3,100-acre Cachuma Lake is located 25 miles north of Santa Barbara. Four Cachuma Lake Campgrounds along the lake's southern shore are operated by Santa Barbara County Parks. Fishing for bass, rainbow trout, and other fish is popular at the lake. No body contract is allowed with the lake's water, but visitors take advantage of the swimming pool to cool off.
Cachuma Lake Campgrounds offer more than 400 campsites for RVs, trailers, and tents:
Yurts sleep up to 5 or 6 and range from $65 to $90 per night.
There is a 2-night minimum on Friday and Saturday nights and 3 nights on holiday weekends at any of the Cachuma Lake Campgrounds. A hundred sites have full hook-ups and another 30 have electric and water hook-ups only. Cachuma Lake also has 10 Group Camps and a Hike & Bike site.
| Cachuma Lake Campgrounds Basics | |
|---|---|
| Cachuma Lake Campgrounds Location: | 1 Lakeview Dr, Santa Barbara
25 miles north of Santa Barbara |
| Elevation: | 900 feet |
| Camping Season: | Open year-round |
| Number of Sites: | 400+ |
| Max. People per Site: | 6 (including children) |
| Vehicles per Site: | 1 (fee per night for 2nd vehicle) |
| Pets: | On leash, always attended, maximum 2, $3 per day fee; Dog Park available |
| Operated by | Santa Barbara County Parks |
| Recorded Information: | (805) 686-5054 |
| Cachuma Lake Park office: | (805) 686-5055 |
| Reservations at Cachuma Lake Campgrounds | |
|---|---|
| Reservations available | Reservations can be made for camping dates up to 6 months in advance. |
| Maximum Vehicle Length: | any length |
| Accessible Sites: | Accessible sites available |
| Fees: | Basic campsites: $30 - $35
Full Hook-up sites: $50 - $55 Partial Hook-up sites: $45 - $50 Premium Lake-view sites: $45 Lower rates are from October through March. |
| Reservations: | Cachuma Lake Campground Reservations |
| Check-in, Check-out: | 3:00 PM, 1:00 PM |
| Cachuma Lake Campground Amenities | |
|---|---|
| Campsite: | Picnic table, fire ring with grill, some sites with hook-ups |
| Campground: | Restrooms with flush toilets, laundromat, store, amphitheater, playground, recreation hall |
| Showers: | Yes |
| Dump Station: | Yes |
| Campground Map: | Cachuma Lake Campgrounds Maps |
| Attractions near Cachuma Lake Campgrounds: | Head to the marina for boat rentals (no water contact, so no jet skis, water skiing, etc.), Enjoy fishing from shore or boat. Cool off in the swimming pool. Tour the nature center and join a Nature Walk. Set out to explore the lake's hiking trails and equestrian trails. Children 6-12 can participate in Junior Rangers. Take your dog to the Dog Park. In summer, enjoy a Nature Night or Astronomy Night at the fireside theater.
Best Bass Fishing Lures |
Cachuma Lake has 10 group camping areas for group sizes ranging from 32 to 120. Group sites have picnic tables, food preparation tables, BBQ grills, large fire rings, and piped water. Some sites have electric lighting and outlets. the Apache Pines group site has 13 RV pads, each with water and electrical hook-ups.
Group Camping Areas Details
Fees: $230 to $865 per night
Reservations: Cachuma Lake Group Campsite Reservations
Cachuma Lake Pool
Cachuma Lake Campground
Visitors to Southern California beaches and lakes have so many places to explore and enjoy. For those who decide to camp at one of the Cachuma Lake Campgrounds they have not only a great fishing lake, but also a swimming pool for everyone to cool off in.
Check Cachuma Lake Recreation Area for any campground updates.
Opening and closing dates of campgrounds are only estimates, usually dependent on snow conditions. Not all campsites can accommodate trailers or RVs of all lengths. If using a reservation website, check to be sure your vehicles will fit in the parking space for your campsite.
In order to prevent the spread of invasive insects, obtain firewood locally.
