1 campground with availability this weekend
Horse Creek Campground offers equestrian camping options in the foothills near Sequoia National Park, though the campground data does not indicate dedicated horse corrals. The campground provides access to surrounding trails suitable for horseback riding, with sites that can accommodate horse trailers. Campsites feature fire rings, picnic tables, and access to drinking water. The location on Lake Kaweah provides scenic views of both the lake and surrounding mountains, with opportunities to hear coyotes at night and observe wildlife. Security rangers patrol frequently to ensure camping regulations are followed.
Horse Meadow Campground, located at 7,600 feet elevation in Sequoia National Forest, provides another option for horse camping near Porterville. The campground is accessible via an old logging road that requires careful navigation. Several hiking and riding trails connect directly to the campground, allowing for day trips on horseback. The spring-fed water system is potable but availability depends on seasonal conditions. Campsite quality varies significantly, with some offering spacious, shaded, and level areas along a creek while others present more challenging terrain. The campground experiences cool nights dropping into the 40s even during summer months, providing relief from southern California heat. Riders seeking high-elevation horse campgrounds near Porterville will find Horse Meadow a practical base for multi-day trail trips, with direct trail connections making it one of the most accessible equestrian campsites in the area.
"We are working out way north through CA and Horse Creek was in a convenient spot. Site very clean and well managed and overall its a pretty spot. Only 2-3 large and dispersed bath rooms."
"The tap outside the building didn't work and neither did the water fountain. The host was not there for check-in."
from $20 / night
"Some of the sites (75, 76 etc..) look out on Lake Kaweah. It’s clean and well organized. Some highway noise."
Available this weekend
from $20 - $40 / night
"There are trails to hike. FYI, there is no cell reception and no provided wifi. Personally I think that’s a good thing 😬."
from $25 - $45 / night
"Easy walk to campstore, post office, restaurant, and visitor center. Many trails close by. Very busy in summer. No reservations. Tent only loops available."
"Very quiet but some sledding and hiking activity close by. Sites are a little close to each other, but being so quiet it's not a big deal."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $32 / night
"Nice long drive to a beautiful destination"
"Typical California foothills hardpan and dead grass sites - large and able to accommodate very long combo rigs and have enough width to disconnect and park adjacent to the towable."
"There are many ways to arrive here, but the most direct and easiest is on California State Highway 180. The park is open, but the office is not, so it’s find a spot and check yourself in."
from $40 - $55 / night
"We did a backpacking trip from Johnsondale Bridge down to Fairview Campground following the Rincon trail in May. It was hot but the views and the quietness was beautiful!"
"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,"
"The hubs, kids and myself have spent a lot of time in Keysville if you're looking for a weekend getaway for mountain biking or trail riding this is the place!"
"Beautiful spot conveniently located only a couple miles outside of town. Dumpsters and put toilets provided on both sides of the Kern River."
"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."
TravelerCONS: Most sites need some (or a lot) of level help. No RV dump. Pretty popular (so don’t expect privacy). PROS: sequoia is beautiful. You can find some amazing trails.
GuideGreat location, awesome scenery and the sites are pretty nice. The reason for 3 stars is that the toilets are replaced with porta potties ( the machines n ones are locked) and the garbage is over flowing in the dumpster. There was no toilet paper in the women’s “restroom”. That was after the maintenance guy was here.
RangerWe had a spot on the farthest loop, which was beautiful on a ridge but set us about 600 yards/steps from the nearest restroom, which means going to the loo, brushing your teeth or doing the dishes (there are signs not to do these things at the water taps that are closer) all set you back at least 10 minutes if you're not self-contained. Also note the campground has no showers.
TravelerWe stayed at site 67. When bookibg, we were worried it was too close to neighboring sites but it turned out ok. The flattest spot for our giant tent was down the hill and it felt very private. All the sites in our section (66, 67, 68) had sloped parking spots. If you have an RV or sleep in your car, be sure to bring levelers.
The only water was a large sink outside of the bathroom. You could screw a hose to the faucet if needed.
The bathroom was close but not too close. The women’s has 2 stalls and a sink. Bring your own hand soap and hand towel.
We weren’t at the site much during the day so I can’t say for certain if it stays shady during the day but there are many trees. We never needed our canopy.
Azalea allows dogs and the barking echos quite loudly through the campground.
GuideWe came late afternoon on a Saturday and there was heaps of space left. Some spaces any car can drive, some require higher clearance and some are 100% 4x4 access only. But there was plenty.
The pit toilet is off to the right of the site, although, it can be messy inside, we cleaned it twice in our 1 day stay.
The river is clean, flowing and not freezing cold which was great. Plenty of places to have a dip or a swim. Plenty of places to get chairs under trees for a break from the sun. Absolutely no flies or mosquitoes, it's hands down the best camping spot we've found in the USA so far. Huge bins on the way in to accommodate rubbish.
2 bars 4G Verizon signal, tarmac road until entry and then abit lumpy down to main site.
ScoutWe stayed a week here, at first it was good, nice enough place. Our spot was a lot of sand. The bathrooms were full of cobwebs and spiders. The website looks promising, offering a pool, jacuzzi and restaurant. There is no restaurant, the pool doesnt get covered so its filthy, and the "jacuzzi" was filled with algae.
We came on a friday night, the quiet time is not enforced. The river was nice, however the entire length of it was taken up by boats. We hardly found a spot to swim in. We were located in site 10, at the very end in a cul de sac type lay out. Its a gated park so you need a code to enter. We locked our bikes up every single night and the one and only night we forgot, 2 out of our 4 bikes got stolen (mine and my partners, the kids were left) We asked for the surveillance as our site was in direct view of the camera and the office had told us their cameras all of a sudden stopped working around midnight but were working again that morning. Such a strange coincidence! They didnt seem apologetic. We had permanent residence come to talk to us and said they've never had theft issues, if you looked around most people had their personal belongings out every night. The place was very suspicious, I'd check out other options but also if staying a quick night it would be ok. Its right off the highway and really easy to get back on the road. We found a little lizard, and little frogs. However there is cockroaches running everywhere.
The people we met there, and the residents were so awesome, which is why it got 2 stars. The staff however, not so much.
Do not leave belongings unattended!!
ScoutSite 81 does not have a drive up spot to unload your things. There is a short 25 meter walk to your tent sight which is cleared and had a nice view of the sky. No giant pinecones overhead to worry about bonking your head.
GuideThere is camping, which is always fun, and then there is camping in a national park, which takes it to another level. This experience was super fun because this campsite is so close to the General Grant trail, only a few minutes of driving. We visited during the off-season in April, so the sites were FCFS and the directions are pretty straightforward. You put in all the details into the recreation.gov app and then you fill out a white paper which serves as a check in paper with your confirmation so that rangers know you paid. It also allows you to see which sites are available because the ones that are won't have a paper. The bathrooms were decent, and just outside of them as a sink, which is great for dishes. It was a nice and quiet experience and we will definitely be revisiting.
TravelerWe love it hear but we were scared of the water but there is other safe places to swim real close stay out of this river it is dangerous they are here trying to recover someone swept away awhile fishing.....
Near Porterville, California, horse camping options are limited based on available data, with most campgrounds lacking dedicated horse corrals or specific equestrian facilities. Horse Creek Campground and Horse Meadow Campground, despite their names, do not explicitly indicate horse-specific amenities in their features listings. Both offer standard camping accommodations including tent and RV sites, with Horse Creek providing water hookups and electric hookups at some locations. Vault toilets are available at Horse Meadow, while Horse Creek offers flush toilets and showers. The campgrounds maintain picnic tables and fire rings at most sites. The warm showers at Horse Creek Campground provide welcome comfort after trail riding, though visitors note facilities are not always well maintained.
The surrounding area offers access to trails potentially suitable for day rides, though specific bridle paths are not clearly designated in the data. Lake Kaweah is visible from Horse Creek Campground, offering scenic views from hillside campsites that are generally not level. Horse Creek experiences seasonal flooding when lake levels rise, making it unavailable during certain periods. Visitors seeking equestrian-focused camping may need to bring portable corrals or high-lines as no permanent horse facilities are mentioned in the available information. Sites at Horse Creek are spacious and offer good separation between campers, though the campground is situated near a highway with occasional traffic noise. Security is reliable with rangers patrolling regularly, and drinking water is available at designated spigots throughout the campground.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Porterville, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Porterville, CA is Horse Creek Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 10 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Porterville, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 14 equestrian camping locations near Porterville, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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