8 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Cowboy Camp offers primitive equestrian camping near Rio Nido with horse-friendly terrain and trailer parking facilities. Located northwest of Rio Nido in the Cache Creek area, the campground accommodates both tent and RV campers with horses in a dispersed camping setting. The site provides toilet facilities and trash collection while maintaining a natural setting conducive for horse camping. Riders can access the surrounding trails directly from the campground, making it convenient for early morning or evening rides. This area attracts equestrians seeking a more rustic experience with their horses rather than a developed facility with formal corrals.
Trail access from Cowboy Camp connects to the extensive Cache Creek Wilderness trail system, allowing for rides ranging from brief outings to full-day excursions. The terrain is varied, with both flat areas suitable for novice riders and more challenging sections for experienced equestrians. Horse trailer parking is readily available with sufficient space for turning around larger rigs. Water for horses is not provided on-site, so campers must bring their own supply or utilize natural sources when available. Riders should be prepared for potentially dusty conditions during summer months. During peak seasons, equestrians typically arrive early to secure optimal camping spots with natural barriers that can serve as makeshift paddock areas. The campground remains accessible throughout most of the year, though seasonal weather conditions may affect trail quality.
"This campsite is centrally located on the peninsula. Access to several roadside dog friendly beaches within minutes. The bay and the beach are within walking distance to campground."
"There are also equestrian trails, so you can book a horseback ride from a local ranch as well!!"
from $45 / night
Check Availability"We just stayed here for 2 nights, great location very close to Calistoga and not to far from Saint Helena! Next time i would love to try out a cabin or yurt."
"Good access to wineries close by. Only real downside was that because of the dry conditions we could not have a campfire."
from $43 / night
Check Availability"It’s close to the entrance but the driveway only had a slight grade. Mostly folks with trailers. The sites are not too close together but it is easy to see into the surrounding neighbors."
"Spring Lake has been that for us. We have been here for 2 weekends in the last few months."
from $35 / night
Check Availability"If you talk to the the ranger at the gate, most of the time they will let you drive around the grounds and pick any open site."
"The walk down to swim in the lake was a significant downhill but the dip was worth it! Funny dead trees sticking out of the lake were fun to climb on."
from $25 - $100 / night
Check Availability"This location is easily accessible for all. Biking, trails for hiking and the gardens are gorgeous. Rvs and horses welcome."
"We only stayed overnight the staff was very friendly,lots of stuff to do around the campsite from hiking,mtb,watch horses, frisbee golf and then you have napa where you can get wine,brewery,and restaurants"
"West Marin offers an incredibly picturesque location to explore, and Coast Camp is about as good as it gets."
"The beach offers tidepools close by as well as a great place for beach fire (permit needed). There are two routes to hike in."
from $30 - $90 / night
Check Availability"in an open meadow on a bluff overlooking the ocean with a short walk to the beach and a 3.2 kilometer (2.0 miles) round-trip walk to [Alamere Falls](https://www.nps.gov/pore/planyourvisit/alamere_falls.htm"
"Really great site right next to the water and beach. The hike in is pretty easy and beautiful. We had fun making a fire on the beach at night. It's pretty windy, so be prepared."
"Next to a stream and surrounded by hills. The only tough part is getting across the stream to some of the hikes."
RangerThis campsite is centrally located on the peninsula. Access to several roadside dog friendly beaches within minutes. The bay and the beach are within walking distance to campground. The bathrooms are clean and the showers are coin operated. Sites are flat and semi private. The staff is friendly and campground is large.
GuideIt is always windy and therefore cold on the beach. That is why there are such big sand dunes.
Regardless, a beautiful place to visit and camp. There are also equestrian trails, so you can book a horseback ride from a local ranch as well!!
TravelerGreat free campground! We've stayed here many times. It's open, grassy level and quiet. Next to a stream and surrounded by hills. The only tough part is getting across the stream to some of the hikes. It's a hot spot for horses which of course have no stream problems, so the only negative is fly's sometimes. But just keep your screen door closed (& fly swatter handy). We always manage to level out in our 23" Winnebago View. There is lots of open space so no crowding. There is a rural road near by but traffic noise isn't a problem. Perhaps I should say it's awful so fewer people come and it's not discovered.
RangerThis campground is nice with newer bathrooms and shower facilities, but it's also very open and exposed. Great access to Spring Lake's water-based activities and hiking trails, plus easy access to Trione-Annadel State Park for hiking and mountain biking. Howarth Park, a city park, also borders Spring Lake Regional Park and provides access to boating and fishing on Lake Ralphine, plus they have a small train, carousel, tennis courts, and a softball field. Overall a good campsite for families in need of lots of recreation options, but not the best for those wishing to "get away from it all."
ScoutThis location is easily accessible for all. Biking, trails for hiking and the gardens are gorgeous. Rvs and horses welcome.
RangerSkyline Wilderness County Park is a great little campground just outside of downtown Napa. There are always a lot of RVs there, but thankfully the tent section is separate from most of the RVs. The tent area leaves a little to be desired and is basically just a stretch of grass with picnic tables, BBQs and very little separation or cover from trees. Of course you don’t really think wilderness camping when you think of Napa Valley.
Despite being close to town there is actually quite a bit to do in the park and once you get back from the campground a bit you can really feel kind of far away from the congested Napa Valley. There are quite a few hiking trails and some offer beautiful views of the valley. By far the most popular is the Lake Marie Trail and Fire Road and Manzanita is popular with mountain bikers.
The River to Ridge Trail is nice and provides access to the Kennedy Park, the Napa River, and miles of bike paths, but check at the kiosk if the gate next to highway 221 (Soscol Ferry Road) is open and I have found it to not have a very consistent schedule.
According to a couple of friends that are pretty die-hard disk golfers, the course at Skyline is one of the best and most challenging in the area. I found it to be pretty fun, especially is your expectations are extremely low.
Being Napa Valley there is of course wine tasting and having a parking spot at the campground you have the perfect opportunity to take an Uber or car service to ensure your safety while enjoying Napa’s most famous export.
This is not a park that will provide you with memorable hikes or photos for your Instagram, but it is a decent place to stay in Napa if you’re the type that prefers to sleep in a tent or RV over a very pricey hotel.
GuideWe only stayed overnight the staff was very friendly,lots of stuff to do around the campsite from hiking,mtb,watch horses, frisbee golf and then you have napa where you can get wine,brewery,and restaurants that's only 5 minutes away....would definetly be back here again
GuideThis was a great campground to come on a winter weekend. Only 90 minutes from home to site. We stayed on site 3. It’s close to the entrance but the driveway only had a slight grade. Mostly folks with trailers. The sites are not too close together but it is easy to see into the surrounding neighbors. The bathrooms were clean but older... 2 of the stalls were incredibly narrow. There were showers but I didn’t look at them. The campground is next to a very popular lake. Lots of trails. A great place to bring a bike too.
It is close to town. We picked up a pizza at Urban Pizza on our way. Excellent Pi! There were tons of restaurants though if you need to pick something up.
GuideDry camped here with my 20ft R-Pod. Had a fun time. Walked to the water park on spring lake that featured an inflatable, floating obstacle course/ bouncy house thing. The kids LOVED that. As far as local and regional parks go, this is top notch. But compared to some of California’s more beautiful state and national parks, it doesn’t quite measure up. Would give it 3 1/2 stars if I could!
Cowboy Camp offers equestrian camping northwest of Rio Nido in the Cache Creek area. The campground sits at approximately 1,200 feet elevation in dry grassland terrain that receives minimal rainfall during summer months. The location features rolling hills with sparse oak trees and connects to the 27-mile Cache Creek Ridge Trail system, providing multi-day riding options with elevation changes between 800-1,800 feet.
Trail riding through diverse terrain: Connect to the extensive Cache Creek trail system for rides ranging from 3 to 15 miles. Liberty Glen Campground offers nearby riding options. As one visitor noted, "I've been to Liberty Glen 3 times, and even in peak season the campground is never full. If you talk to the the ranger at the gate, most of the time they will let you drive around the grounds and pick any open site."
Explore Cache Creek Wilderness: Follow the marked trails into the wilderness area to view native wildlife and vegetation. At Cowboy Camp, a camper mentioned, "Great free campground! We've stayed here many times. It's open, grassy level and quiet. Next to a stream and surrounded by hills. The only tough part is getting across the stream to some of the hikes."
Seasonal creek exploration: During spring months, the creek offers water access for horses and explorers. Check water levels before planning creek crossings, as they can become impassable after heavy rains or completely dry in late summer.
Wide-open spaces for horse trailer parking: The equestrian-focused layout provides ample room for rigs to maneuver and park. According to one Skyline Wilderness Park visitor, "RV Campsites are nothing fancy and close together. But the park itself is nice...hiking trails, views, nature, and close to Napa."
Natural separations between campsites: Many horse campgrounds near Rio Nido, California offer sites with natural vegetation barriers. At Wildcat Campground, a camper reported, "The tall grass gave some privacy between neighboring campsites. Nice to have a water spigot on-site. Vault toilets with paper towel, no soap."
Multi-use trail access: Direct trail connections allow for immediate riding without trailering. Most nearby equestrian camps connect to trail systems that accommodate both horses and hikers with minimal conflicts.
Limited facilities require preparation: Most horse campgrounds near Rio Nido provide basic amenities only. At Coast Campground, a visitor noted, "Inside the Point Reyes National seashore, this is a hike in only campground. But has pit toilets, potable water. Groups sites also available. Sites have picnic tables and bear/critter lockers for food."
Seasonal closures affect access: Verify campground status before traveling, especially during winter months. One camper at Cowboy Camp warned, "Visit was for 11/19/2024 found the gates locked, no entry. Seasonal? No signage to tell."
Insects can be problematic: Flies and mosquitoes are common around horse campgrounds, particularly in warmer months. A Cowboy Camp visitor cautioned, "No trees just dry open land inhabited by an unusual amount of flies. It was crazy how thick they were."
Water management is essential: Horse owners must plan for adequate water supplies. Natural sources may be unreliable, especially in late summer and fall months.
Pack appropriate riding gear: Ensure children have proper safety equipment for trail riding. Helmets are mandatory for riders under 18 at most locations. At Bothe-Napa Valley State Park, a visitor observed, "Traditional campground, yurts and a seasonal pool make this a fun place to go with the kids. Camp sites are on the smaller side."
Plan shorter riding loops for beginners: Novice riders and children do better on the flatter trails close to camp. Several marked trails offer 1-2 hour riding options suitable for all skill levels.
Bring outdoor activities for non-riding time: Card games, nature scavenger hunts, and star-gazing activities help fill evenings at camp. One camper at Liberty Glen noted, "This is a great place for family, kids rode bikes all weekend. Nobody was too loud or partying late."
Schedule rest days between long rides: Alternate riding days with swimming, hiking or driving excursions to prevent soreness in inexperienced riders.
Length restrictions limit some rigs: Most equestrian campgrounds accommodate rigs up to 40 feet, but access roads may have tight turns. At Bodega Dunes Campground, a visitor advised, "They are generally smaller pull-in sites geared more toward tents, vans, and small travel trailers. There are just a handful of sites that can accommodate bigger RVs."
Prepare for limited hookups: Most horse campgrounds offer primitive camping only. Bring sufficient water, fully charged batteries, and waste management solutions.
Allow extra space for horse trailers: Position your RV to allow room for trailer maneuvering and horse handling. Standard sites may not accommodate both RV and horse trailer without careful positioning.
Test leveling before unhitching: Many campgrounds have uneven surfaces that require additional leveling blocks. One Cowboy Camp visitor noted, "We always manage to level out in our 23" Winnebago View. There is lots of open space so no crowding."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Rio Nido, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Rio Nido, CA is Bodega Dunes Campground — Sonoma Coast State Park with a 4.2-star rating from 42 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Rio Nido, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 8 equestrian camping locations near Rio Nido, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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