1 campground with availability this weekend
Joseph D Grant County Park - Horse Camp in San Jose offers campground accommodations for equestrians traveling near Marina, California. The facility includes designated horse camping areas with amenities for both riders and their horses. The county park maintains separate areas for equestrian camping from standard tent and RV sites. Campers reference The Dyrt for top tips on camping near Marina, California. Sites are reservable and include drinking water, picnic tables, and access to toilets and showers. The park is accessible via drive-in or walk-in options and permits horses, though no dedicated horse corrals are listed in the facilities. Alcohol is allowed, and campfires are permitted with firewood available on-site.
Located approximately 60 miles from Marina, this horse-friendly county park provides access to trails suitable for riding while offering overnight accommodations. The park remains open year-round for camping, making it accessible during all seasons. Sites accommodate both tents and RVs, though no electric hookups are available at the horse camp. Trash collection services are provided, and the grounds are maintained for cleanliness. While not directly on the coast, the inland location offers different terrain and vegetation than coastal campgrounds. Visitors should note that trailer parking considerations may apply, and reservation requirements should be confirmed in advance, especially during peak seasons when horse camping areas may fill quickly.
"Close to the highway with a fairly easy on and off the although it's a little confusing at first. All day/night highway noise but it starts to become white noise after a while."
"The location is very secluded as bd far from stores but fairly close to the sea. Have visited a few time and enjoy the stay. Not many issues. I’m looking forward to the Upgrades!"
"Part of the KOA franchise, this is a very clean, well positioned RV and Cabin park for exploring the Monterey, Salinas, Watsonville, Santa Cruz area."
"Typical TT resort park off the beaten path, far out but nice place, we enjoyed our stay. At the time we were there a lot of the riverfront sports were out of order."
"Right near Pinnacles National Park! We had Condors above our cabin, deer around us, wild pigs crossing the roads. Its amazing!!!! My favorite part of our California trip was staying here!"
"The lake is closed to any and all water-craft because the water level is too low. It is very clean and well maintained for the most part. Cell phone service for Xfinity/Verizon is spotty at best."
"Campsites are along the beautiful Coyote lake. The lakeside sites are mostly shaded as are the sites along the road. Sites 43, 44 and 45 would be the most secluded."
from $34 / night
"This is a primitive campground, no showers only vault toilets and restroom near visitor center ( 2 min walk from campground) both decently clean. Water for washing dishes is available."
"There is a small visitor center close to the entrance, with a few souvenirs and some snacks and drinks. Visitor Center only takes cash."
Available this weekend
from $20 / night
"The bathrooms were a short walk down hill. They were clean with flushing toilets. There camp ground was quiet and it was mostly couples or small family groups."
"Hamilton and a lake up the road a way, there’s also a mansion & rose garden on the property, shower & bathroom are clean, there are nights to gather and stargaze.The tent spaces are sizable &"
"Good trails."
from $15 - $400 / night
"However, this gorgeous state park has dozens of beautiful trails winding through cattle country and down along streams and ponds in the Dinosaur Point area. NO WATER."
"Clean, bathrooms near by. Very relaxing and away from San Jose."
GuideVery nice for a one night stop. Very windy road to get to the park. Sites are well kept and have a solid amount of room. Super clean bathrooms and good free showers. Lots of wildlife to see and hear (coyotes). Didn’t get 5 starts cause it was quite busy with loud neighbors!
GuideCalled on 7/14/26, they said "we won't cancel any reservation due to arriving late or next day"
TravelerVery reasonable $36 per night for rv hookup. Off season is cheaper and less crowded. Turkeys and deer. There are wild pigs, but I haven’t seen any. Bathrooms are clean, showers are free. I had several sites to choose from when I arrived-without a reservation.
GuideCoe Ranch Campground is small, clean, and well run, with plenty of nearby toilets and garbage cans. Sites aren’t terribly private but not too close together either. Some reviewers complained there wasn’t a level site in the whole campground but Site 13 was perfectly level for our truck camper down at the bottom. Maybe research your options here and on CampsitePhotos.com beforehand to see if they fit your style of camping. (The more exposed sites and the two sites by the bathrooms wouldn’t work for me.) Views are excellent from the campground parking lot, as well as from some sites, although those sites have little privacy. It’s a twisty 13-mile drive up to the campground but worth the effort if you’re looking for a quiet getaway for the weekend. Coe SP has miles of beautiful trails, loads of wildlife, and hike-in campsites that make a stay worthwhile, even if you decide the campground isn’t for you.
TravelerWe hiked into the campsite with a scenic 3 mile journey. Very shady, very simple site. Pit toilets, fire pits, and some tables… what more could you need? Loved hiking down to the river and taking a swim on a hot day.
GuidePretty basic place. Level, noisy highway. Very friendly staff clean. I enjoy more of the outdoors so not really my cup of tea. Very narrow spaces.
GuideNice bathrooms no tokens needed, hot water, clean sink for dishes. Lotsa shaded oak spaces. Good trails.
RangerI had a big spot and no neighbors my entire half of the campground on a Monday night in June. I was under 2 big oaks that were buzzing with bird activity.
The bathrooms were clean and I had water on my site. I had some AT&T service.
ScoutOne of my favorite campgrounds as it’s very local and has beautiful scenery. I come here atleast once a month for some camping!
Joseph D Grant County Park offers equestrian-focused camping with standard amenities located in San Jose, approximately 60 miles from Marina, California. The campground sits at 2,900 feet elevation in the Diablo Range foothills and remains open through all seasons. Sites accommodate both tents and trailers without electric hookups, providing visitors with a base for exploring over 51 miles of multi-use trails through oak woodlands.
Wildlife viewing: The area surrounding Joseph D. Grant County Park supports diverse wildlife. "Lots of beautiful wildlife," notes Ashley E., who camped here. Lisa D. adds that "some seasons there are wild pigs running around everywhere," creating unique wildlife spotting opportunities.
Stargazing: Clear night skies away from city lights make Grant Park ideal for astronomy. Lisa D. mentions "there are nights to gather and stargaze" at Joseph D. Grant County Park, making it a good spot for amateur astronomers.
Hiking: Henry W. Coe State Park offers extensive trail networks for day hikes or backcountry adventures. Austin C. reports, "Hiked about 8 miles southwest to a lake the first night and camped in my hammock by the lake. Second day backpacked about 12 miles northeast to another lake."
Clean facilities: Many horse camp visitors appreciate the well-maintained amenities. Jason R. notes that Joseph D Grant County Park has "nice bathrooms no tokens needed, hot water, clean sink for dishes." This practical setup makes extended stays with horses more comfortable.
Secluded camping: Coyote Lake Harvey Bear Ranch County Park provides a sense of remoteness despite proximity to towns. Michelle W. shares, "I had a big spot and no neighbors my entire half of the campground on a Monday night in June. I was under 2 big oaks that were buzzing with bird activity."
Lake access: Several parks near Marina offer water recreation. Kate L. describes Coyote Lake: "Campsites are along the beautiful Coyote lake. The lakeside sites are mostly shaded as are the sites along the road. Sites 43, 44 and 45 would be the most secluded. Bring kayaks here (must be inspected first)."
Limited amenities: Most horse campgrounds near Marina, California operate with basic services. At Joseph D. Grant Park, Sophie S. notes: "The bathrooms were a short walk down hill. They were clean with flushing toilets." Melissa S. adds, "Bathrooms and showers were available. Camp host was friendly. They also sell ice which was nice to grab for the cooler."
Access restrictions: Many parks have specific entry requirements. Jason R. points out a critical detail about Joseph D Grant County Park: "Gate closes 8:15pm," meaning late arrivals cannot enter.
Terrain challenges: Sites at some parks have difficult topography. Karen reports about Henry W. Coe State Park: "We were surprised when we made it to this campground- that it was built on the side of a hill. The walk-in sites may be different, but all of the pull in sites were extremely off-level (even with all our blocks we couldn't get close)."
Wildlife education: Thousand Trails San Benito offers excellent wildlife viewing opportunities for children. Samantha N. enthusiastically reports, "Seriously love this place! We had Condors above our cabin, deer around us, wild pigs crossing the roads. Its amazing!"
Site selection: Choose shaded sites with level ground for comfortable family camping. Josh J. recommends specific sites at Henry W. Coe State Park: "I'd recommend sites 10-12, 13 looked ok - and sounds like other folk recommend the ones down the hill a bit."
Activity planning: Some parks provide dedicated facilities for children. At Salinas-Monterey KOA, Ben V. notes, "They have nice facilities and a heated pool although a hot tub would be nice also. All day/night highway noise but it starts to become white noise after a while. Not a lot of outdoor activities other than the pool and bags and the K9 trail, but pleasant to walk though."
Road conditions: Salinas-Monterey KOA provides accessible RV sites but with some limitations. Korey Y. describes it as a "Pretty basic place. Level, noisy highway. Very friendly staff clean. Very narrow spaces."
Hookup availability: While many equestrian campgrounds have limited RV services, nearby alternatives exist. CJ J. notes about Cabana Holiday RV Park: "The streets are wide and the pull-ins are easy to access. the Wi-Fi here is good enough to check email but not for streaming or anything intensive."
Levelness challenges: RVers should bring adequate leveling equipment. Tyler V. advises about San Benito: "At the time we were there a lot of the riverfront sports were out of order. Park does have a lot of those devil spikes in the grass so beware of those with the dogs or bare feet."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Marina, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Marina, CA is Salinas-Monterey KOA with a 4.4-star rating from 7 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Marina, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 9 equestrian camping locations near Marina, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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