1 campground with availability this weekend
The region around Hood, California offers limited options for horse camping, with most equestrian facilities requiring additional planning. Morgan Territory Regional Preserve provides tent camping access with connections to equestrian trails, though dedicated horse corrals are not available at the campground. Sites require reservations and fill quickly during peak riding seasons. The preserve lacks full equestrian amenities such as wash racks or dedicated horse pens, so campers must bring their own portable corrals or highlines.
Several miles of bridle trails connect to the campground area, allowing for day rides through oak woodlands and rolling hills. Riders can access multiple connecting trail systems that extend through neighboring preserves. Water access for horses is seasonal, with some streams drying up during summer months. Campground regulations require that horses be secured at designated areas away from non-equestrian campsites. Most horse camping locations maintain distance requirements between equine and human camping areas for safety reasons. Group equestrian camping can be arranged with advance reservations, providing opportunities for riding clubs and horse organizations to camp together.
"As with most of California everything is dry. The lake is very low and a half mile walk from park to get to. The sites are surrounded by dry tall grass and spaced out nicely."
"The facilities are clean, easy access to lake beach swim area, and easy access to near by stores. This camp area is near city area but feels like you are far away from it."
Available this weekend
from $28 - $48 / night
from $40 / night
"This location is easily accessible for all. Biking, trails for hiking and the gardens are gorgeous. Rvs and horses welcome."
"We only stayed overnight the staff was very friendly,lots of stuff to do around the campsite from hiking,mtb,watch horses, frisbee golf and then you have napa where you can get wine,brewery,and restaurants"
"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"
"WELCOME TO ASCENSION RANCH Ascension Ranch is an off-grid paradise tucked away in an oak savanna along Folsom Lake with a unique and ever growing list of features and activities."
"Super relaxing and has a lake that is at the end of the trail. Super convenient. It was cool to experience the animals that were in the pastures as well. I'd definitely come back."
Available this weekend
from $59 - $115 / night
"There is a fishing pond directly next to the campground and access to the lake just a few minutes away."
"Great location and full hook ups. Open year round, planning on coming back during the Winter!"
"spots they have spots for family reunions have showers store boat ramp nice place to camp North Shore is not for RVs it's for tent camping the South Shore has hookups 30 50 amp service full hookups all around"
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $15 / night
"campground than a conventional campsite; (3) Picnic tables, BBQs, food-storage box and a drinking-water spigot provide just enough infrastructure without spoiling the primitive experience; (4) Direct access to"
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $75 / night
GuideFriendly staff and a camp host selling firewood. Clean flush toilets and hot showers for 50 cents. A little difficult to find a level spot for a van in the dry camping area, and most spots were right on the side of the road. It would be more enjoyable if one could pull off into the dirt area for level spots out of the main drag.
LegendLas Trampas is one of those wonderfully odd camping experiences that almost feels like you’ve discovered something you weren’t supposed to know about. Despite sitting on the doorstep of Danville and San Ramon, this 6,050-acre preserve quickly trades suburbia for steep ridges, oak woodland, grasslands and some terrific views across the East Bay. And camping here is decidedly primitive: the Corral Area is a single reservable group campsite for 17–50 people, rather than a conventional campground with individual sites. That means lots of privacy, lots of space and very little resembling a traditional developed campground.
While my earlier review goes into considerably more detail, I thought I’d revisit this campground with a quick topline of HIGHLIGHTS and LOWLIGHTS - along with a fresh batch of photos.
HIGHLIGHTS: (1) Remarkable feeling of seclusion considering you’re only minutes from the suburban East Bay, with Oakland lying just beyond; (2) Having essentially one primitive group camping area makes this feel more like your own private campground than a conventional campsite; (3) Picnic tables, BBQs, food-storage box and a drinking-water spigot provide just enough infrastructure without spoiling the primitive experience; (4) Direct access to a huge trail network with Rocky Ridge reaching 2,024 feet and panoramic views toward Mt. Diablo and the surrounding valleys; and (5) Abundant wildlife, seasonal wildflowers, grazing cattle and those beautiful rolling East Bay hills make the setting the real amenity here.
LOWLIGHTS: (1) This is group camping only, with a 17-person minimum, so it simply doesn’t work for a couple or small family looking for an ordinary campsite; (2) No hookups, showers or flush toilets - here, primitive means primitive; (3) Water at the campsite should be considered unreliable, so bring your own rather than betting the weekend on the spigot; and (4) Many of the best trails are steep, exposed and short on shade, which can make hot-weather hiking considerably more strenuous than the beautiful scenery initially suggests.
Insider’s Tip: Bring more water than you think you’ll need and make time for a ridge hike. Las Trampas is one of those places where climbing a few hundred feet completely changes your perspective especially when the suburban Bay Area seemingly disappears beneath you, which is precisely what makes camping here so unexpectedly special.
Happy Camping!
ScoutEasy to find campsite, we arrived after hours on a Monday so drove around to find a spot and then paid using the collection box and envelopes, we couldn't get the QR code to work. Phone reception here is good. There is a constant hum of traffic but it is not loud and it is quiet around camp. Toilets and showers are clean and well stocked with toilet paper. We didn't stay long but saw some wildlife, coyote and squirrels mostly. A little bit of rubbish around from campers but overall very tidy. The sites are flat pull-in or reverse-in style, there are also some campsites marked with wheel chair access.
GuideWe have stayed here a few times. I have a sister that lives here and this place is only about 3 miles from us! $80 for a back in space.
LegendGeneral: Beals Point is one of two locations on Folsom Lake for camping. Large campground with a mix of electric and non-electric campsites plus some group sites.
Site Quality: Drives are paved and mostly level. We camped in a little “cul-de-sac” with just four sites. While these sites back up to the American River Bike Trail (aka Jedediah Smith Recreation Trail), it was overgrown, and I did not see direct access to the trail as we did the last time we were here.
Bath/Shower: Typical CA state park layout– all-gender units with toilet and sink (but no soap, towels, or dryers) and showers. Unlike other CA state parks, these take quarters instead of tokens. The units could use a little TLC, but what was most disheartening was how other campers had trashed them– toilet paper (and worse) scattered all over the insides. Obviously not the fault of the campground.
Activities/Amenities: Folsom Lake is the draw, and people were fishing, kayaking, and swimming. The 32-mile paved multi-use American River Bike Trail is easily accessible. There is a snack bar/concession stand for beach rentals, but it was not open when we were there.
Our stay here this time was over a weekend; it was completely full, and it reminded us once again that we prefer to camp during the week and shoulder seasons when campgrounds are less crowded!
GuideWe booked the Eagles Nest campsite, and the views were awesome! We stayed two nights and had a good time. There are two spots down below the main road that are accessible but recommend at minimum AWD, especially if visiting during the rainy season. The host was very helpful got us a case of water and even had fresh eggs that we bought. 👍🏼
TravelerNot much camping in the but Skyline fit the bill. Typically RV style campsites but showers were good, and the grounds were beautiful. Good hiking trails as well.
TravelerThey call this the off season, but only if your reason for coming is wine industry happenings. Beautiful weather, lots of space, lush green fields. The hiking here is unreal, the native plant garden is a lovely escape, and the facilities are clean and well tended. This one's a keeper.
RangerThis place is nice. RV location is basically a gravel parking area pretty close to one another. Sites are level with minimal need for blocks. Staff are friendly. Native garden is very nice. Hiking is nice too especially in winter when everything is green. It’s like a fairy wonderland on the Manzanita trail. Cell phone coverage is good. Have both Verizon and Att with at least 2-3 bars. 10-12 Mbps down 4-5 Mbps up. Wild turkey, deer, wood peckers regularly seen!
Equestrian camping near Hood, California offers alternatives to the limited options at Morgan Territory Regional Preserve. The region sits at approximately 400 feet elevation in the eastern Contra Costa County area with oak savannas and rolling terrain that provides varied trail conditions for horse riders. Trail access points frequently change seasonally due to weather conditions affecting soil stability.
Trail connections to neighboring properties: At Skyline Wilderness Park, riders can access multi-use trails. As one camper noted, "There is archery, disc golf, hiking, horseback riding and more. Very friendly, helpful staff. Bonus: short drive to Downtown Napa" (Jamie G.).
Fishing access points: Lake recreation offers alternative activities when not riding. At Lake Amador Resort, "The lake is stocked with Trout, Bass and Catfish. Tackle Box Cafe is really good, weekends only, and the staff is kind and helpful" (Debbie R.).
Seasonal water activities: During summer months, swimming areas provide cooling options. "Woodward is our family go to place to camp in the summer heat... Water feels good when it's 100+ degrees outside. Good prices. And you can bring your dogs" (Bonnie S.).
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The natural areas around horse camping sites provide excellent wildlife watching. At Lake Amador Resort, "The wildlife is RIGHT THERE! We saw a tarantula near the tee box on 2. I woke up with 4 deer casually strolling through our campsite, a huge group of turkeys were cruising around the whole weekend" (Christy L.).
Shade availability: Finding protected areas makes a significant difference for equestrian campers. At Beals Point Campground, "The Sacramento area gets very hot in the summer, and this campground provides some but not a ton of shade. The campground is kept very clean. There is some privacy between campsites" (Lizzy C.).
Off-grid ranch experiences: For more immersive equestrian camping near Hood, Ascension Ranch provides unique opportunities with "an abundance of farm animals, and good old fashion ranch activities... Some of things you'll come across at Ascension Ranch include baby farm animals, sheep, goats, cattle, horses, more horses, ranch dogs, puppies, chickens, equestrian activities, secluded campsites, amazing views, access to endless trails" (Fawad A.).
Gate closure times: Check specific entry hours before arrival. At Skyline Wilderness Park, "The plus is friendly staff, amazing views, easy hookups, FREE showers and absolutely beautiful hikes that start right outside your door... I definitely recommend getting there well before the gates close because there were issues getting a hold of the camp host" (Moriah M.).
Weekend crowds: Plan for busier conditions Friday through Sunday. "It's usually packed during the summer months on the weekends but during the off season if is a great time to go during the week when children are in school" (Sharon A.).
Water level fluctuations: Lake access points change throughout the year. "The water levels drastically change due to it being a privately owned lake. The employees that work there are always really sweet and helpful" (Kimmee P.).
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Hood, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Hood, CA is Beals Point Campground — Folsom Lake State Recreation Area with a 4.2-star rating from 35 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Hood, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 12 equestrian camping locations near Hood, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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