2 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Skyline Wilderness Park accommodates horses with miles of equestrian-friendly trails connecting to the River to Ridge Trail system. The park features tent, RV, and cabin camping options with horse-friendly sites that allow riders to stay near their animals. Horses are welcome throughout most areas of the park, with designated trails for riding that offer views of vineyards and the Napa Valley. The campground is located just 8 minutes from downtown Napa, making it convenient for riders who want to combine wine country exploration with trail riding. Campers regularly report seeing other equestrians enjoying the park's extensive trail network, with many mentioning the beautiful views while horseback riding through the property.
Cowboy Camp provides primitive horse camping in an open, grassy area surrounded by hills and adjacent to a stream. This free dispersed camping area is particularly popular with equestrians, offering level ground suitable for horse trailers and space for horses to be kept nearby. The camp serves as a trailhead access point to several riding routes, though crossing the nearby stream can be challenging for horses during certain seasons. Horse owners should bring their own water for animals as drinking water is not available on site. The area can attract flies during warmer months due to the horse activity, so appropriate fly control measures are recommended. Trail riders appreciate the open layout that prevents crowding, even when multiple horse trailers are present.
"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."
Available this weekend
from $43 / night
"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"
"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
"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!!"
Available this weekend
from $45 / night
"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."
"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
"Next to a stream and surrounded by hills. The only tough part is getting across the stream to some of the hikes."
"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."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $25 - $100 / night
"Tilden is great for anyone looking for a close park right outside of the Berkeley/San Fran area. It is a rather large park area that overlooks Berkeley."
"Tilden offers a lake in the middle to swim in and fish. The campsites have lots of fire pits. The weather is always great too!"
from $75 - $120 / night
from $40 / night
TravelerGreat camp with amazing views. But, you should not camp alone. I've been here often this month and have seen a herd sheep eating the grass on the hillside, heard a pack of coyotes several nights in a row, until I heard a Mt Lion doing it's bird like sounds at night, as it circled my rv. This is last night, 10/07/2026 - mt lion presence detected, not seen. Be careful.
TravelerCowboy Camp had everything I had heard it offered & more! There was plenty of space when I visited and I got to pick a spot down by the water. Easy access & semi-secluded. The spot was half shaded and half sunny by 3 PM. Perfect for our truck to park in & stay cool. Vaulted toilets were in decent shape & even had TP. Lots of awesome spots to pull off at on the way there from Winters area. Beautiful views of flowing green water & colorful trees.
LegendLas Trampas is one of those wonderfully odd camping experiences that almost feels like you’ve discovered something you weren’t supposed to know about. Despite sitting on the doorstep of Danville and San Ramon, this 6,050-acre preserve quickly trades suburbia for steep ridges, oak woodland, grasslands and some terrific views across the East Bay. And camping here is decidedly primitive: the Corral Area is a single reservable group campsite for 17–50 people, rather than a conventional campground with individual sites. That means lots of privacy, lots of space and very little resembling a traditional developed campground.
While my earlier review goes into considerably more detail, I thought I’d revisit this campground with a quick topline of HIGHLIGHTS and LOWLIGHTS - along with a fresh batch of photos.
HIGHLIGHTS: (1) Remarkable feeling of seclusion considering you’re only minutes from the suburban East Bay, with Oakland lying just beyond; (2) Having essentially one primitive group camping area makes this feel more like your own private campground than a conventional campsite; (3) Picnic tables, BBQs, food-storage box and a drinking-water spigot provide just enough infrastructure without spoiling the primitive experience; (4) Direct access to a huge trail network with Rocky Ridge reaching 2,024 feet and panoramic views toward Mt. Diablo and the surrounding valleys; and (5) Abundant wildlife, seasonal wildflowers, grazing cattle and those beautiful rolling East Bay hills make the setting the real amenity here.
LOWLIGHTS: (1) This is group camping only, with a 17-person minimum, so it simply doesn’t work for a couple or small family looking for an ordinary campsite; (2) No hookups, showers or flush toilets - here, primitive means primitive; (3) Water at the campsite should be considered unreliable, so bring your own rather than betting the weekend on the spigot; and (4) Many of the best trails are steep, exposed and short on shade, which can make hot-weather hiking considerably more strenuous than the beautiful scenery initially suggests.
Insider’s Tip: Bring more water than you think you’ll need and make time for a ridge hike. Las Trampas is one of those places where climbing a few hundred feet completely changes your perspective especially when the suburban Bay Area seemingly disappears beneath you, which is precisely what makes camping here so unexpectedly special.
Happy Camping!
GuideWe have stayed here a few times. I have a sister that lives here and this place is only about 3 miles from us! $80 for a back in space.
GuideThe location is great since you’re close to st Helena and Calistoga. The road is narrow and the spots are tricky to back into. It was our first time with out 20ft trailer and we struggled a bit, took us three tries we kept having to drive around the loop of the campground. Lots of poison oak. Dog friendly on the paved road/path. We didn’t use the pool, but it’s open 1-5pm and it’s spring fed. Lots of kids, definitely kid friendly since it’s so small!
TravelerNot much camping in the but Skyline fit the bill. Typically RV style campsites but showers were good, and the grounds were beautiful. Good hiking trails as well.
TravelerThey call this the off season, but only if your reason for coming is wine industry happenings. Beautiful weather, lots of space, lush green fields. The hiking here is unreal, the native plant garden is a lovely escape, and the facilities are clean and well tended. This one's a keeper.
GuideGreat spot to camp and explore the Santa Rosa area. No hook ups but there is a spot to fill fresh water tank and a dump station. Sites are well spaced and very clean. Will get weekend locals so you will likely hear people having fun :) My go to in the area.
TravelerI stayed overnight in the winter so it was pretty empty. The sites are all separate and not too close to one another like they look in photos. The hosts were very nice and it was very quiet when I was there. It's close enough to where you could walk into town but I drove because it was raining. I will definitely be camping here again.
Horse camping opportunities near Rutherford, California include trail systems connecting vineyards with mountain terrain across Napa Valley. The region's Mediterranean climate provides generally mild temperatures year-round with summer highs averaging 85°F and winter lows rarely below 40°F. Several equestrian-friendly campgrounds offer amenities ranging from primitive sites to full-service options within a 60-mile radius of Rutherford.
Hike to tidal areas: Wildcat Campground at Point Reyes National Seashore serves as a basecamp for coastal exploration. "The hike to reach the campground is stunning. The hike changes drastically over the course of the six miles ranging from lush forests to grassy fields to breathtaking coastal views," notes Michaela C. The campsite is a short walk from Alamere Falls.
Mountain biking: Liberty Glen Campground offers varied terrain for cyclists with trail difficulty options. "There was a hiking trail down to the lake. Also a pro that it isn't too far out of the bay area," mentions Julie D. The campground connects to multiple trail systems around Lake Sonoma.
Wine tasting shuttles: Bothe-Napa Valley State Park provides convenient access to nearby vineyards. "A shuttle stops at the park to take people into town for dinner if they don't want to drive after drinking," reports Jeanna J. The park is centrally located between St. Helena and Calistoga for wine country exploration.
Beach access: Coast Campground at Point Reyes offers proximity to scenic shorelines. "The beach was sandy and beautiful, not that many people around," shares Char A. Sites are located just minutes from the water with opportunities for beachcombing and swimming.
Urban convenience: Skyline Wilderness Park provides camping close to town amenities. "Location itself is GREAT. 5 mins from everything in town. Had good cell service and park was clean," notes Jules S. The park offers trail access while maintaining proximity to restaurants and services.
Budget-friendly options: Bothe-Napa Valley State Park presents affordable accommodations in wine country. "Camping here leaves lots of money for food and wine splurges!" reports Susan H. The park offers tent sites, cabins, and yurts with varying price points.
Seasonal considerations: Bodega Dunes Campground experiences coastal weather patterns throughout the year. "Weather was as to be expected for near the coast, but sheltered enough from the wind. Sites were large, water fill stations and bathrooms (with showers) were easily accessible," explains Dustin C. The campground requires preparation for foggy conditions and wind.
Wildlife encounters: Multiple campgrounds report animal sightings including turkeys, foxes, and deer. "I was awoken (as is the norm in NorCal) to gobbling turkeys at dawn," states Jeanna J. about Bothe-Napa Valley State Park. Wildlife viewing opportunities exist at most local campgrounds.
Reservation requirements: Most equestrian campgrounds near Rutherford require advance booking. Cowboy Camp offers free horse camping but "The camp area is closed, as of 2/9/2024. No indication of that on the BLM website," reports Derek D. Always verify current status before planning trips.
Educational activities: Tilden Regional Park provides nature-based learning opportunities. "It also has a great lake/pond area for anyone to relax at," shares Ethan K. The park includes a little farm where children can interact with animals.
Site selection strategy: Bodega Dunes Campground offers various exposure levels for different family needs. "If you want a sunny site, go for the center of the loop in the 60s/70s. We prefer shade and some space," advises Emily W. Site selection impacts temperature, privacy, and comfort.
Playground access: Skyline Wilderness Park includes recreational facilities for children. "The 800+ acres of hills, woods and fields offers archery, disc golf, hiking, horseback riding and more," explains Jamie G. The diverse activities accommodate various age groups and interests.
Leveling requirements: Horse campgrounds with RV access typically have variable surfaces. At Skyline Wilderness Park, "Sites are level with minimal need for blocks. Staff are friendly," reports Adam B. Many equestrian campgrounds require preparation for uneven terrain.
Hookup availability: Equestrian campsites offer varying levels of services. "Clean showers and bathrooms, some trees, close to Raley's Grocery store. Easy drive to the wineries of Napa Valley, a little further to Sonoma but a nice drive. Picnic table, some full hook-ups and some partial," mentions Lori H. about Skyline Wilderness Park. Most horse-friendly sites provide limited hookups.
Size restrictions: Many horse camping areas accommodate larger rigs but may have specific limitations. "RV campsites are close together and semi-level. Bathrooms could use some TLC. But the park is nice with lots of hiking, views and close to Napa," notes Rich J. about Skyline Wilderness Park. Verify site dimensions before booking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Rutherford, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Rutherford, CA is Ritchey Creek Campground — Bothe-Napa Valley State Park with a 4.1-star rating from 33 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Rutherford, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 12 equestrian camping locations near Rutherford, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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