Are you an equestrian lover who prefers a more rustic experience when you visit Mammoth Lakes? It's easy to find Mammoth Lakes campgrounds for horse camping with The Dyrt. Find our top-rated horse campsites from other campers like you. Plan the perfect trip in minutes.
Silver Lake Campground is nestled between Silver Lake and the dramatic scenery of the Ansel Adams Wilderness in the eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains of California. This is a great base camp for fishing, boating, hiking, picnicking, horseback riding and photography. The facility has creekside camping with a boat ramp and pack station nearby.
Rush Creek and 97-acre Silver Lake offer peaceful places for anglers to cast a line for rainbow trout. Boating is allowed on the lake, which has a 10 mph speed limit. The area's majestic scenery and challenging trails are an obvious draw for hiking and horseback riding. A nearby trail provides access to the Ansel Adams Wilderness. Within the facility, campers can go for a relaxing 1-mile walk or horseback ride along Rush Creek. The scenic drive along the June Lake Loop results in expansive views of rugged mountain peaks and several lakes.
Some campsites are in open areas while others are shaded by aspen and willow trees. Rush Creek and Silver Lake border the facility, and June Lake is a short drive away. Silver Lake lies at an elevation of 7,200 feet at the base of 11,000 and 12,000' mountain peaks. Many species of wildlife call the mountains home, such as black bear, mountain lions, mule deer, pine marten, pika and numerous fish and birds.
The small town of June Lake has various amenities. Hikers can access the Ansel Adams Wilderness via area trails, and Mono Lake and Yosemite National Park are great day trips. Ansel Adams Wilderness Yosemite National Park
$30 / night
Twin Lakes Campground is located in the eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains near the town of Mammoth Lakes, California. It offers lakeside camping with breathtaking scenery and many outdoor activities. The lake is a great base for fishing, boating, viewing waterfalls and hiking, and offers close proximity to the town's amenities.
The eastern Sierras are known for great trout fishing, and the 108-acre lakes are a prime location for it. Anglers can cast for rainbow, brook and brown trout while watching a waterfall tumble into the lake. The calm waters are also inviting for canoes and kayaks. Power boats must have electric motors. Several trails offer a variety of hikes nearby, including a 4-mile trail on Mammoth Mountain and two shorter nature trails along the lakes. Families enjoy attending educational programs scheduled throughout the summer.
The campground is forested with lodgepole pine, providing partial shade and a private setting. It sits at an elevation of 8,600 feet at the base of snow-capped, 11,059' Mammoth Mountain, a popular skiing destination. A cascading waterfall flows into one of the lakes. The mountains are abundant with wildlife, including black bear, mountain lions, mule deer, pine marten, pika and many species of fish and birds.
Mammoth Lakes Basin contains several additional popular lakes to explore for fishing and boating, and Mammoth Mountain Ski Resort offers year-round recreation. Visitors can also access the magnificent John Muir Wilderness nearby, which stretches 100 miles along the crest of the Sierra Nevadas, a land of lofty snow-capped mountains, deep canyons and vast expanses of glacially-carved terrain. Abundant hiking and horseback riding trails are available.
$32 / night
Mono Hot Springs Campground sits above Kaiser Pass in the High Sierra, on the South Fork of the San Joaquin River in an area known for its hot mineral baths. The camp is divided into two sections that are separated by Mono Hot Springs Resort, and some sites are shaded by aspen and lodgepole pine. The campground sits at an elevation of 6,700 feet with many cliffs in the area. It makes a great base for exploring the nearby Ansel Adams and John Muir Wilderness areas or for simply relaxing and enjoying the scenery.
The Mono Hot Springs area provides opportunities for fishing, birding, mountain biking, hiking and relaxing in the hot springs. Interpretive programs are offered at the campground on Friday nights during the summer. Wading is permitted in the San Joaquin River, which is known for its excellent fly fishing. Trailheads in the area include Devil's Table (5 miles) and Doris Lake (2 miles). The Mono Creek Trail connects Mono Hot Springs to Edison Lake, a hike of about 10 miles round-trip.
The Sierra National Forest, located on the western slope of the central Sierra Nevada, is known for its spectacular mountain scenery and abundant natural resources. The terrain includes rolling, oak-covered foothills, heavily forested middle elevation slopes and the starkly beautiful alpine landscape of the High Sierra.
For facility specific information, please call (559) 893-2308.
Edison Lake is a popular recreation area nearby offering boating, fishing and horseback riding. From this area, hikers and horseback riders can access the John Muir Wilderness, and the Pacific Crest Trail, which extends from Mexico to Canada.
Once your reservation start date has begun, neither the Recreation.gov Contact Center nor the campground manager will be able to modify your reservation.
$35 - $37 / night
Narrow, single lane road. Only accessible in summer. Accessible by private vehicle only if camping.
Mammoth Lakes Ranger District is located in the northern half of Inyo National Forest, and is centered around the town of Mammoth Lakes, CA. While known for winter sports, it is also a mecca for mountain biking and fishing enthusiasts when the snow melts. Hiking and equestrian trails go into wilderness areas of Sierra Nevada.
The North Pines Early Access Lottery has ended and regular booking windows have resumed. Campsites at North Pines are available up to five months in advance on the 15th of each month at 7:00 a.m. (PT). For example, on February 15, arrival dates for the time period June 15 to July 14 become available to reserve, and therefore, the full arrival date window would be from season opening to July 14. North Pines Campground is located in breathtaking Yosemite National Park in Central California's rugged Sierra Nevada Mountain Range at an elevation of 4000 feet. The site is situated in the heart of Yosemite Valley, an awe-inspiring landscape containing many of the famous features for which Yosemite National Park is known. Within Yosemite, visitors can gaze upon waterfalls, sheer granite cliffs, deep valleys, grand meadows, ancient giant sequoias, vast wilderness areas and so much more. Reservation tips! Campsites in Yosemite are extremely popular and typically sell out in minutes on the regular on-sale dates. Login to your account or create a new account before the 7:00 a.m. (PST) release time. You may only add reservations to your cart and proceed with your reservation if you are logged into your account. The recreation.gov call center does NOT have access to additional sites or additional information beyond what is published on recreation.gov.Yosemite National Park Campground Reservation Dates
Yosemite's trails, cliffs, roads and rivers provide endless recreational activities for any kind of visitor. Hiking, biking, rock climbing, fishing, horseback riding, rafting, auto touring, and photography are all very popular activities within the park. Hiking trails range from the easy paved, two-mile roundtrip walk to Mirror Lake/Meadow, to the grueling but rewarding 14- to 16-mile trek to Half Dome (permit required). Both of these trails begin near the Pines Campgrounds, and many additional trailheads are within Yosemite Valley. Rafting the Merced River is a fun way to cool down on a summer day when water levels are sufficient. Yosemite Valley also offers numerous guided bus tours, educational programs, museums, ranger-led activities,and an art center with workshops.
Yosemite Valley is forested with a diverse mix of California black oak, Ponderosa pine, Incense-cedar, White fir, and Whiteleaf Manzanita, which offers a pleasant combination of sun and shade. Through the trees, Yosemite's telltale granite cliff faces are visible, and the gentle, refreshing Merced River flows nearby.
Within one to two hours, visitors can drive or ride a shuttle bus to some of Yosemite's most grand viewpoints and historic sites. Glacier Point offers sweeping views of Yosemite Valley, Little Yosemite Valley, Half Dome, Vernal and Nevada Falls, and Clouds Rest, among other notable landmarks. A visit to Wawona and the Pioneer Yosemite History Center is like stepping back in time. The Tioga Road offers a 39-mile scenic drive past forests, meadows, lakes, and granite domes. Tuolumne Meadows embodies the high-country of the Sierra Nevada, with its broad sub-alpine meadows and granite domes and peaks. Beautiful Hetch Hetchy Reservoir is home to spectacular scenery and numerous wilderness trailheads.
Cancellations more than 48 hours in advance of arrival date only incur a $10 transaction fee. Within 48 hours, $10 and the first night's fee are charged (Exception: 1 night reservations do not incur an additional $10 fee, but do not receive a refund). No-shows will be assessed a $20 service fee along with the loss of the first night's fee.
$24 / night
Dispersed Camping is allowed in the National Forest except in the area surrounding Huntington Lake, Shaver Lake, Bass Lake, Redinger Lake, and the Merced River Canyon. Campfire permits are required at all times whenever you plan to have a fire on public land outside of a developed campground. When building a fire please remember to only pick up down and dead wood that is no larger than wrist size and to never leave a campfire unattended.
You can obtain a campfire permit at any Forest office or online at http://www.prevetnwildfireca.org/. Be sure to check and see if campfire restrictions are in effect, when campfire restrictions are in place you will not be able to make a fire in dispersed camping areas (Developed Designated Campgrounds Only) but, you will be able to operate gas stoves, and lanterns with your permit.
When camping in the Forest proper food storage is also required either using a bear box, or by the proper use of the counter balance method. While camping anywhere in the forest also keep in mind that there are other people in the forest and we advise you to respect them and their space.
You may stay at one campsite for a limit of 14 days and you may stay on each district for a limit of 21 days before we will ask you to vacate. Please follow ENVUM maps for all designated roads and vehicle limitations.
We ask you to always remember to pack out what you pack in. Human waste needs to be buried 6 to 8 inches deep. For any other questions about visiting and camping in the forest and in the wilderness please visit LeaveNoTrace.org.
$5 / night
Sweetwater Campground remains closed due to the 2020 Creek Wildfire Sweetwater Campground is laid out in a single loop along Chiquito Creek, shaded by pine, oak and cedar trees. Most sites overlook the creek or a brook that also runs by the campground.
The campground attracts visitors primarily for its fishing and swimming holes. Many recreational activities are available at Mammoth Pool, including boating, trout fishing, hiking and swimming.
The Sierra National Forest, located on the western slope of the central Sierra Nevada, is known for its spectacular mountain scenery and abundant natural resources. The terrain includes rolling, oak-covered foothills, heavily forested middle elevation slopes and the starkly beautiful alpine landscape of the High Sierra. Sweetwater Campground is located close to Mammoth Pool Reservoir near the Ansel Adams Wilderness. This area is known for its jagged peaks, including 13,157-foot Mt. Ritter, and numerous lakes and streams.
A popular pastime in the area is taking a drive on the 83-mile Sierra Vista Scenic Byway.
$38 - $40 / night
Agnew Meadows Group Campground is located in the Reds Meadow Valley section of the eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains, just west of the full-service community of Mammoth Lakes, California. Popular with large families, this group camping facility provides access to some of the most spectacular wilderness in the Sierras and many outdoor activities such as horseback riding, fishing, hiking and photography. Devils Postpile National Monument and the famous Ansel Adams Wilderness are nearby, and a pack station with horseback riding tours and supplies is just down the road.
This campground is a great base camp for hiking the area's many trails. Within a few miles, campers will find the High Trail, Shadow Creek Trail and River Trail, all open to hiking and horseback riding. Trailheads to the Ansel Adams Wilderness and Pacific Crest Trail are in the vicinity. Hikers are required to ride a shuttle to the trailheads. Fishing enthusiasts can try for trout in the many area lakes or the North Fork of the San Joaquin River.
The campground sits in a lodgepole pine forest surrounded by high mountain peaks, adjacent to creeks and a small lake. The elevation is 8,400 feet. Spring and early summer wildflower displays bring even more color to the landscape. Many species of wildlife call the mountains home, such as black bear, mountain lions, mule deer, pine marten, pika and numerous fish and birds.
The area is close to Devils Postpile National Monument and the Ansel Adams Wilderness. Both areas have trails, unparalleled photographic opportunities and are great day trips. Reds Meadow Pack Station and Resort has a general store and cafe. The trailhead for Rainbow Falls also begins near Reds Meadow. Devils Postpile National Monument Ansel Adams Wilderness
Once your reservation start date has begun, neither the Recreation.gov Contact Center nor the campground manager will be able to modify your reservation.
$48 / night
Guide
Quite a large level area, though it was November and not peak season so there were loads of space. We pulled in and there were a couple of trailers with horses and a couple of other vehicles and we parked with loads of space between. When we left early in the morning a handful more of vehicles had joined.
Legend
How do you snag a reservation in one of the most popular campgrounds in the entire NPS with just a few days notice? Easy! Set up a Dyrt Alert with your Dyrt PRO subscription. We did this and turned 1 night in the valley into 10. Here's to shoulder season camping! But come prepared as you might need your kayaking gear and your snowshoes on the same trip.
This is a great campground in valley, with many sites right by the Merced River, a view of Half Dome in the background, and a little forestry action means that you even get some sunshine down through those big pines and can recharge with solar in a few key sites. We were also able to run our Starlink to get some work done. You can walk to many trails, bike to others, and even stroll over to Curry Village for a meal, shower, or an ice cream.
What you have in these campsites is very similar throughout this park, paved spot with not a lot of room for big rigs, small area for tents, a spot for your car, picnic table, fire ring, and a food/ cooler/ cooking equipment storage locker. Seriously y’all, they will ticket your butt for not storing food properly– they do not mess around here in this park with feeding wildlife, either on accident or on purpose. And you will quickly learn why because the ground squirrels do not give a#$%^ about you except that you are a quick source of Cheetos-- and they’ll even climb up your leg to get some. Don’t even get me started about the Ravens, they are smart and they have a taste for potato chips! Bears make regular visits to these campgrounds, too.
The “Comfort Stations” as the NPS calls them means a couple of toilets that flush, a sink with cold running water, and a hand dryer. Bring your own soap. They can stay on top of cleaning them, but do your part too. Showers can be purchased at the Yosemite Curry Village area and they are just fine, but there is a high demand for them so plan ahead.
Unlike most parks, Yosemite has its own grocery store, gas station, bike rentals, restaurants, visitor’s center, park film theater, gift shop– and if you come at the right time of year, you can see “Shakespeare in the Park’s” live theater.
You can bike, hike, paddle, float, climb, sightsee, stargaze, climber stalk, waterfall gawk and walk. But parking is a bitch. So just leave everything at the campsite and hop on the bus to get around the park and the different hiking areas. The buses also have bike racks so you can bike as much as you want, then hop on the bus if you’re not feeling it anymore.
There are so many beautiful hikes, but please don’t go to the popular ones in the middle of the day, or maybe do, that way I can enjoy the less popular ones on my own time at my leisure. Understand that the valley is one of the most “touristed” destinations outside of Disney World, and get your head around it, settle in and make nice-nice with all the other folks who have been dying to come. But please don’t feed those squirrels, ravens, or bears!
Depending on which way you come into the park, the closest town with reasonable grocery store prices can be up to an hour away. So, it’s worth the price of admission to stock up on your way into the park.
Guide
Sagehen gives you beautiful roads throughout, no 4-wheeler required. Pines tree forest, big lots and 1bar phone reception just up the hill. I take my chair and take care of business.
Traveler
Great option, plenty options a dirt road
TravelerWe got there at 5pm on a Sunday. Went all the way to the back and In my opinion got the best spot. We had plenty of trees around us for privacy and shade. Highly recommend if you’re trying to camp close to Yosemite without a reservation. Only downside were the mosquitoes were on another level. They turned off once it got dark though.
TravelerNice flat spots along the Scenic Bypass road (not just where the map says). More secluded spots up the hill. The dirt hill road is fairly decent, but no medium+ to large rigs.
5 minutes into Mammoth town. 30 mins to Route 120 west turn, that takes you into Yosemite (tioga pass). I enjoyed a week's stay here. Negatives? Poor and spotty cell. A lot of airborne dirt when dirtbikes, and ATV's are active on weekends.
I would return to this enjoyable spot.
GuideA quiet, large space for setting up.
GuideThis spot is great, right outside the YNP, but the mosquitos will suck ever last drop of blood out of you! This was the very back spot but also a quiet spot.
GuideGot there late at night, around midnight. Had to find a spot but very quiet. Will stay there again!
GuideThis is a good location right near the south entrance of the park, but still about an hour from the valley. It was a little crowded and pretty bumpy road to get into the sites. But it worked well for staying for the night.
ScoutIt’s great
TravelerGreat location, close to Yosemite Park which allows you to sleep for free. the spot was clean, impressive camper vans were present and they were parked on the tarmac. lots of pitches, vans can be placed under the trees with the tents.
Scout
B
ScoutNear the revie
TravelerWe stayed here when visiting Yosemite and it was a great location, easy to find in the dark, and quiet. Part of the road was closed due to the season but we were still able to find a spot and had the place to ourselves. No cell service, bathrooms, or clear fire pits but it didn’t bother us!
ScoutWas a great place to stop so we could get an early start towards Yosemite. The stars were beautiful as there is almost no light pollution. There were a few others parked around the edge of the big lot and people were friendly. Easy to find. Will keep this spot saved. It was very cold, a bit icy in the morning the second week of November.
Legend
Reasonably priced for San Diego Area
GuideStayed Saturday and Sunday. This is the most perfect dispersed camping in the area. Just a few minutes from Yosemite NP entrance. Spots are pretty obvious which is great. Some have fire pits already established by previous campers. There’s a huge pile of wood that’s great for your fire. There’s a large paved area for RVs as well. Everyone was respectful. Some arrived closer to 10pm and still found a spot. No problem with noise after 10pm.
GuideHad a lovely evening here. Camp sites are clean and free of garbage. Spread out nicely to avoid any noisy neighbors. Beautiful way to start a cross country road trip.
GuideThis spot is located right next to the snow play area. Just off to the right hand side of the road there is a dirt trail. I even saw some Camry and a Honda deep in the woods here. Once you go deeper then the road become more bumpy and a 4x4 might be more beneficial. We enjoyed this spot. No water bathrooms or trash.Thank you.
TravelerOur Tacoma made it to the campsites toward the back of the grounds just fine, but there was access closer to the main road for vehicles without high clearance. Great location, close enough to town or Tioga Pass if you wish to visit Yosemite. A bit buggy so be aware. We stayed 2 nights, but at two separate campsites, each of them as good.
GuideFirst Dispersed camp site, arrived at 10pm and had no problem finding a camp site. It’s super dark so arriving early would hand been best. Great experience. Were several others camped out as well. Will stay again.
Traveler
This campground is definitely worth a visit! Beautiful area, well kept sites and lovely hiking trails. Lots of outdoor recreation available for rent as well.
GuideWe stayed at North Pines for 4 nights after winning the new lottery they did this year. It was so amazing! The site was actually really large. We didn't set up tents but it would've fit several. The site had its own small beach right on the river. Unfortunately the water was too swift to swim while we were there but I think most times it would probably be good. It says it fits a 24 ft trailer. We have about a 25 foot trailer, more like 28 with the hitch, and my husband's F250 hooked up still pretty much fit in the spot. That does include a few feet of overhang over the back curve. We also had my sons CRV and when we unhooked we were able to fit both cars on the pad no problem. We have verizon and cell service pretty much sucked but it's yosemite so you get over it. We could get some calls/texts, def no internet except at Yosemite Village. There are enough trees for a hammock and we had one up. Bathrooms were flushable but the nearest shower is in Curry Village. My parents stayed in site 303. It's small and right next to the bathroom. Their 29 ft RV fit perfectly though. Plus their site obviously floods in the winter/spring cause there was mud everywhere.
GuideStayed here on a Wednesday night, there were only a couple other people there and the sites are far apart so it felt private and very quiet. It was really hot during the day and chilly at night, probably 50°. Tons of firewood around. For RV camping there is a paved lot you can park in instead but definitely not as pretty. Pro tip- turn your vehicle off immediately upon entering your site because the exhaust attracted literal swarms of mosquitoes. Some spray, a fire and a thermocell remedies the problem quickly. Cell service was pretty good here (Verizon). It’s just a few minutes to get into the south entrance of Yosemite. Overall a really nice spot.
ScoutRoad getting there is pretty scary at night, but it’s super close to the park. There’s a parking lot to the left for rvs/vans and a dirt path that opens into an area for tents or any dispersed camping. We stayed in tents, there’s plenty of room to find a tent spot
No cell service
ScoutGreat spot for overnight car camping, no service, plenty of firewood
Horse camping in California offers a unique way to explore the great outdoors while enjoying the company of your equine friends. With numerous campgrounds catering to horse enthusiasts, you can find the perfect spot to set up camp and ride through stunning landscapes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Mammoth Lakes, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Mammoth Lakes, CA is Silver Lake Campground at June Lake with a 4.8-star rating from 15 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Mammoth Lakes, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 24 equestrian camping locations near Mammoth Lakes, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
