Summary:
Santa Margarita Lake came from the construction of the Salinas Dam in 1941. The lake was originally designed to furnish water to Camp San Luis Obispoand is now a major source of drinking water for the City of San Luis Obispo.
The park first opened for fishing and boating in 1957. Regularly stocked and with new high water levels it's a fisherman's heaven. The marina is re-opening for the first time in three years, allowing fishermen to access coves and catch that big one (or brag about the one that got away).
There are four drive in camping areas and two ride or boat in camps. A very nice KOA campground is built into the hills just a 1/4 mile outside the gate, close enough to walk in.
There are trails to a dam overlook, paralleling the mainroad, and to the opposite side coming from River Rd.
Activities: Fishing, horseback riding, and hiking seem to be the main activities. There's no body contact with the water, so no swimming, skiing or jet skis.
Just outside the gate there's a BMX bicycle course and horse stables.
Area Attractions: A few are possibilites are events at Pozo Saloon on the weekend, antiquing in Santa Margarita, golf at Chalk Mountain Atascadero, wine tasting in Templeton and Paso Robles, or the many events in Paso Robles and San Luis Obispo.
Food & Sundries: The KOA has a small store with basics, there's a larger store with bait at the corner of Pozo Rd and Lake. There are a few more shops in Santa Margarita, but you'll have to travel into Atascadero or San Luis Obispo for anything more.
Directions: From the 101 take the Santa Margarita head west. On the far side of town take a right on Estrada (Pozo) Rd. Travel approximately 8 miles and take a left on Lake Rd. Santa Margarita Lake is at the end of the rd approximately 2 miles down.
Camping & RV: There are several drive-in and boat-in campgrounds around the lake, as well as a KOA just outside the gate. Fresh water is available at or near many sites, but no electricity. There's a dump station that was closed when I was there in April of 2005. The brochure discusses dumping gray water, but I'd talk to the rangers first.
There were restrooms, but I didn't see any showers. There's no body contact with the water, so you can't just jump in and rinse off.
There's a dump station at the KOA for a fee. Inquire at the store for more info.
Reservations are available or you can show up and try your luck.
