Equestrian camping near Sacramento, California offers access to several trail systems throughout the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains. The region sits at elevations ranging from 300 to 2,500 feet with a Mediterranean climate featuring hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. Many campgrounds in the area aren't equipped with designated horse corrals, though some provide trail access that accommodates riders with proper permits.
What to Do
Trail riding at Auburn State Recreation Area: The 30,000-acre recreation area features several equestrian-friendly trails with varying difficulty levels. Ruck-A-Chucky Campground within the park sits along the American River. "The 3 mile road down is a bit treacherous (maybe don't take your RV) but makes you feel 'out there'. Highly recommended," notes Kevin W.
Disc golf at Lake Amador: The resort offers multiple disc golf courses suitable for players of all skill levels. "As disc golfers, of course we love camping here, having 3 courses to choose from. But there is something for everyone in the family here, there is amazing fishing, boating and swimming," writes Christy L.
Hiking to waterfalls: Several campgrounds offer access to waterfall trails. At Sly Park Recreation Area, "there is also a lovely, short hike to a waterfall! It's just a 1 mile walk along the lakeshore from the Hazel Creek day use parking area," recommends Michell C.
Gold panning in American River: Visitors can try their luck at finding gold in the region's waterways. "If you're lucky and know how to read the river, gold panning is a must," says Jason A. about the American River at Ruck-A-Chucky.
What Campers Like
Lake access for water activities: Many campgrounds provide direct access to lakes or rivers. At Lake Amador Resort, "the lake itself is beautiful! If not camping overnight i love to get a day pass and just hang out on the beach!" shares Abigail S.
Equestrian-friendly trails: Dru Barner Campground caters specifically to horse owners. "Must visit for horse lovers!" emphasizes Maxim B. The campground features horse corrals and access to multiple trail systems.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The Sacramento region offers diverse wildlife viewing. "The wildlife is RIGHT THERE! We saw a tarantula near the tee box on 2. I woke up with 4 deer casually strolling through our campsite, a huge group of turkeys were cruising around the whole weekend," reports Christy L.
Clean facilities: Campers frequently mention well-maintained amenities. Mike R. notes that Beals Point Campground has "Coin operated shower very nice and clean bathroom clean showers."
What You Should Know
Water levels fluctuate seasonally: Lake levels change dramatically throughout the year. "The lake is very low and a half mile walk from park to get to. The sites are surrounded by dry tall grass and spaced out nicely," reports Melissa S. about Beals Point.
Fire restrictions vary by season: Summer fire restrictions can impact camping plans. "They also follow fire season safety and you should plan for that," advises Carly D. about Sly Park Recreation Area.
Reservation requirements differ: Some campgrounds require advance booking while others allow first-come, first-served camping. "You can call and reserve or just show up and find an open spot," explains ProfG999 about Dru Barner Campground.
Weather considerations: Summer temperatures can be extreme. "The Sacramento area gets very hot in the summer, and this campground provides some but not a ton of shade," warns Lizzy C. about Beals Point Campground.
Tips for Camping with Families
Look for dedicated swimming areas: Several campgrounds offer designated swimming areas for children. At Lake Amador, "they have a water hole with a fun slide, which is all kept nice and clean with tables you can sit at. I would recommend a pop up tent for shade if you go to the water hole," suggests Moonlit_starrynights.
Choose campgrounds with playgrounds: Some campgrounds feature playground equipment for children. Lake Amador has "an old school playground for the kids," according to Moonlit_starrynights.
Consider safety around water: Water safety is important for family camping. At Ascension Ranch, "we had a view of the lake, the campground was relatively quiet. Very peaceful. There was a nice trail down to the water, and is dog friendly," reports Julie D.
Bring quarters for showers: Many campgrounds require coins for shower facilities. "The showers take quarters and have hot water most of the time. The showers are very big its actually quite peaceful and nice," shares Abigail S.
Tips from RVers
Check road conditions before arrival: Some campgrounds have challenging access roads. Ruck-A-Chucky has a "3 mile road down [that] is a bit treacherous (maybe don't take your RV)," warns Kevin W.
Site selection matters: Choose RV sites based on your specific needs. At Skyline Wilderness Park, "RV Campsites are nothing fancy and close together. But the park itself is nice...hiking trails, views, nature, and close to Napa," notes Rich J.
Cell service varies by location: For those needing connectivity, service quality differs across campgrounds. At Dru Barner Campground, ProfG999 reports, "I used my WeBoost and was able to teach online and even stream some TV."
Consider dump station availability: Not all campgrounds offer dump stations. "We pulled in with a travel trailer and an SUV with small cargo trailer. They made us rent 2 spots even tho we could have fit it one as the sites are HUGE. Full hookup, no wifi, cable connection but no cable, and NO BATHROOMS," warns Patty G. about Dixon May Fair.
