Best Equestrian Camping near Mojave, CA

Limited horse camping options exist near Mojave, California, though Horse Flats Campground in Pearblossom provides primitive facilities for equestrians. Located at an elevation that keeps temperatures cooler during summer months, this campground offers dispersed sites amid pine trees with vault toilets and fire rings. No drinking water is available, so visitors must bring all water for themselves and their horses. The campground is primarily used as a base for riders accessing nearby trails and bouldering enthusiasts. While lacking dedicated horse corrals or stalls, the spacious sites accommodate horse trailers with sufficient room for portable corrals or highlines. Mosquitoes can be problematic at certain times of year, so bringing repellent is essential for both humans and horses. Visitors use The Dyrt to find real feedback on camping near Mojave, California.

Trail access from Horse Flats Campground connects riders to the Pacific Crest Trail and routes leading to historic Glenwood Cabin. Most trails in the area feature moderate to challenging terrain suitable for experienced riders and well-conditioned horses. The campground operates seasonally, typically closed from November through April due to winter conditions at higher elevations. First-come, first-served sites cost $12 per night, with a maximum of two vehicles per site. Campers must pack out all horse manure and feed, as no disposal facilities exist on site. For those requiring more amenities, travelers may need to venture further from Mojave to find developed equestrian campgrounds with dedicated horse facilities. The campground's rustic nature makes it best suited for self-sufficient riders who prioritize trail access over facilities.

Best Equestrian Sites Near Mojave, California (8)

    1. Borax Bill Substation

    3 Reviews
    California City, CA
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 349-0102

    "It is primarily for off road enthusiasts, however, we just came out here to enjoy the desert and go for walks. "

    2. Horse Flats Campground

    8 Reviews
    Juniper Hills, CA
    47 miles
    Website
    +1 (818) 790-1151

    $12 / night

    "Horse Flats is not as popular as Buckhorn, and is a little less "green" with regards to the immediate scenery. It is also quieter for this reason, which is nice."

    "We usually only see rangers come around in the morning. With that said, we still like Horse Flats because there is usually a spot or two open if we arrive on a Saturday."

    3. Valencia Travel Village

    8 Reviews
    Valencia, CA
    47 miles
    Website
    +1 (661) 257-3333

    "A little remote and you have to drive to the nearest town(s), but clean grounds and nice site. Very easy to book online.  The RV park is pretty large so it's a nice daily walk."

    "I didn’t actually stay here as I was looking for a tent camping spot, but I did drive around the facility and it was super clean and looked like a great spot if you’ve got an RV."

    4. Keysville South Recreation Site

    5 Reviews
    Lake Isabella, CA
    46 miles
    Website
    +1 (661) 391-6000

    "The hubs, kids and myself have spent a lot of time in Keysville if you're looking for a weekend getaway for mountain biking or trail riding this is the place!"

    "Beautiful spot conveniently located only a couple miles outside of town. Dumpsters and put toilets provided on both sides of the Kern River."

    5. Discovery Land

    Be the first to review!
    Littlerock, CA
    29 miles
    +1 (503) 724-4800

    $25 - $50 / night

    6. Walker Pass Campground

    3 Reviews
    Onyx, CA
    46 miles
    Website
    +1 (661) 391-6000

    "This is a stop along the Pacific Crest Trail. The scenery is an amazing mix of Joshua Trees, pines, chaparral, mountains and large rocks, some snow on the peaks facing north."

    "Right off the highway either beautiful overlook. Simple to access but few spaces for campers…lots if tent space."

    7. Mount Pacifico Campground

    1 Review
    Juniper Hills, CA
    44 miles
    Website
    +1 (818) 899-1900

    "great views 360 degrees once you're on top. a 7 mile hike north on the Pacific Crest Trail from mill creek fire station. fire rings with multiple spots"

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Equestrian Camping Reviews near Mojave, CA

28 Reviews of 8 Mojave Campgrounds


  • Les R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 7, 2016

    Horse Flats Campground

    Standard, quiet campground

    Disregard the "closed for the season" post in the name - this campground is open.

    There are a few campgrounds in this area of the Angeles National Forest. Horse Flats is not as popular as Buckhorn, and is a little less "green" with regards to the immediate scenery. It is also quieter for this reason, which is nice. The individual sites are large and spread out from each other, so it is easy to have some privacy. Make sure to get food and firewood before you start the drive up the mountain, as there is no place to purchase such supplies near the camps.

  • B
    Jun. 2, 2021

    Borax Bill Substation

    Out in the middle of no where....

    My family would camp here once a year for 4-5 days.  It is dispersed camping, so there are no hookups or designated sites.  It is primarily for off road enthusiasts, however, we just came out here to enjoy the desert and go for walks.  We would usually go toward the end of the year when it is not so hot (Oct-Dec) and have had a variety of weather over the years.  From beautiful skies, to wind, rain and snow.  The wind always picked up in the evening, so don't forget to roll up your awning.  Our rig is a 30' bunkhouse trailer being pulled by a full size 4x4 truck.  Although you don't need 4x4 and probably any car can make it out there.  You just might have to drive slow as some of the road are pretty tore up.  The camping is all over the valley and I can't see ever showing up and not being able to find a good spot (for what it is).  There will be dust and some dirt bikes, trucks and OHV's rolling around.  You will probably hear some of them long into the night.  But I think there are areas you can go to get away from a lot of it and enjoy the stars and solitude of the desert.  As you drive in you pass a ranger station.  $10 gets you water to fill up your tanks and a pass to use their dump station.

  • Les R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 25, 2018

    Horse Flats Campground

    Ranger Review: Mountain House freeze dried meals at Horse Flats Campground

    Campground Review

    We come to this campground throughout the year, and its one of our favorite spots for summer camping when we're short on time. It's an hours drive from LA and because the campground is at elevation it stays cooler during the hot months. This is my third review for this campground, and one thing I will say that I've noticed over time is that as the popularity of the campground has increased, so has the noise. We've been kept awake by other campsites on three different occasions now. Part of the issue is that rangers aren't regularly monitoring in order to enforce the quiet hours. We usually only see rangers come around in the morning. With that said, we still like Horse Flats because there is usually a spot or two open if we arrive on a Saturday. Also, the sites are relatively well spread out compared to other SoCal camping options. And it's dog friendly, which is a must for us.

    Things to know before coming

    • bring all your water with you. There is no running water at this campground
    • purchase firewood before driving up the mountain. I've unfortunately seen too many campers collecting wood around the campground to use for fires. Don't do it! Different woods burn differently and also carry differently in smoke, and the Angeles National Forest is often at elevated fire danger levels
    • the drive from the base of the mountain to this campground is about 45 minutes. make sure you have enough gas and have a map / driving directions ready, because there is no cell phone service

    Things to do nearby

    • bouldering, just a short hike away. See more info on routes here
    • hike the Pacific Crest Trail to historic Glenwood Cabin. Here is the route I mapped out if you want to pick up the trail near Bandido campground. And here is more info on the cabin
    • take a scenic chair lift and play disc golf at Mt Waterman, a 10 minute drive away. More info here
    • Hike Rosenita Saddle to Mt Hillyer, see route here

    Product Review

    As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I get to test products to review for some of my camping trips. On this trip, we tested out two meals from Mountain House. (See my review of other meal options in my Meander Lake campground review). After cooking these pre-made camping meals, I may never go back! On this trip we had the Noodle with Chicken for dinner and Granola with Milk and Blueberries for breakfast. They were seriously DELICIOUS. Better than anything I can cook with my backcountry kitchen set-up. Here's what I love about these meals:

    • super great taste
    • quick to make. These meals are ready in 10 minutes or less, some are ready as soon as you add water. After a long day of climbing or hiking, or when you're waking up in the morning, it's so nice to have food ready so quickly
    • easy to make. Just add water (boiling, usually). This also means that all we need to pack is a Jetboil, which is so much more convenient than packing a stove, pots, cooking oil, ingredients, cutting boards, etc.
    • lightweight, and you can choose among packaging options for more compactness

    All in all, I'd say these meals are a game changer for short trips or backcountry camping , when you want to pack minimally. If you're doing a week of camping with easy access to your car, then these meals aren't necessarily your cheapest option for the whole week, but it's totally worth the money in terms of taste and convenience (so you can spend more time on other outdoor activities!).

    There are only two things I'd like to see change to further improve Mountain House meals. First, there are no vegan options, and very few vegetarian options. Second, I find the serving amounts to be unhelpful in their current format, because the calories per serving are so low. For example, with the Noodle with Chicken, the pouch says "2.5 services", but there are only 220 calories per serving. If this were your sole meal item for dinner, I'd say that more like 1 serving, especially if you're consuming these meals after a day of rock climbing or hiking. So if I meal plan with Mountain House pouches, you have to calculate servings based on the calories, rendering the "servings" as advertised uninformative.

  • Kate O.
    Jul. 18, 2018

    Horse Flats Campground

    Popular with Climbers

    Horse Flats is a popular campground deep in Angeles National Forest.

    There are a bunch of sites (more than 20) and there are vault toilets, fire pits, and picnic tables.

    $12 fee per site, not sure how many cars that means but you might need the adventure pass if you have a lot of other cars parking overnight.

    It's a great escape from the city, about an hour from DTLA. Popular with climbers as there's bouldering in the area.

    Know before you go - it's closed from November-ish to April-ish - so check the forest website before you head out there.

    When driving there, you take a left off the 2 and it's a little past Bandido Group site. Some people have a hard time finding it their first time going.

  • Erin M.
    Jul. 25, 2016

    Keysville South Recreation Site

    Single track Ahoy!

    The hubs, kids and myself have spent a lot of time in Keysville if you're looking for a weekend getaway for mountain biking or trail riding this is the place! Some of the best free riding in California! Highly recommend keyesville to everyone! Town is just a few miles away if you should need anything.

  • Les R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 31, 2017

    Horse Flats Campground

    Camping into October

    We camped here this weekend, which is the latest we’ve gone before the winter months. This past week had record high temperatures for all of Southern California, so I can’t say how representative our experience was compared to typically late fall trips in other years. The temperature was warm during the day, but we definitely brought layers and adequate sleeping gear for the night. Even though it was 79 degrees in the day, temperature got down to 54 at night. We were surprised to find the campground sites mostly claimed. Probably 75% full by Saturday afternoon. Again, this experience might be an anomaly due to the warmer weather

  • j
    Aug. 15, 2023

    Keysville South Recreation Site

    BE CAREFUL

    We were robbed from this location while out hiking and rafting for the day. Lost thousands of dollars in gear, clothes and personal items. Literally everything was gone, they plucked up the whole tent and took it all, nothing left but some tent stakes once we returned. The location is convenient to town and it is nice next to the river BUT BEWARE and don’t leave ANYTHING. We have a feeling it’s people who know the area and do quick grab and goes, not other campers.

  • Laura M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 26, 2021

    Walker Pass Campground

    Small and Quiet

    Along Hwy 178 towards Ridgecrest you'll find this campground that is small but quiet and clean. It is not for big rigs or RVs. 

    There are 2 sites with fire pits and covered picnic tables that could fit a large van at most. There is one other spot that is level but has no fire pit or covered table. Further back are several scattered picnic tables and tent spots. There are also 2 unisex ADA accessible pit toilet bathrooms which were quite filthy.

    This is a stop along the Pacific Crest Trail. The scenery is an amazing mix of Joshua Trees, pines, chaparral, mountains and large rocks, some snow on the peaks facing north. It is close to the highway so there is some road noise and people stopping to use the bathroom. The road in is paved and narrow and potholed but passable.

    There was no cell service with AT&T, Verizon or T-Mobile.

    There is a donation based drop box for camping fee so pay what you want or what you can afford.

    Fires and charcoal grills are not allowed per sign at info board, camp stoves are ok.

  • Julia M.
    Jun. 16, 2021

    Valencia Travel Village

    Nice place to stop for a week

    This was a great stop over for a week. A little remote and you have to drive to the nearest town(s), but clean grounds and nice site. Very easy to book online. 

    The RV park is pretty large so it's a nice daily walk. We had an easy pull thru site with plenty of space for our RV and truck to fit and had some shade from a nearby tree. There were a few bugs at night, but nothing miserable. 

    Wifi worked fine for us. For video calls during work we used our hotspot just to be safe, but otherwise their wifi was reliable and worked just fine. AT&T service worked great. 

    Laundry was credit card which made it easy to avoid a hassle of getting quarters. They have a few pools and hot tub, but closed due to COVID.


Guide to Mojave

Equestrian and horse camping options near Mojave, California require planning since facilities are limited in this high desert region. The elevation ranges from 2,700 to 5,000 feet across accessible equestrian camping areas, creating temperature variations that make spring and fall ideal for horse camping trips. Most horse-friendly camping sites are primitive with limited amenities requiring self-sufficiency for both riders and horses.

What to do

Mountain biking trails: Keyesville South Recreation Site offers extensive trail networks popular with mountain bikers and equestrians. "The keyesville classic mountain bike race is held every year in the area! With miles of trails and perfect single track for all age groups and abilities!" notes reviewer Erin M., highlighting the recreation potential beyond horse riding.

Hiking to viewpoints: Mount Pacifico Campground provides outstanding panoramic vistas accessible via hiking trails. "Great views 360 degrees once you're on top. A 7 mile hike north on the Pacific Crest Trail from mill creek fire station," shares Anthony K., making it worth the trek even if you're not camping with horses.

Desert exploration: Walker Pass Campground serves as an excellent base for desert hiking and horse trails. "The scenery is an amazing mix of Joshua Trees, pines, chaparral, mountains and large rocks, some snow on the peaks facing north," writes Laura M., describing the diverse landscapes riders can explore.

What campers like

Cooler temperatures: The higher elevation of Horse Flats Campground provides welcome relief from summer heat. "It's an hours drive from LA and because the campground is at elevation it stays cooler during the hot months," notes Les R., making it a practical option when valley temperatures soar.

Privacy between sites: The layout at Horse Flats provides better separation than many Southern California campgrounds. "The individual sites are large and spread out from each other, so it is easy to have some privacy," mentions Les R., which is particularly valuable for those camping with horses.

Late-season accessibility: Fall camping remains viable at higher elevation horse campgrounds near Mojave. "We camped here this weekend, which is the latest we've gone before the winter months... temperature was warm during the day, but we definitely brought layers and adequate sleeping gear for the night. Even though it was 79 degrees in the day, temperature got down to 54 at night," shares Les R. about October camping at Horse Flats.

What you should know

Pack in water: No potable water is available at most horse campgrounds in the region. "Bring all your water with you. There is no running water at this campground," warns Les R. about Horse Flats Campground, which applies to most primitive horse camping areas near Mojave.

Insect preparation: Mosquitoes can be problematic at certain campgrounds. "Bring lots of mosquito repellent. You will need it," advises Luissimo M., reinforcing the need to protect both humans and horses from biting insects.

Security concerns: Some remote camping areas have reported theft issues. "We were robbed from this location while out hiking and rafting for the day. Lost thousands of dollars in gear, clothes and personal items," cautions jade S. about Keyesville South Recreation Site, emphasizing the importance of securing valuable equipment when away from camp.

Tips for camping with families

Climbing opportunities: Horse Flats Campground offers bouldering areas that children can enjoy. "Nice place to stay for climbing - there is mostly bouldering in the area, with some trad stuff. Plenty of sites!" shares Kathleen L., highlighting activities beyond horse riding.

Avoid peak crowds: Popular horse camping areas fill quickly on weekends. "We were surprised to find the campground sites mostly claimed. Probably 75% full by Saturday afternoon," notes Les R. about Horse Flats Campground, suggesting arriving early or mid-week for better site selection.

Seasonal considerations: Walker Pass offers family-friendly camping with minimal facilities. "Small but quiet and clean. It is not for big rigs or RVs. There are 2 sites with fire pits and covered picnic tables that could fit a large van at most," explains Laura M. about Walker Pass Campground, providing realistic expectations for families.

Tips from RVers

Dispersed options: For self-contained RVs, Borax Bill Substation offers basic amenities. "It is dispersed camping, so there are no hookups or designated sites. It is primarily for off road enthusiasts, however, we just came out here to enjoy the desert and go for walks," explains Brett L. about Borax Bill Substation, which accommodates horse trailers with adequate space.

Limited horse trailer access: Many campgrounds have size restrictions limiting large rigs. "Along Hwy 178 towards Ridgecrest you'll find this campground that is small but quiet and clean. It is not for big rigs or RVs," cautions Laura M. about Walker Pass Campground, which applies to many potential horse camping locations in the region.

Utilities for longer stays: RVers seeking more amenities should consider staying at established RV parks away from primitive horse camps. "Lots of space, hookups, restrooms etc. It's quiet and peaceful indeed. Nothing around really, just the desert which I liked," shares Ala B. about Borax Bill Substation's more developed areas.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Mojave, CA is Borax Bill Substation with a 4-star rating from 3 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 8 equestrian camping locations near Mojave, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.