Best Equestrian Camping near New Cuyama, CA
Looking for a place to camp near New Cuyama with your horse? Camping with your horse in New Cuyama just got easier. Search nearby equestrian campsites or find top-rated spots from other campers.
Best Equestrian Sites Near New Cuyama, CA (14)
1. Cachuma Lake Recreation Area
Santa Ynez, California56 Reviews•239 Photos•860 SavesSet amidst acres of wilderness flanked by the picturesque Santa Ynez and San Rafael Mountains, lies glimmering Cachuma Lake. Here you will find practically everything you need for a relaxing getaway in the great outdoors. Mild temperatures, typically sunny skies, and celebrated fishing conditions make camping here during winter months exceptionally rewarding. The County entered into a long-term lease with the Federal Bureau of Reclamation in 1953 to manage the 9,000 acre Cachuma Lake Recreation Area. Cachuma Lake was formed by the construction of Bradbury Dam in that same year. Located off scenic Highway 154 in the Santa Ynez Valley, Cachuma Lake is midway between the beaches and bustle of Santa Barbara and the Danish Community of Solvang. At any age... in any season... you'll find that the Cachuma Lake Recreation Area offers a fun and relaxing getaway.
- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
2. KCL Campground
New Cuyama, California21 Reviews•43 Photos•84 SavesCamping is available on a first come-first serve basis, we do not take reservations. Twelve campsites (two are elevated ADA compliant), with picnic tables, fire pits, horse corrals and ADA compliant vault toilet. Electricy and drinking water is not available. There is no garbage service, please act responsibly and pack out any refuse you have. It has some of the few shade trees on the monument. Formerly owned by the Kern County Land Company, the KCL still has a few of the original barn structures as well as some of the corrals. Please refrain from entering the barn structures.
- Phone Service
- RVs
- Tents
- Group
- Equestrian
- Standard (Tent/RV)
3. Reyes Creek Campground
Pine Mountain Club, California15 Reviews•47 Photos•312 SavesOverview
Hammock spots, dipping holes and a fishing stream make Reyes Creek Campground an ideal hideaway. Located near the Sespe Wilderness alongside Reyes Creek you will find renewal and replenishment, Reyes Creek-style.
Recreation
Trail hiking, fishing, swimming, group camping, mountain biking, hunting, horseback riding, nature viewing, and recreational mining are favored activities. Day trips to higher elevation snow play in the winter is also enjoyed.
Natural Features
This shaded streamside campground located at 3,500 feet elevation boasts an ample supply of riparian oak and cottonwood trees. The creek area is well shaded and runs year-round. Overhead you may catch a glimpse of red-tailed hawks soaring above the trees. If you are lucky, you may see a California condor!
Nearby Attractions
Located south of Ozena Valley, this campground provides access to the Sespe Wilderness via the Reyes Creek Trail linking to the Piedra Blanc National Recreation Trail. This site is the trailhead for Gene Marshall-Piedra Blanca National Recreation Area ideal for hiking or mountain biking.
- Pets
- Fires
- Reservable
- RVs
- Tents
- Group
$150 - $154 / night
4. Sycamore Campground
New Cuyama, California7 Reviews•10 Photos•65 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
5. Lopez Lake Recreation Area
Arroyo Grande, California34 Reviews•87 Photos•381 SavesLocated just ten miles east of Arroyo Grande, California, Lopez Lake Recreation Area is one of the top choices for camping and leisure trips. With 22 miles of shoreline and summer lake temperatures around 70°F, there is something for everyone; camping, fishing, boating, picnicking, hiking and equestrian trails, mountain biking, zip-lining, birdwatching and so much more. The warm climate of the Central Coast makes Lopez Lake the ideal, year-round recreational destination. Once covered by the sea, the surrounding hills of Lopez Lake are rich with relics of ancient days and studded with oak trees. Over 175 species of flowering plants, and more than 150 species of birds have been identified within the park. The naturally beautiful canyons were once hunting and fishing grounds for the Chumash Indians. Later, homesteaders and ranchers inhabited the area and harvested grain crops for Mission San Luis Obispo. Lopez Lake was then created in 1969 to provide domestic water for the Five Cities area of the Central Coast.
Lopez Lake with its 22 miles of shoreline is the ideal year-round recreational destination for everyone. There are 377 campsites to choose from. Many overlook the lake, and others are nestled among picturesque oaks. There are primitive, electrical, full hook-up, and group campsites available. Hot shower facilities are at several campgrounds. Camping reservations can be made up to one year in advance.
- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Reservable
- ADA Access
- RVs
$60 - $70 / night
6. Miranda Pine Campground
Carrizo Plain National Monument, California4 Reviews•7 Photos•142 SavesNestled in the pines. Nice vistas of the Cuyama Valley.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- ADA Access
- Tents
- Group
7. Thousand Trails Rancho Oso
Goleta, California7 Reviews•28 Photos•137 SavesBordered by the Los Padres National Forest and the Santa Ynez River, Rancho Oso RV Camping offers acres of beautiful scenery and endless opportunities for horseback riding, hiking, and photography. Explore 310 beautiful acres of our RV camp in California, filled with history dating back to 1845. Put on your boots and hats (spurs optional), come to our RV camp in coastal California, and experience the Western atmosphere of Rancho Oso from our RV camping sites.Have a horse? Board it with us & take advantage of our Western Village and horse camping options with spacious pasture, covered corrals and more.
Visit the Western Village, adobe, stables, conestoga wagons, cabins, stone lodge and all the unique amenities we have to offer at our RV camp in California. At Rancho Oso RV Resort, we encourage you to participate in the recreation events, entertainment, or sit back, relax, and enjoy the scenery and wildlife native to our area. We are also just a scenic 30-minute drive from Santa Barbara or Solvang.
- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
8. Colson Canyon Campground
Santa Maria, California6 Reviews•22 Photos•42 SavesColson Campground is a primitive campground located approximately 40 miles from the city of Santa Maria, CA. There are five campsites with tables and fire rings. There is no running water and no bathroom. Popular campground for hunters, as this campground is easy access to the Alejandro Trail. Please pack out all of your trash.
- Pets
- Fires
- Tents
- Group
- Equestrian
- Picnic Table
9. Barrel Springs Campground
Los Alamos, California2 Reviews•37 SavesAdjacent to La Brea Creek. Located in canyon bottom, surrounded by oak trees.
- Pets
- Fires
- Tents
- Equestrian
- Tent Cabin
- Glamping
10. Wagon Flat Campground
Los Padres National Forest, California1 Review•3 SavesAdjacent to La Brea Creek. Located in canyon bottom, surrounded by oak trees.
- Pets
- Tents
- Equestrian
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Tent Cabin
- Glamping
Recent Equestrian Reviews in New Cuyama
160 Reviews of 14 New Cuyama Campgrounds
- SSusie B.
Traveler
Cachuma Lake Recreation Area
Please Don’t Tell Anyone About This — OOPS
This is tragi-comedy: I was invited to a wedding in Santa Barbara. It was summer and the most fleabitten motel prices were astronomical. I began to look at campsites within driving distance, I was desperate. Booked Catchuma and thought, hoorah, I’ve defeated the tourism trap.
Well… from the moment I arrived . . . I really could not care less about the wedding. My god. I think I’ll leave it at that.
Bring binos. Boat, bring your canoe/kayak.
- K
Kim G.
Ranger
Lopez Lake Recreation Area
Not our scene: hot, crowded, buggy
We had reservations for 2 nights on an Augugst Friday / Saturday at Lopez Lake in a full-hook-up site in Bandtail (Site 38). The reviews of this place were great, and the photos were beautiful. We arrived to find a HUGE park (yes, I should have noted how many campsites there are). Check-in involved parking our van and standing in line like Disneyland. The park employees were nice though. There were big signs all around "NO FIRES" (more on this later) and I was also told at check in that there were no fires. We found our site easily enough, only to realize how closely packed the sites were in Bandtail. Some nice folks to our right had three sites - 11 kids and 21 people between them. The kids rode their bikes all over, and even onto our site (while also running around our van chasing a chipmunk). We had our daughter's dog, so tried sitting outside in the shade, only to find that in addition to the heat (it was mid 80s), there were biting flies. :( Poor puppy got bit or stung more than once. So we went in our van and turned on the AC (it could run on low with the 20A service there). Then, after dark, a dad and his young son arrive on our other side and had to back in their boat in the dark. We got out of our rig and helped them (twice) with our portable lights and guidance. In the morning, they spoke in very loud voices and we were right next door. We did take one of the trails in the heat, but they are not at all well maintained - basically trampled grass that could easily hold a snake. While the area is pretty, it is just way too crowded for our taste. Oh, and the bathrooms were dimily lit, had a couple of non-functioning toilets, and were dirty. We were ready to get out of there and will not be back. Lastly, though the fire danger was marked as extremely high and "NO FIRES" signs at check-in, along with verbal warnings of no fires, I saw two campsites had open fires in the fire pits. This blatant lack of regard for rules and safety didn't sit well with me. And no one was enforcing the fire ban. Sad.
Jeremy F.
GuideLopez Lake Recreation Area
Great time with the whole family
Large sites with plenty of room for tents and all the other camping necessities. This site backs up into the hills and there are black bears that roam the area so be sure to prepare for that. The lake is full and lots of areas to fish.
- MMichael B.Guide
KCL Campground
Quiet rolling hills
Small campground for 12 smaller than 30 ft rigs or tents. Most are much smaller. Rough bumpy road for miles ether direction on a first come, first serve campground. Has vaulted toilet with no water or other services. If full, would seek off road area on right just as you approach. Has older building of interest. There was a great horned owl in one of the few eucalyptus trees at the campsite. Quiet and nice area to take a hike or two with pretty nice views if you like the high desert landscape. Warning not to travel dirt roads after a rain as you’re likely to get stuck. Better if you come in from the north side(58) on paved roads, but would limit you to boondocking likely because unable to get to this or Selby campgrounds. Selby is another first-come site to the NW
Julian M.Guide
Sycamore Campground
Birthday party
Great weekend experience
Shari G.
LegendCachuma Lake Recreation Area
Huge County Campground with Numerous Site Types
The lovely county run park in the hills above the Santa Barbara coastline, is a great campground offering a wide variety of camping experiences from full hook ups to grass covered spaces under the trees along the shores of this lovely reservoir. The sites offer the usual camp picnic table and fire ring, and the many group sites offer large grills and even a few picnic shelters.
The sunshine is typically abundant in this California park, and even without full hook ups you can easily get all the power you need with an appropriately sized solar panel system. We’ve run on solar for over 10 years, and it saves us thousands of dollars each year for our full-time camping life.
The flush bathrooms are clean and spacious. Water spigots were plentiful throughout the campground. The coin operated showers got the job done, but since we were there during a chilly March, things could have been warmer. But hey, everything important got clean…
The lake is perfect for boating, but since it’s a drinking water reservoir, there is no body contact with this body of water. So plan on using the campground pool to cool off during the summer months. Hiking and mountain biking trails are abundant throughout the area, and kayaking, canoeing, fishing or sailing on the lake is the perfect way to spend the afternoon.
The campground offers some excellent yurts and cabins for nightly rent right on the shores of the lake. These are often booked out so plan ahead.
The camp store offers enough grocery supplies in case you forgot something, including ice, snacks, fire wood, and gas. There is also a cool pub down by the boat ramp which offers live music in the weekends. The nearby tourist town of Solvang offers a great day trip to sample the amazing Dutch pastry treats, pick up some groceries, wine tasting, or a night out on the town.
Lee D.LegendCachuma Lake Recreation Area
Quiet in the off-season
General: Many different options from tent sites to premium tent sites, water/electric, and FHU sites in addition to yurts and cabins.
Site Quality: Varies greatly depending on what type of site you choose. The only sites with gravel paved pads were the ones with water/electric hookups or FHU; all others were grass. Most seemed level. It was raining heavily when we were there and some of the sites were flooded. Very little to no separation/privacy between sites. We were in a w/e site, and it was long enough to easily accommodate two camper vans.
Activities/Amenities: Off-season, everything was closed but in-season, there is a marina, boat rentals, restaurant, store, gas station, pool, and laundry.
Bath/Shower house: Clean but very basic. No hooks or shelves for toiletries. Cold water only. The shower looked nice but did not use so cannot comment on it.
IMO, the best options are the premier tent sites, yurts, and cabins as they offer the best lake views. We had not planned on camping here but after evacuating from Jalama Beach, we were told this park would honor our reservation. It rained most of the time we were there, and it was off-season, so I imagine it would be an entirely different experience in the summer when all amenities were offered and the campground was full.
Jenn-X •.TravelerCachuma Lake Recreation Area
Cachuma Lake
Sprawling campgrounds.
- jjerryTraveler
Cachuma Lake Recreation Area
Camp ground site 143 partial hook ups
Stayed at camp site #143 no shade trees very dusty site. Rental boats pontoon type are brand new. Boat rental opens at 7am close at 7pm boat harbor is very nice with new boat docks. If going fishing the K boats are nice but anchor line to short to use I bring my own 50’ of anchor rope and use their anchor. Came hear to get away from all the illegal fire works where I live. Not one fireworks at the park yea the dog had a great nights sleep. Plus the swimming pool was great open from 12 noon to 5:30pm they have plenty of chairs and have life guards
Laura M.LegendKCL Campground
Beautiful, quiet and free
7 regular campsites for car/ RV camping, and about 4-5 or so walk up sites behind the barn for tents only. There is parking at the barn.
Pretty busy little campground, but if you arrive and all the spots are taken I’d stick around because a lot of picnickers use camping spots for lunch and are gone shortly after. Not only that, but people kind of squeeze in any which way and make a spot for themselves for the night as well, and it was all fine. The campground was so nice and quiet and peaceful - nobody had kids with them so it was just a mellow calm vibe the whole time, so relaxing.
Very friendly and quiet vibes here, we really enjoyed it. Nice walking trails right from the campground as well. Amazing wildflower blooms in spring.
Toilets available, as well as water, but the spigot ran dry when we were here in April.
Zero Verizon coverage, even with the weboost, even from the top of the hill. ATT had good service, good enough for streaming and web browsing.
We made it here in our 26ft class c. The road coming in was rough but doable. I wouldn't try coming in anything bigger, as it was we were the biggest giant thing there. We did fit in our spot along the edge but still felt very big. The middle sites are not level but the ones along the edges were.
Free, 14 day limit. Ranger came through to check on things.
AM S.GuideCachuma Lake Recreation Area
Wholesome experience
Something for everyone, no matter your level of camping. Staff was great when my car battery died too.
- April C.Guide
KCL Campground
Great location
Nice and clean. Vault toilets. There’s water, but not sure if it’s potable, there wasn’t a sign. No trash service, you have to pack it out. There is an area for your horse. Walk in sites, rv/car camp/van/tent sites. It’s first come first serve, no reservations and it’s free.
- RRoxyTraveler
Reyes Creek Campground
Nice stay but cold
Reyes Creek was great. The drive was nice, very scenic. The campsite was nice but small. Campsites are very, very close together. Some are smaller than others. Especially closer to the creek are smaller. The bathrooms are very clean for a campsite bathroom. Jade was very helpful and informative. She told us about two trails, we did the lighter one that was very nice. I can see this place being very nice in the summer. The weather on the apps are wrong. You have to google a few things to get the right weather. It was much colder than expected at night, woke up to 29 degrees F and ice on my tent and car windows. Other people with us said they had ice in their tent.
- ZZakGuide
Lopez Lake Recreation Area
The lake is FULl
Called to see if they had spots and they did. Super helpful staff to help get us a spot. The lake level is at 100% and is amazing to see. With all the rain some of the sights still have water running through them.
- GGeorge K.
ScoutLopez Lake Recreation Area
The joys of bad weather
Very popular but everyone stayed home! Hilly area, lots of trails, lots of rain…
- DDebbie M.Guide
Cachuma Lake Recreation Area
Excellent location
We stayed during the recent storm of the century in Central California so weren’t able to take advantage of what the park has to offer. The sites are very long and not too jammed together. Immaculate bathrooms and showers. Close to Los Olivos (great wine tasting) and Solvang. Disc gold course.
- Mario I.Scout
Lopez Lake Recreation Area
Camping
You
- LLinda S.Guide
Cachuma Lake Recreation Area
Lots of different kinds of sites.
Good experience overall. There are many kinds of sites including full hook up, partial, primitive, cabins & yurts. Many sites have views of the lake.
Jonah E.ScoutReyes Creek Campground
Love this spot. No campsite map, made one here.
I love this campground, but reserving a site is a pain since there isn't a site map. Here's the sites in the main loop. Hope you all find this helpful!
- LLinda S.Guide
Lopez Lake Recreation Area
Something to please everyone
We’ve camped here many times over the last 15 years. We’ve tent camped on primitive sites and camped with a pop-up with electricity & water. None of the full hookup sites have a view but some of the tent sites do. There isn’t much fishing now, because the water is so low, but there are still pretty hikes to be had and water slides if it’s hot. We’ve been to the ropes course too, which is really fun.
- mmary F.Legend
Cachuma Lake Recreation Area
Mostly a good camp
Huge campground! Variety of sites from dry to full hookups. Anything with hookups is cramped though. We originally booked FHU and opted out for much more spacious dry site. Dry sites really vary but all are largish. Fire pit at 409 put in a strange location so that we is located on the back side of our trailer. Really no other way we could have configured it. For such a large park with so many amenities I cannot believe the dog park is downright tiny. But park during week is largely vacant so a lot of space to let your dog run (which is against policy). Sure the place is a muddy mess is the rain. Ground squirrels got the place all torn up but hey they were there first. Generally this is a great destination resort! Go see the monarch butterflies in Goleta in winter months. They overwinter there!
Ariya B.GuideLopez Lake Recreation Area
Beautiful spot
Had a great time here. Cool hiking trails where you’ll see lots of deer.
Emily B.TravelerCachuma Lake Recreation Area
Clean campsite and facilities
Okay so spot 289 has an amazing view - but somehow that gives your fellow camper the green light to just confidently stroll through your campsite without saying a word? I’m a small woman - was sitting alone in my site. A man just strolled up to take in the view right next to my tent. My dudes - please be aware of how eerie it can feel for a woman to have a man just assert his dominance and presence without permission!! I would never in a millions years just go hang out at another person’s campsite.
- lluisScout
Cachuma Lake Recreation Area
Our first raid trip
It was pretty clean. Everything was nice. Even the market was good. The only disappointing things was not be able rent a boat . There not strict with policy of 2 hours and return the boat back. That just the disappointing part of our trip. Rather then that it was pretty good.
- JJose Q.Traveler
Lopez Lake Recreation Area
Love it
Been camping at Lopes Lake since 2016 with my friends and it’s never a disappointment to go for fun and good relaxation from the city.
- JJay T.Traveler
Cachuma Lake Recreation Area
Father’s Day weekend
Nice camping. Plenty of spots and not very expensive $30 for a site.
- JJon S.Traveler
Cachuma Lake Recreation Area
Lake Cachuma Campground
What a beautiful lake campground. Facilities clean, campground well maintained. Choose site well some have no shade.
Guide to New Cuyama
Horse camping in California offers a unique opportunity to explore the great outdoors while enjoying the company of your equine friends. With a variety of campgrounds catering to horse enthusiasts, you can find the perfect spot to set up camp and ride the scenic trails.
Equestrian campers like these nearby activities
- At KCL Campground, visitors can enjoy peaceful hikes through the high desert landscape, making it a great spot for both horse riding and nature walks.
- Thousand Trails Rancho Oso provides ample opportunities for horseback riding with its remote mountain location and scenic trails.
- Reyes Creek Campground features nearby trails perfect for horseback riding, allowing campers to immerse themselves in the natural beauty of Los Padres National Forest.
Campers appreciate these amenities for horses
- KCL Campground offers a designated area for horses, ensuring that equestrian campers have the necessary space for their animals.
- At Thousand Trails Rancho Oso, horse owners can take advantage of the campground's facilities, including horse rentals and trails specifically designed for equestrian activities.
- Miranda Pine Campground allows pets, including horses, making it a welcoming spot for those traveling with their equine companions.
Most campgrounds have horse-focused amenities like trails and facilities
- Reyes Creek Campground features well-maintained trails that are ideal for horseback riding, providing a serene environment for both riders and their horses.
- Thousand Trails Rancho Oso is known for its equestrian-friendly setup, including corrals and access to extensive riding trails.
- Brookshire Campground offers a rustic camping experience with access to trails suitable for horseback riding, making it a great choice for those looking to connect with nature on horseback.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near New Cuyama, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near New Cuyama, CA is Cachuma Lake Recreation Area with a 4.3-star rating from 56 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near New Cuyama, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 14 equestrian camping locations near New Cuyama, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.