Boulder Oaks Equestrian Campground sits at a higher elevation in Cleveland National Forest, providing cooler temperatures throughout the camping season. The facility specifically caters to trail riders with dedicated equestrian campsites designed to accommodate horses and trailers. Water spigots are available throughout the grounds, with sites currently priced at $14 per night as of May 2024.
What to do
Hiking to waterfalls: Green Valley Campground provides access to nearby waterfall trails. "The walk to the waterfall 'hike' was manageable and another day we hiked to the airplane monument (don't get your hopes up lol) and that was a solid moderate hike," notes a Green Valley Campground visitor.
Stargazing: Higher elevation campgrounds in the area offer excellent night sky viewing. "Beautiful stargazing. The drive was very windy and unique," reports a camper at Green Valley Campground.
Trail exploration: Multiple interconnected trails run through Cleveland National Forest. At Laguna Campground, "There is a beautiful lake that is worth hike (walking) to and probably great to bike ride around," according to Kate W.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Many campsites in the area provide ample room for setup. "Plenty of room for our trailer and enough space between sites to feel like we were alone out here," writes Robb B. about Boulder Oaks.
Weather conditions: The mountain elevation creates cooler temperatures. "Super cute area, and much cooler since it's a little higher altitude. Nice big sites and an entire loop with equestrian sites," says Beth W. about Boulder Oaks.
Clean facilities: Campgrounds in the region maintain well-kept restrooms. "Bathrooms are clean and the showers are free. There are even halls where you can play BINGO and a game room with Wii games," notes a visitor to Pio Pico RV Resort.
What you should know
Limited connectivity: Cell service varies throughout equestrian camping areas near Boulevard. "You won't have the best cell coverage but if your looking for a quite getaway from society this is the place to be," says a camper at Pio Pico.
Fire restrictions: Check current fire regulations before arrival. Some sites have fire rings while others prohibit fires completely due to wildfire concerns.
Reservation systems: Many campgrounds fill quickly on weekends. "If you're planning on going here, you might want to shoot for a weekday when it's less crowded or make a reservation well in advance," advises an Alexa S. at Laguna Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Educational opportunities: Some campgrounds offer special learning programs. At KQ Ranch Resort, "Every first Saturday of the month they have the Wolf Education Project come visit with their wolves. It was really neat for the kids and adults to learn and pet the wolf."
Wildlife viewing: The area supports diverse bird and animal populations. "Wild turkeys roam around the campground," notes Andre V. about Cuyamaca Rancho State Park.
Activity centers: Several campgrounds feature recreation facilities. "They have mini golf, frisbee golf, and a heated pool which are open," reports a visitor to KQ Ranch Resort.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Request specific sites when possible for better experiences. "We had spot 192, a beautiful view of Anza Borrego Desert, nice and shady, far from amenities so not a lot of people passing by," advises an RVer about KQ Ranch Resort.
Access considerations: Some roads to equestrian camping areas have vehicle length restrictions. "Access roads are narrow, hilly, AND curvy. But, it CAN be done. Coming in from the south on Hwy 79 (the only road in) warns that 40' vehicles and longer, are prohibited," warns a visitor to Oakzanita Springs RV Campground.
Hookup availability: Research utilities before arrival. "Only the south side has full sewer, water, and electric hook ups. To get a spot on the south side, you have to go through a complicated first come first serve/wait for people to leave/list/lottery/nonsense," explains a camper at Pio Pico RV Resort.
