2 campgrounds with availability next weekend
Skyline Wilderness Park accommodates horses on the extensive network of trails spanning over 800 acres in Napa Valley. Equestrians can enjoy the designated horse paths that wind through oak woodlands and open meadows with vineyard vistas. The trail system accommodates riders of various skill levels, with both easy routes and more challenging terrain for experienced equestrians. Horse owners often see wildlife including wild turkeys and deer while riding through the park. The campground maintains proper trailer parking areas and features several amenities important for horse campers, including water access and waste disposal facilities. Most riders appreciate the well-maintained paths and clearly marked equestrian routes that prevent conflicts with hikers and mountain bikers who also use the park.
Located just five minutes from downtown Napa, this horse-friendly camping destination allows equestrians to combine wine country exploration with trail riding adventures. The park connects to the River to Ridge Trail system, providing access to additional riding opportunities along the Napa River and surrounding areas. Horse camping requires advance reservations, particularly during peak season when spaces fill quickly. The RV camping area offers full hookups for those traveling with horse trailers, though sites are positioned fairly close together. Daily use fees apply for trail riders not staying overnight, and all horses must remain on designated equestrian paths. The relative proximity to Napa's amenities means that feed stores and veterinary services are easily accessible should horse owners need supplies or emergency care during their stay.
"We only stayed overnight the staff was very friendly,lots of stuff to do around the campsite from hiking,mtb,watch horses, frisbee golf and then you have napa where you can get wine,brewery,and restaurants"
"A beautiful view of vineyards and the sunset and people riding their horses. So calm and beautiful and so many activities here to do."
"We rode our bikes through the Napa valley, stopping at multiple wineries along the way. "
"This was Part 2 of a "Test My Gear Close to Home" camping experience. "
Available next weekend
from $43 / night
"It’s close to the entrance but the driveway only had a slight grade. Mostly folks with trailers. The sites are not too close together but it is easy to see into the surrounding neighbors."
"Spring Lake has been that for us. We have been here for 2 weekends in the last few months."
from $35 / night
"This campsite is centrally located on the peninsula. Access to several roadside dog friendly beaches within minutes. The bay and the beach are within walking distance to campground."
"There are also equestrian trails, so you can book a horseback ride from a local ranch as well!!"
Available next weekend
from $45 / night
"Anthony Chabot Campgrounds sits high up on the Castro Valley Hills overlooking Lake Chabot. There are several awesome hiking trails going down to the lake as well as some equestrian trails."
"as usual some spots are better than others but most close to restrooms and/or water. lots of poison oak and star thistle right off trail. great deterrent for kids to stay out of tick areas but id worry"
Campground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $25 - $200 / night
"in an open meadow on a bluff overlooking the ocean with a short walk to the beach and a 3.2 kilometer (2.0 miles) round-trip walk to [Alamere Falls](https://www.nps.gov/pore/planyourvisit/alamere_falls.htm"
"Really great site right next to the water and beach. The hike in is pretty easy and beautiful. We had fun making a fire on the beach at night. It's pretty windy, so be prepared."
"Tilden is great for anyone looking for a close park right outside of the Berkeley/San Fran area. It is a rather large park area that overlooks Berkeley."
"Tilden offers a lake in the middle to swim in and fish. The campsites have lots of fire pits. The weather is always great too!"
from $75 - $120 / night
"West Marin offers an incredibly picturesque location to explore, and Coast Camp is about as good as it gets."
"The beach offers tidepools close by as well as a great place for beach fire (permit needed). There are two routes to hike in."
from $30 - $90 / night
"The 31-mile East Bay Skyline National Recreation Trail, part of the Bay Area Ridge Trail system, traverses"
from $15 / night
from $40 / night
TravelerGreat camp with amazing views. But, you should not camp alone. I've been here often this month and have seen a herd sheep eating the grass on the hillside, heard a pack of coyotes several nights in a row, until I heard a Mt Lion doing it's bird like sounds at night, as it circled my rv. This is last night, 10/07/2026 - mt lion presence detected, not seen. Be careful.
TravelerCowboy Camp had everything I had heard it offered & more! There was plenty of space when I visited and I got to pick a spot down by the water. Easy access & semi-secluded. The spot was half shaded and half sunny by 3 PM. Perfect for our truck to park in & stay cool. Vaulted toilets were in decent shape & even had TP. Lots of awesome spots to pull off at on the way there from Winters area. Beautiful views of flowing green water & colorful trees.
LegendLas Trampas is one of those wonderfully odd camping experiences that almost feels like you’ve discovered something you weren’t supposed to know about. Despite sitting on the doorstep of Danville and San Ramon, this 6,050-acre preserve quickly trades suburbia for steep ridges, oak woodland, grasslands and some terrific views across the East Bay. And camping here is decidedly primitive: the Corral Area is a single reservable group campsite for 17–50 people, rather than a conventional campground with individual sites. That means lots of privacy, lots of space and very little resembling a traditional developed campground.
While my earlier review goes into considerably more detail, I thought I’d revisit this campground with a quick topline of HIGHLIGHTS and LOWLIGHTS - along with a fresh batch of photos.
HIGHLIGHTS: (1) Remarkable feeling of seclusion considering you’re only minutes from the suburban East Bay, with Oakland lying just beyond; (2) Having essentially one primitive group camping area makes this feel more like your own private campground than a conventional campsite; (3) Picnic tables, BBQs, food-storage box and a drinking-water spigot provide just enough infrastructure without spoiling the primitive experience; (4) Direct access to a huge trail network with Rocky Ridge reaching 2,024 feet and panoramic views toward Mt. Diablo and the surrounding valleys; and (5) Abundant wildlife, seasonal wildflowers, grazing cattle and those beautiful rolling East Bay hills make the setting the real amenity here.
LOWLIGHTS: (1) This is group camping only, with a 17-person minimum, so it simply doesn’t work for a couple or small family looking for an ordinary campsite; (2) No hookups, showers or flush toilets - here, primitive means primitive; (3) Water at the campsite should be considered unreliable, so bring your own rather than betting the weekend on the spigot; and (4) Many of the best trails are steep, exposed and short on shade, which can make hot-weather hiking considerably more strenuous than the beautiful scenery initially suggests.
Insider’s Tip: Bring more water than you think you’ll need and make time for a ridge hike. Las Trampas is one of those places where climbing a few hundred feet completely changes your perspective especially when the suburban Bay Area seemingly disappears beneath you, which is precisely what makes camping here so unexpectedly special.
Happy Camping!
GuideWe have stayed here a few times. I have a sister that lives here and this place is only about 3 miles from us! $80 for a back in space.
GuideThe location is great since you’re close to st Helena and Calistoga. The road is narrow and the spots are tricky to back into. It was our first time with out 20ft trailer and we struggled a bit, took us three tries we kept having to drive around the loop of the campground. Lots of poison oak. Dog friendly on the paved road/path. We didn’t use the pool, but it’s open 1-5pm and it’s spring fed. Lots of kids, definitely kid friendly since it’s so small!
TravelerNot much camping in the but Skyline fit the bill. Typically RV style campsites but showers were good, and the grounds were beautiful. Good hiking trails as well.
TravelerThey call this the off season, but only if your reason for coming is wine industry happenings. Beautiful weather, lots of space, lush green fields. The hiking here is unreal, the native plant garden is a lovely escape, and the facilities are clean and well tended. This one's a keeper.
GuideGreat spot to camp and explore the Santa Rosa area. No hook ups but there is a spot to fill fresh water tank and a dump station. Sites are well spaced and very clean. Will get weekend locals so you will likely hear people having fun :) My go to in the area.
TravelerI stayed overnight in the winter so it was pretty empty. The sites are all separate and not too close to one another like they look in photos. The hosts were very nice and it was very quiet when I was there. It's close enough to where you could walk into town but I drove because it was raining. I will definitely be camping here again.
Equestrian camping options extend beyond Skyline Wilderness Park for those seeking horse campgrounds near Napa, California. The region's Mediterranean climate features warm summers with highs near 85°F and mild winters rarely dropping below 40°F, creating year-round trail riding conditions. Trail systems throughout Napa Valley and surrounding counties connect through oak woodlands, meadows, and coastal mountains where riders can spot wildlife including deer, wild turkeys, and occasionally foxes.
Trail riding at Ritchey Creek: At Bothe-Napa Valley State Park, riders can explore scenic trails through wooded areas. "There's a pool for warm summer days and some awesome trails," notes Peter M., who appreciated the park's natural features during their stay.
Beach rides near Bodega Bay: The coastal trails at Bodega Dunes Campground provide ocean views for riders willing to trailer horses for a day trip. "Hiking among the sand dunes and along the beach provide some really stunning scenery. Reaching the beach, you'll find as much coastal sand as you can handle with miles and miles of it to yourself," writes Shari G.
Volcanic terrain exploration: Horse riders seeking unique geology can trailer to Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve for day rides. "San Francisco East Bay residents actually have a volcano in their backyard at Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve," explains Elliott B., noting its unique topography and trail system.
Proximity to wineries: Horse campers appreciate that many Napa area campgrounds provide easy access to wine country. "This is our second time here. It's so nice to be right in the Napa Valley," says Peter M. about Bothe-Napa Valley, adding that "during non-COVID times you can catch a wine bus from here!"
Diverse terrain options: Anthony Chabot Regional Park offers varied landscapes for riding. "We love Anthony Chabot! The eucalyptus groves make the air smell wonderful, and there is so much wildlife to see (deer, turkeys, owls, etc.). There is an extensive network of trails accessible from the campground," writes Amanda P.
Clean facilities: Horse campers mention the well-maintained amenities at campgrounds like Skyline Wilderness. "Clean showers and bathrooms, some trees, close to Raley's Grocery store. Easy drive to the wineries of Napa Valley," notes Lori H., highlighting practical amenities important for extended stays with horses.
Reservation requirements: Most horse-friendly campgrounds in Napa Valley require advance booking. "Stayed here for a long weekend with friends in Napa Valley. Sites were cramped in tight. $65/night for water and electricity," reports Jules S. about Skyline Wilderness Park.
Seasonal considerations: Trail conditions vary dramatically by season in Napa County. "I'd maybe try coming in spring (May) as the wildflowers in the area are amazing!!" suggests Elliott B. about Point Reyes, a sentiment applicable to many Napa area horse trails.
Trail restrictions: Point Reyes National Seashore maintains specific equestrian-only paths. "The trail changes drastically over the course of the six miles ranging from lush forests to grassy fields to breathtaking coastal views," writes Michaela C., describing terrain variations riders should prepare for.
Educational opportunities: Tilden Regional Park offers family-friendly experiences alongside horse camping. "It also has a great lake/pond area for anyone to relax at," shares Ethan K., while Holland G. notes "there are lots of turkeys, and watch out for poison oak on the trails."
Water activities: Many horse-friendly campgrounds offer swimming options for families. "A safe, beautiful, affordable property to spend outdoors time on. Convenient sites with complete hookup and also restroom/showers handy. The 800+ acres of hills, woods and fields offers archery, disc golf, hiking, horseback riding and more," writes Jamie G. about Skyline Wilderness Park.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Children enjoy spotting animals at most equestrian campgrounds. "Wild turkey, deer, wood peckers regularly seen!" notes Adam B. about Skyline Wilderness, providing entertainment for younger campers when not riding.
Hookup availability: RV campers with horse trailers should verify electrical capacity. "Sites were level with minimal need for blocks. Staff are friendly," notes Adam B., who stayed at Skyline with an RV, adding "Cell phone coverage is good. Have both Verizon and Att with at least 2-3 bars."
Site spacing concerns: Many report tight quarters at RV sites near horse facilities. "RV Campsites are nothing fancy and close together. But the park itself is nice...hiking trails, views, nature, and close to Napa," explains Rich J. about Skyline Wilderness Park.
Maneuvering large rigs: Horse trailer combinations require careful navigation. "This is a well-kept park with proactive rangers only limited by their working hours, and despite it being quite accessible to Oakland, the park felt like camping in the wilderness," notes Ryan W. from Anthony Chabot Regional Park, where the "road in is fairly winding with a bit of a drop down the cliff."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Napa, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Napa, CA is Skyline Wilderness Park with a 4.2-star rating from 31 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Napa, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 15 equestrian camping locations near Napa, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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