Equestrian Campground in Auberry, California offers basic facilities for horse owners in the Sierra National Forest. The campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis with primitive amenities and no dedicated horse corrals, though horses are permitted throughout the grounds. Trail access connects directly to Bureau of Land Management trails suitable for day rides. Campsites accommodate both tent camping and horse trailer parking with sufficient room for portable corrals or highlines that campers must bring themselves.
The surrounding Sierra National Forest provides extensive riding opportunities with connections to multiple trail systems. Riders should bring their own water supply for horses as the campground does not provide horse-specific water facilities. The area features primarily dirt access roads that may become challenging during wet conditions. Horse camping is permitted year-round though summer and early fall offer the most favorable riding conditions. Most campsites have enough space to accommodate multiple horses with portable containment systems. The roads nearby can take riders to Kaiser Wilderness and Kaiser Peak with trails suitable for various riding abilities.
"After accidentally driving to this location following the directions of another reviewer for the “Yosemite Boondocks” campground across 41 (which we never found) we were very happy with this location."
"Great spot about 5 minutes away from Yosemite entrance. Only a few other campers nearby but plenty of space to where they were only seen from a distance."
$41 - $43 / night
"The site is pet friendly and has horse stables. Our neighbors were friendly and quiet. The site had a picnic table, fire pit, water spout and full electricity hook ups."
"Driving from the West toward Yosemite this location is one which will allow you to find a camping option before getting into the big crowds. "
$40 - $55 / night
"Typical California foothills hardpan and dead grass sites - large and able to accommodate very long combo rigs and have enough width to disconnect and park adjacent to the towable."
"There are many ways to arrive here, but the most direct and easiest is on California State Highway 180. The park is open, but the office is not, so it’s find a spot and check yourself in."
$32 / night
"Easy walk to campstore, post office, restaurant, and visitor center. Many trails close by. Very busy in summer. No reservations. Tent only loops available."
"Very quiet but some sledding and hiking activity close by. Sites are a little close to each other, but being so quiet it's not a big deal."
$20 - $100 / night
"It would make the perfect group site as they were a bit tucked back from the other sites. Site #12 could easily be connected to site #11 as the brush is well-cleared between the two."
"Located a short 20 miles east of 99, just north of Fresno, this Army Corps of Engineers campground is stunning."
$37 - $78 / night
"I agree the road out is pretty scary I don't advise trailers but I have seen them while driving in. It is one lane and you must pull out for opposing traffic."
"Our campground was right next to the river, and hiking trails to lakes, meadows and hot springs run directly off of the campground. The host was wonderful, it was all around perfect."
"It is a beautiful campground located off Kaiser Pass Road. Even in June there was so many wildflowers and vibrate green. There was bathrooms and each site had a picnic table, fire pit, and bear box."
"When I visited some people had buried human waste next to the campsite and I cleaned it up. Most easily accessed via Kaiser Pass. Be aware that the road is steep, narrow, and has blind corners."
GuideGreat location right in the middle of Yosemite Valley. Great access to beautiful hikes and scenery. The camp sites are spacious. Because it's an equestrian campground, you will smell the horses and stables....be prepared. The river is close to the campgrounds and are refreshing on a hot day.
GuideI agree the road out is pretty scary I don't advise trailers but I have seen them while driving in. It is one lane and you must pull out for opposing traffic. But definitely one of my most favorite places in the Sierras. The views are amazing, I recommend giving yourself extra time to stop and get out for the views a few times on the way in.
Once in the campground/resort area there are two separate loops to camp in as well as cabins to rent and a small dispersed camping area there is also a general store, bath house, and small Cafe that are all seasonal since the road is closed most of the year. So open and close dates vary depending on snow. You can get firewood, drinking water at the store but it can be a little pricey, so I recommend bringing your own. The baths/showers are usually included for anyone paying for a campsite, but this may have changed. It is very cheap for day use persons to use the showers though. The sites are all very nice and surprisingly private though some are pretty close together. All provide a firepit, table, bear box, and parking space. I love that there are bear boxes at such a remote place! There are vault tiolets and dumpsters for trash. The river runs along one side of the campsites so about half of the sites are on the river. Bring extra bugspray for these sites as you are close to the water.
Most important if you made it this far reading 😅😂 there are multiple NATURAL HOT SPRINGS!! There are several different pools located across the river from the campgrounds. They are all over the hillside and range in temperature from lukewarm to bath water to Hot. They also pump the natural mineral water to the bathhouse for the showers! The springs are the main reason to come out and camp. There are also tons of hiking trails and other lakes in the area including 2 thermal lakes and tons of breathtaking views. I highly recommend this place. 🏞🏕
Also: I have not personally stayed in the cabins or dispersed camping area only the paid sites along the river, but I have been here several times and have seen them. There is also a corral area for horses so I'm not sure if that qualifies it as an equestrian camp but there is a spot for the horses.
TravelerIf you wanna get away and camp next to a river and down a trail and shoot your gun or go fishing you can freedom you can horseback ride if you have horses he can fish there are fish there trout it's beautiful peaceful.
TravelerThis campground is in the heart of Yosemite Valley. It is great to camp on the valley floor, especially during peak season as traffic from all main gates to the valley floor is very congested. There is a shuttle stop right outside the campground. You are also in easy walking distance to the path to Mirror Lake and the ever popular Mist Trail. Shuttle stops at all valley attractions and you can easily get to the Pizza Deck in Half Dome Village, the deli in Yosemite Village, and many different hiking trails. Some spots are right along the Merced River. No showers here, but hot showers are close by at Half Dome Village. We will be back!
LegendIt is hard to get a Camping spot in Yosemite but well worth it if you do. I got up early many a morning to try and get a day here or there for our summer trips out west. You can always try the daily lottery in the village office which we did one day. So Any campground in the valley is good and in close proximity to everything going on. This campground is located on the Merced river and is primitive. The horse stables are in this loop as well.There is a water station by entrance to fill up. No electric, sewer or shower. There are bathrooms with an outlet (Yea- can charge your Phone but get in line) You can bathe in river like I do or go to curry village and pay for a shower at housekeeping. You get a fire ring and a bear box at each site. Generator hours are limited so plan accordingly.
RangerThousand Island Lake is a trek to get to but once you get there, well you don’t really want to leave. This view is absolutely beautiful, and it changes rapidly with the rising and setting sun so make you have your camera ready for it. This is completely back country so you gotta pack it all in. There are some rules you have to follow while camping at this lake, 30 feet off of the trail and then another 100 feet away from the water. This can be hard to do as your camp may be on a slant or in the wide open, however you have plenty of space to choose from at this location. There is another rule about camping past a certain peninsula but from everyone we talked to they had no idea which peninsula the map was actually referring to, so you just walk past a couple of them and hope you’re in the right spot. The water is very cold but still feels great after a long hike all day.
There are multiple routes to getting to this lake, you can come. The John Muir trail and the PCT lead to this location, also Mammoth California has a trail that leads here as well. We even encountered mule train options on our way in if you prefer that type of transportation. But this is definitely somewhere you want to visit.
GuideWe were lucky to get 5 days in a row during 4th of July weekend in 2021 at one of the best sites within North Pines campground. We set up camp at site #515, we had a fire pit, bear locker, picnic table and two tents! Within walking distance is the edge of the Merced river, from there you have views of Yosemite Falls. One of my favorite activities was take a short walk with a floating tube from the campsite to the entrance of the campground and hop into the river float back down and get off near our campsite! Our site also offered a good amount of shade and was a short walk from the restrooms. We were surround amongst the giant granite cliffs. One of the best camping trips with great company. 10/10 would recommend.
TravelerAfter accidentally driving to this location following the directions of another reviewer for the “Yosemite Boondocks” campground across 41 (which we never found) we were very happy with this location.
First, to tell you how to properly get here and find all the spots, drive to the end of the road (don’t pay attention to the gate and “off road” dirt road you see to the left before the parking lot. Don’t go there. Go to just before the big Snow Play parking lot and head right through the dirt. There is no paved road but the area is flat and any car, truck or rv/trailer can make it back here easily. I got nervous at first about ability to turnaround so I parked prematurely near the entrance. Keep going and you’ll find at least 4 or 5 big private areas separated by huge cut logs all with plenty of room to turnaround and not have to back up.
If you’re nervous, we watched several cars, vans, and trailers camp overnight in the big paved parking lot right past this, and that’s fine, but you’re in a parking lot. Come out to the right and you’re in heaven.
We were the only RV here and had it to ourselves an entire week (granted it’s early November). Can’t beat the proximity to Yosemite south entrance.
LegendNorth Pines is one of three campgrounds on the floor of Yosemite Valley. Across the Merced River from the other two campgrounds and adjacent to the horse stables, it is relatively isolated with no major roads running by it. Nevertheless, it is well connected to the rest of the valley amenities, with a quick walk to the bus station, a longer walk (1 mi) to the visitor center via the Valley Loop Trail, or a drive (if you don't mind braving traffic and searching for parking spaces).
The sites are not well defined. You have a place to park and besides that, it is a little of a free-for-all with the adjacent sites as to where you set up your gear. Despite that, we had plenty of room to set up our large 10 person tent, without feeling crowded or that we were overspilling our space. We were there the last weekend it was open (Oct 26/27) and all sites were booked. There are no hook-ups, and the comfort stations only have toliets and sinks (no showers), a fresh water faucet, and a disposal "toliet" for dish water. All dishes must be washed at camp. The facilities were fairly clean, though the disposal toilet often backed up. Being late October, I was expecting very cold conditions. But the weather was great! 70s during the day and 40s at night. Clear skies. Absolutely beautiful.
Our site was located right next to the comfort station, and in hindsight I wish we had found a place a little farther away. But besides the proximity, our site was nice with a fire pit and picnic table. Quiet hours are from 1000-0600, and we had to remind our neighbor campers who came back drunk at midnight to shut it, but that seems to be more the normal than abnormal these days. There were mostly tents in the campground, with a few small RVs and trailers. Generators are allowed during limited hours, but the noise wasn't overwhelming, since they were few and far between.
As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I get products to test from time to time. This weekend I got to test the Wenzel Great Basin 10 tent (https://wenzelco.com/great-basin-10/). Overall, my impression of this tent is that it is a solid and reliable tent. Yes, it has a few design items that could be improved for ease of use, but overall it served us well and I look forward to using it again. The tent is a domed center-opening design, with two side "rooms" that can be separated by zipped curtains, making three interior spaces total. My husband and I filled up on room with two large cots facing length wise (we had them oriented along center line and still had enough room to move along the sides). The other side has more than ample room for my daughter's small cot, which ran the width of the tent along the side window. Very comfortable for three people.
Yes, this is a huge tent. Can it be set up by one person? Probably, if that person is patient and tenacious. Two people work much better. A few design items we found annoying were the pole connections, which would frequently catch on the tent pole sleeves and center strap. Also, the zipper flap on the tent's door would frequently get caught in the zipper, making it almost a necessity to use two hands to open and close the tent. Besides these two small inconveniences, the tent worked great. The rain fly fits snug against the tent roof. The construction felt sturdy and we liked the design of the three interior rooms.
Overall, we had a fun two nights in Yosemite. We might make a tradition out of going for the closing weekend each year.
Equestrian recreation options abound in the Sierra National Forest near Auberry, California, which sits at elevations ranging from 3,000-4,000 feet. The terrain varies from rolling foothills to steeper mountain slopes with mixed conifer forests. Summer temperatures typically reach 85-95°F during day and drop to 50-60°F at night, while spring and fall provide milder conditions that many riders prefer for longer trail excursions.
Wilderness trail riding: Kaiser Peak trails accessible from Mono Hot Springs offer challenging terrain for experienced riders. "The surrounding Sierra National Forest provides extensive riding opportunities with connections to multiple trail systems. The roads nearby can take riders to Kaiser Wilderness and Kaiser Peak with trails suitable for various riding abilities," notes a visitor who found the area ideal for full-day excursions.
Fishing at nearby lakes: The Sierra National Forest waterways provide fishing opportunities near several horse-friendly camping areas. "I was there for fishing. The river runs right close to the campsites and it is amazing fishing, I was told that it gets stocked often," shares Heather P. after her visit to Mono Hot Springs. Multiple access points allow for both shore fishing and stream access.
Swimming in thermal waters: When not on horseback, equestrians can relax in natural hot springs. "There are multiple NATURAL HOT SPRINGS!! There are several different pools located across the river from the campgrounds. They are all over the hillside and range in temperature from lukewarm to bath water to Hot," explains Mollie M. about the thermal features at Mono Hot Springs that provide post-ride muscle relief.
Natural creek access: At Sample Meadow Campground, campsites feature running water perfect for horses and riders. "The Kaiser Creek provides hours of fun for the kids and you are close enough to trail heads for the adventure seekers in your group," notes Regina P. The creek access points have gradual entry suitable for horses to drink and cool off.
Spacious sites: Equestrians appreciate ample room for their gear and trailers at campgrounds near Auberry. "The Campsites are far enough apart to feel like you are all alone in the woods!" explains another Sample Meadow visitor. This spacing allows riders to maintain appropriate distance between different horse groups, reducing potential conflicts.
Clear night skies: The remote nature of horse campgrounds near Auberry provides exceptional stargazing. "The stars are beautiful and the site is free too," shares Darlene M. about Sample Meadow. Minimal light pollution creates optimal conditions for astronomers and casual stargazers alike after a day of riding.
Road conditions: Access to many horse-friendly camping areas requires careful driving. "Kaiser Pass was a bit of an adrenaline rush. It took 2 hours to drive 18 miles on a one lane road that is not in good repair. But WORTH it!" warns Chris M. about reaching Mono Hot Springs Campground. Horse trailers require experienced drivers on these routes.
Bear safety measures: All campsites in this region require proper food storage. "There are bear boxes at this campsite so make sure you are prepared if you come here to stay," notes a visitor to Sample Meadow. Horse feed and human food must be properly secured at all times to prevent wildlife encounters.
Seasonal limitations: Access to horse trails varies significantly by season. "By car it's only accessible between June and October and it's worth the wait," explains Darlene M. about Sample Meadow Campground. Snow closes many roads during winter months, with most equestrian camping limited to late spring through early fall.
Bring insect protection: The combination of horses and water sources attracts insects. "I would also suggest bug spray of some type because the mosquitoes are pretty relentless there," advises a visitor to Fish Creek Campground. Long sleeves and pants provide additional protection, particularly during dawn and dusk hours.
Water filtration systems: Most horse campgrounds have limited drinking water facilities. "The creek was really cold so if you need drinking water you should bring some or bring a filter," recommends Darlene M. about Sample Meadow. Plan for approximately 1 gallon per person per day plus additional water for horses.
Temperature fluctuations: Sierra elevations experience significant day-to-night temperature changes. "It also gets extremely cold at night so make sure to bring warm clothes and have a good tent and sleeping bag," warns a camper about conditions at Sample Meadow. Layered clothing works best for both riders and non-riders.
Size limitations: Most horse campgrounds near Auberry have restrictions for large rigs. At Codorniz Campground, "There are few electric sites that fit our 43' Blue Bird. We marked this as 'big rig' friendly," notes Tom D. Most equestrian sites better accommodate smaller trailers under 30 feet.
Leveling challenges: Prepare for uneven parking at many horse-friendly sites. "Sites are asphalt. Many sites may take some time to level. Back in and pull through are available," explains a Codorniz visitor. Bring leveling blocks and stabilizers for horse trailers and RVs to ensure comfort for both humans and equines.
Limited hookups: Most equestrian camping areas provide minimal services. "We're dry camping at the Wildcat site which the ranger said is rarely used. There is no one else in the whole campground!" shares Erik J. about Codorniz. Self-contained units work best, with water and waste management planned accordingly for multi-day stays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Auberry, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Auberry, CA is Goat Meadow - Dispersed Camp Site with a 4.5-star rating from 47 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Auberry, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 30 equestrian camping locations near Auberry, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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