2 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Cowboy Camp provides primitive horse camping options in the hills near Lake Berryessa, northeast of Angwin. The dispersed campground allows horse trailers and offers sites suitable for equestrians exploring the surrounding trail system. Horse owners should note there are no dedicated corrals or stalls on site, so portable containment systems are necessary. The area features vault toilets but no drinking water, making it essential to bring water for both campers and horses. Campers reference The Dyrt for top tips on camping near Angwin, California. The campground accommodates both tent and RV camping, though the lack of hookups makes it best suited for self-contained units or those prepared for primitive camping conditions.
Located along Cache Creek, Cowboy Camp serves as a primary access point to several riding trails that connect to the larger Cache Creek Ridge Trail system. The terrain consists primarily of oak woodlands and chaparral, providing varied riding experiences with moderate elevation changes. Horse trailer parking is available in designated areas, though the parking surface can become rutted during wet weather. Trail access is best during spring and fall months when temperatures are moderate and seasonal streams provide natural water sources for horses. During summer months, the area becomes extremely hot and dry, requiring riders to carry additional water. The primitive nature of this camping area means equestrians must pack in all horse feed and pack out all manure and waste, as there are no manure disposal facilities on site.
"We just stayed here for 2 nights, great location very close to Calistoga and not to far from Saint Helena! Next time i would love to try out a cabin or yurt."
"Good access to wineries close by. Only real downside was that because of the dry conditions we could not have a campfire."
Available this weekend
from $43 / night
"This location is easily accessible for all. Biking, trails for hiking and the gardens are gorgeous. Rvs and horses welcome."
"We only stayed overnight the staff was very friendly,lots of stuff to do around the campsite from hiking,mtb,watch horses, frisbee golf and then you have napa where you can get wine,brewery,and restaurants"
"It’s close to the entrance but the driveway only had a slight grade. Mostly folks with trailers. The sites are not too close together but it is easy to see into the surrounding neighbors."
"Spring Lake has been that for us. We have been here for 2 weekends in the last few months."
from $35 / night
"This campsite is centrally located on the peninsula. Access to several roadside dog friendly beaches within minutes. The bay and the beach are within walking distance to campground."
"There are also equestrian trails, so you can book a horseback ride from a local ranch as well!!"
Available this weekend
from $45 / night
"Next to a stream and surrounded by hills. The only tough part is getting across the stream to some of the hikes."
"in an open meadow on a bluff overlooking the ocean with a short walk to the beach and a 3.2 kilometer (2.0 miles) round-trip walk to [Alamere Falls](https://www.nps.gov/pore/planyourvisit/alamere_falls.htm"
"Really great site right next to the water and beach. The hike in is pretty easy and beautiful. We had fun making a fire on the beach at night. It's pretty windy, so be prepared."
"If you talk to the the ranger at the gate, most of the time they will let you drive around the grounds and pick any open site."
"The walk down to swim in the lake was a significant downhill but the dip was worth it! Funny dead trees sticking out of the lake were fun to climb on."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $25 - $100 / night
"West Marin offers an incredibly picturesque location to explore, and Coast Camp is about as good as it gets."
"The beach offers tidepools close by as well as a great place for beach fire (permit needed). There are two routes to hike in."
from $30 - $90 / night
from $40 / night
"Tilden is great for anyone looking for a close park right outside of the Berkeley/San Fran area. It is a rather large park area that overlooks Berkeley."
"Tilden offers a lake in the middle to swim in and fish. The campsites have lots of fire pits. The weather is always great too!"
from $75 - $120 / night
TravelerGreat camp with amazing views. But, you should not camp alone. I've been here often this month and have seen a herd sheep eating the grass on the hillside, heard a pack of coyotes several nights in a row, until I heard a Mt Lion doing it's bird like sounds at night, as it circled my rv. This is last night, 10/07/2026 - mt lion presence detected, not seen. Be careful.
TravelerCowboy Camp had everything I had heard it offered & more! There was plenty of space when I visited and I got to pick a spot down by the water. Easy access & semi-secluded. The spot was half shaded and half sunny by 3 PM. Perfect for our truck to park in & stay cool. Vaulted toilets were in decent shape & even had TP. Lots of awesome spots to pull off at on the way there from Winters area. Beautiful views of flowing green water & colorful trees.
GuideWe have stayed here a few times. I have a sister that lives here and this place is only about 3 miles from us! $80 for a back in space.
GuideThe location is great since you’re close to st Helena and Calistoga. The road is narrow and the spots are tricky to back into. It was our first time with out 20ft trailer and we struggled a bit, took us three tries we kept having to drive around the loop of the campground. Lots of poison oak. Dog friendly on the paved road/path. We didn’t use the pool, but it’s open 1-5pm and it’s spring fed. Lots of kids, definitely kid friendly since it’s so small!
TravelerNot much camping in the but Skyline fit the bill. Typically RV style campsites but showers were good, and the grounds were beautiful. Good hiking trails as well.
TravelerThey call this the off season, but only if your reason for coming is wine industry happenings. Beautiful weather, lots of space, lush green fields. The hiking here is unreal, the native plant garden is a lovely escape, and the facilities are clean and well tended. This one's a keeper.
GuideGreat spot to camp and explore the Santa Rosa area. No hook ups but there is a spot to fill fresh water tank and a dump station. Sites are well spaced and very clean. Will get weekend locals so you will likely hear people having fun :) My go to in the area.
TravelerI stayed overnight in the winter so it was pretty empty. The sites are all separate and not too close to one another like they look in photos. The hosts were very nice and it was very quiet when I was there. It's close enough to where you could walk into town but I drove because it was raining. I will definitely be camping here again.
TravelerLove this campground. So many sites that feel snug and cozy, embedded in nature and not too close to neighbors.
The bathroom on one of the loops is in repair; but in the loop by camp sites 90s it’s working well.
Cowboy Camp offers dispersed camping sites for equestrians approximately 30 miles northeast of Angwin, California. The area sits at 1,200 feet elevation in the Cache Creek Natural Area managed by the Bureau of Land Management. The primitive camping area features an open grass field with limited shade and exposure to seasonal temperature extremes, which can exceed 100°F in summer months and drop below freezing in winter.
Trail riding access points: Cache Creek Ridge Trail system connects directly from Cowboy Camp, with routes varying from 3-15 miles round-trip. "Great place to stay at when visiting the Napa wine valley that is halfway between St Helena and Calistoga, two nice tourist towns," notes a visitor to Bothe-Napa Valley State Park, which offers additional riding options.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Morning hours provide best chances to spot local wildlife including deer, wild turkey, and various bird species. "We saw a doe within 10 mins of setting up camp just a few steps away," reports a camper at Skyline Wilderness Park, located 25 miles south of Angwin.
Seasonal creek exploration: During spring months, Cache Creek offers shallow wading areas for horses. "The area features vault toilets but no drinking water, making it essential to bring water for both campers and horses." However, conditions change rapidly as "during summer months, the area becomes extremely hot and dry," requiring additional water supplies.
Wide open spaces: The layout at Cowboy Camp provides ample room for multiple horse trailers without crowding. "Great free campground! We've stayed here many times. It's open, grassy level and quiet. Next to a stream and surrounded by hills," shares a camper who visited Cowboy Camp.
Proximity to wine country: Many equestrians combine trail riding with wine tasting excursions in nearby Napa Valley. "Traditional campground, yurts and a seasonal pool make this a fun place to go with the kids. St. Clement Vineyards is a fun stop on the way out of town and is kid-friendly," suggests a visitor to Bothe-Napa Valley State Park.
Budget-friendly alternative: Free camping at Cowboy Camp contrasts with costly accommodations in nearby wine regions. "We have rented at this campground many times. Never had any trouble getting a reservation in spring or fall. Camping here leaves lots of money for food and wine splurges!" notes another Bothe-Napa Valley State Park visitor.
Limited facilities: Equestrian camping options near Angwin require self-sufficiency. "RV campsites are close together and semi-level. Bathrooms could use some TLC. But the park is nice with lots of hiking, views and close to Napa," explains a visitor to Skyline Wilderness Park.
Seasonal closures: "The camp area is closed, as of 2/9/2024. No indication of that on the BLM website," reports a recent Cowboy Camp visitor, highlighting the importance of calling ahead before planning trips to horse campgrounds near Angwin, California.
Insect concerns: "FLIES! No trees just dry open land inhabited by an unusual amount of flies. It was crazy how thick they were. An almost dry creek runs alongside the open field of camping pads," warns another Cowboy Camp visitor, noting this issue is most problematic during warm months.
Beach alternatives: For family camping near Angwin with water activities, consider Bodega Dunes Campground on the coast. "There are lots of RV campers here but some with tents... If you want a sunny site, go for the center of the loop in the 60s/70s. We prefer shade and some space," advises a visitor.
Bring entertainment: Limited activities for children at primitive horse campgrounds means families should pack games and activities. "Staff are friendly. Native garden is very nice. Hiking is nice too especially in winter when everything is green. It's like a fairy wonderland on the Manzanita trail," shares a Skyline Wilderness camper.
Temperature preparation: Wide temperature fluctuations near Angwin require proper planning. "During our hike in and out we hung out at site #2 as this site didn't have people currently camping there. I'd be cautious about actually staying at this site as unfortunately it had the horse riders come right by," notes a visitor to Wildcat Camp.
Limited hookup options: Horse campgrounds near Angwin typically lack RV amenities. "Clean showers and bathrooms, some trees, close to Raley's Grocery store. Easy drive to the wineries of Napa Valley, a little further to Sonoma but a nice drive," explains a Skyline Wilderness Park visitor regarding nearby alternatives.
Level site selection: "We always manage to level out in our 23" Winnebago View. There is lots of open space so no crowding. There is a rural road near by but traffic noise isn't a problem," reports a Cowboy Camp visitor, noting the importance of bringing leveling blocks for uneven terrain.
Water considerations: "The lack of hookups makes it best suited for self-contained units or those prepared for primitive camping conditions." RVers should arrive with full water tanks when visiting horse campgrounds near Angwin as potable water sources are limited. "We pulled in with a travel trailer and an SUV with small cargo trailer. They made us rent 2 spots even tho we could have fit it one as the sites are HUGE," shares a visitor to Dixon May Fair.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Angwin, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Angwin, CA is Ritchey Creek Campground — Bothe-Napa Valley State Park with a 4.1-star rating from 33 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Angwin, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 10 equestrian camping locations near Angwin, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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