1 campground with availability next weekend
Plumas National Forest Snake Lake Campground offers equestrian sites in a rustic forest setting approximately 9 miles from Quincy and 2-3 miles off the highway. The campground features spacious campsites with ample room between them, fire rings, and bear boxes for secure food storage. Access is available via dirt roads through forested areas, making it suitable for horse trailers though higher clearance vehicles are recommended. Toilet facilities consist of vault toilets, while water must be brought in or filtered from the nearby lake. The equestrian-designated camping areas accommodate both overnight horse stays and traditional tent camping, with the large sites allowing sufficient space for horses and camping equipment.
Trail access directly connects horse campers to the surrounding Plumas National Forest trail system, with multiple riding routes accessible from the campground. The natural terrain provides varied riding opportunities through pine forests and along scenic routes. Campers should note this is a primitive camping experience with no water hookups or developed horse facilities such as permanent corrals. Horse owners need to bring portable containment systems or use high-line techniques for overnight horse camping. Bear activity is common in the region, requiring proper food and scent management both for human supplies and horse feed. During peak summer months, mosquitoes can be prevalent around the lake area, so appropriate protection for both riders and horses is advised. The free camping arrangement makes Snake Lake a cost-effective base for exploring the region's equestrian trails.
"Walking trails connect to the campground! What a delight and right near Bucks Lake!
It is bear country, and the campsite was visited by a bear at night.""Clean campground, great fishing, and nice trail around lake. Kids love camping here. Bathrooms are kept clean and stocked 2-3x a day."
Campground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $31 / night
"It's close to the lake and market. We love to get ice cream before dinner :) Only negative - not all of the spaces have bear boxes and we had a nice visitor one morning."
"It's along a cove in the lake. Super nice hosts and nice campers. The bathrooms are kind of gross but that's expected. Always camp here when we go to the lake."
from $15 / night
"Just a short drive down a forest service dirt road and you'll find yourself at Soldier Meadows---a gem of a campground!"
"There is also a water access to go easing and a few deep spots for swimming. There are also 3 Poké stops and a gym for Pokémon Go players."
"Very pretty views of the valley from the campground, and having hiking trails start from the campground was really nice. Only complaints are very close neighbors and little shade."
"There are some nice places to fish that are just a short walk from the campsites and the campsites are nicely shaded to help cut the heat during the day. We saw some salmon, deer, quail, and frogs."
"If you are looking for a small campground with full hookups, on the lake, close to Table Mountain and Feather Falls, this is for you."
"Really enjoyed this campground which is part of the Lake Oroville State Recreation Area. The staff where we checked in were helpful with all of our questions about the area."
Campground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $45 / night
"Located off a well maintained gravel road near beautiful Butte Lake. We had no problem towing our trailer to this location and neither did our friends whose trailer is 30+ ft."
"Stayed at Butte Lake for two nights in late June 2022. None of the campsites has an unobstructed lake view, but it’s a short walk to the day use area on the shore."
Campground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $37 / night
ScoutIt’s pretty empty this time of year. Was informed it will close for the season next week. Camp sites are oddly marked. Lots of trees to navigate around. But spacious. Tent and RV Camp spots as well as cabins. Internet is the fastest I’ve seen at a park 40mb download. There is road noise at night so pick a spot in the back. Showers and bathrooms are very clean.
GuideGreat CG, bigger than expected but spots are spread out. Cool pine forest, pretty lake, Cinder Cone Hike worth the sweat for the views. Stayed in site 8, not super level for a van, but made it work.
GuideNice Campground right on the hat Creek! Full hookups Laundry Wifi available for purchase Close to Lassen Volcanic NP
GuideWe spent the weekend here and camp host were great. Bathrooms were clean. Only downside was no dump or fresh water and it’s a 30+ minute drive to town. Biggest downfall of this area is the hour long drive with a trailer down the wash board road. Other than that everything was great. Fishing was good. Clean camp.
ScoutWe had a great time up at Antelope Lake. It is a very pretty lake and would definitely recommend going. However, the camp host there was very rude and very unaccommodating. I booked 6 campsites for two nights, when I showed up on Friday, the campground was not full so I moved to my trailer to a different site because it was close to friends and family. The site I moved to was first come first serve. The camp host was hounding me - saying I must pay for the site I moved to even though the campground wasn't full. Originally, I paid close to $500 for all 6 sites and the camp host made me pay for the extra site that wasn't even taken/reserved. Be careful of this guy! I think this guy might be pocketing the money.
ScoutIt's along a cove in the lake. Super nice hosts and nice campers. The bathrooms are kind of gross but that's expected. Always camp here when we go to the lake.
TravelerSuper clean camp grounds, with an amazing view when near the water
LegendNice spot near the NP. Level spot, nice clean bath and shower area. Got a nice hot shower, thank you!
We stumbled across it when all the campgrounds in the national forest and national park for closed for the season and what a nice surprise. They had a little grocery store with ice cream..we had some ice cream. It was delicious.
They had the cutest little resort with little cabins, yurts and spots for a camper or big RV. They had a volleyball court, cornhole and a basketball area. Great little spot! We would absolutely come back. Internet on my phone was hit or miss outside. They offered internet for a cheap price. $1.95 a day. 12 minute drive to Park entrance. Otherwise, you are in the middle of nowhere. 20 minutes to a grocery store. Beautiful spot!
GuidePerfection. It was early October, and while the AM Temps dropped to 32°F. I wanted to stay one more day. The toilet needed pumping out, to be expected at the end of the season. The water pump didn't produce, I had plenty. I recommend bringing enough to wash with as well as drink. This time of year, the creek was a babbling brook. For the 5 days I stayed, at most 3 campers, and one only stayed one night. Very peaceful, just what the doctor odered. Road is very easy to get down. I look forward to going back. However, I am posting a picture of a notice posted at the entrance. I would not pay for this campsite. It was perfect for what it was. If they do start charging, then I believe it would not be worth it.
Snake Lake Campground in Plumas National Forest sits at approximately 5,500 feet elevation in the Sierra Nevada mountains, about 9 miles from Quincy, California. The campground features rustic sites spread across forested terrain with pine tree coverage providing natural shade. Weather conditions vary significantly by season with summer temperatures typically ranging from 70-85°F during days and 45-55°F at night.
Trail riding access: The equestrian-designated areas at Snake Lake Campground connect directly to the broader Plumas National Forest trail system. According to Scott R., it offers "hiking, 4 wheeling, fishing. One of my favorite places to camp."
Fishing opportunities: Multiple lakes and streams near horse campgrounds around Belden provide fishing access. At Whitehorse Campground, Erin C. notes "great fishing, and nice trail around lake. Kids love camping here."
Cinder Cone hiking: For riders wanting a break from horseback, Laura F. describes the nearby attractions: "The Cinder Cone hike along the old lava flow behind the campsite is spectacular! Don't let the climb up the cinder cone dissuade you; the panoramic view from the top is well worth it!"
Spacious sites: Horse campers appreciate the room to spread out at equestrian campgrounds. At Bidwell Canyon Campground, Karissa R. notes, "There are very nice and large spots for both Camper and Tent camping... the trees separated the spots enough that groups can be separate or together."
Lake proximity: Many equestrian campsites near Belden are located near water features. Addison G. describes Haskins Valley Campground as being "along a cove in the lake. Super nice hosts and nice campers... Always camp here when we go to the lake."
Natural solitude: Sarah J. valued Black Rock Campground for "Everything we wanted! Solitude and nature. The campground is small, which was perfect. A total of 19 spaces, but on a Sunday night there were only 5 filled spaces. Trees and birds! Chipmunks! Walking trails connect to the campground!"
Bear activity preparation: Proper food storage is essential at horse campgrounds near Belden. Julie B. cautions, "not all of the spaces have bear boxes and we had a nice visitor one morning. Be sure to put your food in your car if you don't have a bear box."
Road conditions: Many horse campgrounds require traveling on unpaved roads. Jim S. describes Soldier Meadows Campground as "Just a short drive down a forest service dirt road and you'll find yourself at Soldier Meadows—a gem of a campground! Located just 15 minutes from the oh so popular Lake Almanor."
Water management: Most equestrian sites have limited water facilities. Some only provide vault toilets with no running water, requiring campers to filter lake water or bring their own supply. As Jessica P. notes about one campground: "Bathrooms were top notch clean! Careful for poison ivy nearby."
Child-friendly sites: Some horse campgrounds near Belden are particularly suited for families. Erin C. mentions that "Kids love camping here. Bathrooms are kept clean and stocked 2-3x a day."
Swimming access: Not all equestrian campsites have direct water access. Bill T. reports that at Butte Lake Campground, "I was there in late July and the lake was great (cold, not numbing) for swimming. Several people launched kayaks and lots of people did the many hikes around the area."
Bug protection: During summer months, insect protection is essential for both horses and humans. Kyle M. experienced challenges at one site: "There was no cell service and a lot of mosquitoes."
Access considerations: Most horse campgrounds have limited space for larger rigs. Amy reports Bidwell Canyon is a "Great place for a quick stop over," while other equestrian sites require "4WD and high clearance."
Hookup limitations: Few equestrian campgrounds offer full services. Ty G. notes: "Only downside was no dump or fresh water and it's a 30+ minute drive to town. Biggest downfall of this area is the hour long drive with a trailer down the wash board road."
Level site challenges: Many campsites in this mountainous region present leveling difficulties for trailers. Mary F. advises: "Roads are terribly narrow and sites are small and very uneven. Not a great place for a trailer nor class A."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Belden, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Belden, CA is Whitehorse Campground - Bucks Lake Recreation Area with a 3.8-star rating from 4 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Belden, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 18 equestrian camping locations near Belden, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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