Looking for a rustic and comfortable horse camping experience near Petrolia? 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.
Facilities: 14 tent/trailer campsites with picnic tables, fire rings, vault toilets, no hookups. Potable water until October 31, 2016. Lost Coast Trailhead and parking area. Wheelchair accessible. No OHV access. ADA Access: Wheelchair accessible campsites
$20 - $45 / night
Cuneo Creek Horse Camp
$35 - $200 / night
2023 - Briceland-Thorn Road from Four Corners to Needle Rock is currently CLOSED due to storm damage UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. There is no vehicle access to Needle Rock and no alternative parking area in the immediate vicinity for walk-in visitation.
The Lost Coast Trail is closed between Bear Harbor and Wheeler Camps due to hazardous conditions created by 2023 winter storms. There is currently no estimated time of re-opening.
Camping—Wilderness camping is the only type available. Primitive campsites have tables, fire rings, a nearby pit toilet, but no developed water source. Bring your own drinking water.
Usal Beach Campground—The only drive-in campground in the park, the Usal Beach sites are in a meadow area near the beach. Narrow rural roads are often impassable, and RVs or trailers are not advisable.
Trail camps—These first- come, first-served campsites for backpackers are located between Bear Harbor and Usal Beach on the Lost Coast Trail.
Horse Camping—Equestrian camping is permitted at Usal Beach and Wheeler campgrounds.
Group Camping—Groups of nine or more can be accommodated at the Usal Beach horse campground. Call (707) 986-7711 in advance for a Group Use Permit.
$38 - $45 / night
$25 - $35 / night
TravelerPlus side is that it’s very close to downtown & camp host was great. Lots of old rundown RVs and junk lying around. Good for an overnight stop but would not stay long term.
Traveler
We were there at first with just a couple rvs there. By the end of the four days - it was filling up and was still quiet. The showers were nice. Ferndale is a gorgeous old Victorian town and you are still close to eureka and don’t underestimate the safety factor.
Traveler
Definitely an underdog beach campground! It is very hard to find anything online. But this spot is amazing. Its as close to a dispersed spot as you can find with just a few amenities. I guess I was the first one who wanted to share the spot, I added it to the app for you all!
ScoutLocated in the city limits mere minutes from just about anything you may need and very centrally located for many sea shore and forest park locations. Some nearby attractions include Eureka Historic District with many beautifully maintained Victorian Homes. You can Journey through forest, dairy land and Elk country to other beautiful locations like Ferndale and Crescent City.
Scout
First experience wasn’t to good. Tried it one more time for the benefit of the doubt. But The place is just a big parking lot, with some fire pits and a few tables at some of the sites. It’s super loud there late into the night and absolutely nothing secluded about your site. People were walking through our area the whole night.
TravelerBeautiful little campground bordering a secluded beach. Its about an hour and a half to drive through some pretty windy roads through the mountains once you get off the highway, but very pretty. The road can be pretty intense/unpaved at times so would recommend 4WD or AWD vehicle
ScoutThe samoa dunes is a beautiful spot and they do have bathrooms and showers available. $25 per night. Price isn’t bad but for not having hookups of any kind it’s just alright.
ScoutPleasant atmosphere with many beautiful sights, clean restrooms,campground and helpful terrific camp hosts ( :
Guide
Been camping at Richardson Grove RV Park for the past 20+ years. It’s a large campground and great for large groups our group is usually about 60+ people :). Having the gas station right next to the campground is great since you ca. Go buy anything you need / run out of such as sodas and beer oh and ice also. During the July hot days we like to cross HWY 101 and go take a dip in the eel river. The campground has bathrooms and showers but over the years the maintenance have dropped
GuideI stayed here twice for a total of eight days. Many long-term Residents give the place a seedy feeling. Ultimately it is safe and secure. And well managed. The bathroom is clean, heated, free showers and the combination is changed weekly. Large grassy area with good spacing between most RVs. I was in the middle of the campground for short term parking. Because of recent rains and some soggy areas I had to overnight campers close to me. 30 amp and 50 amp power and water at each side. The largest downside to this place is the RV dump station inside the fairgrounds. It’s the worst one that I’ve ever used. It needs to be completely rebuilt. No ultimately it did work. Great location to the picturesque town of Ferndale California. Also a convenient location for exploring the Lost Coast area. 12 miles away from Eureka California which has a Costco and Patriot gas station on the south end of town has a car wash that can accommodate RVs.
GuidePlenty of room for all RV’s large to small. 30 & 50 amp power and water. Clean restrooms, heated and free. Many long term residents. The spots are level, it felt safe enough. Quiet. Close to Ferndale, which is Must See. Access from Fernbridge of of 101 as the other roads are very twisty for all but the smallest RVs. Camp host was great! Short drive into Eureka. Patriot Gas has a car wash for big rigs. Not really a photogenic campground. Very open area surrounded by fields with cows, farms and trees in the distance. Used the RV dump as I left. It’s by far the worst RV dump that I’ve used. It works, but needs a complete rebuild. I suggest requesting a spot with full hookups.
ScoutIf you aren’t looking for anything fancy, and by that I mean lots of mud and ruts and sketchy broken down rv neighbors, you’ll be fine. Another reason this might ok for you is if there’s an event and lots of other folks are there, like during the fair. We came here in November 2021 with an A class. My recommendation is “don’t do it” unless you have a beater, it won’t handle the pot holes in this teenie park, you might be allowed to stay in the paved fair parking lot though. If it’s a late model RV, you’ll stick out like a sore thumb, at least when we were there in winter.
ScoutFor a boat ramp camping site near town, this place is special. Remote from town but water 360 degrees. You can hear the ocean while looking at the towns across the water. I didn't use the facilities but location is awesome.
TravelerThe campgrounds are pretty open, with little privacy, but that’s not what you’re there for.
The drive is intense, but manageable in good weather in a fwd Mazda 3. Mattole Rd from Weott is far better in terms of the road condition, but Mattole Rd to Ferndale is absolutely breathtaking. I wouldn’t attempt either with a large rig or trailer.
The lost coast is absolutely breathtaking. You’ll get 4 seasons of weather in a day, so plan accordingly. A short walk outside of the campground reveals incredible scenes.
The campgrounds are first come first serve. We snagged the last spot around 3PM on a Tuesday afternoon.
THERE IS NO WATER. Pack in what you need.
Scout$15 tent camping site when visiting humboldt redwooods state park. Lots of older folks and RVs, but pretty easy going and not that sketchy.
GuideEasy to find and easy to drive into.
It was windy when we arrived, but that died down in the early evening through the night. We were able to take several walks down to the beach with our dogs, you have to be careful near the sites because there are foxtails.
The campground became full pretty quickly, but it didn’t feel crowded. I think many people backpack from the campground.
Bathroom was clean enough.
There were bunnies and quails near the berry bushes.
GuideMuch like life, the journey is truly the best part. Reaching the destination includes beautiful views straight out the Sound of Music. I haven’t had such peace camping in awhile. The Lost Coast is truly a hidden gem. Before arriving please make sure you have everything you may want or need. It is not a quick run to grab snacks type situation. Goes without saying but be careful with your speed as there are very large pot holes on the unpaved roads heading up and down the mountains towards the coast. Also be mindful of all wildlife as you truly will be in their habitat and they are around every turn the further up the mountain you go. The camp spots are clean. Right over the hill is nothing less than gorgeous nature. Hiking the trailhead is miles of ocean and hillsides. Do not play in the water. That is the Northern Pacific Ocean! The waves are no joke and who knows what sea creatures are out there. Also pending your phone you won’t have any service heading through the mountains or once your there. ( There were brief moments of some service near the lighthouse up the trailhead though) Bathrooms aren’t much but for those that don’t want to dig a hole it will do. The trip was beautiful, breathtaking and refreshing. The ocean and breeze will rock you to sleep at night. Beyond amazing and so glad I made the trip.
GuideListen. I’m sure this is a great spot if you just hiked on the windy beach from Shelter Cove and you finally can enjoy a rest at the end of your journey. But if you’re in any other situation, this campground leaves a lot to be desired. Toilets had literal poop smeared on them and there was no trash service, so bins were overflowing. Sites are close together with basically no privacy — think KOA. The location is gorgeous. Brace yourself for winds. Not recommended for a tent.
Traveler(3/12/21) A wonderful little campground!
Although there’s no access to potable water, amenities that were available were generous in nature. Pit toilets were plentiful stocked with tp (a hot commodity, as we all know) and both recycling and trash receptacles were present.
Each of the 15 campsites had a concrete picnic bench and fire pit - firewood has to be brought in or you can scavenge for any downed wood (driftwood on the beach near by).
Would 10/10 visit again. A note of caution: camping here is first-come, first-served and the road coming into the site (Lighthouse Rd) is compact dirt and full of potholes - very muddy when raining. Just be mindful and drive safe! 🏕🚗🌲🌊
GuideThis spot is so incredible I almost don't want to share about it. One note to make is that it is not an easy drive-in. The road is very bumpy and winding. I don't think it would be a good idea to bring a large RV, trailer or a very low clearance car. You can't see the beach from the campground because of the dunes, but they do offer some protection from the wind which is nice. We woke up to cows roaming our site. Well worth the trip if you can manage the road.
LegendI should give it one star to keep the secret. She is Gorgeous. Not to private, no water source but the whole Ocean and Beach to yourself. Amazing views and constant wind. Great bonfires and greater friends. What a great weekend to spend eternity. Park Rangers were super polite and passed out maps of local 65,000 square foot wilderness. The place was really clean and everything was perfect. The road down there is not for lowered vehicles. The road has been torn up by all the off road vehicles. Make sure you take your time and avoid the black hole pot holes. I give it five Stars cause it was nature and beauty at her finest.
TravelerStayed in parking lot for an over night stay heading up the coast. Safe, easy, cheep. 14.00 for parking lot around $30 for hook ups in grass area. Cute town.
GuideSuper quiet on a Monday only 3 other RV’s there. Walked around Ferndale and had great Mexican food. The coffee shop in town was super cool and cozy.
RangerThis was my first time driving in sand and now I’m obsessed! Driving right up to the beach and water is something I didn’t know I NEEDED to do. Absolutely beautiful place and the people were all friendly!
TravelerBut to fall asleep to the sound of the ocean wanes hitting the shore, that's heaven for me!
Not a whole lot of people when I went for the first week of November 2020. Had some great conversation with some that were there. It was a solo trip for me and my first time camping in over 20 years. I'll come better prepare next time but overall had an amazing experience.
Guide
A long drive between Garberville and Honey Dew. Great drive but not worth the trip
Guide
Wonderfully remote. Excellent weather in August. Chilly at night if wind starts to blow. I love the remoteness of this place, it is California's lost coast. Not for the faint of heart as you have to haul your own water in. The other people camping were really fabulous. Super laid back. A lot of younger hikers and older hippy types all hanging out together and often sharing meals amongst other campers. A true community of people.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Petrolia, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Petrolia, CA is Mattole Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 17 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Petrolia, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 8 equestrian camping locations near Petrolia, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
