Equestrian Camping near Camarillo, CA

Musch Trail Camp provides equestrian camping within Topanga State Park, a short one-mile hike from the Trippet Ranch Parking Lot. The hike-in camp sits at 1,000 feet elevation amid chaparral and oak woodland ecosystems, offering access to over 36 miles of trails. Camping costs $7 per person per night, and payments can be made at the entrance station or iron ranger at the camp.

What to do

Explore Malibu Creek State Park trails: A former movie set with extensive trail systems accessible right from the campground. "There is a visitor center in the park, but it has limited hours. The wildlife is abundant. There is plenty of birdwatching, and coyotes were wandering through the park and campground without fear," notes Ryan W. from Malibu Creek State Park Campground.

Visit Camp Scheideck Lodge: Located just outside Reyes Creek Campground entrance, this bar and grill offers a welcome break from camping meals. "Right outside the entrance to the campground is a bar & grill called the Camp Scheideck Lodge. They have a full bar and great food," reports John Y. about Reyes Creek Campground.

Practice archery at Tapo Canyon: The park features a dedicated archery range open to the public on Saturdays. "The archery range is one of the best in California. There is a members area and the original range is open to the public on Saturdays from 9-1, with a nominal $5 fee," according to robherr at Tapo Canyon Park.

What campers like

Clean facilities despite remote locations: Many equestrian campgrounds maintain surprisingly good bathroom conditions. "Did not expect the bathrooms to be very clean. They have running water to flush the toilets, and to wash your hands," writes marcos P. about Musch Trail Camp.

Convenient trail connections: From most horse campgrounds near Camarillo, riders can quickly access diverse trail systems. "The state 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," explains Ryan W. about Malibu Creek State Park.

Creek access for cooling off: Many campgrounds feature water access, particularly welcome during hot months. "We were here during mid-week in the middle of Aug 2020. Weather was hot, but there was lot's of shade in the campsites and a beautiful, cool creek running through. Makes for great sleeping," notes Larry M. from Reyes Creek Campground.

What you should know

Limited cell service: Most equestrian campgrounds have poor connectivity. "No cell service, but I...was and it was super slow, and that was with my WeBoost. I ran a speedtest, and it wasn't even 1 Mbps," reports Tom W. about Thousand Trails Rancho Oso.

Fire restrictions vary by location: Some campgrounds prohibit fires while others have specific allowances. "The campground was under fire warning all weekend, but faux wood (javalog or duraflame) and charcoal was still allowed. The camphost sold Javalogs, and there were plenty of options at the nearby Albertson's," mentions Ryan W. regarding Malibu Creek State Park.

Pack in essentials: Many horse campgrounds have limited amenities and no nearby services. "Remote, mountain location. Almost no cell coverage, no restaurants or services nearby," advises M.M. about Thousand Trails Rancho Oso.

Tips for camping with families

Look for campgrounds with playgrounds: Some horse-friendly campgrounds offer additional facilities for children. "The Camp Hosts here are Very Friendly and welcoming, the campground has a lush grass area and nice covered playground," recommends Bri B. about Tapo Canyon Park.

Consider day-use areas: Some locations offer excellent facilities even if you're not staying overnight. "Great spot for beach day use," suggests Jaclyn L. about Malibu Creek State Park.

Check for wildlife viewing opportunities: Many equestrian campgrounds offer wildlife encounters kids will enjoy. "The abandoned town is a 3 minute walk from camp and really interesting. Some camp spots are right on the creek and the running water is a peaceful background noise for your trip," shares Chelsea B. about Reyes Creek Campground.

Tips from RVers

Verify access road conditions: Some equestrian campgrounds have challenging approaches. "Scary climb, lost transmission and brakes...if you do not have big diesel pusher in tip top shape, AVOID," cautions Betty K. about Thousand Trails Rancho Oso.

Watch site dimensions: Many horse campgrounds weren't designed with larger RVs in mind. "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," advises Rick L. about Malibu Creek State Park Campground.

Check campground layouts: The organization of sites can affect your experience. "We stayed in the 5th level that had full hookups, and it was tiered in 7 levels, with an average of 10 spaces a level... All levels are full hookups, and some in another area were just E/W," explains Tom W. about Thousand Trails Rancho Oso.