Equestrian camping near Mineral, California offers varied terrain for horse riders through volcanic highlands at elevations between 5,000-8,000 feet. The area's Mediterranean climate features warm, dry summers with cooler mountain temperatures and winter snowfall that typically closes many campgrounds from late October through May. While dedicated equestrian facilities are limited, several campgrounds provide access to surrounding wilderness areas suitable for trail riding.
What to do
Hiking to Cinder Cone: Near Butte Lake Campground, visitors can tackle the challenging hike up the volcanic formation. "The Cinder Cone hike along the old lava flow behind the campsite is spectacular! Don't let the climb up the cinder cone dissuade you; the panoramic view from the top is well worth it! We did it with two 6 year olds," shares a visitor.
Fishing in Mill Creek: Access fishing spots near Black Rock Campground. "There are some nice places to fish that are just a short walk from the campsites and the campsites are nicely shaded to help cut the heat during the day. We saw some salmon, deer, quail, and frogs," notes one camper who visited in late May.
Paddling on Butte Lake: The clear waters are ideal for non-motorized watercraft. "The lake is close to the campground, quiet and peaceful. No motor boats. You must wear a life preserver if you put your boat in the water," advises a camper from August 2023.
What campers like
Spacious campsites: Whitehorse Campground offers larger sites away from more populated areas. "Clean campground, great fishing, and nice trail around lake. Kids love camping here. Bathrooms are kept clean and stocked 2-3x a day. We have done both tent only and loop A and don't have many complaints."
Natural wildlife viewing: Many campgrounds provide opportunities to observe local wildlife. "We saw some salmon, deer, quail, and frogs. There was evidence of bears around our site but we didn't have any issues," reports a visitor to Snake Lake Campground, which one reviewer called "a great place to camp. Easy to get to, maybe 15 minutes from town."
Remote setting: For those seeking solitude, some sites offer a wilderness experience. "Go to this camp for the quiet. Hiking is good going up or down Mill Creek. Fly fishing good and rarely more than one other camp used," notes a camper about Black Rock Campground.
What you should know
Access challenges: Many campgrounds require navigation of unpaved roads. "The road to get there was the only headache especially since we drove a small car. We made it but I'd definitely recommend something with a higher clearance," warns a visitor to Black Rock Campground.
Bear country precautions: Proper food storage is essential. At Haskins Valley Campground, a camper advises, "Not all of the spaces have bear boxes and we had a nice visitor one morning. Be sure to put your food in your car if you don't have a bear box."
Water availability varies: Many campgrounds have limited or no potable water. "There is no water at this campsite, but if you bring your filtration system you can get water just steps away from your campsite," notes a visitor to Soldier Meadows Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly hikes: Select trails appropriate for younger hikers. "The Cinder Cone hike along the old lava flow behind the campsite is spectacular! Don't let the climb up the cinder cone dissuade you; the panoramic view from the top is well worth it! We did it with two 6 year olds," reports a family who stayed at Butte Lake Campground.
Swimming opportunities: Taylorsville County Park offers water access for children. "There is also a water access to go easing and a few deep spots for swimming. There are also 3 Poké stops and a gym for Pokémon Go players," mentions a reviewer.
Spacing between campsites: Look for campgrounds with adequate privacy. "The trees separated the spots enough that groups can be separate or together. The road isn't too close, and there isn't much traffic after 9:00 or so anyways," notes a camper at Taylorsville County Park.
Tips from RVers
Road conditions: Consider vehicle clearance when choosing your destination. "The first morning we were there my dog found and ate some weed that someone had carelessly and irresponsibility discarded on the ground and she became extremely ill and had to be rushed to the emergency vet for treatment. The road in took about an hour and a half and I would not recommend attempting it without 4WD and high clearance," cautions a visitor to Black Rock Campground.
Full hookup options: Hat Creek Resort & RV Park provides services for larger rigs. "Stayed at a full hookup site in my 22 foot travel trailer. We got a spot right on the water. The spots had a bunch of space between them and you had a feeling of privacy," reports an RVer.
Water access for filling tanks: Many forest service campgrounds lack water hookups. "The latrines are very nice with running water and toilets. The toilet houses are the only place you can get drinking water and there are only about four locations. There is no way to hook up a hose, even with a water robber, so you have to fill jugs and carry from the sink," advises a Butte Lake Campground visitor.
