Do you love the outdoors and horses? If you're looking for a rustic but comfortable experience, horse camping in Portola is the way to go. Equestrian camping is an adventurous and unique way to experience the city. Search horse campsites and discover top-rated spots, as reviewed by other campers.
Logger Campground sits on beautiful Stampede Reservoir on the Tahoe National Forest, 30 minutes from Truckee, Calif. Visitors enjoy the area for its boating, fishing and abundant hiking and off-road trails. This facility is operated and maintained by the Tahoe National Forest.
Boating, water skiing, swimming and fishing are popular activities on the reservoir. Anglers will find rainbow and brown trout and kokanee salmon. A boat ramp is located on-site. Many miles of hiking and off-road vehicle trails crisscross the surrounding area. The nearby Commemorative Emigrant Trail is open to hiking and mountain biking.
The campground is situated on the south side of Stampede Reservoir, which is located on the Little Truckee River, approximately eight miles above the confluence of the Little Truckee and Truckee Rivers. A forest of ponderosa pine, Jeffrey pine and fir trees covers the area. Sagebrush dots the forest floor.
Boca Reservoir is 10 minutes south of the campground, offering additional boating, water skiing, swimming and fishing opportunities. Truckee, 30 minutes south, offers all the amenities of a year round recreational mountain town including Interstate highway connectivitiy, top notch restaraunts, resorts and hotels, grocery stores, gas stations, shopping, and historic sites. Lake Tahoe is located about an hour south and offers excellent boating, kayaking, fishing, hiking and scenic driving opportunities, as well as dining, shopping and lodging options. Other recreational opportunities include Boca Townsite Interpretive Trail, Donner Camp Interpretive Trail, Overland Emigrant Commemorative Trail, Prosser Reservoir Recreation Area, Prosser Pits OHV area, and numerous hiking, mountain biking, and OHV trails.
$75 / night
East Meadow Campground is located alongside the scenic Jackson Meadow Reservoir, in the Tahoe National Forest. Its location provides for a great base camp, allowing visitors to enjoy a wide range of recreational activities, including boating, fishing, hiking and hunting. East Meadow Campground is operated and maintained by the Tahoe National Forest.
The adjacent 1,000-acre lake offers excellent opportunities for boating, canoeing, water skiing, swimming and fishing. Anglers will find rainbow and brown trout. A boat ramp is located at Pass Creek Campground. A designated swim beach is nearby. The lake is an irrigation source, meaning its level will drop as the season progresses. A portion of the Pacific Crest Trail meanders along the east side of the lake. It is open to hiking and horseback riding and provides opportunities for viewing wildlife. Hunting and biking are popular activities in the surrounding area.
Jackson Meadow Reservoir is situated in a rolling forested valley, where visitors are awarded beautiful views of the Sierra Crest and English Mountain. The campground lies on the northeastern shore of the lake, in a forest of pine and fir trees. Some sites have a view of the lake, and boats can be moored nearby.
For facility specific information, please call (530) 994-3401.
$24 / night
Lookout Campground is located on the California/Nevada border just west of Reno, Nevada. It sits at an elevation of 6,770 feet in a large aspen grove. It is not a highly developed campground, but it is considered a secret hideaway by those lucky enough to know about this remote gem.
Adjacent to the campground is 'Crystal Peak', which can be accessed by vehicle or a short hike. This area is also popular for off-highway vehicles, wildlife viewing, and hunting opportunities.
Visitors to this campground will be surrounded by a lush aspen, pine, and fir forest. Sites are well spaced to afford visitors plenty of privacy.
Crystal Peak is known for its impressive crystal formations. Dog Valley and Peavine Mountain are popular off-highway vehicle and mountain biking areas. The American Discovery Trail also runs through this area.
$6 / night
Antelope Lake is one of the more remote, quiet lakes on the forest. At 5000 feet in elevation, Antelope Lake is located in the north eastern part of the Mt. Hough Ranger District. It is a small remote lake with 15 miles of shoreline. Surrounding the lake are mountains blanketed with pine and fir trees. Protected coves around the lake attract several species of migrtory birds. The campgrounds are usually open by Memorial Day weekend and closed by the middle of October. These dates are subject to change depending on the snow level in the area. DIRECTIONS Antelope Lake is located 30 miles NE of Taylorsville on the Genesee/Antelope Lake Rd. From Janesville, on Hwy 395, take County Rd. 208 for four miles, then FS Rd. 28N01 for nine miles, turn right on FS Rd. 28N03 for two miles. Closest towns to purchase gasoline are Greenville and Janesville.
This six unit campground is located five miles north of Frenchman Lake. This a family and equestrian campground. This is the only equestrian campground on the Beckwourth District. There is a horse corral across the road from the campground with a table and fire ring. Each campsite has a table, fire ring and food locker. A vault toilet is provided. There is a hand pump with potable water. No garbage service is provided.
Black Rock Campground is a walk-in tent campground that features shoreline sites. Campsites are adjacent to the lake. Spaces are also available in the parking area for overnight RV camping. Open campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. 20 walk-in units Potable water, vault toliets, trailer space Boat launch Click here for photo tour
Whitehorse campground is located within three miles of Bucks Lake in the northern Sierra Mountains on the Plumas National Forest. The Bucks Lake area offers year-round recreation activities including fishing, hiking, snowmobiling, skiing,snowshoeing and horseback riding.
Bucks Lake provides fishing, boating, and canoeing. There are walking trails to the lake. A hiking trail runs from the campground and provides access to Buck Wilderness and the Pacific Crest Trail which runs adjacent to the campground.
Whitehorse is set in fir and pine trees offering shade during the warm summer months. Situated at 5,500 feet in elevation, the campground is settled along a small creek that feeds into Bucks Lake.
The nearby Bucks Lake Lodge has a bar, restaurant and store offering fishing supplies and groceries.
$31 / night
Peter Grubb Hut is located below Castle Peak in Round Valley, 3 miles north of the Castle Peak trailhead near I-80. Expect approximately 800′ of elevation gain. The route is poorly marked by orange triangles mounted obscurely in trees at 100-200 yard intervals. Overnight parking is available at the California Sno-Park at the Boreal-Castle Peak exit on I-80. Park on the frontage road east of the Boreal Inn and walk back under the freeway to the trailhead. Topo map: Norden 7-1/2′ quad. There are day trip possibilities to Paradise Valley, Basin Peak, Castle Peak, and Sand Ridge Lake. Round Valley is a good instructional and practice area for skiers. The hut is just off the Pacific Crest Trail and is a popular destination for day trippers; daytime privacy and security are minimal.
Guide
Love our stay at Logger Campground, very clean vault toilets, and facility. Most of the spots are very tight, narrow spaces. Make some when you book, you get the right size spot. Pay dump just offsite.
Scout
We had a great time up at Antelope Lake. It is a very pretty lake and would definitely recommend going. However, the camp host there was very rude and very unaccommodating. I booked 6 campsites for two nights, when I showed up on Friday, the campground was not full so I moved to my trailer to a different site because it was close to friends and family. The site I moved to was first come first serve. The camp host was hounding me - saying I must pay for the site I moved to even though the campground wasn't full. Originally, I paid close to $500 for all 6 sites and the camp host made me pay for the extra site that wasn't even taken/reserved. Be careful of this guy! I think this guy might be pocketing the money.
Traveler
Sadly we were delayed and would not have arrived at Pyramid Lake until 2am so we didn’t stay. We did however visit the lake and museum and visitor center and it was well worth it! We will definitely be back to try and camp here again. We spoke with the locals and they confirmed that once you purchase the camping permit ($15) then you just drive to the lake and find a spot - very rustic, very cool! The lake itself is absolutely beautiful. We can’t wait to come back… maybe during a full moon and fishing season! Be sure to visit the museum and definitely stop at the INDIAN TACO spot on the way to the lake… it was delicious!
Scout
It's along a cove in the lake. Super nice hosts and nice campers. The bathrooms are kind of gross but that's expected. Always camp here when we go to the lake.
Guide
This site is really close to Reno, except for the time it takes on the dirt road. We went in one way and out the other. Our way in was from 395 at Bordertown north of Reno on Long Valley Road. Once on the dirt the first couple of miles were bad washboard. Slow going. Then, the rest of the trip had some challenging driving with rocks and ruts. We went really slow and everything was fine. We left via Dog Valley Road and hit the pavement again in Verdi.
We visited for a night mid-week. Only one other campsite was occupied. The trail from the campground to Crystal Peak was great. It's more like Crystal knoll. The history of Cristal Peak is amazing, and the crystals are everywhere. Really nice views from atop the knoll too. Many people visit just for the day to collect crystals.
TravelerWe stayed for 3 days on the beach next to the picnic leantos. We were the only ones camping on the beach. Very quiet. We have a 24' Class C motorhome. The beach was very clean and orderly. The Marina has a great store for just about anything you may need. The staff was very helpful.
Guide
Back again for the first time since the Sierra winter. Reservoir is pretty high, and not too busy this weekend with boaters. 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. Otherwise outstanding!
Guide
With pristine wilderness surrounding your tent, you can camp alongside the beautiful reservoir.
Wildlife is all around you and you can see some of the most beautiful scenery you'll ever see in your life.
We enjoyed our camping trip immensely and enjoyed getting into our kayaks and on to the water.
We took some video footage as well.
There was a great fishing but we didn't catch anything.
It was very quiet and peaceful.
ScoutGreat place to visit. Great walking trails group sites are great love it
Legend
Despite the beautiful Joshua trees this campground is not a great to stay. The roads are in terrible condition, trash is strewn throughout, and staff is less than friendly or helpful. Roads are terribly narrow and sites are small and very uneven. Not a great place for a trailer nor class A. No direct access to park via road. Is next to neighborhood
GuideCold night's starting in September. I have stayed here in summer and in fall. I prefer fall because there are not many people and you can have the lake to yourself. Summer I would not attempt it as it turns into an RV city. The lake attracts lots of wildlife and it is bear country so lock up your food, or better yet tie it up in a tree especially in fall when the bears are bulking up for winter. In summer you might not see wildlife as the hordes of campers scare them off from the lake. There are also beautiful sunset here, and nice stargazing.
GuideSuper place, hosts are friendly & helpful! Some spots are tricky to back in, but easy walk to the reservoir for beach/water time. Some campers moored their boats/jet skis just off the campground. Gravelly shore and bottom, excellent paddleboarding & kayaking, but be aware this is a water sports lake - so expect powerboats & jet skis.
Scout
This is a great small campground with walking access to the Mumford Bar Trail hike down to the American River.
One vault toilet. No water spigot. Pack it in, PACK IT OUT.
Excellent spot if ya wanna get away from crowds and don’t mind less amenities. If the local backcountry is posted no fires, usually can still burn in designated pits at this camp.
OHV and backcountry camping options abound in this area.
The hike down to the American via Mumford Trail is NOT a leisurely stroll. Pack plenty of water and be prepared to spend the night down at the river if you head out late. There is a camp space down there once you reach the river and pass through the thickets.
ScoutGreat place
ScoutThis campsite is wonderful! Gorgeous scenery
GuideVery 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.
Scout
I had a very enjoyable time looking out at the scenery. I had peace and quite with no large buildings and being on a private road. It all gave me the feeling I was one with the nature all around me. The camp also represents and embodies that same unity.
RangerIf you're looking for some peace of mind I would go somewhere else. There are a few sites in this massive campground that might give you some privacy but not many - it is a big camping compound really, and clearly aimed at RVs and watersports types. I'm a tent camper that really enjoys privacy and quiet. Not gonna happen here. Not a bad place if that is what you're looking for though, hence the three stars.
The lake was also a bust when I went - the drought is pretty intense this year so the water level was very low and the water did not look appealing. Most of the people at the shoreside drove there to unload their boats or jetskis.
Better options nearby if you're willing to look. I bailed on my reservation and camped at a smaller site nearby next to a river. Much more my jam.
ScoutRight next to the water, and close to town. Cell phone reception. is spotty .
TravelerStayed on the 3rd of July, the bathrooms were clean, we saw a deer, boat ramp a mile away
TravelerCamping here was great. Many different spots from able to use the marina or at the boat launch still on pavement or just right down on the beach next to the water. Only biggest issue is there is no trees. So no shade. Bring your easy ups.
GuideTHE CAMPGROUND
The campground is great. Many sites have lots of space between them, while a few are side-by-side with just a vehicle parking space separating them. Each has a level, wood-bordered dirt/gravel pad set up for a tent - usually placed in as quiet/remote corner of the site as possible. Each has a picnic table, some type of fire pit (some have a metal ring with nice flipping grate, some are just a circle of large stones), and some type of cooking setup (some have a standard campsite charcoal "grill" while others have a metal table to set your cooktop on.
Very quite. Only noise is campground noise and one infrequently trafficked dirt road nearby (see below).
Campfires are allowed. If you drive in from the south (via Verdi), there is currently a designated area to collect firewood - it is scheduled for a prescription burn and you can pick up any wood from the forest floor - bring an axe and saw.
I visited mid-week during peak July season - there were two other campsites occupied (out of 20 total).
The campsite is in the middle of Dog Valley. The area is used for off-road recreation, so you may run into a few off-road buggies or trucks, and some may stay at the campground. But most stay in other "dispersed" camping, and there aren't nearly as many vehicles as you might see, for example, in a Nevada dunes off-road park.
The Crystal Mine is nearby… quick drive, bit longer walk. I didn't find many walking trails in the area, but may have missed them.
Verizon cell service picked up one bar, intermittently. Enough to get out occasional status update texts and check the weather, but not enough to be able to read stuff off the internet unless… you…. are…. really…. really… really… patient. If you hike up the hill at the nearby Crystal Mine, Verizon gave 2 bars and 5G… you are line of sight to Cold Springs.
There is basically no radio reception at the campground, but one AM station came in during the drive.
There are two 'vault' toilets, both of which were clean and well maintained… no real odor, no spiders, etc. I saw one water spigot but it required a keyed handle to open so it was inaccessible … no other sources of water (potable or otherwise) at the site.
Trash cans are provide. No food/bear lockers provided (bear-safe food storage not required … but always a good precautionary measure).
I give it four stars because it is a good campground, and may be a good base for off-roading or mountain biking, but doesn't have many major sites nearby (hiking trails, rivers, lookout points, etc.) and I didn't find a variety of hiking trails nearby (a major one does run through the general area). Would be tough to keep kids busy, but great for a 2 day getaway for a couple.
Ok… let's talk THE ROAD….
The road is one of the reasons this site generally isn't too packed. There are two main ways in…
From The South (Verdi)
This is the roughest path. It has a fairly good incline and then decline into the valley, so I can only speak to my summer experience, but I suspect this may present a challenge for winter/wet driving.
For this route, you will spend 8.5 miles on a dirt road. I'd estimate this road is 10% "standard country dirt road, flat, fairly level, no major ruts, drivable by any vehicle at 25-30MPH." About 75% of the road is "unmaintained hill road, where you have to hug one side or another to avoid 6-inch+ ruts, loose rocks up to 5" in diameter, passable by a 2-wheel drive vehicle with reasonable ground clearance and not concerned about rocks on the paint, driving 10-15 MPH." The remaining 15% still probably doesn't require 4-wheel drive, but could benefit from it, involves going 5MPH to navigate deeper ruts or 'potholes'. The entire route is totally 100% passable by any truck/Jeep, even 2-wheel drive, driven slowly and carefully at times. Subarus would be fine. I *think* a standard sedan could make it, but you run a very good chance of bashing in the underside of your car… it is doable and I saw a little hatchback do it, but I personally wouldn't recommend.
From the North (Cold Springs)
For this route, you will spend 10 miles on a dirt road.
The first 3.3 miles (about 33%) is "standard country dirt road, flat, fairly level, no major ruts, drivable by any vehicle at 25-30MPH." Very easy driving. About 65% is "unmaintained hill road, where you have to hug one side or another to avoid 6-inch+ ruts, loose rocks up to 5" in diameter, passable by a 2-wheel drive vehicle with reasonable ground clearance and not concerned about rocks on the paint, driving 15 MPH." The remaining 2% is the harder road, as described above… just a few specific spots/turns, not long sections.
This north route is easier, but either way you go, there will be tougher sections.
To be fair - this isn't "off-roading." There are no boulders or 'technical' challenges. It is just an unmaintained (or rarely maintained) dirt road that has ruts, especially in uphill/downhill areas where the water runs across the road. Definitely not just a 'country dirt road', but a more typical mountain backroad.
Pictures below show the most common sections - 75% of the south path and 66% of the north path look like that or a little bit worse. The pictures aren't the worst sections - just more of the 'typical' road you can expect for most of the way.
Final comment: All of the above is about dry, summer driving. After rains, when the ground is wet, or in the winter - could be a very different experience.
TravelerCamp on Pryamid lake shore or full hookups @marina RV park tents trailers etc. Indian Reservation permits required. Fireworks sold & allowed designated areas. Also, fishing is great and seasonal. Activte Quiet community 
ScoutFirst time there and we reserved a spot, site 21 and the door of our camper wasn’t facing our camp. I noticed a few sites like that. It’s pretty tight spaces and not a lot of privacy. We ended up moving to site 4, had more room and our door was facing our camp :)
GuideNothing terribly good or bad about this site. Lakefront is a plus, great if you’re in the area...probably not worth a trip unless you’re boating.
Legend
Officially this is listed as an equestrian campground. We were there during the off season so no one else was around. The campground was quiet and peaceful. Website stated that fees are not collected at this time. There are only 6 sites here and it is a compact little campground. The sites are a good size but the loop is tight and it took some creative maneuvering to back into our site.
The road in was fairly smooth with some areas of washboard, managed fine in our 26’ Class C. Water is available from an hand pumped spigot at the entrance of the campground, website states non potable but we drank it and it was fine and in fact tasted really fresh. There is no garbage so pack in and pack out.
The bathrooms were open. Each space has a bear box, fire pit and picnic table all in good condition. Sites were relatively flat and a mix of sun and shade.
There is hiking and biking on the main dirt road and on the multiple side roads. There was a few vehicles coming and going but not so busy as to be annoying.
The view of the huge meadow was nice and just before you reach the campground there are a few buildings that are open and some horse corrals.
Zero cell service from AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile.
RangerRight by kidd lake. More amenities than Long Lake sites, but not quite as remote/pretty
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Portola, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Portola, CA is Logger Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 13 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Portola, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 20 equestrian camping locations near Portola, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
