Do you love the outdoors and horses? If you're looking for a rustic but comfortable experience, horse camping in Mariposa is the way to go. Equestrian camping is an adventurous and unique way to experience the city. You're sure to find the perfect site for your California horse camping excursion.
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.
This recreation area is part of Eastman Lake
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
Codorniz Campground on Eastman Lake is a perfect launchpad for activities like canoeing, birding and hiking. Tucked in the Sierra Nevada foothills, the area attracts abundant wildlife like bobcats, golden eagles, mountain lions, hawks and wood ducks.
Eastman Lake is the first designated Trophy Bass Fishery, by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Both young and old anglers will find fishing on Eastman lake a satisfying challenge. At the campground, visitors can try their hand at disc golf or challenge a group of friends to a game of volleyball. Horseshoe pits are also available for a little friendly competition.
The rolling hills around Eastman Lake are surrounded by tall grasses and scattered oak trees, giving way to stunning mountain views. The lake features 1,780 surface acres, fed by the cool waters of the Chowchilla River.
The Sierra National Forest is a short drive to the east of the campground.
$20 / night
The backpackers campground is behind North Pines Campground (and across the footbridge). It is open the same dates as North Pines, mid-April through early-October (approximately); camping in the campground is only allowed when it is open. If arriving at night, please be quiet as you unload your car in the unloading zone and walk to the campground. This campground has vault toilets and no potable water (potable water is available nearby in North Pines Campground).
Collecting wood is not allowed in Yosemite Valley. Campfires are only allowed from 5 pm to 10 pm, May through September.
While you may park for 15 minutes at the entrance to the backpackers campground (in North Pines Campground) to unload your gear, park overnight at the trailhead parking or at Curry Village parking. (Overnight parking is not available at The Ahwahnee.)
Big Sandy Campground is a large sandy flat adjacent to Big Creek. Road access is paved and dirt. Total number of sites is 18. Sites have grills, fire rings and tables. Some sites have shade. Drinking water is not provided.
Bridalveil Creek Campground is located in breathtaking Yosemite National Park in Central California's rugged Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. The site is situated on Glacier Point Road at an elevation of 7,200 feet, 26 miles from Yosemite Valley. Within Yosemite, visitors can gaze upon waterfalls, sheer granite cliffs, deep valleys, grand meadows, ancient giant sequoias, vast wilderness areas and much more. Reservation Tips! Campsites in Yosemite are extremely popular and typically sell out in minutes. 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 For additional park information, call (209)372-0200 or visit www.nps.gov/yose
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 near Bridalveil Creek Campground are plentiful, ranging in length from a half-mile to nearly 13 miles. Popular hikes include the 4-Mile Trail, Panorama Trail, Taft Point, Sentinel Dome and Ostrander Lake.
The area is forested with pure stands of Red fir and Lodgepole pine, offering a pleasant combination of sun and shade. Vanilla-scented Jeffrey pine and picturesque western Juniper dot the landscape. Through the trees, Yosemite's craggy granite peaks are visible, and the gentle, refreshing Bridalveil Creek flows near the site.
A scenic, 7-mile drive leads to Glacier Point, with sweeping views of Yosemite Valley, Little Yosemite Valley, Half Dome, Vernal and Nevada Falls and Clouds Rest, among other notable landmarks. Just 45 minutes away is Yosemite Valley, an awe-inspiring landscape containing many of the famous features for which Yosemite National Park is known. Hiking trails and bike paths are abundant in the 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. 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.
Cancellation of individual or equestrian site reservations will be charged a $10 service fee. If the cancellation is within 48 hours of the arrival date, the first night's fee will also be charged. Cancellations for a single nights use within 48 hours will not receive a refund, but will not be assessed an additional service fee. Cancellation of a group site reservation will incur a $10.00 service fee plus the first nights use fee when the reservation is cancelled within 14 days of the scheduled arrival date. No-shows for any type of reservation will be charged a $20 service fee and the first night's fee.
$50 / 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 - $40 / night
Guide
Quite a large level area, though it was November and not peak season so there were loads of space. We pulled in and there were a couple of trailers with horses and a couple of other vehicles and we parked with loads of space between. When we left early in the morning a handful more of vehicles had joined.
Legend
How do you snag a reservation in one of the most popular campgrounds in the entire NPS with just a few days notice? Easy! Set up a Dyrt Alert with your Dyrt PRO subscription. We did this and turned 1 night in the valley into 10. Here's to shoulder season camping! But come prepared as you might need your kayaking gear and your snowshoes on the same trip.
This is a great campground in valley, with many sites right by the Merced River, a view of Half Dome in the background, and a little forestry action means that you even get some sunshine down through those big pines and can recharge with solar in a few key sites. We were also able to run our Starlink to get some work done. You can walk to many trails, bike to others, and even stroll over to Curry Village for a meal, shower, or an ice cream.
What you have in these campsites is very similar throughout this park, paved spot with not a lot of room for big rigs, small area for tents, a spot for your car, picnic table, fire ring, and a food/ cooler/ cooking equipment storage locker. Seriously y’all, they will ticket your butt for not storing food properly– they do not mess around here in this park with feeding wildlife, either on accident or on purpose. And you will quickly learn why because the ground squirrels do not give a#$%^ 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
This is an awesome spot, the hike out was absolutely gorgeous. We accessed it from the Palomarin trailhead. Beware, the costal weather can be volatile and you could get flash rain. Also, I highly recommend planning your visit with the sunny weather because it’s easy to pick a day that has endless overcast here, and it’s just not quite as much fun.
Also be careful what campsite you reserve. Some are absolute gems off on the ocean bluff. Others are more inland and packed in
Guide
Drive to the back area for tree shade and level grounds. Side of road camping. Camping on Ridgeline
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.
Guide
No wifi, bathrooms did not have hot water.
Cool park with extremely friendly and helpful staff. Cannot say enough about the great park rangers and camp hosts.
There were people close by to us with several tents and campers in one spot, not sure how this is monitored.
Spotty T Mobile Service $32 per night
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
GuideThere are few gems along the Hwy 99 route between Sacramento and Bakersfield but this is definitely one of them! Located a short 20 miles east of 99, just north of Fresno, this Army Corps of Engineers campground is stunning. Situated among rolling hills that are luscious green in the spring, this campsite is quiet and packed full of things to do. Whether you want to bike, hike, fish, boat or just sit and enjoy the peace and quiet, this is the site for you!
We're dry camping at the Wildcat site which the ranger said is rarely used. There is no one else in the whole campground!
Coyotes howled in the distance last night and it was dead quiet. Going to take the road bike out today and explore some of the roads around the Lake. Lake is full after the 2023 season.
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.
GuideIt’s a quiet campground on a hill. You are at least 30 minutes from any stores. The lake is beautiful but the campsites with power and water do not give a view of the lake at all with the exception of 42. AT&T cell signal from 45 was non existent but T-mobile worked well enough to stream Netflix. I enjoyed my stay. Clean and the camp hosts were great.
GuideA very cool spot for backpacking in with 6-8 miles to hike in, depending on the trails you take. The tall grass gave some privacy between neighboring campsites. Nice to have a water spigot on-site. Vault toilets with paper towel, no soap. Trash and recycling containers were handy. Just yards away from the beach. Just a reminder to cancel your reservation if you don’t plan to come, there were 2/8 sites not occupied on a Saturday that could have been used by someone who really wants to experience this great location.
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.
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.
Guide
We were there for 1 night. The view at campsite 57 is gorgeous! However, be prepared for the heat. It can reach up to 110F in summer. It is toasting even with shade. Restroom and showers need maintenance.
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.
Horse camping in California offers a unique way to explore the state's stunning landscapes while enjoying the companionship of your equine friends. With a variety of campgrounds catering to horse enthusiasts, you can find the perfect spot to set up camp and ride the trails.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Mariposa, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Mariposa, CA is Goat Meadow - Dispersed Camp Site with a 4.4-star rating from 29 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Mariposa, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 23 equestrian camping locations near Mariposa, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
