31 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Eagle Meadow Horse Camp offers dispersed camping in the Stanislaus National Forest near Cedar Ridge, with multiple sites accessible for equestrians with their trailers. Vault toilets serve the area, though no running water is available. The campground features several spots along the creek that provide seclusion and beautiful views for riders. Many campsites maintain good clearance for horse trailers, with the forest road turnoffs accommodating rigs of varying sizes. Verizon cell service works throughout most of the area, allowing riders to stay connected while enjoying the wilderness setting. Some campsites have natural barriers that provide privacy from neighboring sites, making them ideal for horses that need separation from other animals.
Located approximately 30 miles northeast of Cedar Ridge, Bear Valley Dispersed Camping provides equestrians with primitive camping options alongside numerous trails for riding. While there are no corrals or dedicated equine facilities, the open areas allow for temporary containment solutions like portable corrals or high-lines. The area features good Verizon signal coverage and numerous trails suitable for horseback riding adventures. Forest Service roads in the area are generally accessible for trailers, though some rougher sections may require vehicles with decent clearance. The camp spots are unmarked but follow standard dispersed camping regulations with signs clearly indicating where camping is not permitted. Riders appreciate the network of trails that connect throughout the surrounding forest, offering everything from short rides to all-day excursions through the Sierra Nevada foothills.
"Showers and bathrooms aren't working but otherwise a great place to camp. been going to the nearby Tuttletown camp for showers and working bathrooms while they work on Gloryhole."
"The lake's water was too low for a swim though :( sad"
from $18 - $22 / night
Check Availability"The only downside is that the park closes at 8:00 pm so we had to sleep behind the entrance until 4:00 am when they opened the door again. A Fire ring and a bench available at each spot."
"Sites were a good size and were tucked down a slight hill from the road which was great for privacy. Bathrooms were kept very clean and well stocked."
"Be sure to obtain a fire permit from Cal fire and check fire restrictions in the area have a bucket full of water and a shovel next to your fire at all times again this place was amazing"
"The roads are not four-wheel drive and are perfect for van lifers. I would not pull a trailer of any kind up here. Or a vehicle with low clearance."
"Powerlines are nearby but there are a few fire pits. They seem to be logging the area and running cattle but it’s pretty quiet."
"We were able to rent a boat for tuning on the lake, which made the trip."
"You are aboute 12 Mi. to Yosemite Park entrance. It is family business , very clean and you feel country! They provide everything for you. There are few fool hock ups and they provide also fire wood."
from $40 - $80 / night
Check Availability"Out in Central valley is Woodward Lake. Great for a day trip if you live in the Bay area and want to get away. They have boat access to the lake."
"Woodward Reservoir is a great place to camp with or without all the amenities...They have primitive camping for the folks that like roughing it as well as people that like the home away from home experience"
"Lots of trails to ride your bike and walk."
"Bear valley is my favorite place to go camping, the most you get close to the top of the mountain, the most curvy the road is, so be prepare."
"Great location right in the middle of Yosemite Valley. Great access to beautiful hikes and scenery. The camp sites are spacious."
"There is a shuttle stop right outside the campground. You are also in easy walking distance to the path to Mirror Lake and the ever popular Mist Trail."
from $48 / night
Check Availability"Fabulous lakeside camping.... We’ve been in March, May, July and September..... July, just too hot but we love being able to just get up and fish... The lake is stocked with Trout, Bass and Catfish."
"Lake water level was super low at end of summer & lake is hard to access. Unless you got a boat. Saw deer & wild turkeys. This park is huge."
from $25 - $45 / night
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GuideGreat location right in the middle of Yosemite Valley. Great access to beautiful hikes and scenery. The camp sites are spacious. Because it's an equestrian campground, you will smell the horses and stables....be prepared. The river is close to the campgrounds and are refreshing on a hot day.
ScoutClark's Fork is a large campground with 88 sites – all of which are situated with lots of space so that you aren’t too close to your neighbors. The availability of adjacent “double sites” makes this campground a great place for larger groups of families and friends. The 25 sites on Loop A offer vault toilets and cost $19 an night. Loop B sites offer flush toilets and cost $20 a night. There are also 14 nice family-sized equestrian sites and one group equestrian site. Sites are within easy walking distance of the water. No matter what kind of camping you want to plan, Clark's Fork offers options. A RV dump station is located near the entrance to the campgrounds. The Clark's Fork Campground is on a first-come, first-served basis. This beautiful wooded campground is on the Stanislaus River, recommended for your fishing and scenic pleasure.
GuideBeen here many times with my son and my horses over the years. Still quiet and not over ran. Close to fishing streams, high mountain lakes, hiking trails, off roading and don't forget that trip into Bridgeport and Bodie.
Obsidian took a beating two cleaned up and they are still fixing some things. I would vonsider Obsidian more of a primitive campground, not dispersed but minimal.
Outhouse is clean, bring your own water, can get 5G/LTE here.
Tables, campfire rings, park at your site, tent, small camp trailer. At the end of the campground there is a bigger spot for groups.
Horsetrailer parking/camping across from campground in a turn around spot.
$12/Night for single unit $6/Night for extra vehicle
TravelerThis campground is in the heart of Yosemite Valley. It is great to camp on the valley floor, especially during peak season as traffic from all main gates to the valley floor is very congested. There is a shuttle stop right outside the campground. You are also in easy walking distance to the path to Mirror Lake and the ever popular Mist Trail. Shuttle stops at all valley attractions and you can easily get to the Pizza Deck in Half Dome Village, the deli in Yosemite Village, and many different hiking trails. Some spots are right along the Merced River. No showers here, but hot showers are close by at Half Dome Village. We will be back!
LegendIt is hard to get a Camping spot in Yosemite but well worth it if you do. I got up early many a morning to try and get a day here or there for our summer trips out west. You can always try the daily lottery in the village office which we did one day. So Any campground in the valley is good and in close proximity to everything going on. This campground is located on the Merced river and is primitive. The horse stables are in this loop as well.There is a water station by entrance to fill up. No electric, sewer or shower. There are bathrooms with an outlet (Yea- can charge your Phone but get in line) You can bathe in river like I do or go to curry village and pay for a shower at housekeeping. You get a fire ring and a bear box at each site. Generator hours are limited so plan accordingly.
TravelerThis is a well-kept and forest-dense camping spot. There are tons of activities to partake in: relax and do nothing, hike (entire lake is 9.5 miles with a waterfall!), kayak, fish, sun bathe, swim, play games at your camp, if you have a horse- camp with your horse in one of those sites). It just really is amazing that this gem is only (approx) 1 hour from Sacramento! I cannot wait to go again!
GuideWe were lucky to get 5 days in a row during 4th of July weekend in 2021 at one of the best sites within North Pines campground. We set up camp at site #515, we had a fire pit, bear locker, picnic table and two tents! Within walking distance is the edge of the Merced river, from there you have views of Yosemite Falls. One of my favorite activities was take a short walk with a floating tube from the campsite to the entrance of the campground and hop into the river float back down and get off near our campsite! Our site also offered a good amount of shade and was a short walk from the restrooms. We were surround amongst the giant granite cliffs. One of the best camping trips with great company. 10/10 would recommend.
LegendNorth Pines is one of three campgrounds on the floor of Yosemite Valley. Across the Merced River from the other two campgrounds and adjacent to the horse stables, it is relatively isolated with no major roads running by it. Nevertheless, it is well connected to the rest of the valley amenities, with a quick walk to the bus station, a longer walk (1 mi) to the visitor center via the Valley Loop Trail, or a drive (if you don't mind braving traffic and searching for parking spaces).
The sites are not well defined. You have a place to park and besides that, it is a little of a free-for-all with the adjacent sites as to where you set up your gear. Despite that, we had plenty of room to set up our large 10 person tent, without feeling crowded or that we were overspilling our space. We were there the last weekend it was open (Oct 26/27) and all sites were booked. There are no hook-ups, and the comfort stations only have toliets and sinks (no showers), a fresh water faucet, and a disposal "toliet" for dish water. All dishes must be washed at camp. The facilities were fairly clean, though the disposal toilet often backed up. Being late October, I was expecting very cold conditions. But the weather was great! 70s during the day and 40s at night. Clear skies. Absolutely beautiful.
Our site was located right next to the comfort station, and in hindsight I wish we had found a place a little farther away. But besides the proximity, our site was nice with a fire pit and picnic table. Quiet hours are from 1000-0600, and we had to remind our neighbor campers who came back drunk at midnight to shut it, but that seems to be more the normal than abnormal these days. There were mostly tents in the campground, with a few small RVs and trailers. Generators are allowed during limited hours, but the noise wasn't overwhelming, since they were few and far between.
As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I get products to test from time to time. This weekend I got to test the Wenzel Great Basin 10 tent (https://wenzelco.com/great-basin-10/). Overall, my impression of this tent is that it is a solid and reliable tent. Yes, it has a few design items that could be improved for ease of use, but overall it served us well and I look forward to using it again. The tent is a domed center-opening design, with two side "rooms" that can be separated by zipped curtains, making three interior spaces total. My husband and I filled up on room with two large cots facing length wise (we had them oriented along center line and still had enough room to move along the sides). The other side has more than ample room for my daughter's small cot, which ran the width of the tent along the side window. Very comfortable for three people.
Yes, this is a huge tent. Can it be set up by one person? Probably, if that person is patient and tenacious. Two people work much better. A few design items we found annoying were the pole connections, which would frequently catch on the tent pole sleeves and center strap. Also, the zipper flap on the tent's door would frequently get caught in the zipper, making it almost a necessity to use two hands to open and close the tent. Besides these two small inconveniences, the tent worked great. The rain fly fits snug against the tent roof. The construction felt sturdy and we liked the design of the three interior rooms.
Overall, we had a fun two nights in Yosemite. We might make a tradition out of going for the closing weekend each year.
TravelerLocated just outside of oakdale, very similar to that of Modesto reservoir as it is managed by the same people. Shallow and warm water great for swimming and water sports. Has paved looped campgrounds and has all necessary hook ups for rv/motorhome camping. Boat docks and tables located near the water good for bbqing and having a relaxing weekend close to home but away from crowds of people. They do have late festivals in the fall so plan accordingly
Equestrian camping near Cedar Ridge, California offers access to diverse terrain at elevations ranging from 2,100 to 4,200 feet within Stanislaus National Forest. The region experiences hot, dry summers with temperatures often exceeding 90°F and cool winters with occasional snow at higher elevations. Cell service varies significantly throughout the area, with better connectivity on ridges and diminished signals in valleys.
Frisbee golf excursions: Lake Amador Resort provides multiple disc golf courses accessible to campers. "As disc golfers, of course we love camping here, having 3 courses to choose from. But there is something for everyone in the family here, there is amazing fishing, boating and swimming."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The foothills around Cedar Ridge support diverse wildlife populations. At Lake Amador Resort, campers report: "The wildlife is RIGHT THERE! We saw a tarantula near the tee box on 2. I woke up with 4 deer casually strolling through our campsite, a huge group of turkeys were cruising around the whole weekend."
Horseback trail network: The region provides extensive trail systems for equestrians. At Bear Valley Dispersed Camping, riders appreciate the "great place to dispersed camping! Bear valley is my favorite place to go camping, the most you get close to the top of the mountain, the most curvy the road is, so be prepare."
Mountain access: Higher elevation camps offer temperature relief during summer. One camper at Top of Arnold notes: "Super fun spot went in September. Dirt road to get to spot is pretty rough but my Taurus wagon did just fine. There are a few people on dirt bikes ripping around trails so not fully secluded but still a good spot."
Lake recreation options: Glory Hole Recreation Area offers water-based activities during summer months. "It's a great spot, we were there in mid-June for 1 night. Toilets work, didn't try out showers. Site we had was nice and large, we were able to fit 2-2 person tents and a 3 person tent quite easily."
Night sky viewing: Clear mountain air provides excellent stargazing conditions. At Bear Valley Dispersed Camping, visitors mention: "We arrived when it was dark and had no problem finding a spot! It was open with plenty of spots & we were the only ones! Perfect spot for star gazing!!"
Weather extremes: Summer temperatures can reach dangerous levels. At USBR Gloryhole Rec Area Big Oak Campground, a camper warns: "The view at campsite 57 is gorgeous! However, be prepared for the heat. It can reach up to 110F in summer. It is toasting even with shade."
Variable facilities: Amenities differ significantly between established and dispersed camping options. For Forest Route 4N39 Dispersed Camping: "This road follows power lines pretty much for the entire length of the road. It would be a really nice area to disperse if they weren't there as the area is beautiful."
Water access challenges: Lake water levels fluctuate seasonally. At Lake Amador: "The water levels drastically change due to it being a privately owned lake. The employees that work there are always really sweet and helpful."
Water recreation for kids: Some campgrounds offer dedicated swimming areas. Lake Amador features "a water hole with a fun slide, which is all kept nice and clean with tables you can sit at. I would recommend a pop up tent for shade if you go to the water hole."
Noise considerations: At Top of Arnold - FR 5N56 Dispersed, campers report varied noise levels: "Some noise from chainsaws in the distance one day, and some target practice, but neither lasted long. 2 bars LTE of Verizon."
Prepare for primitive conditions: Many equestrian-friendly sites lack facilities. One camper notes: "This campground was the best campground that I've been to in a long time take note that this is real camping so there is no bathrooms. There is no running water. There is no showers not for the week but for the real man."
Site selection strategy: Choose established campgrounds for larger rigs. At Glory Hole Recreation Area, campers recommend: "Sites were a good size and were tucked down a slight hill from the road which was great for privacy. Bathrooms were kept very clean and well stocked."
Road conditions awareness: Many forest roads require high clearance vehicles. For equestrian camping at Forest Route 4N39, one visitor advises: "You don't need 4x4 but you definitely will need a vehicle with some decent clearance. There are some weirdly purposefully placed speed bumps on the west end of the road."
Seasonal planning: Off-peak visits provide better experiences. "We enjoyed our first visit and will definitely come back! The park is a mix of old RV's that folks have long term stays and open spots for visitors. Some nice spots and some tight spots."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Cedar Ridge, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Cedar Ridge, CA is Glory Hole Recreation Area with a 4.1-star rating from 9 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Cedar Ridge, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 31 equestrian camping locations near Cedar Ridge, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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