Horse-friendly camping options are limited in the vicinity of Martis Creek Lake. None of the campgrounds in the area explicitly provide horse corrals or dedicated equestrian facilities according to the available data. Lookout Campground, located near Truckee, allows pets and offers spacious sites with significant privacy between camping areas. The campground sits in a forested setting with access to nearby trails, though specific bridle paths are not identified in the reviews. The campground features standard amenities including picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets, with sites that can accommodate tents and RVs. Road access can be challenging, requiring slow driving on unmaintained dirt roads with ruts and loose rocks.
Washoe Lake State Park Campground, while not directly at Martis Creek, offers the most viable option for equestrians in the broader region. Located between Carson City and Reno, this park features well-maintained campsites with covered tables and fire rings. The park's natural setting attracts wildlife, including local bands of mustangs that occasionally visit the campground area. Sites include handicap accessible options and pull-through spaces for those with horse trailers. The park provides access to the lake shore, where riders can observe fish jumping and birds soaring over the water. Stunning sunset views over Mt. Rose enhance the camping experience. Visitors should verify current equestrian policies and trailer parking options before planning their trip.
$23 - $75 / night
"Right next to the water, and close to town. Cell phone reception. is spotty ."
"It was late and we couldn't find the owner so we ended up staying outside the park on the road. The manager got things worked out in the morning and refunded our money for the night before."
$10 - $75 / night
"The lake and the surrounding area takes on a different appearance depending on the season you visit, and whether it's been a wet year or a dry one."
"We stayed here for just under 2 weeks around Thanksgiving. Very beautiful area with hiking near the lake and mountains. The horses nearby were nice. Right between Reno and Carson City."
$47 - $128 / night
"The campground itself is beautiful, walking distance to Fallen Leaf Lake and short drive to South Lake Tahoe. My husband, my pup and I liked the campsite a lot."
"Water spigots and bathrooms around. Not on the lake but walking distance away. Taylor's Creek and Valhalla nearby too."
"I guess it’s a 5 minute uphill walk from the PCT and is hidden (plus not on PCT maps) so it’s relatively unused for non-locals. Always find something fun here left behind. 8 bunks."
$20 - $60 / night
"But most stay in other "dispersed" camping, and there aren't nearly as many vehicles as you might see, for example, in a Nevada dunes off-road park."
"First, it's quite an adventurous (read: bumpy) drive to get to it from the nearest paved road. Once you arrive, you'll be amazed at how much space there is between the sites."
$36 - $160 / night
"Just returned from a weekend getaway to Loon Lake. We (2 people, 1 pup) stayed two nights at site #25 at Loon Lake Campground. Perfect location for daytime fishing and nighttime stargazing."
"These two sites are right on the road next to the toilets and trash bins. Some smells and lots of noises and foot traffic, some 4x4 traffic as well."
"Fun historical place a nice hike away from Castle Peak and far enough away that you don’t get the crowds. Kitchen, firewood, fireplace, and a bunch of bunks"
$24 - $48 / night
"Bugs were minimal, a far cry from about 3 weeks ago at a nearby site. We were in Site 16, which has the ‘camp’ side opposite of our camper door - only reason we gave 4 stars & not 5."
"So remote and private but everything you need at the campground with water access within walking distance. Sites are great with picnic tables and bathrooms near by."
"Rocky and steep road access to Scott’s lake, but easy camping on the edge of the valley."
"come early for a spot. nice views around. lots and lots of bugs. i sleep in my car and crack the windows a little bit and i woke up to a shit ton of bugs that got in my car. even more surrounding the cars"
GuideThis campground is labeled as equestrian however anyone can stay. Great place close to Frenchman lake. Has pasture area for horses. Spots are well spaced out and never filled up while we stayed for 4 days. Tons of horseflies late morning and early afternoon. Pit toilets, and drinking water available. Easy to stay with trailers and rvs. Road is dirt/gravel on way in but easy to navigate.
ScoutThe good part is this is a beautiful place in the trees to camp with nearby hiking,. And it's equestrian friendly if you want to bring your horse. The Verizon connection was strong. Even when the campgrounds full on weekend. It's very quiet, more soldier in the week. Bring water as there is none available due to poor quality.
GuideIf you like Bird Watching (or wildlife in general), Boating, Fishing, Hang Gliding, Paragliding, Equestrian Activities, Camping or BBQ's, or even history, then this is a place you might enjoy.
The lake and the surrounding area takes on a different appearance depending on the season you visit, and whether it's been a wet year or a dry one. Sometimes when it has been extremely dry, the larger of the 2 lakes dries up either partially or entirely, leaving the smaller one as a valuable water source for Wild Mustangs who live in the area. (which is a great opportunity for photographers).
When the larger lake bed dries up a little, it extends the hang gliding / paragliding landing zone. (take off point is up on the hill on Eastlake Blvd, which is also a good view point of the lakes).
During the wetter years, the larger lake fills up, allowing water activities such as boating to take place on both lakes, and provides you with the opportunity to bird watch at any of the wildlife viewing areas provided. The smaller lake also provides bird watching opportunities (Osprey and other birds of prey like to fish there) You can also fish at the smaller lake, just don't eat them, the area was once used for the processing mills during the mining boom.
Also if you are into wildlife, there is the occasional coyote hunting the area, owls, hawks, bald eagles, and if you want to see deer, take a little drive up Eastlake Blvd towards little Washoe Lake, and one of the fields on the right often has huge herds of Mule Deer, and the occasional wild horse. Talking of Wild horses, you are requested not to feed or harass the wild Mustangs anywhere in Nevada (Washoe lake park included). Horses can be defensive, especially when they have young foals. Also feeding them anything other than what they naturally eat in the wild, not only causes a high number of deaths in the herds, it also creates dangerous situations on the roadways when horses come to retrieve the food. (it can also cost you thousands of dollars in fines) There are people who regularly monitor the interaction visitors have with the horses. But if you want to interact with a horse, why not bring your own for a ride around too, people often bring their horses down for a trot around the grounds.
There are restrooms available throughout the park, and facilities for camping. It is a good place for dogs, though it is requested that you clean up after them. There are doggie clean up stations available, and containers for waste.
The land the park sits on was once owned by one of Nevada's wealthiest men Theodore Winters, who was a prominent businessman and politician in early Nevada history. He once owned some of the most famous racehorses in the world, and his cheese was world renown. His Ranch is still around, and you can find it located just on the other side of the lake (Old Route 395), not far from the Chocolate Nugget Candy Factory (which is great if you get a hankering for something sweet), and Old Washoe City.
The lake's history goes back even further than that, the area was once inhabited by the local tribes people, and before the early pioneer's came and settled here, they used hunt ducks on the lake, and fished here. There is probably still the odd chance you might come across old Native tools and arrowheads, but the State of Nevada does ask you to leave artifacts where they are found. Check the local and federal laws before attempting to remove anything.
It has some lovely sunsets here, the view can be spectacular at times and changes according to season and weather, and the wildlife seem to enjoy it. Nice place to go and hang out with family and friends, and if you happen to forget to bring anything, you are only a little drive from Carson City :)
GuideThis is quintessential California no frills forest camping under trees that are so tall they muffle all sound, where the dirt is so infused with pine needles that it smells like incense. Although this is a horse camp, anyone can camp here. It is primitive, but if you have your own toilet you'll be ok. Otherwise, you can use the old pit toilets provided. Because this is a horse camp, the sites are spacious. Kick back and enjoy.
GuideWe stayed here for just under 2 weeks around Thanksgiving. Very beautiful area with hiking near the lake and mountains. The horses nearby were nice. Right between Reno and Carson City. Access to Casinos and Restuarants nearby(10 minute drive or so). The Park has showers and bathrooms as well as water and electricity hook ups. The camp host was nice and provides us with a huge bundle of firewood for only a $5 donation.
LegendOfficially this is listed as an equestrian campground. We were there during the off season so no one else was around. The campground was quiet and peaceful. Website stated that fees are not collected at this time. There are only 6 sites here and it is a compact little campground. The sites are a good size but the loop is tight and it took some creative maneuvering to back into our site.
The road in was fairly smooth with some areas of washboard, managed fine in our 26’ Class C. Water is available from an hand pumped spigot at the entrance of the campground, website states non potable but we drank it and it was fine and in fact tasted really fresh. There is no garbage so pack in and pack out.
The bathrooms were open. Each space has a bear box, fire pit and picnic table all in good condition. Sites were relatively flat and a mix of sun and shade.
There is hiking and biking on the main dirt road and on the multiple side roads. There was a few vehicles coming and going but not so busy as to be annoying.
The view of the huge meadow was nice and just before you reach the campground there are a few buildings that are open and some horse corrals.
Zero cell service from AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile.
GuideBeautiful spot 1/2 mile walk to lake, wild horses roaming camp, quiet & clean.
LegendThis place is a great place to camp with or without horses.
Ride out from your site on your ATV or SBS for miles of trails to explore.
There is a water but must be hand pumped from the well and boiled.
Only 6 sites here, not very level but easy to fix with blocks. This campground is in an area that burned but no damage to the campground. Plenty of tall pine trees, hang a hammock and chill.
There are corals for horses near the campground.
We were the only people there on a Friday afternoon.
Came in from Frenchman Lake and out on Doyle Grade Rd. Of the two we will go back on Doyle Grade Road, not as much dirt road and in better condition.
LegendWe got a last minute cancelled site at the Fallen Leaf Campground, and thought we’d truly lucked out. We stayed at site 87 which is nestled among towering native pine trees on the South end of the campground and one of the few sites which doesn’t have neighbors on all sides. The sites have the standard standing BBQ's and fire rings at all sites (but we couldn’t utilize them because of the fire ban), old picnic tables and various amounts of space for RV’s/cars and the tried and true bear box. In this campground you NEED to utilize the bear boxes. They have signs everywhere about the mass amount of bear activity and how there is a mother and her 2 cubs which have been terrorizing the campground for some time this season (2018). Again, you need to keep everything (food, toiletries, etc.) in the bear box at all times. The sites are reservable, and on top of the $35 (nonelectric) per site there is a $7 fee for a second vehicle, Yurts go for $86 which do have power and a nonrefundable $10 service fee…. While the campground allows dogs, they aren’t allowed in the Yurts.
There’s lots of bear proof dumpsters around the campground, lots of potable water in strategic spots and a number of decent restrooms, and it was nice that at some of them they provided hot (pay) showers (at $1 per 3 minutes) and while the ADA has some control the standard one has no control over the heat or pressure its simply on or off. Also, the restrooms have no soap, paper towels, or hand dryers, etc. Which was a little disappointing for the cost.
My biggest disappointment in the setup of the campground has to do with the bears and cleaning your dishes. There is no dish-washing area in the entire ~200 site, ~14 bathroom campground. They specifically ask that you don’t wash your dishes in the sinks or at the water spigots as they don’t want any food particles going down the drains. So, when I asked about disposing of the dish water they said to just toss it at the base of a tree, as it’s dry and the trees would appreciate it. This doesn’t help keep the bears away… While we scrapped and collected every bit of food waste we could and tossed it into the dumpsters, ff you’re just tossing food scrap-soaked water at the base of the trees the bears are going to come for the smell… I’ve stayed at other sites in bear country which have setups for disposing of the waste water and food scraps to detract bears and Fallen Leaf definitely is lacking and this is possibly part of the reason they’re having such an issue with bears.
While, our site (87) would probably normally be a great location with the Fallen Leaf Lake being the only thing behind you and no neighbors on at least 2 of your sides, we happened to somehow book the same weekend that a corporate event was taking over the vast majority of the campground with almost 200 people….
While, not entirely the campgrounds fault it was a little disruptive to have this mass number of people come directly next to us in site 88 for their meals as they’d decided to make that site the meal prep site for breakfast (they started prep at 5:30 am) and dinner (we actually had to ask the drunk group to stop screaming at midnight) these were both well outside the “quiet hours” and definitely surpassed the “6 people per site” rule.
Otherwise this campground is in a great location to see the area as it’s only approximately one-quarter mile north of Fallen Leaf Lake. The trail from the campground was only 3 sites over from us. The Taylor Creek Visitor Center is directly across Highway 89 and is a great location to talk to the Rangers about other potential hikes in the area. They also have interpretive programs, guided walks on the Rainbow Trail and to the Stream Profile Chamber (which was closed because someone decided to break it. Although it should be repaired now… end of September 2018). Also, nearby Baldwin Beaches or Pope Beach, which cost $10, or you can go to the Tallac Historic Site with tours and events at its historic buildings and grounds and the free (dog friendly) Kiva beach which is exactly the same as the other pay access beaches….
There’s also a really nice paved bike trail that runs 3 miles along Highway 89 and can be used to access all of the above. You have access to excellent day hiking and backpacking in Desolation Wilderness via the Glen Alpine or Mt. Tallac trailheads which are also nearby.
Equestrian camping options in the vicinity of Martis Creek Lake are limited but available within a drivable radius. Martis Creek Lake sits at approximately 5,800 feet elevation in the Sierra Nevada mountains near Truckee, California. This high-elevation area experiences cold winters with significant snowfall and mild summers with temperatures typically ranging from 40-80°F during camping season.
Trail riding access: North Canyon Campground provides primitive camping with bear lockers and toilet facilities but no running water. "There's a stream close to it you can filter from. Hard to get any signal in this Canyon & texting is hard to accomplish as most of the time you have no service & at best only have 1 bar," notes Jason E. Riders can access the nearby Tahoe Rim Trail.
Crystal collecting: Lookout Campground offers access to Crystal Peak. "The trail from the campground to Crystal Peak was great. It's more like Crystal knoll. The history of Crystal Peak is amazing, and the crystals are everywhere. Really nice views from atop the knoll too," reports Ray B. The area is popular with riders seeking both wilderness experiences and geological exploration.
Lake activities: Logger Campground offers water access for horses and riders. "Right on the lake and in the shade of the trees most of the day so it doesn't get too hot," notes Beverly C. The campground provides space for trailers and horses with lakefront access within walking distance.
Space between sites: Lookout Campground provides exceptional privacy for horse owners. "This campground earns 4 stars because of its amazing privacy. First, it's quite an adventurous (read: bumpy) drive to get to it from the nearest paved road. Once you arrive, you'll be amazed at how much space there is between the sites," writes Kade H. This spacing allows horse owners to camp without crowding other visitors.
Year-round options: Washoe Lake State Park Campground offers winter camping opportunities. "Winter camping is available on Loop A with full power hookups on a first come, first serve basis. Bathrooms are open all winter. Hiking is nice right from the campground and wild horses graze not far away," reports Andrew R. This provides equestrians flexibility for off-season riding.
Wildlife viewing: Scout's Lake Road Dispersed Camping area offers free primitive camping with wildlife opportunities. "Dispersed camping not far from Lake Tahoe. Easy to drive into just be careful of potholes and large puddles from rain, even in summer. There are herds of cows that will make their way through the area, please be respectful of them!" advises Alex P.
Road conditions: Access to many equestrian-friendly campgrounds requires navigating rough terrain. For Lookout Campground, "About 75% of the road is unmaintained hill road, where you have to hug one side or another to avoid 6-inch+ ruts, loose rocks up to 5" in diameter, passable by a 2-wheel drive vehicle with reasonable ground clearance and not concerned about rocks on the paint, driving 10-15 MPH," warns S K. This can be challenging with horse trailers.
Limited facilities: Most horse-friendly camping near Martis Creek Lake offers basic amenities. At North Canyon Campground, riders should note it "only has 4 sites at the campground. However, it is open all year round & it is free. Also has bear lockers which is good. Has toilet facility but no running water," according to Jason E.
Seasonal considerations: Fall camping offers advantages for equestrians. At Logger Campground, "I have stayed here in summer and in fall. I prefer fall because there are not many people and you can have the lake to yourself. Summer I would not attempt it as it turns into an RV city," notes Davidson L.H.
Lake access: East Meadow Campground provides family-friendly options for equestrians. "Beautiful campgrounds with access to sandy beaches from your tenting spots. Access to the Pacific crest trail & many other hiking routes," writes Anthony K. The sandy beach areas are ideal for families with both children and horses.
Wildlife awareness: When camping with children and horses, prepare for wildlife encounters. "It attracts lots of wildlife and it is bear country so lock up your food, or better yet tie it up in a tree especially in fall when the bears are bulking up for winter," advises Davidson L.H. about Logger Campground.
Stargazing opportunities: Loon Lake provides excellent night sky viewing for families. "Just returned from a weekend getaway to Loon Lake. Perfect location for daytime fishing and nighttime stargazing," shares Jordyn A. The clear skies provide educational opportunities for children while horses rest overnight.
Trailer parking: Fallen Leaf Campground offers options for larger rigs. "Sites have lots of space, table, fire ring and generally level drive pads. Water spigots are not too far," explains marcus K. This layout accommodates horse trailers and RVs in the same site.
Seasonal water access: RVers with horses should check water availability. At Washoe Lake State Park, "We paid $25 instead of the full $30 required for an out-of-state vehicle at a hookup site. I think $5 was taken off since the water at the sites was still shut off," notes Mea H.
Generator considerations: Equestrians camping with RVs should be aware of noise restrictions. At Loon Lake, one camper noted, "Only complaint would be generators running most of the day from all the RV's." This can affect horses sensitive to noise and disturb the camping experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Martis Creek Lake?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Martis Creek Lake is Logger Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 13 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Martis Creek Lake?
TheDyrt.com has all 30 equestrian camping locations near Martis Creek Lake, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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