Horse camping is the perfect way to enjoy Alpine. If you're an equestrian lover who prefers nature-based adventure, yet still wants comfort, this is the perfect opportunity for you. Finding a place to camp in California with your horse is easier than ever. You're sure to find the perfect site for your California horse camping excursion.
Visitors to this 500-acre regional park have quite a palette of activities to choose from. Modern campsites sit at the top of the summit, along with a seasonal splash pad, play areas, a 13-station exercise course, rentable picnic areas, a community room, an outdoor amphitheater and fishing at Sweetwater Reservoir.
Hikers, cyclists and equestrians will enjoy 15 miles of trails that meander up and down the hill, through open grasslands and along streamside vegetation boasting spectacular views of the reservoir and this unique urban oasis.
Camper, trailer, and tent camping are all options among 112 sites – many with access to both water and power. Coin-operated showers are available for all campers.
One of the major attractions at the park is the 60-foot pavilion. This covered structure and its kitchen facilities are especially suited for group campers. You’ll also find four 16-foot picnic pavilions, a Campground Amphitheater, a 2,000-square-foot Community Room, and a 13-Station Exercise Course.
An adjacent local park features a lawn area, tot lot, splash park and shaded picnic tables with panoramic views of the countryside.
$34 - $38 / night
The beautiful park offers camping and hiking in an oak woodland forest, with a sprinkling of pines and lovely meadows with creeks. There are over 100 miles of trails which accommodate hikers, bikers, and equestrians. The two family camps, Paso Picacho and Green Valley, are open and on the reservation system spring through fall. Green Valley sits at an elevation of 4,000 feet and has a creek which runs through the middle of the campground. The day use area offers sets of cascades and shallow pools, great for water play on hot days. Green Valley has 81 campsites.
Paso Picacho, 5 miles north, sits at an elevation of 5,000 feet. The most popular hikes start from this camp, including the 2 mile hike up Stonewall Peak (elevation 5,700 feet), and the 3.5 mile hike up Cuyamaca Peak (elevation 6,512 feet), both which offer breathtaking views of the deserts to the east, the coast to the west, and Lake Cuyamaca at the bottom. Lake Cuyamaca, operated by the Helix Water District, is two miles north of Paso Picacho and offers boating and fishing. Paso Picacho campground has 85 campsites.
Each campsite has a picnic table and a fire ring. Restrooms with flush toilets and pay showers are in the campground. Water faucets a located every few campsites. There are no hookups. Each campground has a dump station. Firewood and ice may be purchased at the camps. Interpretive programs are offered during the summer season. Campsites are $30 per night. Reservations are necessary for weekends April through October. The camping fee includes one motorized vehicle. Extra vehicles are $10 per night. There is a limit of 8 persons per campsite. Dogs are allowed but are restricted to the campgrounds, picnic areas, and paved roads and Cuyamaca Peak Fire Road. They may not be left unattended.
Environmental backpack in or horseback ride in camps are also available. Granite Springs and Arroyo Seco Environmental camps are open on first come, first serve. Both have chemical toilets, non-potable water, corrals and tent sites.
$40 - $250 / night
Laguna Campground is a great mountain getaway just one hour east of San Diego, California in the Laguna Mountain Recreation Area. Campers can enjoy cooler temperatures, unique natural areas and an extensive trail system at this mountain facility from summer through early fall.
The Laguna Mountain Recreation Area is known for great horseback riding, mountain biking and hiking trails. Visitors can get their boots dusty on the Laguna Meadow Trail system or access a segment of the 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail, which runs from California to the State of Washington. Wildflowers are usually abundant in April and May on the Big Laguna Trail, which takes visitors past Big Laguna Lake. In wet years there is water in Big Laguna Lake by December or January and ducks and other birds can be found. The trail presents a number of options to the user. A return to the trailhead parking can be made by cutting through the Laguna Campground or by taking the Pacific Crest Trail north. Families can learn about the area's flora and fauna by attending educational programs at the facility's amphitheater. Or for history buffs, the El Prado Cabin located at nearby El Prado Campground, is the first ranger cabin built in the Cleveland National Forest in 1911. The San Diego State University Observatory also sponsors "Star Parties" for campers most Saturday evenings during the summer (schedule can be obtained at the nearby visitor center or by calling 619-473-8547).
The campground sits at an elevation of 6,000 ft. in the Laguna Mountains. It is forested with pines and oaks that provide plenty of shade, in addition to a meadow. The area is home to many species of birds, as well as the endangered Laguna Skipper butterfly. Little Laguna lake is located just a short distance from the campground and is an excellent hiking destination for photographers and visitors looking to explore the area.
$35 / night
The Kumeyaay Lake Campground is open for Friday and Saturday night camping. The 46 campsites are available for reservation on a first-come, first-serve basis and the is $22.66 per night. On the reservation website page, go to the "Location" drop-down menu at the top of the page and select Kumeyaay Lake Campground. All cancellations must be made 14 days in advance.
$24 - $25 / night
Green Valley sits at an elevation of 4,000 feet and has a creek which runs through the middle of the campground. The day use area offers sets of cascades and shallow pools, great for water play on hot days. Cuyamaca camping has 81 campsites. Each campsite has a picnic table and a fire ring. Restrooms with flush toilets and pay showers are in the campground. Water faucets a located every few campsites. There are no hookups. Each campground has a dump station. Firewood and ice may be purchased at the camps. Interpretive programs are offered during the summer season.
$40 / night
Thousand Trails Pio Pico RV Camping is a full service RV Resort in California located south of San Diego, close to many attractions such as the zoo, Sea World and museums. We are twenty minutes from Mexico, so day trips south of the border are not only a possibility but also a great opportunity. Members come to Pio Pico for the peace and quiet of nature as well as to escape the day to day rush of the big cities. It is considered a "destination" RV Resort in southern California, and all members enjoy the hospitality of the staff. Pio Pico RV Resort offers a year round classic American food cafe at an affordable price.
If you want to experience all of the four seasons, then Oakzanita Springs RV Camping is the perfect getaway. Our RV camp is set at a 4000' elevation in the California mountains, and can bring a wide range of weather conditions from the fall through the winter months; therefore, during that time we operate a limited season RV camp in California. The pools, activities and weekend breakfasts are hibernating, and store hours are limited. All other Oakzanita Springs facilities, campsites, spa, and RV camping amenities remain open during this time. In the summer, Oakzanita Springs RV Camping has a perfect climate of warm days and comfortable nights. Relax and enjoy our weekend activities at our RV camp in California's beautiful mountain region. If you enjoy fishing, Cuyamaca Lake is just 15 minutes away or you can hike the Cuyamaca State Park trails starting right off our property. To make your visit a safe and enjoyable one, remember that only pressed logs and charcoal fires are allowed during the summer and fall months due to high fire danger. No wood fires are allowed except under wet conditions. Please make sure anyone under the age of 18 remembers their bicycle helmets for bikes and scooters. Due to the terrain, no skateboards are allowed. Clean restrooms, a comfortable lodge area, and free WiFi access round out the first-class service you'll find at Oakzanita Springs. Our RV camping areas are a bit remote, but you can get Verizon and Sprint cell service at the RV camp park. And even though we may be in the California mountains, we have a small camp store with basic camping supplies, novelties and ice. Best of all, Oakzanita Springs is just a short, 45-minute drive from all of San Diego's wonderful attractions. Year-Round RV Camp in California Whether you're planning a retreat for the whole family, a group of friends or a getaway for two, there's no shortage of unique activities to explore at Oakzanita Springs RV Campground. Plan activities upon arrival or visit this page before your departure to plan ahead. Looking for more? Our friendly staff can fill you in on all of the great ways to make your stay a memorable experience.
Boulder Oaks offers equestrian and family sites in the scenic Cleveland National Forest, about an hour away from San Diego, California. Visitors are drawn here for the convenience of horseback riding and day hiking on the Pacific Crest Trail, as well as picnicking in the beautiful mountain setting.
The national forest lends itself well to horseback riding and hiking. Boulder Oaks has direct access to a segment of the 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail, a national scenic trail that runs from Mexico to Canada. Horseback riding is also permitted on all Cleveland National Forest roads and trails, except for nature trails.
The campground sits at an elevation of 3,300 ft. with oak and manzanita trees providing shade. The surrounding mountains are dotted with sagebrush, and wildflowers add color to the landscape in spring and early summer. The area is home to many species of local and migratory birds. The campground is habitat for the endangered Arroyo Toad.
Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail
$16 / night
reservations required
Ranger
I’m not sure you’ll find a campground like this anywhere else in California for $29/night with partial hookups. It was quiet and peaceful. Bathrooms could have used some attention. Not a fan of no toilet seats on the toilets.
Traveler
Super cute area, and much cooler since it’s a little higher altitude. Nice big sites and an entire loop with equestrian sites.
Pit toilets. One dumpster. Water.
I was there May 5, 2024 and the fee was $14.
GuideHad space 8 south lot.. perfect view stayed for 7 nights, yep had bugs some days lots of people some days none, ya you need tokens for shower but they were clean the water was hot..It was glamping as far as i was concerned , depending on how you wanter to camp.. i have stayed at KOA’s that charge a lot more and quality is a lot less.. Ranger patrols all night’ , helpful and friendly , wish i could park here every night of my trip I loved this place. Oh ya planes fly over this place.. and i am sure dome KOA also
GuideSITES:
The pads with full hookups offer nice city views. The place is very clean and quite.
Someone said there are major ant problems, but I didn't experience them. It did rain a bit when I was there.
SURROUNDING AREA:
The nearby reservoir is a good place to hike, bike, or run. The campground is connected directly to it. You are not allowed in the water.
There are shopping and restaurants nearby.
Is this a campground I would go visit just to go camping...probably not, as it offers nothing spectacular other than a place to park and hang out outdoors.
I booked here since we had a soccer game nearby and needed a safe place to park overnight.
TravelerWe loved camping at this park. Very neat and clean bathrooms. Fun areas for kids to play
Scout
I can’t believe how badly this park has deteriorated. On our last stay we saw so many weeds and potholes. The hot tubs seem to be broken all the time. Showers and bathrooms were filthy and rundown. Resort? How shameful. But worse than that are the rangers. They used to welcome us like we were members, paying customers. Not sure why they have such a hard time understanding that we pay their salaries. WE ARE THE CUSTOMERS. We were treated like we were unwanted guests. A new ranger named Christian is a cocky, arrogant kid. He clearly doesn’t want to work there and has no concept of customer service. We immediately asked for his manager and he didn’t care about how rude we were treated. The manager (Israel) only cared about flirting and gawking at another ranger who worked up in the activity center. There’s a married couple who work there selling memberships and he told me the management is terrible and the park is going down the tubes. He told me much of their staff is unhappy about how they are treated and many have quit. I asked why they don’t get new management and he said even his boss said the women managers are untouchable. He told me secretly that he was quitting too. I guess that’s why he unloaded on them. He told me about the sexual assaults in the park from illegal Mexicans coming across the border. He told me about the 4 convicted pedophiles living in the park and showed me Megan’s Law. It’s all true. You can see them walking around and their addresses listed on their profile on Megan’s Law is the RV Park. He told me about all the drugs on the north side of the park and that one ranger was dating a member there and violently assaulted her and she turned out to be a prostitute. He said the company and manger knew he was a meth addict and yet kept him there and swept it under the carpet. He also told me that the 3rd in charge(Jesus) had to go to counseling because he keeps sexually harassing the other staff and members and he is still doing it. He apparently is harassing the girl who works in the store now. And yet they still protect him and hide it. Seriously? You want us to pay to stay here? Until they start firing these incompetent and rude employees we won’t be coming back.
Guide
Me and my husband camped here for about five days we are in spot 42 lots of room back in plus pull in spots full hook ups has paddle boats fishing and spots to walk your dog
Scout
My family and I take a yearly camping trip and this is one of the sites that we regularly come to. We are a big group of 19 and find this place very comfortable and enjoy the trails. However, we will not be returning! A squatter had hijacked one of our reserved spots and the rangers have done nothing but give is the run around. They just allowed her to stay in our reserved spot the entire stay. The rangers just kept making excuses for the squatter. What was supposed to be a carefree week turned to a stressful and cramped week. They do not care about the campers and it clearly shows.
Scout
G-29 was a nice spot, and there is a lot to do and see in the surrounding area. Restrooms and facilities are clean, but there is no soap.
We visited post July 4th, so it was pretty quiet for the most part. Largest downside is the campsite is already warm by 8:30am, and hot by about 10.
Firewood is $8 from the camp host but we had trouble finding them our first night and had to drive an hour back and forth to Julian for wood.
Guide
We stayed in April; the trails were closed due to the heavy rain this year. Imperial Beach is not the place for swimming. There’s a sign going in that says there’s chemicals and sewage in the water. You can camp here though and go north to other beaches.
Traveler
only open to camping Friday and Saturday night, great little campground to get away from the city…best to camp here in winter, early spring, gets hot in the summer months….amazing hiking Mountain Biking, Rock Climbing all around at Mission Trails Regional Park…
LegendNice basic county campground, everything is nice and new and clean. I think once the trees and bushes and things start to grow in, there will be a little bit of separation between the sites, but for now most sites are wide open.
The playground area is really cool, all the structures are made of wood and are all natural. Decent showers, you buy tokens from the ranger. There are nice trails and walking paths right from the campground. We didn’t walk to the beach because the area was flooded when we were there, but it appears that you can easily walk to the beach from the campground, it’s about 1.5 miles away.
Sites are all dry camping, no power or water at sites, and no dump station at campground. There are water spigots throughout the campground though to fill your jugs. There are yurts to rent, and some equestrian sites as well. The little loop off to the side is tents only.
You can see the border wall from the campground, and Verizon thought I was in Mexico when we arrived, haha. Good cell service with ATT and Verizon (not sure if Verizon switched me to the international plan during our stay there).
ScoutCampsites are clean, and most that I see have shade. Fire rings and tables on each site, T-Mobile signal, and supplies are a 30 min round trip if you forgot something. The Ranger was extremely friendly, and I appreciated our chat.
TravelerOverall a very pleasant stay. The campground is being updated and it’s very clean. Highly recommend.
GuideThis campground is only open Friday-Sunday. Most of the sites were occupied but didn’t feel packed or overcrowded. Bathrooms were clean and had hot showers. Nice trails nearby and within the campground. The city of Santee was only 10 minutes away with plenty of stores and restaurants. Only complaint is the person next to us came back to their site at 4am and was loud. Overall great place to camp for the weekend!
Guide
Older park, sites gravel and not level. Bathrooms/laundry need updates/repair. Pool and hot tub. Accommodation based on sales pitch to join as a member.
TravelerWe stayed a short weekend on our first trip with our new to us travel trailer. Great location with all the amenities you need. The staff was great and the park felt safe.
TravelerNice campground great activities for kids laundry on site Jacuzzi pool fishing for RV hook Up. Over 40 cabins available. Membership costs us around $2000 And have access to / 3000 different camp sites nationwide At any time of the year a drop of a dime essentially
GuideNice park, partial hookups, no sewer but has a dump station. Nice spot 2 explore San Diego.
GuideWe absolutely loved staying at this campsite that was tucked away in the San Diego mountains. There is so many trials to hike. A little local downtown that had a great BBQ spot! Our site was shaded which was great while staying over the summer. The lake isnt really a lake given the high temps was more of a pond. But it was nice to walk out across the meadow.
GuideClose to Julian, CA about 10-15 minutes. We camped during Veteran’s day weekend. The terrain of the campground is ideal for kids. Trees, hills, and large rocks for the kids to climb on. The sites we had #59 and #61 were located on a slight hill. The tent pad sites were slightly slanted. The bathrooms were super clean especially during a holiday weekend. The Green Valley falls trail is located in the campground and it’s super kid friendly.
Scout
I was so excited to check this campground out. When my hubby and I arrived we automatically were happy. The campground was very clean, well ran, all sites were marked open or reserved with the arrival and departure date on it, bathrooms are the cleanest vault toilets we have ever seen (and we camp all over), there is a fire station located close to the campground which was good to know in case of fires. The host is very nice and helpful. If you have any questions or concerns he is happy to help! There is running water for dishes and campfires as well as horse corrals for your horse. Pull through sites for trailers. Everyone that was staying on the equestrian loop was amazing. Site 31 did have a problem with ants.
GuideWe really enjoyed how the campground looked and the spots however the camp sight was littered with fire ants where one of our guests and a dog got bit unfortunately. Also I must say the bathrooms were pretty horrendous with the amount of spiders inside.
TravelerYou won’t have the best cell coverage but if your looking for a quite getaway from society this is the place to be
TravelerMade us pack up and leave after one day because our member was offsite for a doctors appointment
GuideThe campground is east of Chula Vista in a county park near a reservoir. Full hookup in part, water and electric in others. Well managed and clean. Allows open fires in fire rings.
Two drawbacks to consider if you seek placidness: the park is under the final approach to SAN (Lindbergh Field) and you will hear jets coming down to land from roughly 6a to 11pm. Second concern is ants - not just ants, but strategic and determined ants (spray any points in contact with the ground and ask camp staff to treat your site with diatomaceous earth to deter the bugs. It’s a free service.
Sites are very clean, level, have fire rings and higher numbered sites have water, power, and sewer. There are showers, restrooms, an amphitheater, water playground and sites with horse pens. It’s mostly sunny, with shrubs and smaller trees.
TravelerWe stayed here in February 2022 and it was a great campground in an area where there aren't many free or cheap options to stay in a van or RV. The only drawback we can think of is that all sites are primitive (no hookups). But if you don't need that this is a great place to stay.
The campground is very nice with new facilities. The showers and bathrooms were clean and the staff working were very friendly and welcoming.
There are walking trails walking distance from the campground and the playground in the park was very cool! If you have kids it would be a fun spot for them to play.
The park has cell service, showers, playground, access to hiking trails, super easy to access, and the best part for us is its proximity to delicious tacos. We HIGHLY recommend Ed Fernandez Restaurant Birrieria for birria tacos!
Horse camping in California offers a unique opportunity to explore the great outdoors while enjoying the company of your equine friends. With a variety of campgrounds catering to horse enthusiasts, you can find the perfect spot to saddle up and hit the trails.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Alpine, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Alpine, CA is Sweetwater Summit Regional Park with a 4.4-star rating from 29 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Alpine, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 17 equestrian camping locations near Alpine, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
