KCL Campground
Carrizo Plain National Monument
Write a Review Soda Lake Rd. Santa Margarita, CA 93453 805-475-2131 661-391-6000 Official WebsiteGPS: 35.0905, -119.7351
Overview of KCL Campground
Accessibility is not guaranteed, always scout ahead before driving down dirt roads.
Learn more: Boondocking 101
Last Price Paid: $0
Reported by roadtrippers-stormcloudfam on 6/22/2024
Longest RV Reported: 31 feet (Class C)
Reported by Pixleyguy on 11/1/2022
Number of Sites 12
Pad Type dirt
Elevation 2,263 ft / 689 m
Tent Camping Yes
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Q&A - Ask the Community about KCL Campground
To ask questions of the owner or manager please contact the campground directly. 805-475-2131
camper-767780 asked on 5/29/2023
Can you make reservations? Or is it first come, first serve ?
Reviews of KCL Campground 14 people have reviewed this location.
Cell Phone Coverage
Confirmed by 2 Users
Last reported 4/29/2024
Confirmed by 2 Users
Last reported 3/14/2024
“This campground needs a little love. ”
Reviewed 6/22/2024
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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| Days stayed: | 1 |
Overall Rating
There are few spots, but each spot looks as if it can fit three-four vehicles. Bringing a rig/trailer here won’t work well, the spots aren’t really meant for that. Most people have car setups- we have a rooftop tent, as did another group. One had a truck bed camper. There are raised, designated tent sites if you do not have a vehicle s... more
There are few spots, but each spot looks as if it can fit three-four vehicles. Bringing a rig/trailer here won’t work well, the spots aren’t really meant for that. Most people have car setups- we have a rooftop tent, as did another group. One had a truck bed camper. There are raised, designated tent sites if you do not have a vehicle set up. Campsites have a picnic table, fire pit and trash pole. Our camp area was not the best- there was trash everywhere in addition to someone taking a poo and leaving the toilet paper ON TOP OF THE GROUND- there are vaulted toilets on the premises… this is a pack it out location, so it’s a shame that people leave beer cans, cookware, miscellaneous trash, and feces in the area. End of June caution- lots of fire ants, many large black beetles and other bugs, lots of flies, and the campsite that is to the right of the information sign with the barn on its right, facing east to south east- the tree to the left of it is SWARMING with bees. It’s a constant buzz that you can hear from anywhere. If you start to walk near the barn preservation, lone bees start to circle you, as a warning to not get closer to the tree. For pet owners- beware of foxtails, burs and rattlesnakes (in addition to the fire ants and bees). The campsite scenery itself is great- the plains are entirely dried out so it very brown, but its beauty can be respected and appreciated. Lots of wildlife- owls, foxes, and other little wildlife running around. Can hear cows at any hour. Roads to get here are gravel and insanely bumpy and loud to drive over- so be aware.
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Quiet”
Reviewed 4/29/2024
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 1 |
| RV Length: | 30' (Class C) |
Overall Rating
Small campground for 12 smaller than 30 ft rigs or tents. Most are much smaller. Rough bumpy road for miles ether direction on a first come, first serve campground. Has vaulted toilet with no water or other services. If full, would seek off road area on right just as you approach. Has older building of interest. There was a great horne... more
Small campground for 12 smaller than 30 ft rigs or tents. Most are much smaller. Rough bumpy road for miles ether direction on a first come, first serve campground. Has vaulted toilet with no water or other services. If full, would seek off road area on right just as you approach. Has older building of interest. There was a great horned owl in one of the few eucalyptus trees at the campsite. Quiet and nice area to take a hike or two with pretty nice views if you like the high desert landscape. Warning not to travel dirt roads after a rain as you’re likely to get stuck. Better if you come in from the north side (58) on paved roads, but would limit you to boondocking likely because unable to get to this or Selby campgrounds.
– below is a way to at least get an idea of bloom times, which is really the best time of the year to see area.
https://ibrakeforwildflowers.com/carrizo-plain-wildflowers/
Also boondocked for an evening just along side a road: Anwannee Trail about 24 miles away which was only an hour plus away giving enough time to take in Soda Lake trail to water and Wallace Creek Interpretive Trail
35°18'26.1"N 119°51'07.6"W
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Verizon 5G
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Little loop campground ”
Reviewed 4/16/2024
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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| Days stayed: | 2 |
| RV Length: | 15' (Teardrop Trailer) |
Overall Rating
We were on a 6 week road trip in the Mojave Desert so this was just one of many stops on our way home. We decided "what the heck" and stopped to see the wildflowers. First time to Carrizo Plains. It was a tad too early in the wildflower season to see much of anything but yellows. We stayed 2 nights in the little campground circle... more
We were on a 6 week road trip in the Mojave Desert so this was just one of many stops on our way home. We decided "what the heck" and stopped to see the wildflowers.
First time to Carrizo Plains. It was a tad too early in the wildflower season to see much of anything but yellows. We stayed 2 nights in the little campground circle. First come first serve, free BLM and most sites are quite close together. And if the campground fills up, (which it did both nights), it's just way too close to your neighbors for us. However it was dead quiet by 10pm, not party types at all. We were here for a Full moon and the Hooty owls sung us to sleep. Be prepared to bounce down a dirt road to get here.
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Beautiful, Spacious, Quiet ”
Reviewed 3/14/2024
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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| Days stayed: | 1 |
Overall Rating
We came after a rain storm so the grass was so green! Great spaces with enough privacy in between them. An owl pooped on top of our tent but otherwise it was a great and quiet stay!
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AT&T 5G
camper-795553 would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Isolated and Quiet”
Reviewed 6/22/2023
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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| Days stayed: | 8 |
Overall Rating
I had the place entirely to myself almost the whole time I was here. It is out in the middle of nowhere, too, so you can feel extra alone. If that's what you're seeking then this is the place for you! I had no wifi (Verizon) and a spotty cell signal (AT&T) while I was here. The road in (from South or North) is pretty beat up, bu... more
I had the place entirely to myself almost the whole time I was here. It is out in the middle of nowhere, too, so you can feel extra alone. If that's what you're seeking then this is the place for you!
I had no wifi (Verizon) and a spotty cell signal (AT&T) while I was here.
The road in (from South or North) is pretty beat up, but doable.
ALSO, do be aware there are snakes out here. I just happened to see a giant snake headed straight for my van and was able to bring in my bug netting and get my door closed before it got to me, but just be cautious and aware.
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AT&T 4G
ThisCamper would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“One Our Favorites ”
Reviewed 11/1/2022
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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| Days stayed: | 4 |
| Site Number: | N/A |
| RV Length: | 31' (Class C) |
Overall Rating
Carrizo Plains is a quietly magnificent setting. Not as jaw-dropping as Yosemite or Grand Canyon but not as many people, either. If you want solitude and quiet, then this is your place (except during a super bloom). KCL is our go-to camp spot when we are here. Be advised that it is several miles of washboard road to get here but worth... more
Carrizo Plains is a quietly magnificent setting. Not as jaw-dropping as Yosemite or Grand Canyon but not as many people, either. If you want solitude and quiet, then this is your place (except during a super bloom).
KCL is our go-to camp spot when we are here. Be advised that it is several miles of washboard road to get here but worth the trip.
The camping is free and first-come-first-served. We’ve never had a problem finding a spot, but your mileage may vary. It is primitive camping, no water, vault toilets, but each of the ten or so campsites has a fire ring, table, and lantern hook. When we arrived on Monday the restrooms were gross. Apparently, in the off season, they only clean them on Thursday. Not really a problem for us because we are self-contained.
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Verizon
Pixleyguy would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
Reviewed 8/1/2021
| Nightly rate: | $7 |
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| RV Length: | 30' (Class A) |
Overall Rating
The road in is 14 miles of straight washboard. Still extremely accessible, but VERY long and rough. Once we got there the views were beautiful and was extremely quiet. We were the only ones there for most of our stay. If you need groceries or anything really, the closest gas station is 45 minutes away and the closest town with an a... more
The road in is 14 miles of straight washboard. Still extremely accessible, but VERY long and rough.
Once we got there the views were beautiful and was extremely quiet. We were the only ones there for most of our stay. If you need groceries or anything really, the closest gas station is 45 minutes away and the closest town with an actual grocery store is 1.5 hours. So be prepared with what you bring and don’t plan on going anywhere because there’s not much to do other than see the views of the area.
No Verizon service but t-mobile surprisingly had 2-3 bars.
Valentines would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Great spot for dry camping... and hearing owls!”
Reviewed 5/28/2021
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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| Days stayed: | 1 |
Overall Rating
KCL was fairly easy to get to. We had a wonderful spot with sweeping views. It was mid-April, still in pandemic mode, and even though dry as a bone with no wildflowers, plenty of people showed up. It's like a clump of people in the middle of nowhere. Still, it's not that big and there are no services. There are some trees and shade ... more
KCL was fairly easy to get to. We had a wonderful spot with sweeping views. It was mid-April, still in pandemic mode, and even though dry as a bone with no wildflowers, plenty of people showed up. It's like a clump of people in the middle of nowhere. Still, it's not that big and there are no services. There are some trees and shade here. And owls. Great views. There's a wild west feel to the area. Toilets were fine. There was no water if I remember correctly. I would camp here again.
Kath O would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Surprise”
Reviewed 3/21/2021
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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| Days stayed: | 6 |
Overall Rating
Surprising nice campground at the base of the hills & edge of a large valley. Clean with vault toilet, picnic benches, fire ring & horse corral. Good views, some nice spaces for walking. There’s a trail up to Caliente Mountain (which overlooks the campground) which starts from Shelby campground (7 miles down the road). Unfortunately th... more
Surprising nice campground at the base of the hills & edge of a large valley. Clean with vault toilet, picnic benches, fire ring & horse corral. Good views, some nice spaces for walking. There’s a trail up to Caliente Mountain (which overlooks the campground) which starts from Shelby campground (7 miles down the road). Unfortunately there was a large group with generators running all night over the weekend. Not terrible but enough to be annoying when you come out for quiet & peace. Considering the remote location with no guns or ATV’s allowed it was daily busy with all sites full every night I was there. Wednesday-Monday.
No cell coverage for Verizon at the campground but if you go down some dirt roads about 2 miles into the valley you can get a few bars.
XTRNichols would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“GREAT”
Reviewed 10/27/2020
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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| Days stayed: | 5 |
| Site Number: | 2 |
| RV Length: | 22' (Fifth Wheel) |
Overall Rating
If you come in from Hwy 166 it is 14 miles on a fairly good dirt road. There were some sections were you will enjoy the wash board affect. I was pulling a 29ft 5th wheel and had no problems. Coming in from the north (Hwy 58) it is only 7 miles of dirt road. We stayed Thursday through Monday and at most had 4 neighbors at. Most of ... more
If you come in from Hwy 166 it is 14 miles on a fairly good dirt road. There were some sections were you will enjoy the wash board affect. I was pulling a 29ft 5th wheel and had no problems. Coming in from the north (Hwy 58) it is only 7 miles of dirt road. We stayed Thursday through Monday and at most had 4 neighbors at. Most of the time we were alone or had just one other neighbor. Very quiet. Because we were here end of Oct 2020 at the end of a very bad fire season no fires were allowed and for some reason the ONE water spigot was turned off. 75% of the sites half all or partial shade. Also note that the first freeze had not happened so there were LOTS of flies
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Verizon
Stu would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
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Amenities
Hookups
- dry camping
Recreation
- recreation trail
Site Amenities
- fire ring
- picnic table
Facilities
- ADA Accessible
- restrooms: vault
Pets
- pets
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