Kennedy Meadows Campground accommodates horses and riders in a scenic high-elevation setting. The campground provides direct access to multiple riding trails including connections to the Pacific Crest Trail. Each campsite features a picnic table and fire pit with room for horse trailers in the parking areas. The campground sits beside the lower fork of the Kern River with trails extending through meadows and mountain terrain. Horseback riding trips run regularly from the facility, which operates as a working horse packing station. Trails from the campground lead to numerous backcountry destinations and connect to expansive wilderness areas. Horse manure management requires pack-in, pack-out practices as facilities have minimal maintenance.
Located at approximately 6,000 feet elevation, the equestrian areas at Kennedy Meadows offer seasonal accessibility with optimal conditions from June through November. Trails leading from the campground traverse varied terrain with opportunities for day rides or extended backcountry trips. Water access for horses is available from the nearby Kern River, though campers should bring drinking water as potable water facilities are no longer maintained. Trail riding opportunities include guided excursions at approximately $30 per hour from the packing station. The meadow areas provide natural grazing opportunities during appropriate seasons. Riders frequently report coyotes, fox, deer and occasional bighorn sheep sightings along higher elevation trails. The combination of established campground infrastructure with backcountry trail access makes this location particularly suitable for horse camping trips requiring basecamp facilities.
$10 / night
"I loved hearing the creek just 30 feet away from my campsite. The views were fantastic and the CG was near the rock formations and trails. Vault toilets clean, no water."
"Near Lone Pine, just off Whitney Portal Road, adjacent to Alabama Hills, so lots of exploring opportunities! Great dark skies for stargazing and photography."
"Overnight stay driving through. Easy access. Level parking areas. I stopped close to 395 & had no noise from road. Slept well with strong night winds."
"We landed here and drove thru the FF campground, which we knew was closed but wanted to check it out, and pulled out onto the dry lake bed area to spend the night. "
$34 - $95 / night
"Really secluded surrounded by trees, close to bathroom and water faucet. The bathrooms are clean and have toilet paper. Right next to a river, where the sound relaxes you."
"Lone Pine Lake is your first option, about 2.8 miles from the trailhead at Whitney Portal. This is a beautiful little lake, surrounded by pines and imposing granite walls."
"This was (still kind of is) a working horse packing station where they ran cattle out for the summer. Most trips out now are aimed at tourists/fishermen but the vibe is still the same."
"Adventure Awaits folks get outside!"
$34 - $81 / night
"It is also very close to the town of Lone Pine, which has a little market and several restaurants in case you accidentally forget anything or don’t bring enough food. The views of Mt."
"We camped at one of the walk-in sites. Enough space for the 4 of us, 2 tents, and the family pup. The parking spots are only 50 yds away and next to the restrooms."
$6 / night
"I slept in the equestrian campground since those were back-in sites, but if there are horses you're not allowed to do that. The hike to the base of Langley was great though!"
"Many campgrounds close to each other but not on top. Cast meadow to the west is wonderful for morning walk with coffee. Hikes nearby from beginner to expert take you to alpine lakes."
"First site is large and was to turn around a larger trailer or rv. The SuperDrive get to spots is getting a large rut go slow and even my Subaru Forester had no issue."
"It was a convenient place to park, because you drive right up to the trailhead, and there are trash cans, bear boxes, and vault toilets."
"We have a trip planned to come back next year for a week and backpack this whole trail. It’s so beautiful!!"
"Just off the highway, there are two designated vehicle campsites, however, there are several places to park your car and walk a short distance into a tent site."
"This is a stop along the Pacific Crest Trail. The scenery is an amazing mix of Joshua Trees, pines, chaparral, mountains and large rocks, some snow on the peaks facing north."
GuideGreat for tent camping, but no pull-in or flat spots if you're sleeping in your vehicle. I slept in the equestrian campground since those were back-in sites, but if there are horses you're not allowed to do that. The hike to the base of Langley was great though!
LegendWe didn't camp here, rather we used this as the start/finish point for our 2-day hike to the summit of Mt. Langley. It was a convenient place to park, because you drive right up to the trailhead, and there are trash cans, bear boxes, and vault toilets. We stashed some extra toiletries in the bear boxes, rather than risk leaving them in the car. Toilets were pretty clean. Unfortunately, the potable water spigots were already turned off. The national forest website said they are off in the winter, but I didn't expect that already in early September. This is an equestrian campground, so there was some horse dung on the trails around the campground.
GuideStarted coming here over 40 years ago as a kid. This was (still kind of is) a working horse packing station where they ran cattle out for the summer. Most trips out now are aimed at tourists/fishermen but the vibe is still the same. Fun horse riding trips. Great family vacation to get away from everything. Cabins are rustic but have everything you need. Plenty of tent camping in the campgrounds before the lodge. This is a great starting point for many backcountry backpack trips as it is near the PCT. Lots of hiking. Great fishing spot, river is generally stocked with fish on a weekly basis.
ScoutThe hike to Kennedy meadows campground was wonderful and scenic and the campground itself is in a nice location. The only downfall is the trail and campground is shared for horses and there is POOP EVERYWHERE. Somewhere midway through the hike there is a trail leading to Sharon Lake. Very isolated lake with lots of trout - they were jumping out of the water.
GuideBy far the best campground I've been too.
I was on campsite 044. Really secluded surrounded by trees, close to bathroom and water faucet. The bathrooms are clean and have toilet paper. Right next to a river, where the sound relaxes you. Flat ground for the tent and in no sight of other campers. Close (walking distance) to Mt Whitney Trailhead
LegendJust off the highway, there are two designated vehicle campsites, however, there are several places to park your car and walk a short distance into a tent site. There are several other places that you can park your vehicle that are not designated for vehicle camping. There is a vault toilet but no other amenities. The tent sites have picnic tables and fire rings and hooks on poles for suspending food stuff. The vehicle camping sites have overhead shelters, fire rings with a grill and a hook and pole for suspending food stuff. If you walk about 30 to 40 minutes south on the PCT you will get some T-Mobile coverage, at a site I call the telephone booth, underneath a large pinyon pine sitting on a comfortable rock in the shade. The views are stupendous, and easy access to the PCT.
GuideMany campgrounds close to each other but not on top. Cast meadow to the west is wonderful for morning walk with coffee. Hikes nearby from beginner to expert take you to alpine lakes.
GuideWe recently backpacked to the summit of MT Whitney. On the way to the summit there are several options for overnight camping. Lone Pine Lake is your first option, about 2.8 miles from the trailhead at Whitney Portal. This is a beautiful little lake, surrounded by pines and imposing granite walls. This is the last place you can camp without a Whitney zone overnight permit. Outpost camp is your next option at mile 3.8. Flat and shady with meandering streams and a waterfall, this is a beautiful place to stop for the night. Trail Camp is located at mile 6.3. Surrounded by tall, jagged granite peaks, and edged by a beautiful alpine lake, Trail Camp is awe inspiring. Trail Camp is about 12,000 ft elevation, so be prepared to camp at high altitude. If you can swing it, taking your time to ascend slowly, and camping along the way for at least a couple of nights will make your MT Whitney experience truly unforgettable.
ScoutThis is a walk-in campground designed primarily for the backpackers who use this as a jumping off point for trips. There are campsites spread around the meadow with picnic tables and bear boxes.The campsites are spread well apart under the pines. The parking encircles the large, flat meadow. The area is just gorgeous. It’s a great spot to get away from summer heat at 10,000 feet. Vault toilets, water spigots. Lots of hiking.
Kennedy Meadows Campground serves as a basecamp for horseback riding excursions at 6,000 feet elevation with access to high-country trails. The campground connects to multiple backcountry routes, including the Pacific Crest Trail. Horse camping facilities accommodate trailers and riders seeking wilderness exploration, with natural water sources available from the nearby Kern River.
Trail riding access: The Whitney Portal area offers numerous riding trails with mountain views. "We explored this in completely unprepared clothing but it was so worth it. Camp spots are right in the middle of the forest, it feels like every campsite is it's own little mountain," explains C N. For multi-day rides, the trails connect to several wilderness destinations.
Alpine lake exploration: Horseshoe Meadow Campground provides direct trail access to mountain lakes. "Hikes nearby from beginner to expert take you to alpine lakes," notes Katie H. The campground has both day-use and overnight facilities for riders at approximately 10,000 feet elevation.
Meadow grazing opportunities: Flat meadow areas near the campgrounds support natural grazing during proper seasons. "Cast meadow to the west is wonderful for morning walk with coffee," reports Katie H. about Horseshoe Meadow. Riders should check with camp hosts about current grazing regulations, which may change seasonally.
High-elevation riding: The Alabama Hills Dispersed Site provides free camping with views of the Sierra Nevada range. "This site is on Horseshoe Meadow Road about 1/2 mile north of the Tuttle Creek site. There are 3 legal spots with camping signs," notes Kent G. The area connects to mountain trails and desert terrain riding routes.
Wildlife viewing: Tuttle Creek Campground offers opportunities to view local wildlife. "Beautiful campground. We were in site 28. Clean pit toilets. Stunning views," reports Deb H. Horse riders frequently report seeing deer, coyotes, and occasionally bighorn sheep on higher-elevation trails.
River access for horses: Several campgrounds provide water access for horses from natural sources. "The fishing was awful, I'm sure the area is incredibly over-fished due to popularity. There was NO potable water so bring your own. There was river access if you choose to filter your own water," notes Erin M. about Kennedy Meadows.
Seasonal limitations: Fossil Falls dry lake bed demonstrates typical seasonal variations. "All the space you'd want. All the service you need. Super accessible. Make sure your stuff is tied down tight. Upwards for 40mph thought my roof rack was a goner," warns Lincoln P. Mountain campgrounds generally operate June through October.
Water availability varies: Many campgrounds have reduced water service. "So I've camped there at least 25 times. A lot of there information here is no longer true. It does sit beside the lower fork of the Kern River. The forest service hasn't managed it in years the guy who owns the Kennedy Meadows store is in charge. There's been no faucet water there in over 5 years," reports Mike The Bike about Kennedy Meadows.
Manure management requirements: Equestrian campers must follow pack-in, pack-out practices. "The hike to Kennedy meadows campground was wonderful and scenic and the campground itself is in a nice location. The only downfall is the trail and campground is shared for horses and there is POOP EVERYWHERE," notes Sonia P. Riders should bring appropriate equipment for waste management.
Space considerations: Lone Pine Campground accommodates families with adequate space for multiple tents. "Stayed here a few days before hiking Whitney. Great place to acclimate, second to Whitney portal campground. We camped at one of the walk-in sites. Enough space for the 4 of us, 2 tents, and the family pup," explains Vanessa H.
Kid-friendly areas: Some campgrounds offer natural play spaces for children. "The campground was nice, quiet. There was a nice stream you could fish with some trout. There are a couple big boulders the kids can climb on and around," shares Mark G. about Lone Pine Campground.
Temperature planning: Mountain weather changes rapidly, requiring preparation. "Obviously, it was very hot when we went at the end of June (80s-90s in the day and fairly cold at night). Depending on your individual campsite, there may not be a lot of shade available to you, so plan accordingly if you are going in the summer," advises Madeline B.
Levelness challenges: Equestrian sites often have uneven terrain. "Good for tent camping, but no pull-in or flat spots if you're sleeping in your vehicle. I slept in the equestrian campground since those were back-in sites, but if there are horses you're not allowed to do that," explains Kristian W. about Horseshoe Meadow.
Limited RV accommodations: Many equestrian campgrounds have minimal facilities for larger vehicles. "There are 2 sites with fire pits and covered picnic tables that could fit a large van at most. There is one other spot that is level but has no fire pit or covered table," notes Laura M. about Walker Pass Campground.
Dump station availability: When available, dump stations often close seasonally. "Labor day weekend and half the campground is closed, water faucets are locked, and dump station is closed. We specifically chose this campground for the convenience of water and dump station," reports K L. about Tuttle Creek.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Darwin, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Darwin, CA is Tuttle Creek Campground — Alabama Hills with a 4.6-star rating from 47 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Darwin, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 9 equestrian camping locations near Darwin, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
