," reports Jack J. about his experience at Lake San Antonio - North Shore, where horse camping facilities complement other recreational options.
Extreme temperature fluctuations: Summer temperatures can exceed 100°F during daytime hours but drop significantly at night. "It was a warm weekend at San Antonio. The temperature at the lake often exceeds 100 in the summer," warns Chip K., suggesting campers prepare for both heat and cooler evenings.
Limited cell reception: Many camping areas have poor or no cellular coverage. "No cell reception, not for us on Verizon anyways, but you can drive about 1/2 mile down the road for it," advises Crystal J. about Lopez Lake Recreation Area.
Pest awareness: Depending on season and location, ticks can be an issue at some campgrounds. "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, suggesting campers take appropriate precautions.
Water park options: Lopez Lake includes a water recreation facility perfect for children during hot months. "The lake is wonderful and usually very mellow. Kayaking and fishing are both nice at Lopez as well," reports Crystal J., making this an excellent family-friendly option near Templeton.
Kid-friendly amenities: Some campgrounds feature specialized recreation areas for younger campers. At Santa Margarita KOA, David H. found that "the playground was open. 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: Pacific Dunes Ranch offers unique learning experiences for children. "They had horseback riding and a small playground," mentions Ryan S. For families interested in equestrian camping near Templeton, California, this provides an introduction to horseback activities without needing to bring your own horses.
Site selection: For RV campers, choosing the right location can make a significant difference. "If you own a rear living trailer this is the place to be, we wake up to the beautiful dunes of the central coast," recommends Teresa S. about Pacific Dunes Ranch, highlighting the scenic advantages of certain sites.
Hookup availability: Not all campgrounds offer full RV connections. "This KOA has had some upgrades. It's great for trailers... The space has full hookups with 50 amp. The water pressure was a little low compared to other places," notes Stacey S. about Santa Margarita KOA.
Accessibility considerations: Some campgrounds have challenging access roads or limited maneuvering space. "We have a 45' 5th wheel and had no problem getting in," reassures Stacey S., providing valuable information for those with larger rigs considering equestrian-friendly camping options near Templeton.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Templeton, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Templeton, CA is Islay Creek Campground — Montaña de Oro State Park with a 4.3-star rating from 30 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Templeton, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 10 equestrian camping locations near Templeton, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
