The best EQUESTRIAN camping near
Chinese Camp , CALIFORNIA

Woodward is our family go to place to camp in the summer heat. Lots of campsites with room for tents or RVs. Fire pits and picnic tables at each site. Plenty of bathrooms, some with showers. Usually somewhat clean. Water feels good when it's 100+ degrees outside. Good prices. And you can bring your dogs.

I stayed at a super campground on a forest road turn off. There were a couple of other spots taken, but it was off the beaten path and very quiet. I was able to watch the sunset from some rocks across the road. Very nice for a quiet night of solitude and hearing there wind through the trees while falling asleep.

We have come here many times. It’s a neat little area. The kids can ride their bikes, play in the park, they have a volley ball net and have had outdoor movies. The lake is great, we have even rented boats and gone out. The kids loved the fishing pond. Wind can be strong at times. Deer do like to come through. I don’t recommend the middle of summer as it can be really hot.

Site: Monument Condition: Clean, fairly spacious RV sites Internet: Poor

This campground is only open to Stanislas County residents.

Wicked August heat, BUT there’s the lake!

5 Stars — were it not for the SLOBS who preceded us!!🤔😡 We were a party of six, in 2 adjacent sites nearest the lake, spent the first 30+ minutes policing up ALL manner of trash; some of it appeared to have been there for YEARS, “literally” — no pun intended…

NOTE 1: We were there Tues-Thurs, only 3 - 4 other parties in the WHOLE place. It totally fills up on weekends, so our experience could be mitigated by crowds, partying!

NOTE 2: There is NO overflow parking. So if you have more than 2 vehicles you have to pay for an additional site. We all could have fit in one site but had to buy 2 sites since we had 3 vehicles and a boat/trailer.

Some sites have plenty of shade, some none, which would be killer in the heat! Great, QUIET time. When the lake is down (like now) it’s a bit of a haul to the water — cart/wagon recommended, as well as a shade pop-up AT water’s edge. Great for just floating around, having a beer or 3. Fishing attempted, no prizes….

STUNNING, ever-changing sunsets — pics don’t do justice!

Large sites, picnic table, and substantial fire ring with primitive grill. Ample water stations, only porta-potties. There are group (double) sites, [not currently available with Covid-19 restrictions]. Some sites are reasonably isolated from “neighbors,” some not. Those closest to the water are preferable. About ½ mile walk to the store, longer when the lake-level is higher.

We will DEFINITELY be back, with friends!!! Our party’s booker reports their website was a bit tricky.

My family and I do a big camping trip here every year, for the past 6 years. We love it. We’ve been there during drought years and when the water is back at normal levels. Typically when we go is summer, late July to early August, and majority of the grass is dead and it’s HOT, but the water makes up for it. The water isn’t freezing, it’s usually pretty warm. The lake isn’t huge, but makes for great boating. The only downsides are: tends to be a lot of trash/bottle caps/etc and not even trash can space, the shores in certain areas are filled with big rocks and don’t make it very fun for trying to swim in the water, and shade can be limited depending on where you’re staying. Weekends are filled up and busy, but during the week days it’s nice and quiet.

We camped here in late June. The campground was quiet and well maintained. There is camping right on the water. There is not a lot of shade however and it is very hot in the summer and fall. Perfect for a night away or like we used it for, a trial trip with the kids.

Summary as of late June 2020:

-Super nice, helpful manager -Great location for Yosemite/Hetch Hetchy -Large, clean restrooms -Inconsistent electricity -Bear Lot is right next to Hwy 120 -Coyote Lot is literally a new gravel parking lot, 4x4 required -No wi-fi in Bear Lot or Coyote Lot

First of all, I have to say that the manager (owner? I never caught his name) was very kind and tried his best to accommodate everyone there. The location is great for trips to Yosemite, and if you’re lucky enough to reserve a spot in the ‘main loop’ (I don’t see this ability online), you’ll probably love it. The bathrooms are large and clean and there is laundry, a small playground, a small pool (closed during our stay), and a privately run store on-site.

We brought our 28’ toy hauler here at the end of June 2020. We had reserved a spot in Coyote Lot, which we were told over the phone would be no problem. Upon arrival, the manager had his doubts but told us to “put the truck in 4x4 and give it a go!” Coyote Lot looks like a newly, semi-leveled gravel parking lot with full hook-ups… no trees or shade. There were some longer spots, but there was no way our trailer would fit in the one we reserved. The lot also exits through a run-down residential grouping of trailers, some occupied and some abandoned.

The manager put us in Bear Lot, no question, after it was determined Coyote Lot would not work. This lot is a little more established than Coyote, but still a gravel parking lot with electricity (inconsistently for many) and water hook-ups. The lot is pretty level and separated from Hwy 120 by a wooden fence. There are some picnic tables and fire pits, but not enough for each spot. We didn’t end up having to use our generator like others did. There were tent campers and rv/trailers in this lot.

Side note: the Rainbow Pools swimming hole that is recommended on the website was WAY overcrowded and I do not suggest going unless maybe you go in the early morning. There were tons of people, tons of litter, and no respect for nature… very sad to see.

Photo are of Bear Lot

The family campground is a first-come first-serve space with 50 or 60 sites, and lots of spots to primitively camp off the road. Bathrooms were clean, lots of water spigots, and reservoir access was super close! Only downside is how close together most of the sites are — I could hear a neighbor snoring all night! I’d pick site 49 if I could snag it next time. Great swimming and hiking around Elephant Rock and Union Res too. An easy weekend away!