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Horseshoe Meadow Campground provides equestrian-focused sites within Inyo National Forest, accommodating both horses and riders. The campground features designated hitching posts, water access for horses, and sites specifically designed for trailer parking. While no dedicated horse corrals are present, the meadow setting offers ample space for portable corrals or highlines. Tent camping and RV sites are available with picnic tables and bear boxes at most sites. Vault toilets and water spigots serve the camping area. The meadow setting attracts equestrians preparing for backcountry trips with abundant space for horses to rest before hitting the trails. Many sites are spaced generously under Jeffrey pines with flat tent pads.
Multiple trailheads originate from the campground, connecting riders to the Pacific Crest Trail and several alpine lakes accessible by horseback. The elevation at 10,000 feet provides cool summer temperatures ideal for both horses and riders during hot weather. Trails vary from beginner-friendly meadow routes to expert backcountry paths leading to alpine destinations. Water access for horses exists throughout the meadow and along several trails. Kennedy Meadows offers additional equestrian camping options, with a working horse packing station that provides guided riding trips. The campground connects directly to numerous hiking and riding trails, with the South Fork Kern River nearby. Restroom facilities are basic vault toilets, and campers should bring their own drinking water as potable water sources are unreliable.
"I loved hearing the creek just 30 feet away from my campsite. The views were fantastic and the CG was near the rock formations and trails. Vault toilets clean, no water."
"Near Lone Pine, just off Whitney Portal Road, adjacent to Alabama Hills, so lots of exploring opportunities! Great dark skies for stargazing and photography."
from $10 / night
Check Availability"Really secluded surrounded by trees, close to bathroom and water faucet. The bathrooms are clean and have toilet paper. Right next to a river, where the sound relaxes you."
"Lone Pine Lake is your first option, about 2.8 miles from the trailhead at Whitney Portal. This is a beautiful little lake, surrounded by pines and imposing granite walls."
from $34 - $95 / night
Check Availability"This was (still kind of is) a working horse packing station where they ran cattle out for the summer. Most trips out now are aimed at tourists/fishermen but the vibe is still the same."
"Adventure Awaits folks get outside!"
"Overnight stay driving through. Easy access. Level parking areas. I stopped close to 395 & had no noise from road. Slept well with strong night winds."
"We landed here and drove thru the FF campground, which we knew was closed but wanted to check it out, and pulled out onto the dry lake bed area to spend the night. "
"I slept in the equestrian campground since those were back-in sites, but if there are horses you're not allowed to do that. The hike to the base of Langley was great though!"
"Many campgrounds close to each other but not on top. Cast meadow to the west is wonderful for morning walk with coffee. Hikes nearby from beginner to expert take you to alpine lakes."
from $6 / night
Check Availability"It is also very close to the town of Lone Pine, which has a little market and several restaurants in case you accidentally forget anything or don’t bring enough food. The views of Mt."
"We camped at one of the walk-in sites. Enough space for the 4 of us, 2 tents, and the family pup. The parking spots are only 50 yds away and next to the restrooms."
from $34 - $81 / night
Check Availability"It was a convenient place to park, because you drive right up to the trailhead, and there are trash cans, bear boxes, and vault toilets."
"We have a trip planned to come back next year for a week and backpack this whole trail. It’s so beautiful!!"
"First site is large and was to turn around a larger trailer or rv. The SuperDrive get to spots is getting a large rut go slow and even my Subaru Forester had no issue."
"We like to camp next to the creek. Fishing is plentiful and the air is great as long as there’s no fires near."
"went on day picnic back in the 90s, very peaceful, salmon creek near by,"
"This is one of my favorite here in sequoia national park south entrance by gen hi way. Park rangers were so helpful at the entrance and they are well organized."
"The lake isn't too cold if you want to rinse or just cool off. Plenty of tree coverage for both some shade and to hang your food."
GuideGreat for tent camping, but no pull-in or flat spots if you're sleeping in your vehicle. I slept in the equestrian campground since those were back-in sites, but if there are horses you're not allowed to do that. The hike to the base of Langley was great though!
LegendWe didn't camp here, rather we used this as the start/finish point for our 2-day hike to the summit of Mt. Langley. It was a convenient place to park, because you drive right up to the trailhead, and there are trash cans, bear boxes, and vault toilets. We stashed some extra toiletries in the bear boxes, rather than risk leaving them in the car. Toilets were pretty clean. Unfortunately, the potable water spigots were already turned off. The national forest website said they are off in the winter, but I didn't expect that already in early September. This is an equestrian campground, so there was some horse dung on the trails around the campground.
GuideStarted coming here over 40 years ago as a kid. This was (still kind of is) a working horse packing station where they ran cattle out for the summer. Most trips out now are aimed at tourists/fishermen but the vibe is still the same. Fun horse riding trips. Great family vacation to get away from everything. Cabins are rustic but have everything you need. Plenty of tent camping in the campgrounds before the lodge. This is a great starting point for many backcountry backpack trips as it is near the PCT. Lots of hiking. Great fishing spot, river is generally stocked with fish on a weekly basis.
ScoutThe hike to Kennedy meadows campground was wonderful and scenic and the campground itself is in a nice location. The only downfall is the trail and campground is shared for horses and there is POOP EVERYWHERE. Somewhere midway through the hike there is a trail leading to Sharon Lake. Very isolated lake with lots of trout - they were jumping out of the water.
GuideBy far the best campground I've been too.
I was on campsite 044. Really secluded surrounded by trees, close to bathroom and water faucet. The bathrooms are clean and have toilet paper. Right next to a river, where the sound relaxes you. Flat ground for the tent and in no sight of other campers. Close (walking distance) to Mt Whitney Trailhead
LegendJust off the highway, there are two designated vehicle campsites, however, there are several places to park your car and walk a short distance into a tent site. There are several other places that you can park your vehicle that are not designated for vehicle camping. There is a vault toilet but no other amenities. The tent sites have picnic tables and fire rings and hooks on poles for suspending food stuff. The vehicle camping sites have overhead shelters, fire rings with a grill and a hook and pole for suspending food stuff. If you walk about 30 to 40 minutes south on the PCT you will get some T-Mobile coverage, at a site I call the telephone booth, underneath a large pinyon pine sitting on a comfortable rock in the shade. The views are stupendous, and easy access to the PCT.
GuideMany campgrounds close to each other but not on top. Cast meadow to the west is wonderful for morning walk with coffee. Hikes nearby from beginner to expert take you to alpine lakes.
ScoutThis is a walk-in campground designed primarily for the backpackers who use this as a jumping off point for trips. There are campsites spread around the meadow with picnic tables and bear boxes.The campsites are spread well apart under the pines. The parking encircles the large, flat meadow. The area is just gorgeous. It’s a great spot to get away from summer heat at 10,000 feet. Vault toilets, water spigots. Lots of hiking.
GuideWe recently backpacked to the summit of MT Whitney. On the way to the summit there are several options for overnight camping. Lone Pine Lake is your first option, about 2.8 miles from the trailhead at Whitney Portal. This is a beautiful little lake, surrounded by pines and imposing granite walls. This is the last place you can camp without a Whitney zone overnight permit. Outpost camp is your next option at mile 3.8. Flat and shady with meandering streams and a waterfall, this is a beautiful place to stop for the night. Trail Camp is located at mile 6.3. Surrounded by tall, jagged granite peaks, and edged by a beautiful alpine lake, Trail Camp is awe inspiring. Trail Camp is about 12,000 ft elevation, so be prepared to camp at high altitude. If you can swing it, taking your time to ascend slowly, and camping along the way for at least a couple of nights will make your MT Whitney experience truly unforgettable.
Horseshoe Meadow Campground serves as a high-elevation staging area for equestrians and hikers accessing the Sierra Nevada backcountry. Located at 10,000 feet, the campground receives consistent daytime temperatures in the 70s during summer months, while nights can drop below freezing even in July. The area receives heavy winter snowfall, typically closing the access road from November through May.
Alpine lake fishing trips: From Inyo National Forest Cottonwood Lakes Trailhead Campground, access several alpine lakes with established trout populations. "We spent the day backpacking to check out spots for a future trip. We have a trip planned to come back next year for a week and backpack this whole trail," notes Taylor.
Summit nearby peaks: The trailheads provide access to multiple 14,000-foot mountains. "We didn't camp here, rather we used this as the start/finish point for our 2-day hike to the summit of Mt. Langley," explains Les R., who adds practical details: "It was a convenient place to park, because you drive right up to the trailhead, and there are trash cans, bear boxes, and vault toilets."
Explore volcanic formations: Visit Fossil Falls dry lake bed to examine unusual geological features. "This area is pretty trippy going from volcanic rock and flows to various brush to the dry, beautifully cracked dirt," writes Pinkie K. "The black dirt and yellow grass make this a magical place to wake up," adds Will.
Stargazing conditions: The high desert location creates exceptional night sky viewing. "The night sky splashed with the Milky Way visible most nights," reports Michael A. about Horseshoe Meadow Campground. "Verizon cell service was great and stars were bright," confirms Pinkie K. about the Fossil Falls area.
Secluded camping spots: The Alabama Hills dispersed site provides privacy with minimal facilities. "There are 3 legal spots with camping signs. First two are level. Third will need leveling blocks," reports Kent G. about Alabama Hills Dispersed Site. "Easy to find at night, even had a fire ring," adds Stephanie R.
Creek access: Multiple campgrounds provide water access for both drinking and recreation. At Horse Meadow Campground, Joseph Z. notes, "We like to camp next to the creek. Fishing is plentiful and the air is great as long as there's no fires near." Allison A. confirms: "Some [sites] are spacious, shady, flat, and along a creek."
Water availability varies: Many campgrounds have unreliable water sources, especially in late season. At Cottonwood Lakes Trailhead, Les R. found "the potable water spigots were already turned off. The national forest website said they are off in the winter, but I didn't expect that already in early September."
Wildlife considerations: Area wildlife includes marmots, bears, and mice. Deb H. warns about Tuttle Creek Campground — Alabama Hills: "We were invaded by deer mice. They got in our campervan. We killed more than 10 of them... There was a poster on the vault toilets warning about hantavirus in the area."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Olancha, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Olancha, CA is Tuttle Creek Campground — Alabama Hills with a 4.6-star rating from 47 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Olancha, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 15 equestrian camping locations near Olancha, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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