Santa Margarita Lake Boating

San Luis Obispo County

Santa Margarita Lake, San Luis Obispo County, California
Santa Margarita Lake, San Luis Obispo County, California

Santa Margarita Lake Boating

San Luis Obispo County


Santa Margarita Lake Boating in a Nutshell


Santa Margarita Lake is operated by San Luis Obispo County Parks. No personal watercraft or water skiing are allowed at the lake. There is no body to water contact allowed because the lake is a drinking water supply. Boats must be off the water soon after sundown.

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Quagga and Zebra Mussel Boat Inspections and decontaminations are required before launching.

Santa Margarita Lake 2024 Entrance Fees
Daily Annual
For a complete fee schedule see SLO County Parks Fee Schedule
Vehicle $12 $120
Motorized Boat $12 $120
Non-motorized Boat $5 $60
Second Vehicle $30


Santa Margarita Lake Marina

Rocky Mountain Recreation operates the marina under a special use permit as a concessionaire for the San Luis Obispo County Parks.
Marina Store: (805) 438-1522
Hours: Thursday - Monday, 7:00 AM to about 4:30 PM (store hours vary by season, so best to call for specific hours)
Website: Santa Margarita Lake Marina
4695 Santa Margarita Lake Road, Santa Margarita, CA

Marina:

  • Facilities:   Marina, Fuel, Launch Ramp, Restrooms
  • Slips: Unknown
  • Boat Rentals
    • Pedal Boat
    • Boat with Motor
    • Pontoon Boat, seats 8
    • Pontoon Boat, seats 10
    • Single or Double Kayak
    • Canoe

Quagga and Zebra Mussel Boat Inspections at Santa Margarita Lake

All boats entering Santa Margarita Lake must first pass a quagga and zebra mussel inspection. Park staff will perform visual inspections on all boats. Those found with water in the bilge or live well, or are not clean, they will not be allowed to launch. Boats coming from infected waters will also not be permitted in the lake.

In addition, decontamination procedures will also be implemented. Boaters will be required to have their boats decontaminated using hot water treatment. Mussels and their larvae cannot survive water temperatures in excess of 140 degrees.

Before arrival at the lake boaters should remove drain plugs and make sure the bilge, live wells, and integral coolers are dry. Check that the boat hull and trailer are free of mud, debris, and aquatic weed or algae.

Boat inspection tags from Lake Cachuma will be honored at Santa Margarita Lake.


Santa Margarita Lake Marina, San Luis Obispo County, California

Launch Ramps

  • Santa Margarita Lake Marina
  • White Oak Flat

Boat-In Campsites

Santa Margarita Lakes maintains two Boat-In Campgrounds: Sapwi Campground and Khus Campground. They have primitive sites and may be reserved by individuals or groups (up to 5 sites maximum).
Reservations: (805) 788-2397

San Luis Obispo Rowing Club

The San Luis Obispo Rowing Club maintains a club boathouse at Santa Margarita Lake. They promote rowing both competitively and for recreation. They offer rowing lessons in the summer. The club welcome new members.
San Luis Obispo Rowing Club



Marine Services

VS Marine Boating Center
3380 El Camino Real
Atascadero, CA
(805) 466-9058

VS Marine Boating Center

Scott's Boat Repair
103B Nacimiento Lake Dr.
Paso Robles, CA
(805) 239-2628

Scott's Boat Repair

Salinas Valley Marine
3 Spring Street
Salinas, CA
(831) 443-1616
  Salinas Valley Marine

The Boat Doc
3850 Ramada Dr. #E1
Paso Robles, CA
(805) 434-3700

The Boat Doc

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