Best Equestrian Camping near Burnt Ranch, CA

Elam Backcountry Camp in Redwood National Park provides the only designated horse camping area near Burnt Ranch, California. The camp features a corral for horses adjacent to the main camping area, with two bear lockers for food storage and picnic tables at each site. Permits are required for overnight stays, and reservations are recommended as this is a heavily trafficked waypoint into the park. The campground serves as a primary site for equestrians accessing the park's trail system, though hikers frequently pass through the area. A gravel bar near the horse camp offers additional camping options during busy periods, particularly in summer when horse traffic increases. The camp maintains a rustic, wilderness setting with no drinking water or electric hookups.

Trail access from Elam Backcountry Camp begins at the Orick Horse Trail Trailhead, connecting riders to the extensive trail network throughout Redwood National and State Parks. The horse camp serves as a strategic first stop when riding into the park, though more secluded camping options exist further along the trail system. Day riders occasionally use the area, with signage directing overnight hikers to the gravel bar instead of the main horse camp during peak seasons. Bear canisters are required for those camping without access to the provided bear lockers. The campground's location provides convenient access to coastal redwood groves, including the nearby Lady Bird Trail, a 1.5-mile loop through magnificent old-growth forest. The primitive nature of the facilities reflects the true wilderness experience, with appropriate caution necessary when camping with horses in this remote setting.

Best Equestrian Sites Near Burnt Ranch, California (14)

    1. Lacks Creek BLM

    19 Reviews
    Hoopa, CA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (707) 825-2300

    "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."

    2. Elk Country RV Resort & Campground

    29 Reviews
    Orick, CA
    41 miles
    Website
    +1 (707) 488-2181

    $35 - $50 / night

    "This campground is conveniently located right on the 101 Hwy, close by to the ocean and right down the road from tons of Redwood Nat’l Park trails."

    "We used this as a checkpoint in 2021 when traveling from Oregon to Southern California via HWY-101. The park is clean, and we had a great time walking around and resting between the legs of our trip."

    3. Samoa Boat Ramp County Park

    12 Reviews
    Samoa, CA
    37 miles
    Website
    +1 (707) 445-7651

    "There is even access to them from the parking lot. Was here over a weekend, and it was pretty back with ATV and Side by side riders and rigs."

    "For a boat ramp camping site near town, this place is special. Remote from town but water 360 degrees. You can hear the ocean while looking at the towns across the water."

    4. Old Lewiston Bridge RV Resort

    6 Reviews
    Lewiston, CA
    37 miles
    Website
    +1 (530) 778-3894

    "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."

    5. Philpot Campground

    2 Reviews
    Hayfork, CA
    29 miles
    Website
    +1 (530) 628-5227

    6. Humboldt County Fairgrounds

    10 Reviews
    Ferndale, CA
    43 miles
    Website
    +1 (707) 786-9511

    $20 - $45 / night

    "Because of recent rains and some soggy areas I had to overnight campers close to me. 30 amp and 50 amp power and water at each side."

    "Close to Ferndale, which is Must See. Access from Fernbridge of of 101 as the other roads are very twisty for all but the smallest RVs. Camp host was great! Short drive into Eureka."

    8. Redwood Acres RV Park

    2 Reviews
    Eureka, CA
    32 miles
    Website
    +1 (707) 445-3037

    $38 - $45 / night

    "Located in the city limits mere minutes from just about anything you may need and very centrally located for many sea shore and forest park locations. "

    9. Elam Backcountry Camp — Redwood National Park

    1 Review
    Orick, CA
    41 miles
    Website
    +1 (707) 464-6101

    "This campground is the first one you come upon while hiking in from the Orick Horse Trail Trailhead. There are picnic tables and two bear lockers, (there's another by the horse coral)."

    10. Horse Flat Campground

    2 Reviews
    Callahan, CA
    49 miles
    Website
    +1 (530) 623-2121
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Showing results 1-10 of 14 campgrounds

Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near Burnt Ranch, CA

8 Photos of 14 Burnt Ranch Campgrounds


Equestrian Camping Reviews near Burnt Ranch, CA

85 Reviews of 14 Burnt Ranch Campgrounds


  • Sharon B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 17, 2021

    Elam Backcountry Camp — Redwood National Park

    Heavily trafficked way point into the park

    I camped here in late March 2021 during a 2 night, 3 day hike of the Redwood National & State Park. This campground is the first one you come upon while hiking in from the Orick Horse Trail Trailhead. There are picnic tables and two bear lockers, (there's another by the horse coral). I stopped for lunch at this site on my first day. I think this is the primary campground used by most hikers, (and the gravel bar near by).

    If I were to plan another trip I would only use this campsite as a way point on the way to more secluded sites. This is a main thoroughfare, so people will pass by your site. It's also the only horse camp. There was a sign that directed hikers to camp on the gravel bar instead of Elam. I think this is more likely in summer because of traffic as I only saw one horse rider on day hike.

    This is wilderness, so appropriate caution must be taken, Bear canister is required is you do not have access to a site with a bear locker.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 8, 2021

    Humboldt County Fairgrounds

    Nothing fancy, but convenient to Ferndale, and quiet

    I stayed here twice for a total of eight days. Many long-term Residents give the place a seedy feeling. Ultimately it is safe and secure. And well managed. The bathroom is clean, heated, free showers and the combination is changed weekly. Large grassy area with good spacing between most RVs. I was in the middle of the campground for short term parking. Because of recent rains and some soggy areas I had to overnight campers close to me. 30 amp and 50 amp power and water at each side. The largest downside to this place is the RV dump station inside the fairgrounds. It’s the worst one that I’ve ever used. It needs to be completely rebuilt. No ultimately it did work. Great location to the picturesque town of Ferndale California. Also a convenient location for exploring the Lost Coast area. 12 miles away from Eureka California which has a Costco and Patriot gas station on the south end of town has a car wash that can accommodate RVs.

  • H
    Apr. 11, 2021

    Elk Country RV Resort & Campground

    Enjoyable Stay

    This campground is conveniently located right on the 101 Hwy, close by to the ocean and right down the road from tons of Redwood Nat’l Park trails. Because of its proximity to the Hwy, this means you will hear vehicles but it’s not obnoxious and didn’t bother us. The closest amenities (groceries, gas, and one or two small restaurants) are about a 15 min ride south in Trinidad. Orick, the closest town to the north, is very run down, but I think it has a gas station and small market. The grounds are very lush and green. You do have to watch where you walk because there is Elk dung everywhere, but that is a small price to pay for being able to see an herd of Elk almost every day. The ladies at the front desk were very friendly to us. They did warn us about keeping distance from the Elk and doing things like, looking out your RV’s window before walking outside in case the Elk were right there. When they say that the Elk come right into the campground, they are not joking! We stayed in a site in “the meadow”. They are quite close to each other but we got lucky with and end spot and no one on the other side of us during our 2 night stay. Our site had full hook ups, a picnic table, and fire pit. They had a clean laundry room, which we didn’t have to use during our stay so I cannot attest anything other than it’s cleanliness. The bathrooms were also very clean, but sadly the showers required quarters. We didn’t have any but we’re able to exchange cash for some at the front desk. It was $1.50 for 6 minutes of shower time. Overall, we liked this campground a lot and would stay here again.

  • J
    Aug. 22, 2018

    Samoa Boat Ramp County Park

    Glorified parking lot with transients and rude neighbors

    I stayed at this campsite twice two years ago. The first time was in the spring (April) with my daughters and the second time was in August that year. This is not a campsite per se, but rather a parking lot in which you chose a parking spot directly next to someone else and if you have a tent pitch it directly behind your car in the scraggly grass and sand sticker plants. There is zero privacy or distance between campers.

    The fee is $20 per night. The bathrooms are disgusting. The best thing about them was a family of nesting birds above the door to the ladies restroom. We were able to watch the babies for a while which was fun, but there is also the chance that you’ll be pooped on while entering or leaving the bathroom.

    The first time was just okay. We camped inside the back of my Toyota Highlander amongst mostly RVs, most of which left their loud generators and bright outside lights on long after quiet hours. I finally had to knock on our neighbors R.V. door to ask them to turn out the outside light which was shining directly into our car.

    This wasn’t terrible and was completely outshone by a half day spent on the beach in the dune area. Locals surfed as families. The community seemed so tight knit and inviting. We left deciding that we’d definitely come back to spend a day on the beach later in the summer. Also, the local Samoa Cookhouse is nearby with family style breakfast, lunch and dinner served. It is a historic site and museum that used to serve the loggers in the area the food and service is awesome and has become a much looked forward to stop on our road trips to California.

    When we came back we came with my husband, choosing to camp at the boat launch area again because of its proximity to the beach. The late summer campers were a very different crowd. Mostly they seemed transient. There was garbage everywhere. Beer bottles, wild pets - even an actual pig, run down RVs that were clearly full time housing for large, loud families filled the parking lot. There was loud partying far into the night.

    I had my daughters car camp and locked them in while my husband and I slept in a tent behind the car. We kept being woken by a loud noise that I couldn’t identify. I thought it sounded like a bear, then maybe a plastic barrel being pulled across the concrete. Eventually - after very little sleep - we discovered it was our neighbor who had some sort of terrible sleep disorder. It was bizarre. After he woke in the morning he proceeded to urinate in from of my daughters onto the water spigot rather than in the restroom which was 50 feet away. My husband was horrified and asked what would ever possess me to bring him there. Lets just say that the beach was not reason enough.

    I would not stay here again. I did not feel safe or that this was a sanitary. The price seems to attract people who are not camping so much as homeless. The bathrooms don’t get serviced often and even if they did I’m sure they’d be trashed in a matter of hours.

  • Jason M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 13, 2024

    Elk Country RV Resort & Campground

    No Elk, But Great Stay

    We used this as a checkpoint in 2021 when traveling from Oregon to Southern California via HWY-101. The park is clean, and we had a great time walking around and resting between the legs of our trip. We arrived after hours and our stay information was available in an envelope at the main building. Here's a view from the back-in site 510. We would stay here again.

  • Jason D.
    Jun. 20, 2022

    Old Lewiston Bridge RV Resort

    Hidden gem

    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. Easy tow for my 25.5 foot travel trailer and 2019 Chevy taho .

    The store is well supplied with camping and fishing needs. The park has lots of trees for shade and the spaces are wide. Wider than any other places we have stayed . The spots are grassed, all clean and well maintained. Everyone there was very nice and will happily give you fishing advice, if you ask.

    Our dogs loved the area down below, we would take them off leash and let them do dog-things.

    Just around the corner from the campground ( walking distance) is access to the river. The whole family enjoyed dipping in when it’s warm outside

    We will be back

  • N
    Jul. 1, 2019

    Elk Country RV Resort & Campground

    The Name Says It All

    Rosevelt Elk roam through the campground. They were obviously used to people. We stayed on the “meadow” side where the elk roam through your campsite. The “forest” side is quite dark as you are camping in the redwoods. We had full hook ups on the meadow side. I am not sure if the forest side had full hook ups. They have a small pond with a ton of polliwogs in it (end of June). No fish in the pond as a couple of otters came in and ate the all the fish. Close proximity to the southern end of Redwoods National Park and many California State Parks. All in all this was a once in a lifetime experience!

  • Erin S.
    Nov. 29, 2021

    Elk Country RV Resort & Campground

    Close encounters of the elk kind

    Stayed three nights over Thanksgiving weekend in a 29 foot travel trailer.  Due to the holiday the office was closed when we arrived so we picked up our paperwork at the front door.  To my dismay, our site was different than the one we reserved and it was the closest to the highway.  This is one of a couple black marks against this campground - I was moved and received no heads up and no avenue for recourse since I arrived on a holiday.  All in all, the site wasn't too bad.  It was large enough for our trailer and truck and decently spaced from our neighbors.  The road noise was there but not too bad.  The second black mark was the wifi.  Not sure if it was our site location, but the signal was poor - very rarely were we able to connect (also we had Verizon with barely any signal).  All the utilities were in decent shape and worked fine.  Bathroom was clean and there were plenty of toilet and shower stalls.  I never used the laundry but there were three washers and three dryers that looked fairly new.  The store had some basic grocery and supplies (a bit overpriced, but that's because there isn't much local competition).  There was an old one room schoolhouse on location that still had a lot of displays in it from when it was a museum (just ask at the office to be let in).  And the ELK!  

    Let me tell you about the elk. Our first morning the herd came in the far side of the campground.  We kept an appropriate distance and watched as they grazed and roamed the meadow.  Then we didn't see them for a few days.  The morning we planned to leave, we got up before dawn to make an early get away.  That plan was foiled when we opened the door and realized we were surrounded by the herd - over 40 elk surrounded the trailer, some as close as 10 feet away.  We watched, and waited, and eventually they moved away, allowing us to go outside to break down.  

    Overall, a nice campground.  It's very close to the local parks.  I would stay here again.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 2, 2021

    Humboldt County Fairgrounds

    Good place for a few days

    Plenty of room for all RV’s large to small. 30 & 50 amp power and water. Clean restrooms, heated and free. Many long term residents. The spots are level, it felt safe enough. Quiet. Close to Ferndale, which is Must See. Access from Fernbridge of of 101 as the other roads are very twisty for all but the smallest RVs. Camp host was great! Short drive into Eureka. Patriot Gas has a car wash for big rigs. Not really a photogenic campground. Very open area surrounded by fields with cows, farms and trees in the distance. Used the RV dump as I left. It’s by far the worst RV dump that I’ve used. It works, but needs a complete rebuild. I suggest requesting a spot with full hookups.


Guide to Burnt Ranch

Dispersed camping options near Burnt Ranch, California extend beyond Elam Backcountry Camp to include several alternatives for equestrian campers and hikers. Located in Trinity County along Highway 299, this region sits at approximately 1,200 feet elevation with terrain that transitions between coastal redwoods and inland forests. Summer temperatures typically range from 65-90°F with cool nights, while winter brings significant rainfall and occasional snow at higher elevations.

What to Do

Trail riding from equestrian sites: Equestrian camping near Burnt Ranch provides access to extensive trail networks. At Lacks Creek BLM, riders appreciate the maintained paths. "Clean great view the gps was wrong it took me past the turn off and sent me to private property with a locked gate so at the top of the hill look for a clearly marked sign on the left," advises richard B.

Beach exploration with horses: Coastal horse campgrounds near Burnt Ranch, California offer unique water access. The Elk Country RV Resort & Campground connects to nearby beaches. As reviewer Erin A. notes, "It's a 2 min drive (or mile walk) to a beautiful and secluded beach. Also a short and beautiful 20minute drive to the Lady Bird Trail in Redwood National Park."

Fishing local waters: Trinity River access points near several campgrounds offer fishing opportunities. The Old Lewiston Bridge RV Resort serves as a strategic base for anglers. "We fished Lewiston lake less than 10 min. away and Whiskeytown Lake about 20-25 min. away with great luck," reports Corey L.

What Campers Like

Wildlife viewing: The region's diverse habitat supports abundant wildlife observation opportunities. At Elk Country RV Resort & Campground, wildlife sightings are common. Stefanie W. mentions, "There's a heard of elk that roam the campground which is pretty cool. There's limited cell service in the camp ground."

Quiet, rustic settings: Many campgrounds maintain a wilderness feel despite amenities. At Philpot Campground, campers enjoy seclusion. "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 DirtyMountainBoy A.

Diverse camping environments: The area offers both open meadow and forested sites. At Elk Country RV Resort, Nicole B. explains, "We stayed on the 'meadow' side where the elk roam through your campsite. The 'forest' side is quite dark as you are camping in the redwoods."

What You Should Know

Road conditions vary significantly: Many campgrounds require navigating unpaved roads. Lacks Creek BLM has challenging access. Jules S. warns, "Tried to camp here with a 20ft travel trailer and I turned around before I even made it to the gravel road. Road is narrow and steep with low hanging trees."

Seasonal considerations: Winter camping options are limited due to access issues and closures. The Humboldt County Fairgrounds remains open year-round but conditions change. DiscFleet37r R. shares their November experience: "If you aren't looking for anything fancy, and by that I mean lots of mud and ruts and sketchy broken down rv neighbors, you'll be fine."

Limited services: Most horse campgrounds near Burnt Ranch have minimal facilities. At Lacks Creek BLM, Derrick H. notes, "Clean, with a beautiful view. The whole BLM management area is well developed and has signs to guide you. There are spots all along pine ridge road. Campsites have picnic tables and fire rings."

Tips for Camping with Families

Choose established campgrounds with amenities: Families often prefer sites with reliable facilities. Old Lewiston Bridge RV Resort offers family-friendly amenities. Scott D. shares, "This is a very nice Mom and Pop Rv Park. The host is very friendly and helpful. Very quiet and relaxing stay. They have a store at the park. If you want they provide a fire pit."

Plan for wildlife encounters: Prepare children for possible wildlife sightings with proper safety protocols. At Samoa Boat Ramp County Park, SpentBrassOffroad B. advises, "This campground is essentially a paved parking lot with numbered stalls. It sits about 200 yards from the BLM Samoa Sand Dunes, which is the main attraction. There is even access to them from the parking lot."

Check shower availability: Many campgrounds have limited or coin-operated shower facilities. At Humboldt County Fairgrounds, D37 reports, "The bathroom is clean, heated, free showers and the combination is changed weekly."

Tips from RVers

Size restrictions matter: Many horse campgrounds near Burnt Ranch have limited space for large rigs. At Old Lewiston Bridge RV Resort, Jason D. advises, "Biggest I would put in here would be about a 30 foot trailer. You have to disconnect your tow vehicle."

Full hookup availability varies: Electric and water connections are limited at many sites. Tara D. shares about Old Lewiston Bridge RV Resort: "Great little park. Lots of shade and green grass, good management, Clean restrooms and well kept grounds. Close to river and lakes for boating and fishing."

Consider fairground alternatives: County fairgrounds often provide reliable RV options with amenities. At Humboldt County Fairgrounds, janelle H. notes it's "Safe, easy, cheep. 14.00 for parking lot around $30 for hook ups in grass area. Cute town."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Burnt Ranch, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Burnt Ranch, CA is Lacks Creek BLM with a 4.5-star rating from 19 reviews.

What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Burnt Ranch, CA?

TheDyrt.com has all 14 equestrian camping locations near Burnt Ranch, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.