La Panza Campground

Overview

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.

Recreation

La Panza Campground is best enjoyed by campers who prefer a rugged outdoor experience. The Pozo La Panza 18,867-acre area has approximately 44 miles of routes that vary from sandy washes to a ridgeline route including a section known to expert OHV riders as the Stair Steps. With proximity to OHV trails, this spot will keep the adrenaline junkies enthused as well as the avid hiker. Bring your bikes, motorcycles, ATVs and four-wheel drive vehicles to enjoy the amazing trail experience!

Facilities

This campground is open daily and year-round. There are 15 single and spaciously situated campsites ideal for tenting, and moderate RVs under 16 ft. Campfires are allowed only in designated fire rings. You should plan to be completely self-sustainable for the duration of your trip. There is no potable water (drinking water) or electricity onsite. There is no dump station. This is a "dry" campground with five vault toilets. The road into the campground ends cul-de-sac style, but with adequate turn around.

Natural Features

La Panza Campground is situated in a canyon setting, encompassed by a gathering of established oak trees, and accented by a seasonal creek. Fox, coyote, road runner, deer, wild pig, jack rabbit, quail, and very rare black bear, all visit this area.

Nearby Attractions

Lakes, trails, beautiful views, biking, hiking and off-road vehicle riding are all within minutes of the campground. The nearest shopping is 29 miles in Santa Margarita.

Camp site features

Across 7 camp sites:

  • Picnic table: 6 of 7 sites
  • Pets allowed: all 7 sites
  • Largest party: 6 people

Directions

Directions from Santa Margarita, CA: Travel Highway 58, 3 miles east, Pozo Road approximately 26 miles east, Forest Road 29S18, 1.5 miles east. Alternate route: Highway 58, 26 miles east, Navajo Road 3 miles south, Pozo Road half a mile east.

Stay Limit

Check in from 3 PM, check out by 12 PM.

Reviews

3 reviews
5 stars
1
4 stars
1
3 stars
1
Jingnan H
Loop:Loop 1
Site:
Reviewed 4 years ago
The campsite is very remote and quiet - at night I saw a starry sky and the galaxy after the moon went down. The bathroom was very spacious and impressively clean. The drive there was very rough. There's a long stretch of dirt road full of holes, humps and large rocks. My car, which is a sedan with a low bottom, got bumped and damaged. I booked #1, and there are two ant hills on either side of the parking space and the ants in both colonies were very active. #2 and #3 also has active colonies close to parking or campsite. #4 seems to have a not very active colony and it's also far away from both the parking space and the campsite.
Wes B
Loop:Loop 2
Site:
Reviewed 5 years ago
Went right after all the rain. Camp was empty so we took the very back spot. Beautiful and green. Easy to get to as well. Highly recommend. Will be going again.
Steve S
Loop:Loop 1
Site:
Reviewed 5 years ago
Loved the remoteness.
Availability

See the Camp Sites section below to find detailed booking availability.

Popularity: Very quiet

Busiest in August, when about 4% of guest capacity is reserved. Based on 6 years of reservations.

Camp Sites

Nearby Campgrounds