Horse Flats Campground serves tent and RV campers in the Angeles National Forest near Calabasas. Campsites accommodate horses with adequate space for trailers, though no dedicated corrals are present. The primitive campground provides picnic tables, fire rings, vault toilets, and trash service, without electric hookups, water hookups, or shower facilities. Sites are first-come, first-served, with no reservation system in place. The alcohol-allowed policy appeals to many campers, though facilities remain basic. Campers consistently rate the experience highly, with the campground maintaining a 4.4-star average across reviews.
Musch Trail Camp in Topanga State Park offers primitive tent camping for hikers and horse owners. The trail-accessible camp provides basic toilet facilities and trash collection, though drinking water is the only amenity available. Campfires are prohibited throughout the grounds, and pets are not permitted in this natural area. The hike-in campground connects to extensive trail networks across the Santa Monica Mountains, providing riders direct access to scenic bridle paths. Visitors should note the campground lacks reservations and operates on a first-come basis, requiring self-sufficient camping skills and appropriate feed storage for horses, as no dedicated equestrian facilities are provided beyond adequate space for animals.
"It is prime location for some great hiking and at night it is super quiet. There are restrooms and showers as well."
"The grounds were beautiful and well maintained, the camp host super friendly and helpful, the bathrooms well positioned and clean, and the sites had shade and everything we needed."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $45 - $225 / night
"If you want a longer hike you can hike up the East Topanga Fire Road and then drop down into Musch Camp on the Backbone Trail from Eagle Junction."
"Really felt away from the " concrete jungle" of the city."
from $7 / night
"This is a very nice campground near everything but still away from it all. No issues parking our 42' 5th wheel here. Clean and quiet despite the peacocks. They can be rather loud when startled."
"This campground happens to be very close to home so we went here to try out our brand new pull behind camper trailer for the very first time.
The campground is small, quiet and very well-kept."
"A little remote and you have to drive to the nearest town(s), but clean grounds and nice site. Very easy to book online. The RV park is pretty large so it's a nice daily walk."
"It’s right near Magic Mountain theme park and many useful stores nearby: Home Depot, Walmart, Target, genetic stores, movie theaters. I’ll camp here again."
from $100 / night
"But otherwise a great spot to spend a few summer days away from anyone not hale enough to trek in a few miles."
"Crossing the tiny bridge at the west end of Switzer Picinic area(park up top during the weekdays, adds half a mile), you’ll see Switzer Trail Camp."
"Awesome park, clean, level paved pads with a parking space..nice amenities, small NEX nearby. Wildlife reserve adjacent to the park made it nice for walking the dogs, too"
"Very clean, cement slab, walking paths well lit and near to many areas to explore. Wetlands on the base and birds galore."
"Horse Flats is not as popular as Buckhorn, and is a little less "green" with regards to the immediate scenery. It is also quieter for this reason, which is nice."
"We usually only see rangers come around in the morning. With that said, we still like Horse Flats because there is usually a spot or two open if we arrive on a Saturday."
from $12 / night
"great views 360 degrees once you're on top. a 7 mile hike north on the Pacific Crest Trail from mill creek fire station. fire rings with multiple spots"
"Coming from Frazier, CA I was able to access the camp site with a 2012 Chevy Equinox LS FWD (By no means an off-roading vehicle) and return back home with no issues."
"Beautiful drive down grade valley to get to this awesome site. We were looking for a more remote place to camp and this site satisfied all our needs."
ScoutBeautiful spot on seal Beach naval weapons command base. A bit pricey, but has showers and free laundry facilities seems to be on the flight path to John Wayne Airport beautiful grounds must have a DBIDS card to get in and out of base if not military.
TravelerNice spot with great hiking. Limited facilities. No hookups. $1 for 2 minute shower (tokens).
TravelerI was lucky to find this place. It’s well run, comfortable, friendly. Nice spots.
ScoutThe hike-in experience has captivating views and diverse environment. Really felt away from the " concrete jungle" of the city.
TravelerI do recommend. Beautiful, peaceful place. Good folks. It’s right near Magic Mountain theme park and many useful stores nearby: Home Depot, Walmart, Target, genetic stores, movie theaters. I’ll camp here again.
Scoutdon’t try to reach out to this park via phone with any questions, they won’t answer you. they won’t even answer the phone when their own reservation agents are calling them. gates close strictly at 10 so if you’re camping here make sure to show up by then. showed up at 9:58 after leaving a music festival early to make sure i made it on time, and their staff was immensely rude to me about not making it on time. the morning staff is incredibly nice, apologizing for the problems and giving me advice. the night staff though has a problem and they take it out on their visitors. for how rude they were to me, somehow the campsite across from me showed up at 11pm, so seems like they pick and choose who to give problems. avoid camping here. campsites are very close together and nothing special.
ScoutGreat hikes all around and close to beaches and city. Good sites were 26, 7, 49.
RangerSmall and not level spots, but OK spreaded. Toilet building is fine (paid showers though).
TravelerThe only thing to do here is hike and the trails are not well marked. Tried to get to MASH site and almost missed it do to lack of trail markers.
The bathrooms are clean but no soap or way to dry hands.
Visitors center is a hike and only open on weekends if volunteers are available.
RV dump station usage is not included in site fee. Extra $10 per dump
Most of sites are not even close level!
Dispersed camping opportunities near Calabasas, California lie within Angeles National Forest and the surrounding Santa Monica Mountains. The region sits at elevations ranging from 800 to 5,000 feet, creating varied camping environments from chaparral to pine forest ecosystems. Summer temperatures typically range from 75-95°F during daytime hours, while winter nights can drop below freezing at higher elevations.
Bouldering access: 5-minute hike. At Horse Flats Campground, climbers will find numerous boulder problems within walking distance. "Nice place to stay for climbing - there is mostly bouldering in the area, with some trad stuff," notes Kathleen L., making it a convenient base camp for climbing enthusiasts.
Pacific Crest Trail hiking: 1-2 mile access. Horse Flats provides access points to multiple day hikes along the PCT. "It's an hours drive from LA and because the campground is at elevation it stays cooler during the hot months," reports Les R., highlighting the climate advantages for summer hiking.
Kayaking opportunities: seasonal creek access. During spring months when water levels permit, nearby creeks offer paddling options. "This one is to die for when it comes to kayaking," shares THE A. about Seabreeze At Seal Beach, noting the seasonal water recreation potential.
Remote locations: 30 minutes from main roads. At Halfmoon Campground, campers appreciate the isolation. "We were looking for a more remote place to camp and this site satisfied all our needs. We were the only ones there and the scenery was pleasing," explains Antonio C., emphasizing the solitude available despite proximity to urban areas.
Year-round accessibility: winter camping options. Some sites remain open throughout colder months. "We camped here this weekend, which is the latest we've gone before the winter months... Even though it was 79 degrees in the day, temperature got down to 54 at night," notes Les R., providing context for late-season equestrian camping near Calabasas.
Wildlife viewing: dawn and dusk opportunities. Many campers report excellent wildlife viewing. "The wildlife is abundant. There is plenty of birdwatching, and coyotes were wandering through the park and campground without fear," states Ryan W. at Malibu Creek State Park Campground, describing the natural encounters possible.
Fire restrictions: seasonal variations. Fire policies differ dramatically by campground and season. "The campground was under fire warning all weekend, but faux wood (javalog or duraflame) and charcoal was still allowed," reports Ryan W., providing crucial information for campers planning campfires.
Limited cell service: prepare offline maps. Connectivity is spotty throughout the region. "There is no cell service and no phone landlines there," cautions robherr about Tapo Canyon Park, reminding visitors to download maps and information beforehand.
Horse-specific considerations: feed storage required. For equestrian camping near Calabasas, California, proper feed management is essential. "Bear Creek (seasonal). Can be reached from Tom Sloan Saddle or Switzer Falls Trailhead," notes Anthony K. about Bear Canyon Campground, indicating trail access points for riders.
Playground access: structured activities. Some campgrounds offer dedicated play areas. "They have a nice size laundry room that stays clean. They have several bathrooms and showers throughout the campground," shares Ashley S. about Valencia Travel Village, highlighting family-friendly amenities.
Swimming options: seasonal considerations. Pool facilities provide relief during hot months. "They have two nice pools one for adults and one for families," explains Ashley S., noting the separate swimming areas for different age groups.
Trail difficulty ratings: kid-appropriate routes. Multiple trail options accommodate various skill levels. "The park is a former movie set and is filled with easily accessible trails for hiking and some for mountain biking. The primary trails were open fire roads with off-shoots to lakes, pools, meadows, and more," describes Ryan W., indicating family-suitable terrain.
Hookup availability: 30/50 amp options. RV campers should note electrical capabilities. "Full hook ups. 15, 30, 5p amp electrical, water, sewer, but no phone or internet," explains Patrick M., detailing the Tapo Canyon Park utility situation.
Site spacing: pull-through dimensions. RV site configurations vary significantly. "The campsites are designed for RVs. I have camped here in a tent and there is no way to drive a stake into the ground. The sites are fairly large and well spread out for an RV lot," advises robherr, providing practical tent camping constraints at RV-oriented sites.
RV size limitations: length restrictions. Some campgrounds have strict size restrictions. "Nice campground for a big state park. Good for Hiks and bikes. Some interesting movie TV sets in the area. Decent cell coverage. Best for tents, tight for RVs," warns Rick L. about Malibu Creek, noting the spatial constraints for larger vehicles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Calabasas, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Calabasas, CA is Malibu Creek State Park Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 46 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Calabasas, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 12 equestrian camping locations near Calabasas, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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