Best Equestrian Camping near Midpines, CA

Midpines is an ideal place for camping adventures of all kinds. There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in, as well as sights to see and explore. Discover great camping spots near Midpines, reviewed by campers like you.

Best Equestrian Sites Near Midpines, California (24)

    1. Goat Meadow - Dispersed Camp Site

    40 Reviews
    Fish Camp, CA
    19 miles
    Website

    "After accidentally driving to this location following the directions of another reviewer for the “Yosemite Boondocks” campground across 41 (which we never found) we were very happy with this location."

    "Great spot about 5 minutes away from Yosemite entrance. Only a few other campers nearby but plenty of space to where they were only seen from a distance."

    2. North Pines Campground — Yosemite National Park

    23 Reviews
    Yosemite Valley, CA
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (209) 372-8502

    $48 / night

    "Great location right in the middle of Yosemite Valley. Great access to beautiful hikes and scenery. The camp sites are spacious."

    "There is a shuttle stop right outside the campground. You are also in easy walking distance to the path to Mirror Lake and the ever popular Mist Trail."

    3. Bridalveil Creek Campground — Yosemite National Park

    5 Reviews
    Yosemite Valley, CA
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (209) 375-9535

    $36 - $75 / night

    "Decent access to drinking water and each site has tables and fire rings, no RV hookups (another reason you have more "campers" and it's less noisy at night)."

    "Your best bet is to visit the valley and camp outside the Park or in locations outside the valley. The granite cliffs and waterfalls are something to treasure."

    4. Yosemite Valley Backpacker's Campground — Yosemite National Park

    11 Reviews
    Yosemite Valley, CA
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (209) 372-0200

    "For people with mobility issues, this site is a good walk away from the inner valley trails, fine for anyone else who is up for walking distances, because that is why you came to Yosemite!"

    "Beautiful campground, unfortunately right next to the trail, but very spacious and also has bathrooms and picnic tables right there!"

    6. COE Eastman Lake Codorniz Campground

    9 Reviews
    Raymond, CA
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (559) 689-3255

    $20 - $100 / night

    "It would make the perfect group site as they were a bit tucked back from the other sites. Site #12 could easily be connected to site #11 as the brush is well-cleared between the two."

    "Located a short 20 miles east of 99, just north of Fresno, this Army Corps of Engineers campground is stunning."

    7. Big Sandy Campground

    5 Reviews
    Fish Camp, CA
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (209) 966-3638

    "Off-road on the way to the camp site. We stayed at #4, with a good shade and it’s by the creek. Everything is good only it’s too dusty when other cars pass by without slowing down."

    "Has a creek through the middle next to pretty much all sites. The stars at night are incredible. It’s about a 40 minute drive from Yosemite."

    8. Yosemite Ridge

    3 Reviews
    Groveland, CA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (209) 888-0248

    $40 - $80 / night

    "You are aboute 12 Mi. to Yosemite Park entrance. It is family business , very clean and you feel country!  They provide everything for you. There are few fool hock ups and they provide also fire wood."

    10. Sweetwater

    10 Reviews
    Wishon, CA
    36 miles
    Website
    +1 (559) 642-3212

    $41 - $43 / night

    "The site is pet friendly and has horse stables. Our neighbors were friendly and quiet. The site had a picnic table, fire pit, water spout and full electricity hook ups."

    "Driving from the West toward Yosemite this location is one which will allow you to find a camping option before getting into the big crowds. "

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Equestrian Camping Reviews near Midpines, CA

162 Reviews of 24 Midpines Campgrounds


  • Jul. 26, 2018

    North Pines Campground — Yosemite National Park

    Equestrian campground in the Yosemite Valley

    Great location right in the middle of Yosemite Valley. Great access to beautiful hikes and scenery. The camp sites are spacious. Because it's an equestrian campground, you will smell the horses and stables....be prepared. The river is close to the campgrounds and are refreshing on a hot day.

  • Mark G.
    Jun. 21, 2019

    Granite Creek Campground

    Worth the trip

    If you wanna get away and camp next to a river and down a trail and shoot your gun or go fishing you can freedom you can horseback ride if you have horses he can fish there are fish there trout it's beautiful peaceful.

  • K
    May. 16, 2018

    North Pines Campground — Yosemite National Park

    Convenient, Great View

    This campground is in the heart of Yosemite Valley. It is great to camp on the valley floor, especially during peak season as traffic from all main gates to the valley floor is very congested. There is a shuttle stop right outside the campground. You are also in easy walking distance to the path to Mirror Lake and the ever popular Mist Trail. Shuttle stops at all valley attractions and you can easily get to the Pizza Deck in Half Dome Village, the deli in Yosemite Village, and many different hiking trails. Some spots are right along the Merced River. No showers here, but hot showers are close by at Half Dome Village. We will be back!

  • Christy C.
    Jun. 30, 2016

    North Pines Campground — Yosemite National Park

    Worth the wait

    It is hard to get a Camping spot in Yosemite but well worth it if you do. I got up early many a morning to try and get a day here or there for our summer trips out west. You can always try the daily lottery in the village office which we did one day. So Any campground in the valley is good and in close proximity to everything going on. This campground is located on the Merced river and is primitive. The horse stables are in this loop as well.There is a water station by entrance to fill up. No electric, sewer or shower. There are bathrooms with an outlet (Yea- can charge your Phone but get in line) You can bathe in river like I do or go to curry village and pay for a shower at housekeeping. You get a fire ring and a bear box at each site. Generator hours are limited so plan accordingly.

  • iliana S.
    Jun. 20, 2022

    North Pines Campground — Yosemite National Park

    a national park tradition

    We were lucky to get 5 days in a row during 4th of July weekend in 2021 at one of the best sites within North Pines campground. We set up camp at site #515, we had a fire pit, bear locker, picnic table and two tents! Within walking distance is the edge of the Merced river, from there you have views of Yosemite Falls. One of my favorite activities was take a short walk with a floating tube from the campsite to the entrance of the campground and hop into the river float back down and get off near our campsite! Our site also offered a good amount of shade and was a short walk from the restrooms. We were surround amongst the giant granite cliffs. One of the best camping trips with great company. 10/10 would recommend.

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 10, 2021

    Goat Meadow - Dispersed Camp Site

    Amazing off grid Location, Quiet, RV access

    After accidentally driving to this location following the directions of another reviewer for the “Yosemite Boondocks” campground across 41 (which we never found) we were very happy with this location.

    First, to tell you how to properly get here and find all the spots, drive to the end of the road (don’t pay attention to the gate and “off road” dirt road you see to the left before the parking lot. Don’t go there. Go to just before the big Snow Play parking lot and head right through the dirt. There is no paved road but the area is flat and any car, truck or rv/trailer can make it back here easily. I got nervous at first about ability to turnaround so I parked prematurely near the entrance. Keep going and you’ll find at least 4 or 5 big private areas separated by huge cut logs all with plenty of room to turnaround and not have to back up.

    If you’re nervous, we watched several cars, vans, and trailers camp overnight in the big paved parking lot right past this, and that’s fine, but you’re in a parking lot. Come out to the right and you’re in heaven.

    We were the only RV here and had it to ourselves an entire week (granted it’s early November). Can’t beat the proximity to Yosemite south entrance.

  • Erin S.
    Nov. 1, 2019

    North Pines Campground — Yosemite National Park

    Ranger Review: Wenzel Grand Basin 10 tent at North Pines

    North Pines is one of three campgrounds on the floor of Yosemite Valley. Across the Merced River from the other two campgrounds and adjacent to the horse stables, it is relatively isolated with no major roads running by it. Nevertheless, it is well connected to the rest of the valley amenities, with a quick walk to the bus station, a longer walk (1 mi) to the visitor center via the Valley Loop Trail, or a drive (if you don't mind braving traffic and searching for parking spaces). 

    The sites are not well defined. You have a place to park and besides that, it is a little of a free-for-all with the adjacent sites as to where you set up your gear. Despite that, we had plenty of room to set up our large 10 person tent, without feeling crowded or that we were overspilling our space. We were there the last weekend it was open (Oct 26/27) and all sites were booked. There are no hook-ups, and the comfort stations only have toliets and sinks (no showers), a fresh water faucet, and a disposal "toliet" for dish water. All dishes must be washed at camp. The facilities were fairly clean, though the disposal toilet often backed up.  Being late October, I was expecting very cold conditions. But the weather was great! 70s during the day and 40s at night. Clear skies. Absolutely beautiful. 

    Our site was located right next to the comfort station, and in hindsight I wish we had found a place a little farther away. But besides the proximity, our site was nice with a fire pit and picnic table. Quiet hours are from 1000-0600, and we had to remind our neighbor campers who came back drunk at midnight to shut it, but that seems to be more the normal than abnormal these days. There were mostly tents in the campground, with a few small RVs and trailers. Generators are allowed during limited hours, but the noise wasn't overwhelming, since they were few and far between.

    As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I get products to test from time to time. This weekend I got to test the Wenzel Great Basin 10 tent (https://wenzelco.com/great-basin-10/). Overall, my impression of this tent is that it is a solid and reliable tent. Yes, it has a few design items that could be improved for ease of use, but overall it served us well and I look forward to using it again. The tent is a domed center-opening design, with two side "rooms" that can be separated by zipped curtains, making three interior spaces total. My husband and I filled up on room with two large cots facing length wise (we had them oriented along center line and still had enough room to move along the sides). The other side has more than ample room for my daughter's small cot, which ran the width of the tent along the side window. Very comfortable for three people. 

    Yes, this is a huge tent. Can it be set up by one person? Probably, if that person is patient and tenacious. Two people work much better. A few design items we found annoying were the pole connections, which would frequently catch on the tent pole sleeves and center strap. Also, the zipper flap on the tent's door would frequently get caught in the zipper, making it almost a necessity to use two hands to open and close the tent. Besides these two small inconveniences, the tent worked great. The rain fly fits snug against the tent roof. The construction felt sturdy and we liked the design of the three interior rooms. 

    Overall, we had a fun two nights in Yosemite. We might make a tradition out of going for the closing weekend each year.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 5, 2025

    Goat Meadow - Dispersed Camp Site

    Great Spot

    Great spot about 5 minutes away from Yosemite entrance. Only a few other campers nearby but plenty of space to where they were only seen from a distance. A couple nights there were louder campers on the paved side of the area but nothing crazy. Will most definitely stay there again

  • Olivia K.
    Sep. 24, 2021

    Yosemite Valley Backpacker's Campground — Yosemite National Park

    Upper Pines Oasis

    Great campground, nestled beneath the giant granite cliffs. For people with mobility issues, this site is a good walk away from the inner valley trails, fine for anyone else who is up for walking distances, because that is why you came to Yosemite!

    FYI: No soap or hand drying items in bathrooms at campground


Guide to Midpines

Horse camping in California offers a unique way to explore the great outdoors 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 through stunning landscapes.

Equestrian campgrounds include essential amenities

Tips for equestrian camping near Midpines, California

  • When visiting Big Sandy Campground, be prepared for a rough road; a high-clearance vehicle is recommended for access.
  • At Little Sandy Campground, expect a more primitive experience with no amenities, perfect for those looking to truly rough it with their horses.
  • Codorniz Campground offers electric hookups and is family-friendly, making it a great choice for those camping with kids and horses.

Equestrian campers like these nearby activities

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Midpines, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Midpines, CA is Goat Meadow - Dispersed Camp Site with a 4.5-star rating from 40 reviews.

What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Midpines, CA?

TheDyrt.com has all 24 equestrian camping locations near Midpines, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.