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4.5
54 votes

Carrizo Plain National Monument

17495 Soda Lake Rd, Santa Margarita, California 93453 USA

Closed Now
Opens Thu 9a
  • Independent
  • No Wifi
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“Soda Lake, mountains & a gorgeous plain”

The Carrizo Plain, 100 airline miles (160 km) north of Los Angeles, California is an area by-passed by time. Soda Lake, its centerpiece, is a glistening bed of white salt, set within a vast open grassland, rimmed by mountains. The plain is home to diverse communities of wildlife and plant species, and is an area culturally important to Native Americans. It is traversed by the San Andreas fault, which has carved valleys, created and moved mountains, and yet close up, is seen in a subtle alignment of ridges, ravines and normally dry ponds. Camping within Carrizo Plain National Monument is available at two primitive campgrounds - KCL Campground and Selby Campground. These two sites differ markedly.KCL is located in the southern part of the monument, west and very close to Soda Lake Road. Access from the main road is easy, and the camping area is generally bounded by a wooden fence. The campground has eight picnic tables and firepits, and is frequently occupied by "Day Use" visitors, although overnight camping is also allowed. Trees about the campground provide shade - some of the only shade in the Monument's valley. As this site was previously owned by the Kern County Land Company, there are several outbuildings in a non-maintained state. The corrals may be used by visitors to stable their horses.

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Reviewed by
Aaron

  • 1 Review
  • 0 Helpful
June 17, 2023
Rated

I highly recommend Carrizo Plain National Monument. I went at the end of April, 2023. The roads were dry, flowers were blooming, it was an amazing day. Checkout Hilltop Overview and the Soda Lake Boardwalk.

Soda Lake Road (the main road) is rugged, but flat, and during the dry season accessible to pretty much any vehicle. If you have a 4x4 you can explore the backcountry which is pretty amazing.

Be sure to visit the Carrizo Plain National Monument's website and check conditions before you go.

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Reviewed by
Greek_nomad

  • Road Warrior
  • 401 Reviews
  • 296 Helpful
September 29, 2014
Rated 5.0

If you want to go for adventure then Carrizo Plain National Monument is what you are looking for.

Every trail has its own adventures to offer you. You have to be prepared though for long walks and be equipped with appropriate shoes, clothes, water and food if you want to enjoy your hike and not get tired and bored quickly.

Take your cameras with you, there are wild animals such as antilopes wandering around.

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Carrizo Plain National Monument

17495 Soda Lake Rd
Santa Margarita, California
93453 USA
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Hours

Closed Now
  • Sun - Sat: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

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  • Unavailable
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  • Unknown
    Pets Allowed
  • Unknown
    Restrooms
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    Wifi
  • Unknown
    Wheelchair Accessible
  • Unknown
    Credit Cards Accepted
Affiliation
Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
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