Welcome to KCL Campground Turnoff, a serene and remote campground located on Soda Lake Rd, Santa Margarita, CA 93453. As a part of the Campgrounds & RV Parks category, KCL Campground Turnoff offers a rustic camping experience for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life.
Environment and Location:
Situated at the base of rolling hills and the edge of a vast valley, KCL Campground Turnoff provides breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape, including the Caliente Range. The campground's remote location offers a peaceful and quiet environment, although it can be busy, especially on weekends. It's important to note that cell service, particularly for Verizon, is limited at the campground itself, but can be found a few miles into the valley.
Services and Features:
Important Considerations:
KCL Campground Turnoff is ideal for those seeking a rustic camping experience with stunning views and basic amenities. Whether you're hiking, horseback riding, or simply looking to relax in nature, this campground offers a unique and memorable outdoor adventure.
RV camping
Public restroom
Restroom
Good for kids
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 16ish mile 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 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. Also Soda Lake which is up the road a bit was worth a stop.
Good little free campground with 2 vault toilets (there was a spigot but no water access when we were there). I would estimate there are around 8 drive-in sites (2-3 have shade) and 8-10 back sites (no shade) where you have to walk a short distance. All sites have a firepit and a pole with two hooks for horses, lanterns, dog tethering, etc. as well as a stone table (ours even had a wheelchair spot) Horse corrals are available, and there is a great little hike to the top of two hills behind the campground for a stunning view of the Caliente Range!
3 stars bc free and BLM, if $$ would give 2. Flies everywhere and minimal shade. Campground was full on the weekend. Tons of mice everywhere once sun finally went down, they were crawling on our feet at campfire… Yuck! People were there weed whacking all of Saturday and Sunday. Someone say yay well maintained I would say hey pretty annoying to do that on the weekend. Overall had zero peace there. It’s a place to park, sleep and poop in a vault toilet for free, if that’s what you need.
Very clean quiet, excellent views. The 3 owls keeper us up all night. :):)
I hadn’t been here in about 15 years, but was impressed with the improvements that have been made on that time. It’s also situated in a good location to be a launch point for your daily excursion within the monument. There’s drinking ware, pit toilets, fire rings, and shade!