Horseshoe Springs Campground
Nestled in large grove of oaks. Campground provides solitude for those seeking that type of experience.
- Camping
Outdoors
Camping near Santa Maria
Campgrounds and camping areas near Santa Maria on federal land, with which ones take reservations on Recreation.gov.
Good to know: Popular campgrounds book up months ahead on Recreation.gov; first-come sites fill early on weekends and holidays.
Within 30 miles (8)
American Canyon Campground
American Canyon is a small, secluded campground which borders the Machesna Wilderness. While the campground is accessible through the wilderness, it is a long and strenuous hike as vehicles are not permitted in wilderness areas.
- Camping
- Hunting
Santa Margarita Lake
Managed by San Luis Obispo County Parks, the park is set in rolling oak woodlands and offers boating, a marina and camping. Swimming and other water contact sports are prohibited.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
Turkey Flat Ohv Staging Area
This facility does not accept reservations. Recreation Appealing to ATVs, quad runners, dual sports and single track riders, visitors will find access to 45 miles of marked and rated trails geared toward the beginner to experienced rider,…
- Biking
- Camping
La Panza Campground
La Panza Campground is full of opportunities to relax or explore the forest. Nearby is Machesna Mountain Wilderness where hiking, hunting and horseback riding are popular. Off-high vehicle (OHV) recreation is also plentiful in the area.
- Biking
- Camping
Mt. Figueroa Campground
Experience life elevated when you enjoy vistas of wildflowers, star gazing, and summer campouts atop Figueroa Mountain.
- Biking
- Camping
Davy Brown Campground
Nestled on beautiful Figueroa Mountain, this charming campground sits alongside the serenely flowing Davy Brown Creek.
- Biking
- Camping
Navajo Flats Campground
Navajo Flat Campground, off-highway vehicle (OHV) Trailhead and day use area is an ideal location for OHV enthusiasts to enjoy the many trails in the surrounding area.
- Biking
- Camping
- Hiking
- Wildlife viewing
30 to 75 miles (16)
Nira Campground
Nira Campground is a beautiful site covered in oak trees and located along Manzana Creek.
- Biking
- Camping
Selby Campground
Camping is available on a first come-first serve basis. Thirteen campsites with picnic tables, fire pits, horse corrals and a wheelchair accessible vault toilet. Electricity and drinking water is not available.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Photography
- Wildlife viewing
Cachuma Lake
Cachuma Reservoir, formed by Bradbury Dam , offers a prime recreational opportunity for the south central coast area of California.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hotel/Lodge/Resort Fs Owned
- Nature education
Cerro Alto Campground
Cerro Alto Campground is a well-known hiking and mountain biking paradise. It is located a short distance from the sandy beaches of Morro Bay, where visitors enjoy surfing, fishing, kayaking, sailing, scuba diving and more.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Swimming
- Water sports
KCL Campground
Camping is available on a first come-first serve basis--we do not take reservations. The campground has 12 campsites, 3 with elevated tent pads. There is an accessible vault toilet, along with picnic tables and fire rings.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Photography
- Wildlife viewing
Fremont Campground
Fremont Campground is a family-friendly facility located just off California's western coast. It provides access to a variety of hiking, biking and horseback riding trails, as well as some off-road vehicle trails, in a scenic area.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Horseback riding
- Swimming
Los Prietos
Los Prietos Campground is situated in the Los Padres National Forest and provides access to a variety of outdoor adventures, including water-related recreation and hiking.
- Biking
- Camping
- Fishing
- Swimming
Paradise Campground
Paradise Campground is a beautiful place to enjoy California's westernmost national forest. It provides access to a variety of recreational activities, including hiking, biking, horseback riding and more.
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Swimming
Carrizo Plain National Monument
All vehicles including UTVs on the monument must be street-legal (DMV plated) and all vehicles must stay on roads. REMINDER: Please follow warning signs and respect private property when visiting your public lands.
- Biking
- Camping
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
- Nature education
- Photography
- Wildlife viewing
Sage Hill
Nestled in the Santa Ynez Mountain Range, Sage Hill Campground is a great group camping spot with easy access to the Santa Ynez River.
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
- Swimming
Upper Oso Campground
Upper Oso Campground provides ample opportunity for exploration of California's coastal mountains. It is a family-friendly campground, equipped with equestrian sites, and is close to a variety of trails and several mountain streams.
- Biking
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Swimming
Temblor Recreation Area
Temblor Recreation Area was newly designated in the Bakersfield RMP (December 2014) and provides opportunities for OHV riding on a network of over 200 miles of designated routes, recreational shooting, hunting, and other dispersed forms of…
- Biking
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
- Off-highway vehicles
- Photography
- Wildlife viewing
Los Padres National Forest
- Biking
- Camping
- Climbing
- Hiking
- Off-highway vehicles
- Picnicking
- Swimming
- Water sports
Lake Casitas
Lake Casitas is formed by Casitas Dam , which is a feature of the Ventura Project . Lake Casitas Recreation Area offers one of the nations best bass fishing areas.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Nature education
- Picnicking
- Ranger programs
Channel Islands National Park
Channel Islands National Park encompasses five remarkable islands and their ocean environment, preserving and protecting a wealth of natural and cultural resources.
- Boating
- Camping
- Diving
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Paddling
- Picnicking
- Snorkeling
Stockdale Mountain
Private property surrounds Stockdale Mountain. Do not enter through private gates or fences.
- Biking
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
- Photography
- Wildlife viewing
75 miles and farther (2)
Curry Mountain
Parking access onto nearly 1,800 acres of Bureau of Land Management property in this area is provided through an easement from the California Department of Fish and Game.
- Biking
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
- Photography
- Wildlife viewing
Williams Hill
Located in southern Monterey County, and standing over 2,700 feet in elevation, Williams Hill offers great views of the surrounding Salinas Valley.
- Biking
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Off-highway vehicles
- Photography
- Wildlife viewing
Distances are straight-line miles from downtown Santa Maria. Listings come from Recreation.gov’s federal recreation database; check each official page for hours, fees, fire restrictions and closures before you go.
More outdoors near Santa Maria
- Hiking near Santa Maria
- Fishing near Santa Maria
- Boating and kayaking near Santa Maria
- Biking and mountain biking near Santa Maria
- Picnic spots near Santa Maria
- Horseback riding near Santa Maria
- Wildlife viewing and birding near Santa Maria
- Swimming holes and lakes near Santa Maria
- Parks in Santa Maria
- Day trips
- Weather by month
Questions
Where is the closest place for camping near Santa Maria?
Horseshoe Springs Campground (USDA Forest Service), about 19 miles east of Santa Maria as the crow flies. Next are American Canyon Campground (24 mi) and Santa Margarita Lake (27 mi).
When is the best time for camping near Santa Maria?
Based on Santa Maria’s average highs, all year. Conditions at higher elevations can be much cooler.
Can I reserve a campsite near Santa Maria?
13 of the 26 places listed here take reservations on Recreation.gov; others are first come, first served.
Who manages these places?
Federal agencies including USDA Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation. Each listing links to its official page for hours, fees, closures and current conditions.