10 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Cowboy Camp provides primitive equestrian camping in an open grassy area surrounded by hills near Lower Lake, California. The Bureau of Land Management site features vault toilets and designated areas for horse trailer parking with ample room for larger rigs. The camping area is situated adjacent to a stream that runs alongside the field of camping pads, creating natural access to water for horses. Flies can be problematic during certain seasons due to the horse activity, particularly when the stream is low. The lack of trees means limited shade for horses and humans alike, so appropriate sun protection is necessary. Sites are level and spacious enough to accommodate horse trailers without crowding. The campground is currently experiencing seasonal closures, with gates occasionally locked without prior notice on the BLM website.
Riders access multiple trail systems directly from the camping area, with Cache Creek and surrounding BLM lands offering extensive riding opportunities. Horse owners appreciate the open layout that allows for easy maneuvering of trailers and adequate space between campsites to maintain separation between different horse groups. No formal corrals or tie-lines are provided, so equestrians must bring their own containment systems. The nearby rural road creates minimal traffic noise and doesn't interfere with the riding experience. During spring, the surrounding hills showcase wildflowers and greener vegetation, making it a more attractive time to visit with horses. The stream crossing can present challenges for some riders, though horses typically navigate it without difficulty when water levels are appropriate. Trailer parking is positioned for convenient access to the trail system.
"We just stayed here for 2 nights, great location very close to Calistoga and not to far from Saint Helena! Next time i would love to try out a cabin or yurt."
"Good access to wineries close by. Only real downside was that because of the dry conditions we could not have a campfire."
from $43 / night
Check Availability"Next to a stream and surrounded by hills. The only tough part is getting across the stream to some of the hikes."
"This campsite is centrally located on the peninsula. Access to several roadside dog friendly beaches within minutes. The bay and the beach are within walking distance to campground."
"There are also equestrian trails, so you can book a horseback ride from a local ranch as well!!"
from $45 / night
Check Availability"It’s close to the entrance but the driveway only had a slight grade. Mostly folks with trailers. The sites are not too close together but it is easy to see into the surrounding neighbors."
"Spring Lake has been that for us. We have been here for 2 weekends in the last few months."
from $35 / night
Check Availability"If you talk to the the ranger at the gate, most of the time they will let you drive around the grounds and pick any open site."
"The walk down to swim in the lake was a significant downhill but the dip was worth it! Funny dead trees sticking out of the lake were fun to climb on."
from $25 - $100 / night
Check Availability"This location is easily accessible for all. Biking, trails for hiking and the gardens are gorgeous. Rvs and horses welcome."
"We only stayed overnight the staff was very friendly,lots of stuff to do around the campsite from hiking,mtb,watch horses, frisbee golf and then you have napa where you can get wine,brewery,and restaurants"
"Beautiful location, campground was easily accessible going up Elk Mountain Road. Camped in Site 11, pull through, no hook ups, nice picnic table, grill and fire pit. Vault toilets, no showers."
"If it's in a beautiful location and if you're into four-wheeling or dirt bikes, you're going to have a blast."
from $8 / night
Check Availability"Was 0.75 miles away from water (we have been in a drought?) but beautiful spacious campsite. Even with annoying neighbors, you can have peace and quiet."
"The local store is about a 10 minute drive away and during the summer has ice beer and provides firewood for sale (during winter no ice but plenty of snow)."
from $5 / night
Check Availability
RangerThis campsite is centrally located on the peninsula. Access to several roadside dog friendly beaches within minutes. The bay and the beach are within walking distance to campground. The bathrooms are clean and the showers are coin operated. Sites are flat and semi private. The staff is friendly and campground is large.
TravelerGreat free campground! We've stayed here many times. It's open, grassy level and quiet. Next to a stream and surrounded by hills. The only tough part is getting across the stream to some of the hikes. It's a hot spot for horses which of course have no stream problems, so the only negative is fly's sometimes. But just keep your screen door closed (& fly swatter handy). We always manage to level out in our 23" Winnebago View. There is lots of open space so no crowding. There is a rural road near by but traffic noise isn't a problem. Perhaps I should say it's awful so fewer people come and it's not discovered.
GuideIt is always windy and therefore cold on the beach. That is why there are such big sand dunes.
Regardless, a beautiful place to visit and camp. There are also equestrian trails, so you can book a horseback ride from a local ranch as well!!
RangerThis campground is nice with newer bathrooms and shower facilities, but it's also very open and exposed. Great access to Spring Lake's water-based activities and hiking trails, plus easy access to Trione-Annadel State Park for hiking and mountain biking. Howarth Park, a city park, also borders Spring Lake Regional Park and provides access to boating and fishing on Lake Ralphine, plus they have a small train, carousel, tennis courts, and a softball field. Overall a good campsite for families in need of lots of recreation options, but not the best for those wishing to "get away from it all."
RangerSkyline Wilderness County Park is a great little campground just outside of downtown Napa. There are always a lot of RVs there, but thankfully the tent section is separate from most of the RVs. The tent area leaves a little to be desired and is basically just a stretch of grass with picnic tables, BBQs and very little separation or cover from trees. Of course you don’t really think wilderness camping when you think of Napa Valley.
Despite being close to town there is actually quite a bit to do in the park and once you get back from the campground a bit you can really feel kind of far away from the congested Napa Valley. There are quite a few hiking trails and some offer beautiful views of the valley. By far the most popular is the Lake Marie Trail and Fire Road and Manzanita is popular with mountain bikers.
The River to Ridge Trail is nice and provides access to the Kennedy Park, the Napa River, and miles of bike paths, but check at the kiosk if the gate next to highway 221 (Soscol Ferry Road) is open and I have found it to not have a very consistent schedule.
According to a couple of friends that are pretty die-hard disk golfers, the course at Skyline is one of the best and most challenging in the area. I found it to be pretty fun, especially is your expectations are extremely low.
Being Napa Valley there is of course wine tasting and having a parking spot at the campground you have the perfect opportunity to take an Uber or car service to ensure your safety while enjoying Napa’s most famous export.
This is not a park that will provide you with memorable hikes or photos for your Instagram, but it is a decent place to stay in Napa if you’re the type that prefers to sleep in a tent or RV over a very pricey hotel.
ScoutThis location is easily accessible for all. Biking, trails for hiking and the gardens are gorgeous. Rvs and horses welcome.
GuideWe only stayed overnight the staff was very friendly,lots of stuff to do around the campsite from hiking,mtb,watch horses, frisbee golf and then you have napa where you can get wine,brewery,and restaurants that's only 5 minutes away....would definetly be back here again
GuideThis was a great campground to come on a winter weekend. Only 90 minutes from home to site. We stayed on site 3. It’s close to the entrance but the driveway only had a slight grade. Mostly folks with trailers. The sites are not too close together but it is easy to see into the surrounding neighbors. The bathrooms were clean but older... 2 of the stalls were incredibly narrow. There were showers but I didn’t look at them. The campground is next to a very popular lake. Lots of trails. A great place to bring a bike too.
It is close to town. We picked up a pizza at Urban Pizza on our way. Excellent Pi! There were tons of restaurants though if you need to pick something up.
GuideDry camped here with my 20ft R-Pod. Had a fun time. Walked to the water park on spring lake that featured an inflatable, floating obstacle course/ bouncy house thing. The kids LOVED that. As far as local and regional parks go, this is top notch. But compared to some of California’s more beautiful state and national parks, it doesn’t quite measure up. Would give it 3 1/2 stars if I could!
Equestrian camping near Lower Lake, California offers access to varied terrain from scrubland to forested hills. The region averages summer temperatures around 90°F with cooler 50°F nights, making spring and fall the most comfortable camping seasons. The area encompasses both Bureau of Land Management parcels and Forest Service land, creating diverse camping opportunities within a 30-mile radius.
Trail riding at Cache Creek: Multiple trail systems connect directly to Cowboy Camp, offering extensive riding opportunities through BLM lands. "Great free campground! We've stayed here many times. It's open, grassy level and quiet. Next to a stream and surrounded by hills," notes Jorg F., who appreciates the uncrowded environment.
Fishing opportunities: During high water periods at Oak Flat Campground, shore fishing can be productive. "When the water level is high great fishing from this camp ground," shares Jeanette C., though success varies with lake levels and seasonal conditions.
Wildlife observation: Early mornings and evenings offer opportunities to see deer, elk, and various bird species. "Watch elk, birds, lizards, toads/frogs on weekdays," advises Angela at Oak Flat Campground, noting that weekend noise tends to reduce wildlife sightings.
Natural water access: The stream running alongside Cowboy Camp provides natural water for horses. "The only tough part is getting across the stream to some of the hikes. It's a hot spot for horses which of course have no stream problems," explains Jorg F., highlighting how equine visitors navigate the water crossings.
Ample space between sites: Stony Gorge Reservoir offers varied campsite options. "There are some campsites that are private and some where you can bring a big group. There are fire pits with grills and picnic tables at all the sites," shares Cat C., noting this free campground's versatility.
Proximity to wine country: For those wanting to mix equestrian camping with area attractions, options exist. "Camping here leaves lots of money for food and wine splurges!" notes Susan H., describing how staying at campgrounds near wine regions can balance budget constraints with recreational experiences.
Seasonal gate closures: Multiple campgrounds in the area experience unannounced closures. "Visit was for 11/19/2024 found the gates locked, no entry. Seasonal? No signage to tell," reports Natalie T. about Cowboy Camp, reflecting a common issue at regional sites.
Insect considerations: Flies can be problematic, particularly during low water periods. "No trees just dry open land inhabited by an unusual amount of flies. It was crazy how thick they were," warns Patricia Y. about Cowboy Camp, describing how environmental conditions affect comfort levels.
Limited shade access: Middle Creek Campground and similar sites offer minimal tree cover. "This campground is dry and built primarily for HOV people cuz the Elk mountain area is very much a dirt bike and four-wheel Haven," explains Justin W., noting the exposed nature of the landscape.
Playground amenities: Some local campgrounds offer recreational facilities for children. "Our young kids had a great time playing on the playground which was an unexpected bonus," reports Joshua H. about Bu-Shay Campground, highlighting facilities beyond basic camping.
Weekday visits recommended: For a quieter family experience with horse camping, consider mid-week trips. "Quiet and peaceful, watch elk, birds, lizards, toads/frogs on weekdays. All but the hardiest of wildlife and people should avoid the weekends," advises Angela about Oak Flat Campground, suggesting timing considerations for family visits.
Water recreation options: During summer months, lake access provides swimming opportunities. "The lake is amazing for swimming!" enthuses Cat C. about Stony Gorge Reservoir, noting this free amenity that complements horseback riding activities.
Trailer maneuvering space: Horse trailers require adequate turning radius and level parking areas. "We could usually browse the internet but streaming videos were difficult," mentions Joshua H. about Bu-Shay Campground, noting connectivity issues that affect longer-term RV stays with horses.
Level sites availability: Skyline Wilderness Park offers RV-friendly options near regional equestrian trails. "RV campsites are close together and semi-level. Bathrooms could use some TLC. But the park is nice with lots of hiking, views and close to Napa," explains Rich J., highlighting potential tradeoffs for RV campers.
Water availability limitations: Access to water for horses and RVs varies significantly by location. "This campground is dry...The spigots don't have any hose fittings, so you can't hook up, which I think is a good thing to keep people from taking over water for an extended period of time," observes Justin W. about Middle Creek Campground.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Lower Lake, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Lower Lake, CA is Ritchey Creek Campground — Bothe-Napa Valley State Park with a 4.1-star rating from 32 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Lower Lake, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 10 equestrian camping locations near Lower Lake, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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