12 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Sweetwater Summit Regional Park in Bonita features horse stalls for equestrians planning to camp with their mounts. The campground accommodates both tent and RV campers, with most sites offering partial hookups (water and electricity) and select spaces providing full hookups including sewer connections. The park maintains several dedicated horse corrals in the equestrian camping section where riders can safely contain their animals overnight. Facilities include clean restrooms, showers, and drinking water accessible throughout the campground. The campsites are positioned on flat terrain ideal for walking or biking, with the original campground (sites 1-60) offering more shade than the newer full-hookup section. Sweetwater Summit is situated near a highway which creates some ambient noise during quieter parts of the day.
The trail system at Sweetwater Summit provides numerous hiking and riding opportunities directly accessible from the campground. Horse owners can explore multiple interconnected paths with varying difficulty levels, offering both short loops and longer routes suitable for extended rides. Tijuana River Valley Regional Park Campground represents another equestrian-friendly option in the area with yurts and primitive camping available. Both locations maintain clean shower facilities and restrooms for campers. Tijuana River Valley features walking trails adjacent to the campground and is approximately 1.5 miles from the beach, though seasonal flooding may affect accessibility. Boulder Oaks Equestrian Campground in Alpine offers additional horse camping facilities in the region for those seeking alternatives. Campers should be aware of ant issues at several sites and prepare accordingly with appropriate preventative measures.
"The campground also has some nice amenities: good trail system, a splash pad (open in spring and summer months), a playground, some areas to have a group picnic, even a large event room."
"Close to the city, camp is clean and staff is friendly and helpful. Showers were clean, and partial hookups are only $35 a night. Cheapest I've found in California."
from $34 - $38 / night
Check Availability"We stayed in April; the trails were closed due to the heavy rain this year. Imperial Beach is not the place for swimming. There’s a sign going in that says there’s chemicals and sewage in the water."
"There are nice trails and walking paths right from the campground."
from $24 - $90 / night
Check Availability"Campground was close to freeway exit and nearby local neighborhoods. Despite that, it still felt quiet and comfortable. Sites were clean snd a good size. Bathrooms were nice and clean."
"You are away from the city, but not too far. The facilities were nice and the only scare was the GIGANTIC spider seen outside the bathroom. We'd for sure come pack...the price is right too :$"
from $24 - $25 / night
Check Availability"Locations near Jamul Casino. Staff is kind and professional. Full hookups sites. Fill propano available. Spot are very big. The pool and kid playground are great."
"Showers were nice and warm, and not coin operated - a rarity given the water droughts around CA."
"The only downside to this site is that it was very close to the bathrooms. That actually bummed me out a bit when we first arrived, but it ended up not being much of an issue at all."
"The trash cans were just a few feet from the site and the bathrooms were a short walk just a couple spots away."
from $40 - $250 / night
Check Availability"Headed back to the ranger and they gave us an open disabled spot (we have a placard) in the horse camp. It was AMAZING. Large flat pad that had the sweet water river right behind."
"While both have their positives, I personally love this one for its close proximity to the waterfalls that are a short trail from the campsites."
from $40 / night
Check Availability"This is the closest campground to the lakes. Just a couple steps away from the beautiful meadow it overlooks. Lots of trees for hammocking!!"
"It is a big, big campground that is wooded and adjacent a large meadow, recreational area and lake (when not dried out, drought sucks)."
from $35 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $55 / night
"The entrance is a hair-pin turn (from the south) and you'll need to go a little further north to turn around."
"The drive getting here is wicked, if you’ve never been here before. In my scooter club, the San Diego Pharaohs, we’ve ridden up here in the mountains plenty, so I knew what I was in for."
"Nice big sites and an entire loop with equestrian sites. Pit toilets. One dumpster. Water.
I was there May 5, 2024 and the fee was $14."
"Found this spot after being turned away from lake Moreno campgrounds. Plenty of room for our trailer and enough space between sites to feel like we were alone out here."
from $25 - $50 / night
Check Availability
GuideWe stayed in April; the trails were closed due to the heavy rain this year. Imperial Beach is not the place for swimming. There’s a sign going in that says there’s chemicals and sewage in the water. You can camp here though and go north to other beaches.
ScoutThis is a San Diego County Park/Campground. It offers everything from tent/car camping to full hook-up for large RVs. The campground also has some nice amenities: good trail system, a splash pad (open in spring and summer months), a playground, some areas to have a group picnic, even a large event room. There are about 60 camping spaces, mostly partial hook-ups (electricity and water) and a few full hook-ups (electricity, water, and sewer) in the original campground. These sites, 1-60 offer a bit more shade than the newer campsites which are all full hook-up. The newer sites (61 and higher) are on a hill and offer some good views of Bonita Valley. 61 and higher all are all full hook-ups - but you can put a tent on 'em.
The campground is freeway close and only a few miles away from grocery stores and restaurants.
This campground has a nice feel. It is a good place to unwind and enjoy a campfire and the whole camping experience. Good place for kids. There are several campsites with horse stalls for the equestrian campers.
Sweetwater is perched near a Freeway/Toll Road (not a terribly busy one) and it is under the San Diego Airport glide path for incoming flights. So yeah, a little more city than some other campgrounds.
At this time sites cost between $26 and $36 (?) per night. That gets yo one motor vehicle. Additional vehicles are $4 per night. There is a $1 pet fee, per pet.
http://www.sdparks.org/content/sdparks/en/park-pages/SweetwaterSummit.html
LegendNice basic county campground, everything is nice and new and clean. I think once the trees and bushes and things start to grow in, there will be a little bit of separation between the sites, but for now most sites are wide open.
The playground area is really cool, all the structures are made of wood and are all natural. Decent showers, you buy tokens from the ranger. There are nice trails and walking paths right from the campground. We didn’t walk to the beach because the area was flooded when we were there, but it appears that you can easily walk to the beach from the campground, it’s about 1.5 miles away.
Sites are all dry camping, no power or water at sites, and no dump station at campground. There are water spigots throughout the campground though to fill your jugs. There are yurts to rent, and some equestrian sites as well. The little loop off to the side is tents only.
You can see the border wall from the campground, and Verizon thought I was in Mexico when we arrived, haha. Good cell service with ATT and Verizon (not sure if Verizon switched me to the international plan during our stay there).
TravelerSuper cute area, and much cooler since it’s a little higher altitude. Nice big sites and an entire loop with equestrian sites.
Pit toilets. One dumpster. Water.
I was there May 5, 2024 and the fee was $14.
GuideWas able to score a site that fit our 28’ trailer- joke was on us... there was NO way it could’ve worked, not to mention there was not a single other trailer, only tents. Headed back to the ranger and they gave us an open disabled spot (we have a placard) in the horse camp. It was AMAZING. Large flat pad that had the sweet water river right behind. Lots of area for the kids to play and ride bikes on the paved loop around the sites. The walk to the waterfall “hike” was manageable and another day we hiked to the airplane monument (don’t get your hopes up lol) and that was a solid moderate hike. Also drove out to hike to stonewall mine Beautiful weather and the falls were super fun to see, and splash in the top most parts (take a left at the split in the trail just at the bottom of the dirt little hill from the entrance)
GuideThis is my favorite out of the two campgrounds in the Cuyamaca Rancho State Park. While both have their positives, I personally love this one for its close proximity to the waterfalls that are a short trail from the campsites. Depending on what campsite you are in, you can walk to the trail and down to the falls which are perfect for swimming around when it is hot outside. I love this campground for a quick weekend getaway from San Diego that has minimal preparation. Every site is a drive up site, most have shade and there are plenty of bathrooms. Most sites also have a fire ring and picnic table to use as well. A perfect, lower cost campsite that is great for families and people who want an easy camping experience with some water involved!
TravelerWe stayed here in February 2022 and it was a great campground in an area where there aren't many free or cheap options to stay in a van or RV. The only drawback we can think of is that all sites are primitive (no hookups). But if you don't need that this is a great place to stay.
The campground is very nice with new facilities. The showers and bathrooms were clean and the staff working were very friendly and welcoming.
There are walking trails walking distance from the campground and the playground in the park was very cool! If you have kids it would be a fun spot for them to play.
The park has cell service, showers, playground, access to hiking trails, super easy to access, and the best part for us is its proximity to delicious tacos. We HIGHLY recommend Ed Fernandez Restaurant Birrieria for birria tacos!
GuideClose to the city, camp is clean and staff is friendly and helpful.
Showers were clean, and partial hookups are only $35 a night. Cheapest I've found in California.
GuideSpent a nice relaxing week at Sweetwater Summit Regional Park. And I had a very nice stay. Had a nice spacious site for my 26’ Class A, and it happened to be next to the showers. Score! Very well maintained, with a mix of RV’s, and tent campers. The family in front of me were tent campers, a couple with two little girls. They also have a bunch of horse corrals, for the trails in the area. Plenty of grass for the kids to play in, and my dog loved it, too. He hasn’t walked on nice fresh grass in a while, and he was a happy boy! The shower is a pay shower, 2 quarters for 4 minutes. The weather was perfect, with a nice breeze blowing every day I was here. It never hit 80 degrees, and we’re in July! Plenty of OTA stations, and I also set up my Dish Playmaker for the first time. Super easy! They also have free WiFi, and it’s pretty fast WiFi at that. That was a real plus, since most RV parks have slim to none available. So I downloaded a few movies, and shows off Netflix, and AppleTV, for when I have no internet, and don’t feel like watching regular TV before bed at night. The Dish will come in handy for those out of the way places that have no OTA, internet, or possibly cell service. I will definitely stay here again, any time of year. It’s nice and quiet, they have a North loop, and a South loop. The North loop has cement pads, and sewers. I was in the South loop, which didn’t have sewers. They have, what some would say, are strict rules, but that makes this place very family friendly, really nice and quiet, and all the Rangers were helpful, and very pleasant.
Equestrian camping near Imperial Beach, California provides diverse terrain options for riders within a 60-mile radius. The region experiences a Mediterranean climate with mild winters and warm summers, creating year-round riding opportunities. The area sits along the Pacific Flyway, making it excellent for birdwatching during early morning trail rides.
Trail riding at Boulder Oaks: Located 30 miles from Imperial Beach, this equestrian-focused campground connects to multiple trail systems. "Plenty of room for our trailer and enough space between sites to feel like we were alone out here," notes camper Robb B. about Boulder Oaks.
Mountain biking at El Prado: The trail system features technical sections for experienced riders and gentler paths for beginners. "There is a beautiful lake that is worth hike (walking) to and probably great to bike ride around," shares Kate W. about El Prado Campground. The trails remain accessible most of the year, though occasional winter closures occur.
Fishing at Lake Cuyamaca: Just 45 minutes from Tijuana River Valley, this lake offers trout, bass and catfish fishing. "Julian is also not far away, a quaint little town known for their pies," adds Andre V. about Green Valley Campground. Consider purchasing fishing licenses online before arrival as on-site options can be limited.
Clean facilities: Many equestrian campers appreciate the well-maintained bathrooms at several parks. "The bathrooms and the showers are clean and there's WIFI near them. The only draw back is that you have to pay for the showers but with $1.50 per person you can take a good quick shower," explains marisela I. about Kumeyaay Lake Campground.
Proximity to attractions: The location allows riders to combine beach and mountain experiences. "We didn't walk to the beach because the area was flooded when we were there, but it appears that you can easily walk to the beach from the campground, it's about 1.5 miles away," notes Laura M. about Tijuana River Valley Regional Park Campground.
Spacious sites: Riders appreciate ample room for trailers and horses. "Sites G027-9 were pretty secluded. G53-4 had lots of trees and good for a group together," shares Lea O. about Green Valley Campground. Most equestrian sites have additional parking areas designed specifically for horse trailers.
Seasonal considerations: Winter can bring unexpected weather changes to mountain campsites. "Wouldn't come again this time of year without a heater, as it got uncomfortably cold at night. But the bathrooms are kept warm and very clean," cautions Jessie W. about Thousand Trails Oakzanita Springs.
Ant issues: Multiple campgrounds report insect problems during warmer months. "After covid, needs some work. Lots of growing tumbleweeds, several sites over run by ants. Was disappointed how little work had been done in the last month or so to clean up," mentions Ed M. about Sweetwater Summit Regional Park.
Cell service limitations: Reception varies dramatically between coastal and mountain sites. "No internet, and no laundry. Before I left my last stop, I didn't do laundry, and figured I can do it here. The guy at the gate even said there was a laundry. He neglected to say it was out of order," reports Tom W. about Oakzanita Springs.
Children's activities: Several sites offer dedicated play areas. "The playground area is really cool, all the structures are made of wood and are all natural," explains Laura M. about Tijuana River Valley Regional Park Campground, which provides a natural alternative to typical metal playground equipment.
Short hiking options: Beginners and young riders benefit from the gentler terrain loops. "We also liked that we could do the Stonewall Peak hike from the campground without having to drive anywhere," shares Shannon F. about Paso Picacho Campground.
Educational opportunities: Wildlife viewing adds educational value to family camping trips. "Wild turkeys roam around the campground. There are trailheads in the campground along with plenty of nearby trails," explains Andre V. about Green Valley Campground. Morning is the best time for wildlife observation along meadow edges.
Site selection for RVs: Choose carefully based on size requirements. "If you don't need a pull through, definitely get one of the outer loop spaces - they're way less cramped," advises Chrysti P. about Sweetwater Summit Regional Park. Sites numbered 5-12 tend to accommodate larger rigs while providing more shade.
Hookup availability: Equestrian campgrounds often have limited electrical options. "Limited 30/50 amp full-hookups. Large rigs, beware. Access roads are narrow, hilly, AND curvy. But, it CAN be done," warns John D. about KQ Ranch Resort. Call ahead to confirm space availability for larger horse trailers with living quarters.
Urban proximity: Some sites provide convenient access to supplies. "We stayed here for Questival, and had a great time!" shares Bryn P. about Kumeyaay Lake Campground, noting its location within 30 minutes of urban amenities while still feeling relatively remote.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Imperial Beach, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Imperial Beach, CA is Sweetwater Summit Regional Park with a 4.5-star rating from 40 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Imperial Beach, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 12 equestrian camping locations near Imperial Beach, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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