Lily Glen Horse Camp provides dedicated facilities for equestrians and their horses at Howard Prairie Lake near Seiad Valley, California. The campground sits at approximately 4,500 feet elevation with moderate temperature shifts between day and night hours. Several connecting trails extend from the camping area into surrounding Bureau of Land Management territories.
What to do
Trail riding access points: At Lovers Camp Trailhead, horseback riders can reach multiple backcountry zones. "We just finished a backpacking trip in marble valley and sky high lakes area, both accessible about 5+ miles from the Lovers Camp Trailhead. It was absolutely beautiful! So much to do in that area and such great views," notes Erin.
Fishing opportunities: Lake Selmac Resort offers water access within 90 minutes of Seiad Valley. "Great spot for families. There are plenty of things to do from fishing, swimming, and even renting a 'peddle' boat for a leg workout while taking your trip around the lake," reports Lyndsey.
Wildlife viewing: The natural surroundings provide ample wildlife spotting chances year-round. "We had the place to ourselves for a week at end September/beginning of October which was great... There's additional trails and tracks across the road from Lily Glen. The night sky was gorgeous," notes D D. about their experience at Lily Glen.
What campers like
Seasonal timing: Fall camping offers unique advantages with fewer crowds. "We had the place to ourselves for a week at end September/beginning of October which was great. We enjoyed the shaded campsites with a tent and the rest of our party parked their RV with ease," reports D D. about Lily Glen Horse Camp.
Peaceful setting: Many equestrian campers appreciate the quiet atmosphere. "The campground requires you to make a reservation online even though there are empty sites everywhere... It was very peaceful and felt like we were the only ones in the entire campground," says Sony A. about Hyatt Lake Recreation Area.
Night sky viewing: The limited light pollution creates excellent stargazing conditions. "Another plus is that you are just 20 miles away from Ashland, easy drive allows one to take in a play at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, return to your campsite and marvel at the star lit night sky," notes Mark about Hyatt Lake Recreation Area.
What you should know
First-come system: Most horse camps operate on non-reservation basis. "There are a few wooden stalls for horses and campgrounds are first come first served," explains Kassidy D. about the facilities at Lily Glen.
Water sources: Hand pumps provide drinking water at some locations. "There are pit toilets, garbage cans and well with a hand pump," notes a recent visitor to Lily Glen.
Seasonal road noise: Be prepared for potential disruptions during logging season. "The only drawback was the constant noise of logging trucks at night. They were coming from Keno Road so the noise included them gearing down to the stop sign and then getting back up to speed when passing the campground," cautions D D. about Sam Brown Campground area.
Tips for camping with families
Boat rentals: "Boat rentals are cheap and very easy to access. I highly recommend this place!" notes susanna R. about family experiences at Lake Selmac Resort.
Swimming considerations: Some lakes have seasonal water quality concerns. "The lake was too low to use the boat ramps and warnings of leaches and skin parasites made the water itself uninviting, but the campground itself was great and there's plenty of options for hiking nearby," reports Craig M. about their experience at Hyatt Lake.
Pack-in requirements: Plan for limited services. "Pack it-pack it out. There is no trash service. The trails are amazing. Briggs creek runs all year. The horse camp is getting a little run down, but still nice," explains Teresa F. about Sam Brown Campground.
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: Most equestrian campgrounds have limited space for larger rigs. "Would be cautious bringing a huge rig up here as the roads are windy and sites are on the smaller side," advises Jules S. about camping at ONeil Creek Campground.
Setup conditions: RV sites often provide concrete pads for stability. "Flat concrete for tent setup and bbq pit in each site with fresh water close to all sites," notes sonia O. about ONeil Creek facilities.
Access challenges: Mountain roads can present difficulties for larger vehicles. "The road up the mountain coming from I-5 was made of narrow switchbacks straight up along the side of a cliff. I white-knuckled it the whole way in my little car... not for the faint of heart," cautions Craig M. about accessing Hyatt Lake Recreation Area.