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Kennedy Meadows Campground offers horse-friendly accommodations near California Hot Springs with access to bridle trails and wilderness areas. Tent camping, RV sites, and rustic cabins are available with areas designated for equestrian use. The campground sits beside the lower fork of the Kern River providing opportunities for fishing while camping with horses. Trail riding excursions are available for $30 per hour, making it accessible for campers without their own horses. The campground serves as a trailhead to the Pacific Crest Trail and numerous other hiking routes, with plenty of spots for horseback riding nearby.
Horseback riding trails from Kennedy Meadows lead into the Sequoia National Forest and connect to miles of backcountry routes. The area functions as a working horse packing station where cattle were traditionally moved for summer grazing, now primarily serving tourists and fishing enthusiasts. Horse Creek Campground and Horse Meadow Campground provide additional equestrian-friendly options in the region, both featuring accommodations for horses and riders. Primitive horse camping areas offer more solitary experiences away from developed facilities. High elevation camping at 7,600 feet provides cool nights even during summer months, with temperatures dropping into the forties overnight. Water availability at horse camps is seasonal and dependent on spring conditions, so equestrians should plan to bring sufficient water for themselves and their animals.
"Nice long drive to a beautiful destination"
"There are trails to hike. FYI, there is no cell reception and no provided wifi. Personally I think that’s a good thing 😬."
from $25 - $45 / night
Check Availability"We like to camp next to the creek. Fishing is plentiful and the air is great as long as there’s no fires near."
"went on day picnic back in the 90s, very peaceful, salmon creek near by,"
"We did a backpacking trip from Johnsondale Bridge down to Fairview Campground following the Rincon trail in May. It was hot but the views and the quietness was beautiful!"
"The hubs, kids and myself have spent a lot of time in Keysville if you're looking for a weekend getaway for mountain biking or trail riding this is the place!"
"Beautiful spot conveniently located only a couple miles outside of town. Dumpsters and put toilets provided on both sides of the Kern River."
"Absolutely gorgeous camp right along Isabella Lake with beautiful mountain views. The stars at night were spectacular. There is one decently clean pit toilet and dumpsters when you pull in."
"This was (still kind of is) a working horse packing station where they ran cattle out for the summer. Most trips out now are aimed at tourists/fishermen but the vibe is still the same."
"Adventure Awaits folks get outside!"
"Overnight stay driving through. Easy access. Level parking areas. I stopped close to 395 & had no noise from road. Slept well with strong night winds."
"We landed here and drove thru the FF campground, which we knew was closed but wanted to check it out, and pulled out onto the dry lake bed area to spend the night. "
"We are working out way north through CA and Horse Creek was in a convenient spot. Site very clean and well managed and overall its a pretty spot. Only 2-3 large and dispersed bath rooms."
"The tap outside the building didn't work and neither did the water fountain. The host was not there for check-in."
from $20 / night
Check Availability"The sites themselves are nice, located in a grassy meadow around a reservoir This is the most grass we have seen in several months."
"Some of the sites (75, 76 etc..) look out on Lake Kaweah. It’s clean and well organized. Some highway noise."
from $20 - $40 / night
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GuideGreat for tent camping, but no pull-in or flat spots if you're sleeping in your vehicle. I slept in the equestrian campground since those were back-in sites, but if there are horses you're not allowed to do that. The hike to the base of Langley was great though!
LegendWe didn't camp here, rather we used this as the start/finish point for our 2-day hike to the summit of Mt. Langley. It was a convenient place to park, because you drive right up to the trailhead, and there are trash cans, bear boxes, and vault toilets. We stashed some extra toiletries in the bear boxes, rather than risk leaving them in the car. Toilets were pretty clean. Unfortunately, the potable water spigots were already turned off. The national forest website said they are off in the winter, but I didn't expect that already in early September. This is an equestrian campground, so there was some horse dung on the trails around the campground.
GuideStarted coming here over 40 years ago as a kid. This was (still kind of is) a working horse packing station where they ran cattle out for the summer. Most trips out now are aimed at tourists/fishermen but the vibe is still the same. Fun horse riding trips. Great family vacation to get away from everything. Cabins are rustic but have everything you need. Plenty of tent camping in the campgrounds before the lodge. This is a great starting point for many backcountry backpack trips as it is near the PCT. Lots of hiking. Great fishing spot, river is generally stocked with fish on a weekly basis.
ScoutThe hike to Kennedy meadows campground was wonderful and scenic and the campground itself is in a nice location. The only downfall is the trail and campground is shared for horses and there is POOP EVERYWHERE. Somewhere midway through the hike there is a trail leading to Sharon Lake. Very isolated lake with lots of trout - they were jumping out of the water.
GuideWe are working out way north through CA and Horse Creek was in a convenient spot. Site very clean and well managed and overall its a pretty spot. Only 2-3 large and dispersed bath rooms. A number of large groups around the site which looks fun but it felt more like an urban park than being in nature.
LegendJust off the highway, there are two designated vehicle campsites, however, there are several places to park your car and walk a short distance into a tent site. There are several other places that you can park your vehicle that are not designated for vehicle camping. There is a vault toilet but no other amenities. The tent sites have picnic tables and fire rings and hooks on poles for suspending food stuff. The vehicle camping sites have overhead shelters, fire rings with a grill and a hook and pole for suspending food stuff. If you walk about 30 to 40 minutes south on the PCT you will get some T-Mobile coverage, at a site I call the telephone booth, underneath a large pinyon pine sitting on a comfortable rock in the shade. The views are stupendous, and easy access to the PCT.
LegendThe hubs, kids and myself have spent a lot of time in Keysville if you're looking for a weekend getaway for mountain biking or trail riding this is the place! Some of the best free riding in California! Highly recommend keyesville to everyone! Town is just a few miles away if you should need anything.
GuideMany campgrounds close to each other but not on top. Cast meadow to the west is wonderful for morning walk with coffee. Hikes nearby from beginner to expert take you to alpine lakes.
ScoutThis is a walk-in campground designed primarily for the backpackers who use this as a jumping off point for trips. There are campsites spread around the meadow with picnic tables and bear boxes.The campsites are spread well apart under the pines. The parking encircles the large, flat meadow. The area is just gorgeous. It’s a great spot to get away from summer heat at 10,000 feet. Vault toilets, water spigots. Lots of hiking.
Equestrian camping near California Hot Springs sits in the Southern Sierra Nevada mountains at elevations ranging from 3,600 to 7,600 feet. The area features diverse terrain from riparian zones along the Kern River to alpine meadows at higher elevations. Water availability varies significantly by season, with many springs and creeks drying up by late summer.
Trail riding excursions: At Horse Meadow Campground, visitors have access to miles of backcountry routes. "If you like to be off the grid amidst the trees this is the place for you. We like to camp next to the creek. Fishing is plentiful and the air is great as long as there's no fires near," notes Joseph Z.
Mountain biking: Keysville South Recreation Site offers extensive single-track trails for cyclists. "The keyesville classic mountain bike race is held every year in the area! With miles of trails and perfect single track for all age groups and abilities!" shares Erin M.
Fishing spots: Several locations provide fishing access. "We did a backpacking trip from Johnsondale Bridge down to Fairview Campground following the Rincon trail in May," reports Hayley K. at South Rincon Trail. "It was hot but the views and the quietness was beautiful!"
High elevation cooling: Summer visitors appreciate the temperature drop at higher elevations. "At 7,600 ft., the nights dropped into the forties. A welcome break from the southern CA heat," writes Allison A. about Horse Meadow Campground.
Remote experiences: Frog Meadow Campground provides isolation for those seeking quiet. Tommy B. notes it's "Not the easiest to get to. But, great for altitude get away. Not winter accessible."
River access: Camping near water features draws many visitors. "Beautiful spot right on the Kern River," reports Connor N. "A larger group site on one side and dispersed sites on the other. Great, reliable Verizon service."
Primitive facilities: Many equestrian sites lack amenities. Mike The Bike notes about Kennedy Meadows Campground: "There's been no faucet water there in over 5 years. Pack it in pack it out. The outhouses are filthy no toilet paper the flys own them."
Seasonal closures: Winter access is limited or impossible at many locations. Chester R. describes Kennedy Meadows as "Campground time forgot... Basically dispersed camping in an awesome location on concrete spurs/pads. Each site still had picnic table and fire pit."
Security concerns: Some areas have reported theft. Jade S. warns about Keysville: "We were robbed from this location while out hiking and rafting for the day. Lost thousands of dollars in gear, clothes and personal items. Literally everything was gone."
Check water levels: Lake-adjacent sites change with water conditions. Fabricio M. states about Horse Creek Campground: "Google map is not updated/accurate since it shows lake bend is closer to campsites which is not. The drought have made it too far to my liking."
Site selection matters: Many campgrounds have varied terrain. Brittney J. notes: "Nearly every campsite has a major hill, so most will not have a good flat area for a tent. Site 61 is flat and a couple of others have flatter grounds, but many will have you sleeping on an angle."
Night wildlife viewing: The area offers opportunities to see nocturnal animals. "The mosquitos here are biblical at night so bring your nets and deet," warns Chester R. "Coyotes, rattlesnakes, meat bees (bring cheap canned meat to set out during the day and they will leave you alone for the most part)."
Access challenges: Many horse-friendly sites have rough roads. According to Tommy B. at QuailValley: "That road off of the 65 is pretty decent as we have a 32 foot fifth wheel. As usual some sites are better than others there are some creek side sites that are very large."
Cell service considerations: Connectivity varies widely across sites. Michael P. reports: "There is no cell reception and no provided wifi. Personally I think that's a good thing."
Site spacing: Horse-friendly locations typically provide more room between sites. "Sites are big and well spaced from each other. No hook up but fresh water and a dump station are available at the campground," explains Rob E. about Horse Creek Campground.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near California Hot Springs, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near California Hot Springs, CA is Frog Meadow Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 2 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near California Hot Springs, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 14 equestrian camping locations near California Hot Springs, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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