RV rental Santa Margarita Lake, CA: Motorhome rentals, camper van rentals and more
RV rental Santa Margarita Lake, CA: Motorhome rentals, camper van rentals and more
Discover Santa Margarita Lake RV rentals for memorable road trips
In 1941, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers dammed Salinas River to create a reservoir supplying water to Camp San Luis Obispo. This former military camp evolved into a thriving town of around 300,000 people. Santa Margarita Lake is nestled inside a horseshoe-shaped valley full of arroyos and desert plains.
The closest large town is Santa Margarita, CA, a little over 10 miles northwest. San Luis Obispo is on the other side of the western mountain ridge. The fastest route is about 21 miles via a mountain pass, though as the crow flies, it’s only 11 miles. To help gain access to beautiful, wild California, search for an RV in San Luis Obispo, CA.
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Getting Outdoors
Resembling an elongated spiny seahorse on maps, Santa Margarita Lake has plenty of elbow room. The rolling brown hills lining the lake are dotted by scrub oaks and hardy desert bushes, lending a hint of color to an otherwise dull landscape. Reflecting the bold blue sky, the dark, deep waters are a glistening shade of navy blue.With Santa Margarita Lake being used as a water supply for Santa Margarita, swimming is strictly prohibited, though there is a small swimming pool for visitors to cool off in. However, other recreational activities are welcomed. Kayak, sail, jet-ski, or idle in a rocking rowboat waiting for fish to bite. Anglers can expect to catch largemouth bass, catfish, carp, crappie, and a few other types of fish.Surrounding the lake is Santa Margarita Lake Natural Area, an open-space region encompassing several thousand acres of arroyos, canyons, hills, and desert. Hikers and horseback riders have dozens of miles of trails to explore. Outdoor adventurers should keep a wary eye out for rattlesnakes and other nonvenomous snakes, which often enjoys sunbathing on dusty trails. High overhead, bald eagles, hawks, and other raptor birds circle on updraft in their endless search for easy prey. Though rare, California Condors occasionally are sighted sharing the skies.For more wilderness and solitude, head west. The Santa Lucia Wilderness is a hidden gem that is shadowed by the larger sister mountain region to the south, Los Padres National Forest. Santa Lucia Wilderness encompasses around 20,000 acres of a mountainside. Small springs and waterfalls spring up in early springs. The closest waterfall, Little Falls, is almost straight south from the lake. At the end of a five-mile hike, adventurers are rewarded with a 50-foot cascading waterfall that tumbles over rocks and boulders.
Camping at Santa Margarita Lake
When planning your camping at Santa Margarita Lake, be sure to figure out where you’ll park the rental travel trailer. Though Santa Margarita Lake has three campgrounds, there are no hookups, and amenities are limited. Coin-operated showers are available, however.The KOA at Santa Margarita Lake may be an option. It has several amenities like WiFi, 30/50 amps, and a dog run area. The RV campground also offers several planned activities and events that guests can participate in. Central Coast Astronomical Society hosts a monthly dark-sky party, at which KOA guests can use borrowed telescopes to stargaze.Go RV camping on mountaintops and enjoy the vast sweeping views and the rich starry night skies. Hi Mountain Campground, which is on the northern tip of the Los Padres National Forest, is a quiet, secluded spot. No reservations are necessary; however, portions of the road can be difficult for large RVs and motorhomes to navigate.There are pockets of Bureau of Land Management lands in the Mojave desert around the Santa Margarita Lake that can be used for primitive camping. Check maps carefully, however -- some are leased to local ranchers and may not allow RV camping.
Exploring the Area
Out in the rural, rugged country, it’s hard to believe that there’s anything to do or places to see. Indeed, local landmarks and attractions are far apart. Traveling to them is made painless with a rental motorhome. Established in 1858, the Pozo Saloon of Pozo, CA, is one last remnant of an Old West town. Today, it’s an intimate entertainment venue for headliners like Willie Nelson, Snoop Dogg, and Black Crowes.Walk on the wild side at Charles Paddock Zoo in Atascadero. Though it’s a small facility, the zoo is actively contributing to the conservation efforts of endangered and threatened wildlife. Resident critters include panda, duck-billed platypus, and Malayan tiger.Grapes somehow thrive in this harsh environment. Several wineries and vineyards dot the arid, dry landscape. Hop into a rental RV and find your favorite vintage, whether it’s a California white or red. Tolosa, a few miles south of San Luis Obispo, is an award-winning winery. Partnered with one of the top 25 Master Sommeliers in the USA, Bob Bath, Tolosa specializes in producing Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays. The wine tasting room looks out on several acres of grapevines laid out in neat, tidy rows. Tours of the grounds and the cellars are available, as well.Load up the kiddos and embark on the perfect California adventure with a Santa Margarita camper rental.
We had a wonderful time, and Amir took amazing care of us. The camper was incredibly comfortable. We comfortably slept as a family of five in it for several nights. It made a huge difference to our camping holiday.