25 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Unfortunately, the Jamestown area offers limited dedicated options for horseback riders seeking campgrounds with equine facilities. None of the campgrounds in the data collection explicitly advertise horse corrals or specialized equestrian amenities. Campers with horses typically choose dispersed camping sites that allow horses or established campgrounds with enough space for portable corrals. The Top of Arnold - FR 5N56 Dispersed camping area permits equestrian use with appropriate Leave No Trace practices, though no permanent horse facilities exist on site. The primitive nature of this site allows flexibility for horse owners to set up temporary containment systems.
Forest Route 4N39 Dispersed camping provides access to forest service roads suitable for trail riding with adequate clearance for horse trailers. Several reviewers note that while the area follows power lines, the surrounding terrain offers riding opportunities on connecting forest service roads. Trailer parking requires vehicles with decent clearance, as the access road contains purposefully placed speed bumps that can challenge lower-clearance vehicles. For riders seeking established campgrounds, the nearby Stanislaus National Forest and Sierra Nevada foothills provide additional options with more developed equestrian facilities outside the immediate Jamestown area.
"Showers and bathrooms aren't working but otherwise a great place to camp. been going to the nearby Tuttletown camp for showers and working bathrooms while they work on Gloryhole."
"The lake's water was too low for a swim though :( sad"
from $18 - $22 / night
Check Availability"The only downside is that the park closes at 8:00 pm so we had to sleep behind the entrance until 4:00 am when they opened the door again. A Fire ring and a bench available at each spot."
"Sites were a good size and were tucked down a slight hill from the road which was great for privacy. Bathrooms were kept very clean and well stocked."
"We were able to rent a boat for tuning on the lake, which made the trip."
"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"
"Be sure to obtain a fire permit from Cal fire and check fire restrictions in the area have a bucket full of water and a shovel next to your fire at all times again this place was amazing"
"The roads are not four-wheel drive and are perfect for van lifers. I would not pull a trailer of any kind up here. Or a vehicle with low clearance."
"The positives:
The natural setting is beautiful — right by the water with lots of ducks, and the campsite layout is quite nice.""Price has gone up compare to past years but I like it due to it location. Certain time of the year it get pretty busy but we always camp on the far end of the campground where there is less people."
from $40 - $60 / night
Check Availability"You are aboute 12 Mi. to Yosemite Park entrance. It is family business , very clean and you feel country! They provide everything for you. There are few fool hock ups and they provide also fire wood."
from $40 - $80 / night
Check Availability"Powerlines are nearby but there are a few fire pits. They seem to be logging the area and running cattle but it’s pretty quiet."
"Fabulous lakeside camping.... We’ve been in March, May, July and September..... July, just too hot but we love being able to just get up and fish... The lake is stocked with Trout, Bass and Catfish."
"Lake water level was super low at end of summer & lake is hard to access. Unless you got a boat. Saw deer & wild turkeys. This park is huge."
from $25 - $45 / night
Check Availability"Great location right in the middle of Yosemite Valley. Great access to beautiful hikes and scenery. The camp sites are spacious."
"There is a shuttle stop right outside the campground. You are also in easy walking distance to the path to Mirror Lake and the ever popular Mist Trail."
from $48 / night
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GuideGreat location right in the middle of Yosemite Valley. Great access to beautiful hikes and scenery. The camp sites are spacious. Because it's an equestrian campground, you will smell the horses and stables....be prepared. The river is close to the campgrounds and are refreshing on a hot day.
ScoutClark's Fork is a large campground with 88 sites – all of which are situated with lots of space so that you aren’t too close to your neighbors. The availability of adjacent “double sites” makes this campground a great place for larger groups of families and friends. The 25 sites on Loop A offer vault toilets and cost $19 an night. Loop B sites offer flush toilets and cost $20 a night. There are also 14 nice family-sized equestrian sites and one group equestrian site. Sites are within easy walking distance of the water. No matter what kind of camping you want to plan, Clark's Fork offers options. A RV dump station is located near the entrance to the campgrounds. The Clark's Fork Campground is on a first-come, first-served basis. This beautiful wooded campground is on the Stanislaus River, recommended for your fishing and scenic pleasure.
TravelerThis campground is in the heart of Yosemite Valley. It is great to camp on the valley floor, especially during peak season as traffic from all main gates to the valley floor is very congested. There is a shuttle stop right outside the campground. You are also in easy walking distance to the path to Mirror Lake and the ever popular Mist Trail. Shuttle stops at all valley attractions and you can easily get to the Pizza Deck in Half Dome Village, the deli in Yosemite Village, and many different hiking trails. Some spots are right along the Merced River. No showers here, but hot showers are close by at Half Dome Village. We will be back!
LegendIt is hard to get a Camping spot in Yosemite but well worth it if you do. I got up early many a morning to try and get a day here or there for our summer trips out west. You can always try the daily lottery in the village office which we did one day. So Any campground in the valley is good and in close proximity to everything going on. This campground is located on the Merced river and is primitive. The horse stables are in this loop as well.There is a water station by entrance to fill up. No electric, sewer or shower. There are bathrooms with an outlet (Yea- can charge your Phone but get in line) You can bathe in river like I do or go to curry village and pay for a shower at housekeeping. You get a fire ring and a bear box at each site. Generator hours are limited so plan accordingly.
GuideWe were lucky to get 5 days in a row during 4th of July weekend in 2021 at one of the best sites within North Pines campground. We set up camp at site #515, we had a fire pit, bear locker, picnic table and two tents! Within walking distance is the edge of the Merced river, from there you have views of Yosemite Falls. One of my favorite activities was take a short walk with a floating tube from the campsite to the entrance of the campground and hop into the river float back down and get off near our campsite! Our site also offered a good amount of shade and was a short walk from the restrooms. We were surround amongst the giant granite cliffs. One of the best camping trips with great company. 10/10 would recommend.
LegendNorth Pines is one of three campgrounds on the floor of Yosemite Valley. Across the Merced River from the other two campgrounds and adjacent to the horse stables, it is relatively isolated with no major roads running by it. Nevertheless, it is well connected to the rest of the valley amenities, with a quick walk to the bus station, a longer walk (1 mi) to the visitor center via the Valley Loop Trail, or a drive (if you don't mind braving traffic and searching for parking spaces).
The sites are not well defined. You have a place to park and besides that, it is a little of a free-for-all with the adjacent sites as to where you set up your gear. Despite that, we had plenty of room to set up our large 10 person tent, without feeling crowded or that we were overspilling our space. We were there the last weekend it was open (Oct 26/27) and all sites were booked. There are no hook-ups, and the comfort stations only have toliets and sinks (no showers), a fresh water faucet, and a disposal "toliet" for dish water. All dishes must be washed at camp. The facilities were fairly clean, though the disposal toilet often backed up. Being late October, I was expecting very cold conditions. But the weather was great! 70s during the day and 40s at night. Clear skies. Absolutely beautiful.
Our site was located right next to the comfort station, and in hindsight I wish we had found a place a little farther away. But besides the proximity, our site was nice with a fire pit and picnic table. Quiet hours are from 1000-0600, and we had to remind our neighbor campers who came back drunk at midnight to shut it, but that seems to be more the normal than abnormal these days. There were mostly tents in the campground, with a few small RVs and trailers. Generators are allowed during limited hours, but the noise wasn't overwhelming, since they were few and far between.
As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I get products to test from time to time. This weekend I got to test the Wenzel Great Basin 10 tent (https://wenzelco.com/great-basin-10/). Overall, my impression of this tent is that it is a solid and reliable tent. Yes, it has a few design items that could be improved for ease of use, but overall it served us well and I look forward to using it again. The tent is a domed center-opening design, with two side "rooms" that can be separated by zipped curtains, making three interior spaces total. My husband and I filled up on room with two large cots facing length wise (we had them oriented along center line and still had enough room to move along the sides). The other side has more than ample room for my daughter's small cot, which ran the width of the tent along the side window. Very comfortable for three people.
Yes, this is a huge tent. Can it be set up by one person? Probably, if that person is patient and tenacious. Two people work much better. A few design items we found annoying were the pole connections, which would frequently catch on the tent pole sleeves and center strap. Also, the zipper flap on the tent's door would frequently get caught in the zipper, making it almost a necessity to use two hands to open and close the tent. Besides these two small inconveniences, the tent worked great. The rain fly fits snug against the tent roof. The construction felt sturdy and we liked the design of the three interior rooms.
Overall, we had a fun two nights in Yosemite. We might make a tradition out of going for the closing weekend each year.
TravelerLocated just outside of oakdale, very similar to that of Modesto reservoir as it is managed by the same people. Shallow and warm water great for swimming and water sports. Has paved looped campgrounds and has all necessary hook ups for rv/motorhome camping. Boat docks and tables located near the water good for bbqing and having a relaxing weekend close to home but away from crowds of people. They do have late festivals in the fall so plan accordingly
GuideThis place is amazing. I’ve been five times since I discovered it late last year. This campground is about an hour’s drive to any kind of amenities or cell phone service. The road in is bumpy and there is a shallow creek that you will need to drive across, but I had no problems driving a 2wd Honda Fit compact car up. This park didn’t even open until late July this year due to all the snowfall. There is 1 vault toilet and an old-school hand pump for water, which isn’t always functioning so bring plenty of water. All of the sites are first come first served, each has a fire pit with grill plate, and a picnic table. No dumpsters for trash, pack it in and pack it out.
There is plenty of hiking, both steep and moderate. Folger peak trail can be very challenging due to all the loose shale. There is an equestrian trail that is more flat going the other direction which is less steep but still a very scenic hike. Ranchers bring their cattle up to graze during the summer months so you’ll hear their cowbells all day long. There is a weather station in the valley and it’s fairly accurate so you can get the forecast before you go, just google weather Highland Lakes. I would recommend a 4 season tent, even in the summer. On my last trip it was a little to cold for my taste so we drove back down the road and camped along the creek the last few nights.
GuideGreat campground, nestled beneath the giant granite cliffs. For people with mobility issues, this site is a good walk away from the inner valley trails, fine for anyone else who is up for walking distances, because that is why you came to Yosemite!
FYI: No soap or hand drying items in bathrooms at campground
Equestrian camping near Jamestown, California offers access to Sierra foothills terrain at elevations ranging from 1,000-3,000 feet. The region experiences hot, dry summers with temperatures often exceeding 90°F and mild winters with occasional snow at higher elevations. Most dispersed camping areas near Jamestown require visitors to pack in water as natural sources are limited and seasonal.
Trail riding through national forest: Forest Route 4N39 Dispersed camping provides direct access to Stanislaus National Forest trail systems. "This road follows power lines pretty much for the entire length of the road. It would be a really nice area to disperse if they weren't there as the area is beautiful," notes reviewer Nick F. The area connects to additional forest service roads suitable for day trips.
Swimming opportunities: The reservoirs around Jamestown offer relief from summer heat. At Glory Hole Recreation Area, "Site 57 is gorgeous! However, be prepared for the heat. It can reach up to 110°F in summer," reports Susan Y. During spring months, the swimming is pleasant but "the lake's water was too low for a swim" in drier seasons according to Laura.
Fishing from shore: Anglers can access fishing spots directly from several campgrounds. At Lake Amador Resort, visitors report "We enjoyed fishing from the bank and had some good luck with power bait. The resort is very clean and quiet!" according to Dennis W. The lake is stocked with trout, bass, and catfish.
Riverside camping spots: Many equestrian campers appreciate sites near water for horse cooling and drinking access. At Big Oak Glory Hole Area, "Site 116 is great. It is a little steep to get to the fire pit but the views were worth it," according to Mallory K. Sites are "tucked down a slight hill from the road which was great for privacy."
Shade availability: Summer temperatures make tree cover essential for horse comfort. At Top of Arnold - FR 5N56, one reviewer advises to "Drive to the back area for tree shade and level grounds." Another camper noted, "There is sun for solar panels and enough shade to be fine mostly," making it suitable for extended stays with animals.
Wildlife viewing: The Jamestown area offers opportunities to observe local fauna. At Lake Amador Resort, campers report abundant wildlife: "I woke up with 4 deer casually strolling through our campsite, a huge group of turkeys were cruising around the whole weekend." The natural setting provides horses with a calm environment away from urban disturbances.
Seasonal water levels: Reservoirs in the area fluctuate significantly throughout the year. At Modesto Reservoir, "water lately isn't that deep" according to Eddie N. This affects both recreation and water availability for horses, requiring riders to bring supplemental water during dry periods.
Heat management: Summer temperatures require special planning for equestrian camping. At Glory Hole Recreation Area, "be prepared for the heat in summer. It can reach up to 110°F in summer. It is toasting even with shade," warns Susan Y. Horse owners should plan rides for morning hours and ensure adequate shade at camp.
Vehicle requirements: Access to many dispersed horse camping areas demands appropriate vehicles. For Forest Route 4N39, "you don't need 4x4 but you definitely will need a vehicle with some decent clearance. There are some weirdly purposefully placed speed bumps on the west end of the road approaching 4N01 and Spring Gap Rd that will let you know if you have enough clearance pretty quickly," explains Nick F.
Campsite spacing: At established campgrounds, proximity to other campers varies. At Glory Hole Recreation Area Big Oak Campground, sites are "a good size and were tucked down a slight hill from the road which was great for privacy," according to Joshua H. This provides more separation for those camping with horses.
Water recreation options: Families with children can combine horse camping with swimming. Woodward Reservoir provides "a water hole with a fun slide, which is all kept nice and clean with tables you can sit at. I would recommend a pop up tent for shade if you go to the water hole," suggests Moonlit_starrynights.
Advance planning for peak seasons: Popular equestrian-friendly areas fill quickly during summer. At Woodward Reservoir, "it gets crowded but one can still enjoy the experience," notes JAVIER J. The campground is "packed during the summer months on the weekends but during the off season it is a great time to go during the week when children are in school."
Pack for temperature fluctuations: Despite hot days, nights can cool significantly. At Glory Hole Recreation Area, one camper advises to "pack for cold nights, and bring earplugs lol." Temperature swings can affect both human campers and horses, requiring appropriate blankets and shelter options.
Site selection for trailer parking: RVers with horse trailers need to assess accessibility. At Big Oak Glory Hole Area, "Sites were a good size and were tucked down a slight hill from the road which was great for privacy. Bathrooms were kept very clean and well stocked," reports Joshua H. Some sites accommodate both an RV and a horse trailer, while others require separate parking arrangements.
Utility limitations: Most equestrian-friendly dispersed sites lack hookups. Those needing electricity should note that at Glory Hole Recreation Area, some campers experienced "inconsistent electricity" in certain areas. Generator restrictions apply at many locations, requiring alternative power solutions for extended stays with horse-related equipment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Jamestown, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Jamestown, CA is Glory Hole Recreation Area with a 4.1-star rating from 9 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Jamestown, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 25 equestrian camping locations near Jamestown, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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