1 campground with availability this weekend
Several horse-friendly campgrounds surround the Helena area, including Carter Meadows Horse Campground and Hidden Horse Equestrian Campground near Fort Jones. Both facilities cater specifically to equestrians, with Carter Meadows providing picnic tables and fire rings for campers with horses. The sites accommodate trailers and offer direct access to surrounding trails. Hidden Horse Equestrian Campground features drinking water and water hookups for campers, a particular benefit for those traveling with horses requiring regular hydration. Though neither facility has horse corrals listed among their amenities, they offer designated areas for horses with ample space for portable containment systems.
The Trinity National Forest trail system connects to several of these equestrian campgrounds, providing extensive riding opportunities throughout the region. Trails vary in difficulty from beginner-friendly paths suitable for casual rides to more challenging routes that climb into the surrounding mountains. Horse Camp Primitive Campground in the Whiskeytown-Shasta-Trinity National Recreation Area offers additional options for equestrians, with fire rings and picnic tables at each site. The campground features relatively uneven terrain, so proper horse containment is essential. Potable water is available via hand pump, crucial for horses during warm weather months. The $20 nightly fee is typical for the area, and most sites can accommodate larger vehicles necessary for horse transport.
"We were looking for.a place to camp near Redding, our home town. This campground is about 30 mins from Redding. It was an easy tow on rural but well maintained roads all the way to the campground."
"There are tent sites away from the rv part, but we never checked that area out. The rv spots are very clean, and even though they’re close together with no privacy it was an amazingly quiet park."
"Camped here for one night mid September, slept in a car, great view and found the 3 spacious camping spots with a picnic table, fire pit (with a grill rack), and an unsmelly bathroom a short walk away."
"When you get to the area where apple maps says park and walk, just take the pine ridge or whatever trail a couple more miles up."
"follow titlow hill road until you get to a fork in the road with 3 roads and a take a left. follow it up past the cell tower and drive until you reach 2 pullouts close together where the bottom one has"
Available this weekend
from $20 / night
from $10 / night
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $10 / night
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $50 / night
Scoutthe directions in the review were accurate and easy to follow. the road gets pretty steep, though 90% is paved and only turns to gravel at the end. no water source that we could find for filtering, so pack in as much as you need 💕🏔️
GuideThis was a pretty nice spot. Only about 3 campsites with tables and fire pits, but a few others along the road. The view was nice and the sunsets were amazing! It was very quiet at night, no noise from the road. There are some trail heads close to the campsites, but some are very overgrown. The only downside was lots of mosquitoes, even out after dark. The road was also very rocky, but manageable. Be careful to go slow and avoid sharp rocks, because I ended up with a flat tire on the way out. Cell service isn't bad, but the nearest town is about 1 hr away. Weather was warm and dry, with some light mist at night. We did see a black bear on our way down the road, but not much other wildlife besides birds.
ScoutMy boyfriend and brother and I spent the evening restoring an old campsite we found. we put lots of love into this place.
amazing view of the ocean and sunset was crazy beautiful!!
follow titlow hill road until you get to a fork in the road with 3 roads and a take a left. follow it up past the cell tower and drive until you reach 2 pullouts close together where the bottom one has a camp fire, park at the top pullout. look for the trail to the right and pretty much bushwash your way to the best campsite ever.
RangerThis place first off is 45min to an hour from 101. Secondly it rained all night and my RTT is soaked. Once I took the rain fly down it was bad. Needless to say trying to get to a dry place to allow my tent to dry. I will say I absolutely love Offroad and this is a forest service road that goes up the mountain. Great place if it’s not raining and you don’t plan on sleeping in your RTT in the rain. I’ve never left a bad review but If I could give this 0 stars I would.
ScoutRoad is one lane, gravel, windy for the last part of the trek up witj some deeper ruts (we did fine going slow in a stock Honda Accord). Plenty of mountain bike, hiking trails with difficulty levels and map! There's a first camping spot with the easy loop hiking trail that is just by itself and a little further down the road is 3 or 4 other camping spots near the bathroom and additional trails. Absolutely will be coming back!!!
GuideI tent camped here. My spot was very close to the bathroom and shower area. (You don't have to pay extra coins for the shower.) The tent camping spots are nice. The have a picnic table and a metal firepit and they provide wood. The front office has a little store. The wifi isn't good here. But, they do have a "club house" where you can get on the wifi, charge your phone, and watch a movie on the TV or play a board game. So when you check in they give you the password for the wifi and bathroom.
RangerUnlucky timing on my part overall with this spot. As of Sept ‘25, chunks of the gravel road were under construction; some blind, narrow turns, but nothing too intense; and dips, washouts, and big exposed rocks, so drive with care. The area with the tables was overflowing with people and cars on a Thursday a few hours before sunset. Might have been one large group (or a few) but seemed surprising for a spot that’s not the easiest or most convenient to get to, but went back the way I came and found another spot that did the trick for a night, with a great hiking trail nearby the next morning. Gorgeous chunk of countryside with great views and wildlife.
TravelerCamped here for one night mid September, slept in a car, great view and found the 3 spacious camping spots with a picnic table, fire pit (with a grill rack), and an unsmelly bathroom a short walk away. On the way up, I think I took a wrong term but got to the spots anyways? I took a left at sign with the offices of some sort (thinking it was the camp ground entrance) and then took a few more turns and eventually found the place. There was only one other person also camping. The road wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be, it took me about forty minutes to find the camp grounds from the bottom of the hill to the top. There were narrow moments in the road but plenty of larger two lane spaces. I have a 2014 Subaru crosstrek and it did just fine getting up. I would definitely Return!
TravelerThis is a beautiful campground, though not the best roads to access. We were the only people here on Labor Day weekend
Equestrian campgrounds near Helena, California provide convenient access to the Trinity Alps wilderness with established facilities catering to horse owners and riders. The region sits at the confluence of several major trail systems within the Shasta-Trinity National Forest, allowing for extended backcountry excursions. Trail difficulty varies substantially with elevation changes ranging from moderate valley paths to challenging mountain routes.
Trail riding from camp: Philpot Campground connects directly to several forest service trails. "This rustic campsite is just a few miles off of Highway 36 located off of Rattlesnake Road near Trinity Pines. There's no power no running water they do have bathrooms and a creek runs through the campsite," notes reviewer DirtyMountainBoy A.
Fishing access: Old Lewiston Bridge RV Resort sits near prime fishing waters. "We fished Lewiston lake less than 10 min. away and Whiskeytown Lake about 20-25 min. away with great luck. The little town of Lewiston is pretty cool and a 5 min walk from the campground as well is the trinity river," writes Corey L.
Off-season exploration: Many equestrian trails remain accessible into late fall. "This is a great little spot never too many people here nice and quiet lots of forest around it good for hiking and just good scenery all the way around," explains a reviewer about Philpot Picnic Area, which provides day-use facilities near connecting trail systems.
Quiet environment: The relative seclusion of these horse-friendly areas creates peaceful camping conditions. "Very quiet and relaxing stay. They have a store at the park. If you want they provide a fire pit. Firewood is available," notes Scott D. about Old Lewiston Bridge RV Resort.
Spacious layouts: Lacks Creek BLM offers dispersed sites with room for horse trailers. "Campsites have picnic tables and fire rings," states Derrick H., with another reviewer adding, "Clean, with a beautiful view. The whole BLM management area is well developed and has signs to guide you."
Water access: Multiple campsites feature creekside locations providing water for horses and cooling opportunities. A reviewer notes about Philpot Campground, "a creek runs through the campsite it's a very beautiful place with lush green forest all around!"
Road conditions: Access to several horse camps requires careful driving. "Road is narrow and steep with low hanging trees. The further I got down it the more uncomfortable I got," cautions Jules S. about certain routes to Lacks Creek BLM.
Limited amenities: Most equestrian sites offer basic facilities. "There are only two camp sites reasonably far apart. Nice clean outhouse and potable hand pump water. Picnic tables and trash bins provided as well as a fire pit," explains Web H. about Horse Camp Primitive Campground.
Seasonal changes: Many equestrian campsites close during winter months. "Sites are SUPER uneven and not really defined. The picnic table/fire pit area has large boulders around them and a road runs right between both sites," notes Jules S. about terrain at Horse Camp Primitive Campground.
Bring containment systems: Since designated horse corrals are limited, portable panels or high-lines are essential. "The campground features relatively uneven terrain, so proper horse containment is essential," reports an experienced user at Philpot Campground.
Check water availability: Not all sites provide reliable water sources. "Potable water is available via hand pump, crucial for horses during warm weather months," mentions a regular camper at Horse Flat Campground.
Reserve early: Limited equestrian-specific sites mean advance booking is crucial. "A lot of space between each camp site. One issue I had was the payment which had to be exact change," advises Aaron S. about Horse Flat Campground.
Size restrictions: Many horse camps accommodate trailers but have limitations. "Biggest I would put in here would be about a 30 foot trailer. You have to disconnect your tow vehicle," advises Jason D. about Old Lewiston Bridge RV Resort.
Uneven terrain challenges: RV leveling can be difficult at certain sites. "Our 35 foot fifth wheel easily navigated the space," notes Tara D. about Old Lewiston Bridge RV Resort, though conditions vary substantially between campgrounds.
Water hookup planning: Some equestrian sites offer water connections while others don't. "It was $20 for site for a night plus you have to get a Whiskeytown national forest pass unless you have the NP yearly pass," explains Jules S. about permit requirements at Horse Camp Primitive Campground.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Helena, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Helena, CA is Old Lewiston Bridge RV Resort with a 5-star rating from 6 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Helena, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 10 equestrian camping locations near Helena, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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