Joseph D Grant County Park offers overnight camping opportunities for horses and riders in the eastern foothills of San Jose. The park sits at approximately 2,457 feet elevation with temperatures ranging from 40°F to 90°F seasonally. Horse campgrounds near Spreckels, California provide access to miles of riding trails through oak woodlands with varying terrain.
What to do
Trail riding exploration: At Thousand Trails San Benito, equestrian campers can access numerous riding paths. "Seriously love this place and wish we could go all the time! We had Condors above our cabin, deer around us, wild pigs crossing the roads. Its amazing!!!!" notes Samantha N., highlighting the abundant wildlife viewing opportunities while riding.
Wildlife observation: The parks around Spreckels offer excellent wildlife viewing, particularly for equestrian campers who can cover more ground. At Coyote Lake Harvey Bear Ranch County Park, Michelle W. reports: "I had a big spot and no neighbors my entire half of the campground on a Monday night in June. I was under 2 big oaks that were buzzing with bird activity."
Equestrian camping: Dedicated horse camping facilities provide specialized amenities. "Great spot to explore Pinnicales National Park. Typical TT resort park off the beaten path, far out but nice place, we enjoyed our stay," shares Tyler V. about Thousand Trails San Benito, noting its convenient location for combining horse camping with national park visits.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Henry W Coe State Park earns praise for maintenance. "This is a primitive campground, no showers only vault toilets and restroom near visitor center (2 min walk from campground) both decently clean. Water for washing dishes is available," says Lady L., appreciating the basic but well-maintained facilities.
Spacious sites: Horse-friendly campgrounds typically offer larger sites to accommodate trailers and animals. At Joseph D Grant County Park, campers mention the generous space. "We had a great site and there was no one on either side of us. The bathrooms were a short walk down hill. They were clean with flushing toilets," notes Sophie S. about the main campground areas.
Privacy between sites: Salinas-Monterey KOA provides good site separation. "They have nice facilities and a heated pool although a hot tub would be nice also. The sites are a little small but very mature trees and they keep it clean," reports Ben V., describing the overall layout and vegetation that creates privacy between sites.
What you should know
Limited cell service: Communication can be spotty in the foothill areas. "Cell service here wasn't good either. The pool was too cold to enjoy unfortunately," Jennifer D. reports about San Benito RV and Camping Resort, indicating travelers should plan accordingly.
Wildlife precautions: Wild pigs are common in several horse camping areas. "Bathrooms are extremely clean and well kept. The lake is nice (and you may spot geese or ducks), and there's plenty of room for kids to run around. There are food lockers since wild pigs come out at night. Be sure to lock all food up!" warns Quyen W. about Coyote Lake.
Terrain challenges: Coe Ranch Campground has topographical challenges. "We were surprised when we made it to this campground- that it was built on the side of a hill. The walk-in sites may be different, but all of the pull in sites were extremely off-level," notes Karen, highlighting potential difficulties for horse trailers.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Horse camping offers educational experiences for children. "They have a tv, games and arts for the kids in the clubhouse. The pool was closed for the winter but I can't wait to visit again," says Bonnie O. about San Benito RV and Camping Resort, suggesting amenities beyond horseback riding.
Supervised wildlife viewing: Joseph D Grant County Park provides opportunities for safe wildlife observation with children. "Stopped on a road trip passing through, was able to get a nice spot. No one else was in the campground, so it was definitely quiet. Nice stay, saw a lot of bunnies and a bobcat on the way out," reports Melissa S.
Weather preparation: Summer temperatures can reach 90°F at higher elevations, requiring proper planning. "Very reasonable $36 per night for rv hookup. Off season is cheaper and less crowded. Turkeys and deer. There are wild pigs, but I haven't seen any," shares Theodora G. about Coyote Lake, suggesting off-season visits might be more comfortable for families with young children.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for horse trailers: Choose carefully when bringing horse trailers to campgrounds. At Cabana Holiday RV Park, CJ J. notes: "This KOA has everything you need. the streets are wide and the pull-ins are easy to access," which makes maneuvering large rigs with horse trailers more manageable.
Campground amenities: RVers with horses appreciate certain conveniences. "Part of the KOA franchise, this is a very clean, well positioned RV and Cabin park for exploring the Monterey, Salinas, Watsonville, Santa Cruz area," writes Richard S. about Cabana Holiday RV Park, highlighting its strategic location for horse camping excursions.
Seasonal considerations: Weather affects horse camping comfort significantly. "Clean, bathrooms near by. Very relaxing and away from San Jose," Christina R. says about Grant County Park, emphasizing the temperature difference between the foothills and the valley during summer months when planning equestrian camping trips.
