14 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Loafer Creek Horse Campground at Lake Oroville State Recreation Area features dedicated horse corrals for equestrian campers, offering year-round access for riders exploring the lake region. The campground maintains clean facilities with water pumps near camping sites, picnic tables, fire rings, vault toilets, hot showers, and trash collection. Campsites provide adequate shade and accommodate both equestrian visitors and their horses in a natural setting. The campground layout separates horse areas from general camping, minimizing conflicts between different user groups. Sites are clean but some campers note they can be uneven and may require careful setup for larger tents. Most campsites do not directly overlook the water, requiring a walk to access lake views and recreation areas. Visitors use The Dyrt to find real feedback on camping near Gridley, California.
The Lake Oroville trail system connects riders to miles of bridle paths through oak woodlands and open meadows with seasonal views of wildlife. Horse owners should note that water levels at Lake Oroville fluctuate seasonally, affecting access points and swimming areas. The lake can be nearly a mile walk from some campsites, with boat ramps approximately one mile away and beach areas up to two miles distant. While the campground provides basic equestrian amenities, riders should bring their own feed, tack storage solutions, and portable water containers for horses during trail rides. The camp host remains on-site and available to assist with equestrian-specific questions and local trail information. Campground occupancy remains low during off-season months, making it ideal for riders seeking quieter trail experiences without crowds. The open setting can become very hot during summer months, so spring and fall visits often provide more comfortable conditions for both horses and riders.
"If you are looking for a small campground with full hookups, on the lake, close to Table Mountain and Feather Falls, this is for you."
"Really enjoyed this campground which is part of the Lake Oroville State Recreation Area. The staff where we checked in were helpful with all of our questions about the area."
from $45 / night
Check Availability"Water pumps near the sites. Vault toilets, hot water and showers. The campsites do not overlook the water. We visited in the off season with no reservations and there was plenty of availability."
"The lake is super low, but a pleasant campground on our way home."
from $45 / night
Check Availability"Casino nearby has multiple restaurants and entertainment, including golf. Cheap gas for California. Little bit of a hike to clean restrooms. Quiet. Convenient location for traveling down I-5."
"Conveniently located just off I-5, far enough away from the noise. Casino, restaurants, doggy daycare and golf just next door. Sites are level 75 ft pull through sites. We will stay again."
from $49 - $69 / night
Check Availability"Great walking trails group sites are great love it"
"With pristine wilderness surrounding your tent, you can camp alongside the beautiful reservoir."
from $20 / night
Check Availability"Next to a stream and surrounded by hills. The only tough part is getting across the stream to some of the hikes."
"Our site was next to the raft launch/pickup, so there were a couple of groups picked up during the day. Bathrooms were average and the site was maintained well."
"Small cars made it down ther without difficulty)
Once at the camp ground, right on the waters edge, grab up the 3rd site on the right. It is literally on the edge of the river."
"Walking trails connect to the campground! What a delight and right near Bucks Lake!
It is bear country, and the campsite was visited by a bear at night.""Clean campground, great fishing, and nice trail around lake. Kids love camping here. Bathrooms are kept clean and stocked 2-3x a day."
from $31 / night
Check Availability"Very pretty views of the valley from the campground, and having hiking trails start from the campground was really nice. Only complaints are very close neighbors and little shade."
"It's close to the lake and market. We love to get ice cream before dinner :) Only negative - not all of the spaces have bear boxes and we had a nice visitor one morning."
"It's along a cove in the lake. Super nice hosts and nice campers. The bathrooms are kind of gross but that's expected. Always camp here when we go to the lake."
GuideThis is quintessential California no frills forest camping under trees that are so tall they muffle all sound, where the dirt is so infused with pine needles that it smells like incense. Although this is a horse camp, anyone can camp here. It is primitive, but if you have your own toilet you'll be ok. Otherwise, you can use the old pit toilets provided. Because this is a horse camp, the sites are spacious. Kick back and enjoy.
TravelerGreat free campground! We've stayed here many times. It's open, grassy level and quiet. Next to a stream and surrounded by hills. The only tough part is getting across the stream to some of the hikes. It's a hot spot for horses which of course have no stream problems, so the only negative is fly's sometimes. But just keep your screen door closed (& fly swatter handy). We always manage to level out in our 23" Winnebago View. There is lots of open space so no crowding. There is a rural road near by but traffic noise isn't a problem. Perhaps I should say it's awful so fewer people come and it's not discovered.
RangerLarge pull-thru sites with vegetation in between. Casino nearby has multiple restaurants and entertainment, including golf. Cheap gas for California. Little bit of a hike to clean restrooms. Quiet. Convenient location for traveling down I-5.
GuideClean campground, efficient check in. Lake is not walking distance, no internet. Great place for a quick stop over.
ScoutIf you are looking for a small campground with full hookups, on the lake, close to Table Mountain and Feather Falls, this is for you. We picked this campground for its location, but got so much more. The campsites aren’t huge or very level, but the fact that it has full hookups for $45/night, is small, and on the lake made up for that fact. We don’t have small children, but think it would be a great place since there wasn’t a lot of traffic driving through the campground. A couple of downsides were that the water in the lake was very low and the showers are token operated. Tokens can be purchased from a machine outside the shower house, but it only takes bills (no coins), so have your ones and fives ready. Table mountain was in n full bloom in April and we enjoyed Kayaking on Thermaliro Forbay. Feather Falls was closed due to fire damage.
LegendDespite the beautiful Joshua trees this campground is not a great to stay. The roads are in terrible condition, trash is strewn throughout, and staff is less than friendly or helpful. Roads are terribly narrow and sites are small and very uneven. Not a great place for a trailer nor class A. No direct access to park via road. Is next to neighborhood
TravelerWe enjoyed an overnight stay here. Clean facilities, well maintained grounds and friendly neighbors. Conveniently located just off I-5, far enough away from the noise. Casino, restaurants, doggy daycare and golf just next door. Sites are level 75 ft pull through sites. We will stay again. Lower numbered sites are closest to amenities.
GuideThis site served its purpose; spot to sleep after a long day of driving. The disbursed camping area was down a gravel road to the left next to the day use vault toilet through a cattle gate.
There were several campers already there but plenty of room for more. There were also several vault toilets on the property as well.
GuideThere were several groups partying loudly well after midnight , and the water was nearly a mile walk to the boat ramp and almost 2 mikes to a “beach” that was closed. New construction might make some of this better, but unless something drastic changes I’m scratching this one off my list.
Equestrian camping near Gridley, California offers seasonal access to oak woodland trails and reservoir shorelines within a 30-mile radius. The region experiences hot, dry summers with temperatures routinely exceeding 90°F from June through September, while winter months bring cooler temperatures and occasional rainfall. Lake Oroville's water levels typically fluctuate by 100-250 feet annually, affecting shoreline access and recreation options.
Trail riding at Bucks Lake Recreation Area: The Whitehorse Campground connects to numerous riding paths with moderate elevation changes suitable for intermediate riders. "Clean campground, great fishing, and nice trail around lake. Kids love camping here," notes one visitor to Whitehorse Campground.
Water recreation at Bidwell Canyon: Located 28 miles from Gridley, this area offers boat launches and swimming areas with seasonal lifeguards. A camper reports, "Really enjoyed this campground which is part of the Lake Oroville State Recreation Area. The staff where we checked in were helpful with all of our questions about the area," making Bidwell Canyon Campground a good base for water activities.
Gold panning at American River: The Auburn State Recreation Area permits recreational gold panning at designated sites. "If you're lucky and know how to read the river, gold panning is a must!" shares an enthusiast who visited Ruck-A-Chucky Campground.
Spacious sites for horse trailers: At Loafer Creek Horse Campground, the layout prioritizes trailer parking and corral access. "Pleasant setting in the trees. Only 3 other campsites in use that we noticed in October," mentions a visitor to Loafer Creek Horse Campground.
Seasonal wildlife viewing: Spring brings wildflowers and increased wildlife activity to the region's trails. One camper at Stony Gorge Reservoir notes, "The lake is amazing for swimming!" during summer months when water levels are typically higher.
Off-season solitude: Many campgrounds in the area see significantly reduced visitor numbers from October through April. A camper at Ruck-A-Chucky Campground shares, "Definitely the best campground in the Auburn area, though only 5 walk-in spots. It's right on the river with fishing and boating opportunities. Lots of hiking trails right from camp."
Water access varies seasonally: Drought conditions often affect recreation opportunities. "The lake is super low, but a pleasant campground on our way home," reports a camper at Loafer Creek Horse Campground.
Road conditions can be challenging: Some access roads require high-clearance vehicles. A visitor to Ruck-A-Chucky notes, "The 3 mile road down is a bit treacherous (maybe don't take your RV) but makes you feel 'out there'."
Bear activity is common: Proper food storage is essential at all campgrounds. "It is bear country, and the campsite was visited by a bear at night," shares a camper at Whitehorse Campground, adding, "The bear, after speaking to the host, is well known locally. They have watched it grow up."
Choose sites with playground access: Several campgrounds offer designated children's areas. "We have been comping here for 3+ years and we love it. The campground is nice and the spots seem to be spacious," writes a regular visitor to Haskins Valley Campground.
Plan for extreme temperatures: Summer heat often exceeds 100°F, requiring extra water and shade. A camper at Bidwell Canyon warns, "This weekend was 108 or so as highs, so it was a very hot weekend. The campground would likely be better in late September/October."
Scout swimming areas in advance: Water levels affect beach accessibility. "Unfortunately the beach access/swimming area has turned into a meadow which was nice to see deer but there wasn't a place for the little ones to swim," reports a Bidwell Canyon visitor.
Level sites can be scarce: Many campgrounds in the foothills feature uneven terrain. A visitor to Bidwell Canyon notes, "A lot of the sites are very uneven, ours was almost terraced, and the tent area was barely big enough for our 8 person tent."
Casino camping provides full hookups: For equestrian campers seeking amenities between trail days, nearby RV parks offer services. "Clean facilities, well maintained grounds and friendly neighbors. Conveniently located just off I-5, far enough away from the noise," writes a guest at Rolling Hills Casino Truck Lot.
Seasonal gate closures affect access: Winter conditions sometimes limit road access. "The camp area is closed, as of 2/9/2024. No indication of that on the BLM website," warns a visitor to Cowboy Camp, highlighting the importance of checking current conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Gridley, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Gridley, CA is Bidwell Canyon Campground — Lake Oroville State Recreation Area with a 4.4-star rating from 11 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Gridley, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 14 equestrian camping locations near Gridley, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
