Horse Flats Campground provides tent and RV camping for equestrians in the Angeles National Forest, approximately 90 minutes from Adelanto. The campground features primitive sites with picnic tables and fire rings but lacks drinking water and modern amenities. Reviews indicate the individual sites are large and well-spaced, offering privacy despite the absence of hookups or horse-specific facilities. The campground area offers a more secluded experience compared to other nearby options, making it suitable for those seeking a quieter retreat with their horses.
Trail access directly from Horse Flats connects riders to several backcountry paths throughout the Angeles National Forest. The campground remains open year-round, though weather conditions can significantly impact accessibility and comfort during winter months. Temperatures can drop significantly at night even when days are warm, as evidenced by campers experiencing 54-degree nighttime temperatures during October despite 79-degree daytime highs. The rough terrain and limited facilities make this location better suited for experienced horse campers prepared for self-sufficient backcountry camping. Visitors should bring all necessary supplies including food, water and firewood, as no supplies are available near the campground.
$3 - $40 / night
"The lakes are nice, there are mountain views, and some cool hikes to explore in the riverbed area."
"There is some garbage, target shooting in the distance and the occasional maniac driving through too fast and kicking up lots of dust. Generally it was quiet."
"We pulled in at night and passed a few other people camping, but there are so many little roads/trails around we had no problem finding a spot."
$35 - $40 / night
"Nice views of the lake but it's fenced off and access to the lake and park close in the evening. There is a small older bathroom there a flush toilet and a shower"
"Tents RVs fishing showers water electric hookups and reasonable ducks beautiful lake! Buttt..you can only stay 5 days. 😔"
$10 - $119 / night
"Easy access to the hot springs and no services to speak of. Basically a patch of dirt you can occupy for $10 a night. Loved it."
"Super fun place to visit with the hot springs trail. Went in January with snowfall, hardly any campers and nature all around! Two nights are perfect."
$15 - $119 / night
"You will have to drive 6 miles of mountainous dirt roads to reach the property, but it takes you away from all signs of the city and surrounds you in nature when you get there, making a very nice camping"
$40 - $55 / night
"Nice level grounds to walk around. Lakeside has gravel roads / pads... other side has asphalt roads / concrete pads. Restrooms are clean and acceptable."
"The lakeview area has dirt roads, sparse grass and a few spots close to the lake. The Cottonwood campground has concrete pads and well maintained grass throughout."
$29 - $58 / night
"There are a lot of equestrian campgrounds in the area so be prepared to see horses on the near by trails."
"The first thing to mention is the location. The back of the campground faces west where the rolling mountains seem to part in a way that showcases the beautiful California sunset."
$12 / night
"Horse Flats is not as popular as Buckhorn, and is a little less "green" with regards to the immediate scenery. It is also quieter for this reason, which is nice."
"We usually only see rangers come around in the morning. With that said, we still like Horse Flats because there is usually a spot or two open if we arrive on a Saturday."
$6 / night
"We camped one night and explored/ hiked around the area. We also did the scenic drive. Very cool spot in the Mojave. We will be back."
RangerWe normally camp in the other side of Big Bear, but decided to try a new campground this year. Overall we really liked this campground. Although some of the sites are close together most of them have good separation. There are a lot of equestrian campgrounds in the area so be prepared to see horses on the near by trails. It’s close enough for a quick trip to the lake yet you are far enough away that you still get the true camping experience.
ScoutI only saw the first 9 or so sites and stayed I think at site #9. For the most part, spacious spots, fire ring, picnic table, a lot of trees, and varied slopes. Road in is placed initially then dirt but is fine. There's other rough roads further in and access to hikes nearby. I loved how quiet it was, except for neighbors since sound carries so easily even though spots are quiet apart from each other. You'll pass an equestrian campground on the way in that you might be able to get water from.
GuideBeen here many times since it is local to me.
This place has changed a lot over the years, and not necessarily for the good, in my opinion.
What there is:
What there is no longer:
Beware of skunks and loud trains!
It is still a somewhat nice place to visit for a couple hours with the kids.
We have camped in a tent. The tents sites are adjacent to the lake.
Trailer camping isn't too bad, other than being adjacent to the busy railroad. Most sites have grass.
ScoutHeart Bar Campground is one of my favorites. The first thing to mention is the location. The back of the campground faces west where the rolling mountains seem to part in a way that showcases the beautiful California sunset. The campground is away from the town enough to feel secluded and quiet. If you plan to camp in the Big Bear area, I strongly suggest giving Heart Bar a try. The beauty of the surrounding environment is worth it alone.
LegendGeneral: A mix of FHU RV sites tent sites, group sites around Horseshoe Lake and some additional dry camping and equestrian sites around Pelican Lake. There are also four RVs you can “rent” in the Horseshoe Lake area. The sites around Horseshoe Lake are close to an active rail line. And by active, I mean really active – I stopped counting after I counted 24 trains lumbering by during our short overnight stay.
Site Quality: IMO the waterfront tent sites are the nicest. They are farthest away from the trains (but not far enough!) The other dry sites have paved camper pads; some are “doubles” which would kind of suck if both sites were occupied by people who did not know each other! (Ours was one but fortunately, this was not the case for us on a Sunday in November).
Bath/Shower House: There were two restrooms about equidistant from our campsite, but both were very basic– no soap, hooks or shelves and no mirrors (it looked like they had been ripped off the wall). The floors were concrete, and the entire appearance was very drab. I did not use the shower.
This was an overnight stop for us, so we did not take advantage of any of the activities (horseback riding, hiking, disc golf, fishing). There was a very nice playground in the day-use area, a reasonable walking distance from the Horseshoe Lake sites. I had called about a week ahead of time to make a reservation (the online reservation system has been down for quite some time) and was assured would not need a reservation. However, there is a gate that is locked at 4 pm and we knew we would not arrive in time, so we called and were able to make a phone reservation when our site was assigned. We were a little concerned when we saw a security guard making rounds around 10 pm (and this combined with the locked gate), we wondered if we were in a safe environment, although we did not encounter any problems. Make sure you know that the park is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays (which seems a bit bizarre) so you will need to know the gate code after 4 pm and on those days (the code seems to change daily). Also, I read that seniors (62 and older), active duty military, and veterans receive a $5 discount Sundays through Thursdays but you have to go to the office and show proof and then you will receive a “rebate” a few days later (which we did). This was just an overnight for us as we worked our way back home but we would likely not stay here again.
Scout
LegendDisregard the "closed for the season" post in the name - this campground is open.
There are a few campgrounds in this area of the Angeles National Forest. Horse Flats is not as popular as Buckhorn, and is a little less "green" with regards to the immediate scenery. It is also quieter for this reason, which is nice. The individual sites are large and spread out from each other, so it is easy to have some privacy. Make sure to get food and firewood before you start the drive up the mountain, as there is no place to purchase such supplies near the camps.
RangerUsually come week after Thanksgiving when 25% occupied. They provide gate / bathroom / laundry codes for late arrivals. Nice level grounds to walk around. Lakeside has gravel roads / pads... other side has asphalt roads / concrete pads. Restrooms are clean and acceptable. Lakeside showers require tokens... inquire at check-in. Limited shower seating to change clothes both sides. Easy drives to downtown area to see Mission Inn Christmas lights and walk around lake at city park. Cabins on-site look good and had some holiday lights. Store on-site has basics for camping and fishing. Overall a good place at this time of year.
ScoutThis is a nice little retreat from the desert. The only real complaint I have is the train. It takes a little while to get used to it going by. Wish they still had the paddle boats and horse back riding. The little zero gravity water park is nice if you have children.
Horse Flats Campground is situated at 5,000 feet elevation in Angeles National Forest, approximately 90 minutes from Adelanto. The campground's unique location within the San Gabriel Mountains creates distinct temperature patterns, with summer daytime highs rarely exceeding 80°F and nighttime temperatures that can drop significantly year-round. Campers will find 25 primitive sites arranged in several loops across the pine-forested terrain.
Bouldering routes available: Horse Flats offers multiple climbing opportunities within walking distance of the campground. "There is bouldering in the area, with some trad stuff. Plenty of sites!" notes Kathleen L. about Horse Flats Campground.
Fishing in nearby lakes: Drive 15 minutes from the campground to enjoy fishing at stocked lakes. "The lakes are nice, there are mountain views, and some cool hikes to explore in the riverbed area," explains Megan S. about Mojave Narrows Regional Park.
Hot springs access: For those willing to travel a bit further, Deep Creek area offers unique geothermal features. "The hike to the hot springs is pretty rough but also worth it when you get there," according to For Y. who visited Deep Creek Hot Springs Campground.
Secluded forest camping: The area campgrounds provide a sense of isolation despite being relatively close to urban areas. "This camp sits right over a small meadow that borders the San Gorgonio wilderness. It sits higher above the highway and displaces sound nicely," notes Nick L. about Heart Bar Campground.
Desert oasis environments: Several campgrounds offer unique desert-meets-water environments. "As a result, a small forest of Cottonwood trees abounds, which are the only native tree to this area. The lakes are nice, there are mountain views, and some cool hikes to explore in the riverbed area," shares Megan S. about Mojave Narrows Regional Park.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The varied ecosystems support diverse animal sightings. "This spot is excellent for wildlife viewing and entry to the wilderness for hiking and exploring," explains Nick L. when describing Heart Bar Campground.
Temperature fluctuations: Pack for significant day-night temperature swings even during warmer months. "We were surprised to find the campground sites mostly claimed. Probably 75% full by Saturday afternoon. Again, this experience might be an anomaly due to the warmer weather," reports Les R. about camping at Horse Flats in October.
Road conditions vary: Some horse campgrounds near Adelanto require travel on unpaved roads. "Dirt roads were well kept. I came with a 170 wheel base Sprinter Van w/ 2 wheel drive and had no problems making it to site post #11," explains Derek M. about Coon Creek Yellow Post Sites.
Limited amenities: Most campgrounds in the area offer minimal services. "Rustic is the way to go... Cons: Lots of flies. Toilets were unbearable with the amount of flies," warns Justin B. about Horse Flats Campground.
Water recreation options: Some parks offer water features for children. "The little zero gravity water park is nice if you have children," mentions Michelle K. about Mojave Narrows Regional Park.
Insect protection: The area has seasonal insect issues to prepare for. "Bring lots of mosquito repellent. You will need it," advises Luissimo M. about Horse Flats Campground.
Playground access: For families needing structured recreation, look for campgrounds with dedicated play areas. "There is a very nice playground in the day-use area, a reasonable walking distance from the Horseshoe Lake sites," notes Lee D. when describing Rancho Jurupa RV Park.
Site spacing considerations: While many horse campgrounds near Adelanto can accommodate RVs, site layouts vary significantly. "The campsites are pretty well spaced out which is nice for a little more privacy and there is a decent amount of trees throughout the campground," notes Christopher D. about Heart Bar Campground.
Water and hookup limitations: Most equestrian-friendly sites have restricted services. "Water and electric only on camp sites. No dump site there. There's nice shade on probably half the sites, the other ones have little or none," explains James C. about Hesperia Lake Park and Campground.
Weather preparation: RV campers should prepare for temperature extremes. "Very cold at night! Horseback riding on weekends and some other day users," warns Will about Coon Creek Yellow Post Sites.
Frequently Asked Questions
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Adelanto, CA is Mojave Narrows Regional Park with a 3.2-star rating from 10 reviews.
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