Published

CampgroundCalifornia, United States

Santa Margarita Lake Recreation Area

Campground in California, managed by US Army Corps of Engineers.

0.0 (0) 0 viewsPlaces and POI • Recreation Areas

69°F Sunny

0 activities

35.3284°, -120.4909°

Overview

Santa Margarita Lake Recreation Area is a public recreation site in California, managed by US Army Corps of Engineers.

Recreation

On site and nearby you'll find Boating, Camping, Fishing, Picnicking, Water Sports, Playground Park Specialized Sport Site.

The surrounding public land supports the usual mix of outdoor recreation, and anglers will find largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, trout, catfish, crappie and striped bass in nearby waters.

Best Time to Visit

This site is good much of the year. Spring and fall bring mild weather and thinner crowds; summer is busiest, so go early in the day in the warm months.

Access and Directions

Santa Margarita Lake Recreation Area is reached by public road.

Safety

Check the weather and any closures before you go, carry water, and tell someone your plans. Cell service is often limited on public land — download maps in advance and be wildlife-aware where applicable.

Regulations

Practice Leave No Trace: pack out all trash, stay on designated routes and roads, and respect posted rules, closures and fire restrictions — bans are common in dry summer months. Keep pets leashed where required and give wildlife room.

Tips

Go early on summer weekends to beat crowds and heat, bring layers and your own water, and double-check current conditions and seasonal access before you commit to the drive.

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Campground Data0 / 12 fields

Campground Data

0 / 12 fields

Ratings & Status

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General

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Wildlife & Natural Features

No wildlife or natural features documented yet. Know what lives here? Contribute!

Observations

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Within 25 mi

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Map of Santa Margarita Lake Recreation Area

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Location

California

United StatesUS

35.32836°, -120.49089°

recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/247875 (Official Website)

Current Weather

Updated 6:09 PM

69°F

Sunny

Feels like 82°

Wind

3.2 mph WNW

Humidity

48%

Visibility

18 mi

UV Index

11

5-Day Forecast

Sun 1%75° 48°

Mon 1%70° 51°

Tue 5%71° 52°

Wed 8%69° 52°

Thu 4%71° 50°

Activities

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Added Jun 27, 2026

Data Disclaimer & Safety Notice

Conditions at outdoor locations change rapidly and without notice. Trail status, road access, facility availability, hours of operation, permit requirements, and fee structures listed on Hang Outdoors represent a snapshot in time and may be outdated by the time you visit. Seasonal closures, wildfire damage, flood damage, washouts, and temporary management actions are not reflected in real time.

Check directly with the land management agency — NPS, USFS, BLM, state park, or equivalent — for current conditions before heading out. Some high-demand locations require advance permits that sell out weeks or months ahead. Hang Outdoors does not guarantee access to any location and is not responsible for trip planning decisions made on the basis of information displayed on this platform.

Information on Hang Outdoors is provided for general informational purposes only. Data may be incomplete, inaccurate, or outdated. A significant portion of our content is crowd-sourced or user-contributed and has not been independently verified. Always consult official sources, qualified professionals, or local authorities before making decisions based on information found on this platform. Hang Outdoors makes no warranties — express or implied — regarding the accuracy, completeness, reliability, or suitability of any information on this site. Use of this data is entirely at your own risk.

User-Contributed & Crowd-Sourced Data

Observations, sightings, catch reports, attribute values, images, and other user-submitted content have not been independently verified by Hang Outdoors. Reported species locations, catch weights, sizes, and environmental conditions are self-reported and may be inaccurate, exaggerated, or outdated. We reserve the right to remove inaccurate or inappropriate content but cannot guarantee the accuracy of all user-submitted information at any given time.