Best Equestrian Camping near Montara, CA

Recent Equestrian Reviews in Montara

44 Reviews of 9 Montara Campgrounds

• J

  Jason R.

  Guide

  

  Sep. 20, 2024

  Joseph D Grant County Park - Horse Camp

  Gate closes 8:15pm

  Nice bathrooms no tokens needed, hot water, clean sink for dishes. Lotsa shaded oak spaces. Good trails.

• 

  Alma L.

  Ranger

  

  May. 28, 2024

  Del Valle Regional Park

  Distance from home was the highlight

  I had a very different take on this place than the others. The RV spot was a fair distance from the neighboring spots, it was low-density, quite, all good qualities, but there was very little see or do near the loop. There were no hikes suitable for young kids as far as I could tell. There was a little store for ice cream and camping supplies and dump station on the loop.  HOWEVER, WARNING: the road around the campground looks wide but there are boulders every 10 feet or so making it insanely hard to back into our spot - and we had only a 22ft trailer! I can't see myself coming back here. The maps do accurately depict the relatively narrow space you have for back in spots. Once we were in, it was fine.  The pedestal and sewer set-up was just fine. No issues there. It's just not worth the hassle. 

  As for the park/water part of the park, well, it was covered in garbage from the day-trippers. It was packed and only accessible by driving to it. Truly not a place I wanted to BBQ or picnic at.  Cars, people, dogs, loud music, and garbage. A gross diaper on the shore.     We took a very nice hike starting at the dog run. That was beautiful, but not worth the trip.

  I didn't bother to photograph our site. There were all adequate, just avoid back in site here. There are so many better places to visit.  I checked this off the list, no reason to return. I don't believe there was reception either from the campsite.

  Last thing, we peaked in on the cabins in our loop. They looks very nice and maintained.

• D

  Dan C.

  Scout

  

  Mar. 12, 2024

  Del Valle Regional Park

  Close to home but like a different world

  Great lake and fishy, clean sites, bathrooms are great. All around awesome camping

• 

  mike Y.

  Scout

  

  Sep. 29, 2023

  Alameda County Fairgrounds RV Park

  Comfortable 1-Night stay

  A good RV park @ fairground with lot of RVs $42 for 30-AMP though we don’t need it. Good Wifi & clean toilet/shower Friendly staff

• 

  Melissa S.

  Guide

  

  Jul. 25, 2023

  Joseph D. Grant County Park

  Overnight Stop

  Stopped on a road trip passing through, was able to get a nice spot. No one else was in the campground, so it was definitely quiet. Bathrooms and showers were available. Camp host was friendly. They also sell ice which was nice to grab for the cooler. Nice stay, saw a lot of bunnies and a bobcat on the way out.

• S

  Sebastian D.

  Scout

  

  Jan. 5, 2023

  Alameda County Fairgrounds RV Park

  Crowded

  Typical evening park. Everyone on top of one another. Good electricity and decent wifi.

• F

  Femke J.

  Guide

  

  Oct. 8, 2022

  Alameda County Fairgrounds RV Park

  Perfect for first or last stop

  Perfect stop before dropping off rental RV in SF and clean, top up propane etc.

• 

  allison W.

  Legend

  

  Jul. 16, 2022

  Coast Campground — Point Reyes National Seashore

  Earn it

  Hike in (or boat in) — part of what makes this place so amazing is the awesome and unspoiled nature. Miles and miles of hiking trails, unique ecosystem you won’t find anywhere else along the coast (or in the world!). This is an experience everyone who loves the Bay Area should have at least once.

• 

  K R.

  Traveler

  

  Jul. 14, 2022

  Del Valle Regional Park

  Great Spot for Families & Large Groups

  Great place for a quick getaway with some friends or family. Enjoyed walking around and taking in the views. Saw some deer, rabbits, and hummingbirds. Enjoyed hanging out by the lake.

  Staff is very friendly. Bathrooms were clean.

• P

  Pamela

  Traveler

  

  May. 2, 2022

  Alameda County Fairgrounds RV Park

  Good location

  The Fairview RV Park is a great Bay Area location easy to find right off hwy 680, in the Alameda county fairgrounds. The staff are all pleasant to work with and the park and facilities are clean. I will always go back when in that area.

• 

  Tim & Cleo D.

  Traveler

  

  Mar. 26, 2022

  Del Valle Regional Park

  Nice local getaway

  We hit Del Valle throughout the year, it's really close for us, but makes you feel like you're out in the cuts. Pretty much ZERO cell service, which is a good thing, helps you to disconnect. The lake is enjoyable, just wish the water level would rise.

• C

  Char A.

  Scout

  

  Mar. 8, 2022

  Coast Campground — Point Reyes National Seashore

  Fun little getaway

  Fun baby backpacking trip with my husband . The hike to the campsite went by fast. Only 1.8 miles, not too bad on the elevation gain either. During the day it actually got pretty hot at our campsite (#1), lots of exposure probably around low 70s. At night it did get chilly, 38-39 degrees F, nothing a good sleeping bag couldn’t fix. We went for two nights on 02/28. Got a permit for a beach fire but couldn’t find enough drift wood to make it last. Wonderful campsite though, can’t beat our view and sounds of the ocean. Hardly any bugs and thankfully wasn’t windy when we went. The beach was sandy and beautiful, not that many people around.

• 

  Jason R.

  Traveler

  

  Feb. 23, 2022

  Coast Campground — Point Reyes National Seashore

  Awesome location

  Inside the Point Reyes National seashore, this is a hike in only campground. But has pit toilets, potable water. Groups sites also available. Sites have picnic tables and bear/critter lockers for food. 2 min walk to beach, with amazing views of the cliffs and seashore. Access to a long list of other short/long hikes.

• 

  N V.

  Traveler

  

  Feb. 6, 2022

  Alameda County Fairgrounds RV Park

  Clean park at edge of SF Bay Area

  We camp here with our travel trailer at the start of each season, to check out all our systems. If you are visiting and want to go to San Francisco, I think this is one of the closest RV parks to the city.

  Sites are grassy, some with trees, and pretty close together.

  If the Alameda Fairgrounds are having an event, you can't beat this location, it's on the property.

• 

  Stuart K.

  Legend

  

  Nov. 1, 2021

  Del Valle Regional Park

  Del Valle: Of The Valley

  After time spent here at this oasis in the middle of Eastbay, California, you’ll very much feel like part of this place with its endless trails, fantastically well-kept camping grounds and the warm hospitality given you both by the camp rangers and fellow campers you’ll come across. 

  From a range of activities including horseback riding, kayaking on the namesake lake as well as hiking the foothills, if you’ve come here for nature, you’ll strike gold! The amenities are basic and – key to all California Regional Parks – everything is very well maintained, easy to find and wonderful to make use of. 

  Happy Camping!

• 

  Stuart K.

  Legend

  

  Oct. 28, 2021

  Las Trampas Regional Wilderness

  Campground Cul-de-Sac

  This site is a nice hidden gem that many won't know even has a campground. While tiny and available only for a small number of campers, if you can get a spot booked well in advance, you'll have the place nearly all to yourself. Located just off of 680, you'll take Bollinger Canyon Road where you'll head just north of Las Trampas Stables before coming to a round-about where there's ample parking for about 30 cars (no worries, overflow parking on the street is allowed). 

  From the parking lot, there's 3-4 hiking trails to take, but the one to the campsite is the only one heading south from the parking lot. You'll have to hike all your gear in from here, and it's about 150 yards, so not all that bad, but the pathway is a bit choppy in places, so you'll want to carry most of what you've got on your back (or head!). There's just a few simple amenities at the campground, where I could only count 6-8 or so places to park a tent. Once you're all set up, take the hiking trail straight up to Las Trampas hiking ridge (there's only one trail up from your campground, so if you're not panting, then you're heading in the wrong direction). Pass the cows grazing in the meadows to climb clear to the top for a most spectacular view of Eastbay and nearby Mt. Diablo. 

  The other 2-3 trails that you'll find here are all worth taking and all fairly easy-to-medium in difficulty, but anyone heading up to the ridge, will find at many places it is steep and can be difficult hiking (just apply the icy hot after your hike!). As for the campground itself, it is bare minimum - the ground is relatively flat, but the entire space is encased in a barbed wire fence area playpen to keep the roaming cattle and other wildlife from coming near the area. When we were there we saw deer, cattle, raccoons and many other four legged vermin running around the area. Inside of the pen though, there's 5-6 stone picnic tables, a water fountain, only a single locker to place your food (so first-come, first served!) and a double-mounted grill. 

  All in all, if your aim is to spend 2-3 days scouring Las Trampas ridge, then this is a great place to call home for a few days, but it lacks the amenities and natural serenity that you would normally expect when outbacking here in Cali. And if you get tired of the campfire food, it's SO easy to just head into nearby San Ramon for a classic In-N-Out burger (it's a staple here in Cali, but I'm not from here, so I don't get what all the fuss is about: sorry California, but Johnny Rockets burgers from Chicago still win out!) or for the best bite around, try out Zachary's Chicago-style Deep Dish Pizza (this Chicagoan approves!) and a frosty cold mug of Anchor Steam to wash it down with. 

  Happy Camping!

• G

  Gustav H.

  Guide

  

  Sep. 21, 2021

  Del Valle Regional Park

  Occasionally crowded, but great get away for the Bay Area

  Close to the Bay Area and probably one of the better options.  It can get crowded over the weekends.

  Looks like they recently increased the price for campsites, which makes it easier to find/reserve a site.  Not sure that this was a good thing, but it is what it is.

  Overall, the experience falls and rises with your neighbors, and you probably know what I mean.  The sites are reasonably spaced.

  Lots of foxtails in case you have dogs, but this is CA and they are everywhere.

• 

  Susie R.

  Traveler

  

  Aug. 8, 2021

  Sunol Regional Wilderness

  Hot now

  I've been coming here since in jr. High.good hiking exploring is fun fishing too

• 

  Sophie S.

  Guide

  

  Nov. 29, 2020

  Joseph D. Grant County Park

  Clean, quiet and quick escape in Bay Area

  We camped here for one night to test our pandemic project...a van conversion. We had never been here before but will definitely come back. We came in November, just in time for a temperature drop and some nice gusts. I’m not going to hold the chill against this area because I didn’t dress accordingly.

  We had a great site and there was no one on either side of us. The bathrooms were a short walk down hill. They were clean with flushing toilets. There camp ground was quiet and it was mostly couples or small family groups. The hiking is quite beautiful and the woodpeckers were busy storing acorns.

• 

  Elliot M.

  Scout

  

  Aug. 21, 2020

  Coast Campground — Point Reyes National Seashore

  Open, can, quiet campground

  Near the beach but protected from the coastal wind.

• 

  MarinMaverick

  Legend

  

  Aug. 13, 2020

  Sunol Regional Wilderness

  OHLONE /SUNOL Wilderness - Backpacking Camp

  Great backpacking getway.  Many day hikers here but you can backpack as well.  I camped on a beautiful ridge.

  The hike is uphill.... it starts along a creek/river which is referred to as Little Yosemite.  Fun creek area with lots of water/rock formations. Then climb and climb the hill.  I stayed at Hawk's Nest on the ridge.  There is another route in but used this one due to the creek access at the beginning appears more scenic.

  The sites are primitive and the water source questionable and unreliable. I hiked in

  all the water I needed.

  A permit is required as well as a reserved camping spot. There are other sites beyond Hawk's Nest all along the ridge lines.

• 

  MarinMaverick

  Legend

  

  Aug. 13, 2020

  Coast Campground — Point Reyes National Seashore

  A Favorite Spot

  Coast camp is a favorite get away.  In the Point Reyes National Seashore it is in a valley that is minutes from the beach.  The beach offers tidepools close by as well as a great place for beach fire (permit needed).  There are two routes to hike in. I prefer the longer Coast Trail (about half a mile longer) rather than the fireroad for it's scenic beauty.

  The campsites go from surrounded by coyote brush to out in the open to secluded.  I like the sites back in the valley as there is less wind or fog.  That would be 13 and 14.

  Always expect fog.  Expect cold and damp at night.

  There are miles of beach ot explore, and you can continue along teh coast trail to hike even farther.

• 

  Esther A.

  Guide

  

  Jul. 4, 2020

  Del Valle Regional Park

  Local weekend getaway

  Well kept, bathrooms tidy and stocked. It's a decent place for locals looking to get a break from routine but not intended to be a final destination.

• 

  Lisa D.

  Guide

  

  Dec. 27, 2019

  Joseph D Grant County Park - Horse Camp

  Beautiful Park

  Great park with hiking, great views of Mt. Hamilton and a lake up the road a way, there’s also a mansion & rose garden on the property, shower & bathroom are clean, there are nights to gather and stargaze.The tent spaces are sizable & you can have a fire. Some seasons there are wild pigs running around everywhere.

• 

  Lisa D.

  Guide

  

  Dec. 26, 2019

  Grant County Park

  Tent & Van Camping

  Great place to stargaze, hike, & camp. Has showers & bathroom & don’t forget to check out the mansion!!

• 

  Gregory R.

  Traveler

  

  Sep. 2, 2019

  Del Valle Regional Park

  Nice Campsites, Hot & Buggy

  We stayed in Sites 78 & 80, which were enormous, and could’ve easily fit 20-30 people, not the 8 people the sites were limited too. Careful though, many sites, including these, were mostly exposed with very little shade. Camping Labor Day weekend, temps were in the low 90s, and there were LOTS of mosquitoes. Most people in our party came back with upwards of 20-30 bites, even with lots of bug spray, screened enclosures, and other precautions.

  Campsite amenities were great, easy access to water and bathrooms. Bathrooms were spotless the whole weekend, even though it was a holiday weekend and every site was booked. Park staff came by each evening to invite us to programs at the amphitheater. A firewood truck drove by at least once a day. You can also make purchases at a little camp store (in a shipping container), plenty of ice and firewood, but we didn’t see any alcohol for sale.

  Check the rules ahead of time, they are quite restrictive and very different from many other campgrounds. No hard alcohol? No hammocks? No entry after 10:00pm?

  Also note, the lake isn’t really in walking distance. If you have a dog, you have to head to East Shore (~5 min drive) and the Dog Run trail to let them in the water. Be prepared for a steep scramble down to the lakeside, and very limited beach.

• 

  Christina R.

  Traveler

  

  Jul. 6, 2019

  Grant County Park

  Relaxing spot away from Silicon Valley

  Clean, bathrooms near by. Very relaxing and away from San Jose.