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O'Neill Regional Park features equestrian campsites alongside several horse-friendly trails and day-use areas. Located in Trabuco Canyon near Irvine, this Orange County park provides amenities for riders including separate horse camping areas and access to numerous trails. The park maintains clean facilities with free showers, water spigots, and picnic tables at campsites. Sites are spacious enough for horse trailers and vehicles, with fees around $20 per night. Dogs are allowed in the campground but restricted on certain trails. The campground's equestrian sites accommodate horse trailers and provide designated areas for horses separate from the main camping loops.
Trail access directly from the campground connects riders to an extensive network of paths throughout the 4,500-acre wilderness park. Multiple hiking and riding trails wind through oak groves and along seasonal creek beds. Equestrians can explore connections to nearby wilderness areas including Caspers Wilderness Park, offering extended riding opportunities. The trail system features varied terrain suitable for riders of different experience levels. Water access points for horses are available seasonally along creek areas. Weekday visits typically offer quieter conditions and better availability for horse campers. The paved roads throughout the campground make for easy trailer access, while the campground's position within the canyon creates a feeling of seclusion despite being just minutes from urban amenities.
"You can be camping 20-30 mins away from Irvine. Facilities are clean and well maintained."
"Rv sites, tent sites and equestrian (horse) sites. Paved road is good for bike riding. Behind my Camp site was a few different hiking paths. Restroom buildings have water, toilets, and showers."
from $20 / night
Check Availability"Great hiking and equestrian trails. Excellent equestrian camping with a private corral right next to each campsite in the equestrian area."
"Casper 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."
from $20 - $25 / night
Check Availability"Awesome park, clean, level paved pads with a parking space..nice amenities, small NEX nearby. Wildlife reserve adjacent to the park made it nice for walking the dogs, too"
"Very clean, cement slab, walking paths well lit and near to many areas to explore. Wetlands on the base and birds galore."
"Canopy Court area has easy and close access to the splash pad, the playground, a large grass area, and even the pool. The boat launch is very near by too but we had no use for that."
"I had site 126 in the fields, corner site and lake view. This campground has a pool, splash pad, park, dog park and access to the lake. They also have a band on Saturday nights."
from $55 - $140 / night
Check Availability"Nice level grounds to walk around. Lakeside has gravel roads / pads... other side has asphalt roads / concrete pads. Restrooms are clean and acceptable."
"The lakeview area has dirt roads, sparse grass and a few spots close to the lake. The Cottonwood campground has concrete pads and well maintained grass throughout."
from $40 - $55 / 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"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"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!"
"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
ScoutYou can be camping 20-30 mins away from Irvine. Facilities are clean and well maintained. We stayed at 42 which was right across the from the bathrooms, the noise was manageable and it was convenient to be close to the facilities. The other side was the river but it was dry. It’s a nice camping spot for beginners or just a place to get away.
Will definitely come again
GuideGiant oval loop with camp sites all along both sides. Rv sites, tent sites and equestrian (horse) sites. Paved road is good for bike riding. Behind my Camp site was a few different hiking paths. Restroom buildings have water, toilets, and showers. It says to bring quarters for the showers but they were free. Each site is typical... Picnic bench, fire pit, and metal grill. No gathering fire wood, gotta buy it at local grocery or gas station. $20 a night. Lots of families with kids. Feels really safe here. Saw the park rangers driving around and the front has a gate guard who checks you in. Also only 10 minutes away from city.
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.
TravelerMy 3 dogs and I stay here often, as it's the lowest cost in Orange County and allows dogs. It has several restrooms, showers, equestrian areas, nature trails and picnicking for day use too.
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.
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!
GuideFree showers and restrooms available. Tmobile and at&t service both were intermittently fair to good. Campsites are all mostly level. Dogs are not allowed on some of the trails. Each campsite has a table, fire ring and grill. They do allow car camping and there were more than a few car campers there. Seniors camp for $15/night. Generators are allowed and unfortunately the camper nearby ran theirs allllll day. They have equestrian camp sites and group sites as well. Water spigots are at every site or nearly every site. Trash bins are also plenty.
GuideSITE:
This site is great if you like hiking, biking, MTB, and running. It is very clean, and the showers are free and clean as well. It's tucked back in the canyon, but you will still hear all the traffic from the road. Since it is a canyon, many loud cars and motorcycles zoom past at high speeds.
Free dump station.
SURROUNDING AREA:
There aren't too many shops in close proximity, but there are shops down the road a few minutes away if you need supplies.
ACTIVITIES
The campground is located next to Oneil Park, which is huge and great for bike and running. There are many hiking trails nearby in all directions. I usually ride to Caspers from the campsite or Trabruco creak up to Holy Jim.
O'Neill Regional Park offers multiple camping options for riders beyond just the dedicated equestrian sites. The park provides access to a year-round campground with 200 campsites that can accommodate both tents and RVs. Located within Trabuco Canyon in Orange County, the park sits at 600 feet elevation and features moderate temperatures most of the year. Camping sites range from $20-30 per night with varying levels of amenities and access to the trail network.
Hiking network with connections: At Ronald W. Caspers Wilderness Park, visitors can access extensive trail systems connecting to O'Neill Park. "There are a number of hiking trails around that range from a 1 to 12 miles. On Saturdays there's a nature walk," notes Berton M. The 8,000-acre wilderness preserve offers additional riding opportunities with natural terrain variations.
Water activities nearby: Lake Skinner Recreation Area provides fishing and boating options within driving distance. "The lake is beautiful and boating is also an option. The fishing costs an extra fee per day on top of your California State License, so it's a bit pricy," explains Andy H. The lake serves as a contrast to the canyon environment of the equestrian parks.
Cultural exploration: After setting up camp, take advantage of nearby historical areas. "We drove over to the Mission Inn (8 min drive) enjoyed lunch. Their is a pedestrian only shopping area with a Saturday farmer's market plus lots of restaurants," shares Jody R. about staying at Rancho Jurupa Park. These cultural sites provide context to the region's equestrian heritage.
Varied terrain for different skill levels: Dripping Springs Campground offers access to trails suitable for riders of varying experience. "There is a popular trailhead at the back of the campground... The trail itself is a big loop (10 miles) that connects to another loop and another. Almost 20 miles of hiking if you want it," explains Ryan W. These connections allow riders to customize their route length.
Wildlife viewing: The natural areas surrounding equestrian campsites provide opportunities for animal sightings. "Lots of wildlife sighting in the park - snakes, deer," mentions Chanel C. at Dripping Springs. Andy H. adds, "The sites are cute and back up to old Oak growth and chaparral forest," creating habitats for native species.
Seasonal creek access: Water access varies throughout the year, with some areas providing natural water sources. "There is a great little stream running through the edge of the campground that is perfect for little kids to be able to play in," notes Ben S. about Dripping Springs. These seasonal water sources supplement the designated horse watering areas.
Timing considerations: Weekday visits often provide a better experience with less crowding. "We're usually able to book a site 2 weeks before we decide to go," shares Chanel C. about Caspers Wilderness Park, noting the more flexible reservation system compared to other parks.
Fire restrictions: Local conditions may impact campfires at equestrian sites. "They often have no burn times, these are dependent on the winds," cautions Kelly E. about Caspers Wilderness Park. Always check current fire regulations before your trip as they can change quickly based on weather conditions.
Pet policies vary: While some parks welcome dogs, others have restrictions. "No fur friends allowed so leave your pets at home. Unless you own a horse! Lots of horse trails which also means you have to watch out for horse poop on the trail," notes Chanel C. about Caspers Wilderness Park, highlighting the focus on equestrian use.
Kid-friendly amenities: O'Neill Regional Park provides special programs for younger visitors. "Great playground for children and easy and fun 'Story Trail' hike for children. The hike features a new book every month, each page is mounted to a placard along the trail," explains Johnny G., making it ideal for families with various age groups.
Weather preparedness: Temperature variations can be significant throughout the year. "It can be really hot in late summer early fall," warns Kelly E. about camping at Caspers Wilderness Park. Pack accordingly with sun protection and adequate water for both riders and horses.
Safety considerations: Be aware of wildlife and natural hazards. "Lots of snakes (including rattle snakes) so be careful where you step," cautions Andy H. about Dripping Springs. This applies to both humans and horses when exploring the trails.
Leveling requirements: RV campers should be prepared for uneven terrain. "The sites are pretty level, gravel and of a good size. My 24' + truck can fit lengthwise with room behind and plenty to the side," shares James about staying at Caspers Wilderness Park. Bring leveling blocks for optimal setup.
Hookup availability: Utility connections vary between equestrian sites. "We stayed in the natural area with hook-ups everything worked great," notes Jody R. about Rancho Jurupa Park. Check specific site amenities when booking to ensure they meet your needs for longer stays with horses.
Dump station access: For extended stays, know where facilities are located. "The dump station is very close by and easy to access," notes Ronald about Caspers Wilderness Park, which is particularly important for longer equestrian camping trips.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Irvine, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Irvine, CA is O'Neill Regional Park with a 4.2-star rating from 35 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Irvine, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 19 equestrian camping locations near Irvine, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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