Loafer Creek Horse Campground provides year-round equestrian camping near Colusa, California. The campground features dedicated corrals in a terraced layout around Lake Oroville State Recreation Area. Sites accommodate horse trailers with amenities including drinking water, fire rings, vault toilets, trash collection, and shower facilities. Located about 45 miles northeast of Colusa in the foothills region, the campground experiences significant temperature fluctuations between seasons, often exceeding 100°F during summer months.
What to do
Trail riding opportunities: Loafer Creek connects to multiple trail systems with varying difficulty levels. According to one visitor at Bidwell Canyon Campground, "We stayed here for a trip to Feather Falls, then Table Mountain on the way home. There are local hiking trails, and of course all kinds of water recreation at the lake."
Fishing access: The area offers productive fishing opportunities during appropriate seasons. A visitor noted, "Nice lake, great fishing," highlighting the recreational potential at Lake Oroville. Seasonal water level changes affect shoreline access points.
Swimming and water activities: When water levels permit, the reservoir provides cooling relief during hot months. However, be aware that "The campsites do not overlook the water" and access points require significant walking distance from the camping areas.
What campers like
Spacious sites: The campground layout provides good separation between sites for privacy. A camper at Stony Gorge Reservoir remarked, "There are some campsites that are private and some where you can bring a big group. There are fire pits with grills and picnic tables at all the sites."
Quiet atmosphere: Particularly during off-peak seasons, the campground provides a peaceful environment. As one visitor to Bidwell Canyon Campground observed, "Showed up at 9pm on a Monday in mid July. Only 3 other sites with people." Another camper noted, "Pleasant setting in the trees. Only 3 other campsites in use that we noticed in October."
Clean facilities: Despite rural location, the campground maintains good sanitation standards. One camper reported, "The campsites are clean and include picnic table, firepit and plenty of shade. Water pumps near the sites. Vault toilets, hot water and showers."
What you should know
Site leveling challenges: Many campsites require effort to level trailers or RVs. A visitor noted, "Most of the sites were not very level" and another mentioned, "A lot of the sites are very uneven, ours was almost terraced, and the tent area was barely big enough for our 8 person tent."
Distance to water access: The lake is not immediately accessible from campsites. According to one camper at Loafer Creek Horse Campground, "the water was nearly a mile walk to the boat ramp and almost 2 miles to a 'beach' that was closed."
Seasonal considerations: The campground experiences extreme temperature variations by season. A visitor commented, "Unfortunately this weekend was 108 or so as highs, so it was a very hot weekend. The campground would likely be better in late September/October."
Tips for camping with families
Bathroom facilities: The campground provides adequate restroom facilities. A camper observed, "Bathrooms were top notch clean!" which can be especially important for family camping trips with younger children.
Swimming access planning: Families should prepare for significant walking distance to reach swimming areas. A Cowboy Camp visitor noted, "A almost dry creek runs alongside the open field of camping pads," indicating that water access varies significantly by season and location.
Wildlife awareness: The natural setting provides wildlife viewing opportunities but requires appropriate precautions. One camper mentioned, "quiet stop" and another noted seeing deer in meadow areas, which can provide educational opportunities for children.
Tips from RVers
Water and power management: No electrical hookups are available, so RVers need to be self-sufficient. A camper at Rolling Hills Casino Truck Lot compared amenities, noting, "Great overnight stop. Surprisingly quiet! Level pull-thru sites, full hook-ups. $40, well worth the price when temps are 90+ and need your a/c."
Dump station access: The sanitary dump facilities have specific operating hours and restrictions. RVers should plan accordingly, as one visitor observed, "Dump station: $10- only from 9am-5pm, although each site has sewer hookups."
Size limitations: Large rigs may find maneuvering challenging in some areas of the campground. Sites vary in size and configuration, with one camper noting the terraced layout can present leveling difficulties for larger vehicles.
