Horse Camp Primitive Campground in the Whiskeytown-Shasta-Trinity National Recreation Area provides basic amenities for equestrian campers. The campground features two campsites spaced far apart, offering privacy for campers with horses. Each site includes a picnic table, fire pit, and access to a vault toilet. Potable water is available from a hand pump on site. The campground layout accommodates large rigs and horse trailers with adequate parking space. Sites are known to be uneven and not clearly defined, with large boulders surrounding the picnic table and fire pit areas. The area allows pets, which makes it convenient for those traveling with both horses and dogs. A road runs between both sites, with traffic diminishing after sunset but remaining active during daylight hours.
Trails accessible from Horse Camp Primitive Campground connect riders to scenic areas within the recreation area. The campground costs $20 per night plus a Whiskeytown National Forest pass requirement, unless visitors have an annual National Park pass. No hookups are available, making this strictly a dry camping experience. The surrounding area was affected by the Carr fire, which burned many trees and altered the landscape. Despite this, the campground remains functional for equestrians seeking primitive camping options. Cell service is unavailable at the campground, though some visitors report success with satellite internet connections. The access road to reach the campground is long and winding, requiring careful navigation with horse trailers. During summer months, the site becomes dusty and can be challenging for horse management.
$49 - $69 / night
"Casino nearby has multiple restaurants and entertainment, including golf. Cheap gas for California. Little bit of a hike to clean restrooms. Quiet. Convenient location for traveling down I-5."
"Conveniently located just off I-5, far enough away from the noise. Casino, restaurants, doggy daycare and golf just next door. Sites are level 75 ft pull through sites. We will stay again."
"The lake is amazing for swimming!"
"As you pass thru a off road vehicle area on way up to campsite. Lett's Lake was closed due to a prior fire. But the upside is that the Forrest service has provided free stacks of wood."
$5 / night
"Was 0.75 miles away from water (we have been in a drought?) but beautiful spacious campsite. Even with annoying neighbors, you can have peace and quiet."
"The local store is about a 10 minute drive away and during the summer has ice beer and provides firewood for sale (during winter no ice but plenty of snow)."
"There are some nice places to fish that are just a short walk from the campsites and the campsites are nicely shaded to help cut the heat during the day. We saw some salmon, deer, quail, and frogs."
$8 / night
"Beautiful location, campground was easily accessible going up Elk Mountain Road. Camped in Site 11, pull through, no hook ups, nice picnic table, grill and fire pit. Vault toilets, no showers."
"If it's in a beautiful location and if you're into four-wheeling or dirt bikes, you're going to have a blast."
$20 / night
RangerLarge pull-thru sites with vegetation in between. Casino nearby has multiple restaurants and entertainment, including golf. Cheap gas for California. Little bit of a hike to clean restrooms. Quiet. Convenient location for traveling down I-5.
GuideI’ve been camping cross country for the last month with my husband. We’re from New York, and like to think we’re not easily rattled or intimidated. This was the first time on our trip that we were both scared.
The forest service website says this campground is not open for camping, just dirt bike and horse riding, so I had found a campground further into the National Forest to camp at. When we drove by Middle Creek, we could see the sites from the road and a few of them had tents and we could see some folks, the campground was pretty clearly operating to some extent. We just wanted somewhere to stay overnight on our way into SF so we doubled back and found a site, paid the $8 and had a snack. We explored our corner of the campground a little- pretty clean, a fine campground. No visible host.
Lots of wasps and flies, like standing right next to a dumpster. There was a woman who seemed to be experiencing homelessness and/or mental illness occupying multiple sites. She pretty clearly was stealing from sites people weren’t present at, right in front of us. She also had a dog that didn’t seem to be hers.
The man at the campsite next to us didn’t have a tent or anything, just paid then sat in his truck screaming and cackling and breaking stuff loudly and pounding beers.
We left without spending the night. The police need to go take a look out there.
GuideTake Forrest Route N17 off of Spouts Spring Rd.
What a sweet surprise after spending an hour on an unimproved wash board road.. This is an ideal Campground for those with OHV's. As you pass thru a off road vehicle area on way up to campsite.
Lett's Lake was closed due to a prior fire. But the upside is that the Forrest service has provided free stacks of wood.
Bring lots of water and drive a well running car. You don't want to get stuck out here!
TravelerWe enjoyed an overnight stay here. Clean facilities, well maintained grounds and friendly neighbors. Conveniently located just off I-5, far enough away from the noise. Casino, restaurants, doggy daycare and golf just next door. Sites are level 75 ft pull through sites. We will stay again. Lower numbered sites are closest to amenities.
RangerWas 0.75 miles away from water (we have been in a drought?) but beautiful spacious campsite. Even with annoying neighbors, you can have peace and quiet. Fun, almost hidden area that I didn’t know existed before this trip.
ScoutEasy off and on freeway access, next to casino.
GuideBeautiful location, campground was easily accessible going up Elk Mountain Road. Camped in Site 11, pull through, no hook ups, nice picnic table, grill and fire pit. Vault toilets, no showers. There is potable water close to the campsites. Very quiet during the week, it did get noisier on the weekends, but everyone settled down for the evening.
GuideThis campground is dry and built primarily for HOV people cuz the Elk mountain area is very much a dirt bike and four-wheel Haven.
It's got dropped toilets and it has potable water. Problem is that the spigots don't have any hose fittings, so you can't hook up, which I think is a good thing to keep people from taking over water for an extended period of time.
There's no other water anywhere else, no showers, no sinks or anything like that so prepare to come fully dry.
If you come with that in mind I would say this place is really really nice. It's very clean. If it's in a beautiful location and if you're into four-wheeling or dirt bikes, you're going to have a blast.
There there's a small town not far, 15 minutes or so, that has gas, a market, pizza places, and a few other stores. So there's plenty of access to food and gas when necessary.
This has nothing to do with the campground. Just keep in mind that Elk mountain road, especially the part leading up to the top of the mountain right as you leave the campground is an absolutely terrible road, it needs a lot of maintenance..
GuideThis campground made for a great overnight getaway trip. We went in late may and the weather was perfect for traditional camping activities. The mosquitoes were out in full force so bug spray is a must. There are some nice places to fish that are just a short walk from the campsites and the campsites are nicely shaded to help cut the heat during the day. We saw some salmon, deer, quail, and frogs. There was evidence of bears around our site but we didn't have any issues.
Horse Camp Primitive Campground serves equestrian campers in the Whiskeytown-Shasta-Trinity National Recreation Area with two widely spaced sites. Located at approximately 1,200 feet elevation, the campground experiences hot, dry summers and mild winters. The area requires careful management during summer months when dust becomes a challenge for horse care and the site becomes particularly dusty following the impacts of the Carr fire.
Trail riding access: Multiple trails connect from Horse Camp Primitive Campground to scenic areas within the recreation area. Though the landscape was altered by fire, the trails remain functional for riders seeking primitive trail experiences.
Fishing opportunities: Visit Stony Gorge Reservoir for water activities. "The lake is amazing for swimming!" notes camper Cat C., who appreciated the free camping with vault toilets and trash cans despite no running water.
Hiking with wildlife viewing: The Black Rock Campground in Lassen National Forest offers excellent hiking options. "Hiking is good going up or down Mill Creek. Fly fishing good and rarely more than one other camp used," shares Gordon C., highlighting the peaceful setting.
Spacious sites for trailers: The large campsite areas at Horse Camp accommodate various rig sizes. Valerie T. notes, "Nice huge site with basically your own valued bathroom one other campsite shares. Perfect for dry camping with your rv if you want some extra quiet and privacy."
Drinking water access: Water availability is a key feature in this dry region. Web H. mentions that Horse Camp offers "potable hand pump water" alongside "picnic tables and trash bins provided as well as a fire pit."
Peace and quiet: The remote location provides tranquility. At Middle Creek Campground, Donna M. shares, "You can hear the creek running along the camp, as well as the wild turkeys. There must be over 15 different species of birds as well."
Fire restrictions vary: Campfire policies fluctuate based on seasonal conditions and recent wildfire activity. Keith B. notes at Oak Flat Campground, "Fires are allowed depending on regulations from Cal fire."
Limited cell service: Connectivity is minimal to non-existent in most areas. Jules S. reports from Horse Camp, "No cell service but starlink worked great."
Road conditions: Access roads to horse campgrounds near Paskenta require careful navigation. For Black Rock Campground, Kaye S. advises, "The road in took about an hour and a half and I would not recommend attempting it without 4WD and high clearance."
Weather preparedness: Summer temperatures can reach 100°F while winters bring occasional snow at higher elevations. Pack accordingly for seasonal variations.
Pack adequate water supplies: Most primitive horse campgrounds in the region have limited water access. At Stony Gorge Reservoir, Cat C. reminds visitors, "There are fire pits with grills and picnic tables at all the sites. The lake is amazing for swimming!"
Wildlife awareness: Animals are common in these remote areas. Alissa C. from Black Rock Campground shares, "We saw some salmon, deer, quail, and frogs. There was evidence of bears around our site but we didn't have any issues."
Frequently Asked Questions
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