Equestrian camping options near Fontana, California include several regional parks within driving distance of the city. The inland valley location at 1,237 feet elevation provides moderate winter temperatures but summer heat often exceeds 100°F, affecting camping comfort from June through September. Sites range from basic primitive options to full-hookup facilities with varying levels of trail access.
What to do
Explore lake activities: At Lake Perris State Recreational Area, visitors can enjoy fishing and water recreation. "Lake Perris was a fun and clean place to camp at! We did some fishing, bike riding, the water was clear, and my kids loved it. There is a cool museum were the amazing staff provided us with interesting history about the lake and Indian tribes," shares Lauren R.
Visit hot springs: Day trips from equestrian sites to thermal areas provide a unique experience. The Deep Creek Hot Springs Camp Retreat offers access to natural springs. "The deep creek hot springs were absolutely fabulous, as they were situated next to a cold creek where we could do therapeutic hot cold plunges. The hike to the hot springs was fairly tough, but we found it easily with the trail starting right on the property," notes Jessica B.
Mountain biking access: Forest trails provide excellent terrain for cycling enthusiasts. "Lots of hiking and mountain biking in area. Great views," writes Aaron S. about Heart Bar Campground, located about 60 miles east of Fontana in the San Bernardino National Forest.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Many sites maintain well-kept grounds and amenities. "The campground is super clean and we'll maintained. Bathrooms and showers are clean and lots of hiking trails to choose from," reports Brandice S. about O'Neill Regional Park, which offers sites accessible for horse trailers.
Urban accessibility: Despite being surrounded by development, some parks maintain a natural setting. "ONeil is a great little park that's tucked away among the urban sprawl of Orange County. Once in the park you feel like you're far out in the wilderness. It makes for a great weekend great away," says Berton M. about O'Neill Regional Park.
Wildlife viewing: Mojave Narrows provides opportunities for birdwatching and animal sightings. "Plenty of room to be by yourself and shoot some pictures," notes Bryan about Mojave Narrows Regional Park, which offers potential staging areas for horse trailers and access to regional riding trails.
What you should know
Noise considerations: Train activity impacts some campgrounds significantly. "A mix of FHU RV sites tent sites, group sites around Horseshoe Lake and some additional dry camping and equestrian sites around Pelican Lake. The sites around Horseshoe Lake are close to an active rail line. And by active, I mean really active – I stopped counting after I counted 24 trains lumbering by during our short overnight stay," cautions Lee D. about Mojave Narrows Regional Park.
Security concerns: Some areas have restricted entry times or patrol schedules. "We were a little concerned when we saw a security guard making rounds around 10 pm (and this combined with the locked gate), we wondered if we were in a safe environment, although we did not encounter any problems," mentions Lee D.
Capacity for groups: For those traveling with multiple rigs or horse trailers, site selection is important. "Cottonwood is for the true RV'ers. Lakeside is more for tent camping. Nice park for family camping," advises Michele N. about Rancho Jurupa RV Park.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Some parks offer additional recreational facilities beyond trails. "Canopy Court area has easy and close access to the splash pad, the playground, a large grass area, and even the pool. The boat launch is very near by too but we had no use for that," notes Bryan H. about staying at Launch Pointe Recreation.
Educational opportunities: Wildlife and historical programs add value for families with children. "There is a cool museum were the amazing staff provided us with interesting history about the lake and Indian tribes. Such a fun and peaceful place to hangout at," shares Lauren R. about Lake Perris State Recreation Area.
Consider site placement: Look for spots that balance accessibility with privacy. "By far this has got to be the best campsite we've been to and we've been to a good amount of them. The double sites are a must when going with a group of 10 people. This specific site is very spacious with double of the parking spots (4 cars total), 2 fire pits, and 2 benches," recommends Chrystal M. about Heart Bar Campground.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Some campgrounds require additional equipment for comfortable setup. "The sites were all uneven. Every camper we saw had to do major leveling efforts," cautions Brian C. about camping facilities in the region.
Hookup considerations: Water availability varies significantly between parks. "If your one that needs WI-FI this isn't the spot for you. Your phones hot spot may not even work. One thing I can say is the community bathrooms were clean and the parking spaces were large. A lot of spaces are unleveled but it's not a deal breaker for me. A cool spot but no sewage and WI-FI is kind of inconvenient," advises Troy A. about Lake Perris.
Space dimensions: Check site measurements before booking, especially for larger rigs. "Large concrete pads, easy backing in and hooking up. Lots of grass, great place to camp in groups," notes Paul C. about Rancho Jurupa RV Park, which offers potential staging for horse trailers even without dedicated equestrian facilities.
Guide
