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Bridalveil Creek Campground in Yosemite National Park includes dedicated sites for equestrians seeking overnight accommodations with their horses. Located just off the road to Glacier Point at higher elevation, this horse-friendly campground provides necessary amenities for both riders and their mounts. The campground accommodates tent camping and offers specific areas for horse trailers with sufficient space for equines. Maintaining proper equestrian etiquette is essential as the campground serves both horse campers and regular visitors. Campers note the ideal proximity to stunning viewpoints, allowing riders to experience Yosemite's high country trails directly from their campsites without relocating their horses.
Trail access directly connects riders to some of Yosemite's most scenic high country routes, with connections to Sentinel Dome offering views higher than Half Dome on one side and El Capitan on the other. Horse owners should arrive early, particularly on weekends when the campground fills quickly despite not requiring advance reservations. The surrounding bridle paths provide excellent day-riding opportunities with varying difficulty levels suitable for different experience levels. Water access for horses exists but can be limited during drier seasons, making it advisable to carry supplemental water for equines. Most riders spend minimal time at the campground itself, instead taking advantage of the extensive trail network accessible from this strategic location. Early morning departures are recommended to secure parking at popular trailheads for longer rides.
"You are aboute 12 Mi. to Yosemite Park entrance. It is family business , very clean and you feel country! They provide everything for you. There are few fool hock ups and they provide also fire wood."
from $40 - $80 / night
Check Availability"Showers and bathrooms aren't working but otherwise a great place to camp. been going to the nearby Tuttletown camp for showers and working bathrooms while they work on Gloryhole."
"The lake's water was too low for a swim though :( sad"
from $18 - $22 / night
Check Availability"The only downside is that the park closes at 8:00 pm so we had to sleep behind the entrance until 4:00 am when they opened the door again. A Fire ring and a bench available at each spot."
"Sites were a good size and were tucked down a slight hill from the road which was great for privacy. Bathrooms were kept very clean and well stocked."
"After accidentally driving to this location following the directions of another reviewer for the “Yosemite Boondocks” campground across 41 (which we never found) we were very happy with this location."
"Great spot about 5 minutes away from Yosemite entrance. Only a few other campers nearby but plenty of space to where they were only seen from a distance."
"We were able to rent a boat for tuning on the lake, which made the trip."
"Great location right in the middle of Yosemite Valley. Great access to beautiful hikes and scenery. The camp sites are spacious."
"There is a shuttle stop right outside the campground. You are also in easy walking distance to the path to Mirror Lake and the ever popular Mist Trail."
from $48 / night
Check Availability"The positives:
The natural setting is beautiful — right by the water with lots of ducks, and the campsite layout is quite nice.""Price has gone up compare to past years but I like it due to it location. Certain time of the year it get pretty busy but we always camp on the far end of the campground where there is less people."
from $40 - $60 / night
Check Availability"Powerlines are nearby but there are a few fire pits. They seem to be logging the area and running cattle but it’s pretty quiet."
"Out in Central valley is Woodward Lake. Great for a day trip if you live in the Bay area and want to get away. They have boat access to the lake."
"Woodward Reservoir is a great place to camp with or without all the amenities...They have primitive camping for the folks that like roughing it as well as people that like the home away from home experience"
"Be sure to obtain a fire permit from Cal fire and check fire restrictions in the area have a bucket full of water and a shovel next to your fire at all times again this place was amazing"
"The roads are not four-wheel drive and are perfect for van lifers. I would not pull a trailer of any kind up here. Or a vehicle with low clearance."
GuideGreat location right in the middle of Yosemite Valley. Great access to beautiful hikes and scenery. The camp sites are spacious. Because it's an equestrian campground, you will smell the horses and stables....be prepared. The river is close to the campgrounds and are refreshing on a hot day.
ScoutClark's Fork is a large campground with 88 sites – all of which are situated with lots of space so that you aren’t too close to your neighbors. The availability of adjacent “double sites” makes this campground a great place for larger groups of families and friends. The 25 sites on Loop A offer vault toilets and cost $19 an night. Loop B sites offer flush toilets and cost $20 a night. There are also 14 nice family-sized equestrian sites and one group equestrian site. Sites are within easy walking distance of the water. No matter what kind of camping you want to plan, Clark's Fork offers options. A RV dump station is located near the entrance to the campgrounds. The Clark's Fork Campground is on a first-come, first-served basis. This beautiful wooded campground is on the Stanislaus River, recommended for your fishing and scenic pleasure.
TravelerThis campground is in the heart of Yosemite Valley. It is great to camp on the valley floor, especially during peak season as traffic from all main gates to the valley floor is very congested. There is a shuttle stop right outside the campground. You are also in easy walking distance to the path to Mirror Lake and the ever popular Mist Trail. Shuttle stops at all valley attractions and you can easily get to the Pizza Deck in Half Dome Village, the deli in Yosemite Village, and many different hiking trails. Some spots are right along the Merced River. No showers here, but hot showers are close by at Half Dome Village. We will be back!
LegendIt is hard to get a Camping spot in Yosemite but well worth it if you do. I got up early many a morning to try and get a day here or there for our summer trips out west. You can always try the daily lottery in the village office which we did one day. So Any campground in the valley is good and in close proximity to everything going on. This campground is located on the Merced river and is primitive. The horse stables are in this loop as well.There is a water station by entrance to fill up. No electric, sewer or shower. There are bathrooms with an outlet (Yea- can charge your Phone but get in line) You can bathe in river like I do or go to curry village and pay for a shower at housekeeping. You get a fire ring and a bear box at each site. Generator hours are limited so plan accordingly.
GuideWe were lucky to get 5 days in a row during 4th of July weekend in 2021 at one of the best sites within North Pines campground. We set up camp at site #515, we had a fire pit, bear locker, picnic table and two tents! Within walking distance is the edge of the Merced river, from there you have views of Yosemite Falls. One of my favorite activities was take a short walk with a floating tube from the campsite to the entrance of the campground and hop into the river float back down and get off near our campsite! Our site also offered a good amount of shade and was a short walk from the restrooms. We were surround amongst the giant granite cliffs. One of the best camping trips with great company. 10/10 would recommend.
LegendNorth Pines is one of three campgrounds on the floor of Yosemite Valley. Across the Merced River from the other two campgrounds and adjacent to the horse stables, it is relatively isolated with no major roads running by it. Nevertheless, it is well connected to the rest of the valley amenities, with a quick walk to the bus station, a longer walk (1 mi) to the visitor center via the Valley Loop Trail, or a drive (if you don't mind braving traffic and searching for parking spaces).
The sites are not well defined. You have a place to park and besides that, it is a little of a free-for-all with the adjacent sites as to where you set up your gear. Despite that, we had plenty of room to set up our large 10 person tent, without feeling crowded or that we were overspilling our space. We were there the last weekend it was open (Oct 26/27) and all sites were booked. There are no hook-ups, and the comfort stations only have toliets and sinks (no showers), a fresh water faucet, and a disposal "toliet" for dish water. All dishes must be washed at camp. The facilities were fairly clean, though the disposal toilet often backed up. Being late October, I was expecting very cold conditions. But the weather was great! 70s during the day and 40s at night. Clear skies. Absolutely beautiful.
Our site was located right next to the comfort station, and in hindsight I wish we had found a place a little farther away. But besides the proximity, our site was nice with a fire pit and picnic table. Quiet hours are from 1000-0600, and we had to remind our neighbor campers who came back drunk at midnight to shut it, but that seems to be more the normal than abnormal these days. There were mostly tents in the campground, with a few small RVs and trailers. Generators are allowed during limited hours, but the noise wasn't overwhelming, since they were few and far between.
As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I get products to test from time to time. This weekend I got to test the Wenzel Great Basin 10 tent (https://wenzelco.com/great-basin-10/). Overall, my impression of this tent is that it is a solid and reliable tent. Yes, it has a few design items that could be improved for ease of use, but overall it served us well and I look forward to using it again. The tent is a domed center-opening design, with two side "rooms" that can be separated by zipped curtains, making three interior spaces total. My husband and I filled up on room with two large cots facing length wise (we had them oriented along center line and still had enough room to move along the sides). The other side has more than ample room for my daughter's small cot, which ran the width of the tent along the side window. Very comfortable for three people.
Yes, this is a huge tent. Can it be set up by one person? Probably, if that person is patient and tenacious. Two people work much better. A few design items we found annoying were the pole connections, which would frequently catch on the tent pole sleeves and center strap. Also, the zipper flap on the tent's door would frequently get caught in the zipper, making it almost a necessity to use two hands to open and close the tent. Besides these two small inconveniences, the tent worked great. The rain fly fits snug against the tent roof. The construction felt sturdy and we liked the design of the three interior rooms.
Overall, we had a fun two nights in Yosemite. We might make a tradition out of going for the closing weekend each year.
TravelerAfter accidentally driving to this location following the directions of another reviewer for the “Yosemite Boondocks” campground across 41 (which we never found) we were very happy with this location.
First, to tell you how to properly get here and find all the spots, drive to the end of the road (don’t pay attention to the gate and “off road” dirt road you see to the left before the parking lot. Don’t go there. Go to just before the big Snow Play parking lot and head right through the dirt. There is no paved road but the area is flat and any car, truck or rv/trailer can make it back here easily. I got nervous at first about ability to turnaround so I parked prematurely near the entrance. Keep going and you’ll find at least 4 or 5 big private areas separated by huge cut logs all with plenty of room to turnaround and not have to back up.
If you’re nervous, we watched several cars, vans, and trailers camp overnight in the big paved parking lot right past this, and that’s fine, but you’re in a parking lot. Come out to the right and you’re in heaven.
We were the only RV here and had it to ourselves an entire week (granted it’s early November). Can’t beat the proximity to Yosemite south entrance.
TravelerLocated just outside of oakdale, very similar to that of Modesto reservoir as it is managed by the same people. Shallow and warm water great for swimming and water sports. Has paved looped campgrounds and has all necessary hook ups for rv/motorhome camping. Boat docks and tables located near the water good for bbqing and having a relaxing weekend close to home but away from crowds of people. They do have late festivals in the fall so plan accordingly
TravelerGreat spot about 5 minutes away from Yosemite entrance. Only a few other campers nearby but plenty of space to where they were only seen from a distance. A couple nights there were louder campers on the paved side of the area but nothing crazy. Will most definitely stay there again
Equestrian camping near Groveland, California offers access to Sierra Nevada terrain ranging from 2,800 to 6,000 feet elevation. The region sees summer temperatures averaging 85-95°F during day and 50-60°F at night, with spring and fall providing milder conditions. Winter closures affect many campgrounds from November through April, with snow common at higher elevations.
Trail riding to Sentinel Dome: From Goat Meadow - Dispersed Camp Site, riders can access the high country with connections to scenic viewpoints. "Beautiful scenery, clean, close to Yosemite, and easy to reach. As others have said, follow Mount Raymond Rd up until you see the sign for the snow play area, and look to the right," notes Derrick H.
Waterfront riding: The USBR Gloryhole Rec Area Big Oak Campground offers lake access for horses. "The campground is quiet and the scenery is amazing this time of year. There are easily accessible hiking trails that were a great help in wearing out the pups," mentions Lori T., highlighting trails suitable for both equestrians and hikers.
High country trail access: Pack trips can be organized from staging areas near Groveland. "The coyotes have a tradition of doing something called a Huff Call, which is basically howling like a coyote in the middle of the night," shares R D., describing the natural sounds riders might hear while camping at Yosemite Valley Backpacker's Campground after a day on the trails.
Horse-friendly amenities: Equestrian sites at North Pines Campground — Yosemite National Park provide designated spaces for horses. "Great location right in the middle of Yosemite Valley. Great access to beautiful hikes and scenery. The camp sites are spacious. Because it's an equestrian campground, you will smell the horses and stables," reports Norina N.
Proximity to Yosemite: Horse campers value locations that allow quick access to park trails. "You are about 12 Mi. to Yosemite Park entrance. It is family business, very clean and you feel country! They provide everything for you," writes Ioan P. about Yosemite Ridge, noting the close distance for day trips.
Quiet locations for horses: Many riders prefer less populated sites where horses can remain calm. "It is beautiful, clean and not crowded. We planned it last night and it had plenty of spots to pick from," shares Mahdi about Big Oak Glory Hole Area, highlighting the peaceful environment.
Limited water access: During dry seasons, water for horses can be scarce at dispersed sites. "Place is run down. No hot water. If you have a big rig then it's bearable," mentions Kimberly R. about Yosemite Ridge, suggesting bringing supplemental water.
Weather considerations: High country campsites experience significant temperature fluctuations. "We were there in mid-June for 1 night. Toilets work, didn't try out showers. Site we had was nice and large... Everything had already dried out by the time we were there, be aware of ticks and rattlesnakes," warns Ryan D. about Glory Hole Recreation Area.
Reservation requirements: Popular equestrian sites fill quickly during peak season. "It is hard to get a Camping spot in Yosemite but well worth it if you do. I got up early many a morning to try and get a day here or there for our summer trips out west," shares Christy C. about North Pines Campground.
Choose shaded sites: For horse camping with children, look for adequate tree cover. "Drive to the back area for tree shade and level grounds. Side of road camping. Camping on Ridgeline," suggests DJ M. about Forest Route 4N39 Dispersed.
Plan for water activities: Combining horseback riding with swimming offers relief during hot months. "Woodward is our family go to place to camp in the summer heat. Lots of campsites with room for tents or RVs. Fire pits and picnic tables at each site. Plenty of bathrooms, some with showers," notes Bonnie S. about Woodward Reservoir.
Early morning departures: With children, schedule rides in cooler morning hours. "Early morning departures are recommended to secure parking at popular trailheads for longer rides," says a local guide, with the Valley Loop Trail being particularly suitable for families with varied riding abilities.
Site selection for trailers: Locate level areas that accommodate both living quarters and horse trailers. "This road follows power lines pretty much for the entire length of the road. It would be a really nice area to disperse if they weren't there as the area is beautiful. That said, you don't need 4x4 but you definitely will need a vehicle with some decent clearance," advises Nick F. about Forest Route 4N39 Dispersed.
Hookup considerations: Some campgrounds offer partial or full hookups beneficial for extended horse camping trips. "Located just outside of oakdale, very similar to that of Modesto reservoir as it is managed by the same people. Shallow and warm water great for swimming and water sports. Has paved looped campgrounds and has all necessary hook ups for rv/motorhome camping," explains Russell L. about Woodward Reservoir.
Generator restrictions: Many equestrian camping areas limit generator use. "First of all, I have to say that the manager was very kind and tried his best to accommodate everyone there. The location is great for trips to Yosemite, and if you're lucky enough to reserve a spot in the 'main loop', you'll probably love it," shares Heather D. about Yosemite Ridge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Groveland, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Groveland, CA is Yosemite Ridge with a 3.3-star rating from 3 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Groveland, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 26 equestrian camping locations near Groveland, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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