We're here to help you find where to go horse camping in San Gregorio. Equestrian camping is the best way to experience nature. With our help, you'll find the best California equestrian campsites from scenic to easily accessible.
Del Valle campgrounds will be closed until further notice, due to storm damage.
Deep in a valley framed by oak-covered hills, with sailboats and sailboards skimming over its waters, Del Valle is like a lakeside resort only 10 miles south of Livermore.
The centerpiece of the park is a lake five miles long with a variety of water-oriented recreation, from swimming to windsurfing and boating, surrounded by 4,395 acres of beautiful land for hiking, horseback riding, and nature study. Del Valle also is the eastern gateway to the Ohlone Wilderness Trail, 28 miles of scenic back-country trail.
Family Campground: The Del Valle Family Campground has 150 sites (two accessible), 21 of them with water and sewage, and electrical hook-ups (120 volt, 50 and 30 amp). The sites are served by centrally located toilets and shower facilities.
Group camps: There are several group campsites for groups of 11 people or more.
Equestrian camps: The Little Chaparral horse camp area has 4 small paddocks. The reservation of one paddock includes space for 1-2 horses, 4 people maximum, and parking for one trailer and rig only. Equestrian groups should reserve the Caballo Loco equestrian group camp as Little Chaparral is not designed for group use. Please note that horses are not allowed in developed areas of the park.
Coe Ranch Campground
$20 / night
Hikers and equestrians have access to an extensive 51 mile trail system. Mountain bikes are permitted on over 75% of the park's trails as designated. The diverse trail system at the park makes this a popular place to stage large-scale organized trail events such as equestrian endurance rides, mountain bike events and foot races. Dogs are also allowed on the trails, picnic areas, and campgrounds as long as they are on a 6 ft. leash.
Shaded picnic areas are available on a first-come first-served basis. Campers can choose from almost forty (40) reservable family campsites. Hot showers are available with paid campsite use. Group picnic and youth camping areas are available by reservation. One large lake and several smaller ponds are accessible for warm water fishing. Fires are permitted in designated fire rings only. Do not gather wood. Extinguish fires when unattended. When posted "NO FIRES", only campstoves or gas grills are permitted. For further questions please call the park office: (408) 274-6121.
$15 - $400 / night
Guide
Nice bathrooms no tokens needed, hot water, clean sink for dishes. Lotsa shaded oak spaces. Good trails.
Ranger
I had a very different take on this place than the others. The RV spot was a fair distance from the neighboring spots, it was low-density, quite, all good qualities, but there was very little see or do near the loop. There were no hikes suitable for young kids as far as I could tell. There was a little store for ice cream and camping supplies and dump station on the loop. HOWEVER, WARNING: the road around the campground looks wide but there are boulders every 10 feet or so making it insanely hard to back into our spot - and we had only a 22ft trailer! I can't see myself coming back here. The maps do accurately depict the relatively narrow space you have for back in spots. Once we were in, it was fine. The pedestal and sewer set-up was just fine. No issues there. It's just not worth the hassle.
As for the park/water part of the park, well, it was covered in garbage from the day-trippers. It was packed and only accessible by driving to it. Truly not a place I wanted to BBQ or picnic at. Cars, people, dogs, loud music, and garbage. A gross diaper on the shore. We took a very nice hike starting at the dog run. That was beautiful, but not worth the trip.
I didn't bother to photograph our site. There were all adequate, just avoid back in site here. There are so many better places to visit. I checked this off the list, no reason to return. I don't believe there was reception either from the campsite.
Last thing, we peaked in on the cabins in our loop. They looks very nice and maintained.
ScoutGreat lake and fishy, clean sites, bathrooms are great. All around awesome camping
Scout
A good RV park @ fairground with lot of RVs $42 for 30-AMP though we don’t need it. Good Wifi & clean toilet/shower Friendly staff
Guide
Stopped on a road trip passing through, was able to get a nice spot. No one else was in the campground, so it was definitely quiet. Bathrooms and showers were available. Camp host was friendly. They also sell ice which was nice to grab for the cooler. Nice stay, saw a lot of bunnies and a bobcat on the way out.
Scout
site #8 should NOT be a site. It is situated just feet from the holding tanks for the vault toilets. Somebody did not think through this site. Breathe in the fresh scent of raw sewage as you attempt to enjoy food being swarmed by all the flies in camp that had previously been sitting on said sewage. Drift off to dreamland as your tent is filled with and subsequently sharpens your awareness of the state of the bathrooms.
Seriously, this was bad. This is a review that came at the end of a 5 week camping trip where we stayed in 9 different campgrounds. We are lifelong campers. I have NEVER left a bad review of a campground. This was bad. Again, almost every site in this campground is great and has lots of privacy. Site #08 is a mistake and should be used for additional parking at most.
ScoutTypical evening park. Everyone on top of one another. Good electricity and decent wifi.
GuidePerfect stop before dropping off rental RV in SF and clean, top up propane etc.
TravelerGreat place for a quick getaway with some friends or family. Enjoyed walking around and taking in the views. Saw some deer, rabbits, and hummingbirds. Enjoyed hanging out by the lake.
Staff is very friendly. Bathrooms were clean.
TravelerThe Fairview RV Park is a great Bay Area location easy to find right off hwy 680, in the Alameda county fairgrounds. The staff are all pleasant to work with and the park and facilities are clean. I will always go back when in that area.
TravelerWe hit Del Valle throughout the year, it's really close for us, but makes you feel like you're out in the cuts. Pretty much ZERO cell service, which is a good thing, helps you to disconnect. The lake is enjoyable, just wish the water level would rise.
TravelerWe camp here with our travel trailer at the start of each season, to check out all our systems. If you are visiting and want to go to San Francisco, I think this is one of the closest RV parks to the city.
Sites are grassy, some with trees, and pretty close together.
If the Alameda Fairgrounds are having an event, you can't beat this location, it's on the property.
LegendAfter time spent here at this oasis in the middle of Eastbay, California, you’ll very much feel like part of this place with its endless trails, fantastically well-kept camping grounds and the warm hospitality given you both by the camp rangers and fellow campers you’ll come across.
From a range of activities including horseback riding, kayaking on the namesake lake as well as hiking the foothills, if you’ve come here for nature, you’ll strike gold! The amenities are basic and – key to all California Regional Parks – everything is very well maintained, easy to find and wonderful to make use of.
Happy Camping!
Legend
This site is a nice hidden gem that many won't know even has a campground. While tiny and available only for a small number of campers, if you can get a spot booked well in advance, you'll have the place nearly all to yourself. Located just off of 680, you'll take Bollinger Canyon Road where you'll head just north of Las Trampas Stables before coming to a round-about where there's ample parking for about 30 cars (no worries, overflow parking on the street is allowed).
From the parking lot, there's 3-4 hiking trails to take, but the one to the campsite is the only one heading south from the parking lot. You'll have to hike all your gear in from here, and it's about 150 yards, so not all that bad, but the pathway is a bit choppy in places, so you'll want to carry most of what you've got on your back (or head!). There's just a few simple amenities at the campground, where I could only count 6-8 or so places to park a tent. Once you're all set up, take the hiking trail straight up to Las Trampas hiking ridge (there's only one trail up from your campground, so if you're not panting, then you're heading in the wrong direction). Pass the cows grazing in the meadows to climb clear to the top for a most spectacular view of Eastbay and nearby Mt. Diablo.
The other 2-3 trails that you'll find here are all worth taking and all fairly easy-to-medium in difficulty, but anyone heading up to the ridge, will find at many places it is steep and can be difficult hiking (just apply the icy hot after your hike!). As for the campground itself, it is bare minimum - the ground is relatively flat, but the entire space is encased in a barbed wire fence area playpen to keep the roaming cattle and other wildlife from coming near the area. When we were there we saw deer, cattle, raccoons and many other four legged vermin running around the area. Inside of the pen though, there's 5-6 stone picnic tables, a water fountain, only a single locker to place your food (so first-come, first served!) and a double-mounted grill.
All in all, if your aim is to spend 2-3 days scouring Las Trampas ridge, then this is a great place to call home for a few days, but it lacks the amenities and natural serenity that you would normally expect when outbacking here in Cali. And if you get tired of the campfire food, it's SO easy to just head into nearby San Ramon for a classic In-N-Out burger (it's a staple here in Cali, but I'm not from here, so I don't get what all the fuss is about: sorry California, but Johnny Rockets burgers from Chicago still win out!) or for the best bite around, try out Zachary's Chicago-style Deep Dish Pizza (this Chicagoan approves!) and a frosty cold mug of Anchor Steam to wash it down with.
Happy Camping!
GuideClose to the Bay Area and probably one of the better options. It can get crowded over the weekends.
Looks like they recently increased the price for campsites, which makes it easier to find/reserve a site. Not sure that this was a good thing, but it is what it is.
Overall, the experience falls and rises with your neighbors, and you probably know what I mean. The sites are reasonably spaced.
Lots of foxtails in case you have dogs, but this is CA and they are everywhere.
RangerCampsite 10/11 are great if connected, with the only view in the place. Other sites are secluded but cornered off with not much view.
Bugs! Lots and lots of flies, wasps and mosquitos here. Keep your trash and cooking in your car to be safe, wasps will swarm quickly.
Pit toilets are at the top of the campground, full of flies and paper was empty.
Wildlife! You’ll see plenty of deer and tiny foxes at night scrambling for snacks.
Lovely drive up, no cell service.
TravelerNice close to home
Traveler
I've been coming here since in jr. High.good hiking exploring is fun fishing too
ScoutGreat backpacking park. Only go in the fall, winter and spring. Summer is way to hot and dry. There are so many sites you could go on a trip for a month and never stay at the same spot. Lots of wildlife, flowers, amazing views and stars. Be prepared for hills though. The saying goes, "you dont go to Henry Coe to train for the Sierras, you go to the Sierras to train for Henry Coe." I can personally say last trip we did over 1200ft of elevation in under 2 miles. But well worth it, just plan your trip carefully.
TravelerWe had a great weekend camping trip at Coe Ranch - thanks to being at one of the sites with a bit of shelter and shade. Beware that many of the sites have neither of these things, and can be really exposed.
I’d recommend sites 10-12, 13 looked ok - and sounds like other folk recommend the ones down the hill a bit.
GuideThis is a primitive campground, no showers only vault toilets and restroom near visitor center ( 2 min walk from campground) both decently clean. Water for washing dishes is available. Spots are not close to each other so there is privacy. It is small, quiet, surrounded with beautiful views. Good hiking trails and good opportunity for bird watching, wild flowers viewing and plenty of deer around. From main road it takes about 35 min drive up the hill through narrow road which is paved but I don't think it is appropriate for RVs. It is a bit of hassle getting here but worth it! If you are car camping I advice NOT to choose drive in spots as it is not leveled but the parking where you have to walk to your camp spot is okay.
GuideWe camped here for one night to test our pandemic project...a van conversion. We had never been here before but will definitely come back. We came in November, just in time for a temperature drop and some nice gusts. I’m not going to hold the chill against this area because I didn’t dress accordingly.
We had a great site and there was no one on either side of us. The bathrooms were a short walk down hill. They were clean with flushing toilets. There camp ground was quiet and it was mostly couples or small family groups. The hiking is quite beautiful and the woodpeckers were busy storing acorns.
TravelerWe were surprised when we made it to this campground- that it was built on the side of a hill. The walk-in sites may be different, but all of the pull in sites were extremely off-level (even with all our blocks we couldn’t get close) and the roads through the campground itself is so steep/narrow and windy that it would be extremely difficult to back in (we watched someone get stuck while trying). There wasn’t a flat tent spot at our campsite either. Finally, we arrived after dark (in November that was pretty early) and it was difficult to find your way into and out of the campground due to lack of signage. We were extremely disappointed with the quality of the sites here and would not recommend.
LegendGreat backpacking getway. Many day hikers here but you can backpack as well. I camped on a beautiful ridge.
The hike is uphill.... it starts along a creek/river which is referred to as Little Yosemite. Fun creek area with lots of water/rock formations. Then climb and climb the hill. I stayed at Hawk's Nest on the ridge. There is another route in but used this one due to the creek access at the beginning appears more scenic.
The sites are primitive and the water source questionable and unreliable. I hiked in
all the water I needed.
A permit is required as well as a reserved camping spot. There are other sites beyond Hawk's Nest all along the ridge lines.
GuideWell kept, bathrooms tidy and stocked. It's a decent place for locals looking to get a break from routine but not intended to be a final destination.
GuideGreat park with hiking, great views of Mt. Hamilton and a lake up the road a way, there’s also a mansion & rose garden on the property, shower & bathroom are clean, there are nights to gather and stargaze.The tent spaces are sizable & you can have a fire. Some seasons there are wild pigs running around everywhere.
Guide
Great place to stargaze, hike, & camp. Has showers & bathroom & don’t forget to check out the mansion!!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near San Gregorio, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near San Gregorio, CA is Del Valle Regional Park with a 4.1-star rating from 17 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near San Gregorio, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 9 equestrian camping locations near San Gregorio, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
