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McCall Equestrian Park offers primitive camping sites for equestrians near Idyllwild, California. The park features toilets, showers, trash service, and picnic tables. Fires are permitted at designated sites within the campground. The equestrian-friendly facilities are reservable and allow pets alongside horses. Most campsites accommodate both tents and RVs with adequate space for horse trailers. The bathrooms and showers are exceptionally clean, making this location popular with horse owners seeking basic amenities. The campground is not typically crowded, providing some privacy despite the open layout of the camping areas.
Surrounding trails provide access to scenic mountain terrain for riders exploring the San Jacinto Mountains. The park sits at higher elevation, offering cooler temperatures that typically remain in the mid-80s even during summer months. Verizon cellular service works well throughout the campground, allowing riders to stay connected while enjoying the wilderness setting. Several trails branch out from the camping area for wandering and exploring on horseback. Wildlife sightings are common, adding to the natural experience of camping with horses in this mountain location. Families often choose this location for its quiet atmosphere at night, interrupted only by the sounds of native wildlife.
"Very nice to find a campsite this private on a weekend in southern California elevation is high enough that temperatures were very enjoyable (mid 80's)"
"Yellow Post #2 – San Bernardino National Forest Secluded, free, first-come-first-served tent site tucked deep in the forest near Hemet, CA."
"This is a great family campground right around the corner from Temecula, Murrietta, and Menifee."
"The charge $10 per person per day to fish in their Lake. And you can’t swim or let the kids play in the lake because it’s a reservoir."
from $25 - $45 / night
Check Availability"Short drive to the park and easy to get to the main grocery stores. The sites are not very shady and there is not too much privacy but overall it's a nice place and the bathrooms are very clean."
"This campground is a little outside the main Joshua Tree area. It used to be the only campground you could reserve ahead. "
from $35 / night
Check Availability"This is listed as horse campsite, but there’s few tent sites available. Not crowded and winds from mountains keep area cooled."
"Few trails for wandering around as well. Great Verizon service"
from $30 - $280 / night
Check Availability"Already been here twice once in 01/25 and 11/25 great campsite some have access to running water facet if not there are some that are close by, have also close by trash bins, has a little shop near by"
"It is right next to the lake which has a swimming area, bike path, climbing area, Hiking trails, along with a camp store which has boat rentals and much more! "
from $10 - $300 / night
Check Availability"Great view of the valley below and mountains around."
"well ran, all sites were marked open or reserved with the arrival and departure date on it, bathrooms are the cleanest vault toilets we have ever seen (and we camp all over), there is a fire station located"
"Equestrian sites up the hill. Saw a few rabbits and lizards, not too loud, it’s peaceful and good distance between some sites."
from $25 - $50 / night
Check Availability"Tons of hiking trails and within 30 min drive of major shopping/grocery stores. Big Bear is about an hour away with and awesome drive up the mountain."
"Close to the city but far enough away from the lights. There is a ton of stuff to do here. Fishing, kayaking, hiking, water slides, disc golf, bike trails. The RV spots are beyond huge!"
"There are a lot of equestrian campgrounds in the area so be prepared to see horses on the near by trails."
"The first thing to mention is the location. The back of the campground faces west where the rolling mountains seem to part in a way that showcases the beautiful California sunset."
from $29 - $58 / night
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RangerWe normally camp in the other side of Big Bear, but decided to try a new campground this year. Overall we really liked this campground. Although some of the sites are close together most of them have good separation. There are a lot of equestrian campgrounds in the area so be prepared to see horses on the near by trails. It’s close enough for a quick trip to the lake yet you are far enough away that you still get the true camping experience.
ScoutI was so excited to check this campground out. When my hubby and I arrived we automatically were happy. The campground was very clean, well ran, all sites were marked open or reserved with the arrival and departure date on it, bathrooms are the cleanest vault toilets we have ever seen (and we camp all over), there is a fire station located close to the campground which was good to know in case of fires. The host is very nice and helpful. If you have any questions or concerns he is happy to help! There is running water for dishes and campfires as well as horse corrals for your horse. Pull through sites for trailers. Everyone that was staying on the equestrian loop was amazing. Site 31 did have a problem with ants.
RangerLovely campground in the Orange County foothills. Great hiking and equestrian trails. Excellent equestrian camping with a private corral right next to each campsite in the equestrian area.
Room for large rigs and good space for tents with flat pads.
RangerThis is a really fun place to stay and has a bunch of awesome amenities. Right behind the campground is the Pioneertown Main Street, featuring replica buildings from the old west. They have stores, gun fights, and a restaurant nearby. The campground itself has a communal fire pit and bbq area that all campers can use. Each site has a table and fire pit. The layout of the sites is a little cramped and there is no privacy. It is designed mostly for equestrian camping and has horse stalls you can rent along with your site. The restaurant (Pappy and Harriet’s Pioneertown Palace) is somewhat of a local icon, and has amazing food and is known for their live music.
ScoutI only saw the first 9 or so sites and stayed I think at site #9. For the most part, spacious spots, fire ring, picnic table, a lot of trees, and varied slopes. Road in is placed initially then dirt but is fine. There's other rough roads further in and access to hikes nearby. I loved how quiet it was, except for neighbors since sound carries so easily even though spots are quiet apart from each other. You'll pass an equestrian campground on the way in that you might be able to get water from.
GuideSweet Oaks winery campgrounds has 16 sites available for both tent camping and RV’s (no hook-ups). It’s pretty close to grocery stores and big box stores just in case you forgot some gear/supplies. They have a beautiful well-kept property with super-clean restrooms (no showers). They do have a water hose for you to fill up your tanks or Jerry cans. They didn’t allow campfires due to high fire danger though. You’ll have to bring your own fire pit setup if they ever allow them in the future. It was a beautiful walk around the vineyards but there are also hiking trails nearby. It’s off a road suitable for road bikes but there are also mountain bike trails nearby. They have equestrian activities also available for guests. We were able to get our tin top Eurovan to fit on one of their tent sites which offered a beautiful view of Temecula valley. The wine tasting room was closed due to the pandemic but you can order wine online and they will deliver to your site. One more thing, we counted about 8 hot air balloons as we had breakfast!
LegendCasper is a great park located 15min from the city. It has three main camping areas that cater to campers, RVs and horses. There are a number of hiking trails around that range from a 1 to 12 miles. On Saturdays there’s a nature walk.
GuideStayed here one night when the park was full. Short drive to the park and easy to get to the main grocery stores. The sites are not very shady and there is not too much privacy but overall it's a nice place and the bathrooms are very clean. It also has an equestrian campground attached.
GuideWhile technically in Joshua Tree National Park, this campground sits on the Northwest edge of J.T., requires no park entrance fee, and does not connect with the main road through the park. It's a fine campground for those who can't get a site at one of the other campgrounds, or those who don't want to make the long, slow drive into the park. If you want to actually visit Joshua Tree, I'd find a different campground further into the park.
PROS: Easy access, Lots of sites with nice views overlooking the town, Several hiking trails starting at the edge of campground, separate campground for people with horses.
CONS: No shade, lot of the sites are uneven and hard-packed ground (You can't get spikes in deep enough at some sites, I wouldn't trust my tent being secure in high winds), Not really "in" the park, long drive to park entrance, you don't get that isolated feeling, campsites feel a bit too close to each other.
Each site has a fire pit and a concrete picnic table. Size of campsites seem to vary greatly. Facilities are clean, with flush toilets/urinals.
After being unable to get a site at our preferred campground in Joshua Tree we grabbed two spots at Black Rock Campground. While not bad, it wasn't that normal Joshua Tree feel, the lights from the nearby town wash out some of the night sky, and the camp just felt packed, even when it was at ~60% capacity.
McCall Equestrian Park sits at a higher elevation in the San Jacinto Mountains near Idyllwild, providing campers with consistent cell service and moderate temperatures even during summer months. The park serves as a base camp for riders exploring mountain terrain on horseback, with multiple trails branching directly from the camping area. Tent and RV sites accommodate horse trailers with sufficient space for equestrian equipment.
Trail riding access: The equestrian facilities at McCall provide a starting point for riding into the surrounding mountains. "Only a few spots here that aren't really secluded but since it's not usually crowded you do get some privacy. Few trails for wandering around as well," notes a visitor at McCall Equestrian Park.
Fishing opportunities: Lake Skinner Recreation Area, located 45 minutes southwest of Idyllwild, offers fishing with a day-use fee. "The lake is stocked with fish throughout the year, but they require you to buy a riverside county lakes fishing permit for each day if you want to fish," explains a camper at Lake Skinner Recreation Area.
Mountain hiking: The San Bernardino National Forest provides extensive trail networks accessible from several campgrounds. "There are lots of walking trails. We happened to be there during the poppy super bloom and the butterfly migration so that was also really cool!" reports a visitor to Lake Skinner.
Clean facilities: Bathroom maintenance remains a priority at many campgrounds near Idyllwild. "The bathrooms and showers are CLEAN as heck!! Mostly families here so it was nice and quiet at night except for the wildlife," remarks a camper at McCall Equestrian Park.
Off-grid experiences: The South Ridge Yellow Post Sites offer more primitive camping options with fewer amenities but greater privacy. "Very nice to find a campsite this private on a weekend in southern California elevation is high enough that temperatures were very enjoyable (mid 80's)," notes a camper at South Ridge Yellow Post Sites.
Secluded atmosphere: Many campers value the less crowded nature of horse campgrounds near Idyllwild. "This is listed as horse campsite, but there's few tent sites available. Not crowded and winds from mountains keep area cooled," explains a visitor to McCall Equestrian Park.
Seasonal considerations: Most campgrounds in higher elevations experience cooler temperatures year-round. "Heart Bar is one of my favorite campgrounds within a two hour drive from LA. There are some really great sites to choose from but once the sun begins to set, they're all great," shares a camper at Heart Bar Campground.
Wildlife encounters: The mountain areas around Idyllwild host diverse wildlife. "We recommend you bring extra mosquito repellent," advises a camper at South Ridge Yellow Post Sites.
Water sources: Not all campgrounds provide drinking water. At equestrian sites, confirm water availability for horses before arrival. "No amenities—no toilet, water, or trash—so pack in and out," cautions a visitor regarding South Ridge Yellow Post Sites.
Equestrian-friendly activities: The Idyllwild area offers several options for family horseback experiences. "This campground is about 11 miles out of Temecula (1 bar of service still with Verizon) and only about 50 minutes from coastal North San Diego. The sites are all a little different but in general have some form of a table, grill, firepit," explains a visitor to Dripping Springs Campground.
Kid-friendly amenities: Some campgrounds offer facilities specifically designed for younger visitors. "Lake Perris was a fun and clean place to camp at! We did some fishing, bike riding, the water was clear, and my kids loved it. There is a cool museum were the amazing staff provided us with interesting history about the lake and Indian tribes," shares a visitor to Lake Perris State Recreational Area.
Spacing between sites: For families needing room to spread out, certain campgrounds offer more generous spacing. "We stayed in site #8. This site was large, flat, had nice shade from large trees, but also offered lots of sunshine. It really was one if the biggest and, to me, best sites, compared to others there," notes a visitor to Dripping Springs Campground.
Hookup availability: While most horse campgrounds accommodate RVs, not all offer full hookups. "Most sites don't have shade (I'm not telling my favorite site number), and they are sort of close together. There are 3 different camping loops that seem to have their own personality," mentions a visitor to Lake Skinner Recreation Area.
Site selection strategy: RVers should research specific site numbers when making reservations. "Highly recommend sites 32, 37, 47, 58, or 24 & 49 which are both double sites. This was due to their more isolated positioning to other spots, shade, flat ground, and proximity to bathrooms and the beautiful little meadow where deer graze in the evenings," advises a visitor to Black Rock Campground.
Off-season advantages: Many campgrounds near Idyllwild are less crowded during shoulder seasons. "We were in site #3. Sites are W/E only. Dump station on site. The park has a campground feel, with a bit more space between spots than most rv parks. Sites are gravel and easy to get into," reports a camper at Lake Cahuilla.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Idyllwild, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Idyllwild, CA is South Ridge Yellow Post Sites with a 4.7-star rating from 7 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Idyllwild, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 36 equestrian camping locations near Idyllwild, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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