2 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Loafer Creek Horse Campground at Lake Oroville State Recreation Area provides fully developed equestrian facilities with designated corrals, one of the few public campgrounds in the region specifically designed for horse owners. The campgrounds remain available year-round with roomy campsites set among trees offering ample shade and separation from other visitors. Sparse campground usage during fall and winter months ensures quiet conditions for horses and riders alike. Campground amenities include vault toilets, hot water showers, picnic tables, and fire pits at each site. Water pumps are strategically placed throughout the horse camping area. The campground's spacious layout accommodates horse trailers with parking areas designed for larger rigs, though some sites feature uneven terrain that requires careful positioning.
Trail access from Loafer Creek connects directly to the extensive Lake Oroville trail system, offering multiple route options through varied terrain suitable for both novice and experienced riders. Most trails provide lake views, particularly scenic during spring and fall seasons. The riding trails originate directly from the horse camping area, allowing riders to mount up at their campsites without trailering to distant trailheads. Water levels at Lake Oroville fluctuate seasonally, occasionally limiting access to certain shoreline trails during drought periods. During summer months, temperatures frequently exceed 100°F, making early morning or evening rides preferable. The location serves as an excellent basecamp for exploring the foothills region, with several nearby state recreation areas offering additional riding opportunities. Most visitors report pleasant, uncrowded trail conditions even during peak camping season.
"If you are looking for a small campground with full hookups, on the lake, close to Table Mountain and Feather Falls, this is for you."
"Really enjoyed this campground which is part of the Lake Oroville State Recreation Area. The staff where we checked in were helpful with all of our questions about the area."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $45 / night
"Water pumps near the sites. Vault toilets, hot water and showers. The campsites do not overlook the water. We visited in the off season with no reservations and there was plenty of availability."
"The lake is super low, but a pleasant campground on our way home."
Available this weekend
from $45 / night
"Great walking trails group sites are great love it"
"With pristine wilderness surrounding your tent, you can camp alongside the beautiful reservoir."
from $20 / night
"As with most of California everything is dry. The lake is very low and a half mile walk from park to get to. The sites are surrounded by dry tall grass and spaced out nicely."
"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."
Available this weekend
from $28 - $48 / night
"This is quintessential California no frills forest camping under trees that are so tall they muffle all sound, where the dirt is so infused with pine needles that it smells like incense. "
"Our site was next to the raft launch/pickup, so there were a couple of groups picked up during the day. Bathrooms were average and the site was maintained well."
"Small cars made it down ther without difficulty)
Once at the camp ground, right on the waters edge, grab up the 3rd site on the right. It is literally on the edge of the river."
from $15 / night
"Very pretty views of the valley from the campground, and having hiking trails start from the campground was really nice. Only complaints are very close neighbors and little shade."
"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."
"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!"
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $3 - $8 / night
"Bugs were minimal, a far cry from about 3 weeks ago at a nearby site. We were in Site 16, which has the ‘camp’ side opposite of our camper door - only reason we gave 4 stars & not 5."
"So remote and private but everything you need at the campground with water access within walking distance. Sites are great with picnic tables and bathrooms near by."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $24 - $48 / night
GuideFriendly staff and a camp host selling firewood. Clean flush toilets and hot showers for 50 cents. A little difficult to find a level spot for a van in the dry camping area, and most spots were right on the side of the road. It would be more enjoyable if one could pull off into the dirt area for level spots out of the main drag.
ScoutEasy to find campsite, we arrived after hours on a Monday so drove around to find a spot and then paid using the collection box and envelopes, we couldn't get the QR code to work. Phone reception here is good. There is a constant hum of traffic but it is not loud and it is quiet around camp. Toilets and showers are clean and well stocked with toilet paper. We didn't stay long but saw some wildlife, coyote and squirrels mostly. A little bit of rubbish around from campers but overall very tidy. The sites are flat pull-in or reverse-in style, there are also some campsites marked with wheel chair access.
LegendGeneral: Beals Point is one of two locations on Folsom Lake for camping. Large campground with a mix of electric and non-electric campsites plus some group sites.
Site Quality: Drives are paved and mostly level. We camped in a little “cul-de-sac” with just four sites. While these sites back up to the American River Bike Trail (aka Jedediah Smith Recreation Trail), it was overgrown, and I did not see direct access to the trail as we did the last time we were here.
Bath/Shower: Typical CA state park layout– all-gender units with toilet and sink (but no soap, towels, or dryers) and showers. Unlike other CA state parks, these take quarters instead of tokens. The units could use a little TLC, but what was most disheartening was how other campers had trashed them– toilet paper (and worse) scattered all over the insides. Obviously not the fault of the campground.
Activities/Amenities: Folsom Lake is the draw, and people were fishing, kayaking, and swimming. The 32-mile paved multi-use American River Bike Trail is easily accessible. There is a snack bar/concession stand for beach rentals, but it was not open when we were there.
Our stay here this time was over a weekend; it was completely full, and it reminded us once again that we prefer to camp during the week and shoulder seasons when campgrounds are less crowded!
GuideWe booked the Eagles Nest campsite, and the views were awesome! We stayed two nights and had a good time. There are two spots down below the main road that are accessible but recommend at minimum AWD, especially if visiting during the rainy season. The host was very helpful got us a case of water and even had fresh eggs that we bought. 👍🏼
GuideThis is quintessential California no frills forest camping under trees that are so tall they muffle all sound, where the dirt is so infused with pine needles that it smells like incense. Although this is a horse camp, anyone can camp here. It is primitive, but if you have your own toilet you'll be ok. Otherwise, you can use the old pit toilets provided. Because this is a horse camp, the sites are spacious. Kick back and enjoy.
GuideCame here for a moto trip and really enjoyed the spaciousness, layout, and natural beauty the area had to offer. You’re also about 3 or 4 miles away from the Georgetown OHV which made it an easy ride to get to the dirt.
As others have mentioned, getting to town is a short 15 minutes despite feeling like you’re in the middle of nowhere. Some decent restaurants and a pretty awesome grocery store there so you don’t have to fret if you forget anything.
I can’t speak for other months, but coming around Thanksgiving was just about perfect.
GuideThis is a small but,free camp site. Each camp site is spacious and has a metal firepit , picnic table. There is restroom in the middle of the camp sites. This is definitely bear country.....my first night i heard a bear. But there's also alot of deers,too. Cell service isn't great ....but I did get a bar or two with Verizon.
GuideWe spent the weekend here and camp host were great. Bathrooms were clean. Only downside was no dump or fresh water and it’s a 30+ minute drive to town. Biggest downfall of this area is the hour long drive with a trailer down the wash board road. Other than that everything was great. Fishing was good. Clean camp.
Scout$28.00 per night
Loafer Creek Horse Campground at Lake Oroville State Recreation Area provides equestrian facilities for riders seeking trail access in the Sierra foothills region. Located about 30 miles from Oregon House, the area's elevation ranges from 900 to 1,500 feet, creating varied terrain for riding and camping. Summer temperatures in this region regularly climb above 95°F, making early morning trail rides essential during peak season.
Fishing at Lake Oroville: Set up at Bidwell Canyon Campground for direct lake access. "Nice lake, great fishing," reports Melissa K., who gave the location a 5-star rating.
Kayaking on reservoir waters: The calm waters at Sly Creek Campground provide excellent paddling opportunities. "We enjoyed our camping trip immensely and enjoyed getting into our kayaks and on to the water. We took some video footage as well," notes Renee A.
Trail riding from camp: Several horse campgrounds near Oregon House, California offer direct trail access. The trail system connects to various terrain types and elevation changes, providing options for riders of all skill levels. Water crossings become limited during drought conditions.
Spacious campsites: Loafer Creek campsites provide ample room for horse trailers and equipment. One camper notes, "The campsites are clean and include picnic table, firepit and plenty of shade. Water pumps near the sites."
Peaceful off-season camping: Many equestrian campers appreciate the quieter conditions during non-peak times. "Sparse campground usage during fall and winter months ensures quiet conditions for horses and riders alike," according to regular visitors. Miriam B. adds, "Only 3 other campsites in use that we noticed in October."
Clean facilities: Beals Point Campground maintains well-kept restrooms and shower facilities. "Coin operated shower very nice and clean bathroom clean showers," reports Mike R., giving the campground 5 stars.
Seasonal water levels: Lake Oroville water levels fluctuate significantly by season, affecting shoreline access. Chris M. notes at Loafer Creek that "the water was nearly a mile walk to the boat ramp and almost 2 miles to a 'beach' that was closed."
Uneven campsite terrain: Many campgrounds in the foothills feature sloped sites. "Most of the sites were not very level," reports one camper about Loafer Creek. At Bidwell Canyon, Sean J. observed "a lot of the sites are very uneven, ours was almost terraced, and the tent area was barely big enough for our 8 person tent."
Limited cell service: Dru Barner Campground offers equestrian facilities with variable connectivity. "I used my WeBoost and was able to teach online and even stream some TV," reports one camper, though service varies by carrier and campsite location.
Horse-friendly campgrounds: For families with horses, Dru Barner receives high marks. "Must visit for horse lovers!" says Maxim B. The campground features dedicated corrals and trail access suitable for family riding.
Beach access considerations: Lake access points change with water levels. At East Meadow Campground, Aliona C. reports, "So remote and private but everything you need at the campground with water access within walking distance."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Many campgrounds offer chances to spot local wildlife. Sarah J. reports from Whitehorse Campground: "Trees and birds! Chipmunks! Walking trails connect to the campground! What a delight and right near Bucks Lake!"
Poison oak awareness: The foothills contain significant poison oak growth. Parents should teach children to identify this plant and check camping areas before setting up. Many trails have poison oak growing alongside.
Site selection for door placement: At East Meadow Campground, Ron A. suggests checking site orientation. "We reserved a spot, site 21 and the door of our camper wasn't facing our camp. I noticed a few sites like that. We ended up moving to site 4, had more room and our door was facing our camp."
Water access for larger rigs: Ruck-A-Chucky Campground requires careful navigation. "The 3 mile road down is a bit treacherous (maybe don't take your RV) but makes you feel 'out there'," advises Kevin W.
RV size limitations: Most equestrian campgrounds near Oregon House accommodate moderate-sized rigs but have limitations. Allison M. clarifies about one location, "The Dyrt has this one wrong. All 5 sites are tent camping only."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Oregon House, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Oregon House, CA is Bidwell Canyon Campground — Lake Oroville State Recreation Area with a 4.4-star rating from 11 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Oregon House, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 21 equestrian camping locations near Oregon House, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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