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Best Equestrian Camping near San Diego, CA

173 Reviews

Boulder Oaks Equestrian Campground accommodates tent camping, RVs, and glamping in Alpine, California. The campground features toilet facilities and trash collection for visitors, while horses benefit from dedicated equestrian areas. Sites are accessible by both boat and vehicle, allowing flexible transportation options for campers with horse trailers. Boulder Oaks maintains a year-round operating schedule, enabling equestrians to plan camping trips regardless of season. The campground earned a 4.5-star rating from visitors who appreciate the combination of horse facilities and natural surroundings.

The Tijuana River Valley Regional Park Campground offers alternative equestrian access near the San Diego border region. Campers find drinking water, fire rings, picnic tables, and modern facilities including showers and toilets. The park connects to local riding trails through a network of paths suitable for various skill levels. Horse owners should note that reservations are recommended, especially during peak seasons when equestrian sites fill quickly. The campground's location provides convenient access to both urban amenities and natural riding terrain, with sites accommodating various camping styles including tents, RVs, glamping options, and yurts for those seeking more substantial shelter after trail rides.

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Best Equestrian Sites Near San Diego, California (17)

    1. Sweetwater Summit Regional Park

    33 Reviews
    Bonita, CA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (619) 472-7572

    $34 - $38 / night

    "This is a San Diego County Park/Campground. It offers everything from tent/car camping to full hook-up for large RVs."

    "Beautiful Campground just outside San Diego. Busy but is well maintained. Not the most quiet, but we enjoyed watching the planes fly over and people watching!"

    2. Kumeyaay Lake Campground

    20 Reviews
    Santee, CA
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (619) 668-2748

    $24 - $25 / night

    "Perfect campground located right in San Diego. Great for families with small kids and there are many close trails. There is something for everyone."

    "This place is a jem, being so close to most parts of San Diego."

    3. Thousand Trails Pio Pico

    13 Reviews
    Dulzura, CA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "I was looking for a place to camp that wasn't too far from San Diego and offered some hiking in the desert landscape. The grounds are quite large - there's 2 pools and rec centers."

    "Locations near Jamul Casino. Staff is kind and professional. Full hookups sites. Fill propano available. Spot are very big. The pool and kid playground are great."

    4. Paso Picacho Campground — Cuyamaca Rancho State Park

    23 Reviews
    Descanso, CA
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 765-3023

    $40 - $250 / night

    "This Is a really fun family friendly campsite that is a short drive from San Diego. There are convenient market within a 10 minute drive of the site for extra supplies."

    "Nearby to San Diego, quick drive and you are there. Nice shady areas, plenty of hiking / biking trails around. Bathrooms are a plus."

    5. Green Valley Campground — Cuyamaca Rancho State Park

    16 Reviews
    Descanso, CA
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 465-3020

    $40 / night

    "While both have their positives, I personally love this one for its close proximity to the waterfalls that are a short trail from the campsites."

    "Tucked away from the city lights of San Diego. Very nice camp ground with multiple trails climbing up Mt. Cuyamaca."

    6. El Prado Campground

    22 Reviews
    Mount Laguna, CA
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (619) 473-2082

    $35 / night

    "We absolutely loved staying at this campsite that was tucked away in the San Diego mountains. There is so many trials to hike. A little local downtown that had a great BBQ spot!"

    "It’s got great hikes, biking trails (one of the best in San Diego county), and views nearby. The group site books up early but off season this is a good place for quiet among the pines."

    7. Thousand Trails Oakzanita Springs

    6 Reviews
    Guatay, CA
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "The drive getting here is wicked, if you’ve never been here before. In my scooter club, the San Diego Pharaohs, we’ve ridden up here in the mountains plenty, so I knew what I was in for."

    "The entrance is a hair-pin turn (from the south) and you'll need to go a little further north to turn around."

    8. KQ Ranch Resort

    9 Reviews
    Julian, CA
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 765-2771

    "Membership costs us around $2000 And have access to / 3000 different camp sites nationwide At any time of the year a drop of a dime essentially"

    "Great location and beautiful scenery in the mountains. The resort has lost of activities to participate in. Also, great hiking trails."

    9. Tijuana River Valley Regional Park Campground

    5 Reviews
    Imperial Beach, CA
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (619) 428-2146

    $24 - $90 / night

    "There are nice trails and walking paths right from the campground."

    "There are walking trails walking distance from the campground and the playground in the park was very cool! If you have kids it would be a fun spot for them to play."

    10. Boulder Oaks Eqst

    4 Reviews
    Campo, CA
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (619) 445-6235

    $20 - $50 / night

    "Nice big sites and an entire loop with equestrian sites.

    Pit toilets. One dumpster. Water.

    I was there May 5, 2024 and the fee was $14."

    "Found this spot after being turned away from lake Moreno campgrounds. Plenty of room for our trailer and enough space between sites to feel like we were alone out here."

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Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near San Diego, CA

5 Photos of 17 San Diego Campgrounds

Equestrian Camping Reviews near San Diego, CA

173 Reviews of 17 San Diego Campgrounds

  • K
    May. 21, 2018

    Green Valley Campground — Cuyamaca Rancho State Park

    Close and Perfect for Weekends

    This is my favorite out of the two campgrounds in the Cuyamaca Rancho State Park. While both have their positives, I personally love this one for its close proximity to the waterfalls that are a short trail from the campsites. Depending on what campsite you are in, you can walk to the trail and down to the falls which are perfect for swimming around when it is hot outside. I love this campground for a quick weekend getaway from San Diego that has minimal preparation. Every site is a drive up site, most have shade and there are plenty of bathrooms. Most sites also have a fire ring and picnic table to use as well. A perfect, lower cost campsite that is great for families and people who want an easy camping experience with some water involved!

  • C
    Sep. 9, 2018

    Paso Picacho Campground — Cuyamaca Rancho State Park

    Fun Family site

    This Is a really fun family friendly campsite that is a short drive from San Diego. There are convenient market within a 10 minute drive of the site for extra supplies. The state park visitor center is just up the road, and that is a fun visit for people curious about the area, or for kids to be involved in junior ranger activities.

    On our last visit to this side, we did a very fun day hike with our floor-year-old and six-year-old. We also participated in a junior ranger event that was put on at the campsite. The campsite some cells are very well-maintained. The majority of the other people staying at this site word families, and everybody was veryrespectful Of each other’s campsites, and the bathroom facilities are very well-maintained. :-)

    All and All, one of our favorite sites for a quick get out of town, and get into nature sites in the San Diego area.

  • Daniel B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 14, 2017

    Thousand Trails Pio Pico

    End your day hiking in the desert with a dip in the pool!

    I was looking for a place to camp that wasn't too far from San Diego and offered some hiking in the desert landscape. The grounds are quite large - there's 2 pools and rec centers.

    One rec center is designed more for kids with a pool table, air hockey, shuffleboard, and games. The other, more main center has TV, shuffleboard, ping pong, and a built in cafe. You can also rent out sports equipment from the main center, including golf putters for the mini golf course, baseball bats and balls for the diamond, and a few lawn games. There is WiFi access from this building and it appears they even do movie nights plus a few more community-related events, which is nice considering most people who stay here appeared to be doing so long term and having those options keeps the boredom at bay.

    Heck, someone even built a track for RC cars to race on, and there is a laundry center as well. Showers were nice and warm, and not coin operated - a rarity given the water droughts around CA.

    Since you're in the desert, having pools to cool off in was something I appreciated the longer I was in the heat. I did a hike in the area (TAKE LOTS OF WATER AND WATCH FOR RATTLESNAKES) and a dip in the pool was a great way to finish it off.

    I gave this place 4 out of 5 for the following:

    The price tag. $41 for a tent site it too much, even for private campgrounds. I presume this is because even the most primitive sites still offer electric hook ups, and $40ish is usually what you pay for those features - I just wish for a place that offers 500+ spots that some should be available without the hookups and for a lower price.

    The other reason is because some of the amenities need upkeep. It's great to be able to offer things like mini golf and to have the land for a baseball diamond, but both were well overdue for maintenance.

  • B
    Jul. 8, 2017

    Sweetwater Summit Regional Park

    Good urban Experience

    This is a San Diego County Park/Campground. It offers everything from tent/car camping to full hook-up for large RVs. The campground also has some nice amenities: good trail system, a splash pad (open in spring and summer months), a playground, some areas to have a group picnic, even a large event room. There are about 60 camping spaces, mostly partial hook-ups (electricity and water) and a few full hook-ups (electricity, water, and sewer) in the original campground. These sites, 1-60 offer a bit more shade than the newer campsites which are all full hook-up. The newer sites (61 and higher) are on a hill and offer some good views of Bonita Valley. 61 and higher all are all full hook-ups - but you can put a tent on 'em.

    The campground is freeway close and only a few miles away from grocery stores and restaurants.

    This campground has a nice feel. It is a good place to unwind and enjoy a campfire and the whole camping experience. Good place for kids. There are several campsites with horse stalls for the equestrian campers.

    Sweetwater is perched near a Freeway/Toll Road (not a terribly busy one) and it is under the San Diego Airport glide path for incoming flights. So yeah, a little more city than some other campgrounds.

    At this time sites cost between $26 and $36 (?) per night. That gets yo one motor vehicle. Additional vehicles are $4 per night. There is a $1 pet fee, per pet.

    http://www.sdparks.org/content/sdparks/en/park-pages/SweetwaterSummit.html

  • C
    Jul. 19, 2020

    Green Valley Campground — Cuyamaca Rancho State Park

    Great camping close to San Diego.

    Great weekend camping close to San Diego. Clean, plenty of bathrooms and showers, water, and drive in parcels. Even though there are a lot of camp sites it feels private. It can get really loud with groups of campers but it is worth it. Every camp site has a fire ring. There is a big store 5 miles away if you forget anything. Falls are close by and family friendly. Loved the experience!

  • Stephanie M.
    Nov. 29, 2022

    El Prado Campground

    San Diego Hidden Gem

    We absolutely loved staying at this campsite that was tucked away in the San Diego mountains. There is so many trials to hike. A little local downtown that had a great BBQ spot! Our site was shaded which was great while staying over the summer. The lake isnt really a lake given the high temps was more of a pond. But it was nice to walk out across the meadow.

  • M
    Jan. 21, 2022

    Thousand Trails Oakzanita Springs

    Oakzanita RV Park Review

    Oakzanita is 4000 ft elevation up in the San Diego Mountains. Sites are mainly off roads that are narrow and may be hard to maneuver. Many sites are without sewer however on certain days a honey wagon may be available for $25.00. Park is about 40 minutes from Jillian. Park is okay but nothing to write home about.

Guide to San Diego

Horse camping in California offers a unique opportunity 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 hit the trails.

Tips for equestrian camping near San Diego, California

Campers appreciate these amenities for horses

  • Green Valley Campground features horse-friendly sites with easy access to trails, making it a favorite among equestrian campers.
  • Horse Heaven Group Campground provides essential amenities for horse camping, including drinking water and reservable sites tailored for larger groups.
  • KQ Ranch Resort offers a variety of accommodations, including options for horse camping, ensuring a comfortable stay for both you and your horse.

Equestrian campers like these nearby activities

  • Kumeyaay Lake Campground is close to Mission Trails Regional Park, where you can enjoy hiking and mountain biking trails that are horse-friendly.
  • El Prado Campground is situated in the Cleveland National Forest, providing access to numerous trails perfect for horseback riding and exploring nature.
  • Hideout Mountain Campground offers a serene environment with trails nearby, ideal for a day of riding and enjoying the beautiful California landscape.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near San Diego, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near San Diego, CA is Sweetwater Summit Regional Park with a 4.4-star rating from 33 reviews.

What is the best site to find equestrian camping near San Diego, CA?

TheDyrt.com has all 17 equestrian camping locations near San Diego, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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