Best Equestrian Camping near Fresno, CA

Quite a large level area, though it was November and not peak season so there were loads of space. We pulled in and there were a couple of trailers with horses and a couple of other vehicles and we parked with loads of space between. When we left early in the morning a handful more of vehicles had joined.

There are few gems along the Hwy 99 route between Sacramento and Bakersfield but this is definitely one of them! Located a short 20 miles east of 99, just north of Fresno, this Army Corps of Engineers campground is stunning. Situated among rolling hills that are luscious green in the spring, this campsite is quiet and packed full of things to do. Whether you want to bike, hike, fish, boat or just sit and enjoy the peace and quiet, this is the site for you!

We're dry camping at the Wildcat site which the ranger said is rarely used. There is no one else in the whole campground!

Coyotes howled in the distance last night and it was dead quiet. Going to take the road bike out today and explore some of the roads around the Lake. Lake is full after the 2023 season.

We have stayed at this campground many times and recently revisited in September’24. This COE is on a small lake that is used for irrigation during the summer resulting in a much lower water level than in the spring. Fishing is good. The Corps have added more electric sites over the years and there were 5-6 that fit our 43’ Blue Bird. We marked this as “big rig” friendly. Springtime has the grasses green with abundant wild flowers in late Feb through early March. Summer can be hot as the elevation is low in the California Central Valley and the grasses are brown. Sites are asphalt. Many sites may take some time to level. Back in and pull through are available. A nice dump stations is available within the COE park. Fall has a Tarantula migration and you will definitely see them. Coyote, Bobcat, and deer are frequently seen. Codorniz is 21 miles from Chowchilla. One way in and one way out cuts down on traffic.

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. 

The location is relatively dry throughout the later months of the year but offers some great hiking just beyond your camp in the mountainous regions. 

I found this campsite while driving down 120 and was completely surprised by it. At this point I had no cell signal and wasn’t really sure what to expect ahead of me until I reached the park. I was on a discovery mission and there it was off to the left hand side of the road with a few small campers nestled closer to the restrooms. I pulled in and was excited to see how large the sites were and how the unique dry area reminded me of camping in Utah and Nevada(though in early Spring this area is much more green and lush). 

While there is a campground host at the location the fees for campsites are collected in a check in box a the entrance of the campground. Single sites are$24 with additional vehicles$8 per. This is a bit higher than other forest camps I had stayed at, however in this area in comparison to some of the Yosemite pricing this is a fair pricing. 

The camp is pretty basic with fire rings and tables at each site and a vault toilet located centrally at the camp. I did notice spigots throughout camp with signage that these were common use and not for connections for individuals. Dumpsters and trash cans were also available at camp which was somewhat surprising with the animal warnings of the area. 

One of the most important sections of the camp to me was the information kiosk. The kiosk warned not only of bears but also snakes in this area and had a few pointers for what to do and how to prepare. There are no bear boxes at this campsite so make sure you are prepared if you come here to stay. 

This area is a portion of of the area which in recent years experienced forest fires so there are lots of downed limbs in the area, however these are not supposed to be picked up for firewood so bring whatever you will need at camp. There also are no stores nearby for several miles so bringing your supplies is very important. 

TIPS: 

• Before you visit this area of California familiarize yourself with Bear Safety and learn not only what to do but how to make sure you are safe at your camp when you are away. 
• Make sure you always put your fire out completely before going to bed or leaving camp, this area has been damaged time and time again due to human error and negligence.

A nice campground.  Lots of space between sites, some with electric and water.  Nice views of where the lake should be, with volcanic outcroppings all around.  Site 01 was shaded, level and easy to back our 24 foot trailer into.  Unfortunately the lake was way low due to drought.   Things we did not like:  (1) although not far off of Highway 99, the road from Chowchilla was incredibly rough.  15 miles of poorly-patched pot holes.  I went no faster than 35 mph but still bounced the rig badly.  (2) a vagrant guy was wandering around for the three days we were there.  He came up to our trailer once; he seemed harmless but pretty out of it, maybe just stoned.  (3) a large gathering of campers in the tent area were loud and raucous well past midnight, laughing, loud music, and drunken arguments.  We were worried they could break out weapons.  (4) bathrooms were cleaned daily, but quickly trashed, probably by the aforementioned campers.

Army corp ladies were knowledgeable and nice and willing to help us not only w camping but tons of info! Great staff.  Campgrounds very clean

Great campsite. Lotsa camp space. Clean grounds, restrooms showers.

Our first time here, reservation required before showing up. This was the off season so everything was open and quiet. Nice bathrooms no charge. Playground for kids. They have full hook ups or you could do dry camping. Every camp has it own water so that was nice. Good price for $20

We rented sites #10 & #11 for the weekend of 6/2-6/4/23. Sites #9-11 make up the cul-de-sac so it was great for our kids to ride their bikes and scooters. 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.

These are the closest sites to the water in the campground, but unfortunately water access is pretty limited (there’s a small trail that leads down to a rocky edge, but wouldn’t be great for small children). We drove to a beach area found about a mile up the road. There is also a day-use area across the lake with some good swimming sites.

The campground was very clean and had rangers and a sheriff patrolling regularly (but not bothersome).

There is a small pit toilet right next to site #12, but there are larger bathrooms up the road with flushing toilets and showers. There is also a nice playground for the kids too.

Unfortunately site #10 does not have a shade structure but #9 does, and #11 is well shaded by trees.

We had one raccoon visitor the first night (came out of the drainage pipe under site #12) but otherwise no other wildlife. We were warned that rattle snakes are out, but we were fortunate not to see any ourselves. There is also quite a bit of brush around the campsites so be aware if you bring dogs. They are supposed to be kept on leash at all times, but our lab just brushed by some of the weeds and was littered with foxtails. So just something to be cautious of.

Although we were disappointed with not having better water access, it really is a nice campsite overall if you’re okay with driving up the road to swim.

It’s a quiet campground on a hill. You are at least 30 minutes from any stores. The lake is beautiful but the campsites with power and water do not give a view of the lake at all with the exception of 42. AT&T cell signal from 45 was non existent but T-mobile worked well enough to stream Netflix. I enjoyed my stay. Clean and the camp hosts were great.

No wifi, bathrooms did not have hot water.

Cool park with extremely friendly and helpful staff. Cannot say enough about the great park rangers and camp hosts.

There were people close by to us with several tents and campers in one spot, not sure how this is monitored.

Spotty T Mobile Service $32 per night

Lovely place in the Sierra very close to the National Park. Great place to stay for your visit, to start or end your adventure. Manager is very helpful and welcoming. Nice facilities and good internet. Fair pricing. Easy to reserve. You get to pick your site upon arrival.

This would be a great place if it was clean. Lots of junky trailers with junk & garbage. No dog park area, no doggie bags. On positive side, staff is friendly & sites are roomy.

From Google November 2021, “I stayed here for about 6 months while working for the USFS across the street. Carlos and Luz, the hosts, really make this place feel like home, such authentic and kind people. I am grateful to have found this place. It's very quiet and safe, neighbors are friendly and kind and very respectful. Spaces are large and grassy, a huge plus. Thanks for the stay Carlos and Luz, blessings!”