Cowboy Camp offers a dispersed camping option north of Clearlake with specific facilities for equestrians and trail riders. The campground provides access to the Cache Creek Recreation Area's network of hiking and riding trails spanning over 27 miles through oak woodland and chaparral terrain. Sites are primitive with vault toilets but no water or hookups, requiring visitors to bring their own supplies. The grassy, open terrain features level areas for both horse trailers and camping equipment. Seasonal fly activity can be significant due to the presence of horses and proximity to Cache Creek, which runs alongside the camping area.
Located approximately 20 miles from Clearlake, the Bureau of Land Management property connects to extensive trail systems suitable for day rides. The terrain varies from creek crossings to ridge routes with elevation gains providing views of the surrounding landscape. The campground is accessible via rural roads, with adequate clearance for horse trailers though no designated parking areas. Campsites have no assigned boundaries, allowing horse owners flexibility in setting up their equipment. Several routes include stream access for horses, though crossing the creek to access some trails can be challenging during higher water periods. The camp occasionally closes seasonally with gate access restricted, so checking current status before arrival is recommended.
"Next to a stream and surrounded by hills. The only tough part is getting across the stream to some of the hikes."
$43 / night
"We just stayed here for 2 nights, great location very close to Calistoga and not to far from Saint Helena! Next time i would love to try out a cabin or yurt."
"Good access to wineries close by. Only real downside was that because of the dry conditions we could not have a campfire."
$45 / night
"This campsite is centrally located on the peninsula. Access to several roadside dog friendly beaches within minutes. The bay and the beach are within walking distance to campground."
"There are also equestrian trails, so you can book a horseback ride from a local ranch as well!!"
$8 / night
"Beautiful location, campground was easily accessible going up Elk Mountain Road. Camped in Site 11, pull through, no hook ups, nice picnic table, grill and fire pit. Vault toilets, no showers."
"If it's in a beautiful location and if you're into four-wheeling or dirt bikes, you're going to have a blast."
$25 - $100 / night
"If you talk to the the ranger at the gate, most of the time they will let you drive around the grounds and pick any open site."
"The walk down to swim in the lake was a significant downhill but the dip was worth it! Funny dead trees sticking out of the lake were fun to climb on."
$35 / night
"It’s close to the entrance but the driveway only had a slight grade. Mostly folks with trailers. The sites are not too close together but it is easy to see into the surrounding neighbors."
"Spring Lake has been that for us. We have been here for 2 weekends in the last few months."
$5 / night
"Was 0.75 miles away from water (we have been in a drought?) but beautiful spacious campsite. Even with annoying neighbors, you can have peace and quiet."
"The local store is about a 10 minute drive away and during the summer has ice beer and provides firewood for sale (during winter no ice but plenty of snow)."
"My dog loves clearlake state park. In Kelseyvile, CA. And I have to agree with her."
"The lake is amazing for swimming!"
RangerThis campsite is centrally located on the peninsula. Access to several roadside dog friendly beaches within minutes. The bay and the beach are within walking distance to campground. The bathrooms are clean and the showers are coin operated. Sites are flat and semi private. The staff is friendly and campground is large.
TravelerGreat free campground! We've stayed here many times. It's open, grassy level and quiet. Next to a stream and surrounded by hills. The only tough part is getting across the stream to some of the hikes. It's a hot spot for horses which of course have no stream problems, so the only negative is fly's sometimes. But just keep your screen door closed (& fly swatter handy). We always manage to level out in our 23" Winnebago View. There is lots of open space so no crowding. There is a rural road near by but traffic noise isn't a problem. Perhaps I should say it's awful so fewer people come and it's not discovered.
GuideIt is always windy and therefore cold on the beach. That is why there are such big sand dunes.
Regardless, a beautiful place to visit and camp. There are also equestrian trails, so you can book a horseback ride from a local ranch as well!!
ScoutMy dog loves clearlake state park. In Kelseyvile, CA. And I have to agree with her.
RangerThis campground is nice with newer bathrooms and shower facilities, but it's also very open and exposed. Great access to Spring Lake's water-based activities and hiking trails, plus easy access to Trione-Annadel State Park for hiking and mountain biking. Howarth Park, a city park, also borders Spring Lake Regional Park and provides access to boating and fishing on Lake Ralphine, plus they have a small train, carousel, tennis courts, and a softball field. Overall a good campsite for families in need of lots of recreation options, but not the best for those wishing to "get away from it all."
GuideThis was a great campground to come on a winter weekend. Only 90 minutes from home to site. We stayed on site 3. It’s close to the entrance but the driveway only had a slight grade. Mostly folks with trailers. The sites are not too close together but it is easy to see into the surrounding neighbors. The bathrooms were clean but older... 2 of the stalls were incredibly narrow. There were showers but I didn’t look at them. The campground is next to a very popular lake. Lots of trails. A great place to bring a bike too.
It is close to town. We picked up a pizza at Urban Pizza on our way. Excellent Pi! There were tons of restaurants though if you need to pick something up.
GuideDry camped here with my 20ft R-Pod. Had a fun time. Walked to the water park on spring lake that featured an inflatable, floating obstacle course/ bouncy house thing. The kids LOVED that. As far as local and regional parks go, this is top notch. But compared to some of California’s more beautiful state and national parks, it doesn’t quite measure up. Would give it 3 1/2 stars if I could!
LegendThis is such an incredible area to camp! The California coast is hard to beat. This campground is in the sand dunes, with a short walk to the beach. This is absolutely one of the best places to see the sunset. The campground had showers and full bathrooms! 10/10 would recommend.
RangerI like this campground. There are some cool hikes to the dunes and to the beach. Go to the wharf near by to pick up some live crab to boil over the fire. Overall a great campground for adults and kids. Go with a group or a romantic getaway. Experience northern California Coast and see where they filmed Hitchcock's "The Birds."
Cowboy Camp provides dispersed camping for equestrians north of Clearlake, situated in the Cache Creek Recreation Area's oak woodland terrain. This Bureau of Land Management property offers primitive camping facilities specifically designed for trail riders, with vault toilets but no water hookups. The open, grassy terrain accommodates horse trailers while connecting to over 27 miles of riding and hiking trails through rolling hills and chaparral landscapes.
Horseback riding excursions: The extensive trail system at Cowboy Camp provides varied terrain for riders of all skill levels. "Great free campground! We've stayed here many times. It's open, grassy level and quiet. Next to a stream and surrounded by hills," says Jorg F., who camps regularly at Cowboy Camp.
Hiking near Lake Sonoma: Liberty Glen Campground offers excellent hiking options with trails connecting to the lake. "I liked there was a hiking trail down to the lake," notes Julie D. who visited Liberty Glen Campground. The trail system provides moderate difficulty routes suitable for day hikes.
Coastal exploration: For those willing to venture farther from Clearlake, Bodega Dunes Campground provides access to spectacular coastal trails. "Hiking among the sand dunes and along the beach provide some really stunning scenery. Reaching the beach, you'll find as much coastal sand as you can handle with miles and miles of it to yourself," shares Shari G. about her experience at the coastal park.
Quiet weekday camping: The Oak Flat Campground near Lake Pillsbury provides a peaceful alternative to Clearlake's busier campgrounds. "Quiet and peaceful, watch elk, birds, lizards, toads/frogs on weekdays," advises Angela at Oak Flat Campground, though she cautions against weekend visits when activity increases.
Free camping options: Budget-conscious campers appreciate the no-cost sites at Stony Gorge Reservoir. "This campground is free!!! It has lots of vault toilets and trash cans, but there is no running water. There are some campsites that are private and some where you can bring a big group," reports Cat C. from her stay at Stony Gorge Reservoir.
Spacious camp areas: Middle Creek Campground offers well-designed sites with amenities. "Beautiful location, campground was easily accessible going up Elk Mountain Road. Camped in Site 11, pull through, no hook ups, nice picnic table, grill and fire pit," explains Michi P. who enjoyed the layout and facilities.
Seasonal closures: Multiple equestrian campgrounds near Clearlake experience temporary closures without advance notice. "Visit was for 11/19/2024 found the gates locked, no entry. Seasonal? No signage to tell," reports Natalie T. about Cowboy Camp, while Derek D. similarly found "The camp area is closed, as of 2/9/2024. No indication of that on the BLM website."
Insect management: The proximity to horses and water creates significant fly activity at several equestrian campgrounds. "An almost dry creek runs alongside the open field of camping pads... It was crazy how thick they were," warns Patricia Y. about the flies at Cowboy Camp. Pack insect repellent and screened shelters when visiting horse campgrounds near Clearlake.
Limited amenities: Most horse-friendly campgrounds offer minimal facilities. "This campground is dry and built primarily for HOV people... It's got dropped toilets and it has potable water. Problem is that the spigots don't have any hose fittings, so you can't hook up," explains Justin W. about Middle Creek Campground.
Playground access: Bu-Shay Campground offers family-friendly facilities not commonly found at horse campgrounds. "Our young kids had a great time playing on the playground which was an unexpected bonus," shares Joshua H. about Bu-Shay Campground, which also features spacious sites and flush toilets.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Several campgrounds near Clearlake provide educational wildlife spotting opportunities. Angela mentions Oak Flat Campground visitors can "watch elk, birds, lizards, toads/frogs" during quieter weekday stays, creating natural learning experiences for children.
Water recreation options: When Lake Pillsbury's water level is high, Oak Flat provides fishing access directly from the campground. "When the water level is high great fishing from this camp ground," notes Jeanette C., making this an excellent option for families seeking fishing opportunities alongside equestrian camping.
Level parking considerations: Many equestrian campgrounds near Clearlake have uneven terrain that challenges RV leveling. "We always manage to level out in our 23" Winnebago View. There is lots of open space so no crowding," advises Jorg F. about Cowboy Camp, noting that persistence pays off when positioning rigs.
Road access limitations: Approach routes to horse campgrounds can be challenging for larger vehicles. "Elk mountain road, especially the part leading up to the top of the mountain right as you leave the campground is an absolutely terrible road, it needs a lot of maintenance," cautions Justin W. about Middle Creek access.
Dry camping preparation: Since equestrian campgrounds typically lack hookups, RVers should prepare accordingly. "If you come with that in mind I would say this place is really really nice. It's very clean," continues Justin W. about Middle Creek Campground, emphasizing proper preparation makes the experience more enjoyable despite limited amenities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Clearlake, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Clearlake, CA is Cowboy Camp with a 2.7-star rating from 6 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Clearlake, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 9 equestrian camping locations near Clearlake, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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