Joseph D Grant County Park offers equestrian camping near Freedom, California with sites accommodating horses approximately 30 miles east of San Jose. The park's 10,000+ acres feature oak woodland and rolling grassland terrain with multiple hiking and riding trails. The campground roads are challenging to navigate due to their steep, narrow, and winding nature. Bathrooms with showers are available for campers.
What to do
Bird watching: Joseph D. Grant County Park provides opportunities to view various bird species including woodpeckers. One visitor noted, "The hiking is quite beautiful and the woodpeckers were busy storing acorns."
Wildlife spotting: Coyote Lake Harvey Bear Ranch County Park offers encounters with diverse wildlife. A camper reported, "We saw lots of wildlife - deer, wild pigs, turkeys, frogs just to name a few." The park is located about 15 minutes from Gilroy.
Kayaking: Visitors can bring kayaks to Coyote Lake, though they must be inspected first. No swimming is allowed in the lake. According to a review, "Bring kayaks here (must be inspected first). No swimming allowed."
Horseback riding: Del Valle Campground provides access to numerous trails suitable for horseback riding. A visitor mentioned, "Wonderful place to go hiking & trail running. The hills are pretty intense, but they're beautiful!"
What campers like
Stargazing conditions: Grant County Park offers excellent conditions for astronomy enthusiasts. A visitor mentioned, "Great place to stargaze, hike, & camp. Has showers & bathroom & don't forget to check out the mansion!!"
Wildlife encounters: Many campers appreciate the diverse wildlife at Henry W. Coe State Park. One reviewer observed, "I saw plenty of wildlife (lizards, snakes, birds, fish). It was fairly hot in mid-spring, and there is not much shade on the trails, especially the dirt roads."
Peaceful setting: Campers value the quiet atmosphere at Joseph D. Grant County Park. A visitor noted, "We had a great site and there was no one on either side of us. The camp ground was quiet and it was mostly couples or small family groups."
Historic features: Grant County Park includes historical structures worth exploring. The park has a mansion that multiple campers recommend visiting during your stay.
What you should know
Limited connectivity: Cell service is limited or non-existent in many equestrian camping areas near Freedom. At Del Valle Campground, a visitor noted, "The lack of cell reception really helps the feeling of being away from the city life."
Weather considerations: Summer temperatures can be extremely hot. At Henry W. Coe State Park, a camper advised, "It was fairly hot in mid-spring, and there is not much shade on the trails, especially the dirt roads."
Campground terrain: Joseph D. Grant Park Campground has uneven surfaces that may affect tent setup. One visitor commented, "The sites were large and clean. Showers are free only one shower per restroom though so be prepared to wait."
Wildlife awareness: Wild pigs are common at Coyote Lake Harvey Bear Ranch. A camper warned, "There are food lockers since wild pigs come out at night. Be sure to lock all food up! They will roam through the camp ground all through the night if anyone has left any food out."
Tips for camping with families
Choose secluded sites: For quieter family experiences at Coyote Lake, select specific campsites. A reviewer recommended, "Campsites are along the beautiful Coyote lake. The lakeside sites are mostly shaded as are the sites along the road. Sites 43, 44 and 45 would be the most secluded."
Avoid rocky grounds: Some campgrounds have challenging terrain for tent stakes. At Del Valle Campground, a visitor noted, "It's pretty hot in the summer and it has a rocky ground so it will be hard to get stakes on the ground."
Pack for wildlife encounters: San Benito RV and Camping Resort offers exciting wildlife viewing opportunities that children may enjoy. A visitor shared, "We had Condors above our cabin, deer around us, wild pigs crossing the roads. Its amazing!!!! My favorite part of our California trip was staying here!"
Visit during weekdays: For families seeking quieter experiences, consider non-weekend visits when many equestrian camping areas are less crowded.
Tips from RVers
Road access challenges: RV campers should be aware of difficult access roads at Joseph D Grant County Park. A camper observed, "Campground roads are steep, narrow and windy, making backing in difficult for some vehicles."
Site selection importance: At Salinas-Monterey KOA, choose sites carefully for better experiences. A visitor noted, "Some of the back in sites for tent trailer are a pain to get into but very nice setup with private dishwashing station and cook space."
Hookup availability: Various campgrounds offer different levels of hookups. At Coyote Lake, a visitor mentioned, "We stayed here in November while my house was fumigated. Nice open campsites with hook ups. Dump station was available although I did not see it listed on web site."
Level challenges: Many campgrounds in the hills around Freedom present leveling difficulties. A camper at Henry W. Coe State Park warned, "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."
