4 campgrounds with availability next weekend
Mono Hot Springs Campground accommodates horses with a dedicated corral area for equestrian campers. Located in the Sierra National Forest, this established campground offers tent sites, RV spaces, and cabin rentals with picnic tables, fire rings, and bear boxes at each site. The campground provides access to natural hot springs across the river, making it a unique destination for horse owners seeking thermal relaxation after trail rides. Vault toilets and drinking water are available, though campers should bring their own supplies as the remote location limits access to provisions. The campground is typically open from May through October, with seasonal closures due to snow conditions. Horse owners note the corral area accommodates multiple horses while keeping them secure during overnight stays.
Trails from Mono Hot Springs connect riders to multiple thermal lakes and mountain viewpoints throughout the surrounding wilderness. The access road requires careful navigation, especially with horse trailers, as it narrows to a single lane in some sections with pullouts for opposing traffic. Sweetwater Campground also offers horse-friendly accommodations with stables on site, allowing equestrians to camp with their animals in a developed setting. Both campgrounds require campers to bring their own feed and manage manure appropriately. The natural hot springs provide a welcome amenity after long trail rides, with temperatures ranging from lukewarm to hot depending on the specific pool. Riders should be prepared for encounters with wildlife including bears, and proper food and tack storage is essential at these horse-friendly campgrounds.
"Typical California foothills hardpan and dead grass sites - large and able to accommodate very long combo rigs and have enough width to disconnect and park adjacent to the towable."
"There are many ways to arrive here, but the most direct and easiest is on California State Highway 180. The park is open, but the office is not, so it’s find a spot and check yourself in."
from $40 - $55 / night
"Easy walk to campstore, post office, restaurant, and visitor center. Many trails close by. Very busy in summer. No reservations. Tent only loops available."
"Very quiet but some sledding and hiking activity close by. Sites are a little close to each other, but being so quiet it's not a big deal."
Campground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $32 / night
"We are working out way north through CA and Horse Creek was in a convenient spot. Site very clean and well managed and overall its a pretty spot. Only 2-3 large and dispersed bath rooms."
"The tap outside the building didn't work and neither did the water fountain. The host was not there for check-in."
from $20 / night
"It would make the perfect group site as they were a bit tucked back from the other sites. Site #12 could easily be connected to site #11 as the brush is well-cleared between the two."
"Located a short 20 miles east of 99, just north of Fresno, this Army Corps of Engineers campground is stunning."
Available next weekend
from $30 - $200 / night
"Some of the sites (75, 76 etc..) look out on Lake Kaweah. It’s clean and well organized. Some highway noise."
Available next weekend
from $20 - $40 / night
"The site is pet friendly and has horse stables. Our neighbors were friendly and quiet. The site had a picnic table, fire pit, water spout and full electricity hook ups."
"Driving from the West toward Yosemite this location is one which will allow you to find a camping option before getting into the big crowds. "
Campground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $41 - $43 / night
"I agree the road out is pretty scary I don't advise trailers but I have seen them while driving in. It is one lane and you must pull out for opposing traffic."
"Our campground was right next to the river, and hiking trails to lakes, meadows and hot springs run directly off of the campground. The host was wonderful, it was all around perfect."
Campground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $37 - $78 / night
TravelerCONS: Most sites need some (or a lot) of level help. No RV dump. Pretty popular (so don’t expect privacy). PROS: sequoia is beautiful. You can find some amazing trails.
GuideGreat location, awesome scenery and the sites are pretty nice. The reason for 3 stars is that the toilets are replaced with porta potties ( the machines n ones are locked) and the garbage is over flowing in the dumpster. There was no toilet paper in the women’s “restroom”. That was after the maintenance guy was here.
RangerWe had a spot on the farthest loop, which was beautiful on a ridge but set us about 600 yards/steps from the nearest restroom, which means going to the loo, brushing your teeth or doing the dishes (there are signs not to do these things at the water taps that are closer) all set you back at least 10 minutes if you're not self-contained. Also note the campground has no showers.
TravelerWe stayed at site 67. When bookibg, we were worried it was too close to neighboring sites but it turned out ok. The flattest spot for our giant tent was down the hill and it felt very private. All the sites in our section (66, 67, 68) had sloped parking spots. If you have an RV or sleep in your car, be sure to bring levelers.
The only water was a large sink outside of the bathroom. You could screw a hose to the faucet if needed.
The bathroom was close but not too close. The women’s has 2 stalls and a sink. Bring your own hand soap and hand towel.
We weren’t at the site much during the day so I can’t say for certain if it stays shady during the day but there are many trees. We never needed our canopy.
Azalea allows dogs and the barking echos quite loudly through the campground.
ScoutWe stayed a week here, at first it was good, nice enough place. Our spot was a lot of sand. The bathrooms were full of cobwebs and spiders. The website looks promising, offering a pool, jacuzzi and restaurant. There is no restaurant, the pool doesnt get covered so its filthy, and the "jacuzzi" was filled with algae.
We came on a friday night, the quiet time is not enforced. The river was nice, however the entire length of it was taken up by boats. We hardly found a spot to swim in. We were located in site 10, at the very end in a cul de sac type lay out. Its a gated park so you need a code to enter. We locked our bikes up every single night and the one and only night we forgot, 2 out of our 4 bikes got stolen (mine and my partners, the kids were left) We asked for the surveillance as our site was in direct view of the camera and the office had told us their cameras all of a sudden stopped working around midnight but were working again that morning. Such a strange coincidence! They didnt seem apologetic. We had permanent residence come to talk to us and said they've never had theft issues, if you looked around most people had their personal belongings out every night. The place was very suspicious, I'd check out other options but also if staying a quick night it would be ok. Its right off the highway and really easy to get back on the road. We found a little lizard, and little frogs. However there is cockroaches running everywhere.
The people we met there, and the residents were so awesome, which is why it got 2 stars. The staff however, not so much.
Do not leave belongings unattended!!
TravelerNo hookups but amazing view on Eastman Lake. Great spot for camping!
ScoutSite 81 does not have a drive up spot to unload your things. There is a short 25 meter walk to your tent sight which is cleared and had a nice view of the sky. No giant pinecones overhead to worry about bonking your head.
GuideThere is camping, which is always fun, and then there is camping in a national park, which takes it to another level. This experience was super fun because this campsite is so close to the General Grant trail, only a few minutes of driving. We visited during the off-season in April, so the sites were FCFS and the directions are pretty straightforward. You put in all the details into the recreation.gov app and then you fill out a white paper which serves as a check in paper with your confirmation so that rangers know you paid. It also allows you to see which sites are available because the ones that are won't have a paper. The bathrooms were decent, and just outside of them as a sink, which is great for dishes. It was a nice and quiet experience and we will definitely be revisiting.
GuideCodorniz is a quiet, well-maintained campground run by the Army Corps of Engineers on Eastman Lake. It’s a great spot if you want a peaceful camping experience with decent amenities and easy lake access. What I liked: • Spacious sites with good separation for privacy • Decent restrooms and hot showers • Hookups available at some sites • Relaxed, low-key atmosphere—no crowds or noise • Nice lake setting for fishing, kayaking, and swimming Things to keep in mind: • It’s fairly remote, so bring everything you’ll need • Amenities can vary by site and season • Cell service is limited, so download maps/info ahead of time Overall, Codorniz is a solid choice for RV or tent camping if you want a calm, lake-adjacent spot without the chaos of more popular campgrounds. Great for a weekend getaway or a longer stay if you’re exploring the Central Valley area.
Mono Hot Springs accommodates equestrian visitors with dedicated corral areas for horses across two campgrounds. Located 18 miles down Kaiser Pass Road, these facilities provide secure overnight stabling while riders explore the surrounding Sierra National Forest trails. The natural hot springs vary in temperature from warm to hot depending on the specific pool, with several thermal features accessible via hiking paths from the main camping areas. Horse owners should bring feed and follow proper manure management protocols when using the equestrian facilities.
Trail riding to thermal lakes: From Mono Hot Springs, riders can access multiple destinations including Doris Lake which offers cliff jumping opportunities. "Several trails to a few alpine lakes, and great swimming and cliff jumping at Doris lake," reports Chris M., who notes the varied terrain suitable for equestrian exploration.
Fishing near horse-friendly sites: Anglers can fish directly from Codorniz Campground while their horses rest at camp. "Fishing is good" according to Tom D., who mentions that spring visits provide "abundant wild flowers in late February through early March" when the grasses are green and ideal for grazing.
Wildlife observation: Equestrian campers should prepare for wildlife encounters during trail rides. Erik J. reports, "Coyotes howled in the distance last night and it was dead quiet," highlighting the natural setting at Codorniz. Tom D. adds that "Tarantula migration and you will definitely see them. Coyote, Bobcat, and deer are frequently seen" during fall months.
Natural hot springs access: The thermal features at Mono Hot Springs provide riders with post-trail relaxation opportunities. "There are a dozen hot springs and mud baths peppered around a couple acres on the south side of a very pretty, clear, cold stream," according to Chris M., who visited with a camper van.
Spacious corrals and sites: Horse Creek Campground offers large areas for equestrian camping. Rob E. notes, "Sites are big and well spaced from each other," making it practical for horse trailers and associated equipment. The campground design accommodates horses while maintaining privacy between campsites.
Seasonal water features: Lake levels affect equestrian access points throughout the year. At Horse Creek, Brittney J. reports, "The stargazing is beautiful. There is some limited light pollution emanating from the other side of the foothills, but because you are surrounded by foothills you get some good, dark surroundings to really appreciate the stars."
Road conditions affect trailer access: Kaiser Pass Road to Mono Hot Springs presents challenges for horse trailers. Chris M. warns, "The last 18 miles over Kaiser Pass took 1.5 hours. A sub-par road surface little bigger than one lane in many places made transit interesting." This narrow route requires careful navigation with trailers.
Seasonal limitations: Equestrian facilities typically operate May through October due to snow conditions. Mollie M. notes about Azalea Campground, "The camp host was wonderful," but seasonal closures affect accessibility, with Lydia H. adding that winter camping offers "Very quiet but some sledding and hiking activity close by."
Bear safety protocols: Horse campers must properly secure food and equipment. Heather P. appreciates that "In the campground each site had a fire ring, cooking area and bear box," which is essential for equestrian campers carrying feed and supplies for extended stays.
Kid-friendly water activities: Sequoia RV Park provides family-friendly base camps for equestrian outings. "Lots of room to get around. Grassy large spots with full hook ups," reports Rick L., making it suitable for families with horses needing additional space and amenities.
Educational wildlife opportunities: Children can learn about local fauna while camping with horses. Tom D. mentions that at Codorniz, "Fall has a Tarantula migration and you will definitely see them," providing educational opportunities for young riders to observe wildlife safely.
Accessible riding options: Multiple difficulty levels accommodate young riders. Connor N. reports that at Azalea, "There were TONS of trails immediately accessible from most camp sites, and a short walk from the rest," allowing families to choose appropriate routes for children of different riding abilities.
Horse trailer parking considerations: Sweetwater Campground accommodates larger vehicles needed for equestrian camping. Bernadette A. describes it as a "Secluded Getaway" where you can "Fall asleep to the raging river nearby," though she notes the remote nature requires proper preparation.
Water and power for extended stays: Equestrian campers with living quarters trailers appreciate utility access. Tom D. notes that "The Corps have added more electric sites over the years and there were 5-6 that fit our 43' Blue Bird," at Codorniz, which works well for extended equestrian camping trips.
Dump station access: After multi-day equestrian camping trips, RV facilities become important. Rob E. points out that at Horse Creek, "No hook up but fresh water and a dump station are available at the campground," providing necessary services for living quarters horse trailers after extended backcountry riding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Elk, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Elk, CA is Sequoia RV Park with a 4.1-star rating from 16 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Elk, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 19 equestrian camping locations near Elk, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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