Looking for a place to camp near Nicolaus with your horse? Whether you own a horse or are joining a tour group, equestrian camping is an adventurous and unique way to experience the city. With our help, you'll find the best California equestrian campsites from scenic to easily accessible.
Beal's Point Campground is one of two locations on the lake that allows overnight camping in the campground. Barbecue pits, shade areas and large grassy areas can accommodate many family picnics and other activities. The Beal's Point Snack Bar also rents beach equipment. The beach equipment includes kayaks, standup paddleboards, shade canopies, and rafts of all sizes. Additionally, catering for family and company picnics, as well as group discount rental rates, are available.
$28 - $48 / night
WELCOME TO ASCENSION RANCH Ascension Ranch is an off-grid paradise tucked away in an oak savanna along Folsom Lake with a unique and ever growing list of features and activities. Family owned, we're a small operation with big dreams. Offering a serene environment, an abundance of farm animals, and good old fashioned Ranch activities, we invite you to spend some time with us out on the Ranch! Come play for the day or reserve a private campsite, and see what all the fuss is about. Some of things you'll come across at Ascension Ranch include baby farm animals, sheep, goats, cattle, horses, more horses, ranch dogs, puppies, chickens, equestrian activities, secluded campsites, amazing views, access to endless trails around and of course, good company.
$49 - $245 / night
Dru Barner Campground offers 48 campsites that are nestled in the forest just 6 miles from Georgetown, CA. The campground offers access to trails, creeks and is a short drive from some nearby reservoirs. This campground was designed for equestrians, but it can also be used by tent, camper, trailer and recreational vehicles. Common wildlife to the area includes turkeys, deer, bears, coyote and racoons. Portions of the campground have a canopy of trees, but many of the camp units have very little shade.
Dru Barner Campground provides some good camping opportunities without having to drive long distances into the forest. Dru Barner Campground provides access to many non-motorized trails. It also is close to the Rock Creek Trail System that has both non-motorized, motorized, and multiple use trails. Several horse clubs have used Dru Barner Campground as the staging area for equestrian recreation events under special use permits. Several horse clubs have hosted barbecues and taco bars at the group kitchen area after their trail rides. Some couples have used the group kitchen area for weddings. Stumpy Meadows Reservoir is located only about 15 miles to the east for those seeking water-based recreation. There is a campground concessionaire that operates the Stumpy Meadows Boat Ramp and Picnic Area. A day use fee is charged for those facilities. Stumpy Meadows Reservoir has a 5-mile speed limit for motor boats. Rafts, canoes and kayakers frequently travel on the reservoir. There are some shorelines that provide access for swimming and wading.
Dru Barner Campground sits on a ridgeline of the Hornblende Mountains. To the north, Otter Creek has cut a forested canyon. To the south, there are the rolling ridges that surround Rock Creek. There are forests of Ponderosa pine, sugar pine, Douglas-fir, white fir and incense cedar with groups of black oak and madrone. This campground is about 15 miles west of Stumpy Meadows Reservoir.
This location is unstaffed. To speak with our main office for general information, please call: (530) 334-6477.
A nearby attraction is the Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park in Coloma, CA. This attraction is located about 16 miles southeast of Dru Barner Campground. It is where James W. Marshall discovered gold in 1848. This started the California Gold Rush. Historic building such as the blacksmith shop, mill workers cabin and the Coloma schoolhouse are available to see. There are gold panning demonstrations. There is a Gold Discovery Trail to learn the history and see the sites.
$4 - $8 / night
Space rental beginning January 1, 2022 is $40 per day 2021 rate $35 per day and the dump fee is $10. If interested, please call main office. Check in time after 1 p.m. and check-out time is no later than 12:00 p.m. Special arrangements for after-hours arrival or departure must be made in advance. Spaces are on a first-come, first-serve basis with no guarantee of availability. Due to COVID-19 restrictions on number of spaces, we encourage you to phone us on the day of your arrival to obtain a reservation for a spot. Spaces will be assigned.
$40 / night
Traveler
I am not the easiest but the staff has a heart of gold and at every turn we’re really there to help.
Guide
Quiet stop, but I wouldn't call it the most beautiful stop I've ever stayed. Camping spots are to the left and the right I'd the day use. Pit toilets. No garbage.
ScoutThe camp area is closed, as of 2/9/2024. No indication of that on the BLM website.
TravelerGreat view onsite, sites are clean. Bathrooms however where not.
TravelerGreat free campground! We've stayed here many times. It's open, grassy level and quiet. Next to a stream and surrounded by hills. The only tough part is getting across the stream to some of the hikes. It's a hot spot for horses which of course have no stream problems, so the only negative is fly's sometimes. But just keep your screen door closed (& fly swatter handy). We always manage to level out in our 23" Winnebago View. There is lots of open space so no crowding. There is a rural road near by but traffic noise isn't a problem. Perhaps I should say it's awful so fewer people come and it's not discovered.
LegendGeneral: 69-site campground in two sections – one with electric hookups and one without.
Site Quality: We stayed in the non-hookup section. Site 36 was in a small spur with just four sites and direct access to the American River Bikeway. Although better suited for tents, the site worked fine for our camper van. The fire pit and picnic table were located quite a distance from the short paved camper pad, creating a sense of privacy.
Bath/Shower house: The building closest to us had three toilet/sink combos, one toilet only (there was an outside sink) and two showers. No soap, paper towels, or air dryers in any of the toilet rooms. Showers took quarters – two to turn it on and although I did not time it, two quarters gave a decent amount of time for the shower. Good hot water and a bench but no hooks.
Activities: Folsom Lake with all water-related activities. In addition to biking, the paved American River Bikeway was good for walking, running, and horseback riding. The grass was very dry, and I was surprised to see there was not a fire ban, as we’ve seen in almost every other campground not located on the coast. Four stars for the abundant recreation activities.
GuideNo trees just dry open land inhabited by an unusual amount of flies. It was crazy how thick they were. An almost dry creek runs alongside the open field of camping pads. To close to the road and way to exposed to feel comfortable to stay. If I needed a place to get some shut eye before heading onward, then maybe. I had a car full of flies that went to the coast with us. It was crazy.
Scout
The good part is this is a beautiful place in the trees to camp with nearby hiking,. And it's equestrian friendly if you want to bring your horse. The Verizon connection was strong. Even when the campgrounds full on weekend. It's very quiet, more soldier in the week. Bring water as there is none available due to poor quality.
Ranger
...then you want a good location for your home base. Cal Expo definitely has the centralized location for exploring Old Sac, Cal Expo, State Capitol, the rivers and beyond. Cal Expo RV Park is a parking lot where your rig is nose-down, not necessarily level, and your septic goes uphill to drain. It is quite noisy at night with traffic, sirens and other noise.
ScoutThis is a very clean and well maintained State camp ground. Full hook ups, but unfortunately low water pressure.
ScoutYou get the feeling you are in the middle of nowhere, but yet, still only 15 minute drive to Georgetown. Hopefully they get water or lack there of figured out soon, other than that, perfect spot for 🐎 and campers alike.
ScoutWe pulled in with a travel trailer and an suv with small cargo trailer. They made us rent 2 spots even tho we could have fit it one as the sites are HUGE. Full hookup, no wifi, cable connection but no cable, and NO BATHROOMS.
Scout
This was my first time going and I got to say, I enjoyed it! Super relaxing and has a lake that is at the end of the trail. Super convenient. It was cool to experience the animals that were in the pastures as well. I'd definitely come back.
ScoutI joined my brother and his 2 young kids at this great camp ground. The facilities are clean, easy access to lake beach swim area, and easy access to near by stores. This camp area is near city area but feels like you are far away from it.
TravelerEven with the increased costs this was a fantastic campground. Great access to hiking, bike trails, clean and fairly quiet.
GuideBeautiful sunsets. No showers. Bathrooms are clean. Some sites are rather small and have little flat ground. Pics on website are tough to see when booking. Lake to most sites is a drive, but there are a few campsites on the lake. Many sites are on hill, you walk up the hill or down a hill with stairs. Lake has day use area, but also a dock area for camping folks. Lots of mosquitoes. They have a fire are to cook, no fire ring, have a bear box and picnic table. Some sites have plenty of shade while others are just plain sun so be prepared.
Water is nice temperature and super clean! Nice to kayak, paddle, boat (they have boat ramps), fish, swim. Beach areas are rocks with weeds, but pretty.
GuideIt’s nice place to camping there.
ScoutGreat little campground with everything you could want, beaches, boat launches, hiking trails, flushing toilets, hot showers, and full cell service! If you're looking for serine nature, probably look elsewhere. As this is more of a park with camping.
TravelerMust visit for horse lovers!
GuideStaff was very nice and friendly and let us pick a spot. Price was very reasonable for dry spot 28$
Dyrt says that it has wifi but couldn’t find one and the showers needs QUARTERS and we were out of coins. So remember to take quarters with you if you want to shower.
Spot was really nice and certainly peaceful place but unfortunately we had loudly crying child next to us.
GuideThey claim tents are allowed be you can’t reserve a spot. The site says oops something went wrong and then it begins to show you all the attractions that are happening in coming to Cal Expo RV it’s basically a commercial. Very unhappy about that so I never went
ScoutThis is a beautifull campground. Nice campsites, friendly people, in the middle of nature.
GuideA lovely quiet spot midweek, quiet drive to Georgetown for some great breakfasts if you want some classic American diner fare. The campground itself is well maintained, though ants can be an issue if you are careless. Midweek and off season we had the place to ourselves 3 days. The near by Otter Creek Trail is a a nice day hike though a bit of switch backing elevation to get down to the creek.
Lots of wild turkeys, deer, and birds
GuideStayed two nights while working on the road. Really nice camp hosts and attendants. Nice services; clean bathrooms and coin op showers. Very green early in the season, lake extremely low, warm evenings already. GREAT cell service for working remotely. 5G with 5 bars. Dry camping spot 28.00/per night.
TravelerNever been during peak (summer) but both times we have stayed here in winter and it was FANTASTIC! Close to Georgetown and to the El Dorado National Forest. Super clean and easy to get to. Signs off 193 are well marked! The have horse corrals too if you’re into that. Highly recommend!
ScoutGreat campground, full hookup, large sites, had a great time there.
GuideWELCOME TO ASCENSION RANCH Ascension Ranch is an off-grid paradise tucked away in an oak savanna along Folsom Lake with a unique and ever growing list of features and activities. Family owned, we're a small operation with big dreams. Offering a serene environment, an abundance of farm animals, and good old fashion ranch activities, we invite you to spend some time with us out on the ranch! Come play for the day or reserve a private campsite, and see what all the fuss is about. Some of things you'll come across at Ascension Ranch include baby farm animals, sheep, goats, cattle, horses, more horses, ranch dogs, puppies, chickens, equestrian activities, secluded campsites, amazing views, access to endless trails around and of course, good company.
Camping near Nicolaus, California, offers a variety of experiences for outdoor lovers. From serene lakes to family-friendly campgrounds, there’s something for everyone.
Camping near Nicolaus, California, has its perks and quirks, but with a little planning, you can have a great time outdoors!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Nicolaus, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Nicolaus, CA is Beals Point Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 29 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Nicolaus, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 7 equestrian camping locations near Nicolaus, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
