Skyline Wilderness Park offers equestrian camping options 14 miles north of Burlingame, California at an elevation of 850 feet. The region's Mediterranean climate provides mild year-round conditions with summer temperatures averaging 70-80°F and winter lows rarely dropping below 40°F. Horse riders often encounter mild fog during morning trail rides which typically burns off by midday, creating optimal visibility of the surrounding oak woodlands.
What to do
Trail riding with families: Tilden Regional Park features gentle terrain suitable for riders of varying experience. "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. It is great for biking (but be weary of the hills)," says Ethan K.
Wildlife viewing on horseback: Riders at Del Valle Campground frequently spot native species during morning rides. "There was quite a bit of wildlife roaming through the park mainly in the early morning. I saw deer and turkeys roaming the campground," notes Uriel S. Early morning or evening rides offer the best wildlife viewing opportunities.
Beach access riding: For equestrians seeking coastal riding experiences, some campgrounds provide beach trail access within 90 minutes of Burlingame. "Inside the Point Reyes National seashore, this is a hike in only campground... 2 min walk to beach, with amazing views of the cliffs and seashore. Access to a long list of other short/long hikes," explains Jason R. about Coast Campground.
What campers like
Private riding enclosures: Skyline Wilderness Park provides designated areas for horse handling. "A safe, beautiful, affordable property to spend outdoors time on. Convenient sites with complete hookup and also restroom/showers handy. The 800+ acres of hills, woods and fields offers archery, disc golf, hiking, horseback riding and more," shares Jamie G.
Year-round riding access: The mild Bay Area climate allows for consistent trail conditions. "The weather is always great too!" mentions Nicholas M. about Tilden Park. Most equestrian trails remain open throughout the year with brief closures only during extreme weather events.
Multiple trail difficulty options: The region offers rides for all experience levels. "Lots of hiking, views and close to Napa," notes Rich J. about Skyline Wilderness Park. Trail maps typically indicate difficulty levels with green (easy), blue (moderate) and black (advanced) markings for riders.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most equestrian sites require booking 2-3 months in advance, especially during peak season (May-September). "Reservations for horse camping should be made well in advance, particularly for weekend stays," states park policy at Anthony Chabot Regional Park. "It's popular, especially on the weekends, and I'd recommend reservations," confirms Amanda P.
Trailer parking logistics: Horse trailer parking requires careful planning at most sites. "Horse trailer parking is available in designated areas with ample room for loading and unloading," but spaces are limited. Some campgrounds have size restrictions for rigs over 30 feet.
Water availability: Access to horse water stations varies by site. "Water troughs are positioned throughout the campground for equine hydration," though during drought conditions, restrictions may apply. Campers should plan to bring supplemental water during dry periods.
Tips for camping with families
Safety gear requirements: Always bring appropriate safety equipment for young riders. "Very peaceful and well worth the hike in," says Craig A. about Wildcat Campground, though trail conditions can challenge inexperienced riders. Helmets are required for all riders under 18 on public trails.
Beginner trail options: Start with shorter, gentler loops for novice riders. "The hike is uphill.... it starts along a creek/river which is referred to as Little Yosemite. Fun creek area with lots of water/rock formations," notes MarinMaverick about Sunol Regional Wilderness, which offers similar terrain for beginning horse riders.
Evening activities: Plan alternate activities for evenings after riding. "The sky at night as ideally suited for star gazing since the north bay doesn't get as much fog as the general SF bay area and the city lights don't pollute the night sky too bad!" shares Patrick O. about Coast Camp.
Tips from RVers
RV-specific equestrian sites: Not all horse camping areas accommodate RVs. "The campground accommodates tent, RV, and cabin campers with horses," but check site-specific guidelines first. Call rangers directly for current conditions before arrival.
Hook-up availability: Some equestrian sites offer partial hookups. "Decent 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," mentions Rich J. about Skyline Wilderness Park.
Space considerations: Many equestrian camps have tight quarters for larger rigs. "Our slot 170 was very narrow, other spots had more space. You could not see that on the onlinemap," warns Stefan K. about Alameda County Fairgrounds RV Park, a situation common to many regional equestrian facilities.
