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Horse camping near North Fork, California offers one primitive equestrian campground for riders seeking remote, self-sufficient outings. The facility requires guests to bring all necessary equipment for both themselves and their horses, as amenities are extremely limited. No horse corrals are provided, making it essential for riders to bring their own portable containment systems or use high-lines for securing horses overnight. The campground is managed by the Bureau of Land Management's Bakersfield Field Office, offering tent camping in a rustic setting. Sites accommodate both horses and riders with sufficient space for horse trailers, though the exact specifications for trailer size limits are not specified.
Trail access from the Equestrian Campground connects directly to surrounding Bureau of Land Management trails, offering various riding opportunities through the Sierra National Forest terrain. The campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservation system in place. Riders should plan to bring all water needed for both horses and humans, as no drinking water is available on-site. No sanitary facilities or trash service exists at this location, requiring campers to pack out all waste. The surrounding area offers access to additional riding trails, though the specific trail systems are not well-documented in recent visitor reports. This primitive horse campground appeals primarily to self-sufficient riders comfortable with minimal facilities in a remote setting.
"After accidentally driving to this location following the directions of another reviewer for the “Yosemite Boondocks” campground across 41 (which we never found) we were very happy with this location."
"Great spot about 5 minutes away from Yosemite entrance. Only a few other campers nearby but plenty of space to where they were only seen from a distance."
"The site is pet friendly and has horse stables. Our neighbors were friendly and quiet. The site had a picnic table, fire pit, water spout and full electricity hook ups."
"Driving from the West toward Yosemite this location is one which will allow you to find a camping option before getting into the big crowds. "
from $41 - $43 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $41 - $43 / night
Check Availability"Off-road on the way to the camp site. We stayed at #4, with a good shade and it’s by the creek. Everything is good only it’s too dusty when other cars pass by without slowing down."
"Has a creek through the middle next to pretty much all sites. The stars at night are incredible. It’s about a 40 minute drive from Yosemite."
"It would make the perfect group site as they were a bit tucked back from the other sites. Site #12 could easily be connected to site #11 as the brush is well-cleared between the two."
"Located a short 20 miles east of 99, just north of Fresno, this Army Corps of Engineers campground is stunning."
from $20 - $100 / night
Check Availability"It is a beautiful campground located off Kaiser Pass Road. Even in June there was so many wildflowers and vibrate green. There was bathrooms and each site had a picnic table, fire pit, and bear box."
"When I visited some people had buried human waste next to the campsite and I cleaned it up. Most easily accessed via Kaiser Pass. Be aware that the road is steep, narrow, and has blind corners."
"I agree the road out is pretty scary I don't advise trailers but I have seen them while driving in. It is one lane and you must pull out for opposing traffic."
"Our campground was right next to the river, and hiking trails to lakes, meadows and hot springs run directly off of the campground. The host was wonderful, it was all around perfect."
from $37 - $78 / night
Check Availability"Great location right in the middle of Yosemite Valley. Great access to beautiful hikes and scenery. The camp sites are spacious."
"There is a shuttle stop right outside the campground. You are also in easy walking distance to the path to Mirror Lake and the ever popular Mist Trail."
from $48 / night
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GuideGreat location right in the middle of Yosemite Valley. Great access to beautiful hikes and scenery. The camp sites are spacious. Because it's an equestrian campground, you will smell the horses and stables....be prepared. The river is close to the campgrounds and are refreshing on a hot day.
GuideI agree the road out is pretty scary I don't advise trailers but I have seen them while driving in. It is one lane and you must pull out for opposing traffic. But definitely one of my most favorite places in the Sierras. The views are amazing, I recommend giving yourself extra time to stop and get out for the views a few times on the way in.
Once in the campground/resort area there are two separate loops to camp in as well as cabins to rent and a small dispersed camping area there is also a general store, bath house, and small Cafe that are all seasonal since the road is closed most of the year. So open and close dates vary depending on snow. You can get firewood, drinking water at the store but it can be a little pricey, so I recommend bringing your own. The baths/showers are usually included for anyone paying for a campsite, but this may have changed. It is very cheap for day use persons to use the showers though. The sites are all very nice and surprisingly private though some are pretty close together. All provide a firepit, table, bear box, and parking space. I love that there are bear boxes at such a remote place! There are vault tiolets and dumpsters for trash. The river runs along one side of the campsites so about half of the sites are on the river. Bring extra bugspray for these sites as you are close to the water.
Most important if you made it this far reading 😅😂 there are multiple NATURAL HOT SPRINGS!! There are several different pools located across the river from the campgrounds. They are all over the hillside and range in temperature from lukewarm to bath water to Hot. They also pump the natural mineral water to the bathhouse for the showers! The springs are the main reason to come out and camp. There are also tons of hiking trails and other lakes in the area including 2 thermal lakes and tons of breathtaking views. I highly recommend this place. 🏞🏕
Also: I have not personally stayed in the cabins or dispersed camping area only the paid sites along the river, but I have been here several times and have seen them. There is also a corral area for horses so I'm not sure if that qualifies it as an equestrian camp but there is a spot for the horses.
TravelerIf you wanna get away and camp next to a river and down a trail and shoot your gun or go fishing you can freedom you can horseback ride if you have horses he can fish there are fish there trout it's beautiful peaceful.
TravelerThis campground is in the heart of Yosemite Valley. It is great to camp on the valley floor, especially during peak season as traffic from all main gates to the valley floor is very congested. There is a shuttle stop right outside the campground. You are also in easy walking distance to the path to Mirror Lake and the ever popular Mist Trail. Shuttle stops at all valley attractions and you can easily get to the Pizza Deck in Half Dome Village, the deli in Yosemite Village, and many different hiking trails. Some spots are right along the Merced River. No showers here, but hot showers are close by at Half Dome Village. We will be back!
LegendIt is hard to get a Camping spot in Yosemite but well worth it if you do. I got up early many a morning to try and get a day here or there for our summer trips out west. You can always try the daily lottery in the village office which we did one day. So Any campground in the valley is good and in close proximity to everything going on. This campground is located on the Merced river and is primitive. The horse stables are in this loop as well.There is a water station by entrance to fill up. No electric, sewer or shower. There are bathrooms with an outlet (Yea- can charge your Phone but get in line) You can bathe in river like I do or go to curry village and pay for a shower at housekeeping. You get a fire ring and a bear box at each site. Generator hours are limited so plan accordingly.
ScoutAlthough this campground is located in the midst of so much dramatic beauty, few campgrounds capture that beauty like this one. While sitting in your campsite, you can see majestic mountains and a very quiet. It is located across from horse stables if you like that and near a little store. Fishing appears to be the popular activity here although we are not fisher persons. It is a great base camp to all of the June Lake and Mammoth region
RangerThousand Island Lake is a trek to get to but once you get there, well you don’t really want to leave. This view is absolutely beautiful, and it changes rapidly with the rising and setting sun so make you have your camera ready for it. This is completely back country so you gotta pack it all in. There are some rules you have to follow while camping at this lake, 30 feet off of the trail and then another 100 feet away from the water. This can be hard to do as your camp may be on a slant or in the wide open, however you have plenty of space to choose from at this location. There is another rule about camping past a certain peninsula but from everyone we talked to they had no idea which peninsula the map was actually referring to, so you just walk past a couple of them and hope you’re in the right spot. The water is very cold but still feels great after a long hike all day.
There are multiple routes to getting to this lake, you can come. The John Muir trail and the PCT lead to this location, also Mammoth California has a trail that leads here as well. We even encountered mule train options on our way in if you prefer that type of transportation. But this is definitely somewhere you want to visit.
GuideWe were lucky to get 5 days in a row during 4th of July weekend in 2021 at one of the best sites within North Pines campground. We set up camp at site #515, we had a fire pit, bear locker, picnic table and two tents! Within walking distance is the edge of the Merced river, from there you have views of Yosemite Falls. One of my favorite activities was take a short walk with a floating tube from the campsite to the entrance of the campground and hop into the river float back down and get off near our campsite! Our site also offered a good amount of shade and was a short walk from the restrooms. We were surround amongst the giant granite cliffs. One of the best camping trips with great company. 10/10 would recommend.
TravelerAfter accidentally driving to this location following the directions of another reviewer for the “Yosemite Boondocks” campground across 41 (which we never found) we were very happy with this location.
First, to tell you how to properly get here and find all the spots, drive to the end of the road (don’t pay attention to the gate and “off road” dirt road you see to the left before the parking lot. Don’t go there. Go to just before the big Snow Play parking lot and head right through the dirt. There is no paved road but the area is flat and any car, truck or rv/trailer can make it back here easily. I got nervous at first about ability to turnaround so I parked prematurely near the entrance. Keep going and you’ll find at least 4 or 5 big private areas separated by huge cut logs all with plenty of room to turnaround and not have to back up.
If you’re nervous, we watched several cars, vans, and trailers camp overnight in the big paved parking lot right past this, and that’s fine, but you’re in a parking lot. Come out to the right and you’re in heaven.
We were the only RV here and had it to ourselves an entire week (granted it’s early November). Can’t beat the proximity to Yosemite south entrance.
Horse camping near North Fork, California offers diverse options in Sierra National Forest at elevations between 3,000-6,000 feet. This region experiences hot, dry summers with temperatures often exceeding 90°F from June through September, while fall brings cooler conditions and colorful foliage. Most equestrian sites are primitive with limited facilities requiring self-sufficiency for both riders and horses.
Trail riding from camp: Some campgrounds connect directly to forest service trails. At Goat Meadow - Dispersed Camp Site, campers report access to various riding paths. "Beautiful scenery, clean, close to Yosemite, and easy to reach," notes Derrick H., who adds that following Mount Raymond Road leads to multiple camping areas.
Swimming spots: Several lakes and streams in the area provide cooling options during hot summer days. At Fish Creek (CA), "the kids loved playing in the creek," according to Aya-Mei D., though be aware that "a lot of trees survived in the creek but the surrounding area was decimated" from past fires.
Hot springs exploration: The region offers natural hot springs for post-ride relaxation. At Mono Hot Springs, "there are multiple NATURAL HOT SPRINGS!! There are several different pools located across the river from the campgrounds. They are all over the hillside and range in temperature from lukewarm to bath water to Hot," explains Mollie M.
Peace and seclusion: Many riders appreciate the remote setting of equestrian sites. At Big Sandy Campground, Leon G. notes it's "very peaceful and clean," adding that "it has a very nice stream that runs right down the middle of campground that basically every site is next to the water."
Wildlife viewing: The natural setting provides opportunities to observe local fauna. At Goat Meadow, Alexander Mark C. warns that "coyotes and bears are active in the area—coyotes raided a bag I had hanging from a tree and stole my food!" This highlights the importance of proper food storage when camping with horses.
Fishing opportunities: Streams and lakes offer fishing options after a day of riding. At Mono Hot Springs, one camper explains that "the river runs right close to the campsites and it is amazing fishing, I was told that it gets stocked often."
Road conditions: Many horse-accessible campgrounds have challenging access roads. For Sweetwater, Crystal C. advises that "Before you visit this area of California familiarize yourself with Bear Safety and learn not only what to do but how to make sure you are safe at your camp when you are away."
Water availability: Most equestrian campgrounds require bringing your own water supply. As Bernadette A. from Sweetwater confirms, recreation.gov information isn't always accurate: "Recreation.gov states that bear proof lockers are provided but that is not true."
Fire restrictions: Check current regulations before planning to use campfires. At Big Sandy, Kelly M. notes it's "rough road in" and suggests that "you can have pretty large groups (covered by the 20-something dollar camp fee)," making it suitable for group trail rides.
Creek access: Sites near water provide natural entertainment for children. At Sample Meadow Campground, Regina P. notes that "the campsites are far enough apart to feel like you are all alone in the woods! The Kaiser Creek provides hours of fun for the kids."
Bear safety education: Turn wildlife awareness into a learning experience. Darlene M. reports Sample Meadow "is a beautiful campground located off Kaiser Pass Road. Even in June there was so many wildflowers and vibrate green. There was bathrooms and each site had a picnic table, fire pit, and bear box."
Proximity to attractions: Some sites offer easy access to natural features. At Fish Creek, campers note that while facilities are limited, the creek access provides recreation for children even though the campground has seen damage from past fires.
Trailer access challenges: Most equestrian-friendly campgrounds have limited space for large rigs. At Goat Meadow, Kevin T. reports: "Quite a large level area, though it was November and not peak season so there were loads of space. We pulled in and there were a couple of trailers with horses and a couple of other vehicles and we parked with loads of space between."
Generator restrictions: Check rules regarding generator use. At Mono Hot Springs, Chris M. explains the challenging access: "The road in was an adventure. The last 18 miles over Kaiser Pass took 1.5 hours. A sub-par road surface little bigger than one lane in many places made transit interesting."
Seasonal considerations: Plan visits during optimal weather windows. Collin from Sample Meadow recommends checking conditions: "Most easily accessed via Kaiser Pass. Be aware that the road is steep, narrow, and has blind corners. This campground can also be accessed via Big Creek. I recommend checking conditions with the Prather Ranger Station before setting out."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near North Fork, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near North Fork, CA is Goat Meadow - Dispersed Camp Site with a 4.5-star rating from 53 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near North Fork, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 28 equestrian camping locations near North Fork, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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