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Best Equestrian Camping near Sacramento, CA

116 Reviews

Horse camping near Sacramento is limited, with most campgrounds lacking dedicated equestrian facilities. According to available data, none of the campgrounds in the immediate Sacramento area feature horse corrals or specialized equestrian accommodations. Beals Point Campground at Folsom Lake State Recreation Area accommodates tent and RV camping with pets allowed, but does not offer horse-specific amenities. Sites are spaced nicely with numerous trees providing shade, though the proximity to roads results in traffic noise throughout the night.

Trail riders must travel beyond Sacramento's immediate vicinity to find suitable horse camping. The American River Bikeway near Folsom Lake permits horseback riding alongside its paved path for cyclists and pedestrians. Campers report clean facilities at Beals Point with accessible toilets and coin-operated showers that require quarters. The campground connects to extensive trail systems, though water levels at Folsom Lake fluctuate seasonally, affecting beach access. Horse owners should verify current equestrian trail conditions and restrictions before planning trips, as many state and regional parks have specific regulations regarding horses on trails and at campsites.

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Best Equestrian Sites Near Sacramento, California (13)

    1. Beals Point Campground — Folsom Lake State Recreation Area

    32 Reviews
    Granite Bay, CA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (916) 791-1531

    $28 - $48 / night

    "Folsom Lake is a very large lake which touches 3 counties (Sacramento, Placer & El Dorado). Beals Point is right on the border of Folsom & Granite Bay on Folsom-Auburn Rd."

    "As with most of California everything is dry. 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."

    2. Ascension Ranch

    2 Reviews
    Granite Bay, CA
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (916) 439-0002

    $49 - $245 / night

    " WELCOME TO ASCENSION RANCH Ascension Ranch is an off-grid paradise tucked away in an oak savanna along Folsom Lake with a unique and ever growing list of features and activities."

    "Super relaxing and has a lake that is at the end of the trail. Super convenient. It was cool to experience the animals that were in the pastures as well. I'd definitely come back."

    3. Dixon May Fair

    1 Review
    Dixon, CA
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (707) 678-5529

    $40 / night

    4. Skyline Wilderness Park

    29 Reviews
    Napa, CA
    47 miles
    Website
    +1 (707) 252-0481

    "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"

    5. Lake Amador Resort

    12 Reviews
    Ione, CA
    36 miles
    Website
    +1 (209) 274-4739

    $25 - $45 / night

    "Fabulous lakeside camping.... We’ve been in March, May, July and September..... July, just too hot but we love being able to just get up and fish... The lake is stocked with Trout, Bass and Catfish."

    "Lake water level was super low at end of summer & lake is hard to access. Unless you got a boat. Saw deer & wild turkeys. This park is huge."

    6. Sly Park Recreation Area

    13 Reviews
    Pollock Pines, CA
    49 miles
    Website
    +1 (530) 295-6810

    "There are tons of activities to partake in: relax and do nothing, hike (entire lake is 9.5 miles with a waterfall!)"

    "They are set into the mountains with trees behind you. The park rangers are very present to keep people in check and the camp host drives by multiple times to keep the bathrooms clean."

    7. Ghost Mountain RV Campground

    12 Reviews
    Pollock Pines, CA
    48 miles
    Website
    +1 (530) 644-5476

    "About 1.5hr from Sacramento and South Lake Tahoe. Built thick forest of the Sierra mountains. Nice size campsites. Water and Electricity only."

    "It reminded me of Lake Pillsbury north of Clear Lake Ca where we as a family had been camping since 1981. But with just over 2hr drive not 6hr with trailer. There is a pool, and kids pool."

    8. Ruck-A-Chucky Campground — Auburn State Recreation Area

    6 Reviews
    Applegate, CA
    40 miles
    Website
    +1 (530) 885-4527

    "Our site was next to the raft launch/pickup, so there were a couple of groups picked up during the day. Bathrooms were average and the site was maintained well."

    "(Small cars made it down ther without difficulty)

    Once at the camp ground, right on the waters edge, grab up the 3rd site on the right. It is literally on the edge of the river."

    9. Dru Barner Campground — Eldorado National Forest

    7 Reviews
    Georgetown, CA
    46 miles
    Website
    +1 (530) 333-4312

    $3 - $8 / night

    "The good part is this is a beautiful place in the trees to camp with nearby hiking,. And it's equestrian friendly if you want to bring your horse. The Verizon connection was strong."

    "Close to Georgetown and to the El Dorado National Forest. Super clean and easy to get to. Signs off 193 are well marked! The have horse corrals too if you’re into that. Highly recommend!"

    10. Miner's Camp RV Park

    2 Reviews
    Wallace, CA
    37 miles
    Website
    +1 (866) 763-5121

    "spots they have spots for family reunions have showers store boat ramp nice place to camp North Shore is not for RVs it's for tent camping the South Shore has hookups 30 50 amp service full hookups all around"

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Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near Sacramento, CA

8 Photos of 13 Sacramento Campgrounds

Equestrian Camping Reviews near Sacramento, CA

116 Reviews of 13 Sacramento Campgrounds

  • Tiffany M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 21, 2022

    Sly Park Recreation Area

    Best camping trip ever !

    This is a well-kept and forest-dense camping spot. There are tons of activities to partake in: relax and do nothing, hike (entire lake is 9.5 miles with a waterfall!), kayak, fish, sun bathe, swim, play games at your camp, if you have a horse- camp with your horse in one of those sites). It just really is amazing that this gem is only (approx) 1 hour from Sacramento! I cannot wait to go again!

  • Craig & Linda L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 30, 2022

    Ghost Mountain RV Campground

    Ghost Mt ranche RV campground

    It is our home Campground with our CRA Colorado River Adventures membership. About 1.5hr from Sacramento and South Lake Tahoe. Built thick forest of the Sierra mountains. Nice size campsites. Water and Electricity only. There is Honeybucket truck that comes around Monday Wednesday and Friday. A dump station on site. Great place to camp. List goes on and

  • FThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 23, 2022

    Ascension Ranch

    Heaven On Earth

     WELCOME TO ASCENSION RANCH Ascension Ranch is an off-grid paradise tucked away in an oak savanna along Folsom Lake with a unique and ever growing list of features and activities. Family owned, we're a small operation with big dreams. Offering a serene environment, an abundance of farm animals, and good old fashion ranch activities, we invite you to spend some time with us out on the ranch! Come play for the day or reserve a private campsite, and see what all the fuss is about. Some of things you'll come across at Ascension Ranch include baby farm animals, sheep, goats, cattle, horses, more horses, ranch dogs, puppies, chickens, equestrian activities, secluded campsites, amazing views, access to endless trails around and of course, good company.

  • C
    Jun. 19, 2023

    Dru Barner Campground — Eldorado National Forest

    Beautiful quiet place

    The good part is this is a beautiful place in the trees to camp with nearby hiking,. And it's equestrian friendly if you want to bring your horse. The Verizon connection was strong. Even when the campgrounds full on weekend. It's very quiet, more soldier in the week. Bring water as there is none available due to poor quality.

  • Tony G.
    Jun. 9, 2018

    Beals Point Campground — Folsom Lake State Recreation Area

    Fun, lots to do

    This is a busy campground in a LARGE state recreation area (SRA). Folsom Lake is a very large lake which touches 3 counties (Sacramento, Placer & El Dorado). Beals Point is right on the border of Folsom & Granite Bay on Folsom-Auburn Rd. Lots of tent and RV sites. Lots of trails and fishing, although wouldn't fish at Beals Point since it's more of a beach. For fishing, either drive further east towards the north fork or get in a boat towards either the north fork or south fork near Salmon Falls Bridge. Have fun.

  • Melissa S.
    Jun. 27, 2021

    Beals Point Campground — Folsom Lake State Recreation Area

    Not bad

    Nice campground. As with most of California everything is dry. 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. It can be a little noisy with the close proximity to the road. But park is clean with lots of trees.

  • Lizzy C.
    Jun. 21, 2017

    Beals Point Campground — Folsom Lake State Recreation Area

    Baels point is great, but bring plenty of sunscren!

    The Sacramento area gets very hot in the summer, and this campground provides some but not a ton of shade. The campground is kept very clean. There is some privacy between campsites. If you plan on going to the lake late in the evening, know that the rangers are pretty serious about their curfew. :/

  • Michael I.
    May. 18, 2018

    Skyline Wilderness Park

    Fun Private Park with Lots to Do

    Skyline 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.

  • Vanessa A.
    Jun. 19, 2020

    Skyline Wilderness Park

    Beautiful location in the heart of Napa

    This location is easily accessible for all. Biking, trails for hiking and the gardens are gorgeous. Rvs and horses welcome.

Guide to Sacramento

Horse camping in California offers a unique way to explore the great outdoors while enjoying the company of your equine friends. With a variety of campgrounds catering to horse enthusiasts, you can find the perfect spot to saddle up and enjoy nature.

Tips for equestrian camping near Sacramento, California

  • The Beals Point Campground — Folsom Lake State Recreation Area provides a welcoming environment for horse camping, with access to trails and amenities like drinking water and picnic tables.
  • At Ascension Ranch, you can enjoy a serene atmosphere along with opportunities for equestrian activities, making it a great choice for families and horse lovers alike.
  • Lake Camanche North Shore features spacious sites suitable for horse camping, along with essential amenities like electric hookups and access to nearby trails.

Equestrian campgrounds include these great options

  • Dixon May Fair is a big rig-friendly site that allows horses, offering full hookups and easy access to local trails for riding.
  • Miner's Camp RV Park provides a peaceful setting with fishing opportunities and access to the lake, perfect for those looking to combine horse camping with water activities.
  • Cedar Creek Ranch offers a rustic experience with essential amenities, making it a solid choice for horse campers seeking a more private setting.

Most campgrounds have horse-focused amenities like these

  • Cal Expo RV Park allows pets and provides a convenient location for exploring the Sacramento area, making it a practical base for horse camping adventures.
  • Monument RV Park - Lake Camanche features full hookups and is close to the lake, ensuring a comfortable stay for both you and your horse.
  • Ruck-A-Chucky Campground — Auburn State Recreation Area offers a unique riverside experience, perfect for those who enjoy riding along scenic waterways.

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities are available at equestrian campgrounds near Sacramento?

Equestrian campgrounds near Sacramento offer varying levels of amenities. Ascension Ranch provides an off-grid experience on oak savanna along Folsom Lake with farm animals and natural surroundings. Skyline Wilderness Park welcomes horses with accessible trails and gorgeous gardens. Common amenities at equestrian campgrounds include corrals or hitching posts, water troughs, manure disposal areas, and access to riding trails. Some locations offer basic facilities like vault toilets and picnic tables, while others may provide water hookups, electricity, and shower facilities. Most have designated parking areas for horse trailers and camping spaces designed to accommodate both horses and humans.

Do I need special permits for horse camping in Sacramento County?

Most equestrian campgrounds near Sacramento require standard camping permits rather than special horse permits. At Beals Point Campground — Folsom Lake State Recreation Area, you'll need to reserve your campsite ahead of time through the California State Parks reservation system. For camping on National Forest land like Ghost Mountain RV Campground, you'll need to secure your campsite reservation. While specific horse permits aren't typically required, you should always check with the specific campground or land management agency before arrival as regulations may change seasonally.

Where are the best horse camping locations near Sacramento?

Several excellent horse camping destinations are available within a short drive from Sacramento. Dru Barner Campground — Eldorado National Forest is a standout option with dedicated equestrian facilities including horse corrals, nearby hiking trails, and a peaceful forest setting. It's accessible via well-marked signs off Highway 193 near Georgetown. Sly Park Recreation Area offers dedicated horse camping sites in a forest-dense environment with access to a 9.5-mile lake trail perfect for riding. Both locations are within a reasonable drive from Sacramento and provide the necessary facilities for camping with horses.

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