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Wangtao L.
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TravelerDel Valle Campground — East Bay Regional Park District
It’s good. But not too memorable.
Equestrian Camping near New Almaden, CA
2 campgrounds with availability next weekend
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Joseph D Grant County Park - Horse Camp provides specialized equestrian facilities within easy reach of New Almaden. The campground features dedicated horse corrals where riders can safely secure their animals during overnight stays. Each campsite includes a picnic table and fire pit, with clean restrooms and free showers available nearby. Trail access allows horseback riders to explore the extensive trail network throughout the 10,000+ acre park. The grounds remain open year-round, with park gates closing at 8:15pm, requiring campers to plan arrivals accordingly.
Several miles of bridle trails connect Joseph D Grant County Park with nearby open spaces, creating extensive riding opportunities for equestrians. Horse owners appreciate the spacious sites that accommodate both camping equipment and horse trailers. The park's diverse terrain includes oak woodlands, open meadows, and access to Mount Hamilton views, providing varied riding experiences. Water is available for horses at designated locations throughout the grounds. Sites can be reserved online, with special consideration for equestrian needs. The campground serves as an excellent base for exploring the surrounding landscapes while maintaining basic but functional horse facilities. Though the facilities lack some amenities of larger equestrian centers, the trails and natural setting make this a worthwhile destination for those camping with horses.
Best Equestrian Campgrounds near New Almaden (16)
1. Coe Ranch Campground — Henry W. Coe State Park
"This is a primitive campground, no showers only vault toilets and restroom near visitor center ( 2 min walk from campground) both decently clean. Water for washing dishes is available."
"There is a small visitor center close to the entrance, with a few souvenirs and some snacks and drinks. Visitor Center only takes cash."
11 Sites AvailableAvailable next weekend
from $20 / night
2. Coyote Lake Harvey Bear Ranch County Park
"The lake is closed to any and all water-craft because the water level is too low. It is very clean and well maintained for the most part. Cell phone service for Xfinity/Verizon is spotty at best."
"Campsites are along the beautiful Coyote lake. The lakeside sites are mostly shaded as are the sites along the road. Sites 43, 44 and 45 would be the most secluded."
Check Availabilityfrom $34 / night
3. Joseph D. Grant County Park
"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."
4. Joseph D Grant County Park - Horse Camp
"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 &"
"Good trails."
Check Availabilityfrom $15 - $400 / night
5. Grant County Park
"Clean, bathrooms near by. Very relaxing and away from San Jose."
6. Del Valle Campground — East Bay Regional Park District
"This hidden gem hides behind the vineyard crested mountain range just due south of Livermore."
"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"
Check Availabilityfrom $15 - $200 / night
7. Sunol
"I have never camped here but hiked many trails."
Check AvailabilityCampground full next weekend
Get a text when available8. Salinas-Monterey KOA
"Close to the highway with a fairly easy on and off the although it's a little confusing at first. All day/night highway noise but it starts to become white noise after a while."
"The location is very secluded as bd far from stores but fairly close to the sea. Have visited a few time and enjoy the stay. Not many issues. I’m looking forward to the Upgrades!"
9. Anthony Chabot Regional Park
"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"
Check AvailabilityCampground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $25 - $200 / night
10. Cabana Holiday RV Park-cabins
"Part of the KOA franchise, this is a very clean, well positioned RV and Cabin park for exploring the Monterey, Salinas, Watsonville, Santa Cruz area."
Drive Time
- 20 min from San Jose, CA
- 37 min from Santa Cruz, CA
- 54 min from Salinas, CA
- 1 hr 37 min from Modesto, CA
Equestrian Camping Reviews near New Almaden, CA
127 Reviews of 16 New Almaden Campgrounds
- WWangtao L.Traveler
Anthony Chabot Regional Park
Great site! We have camped here more than any other sites in the Bay Area. Clean bathroom
- TTwindaddy
GuideDel Valle Campground — East Bay Regional Park District
East Bay Parks - IYKYK
Like most/all east bay parks, this is well appointed for the masses. It’s also surrounded by rolling hills and close to suburbia. For many, these are positives. As an east bay resident they are for me as well. Del Valle is a bit more removed than many east bay parks. From my location in Fremont, it’s a one hour drive. A pleasant drive for the most part. I camp to get away for a bit and almost always to mountain bike. As such, I seek parks that have trails. Del Valle has a map of many trails. They also appear on many of the mapping services used by mountain bikers. Review those and digest them if this is also your intention - these are east bay parka style trails. In other words, mostly steep and loose fire roads, with many “social trails” sprinkled between. If you are compelled to stay legit/legal trails, bring an ebike. Now on to the camping. I picked a spot as far removed from any booked spot on the map. I triple checked this up until the day before I arrived. I want solitude! When I arrived Thursday afternoon, I was surprised to see the sites just 3 spaces away, on both sides, occupied. This is a fairly compact area. And while I’m sure they’re lovely folks, this isn’t what I expected on a Thursday. Saturday? Sure. Anyway… be aware that these reservation services aren’t completely reliable in that regard. The bathrooms and showers are amazing! Clean, smell good, cared for. Noteworthy is the hot showers in the camp grounds are free and your one push of the button provides water for two minutes I'd guess. Very nice! The space, 135 for me, is okay. A couple trees for shade, a nice table and fire pit. It’s now dark and the noise is minimal - mostly from the group campsite just down the hill. I’ll update this with more details in the coming days since it’s a 4 day visit.
Update 1: it’s my first morning here. Using starlink as there is no cell signal to be found. What I noticed last night was that this park is directly below the flight path to the local airports. Every couple minutes last night, a plane would fly overhead. According to flight aware, they’re at about 10,000 feet. If this will ruin your getaway, you’ve been warned.
Update 2: On Friday night, the majority of the spots were filled. Many large groups of people with varying degrees of consideration, but to their credit almost all (except the barking German Shepard) were quiet by 10PM. It was a bit more crowded come Saturday morning. Some friends came to visit for a mountain bike ride, and we set off at about noon. I had been complimentary of the facilities and bragged that I'd be taking a nice shower after our ride. Unfortunately, upon our return, there was no hot water and no lighting in the showers. And, sadly, someone decided to remove the tags and hangers from their TJ Maxx haul and leave them all over the floor of two of the showers.
Verdict: I'd only come back here in the springtime when it's likely to be green and have some water in the arroyo and only during the week. The density and composition of the people here was akin to being at Costco on a Saturday, and I only did that once.
Stuart K.
LegendLas Trampas Regional Wilderness
Come for the Solitude & Stay for Those Ridgeline Views
Las 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!
Chris C.GuideJoseph D. Grant County Park
Pleasant!
Very nice for a one night stop. Very windy road to get to the park. Sites are well kept and have a solid amount of room. Super clean bathrooms and good free showers. Lots of wildlife to see and hear (coyotes). Didn’t get 5 starts cause it was quite busy with loud neighbors!
Chia-Chia W.GuideJoseph D. Grant County Park
3.5/5 – Arriving Next Day is Okay
Called on 7/14/26, they said "we won't cancel any reservation due to arriving late or next day"
- TTheodora G.Traveler
Coyote Lake Harvey Bear Ranch County Park
Turkeys and hills
Very reasonable $36 per night for rv hookup. Off season is cheaper and less crowded. Turkeys and deer. There are wild pigs, but I haven’t seen any. Bathrooms are clean, showers are free. I had several sites to choose from when I arrived-without a reservation.
- LLGuide
Coe Ranch Campground — Henry W. Coe State Park
Nice little campground
Coe Ranch Campground is small, clean, and well run, with plenty of nearby toilets and garbage cans. Sites aren’t terribly private but not too close together either. Some reviewers complained there wasn’t a level site in the whole campground but Site 13 was perfectly level for our truck camper down at the bottom. Maybe research your options here and on CampsitePhotos.com beforehand to see if they fit your style of camping. (The more exposed sites and the two sites by the bathrooms wouldn’t work for me.) Views are excellent from the campground parking lot, as well as from some sites, although those sites have little privacy. It’s a twisty 13-mile drive up to the campground but worth the effort if you’re looking for a quiet getaway for the weekend. Coe SP has miles of beautiful trails, loads of wildlife, and hike-in campsites that make a stay worthwhile, even if you decide the campground isn’t for you.
- HHelen F.Guide
Anthony Chabot Regional Park
Lovely site, really close to San Francisco!
On visiting San Francisco we were looking for a site that wasn’t a car park. This really met the mark! Beautiful place with great sites. Nice picnic tables & fire pits! Was very quiet
Guide to New Almaden
Joseph D. Grant County Park spans over 10,000 acres of oak woodland and rolling hills at elevations between 1,500-2,900 feet. The park remains open year-round with temperatures ranging from 30°F in winter to 90°F in summer. Gate closure at 8:15 pm affects all visitors, requiring equestrian campers to plan arrivals before this time or risk being locked out.
What to do
Explore Lake Del Valle: At Del Valle Campground, riders can combine horseback trails with water activities. "The lake is also very picturesque. There is a swimming area, & there are picnic tables & nice-sized camp sites," notes emmy. The lake area features speed limits for boats, making it safe for riders to visit with their horses.
Mountain biking trails: When not riding horses, visitors can explore the extensive trail network by bike. "Great place to go hiking & trail running. The hills are pretty intense, but they're beautiful!" according to emmy at Del Valle. Many trails connect with equestrian paths, allowing mixed-use recreation options.
Wildlife observation: The park's varied terrain provides excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. At Henry W. Coe State Park, visitors report "Saw plenty of wildlife (lizards, snakes, birds, fish). It was fairly hot in mid-spring, and there is not much shade on the trails, especially the dirt roads," according to Austin C. Early morning rides offer the best wildlife viewing opportunities.
What campers like
Proximity to urban areas: The equestrian facilities at Joseph D. Grant County Park provide a quick escape from nearby cities. "Paradise an hour from the city. It is great for laid back camping!" writes Kyla M. about nearby Anthony Chabot Regional Park, highlighting the accessibility that makes equestrian camping near New Almaden popular.
Clean facilities: Campers appreciate the well-maintained bathrooms and showers. "Bathrooms are extremely clean and well kept. The lake is nice (and you may spot geese or ducks), and there's plenty of room for kids to run around," reports Quyen W. from Coyote Lake Harvey Bear Ranch, which offers similar amenities to Joseph D. Grant County Park.
Diverse terrain: The landscape around New Almaden provides varied riding experiences. "Henry Coe is a completely underrated state park. There are ample opportunities for backpacking and bikepacking. The lakes throughout the park are beautiful to camp by," writes Caitlin S., describing terrain similar to what equestrians encounter at Joseph D. Grant Park.
What you should know
Wild pig presence: Be prepared for wildlife encounters including wild pigs. "They do not sell ice but firewood is available for $13 a bundle. Not much to do in the park. Lots of beautiful wildlife," notes Ashley E. about Joseph D. Grant County Park. Secure food in storage containers overnight to prevent unwanted visits.
Limited shade: Many campsites lack adequate coverage. "Campsites are fairly spare, with some having shade," mentions Renee W. about Joseph D. Grant County Park. Bring portable shade structures for horses during summer months when temperatures can exceed 90°F.
Water availability: While water is available at designated locations, reliability varies seasonally. "The sites are primitive and the water source questionable and unreliable. I hiked in all the water I needed," reports MarinMaverick about Sunol Regional Wilderness, which shares similar water challenges to equestrian camping at Joseph D. Grant.
Tips for camping with families
Plan arrival times: With gates closing at 8:15 pm, families must organize travel accordingly. "Gates closes 8:15pm. Nice bathrooms no tokens needed, hot water, clean sink for dishes. Lotsa shaded oak spaces. Good trails," advises Jason R. about Joseph D. Grant County Park.
Wildlife education opportunities: Use animal sightings as teaching moments. "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," explains Lisa D., highlighting the educational attractions at Joseph D. Grant County Park.
Temperature preparation: Bring layers for significant temperature fluctuations. "I came here from SF Bay for 2 nights on a weekend. It was fairly hot in mid-spring, and there is not much shade on the trails, especially the dirt roads," warns Austin C. about similar conditions at nearby parks.
Tips from RVers
Limited RV access: While equestrian camping accommodates trailers, large RVs face challenges. "We were surprised when we made it to this campground - that it was built on the side of a hill. The walk-in sites may be different, but all of the pull in sites were extremely off-level (even with all our blocks we couldn't get close)," cautions Karen about Henry W. Coe State Park, describing terrain issues similar to those at Joseph D. Grant.
Cell service limitations: Communication can be unreliable in the hills. "No cell service, ride up the mountain is nauseating," notes Ashley E. about Joseph D. Grant County Park. Download maps and trail information before arrival.
Level challenges: RV sites may require significant leveling equipment. "The roads through the campground itself is so steep/narrow and windy that it would be extremely difficult to back in (we watched someone get stuck while trying). There wasn't a flat tent spot at our campsite either," Karen explains about similar terrain challenges at nearby parks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian
campsite near New Almaden, CA?
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near New Almaden, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near New Almaden, CA is Coe Ranch Campground — Henry W. Coe State Park with a 3.9-star rating from 15 reviews.
What is the best site to find
equestrian camping near
New Almaden, CA?
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near New Almaden, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 16 equestrian camping locations near New Almaden, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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