Black Rock Equestrian Campground in Joshua Tree National Park provides spacious open camping areas for horse owners, with 10 corrals available for overnight equestrian use. Campers can select their preferred spot within the large dirt area that gets regularly graded, though most of the terrain is slightly sloped. The campground includes picnic tables, BBQs, and fire rings for each site. Water is available from a central location, requiring campers to transport water to their horses. The trails accessible from this campground are exceptional, with direct access to multiple hiking and riding routes including the 35-mile overland trail that traverses Joshua Tree National Park from north to south. The campground roads are maintained regularly to ensure adequate access for horse trailers.
Pioneertown Corrals offers convenient equestrian camping adjacent to the historic Pioneertown Main Street with its Old West replica buildings. Each campsite includes a picnic table and fire pit, while the property maintains horse stalls available for rent alongside standard camping spots. The layout is primarily designed for equestrian camping, with sites arranged around the corral area. The campground features communal areas including a shared fire pit and BBQ space. Bathroom facilities are clean and well-maintained according to recent visitors. Located just minutes from Joshua Tree National Park, the campground serves as an excellent base for exploring both the park trails and the surrounding desert landscape. Many riders appreciate the convenience of being able to walk to Pappy and Harriet's restaurant after a day of trail riding.
$35 / night
"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. "
$30 / night
"This camp site was tucked in the back, 12 miles from Joshua Tree park entrance. This site was on the side of the rocks that provided shade for more than 12 hours in the day."
"Short drive to most of the popular sights / trails in Joshua Tree Cons: Some sites are pretty close to each other, can feel crowded.
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$60 - $75 / night
"Next to one of best small music venues. We stayed here for a concert and walked to and from the show avoiding the traffic in and out. Friendly host."
$29 - $58 / night
"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."
$25 - $35 / night
"Cascade Trails is a unique experience created by impassioned owners who are personally committed to saving the wild mustangs. Check them out and leave a review."
$35 / night
"Huge open horse camp with 10 corrals, picnic tables, bbqs and fire rings, pick your spot anywhere you like. Almost all sloped but not awful. Lot gets regularly graded."
"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."
"Trees provide lots of shade and some privacy despite campsites being fairly close to one another. Easy road in most anything can drive it."
"Love the rock formations within the campground and proximity to hiking from the campground. Pit toilets, garbage and recycling available. Fire pits, bbq’s and picnic tables at every site."
"Amazing rocks, night skies, and climbing to do all around."
"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!"
"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."
"Equestrian sites are partial hookup and are $35. There is a dump station on site for all campers to use."
"Lake Cahuilla has a lot to offer, including a playground, lake for fishing only (no swimming), and a pool that was closed while we were there, and somewhat spacious sites."
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.
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.
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.
ScoutHeart Bar Campground is one of my favorites. 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. The campground is away from the town enough to feel secluded and quiet. If you plan to camp in the Big Bear area, I strongly suggest giving Heart Bar a try. The beauty of the surrounding environment is worth it alone.
LegendThis campground is a little outside the main Joshua Tree area. It used to be the only campground you could reserve ahead. So we usually spend the first night here and then head into the main park in the morning. It has full facilites and water on sight. It has a small visitor center/ranger station as well.
You drive through a residential area and then you are at the campground. You are on a knoll or incline so you are looking down over the valley. There is horse site as well but I do not know the details of that.
We are tent campers. There are good tent sites as well RV sites. A great place to watch the star, the sunset and the sunrise. Trail right fromt= the campground up to a hill/mountain behind the campground.
Be prepared. We have been snowed on here and wind whipped. Always go in February.
Sites have tables, fire rings and water. Modern bathrooms.
You are surrounded by Joshua Trees and if you catch them in the right time they are blooming.
RangerAlthough it's technically in the park, you'll need to drive over to one of the main entrances for park access. Still, this is a great option. The horse stalls are on the north end of the camp, and there are a few loops. It's desert camping so bring your own shade and lots of water. The weather was great in October, and there is a short trail on the west end of camp (plus lots of other in the area to explore).
We had an RV so I can't speak to the bathrooms.
GuideHuge open horse camp with 10 corrals, picnic tables, bbqs and fire rings, pick your spot anywhere you like. Almost all sloped but not awful. Lot gets regularly graded. Central water location so you do have to schlepp your water to the corrals. Trails are amazing. There is even an overland trail from here to the south end of Joshua Tree NP which is around 35 miles long.
Equestrian camping near Landers, California offers direct access to 35 miles of trails traversing desert terrain. Located at approximately 3,100 feet elevation in the Mojave Desert, this area experiences extreme temperature variations between seasons, with summer highs regularly exceeding 100°F and winter nights often dropping below freezing. Most equestrian campsites feature corral options for horses with limited shade structures.
Trail riding through Joshua Tree: Explore miles of riding trails accessible from Black Rock Campground. "Trails are amazing. There is even an overland trail from here to the south end of Joshua Tree NP which is around 35 miles long," notes Judith W. at Black Rock Equestrian Campground.
Rock climbing and bouldering: Ryan Campground provides excellent climbing opportunities among its unique rock formations. "You're an easy drive to most of the park. The campground backs up to big rocks you can climb on," according to Stefanie W. at Ryan Campground.
Wildlife viewing: Early morning offers the best chance to spot desert wildlife. "Quails running around everywhere, cool little spot at JTree, a little different than Jumbo and the other climber sites," reports Michael K. about his experience at Black Rock Canyon.
Desert hiking: Access numerous hiking trails directly from campgrounds. "There are plenty of trail access without having to drive. There are actually tons of trails that lead directly out of the main camping area," explains Christopher D. about exploring from the campgrounds.
Night sky viewing: The dark skies provide exceptional stargazing opportunities. "The nights were dark and quiet, no street lights! Always a plus for us!" mentions Kellie at Lake Cahuilla.
Historical attractions: Easy access to Pioneertown's Old West replica buildings and entertainment. "We had a great dinner at Pappy & Harriet's and then watched live music at the Red Dog Saloon. Red Dog is pet friendly, we could bring our dog right to the bar," shares Heather L. at Pioneertown Corrals.
Spacious campsites: Many campgrounds offer well-spaced sites away from neighbors. "The camp host was very accommodating when we wanted to stay another night and all that was left were walk up sites already taken. She looked around for an hour to find out if anyone was leaving unexpectedly," reports Gina C. at Heart Bar Campground.
Access to amenities: Some campgrounds offer convenient facilities. "The campground was lightly populated during our February visit, which was a bit surprising considering the other JTree camps inside the park were full. I chose our site online only knowing that it was on the outer ring of sites. It turned out to be a huge site with great views of the CA hiking and riding trail," says Ryan W.
Water availability: Many campgrounds lack potable water sources. "Bring a light with you to the bathroom because it was dark even during the day. There really isn't a whole lot to do in the area, but this is good campground if you just want to chill and hangout on a short weekend getaway," advises Christopher D. about Heart Bar Campground.
Extreme temperature fluctuations: Prepare for wide temperature swings between day and night. "We visited in January, and should have been better prepared! I know better, but we didn't check the conditions well enough, and froze our butts the first night!" warns Justin L. at Black Rock Canyon.
Campground accessibility: Some equestrian campgrounds have seasonal road conditions. "Unfortunately, I didn't think to get a picture of the washed out portion of the road, as there was a truck right behind us, also trying to get to the sites," reports Francisco F. about Coon Creek Yellow Post Sites, indicating potential access issues.
Reservation requirements: Many campgrounds fill quickly, especially during peak season. "First come first served campgrounds, no reservations and only 18 sites. Amazing rocks, night skies, and climbing to do all around," notes Andrew D. about Belle Campground.
Choose campgrounds with kid-friendly amenities: Some sites offer additional facilities for children. "There was a playground, not too much traffic around the campsite, and fishing for our next trip there," advises Morgen M. about camping at Lake Cahuilla with families.
Bring additional water containers: With limited water sources, extra storage is essential. "NOTE: after visiting JTNP I learned that many campgrounds in the main part of the park had no water so extra props to this CG for water," mentions Julie K.
Consider shoulder seasons: Late spring and early fall offer milder temperatures for family camping. "We stayed during the spring break season using Dyrt Alerts! Originally booked this site because it is a good endpoint for the California Riding & Hiking trail though the national park," shares Sierra T. about finding availability during busy periods.
Pack for temperature variations: Desert nights can be significantly colder than days, even in warmer months. "The desert has been know to test adventurers, so travel safely. There are some amazing features in this park, including Skull Rock. We like weird stuff, so this was really cool," suggests Justin L.
Check site levelness before setting up: Many desert campgrounds have uneven terrain. "However, the sites were close together, narrow roads and the sites were not level. We found a rock to level our van which helped, but flat spots were expected," notes Julie K. about Belle Campground.
Arrive early for first-come sites: Popular areas fill quickly, especially on weekends. "We picked an easy location for our maiden voyage and the need for cell service for my spouse. Cell service was just adequate," advises Mark D.
Monitor fire restrictions: Regulations change seasonally based on conditions. "We had a lovely campfire on night one. The second night was windier at about 15mph with gusts and we chose not to light one, but there wasn't a red flag warning or restriction," explains Ryan W.
Plan for limited cell coverage: Service varies widely throughout the area. "Dirt roads were well kept. I came with a 170 wheel base Sprinter Van w/ 2 wheel drive and had no problems making it to site post #11. I had spotty internet on my T-Mobile sim. Verizon sim had 2 bars with my cell booster," reports Derek M. about connectivity in remote areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Landers, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Landers, CA is Black Rock Campground — Joshua Tree National Park with a 4.2-star rating from 56 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Landers, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 26 equestrian camping locations near Landers, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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