Are you an equestrian lover who prefers a more rustic experience when you visit Shasta-Trinity National Forest? Finding a place to stay in California while traveling with your horse has never been easier. With our help, you'll find the best California equestrian campsites from scenic to easily accessible.
This campground is located in the southeast corner of Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, 15 miles west of Redding, California, and three and a half hours north of Sacramento. This is the only campground in the park that can accommodate camping with horses, but horseback riders must share the campground with visitors who may not have horses. The cool, clear waters of Whiskeytown Lake provide endless water activities. The picturesque mountain setting and extensive forested backcountry offer ample opportunities for horseback riding, hiking and biking.
During the summer heat, swimming, kayaking, sailing, paddle boarding and water skiing are popular on the 3,200 acre lake. Year round, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, gold panning, fishing and picnicking attract visitors. Hunting is allowed in the appropriate season.
During the summer heat, swimming, kayaking, sailing, paddle boarding and water skiing are popular on the 3,200 acre lake. Year round, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, gold panning, fishing and picnicking attract visitors. Hunting is allowed in the appropriate season.
Whiskeytown National Recreation Area is located where the Klamath Mountains, Cascade and Coast Mountain Ranges, and the Sacramento Valley meet, creating a wide variety of wildlife and landscapes. Foothill pines lightly shade Horse Camp.
For facility specific information, please call (530) 246-1225.
Brandy Creek Beach is located five and a half miles from the campground and features sandy beaches, a large swimming area, picnicking and barbecuing facilities. From Memorial Day through Labor Day, there are showers, a store with food and supplies and rentals of paddle boards and kayaks.
$20 / night
Butte Lake Stock Corral (elevation 6,100 ft.) is located in the northeastern section of Lassen Volcanic National Park in northern California. It is fairly remote and within walking distance of Butte Lake, which is popular for fishing, canoeing, kayaking and swimming. Several trails are located nearby. The facility is 45 minutes from the main park road.
Outdoor enthusiasts stay at Butte Lake Stock Corral for its many recreation opportunities. The lake is popular for trout fishing, as well as non-motorized boating. Trailheads within the facility include the hike to Snag Lake, trails leading to the interior of the park, and the Cluster Lakes loop. Longer trails nearby will take you to Juniper Lake and Summit Lake. The Pacific Crest Trail can also be accessed from Butte Lake and runs through the park.
Outdoor enthusiasts stay at Butte Lake Stock Corral for its many recreation opportunities. The lake is popular for trout fishing, as well as non-motorized boating. Trailheads within the facility include the hike to Snag Lake, trails leading to the interior of the park, and the Cluster Lakes loop. Longer trails nearby will take you to Juniper Lake and Summit Lake. The Pacific Crest Trail can also be accessed from Butte Lake and runs through the park.
The area is dominated by Ponderosa pines and surrounded by soft volcanic soils. Extending into Butte Lake is a large black lava flow, creating rocky shores and interesting views for visitors in kayaks and canoes to explore. Trails suitable for horses are easily accessed from the corral and numerous forest roads just outside the park boundary. The national park is known for its volcanic history, as well as its diversity of plants and animals. It contains 300 active volcanic domes and many hydrothermal features, such as mud pots and steam vents. Lassen Peak is the southernmost active volcano in the Cascades, and the second most recent volcano to erupt in the lower 48 of the United States before Mount Saint Helens. Lassen Volcanic National Park boasts over 700 species of flowering plants and 250 species of vertebrates, including birds, mammals, reptiles and fish. The park is at the junction of the Cascade Mountains, the Sierra Nevada Mountains and the Great Basin, thus providing many unique habitats.
The Caribou Wilderness area is managed by the Forest Service has numerous trails that are suitable for stock use and can be accessed directly from the park via the Widow Lake trail.
$37 / night
RV Sites, Tent Camping, Cabins, Yurts and Motel Rooms
Black Rock Campground is a dispersed campground situated in the Oak Woodlands along Mill Creek. 6 sites are available for primitive dispersed camping. Grills and tables are provided at each of the 6 sites. Black Rock Campground is open year round.Black Rock Campground is located on the Northeast corner of the Ishi Wilderness. Hiking in the Ishi and along Mill Creek is wonderful and the fishing in Deer and Mill Creeks can be very rewarding.__Black Rock Campground is accessible via Highway__36 east from Red Bluff to__Ponderosa Way. Ponderosa Way is a dirt road, not recommended for RVs, that leads to the Ishi Wilderness.
You’ll feel right at home with full electrical, water, and sewage hookups in a park-like setting at our 72-space RV park conveniently located just off Interstate 5 (I-5). All spaces are pull-throughs. WiFi access is available over most of the park. The RV Park at Rolling Hills is within an easy walk of the Casino and golf course. Private showers, laundry facilities, and pet day care are also nearby at the Traveler’s Center. The site is safe and secure with 24-hour patrol. Fee is $40 per night with a ten night maximum stay. Stop by the Traveler’s Center to register. Check out time is at 11:00am. You can reserve by calling (530) 528-3500.
Traveler
Great little park. Lots of shade and green grass, good management, Clean restrooms and well kept grounds. Close to river and lakes for boating and fishing. There is a great area for tent camping or a place to dry camp with your RV just below the main RV park. There are targets set up for bow hunters in the pines below the park.
Our 35 foot fifth wheel easily navigated the space.
Legend
Nice spot near the NP. Level spot, nice clean bath and shower area. Got a nice hot shower, thank you!
We stumbled across it when all the campgrounds in the national forest and national park for closed for the season and what a nice surprise. They had a little grocery store with ice cream..we had some ice cream. It was delicious.
They had the cutest little resort with little cabins, yurts and spots for a camper or big RV. They had a volleyball court, cornhole and a basketball area. Great little spot! We would absolutely come back. Internet on my phone was hit or miss outside. They offered internet for a cheap price. $1.95 a day. 12 minute drive to Park entrance. Otherwise, you are in the middle of nowhere. 20 minutes to a grocery store. Beautiful spot!
Guide
It's a great place to camp out of the way from all the other campgrounds in Lassen Park. Just beware of the 5 mile gravel road into camp. The lake is close to the campground, quiet and peaceful. No motor boats. You must wear a life preserver if you put your boat in the water.
Guide
Only $55 for a full hookup that’s a pull through. $50 for Good Sam Members. We came in too late to enjoy the comedy shows they have every first Saturday. If you happen to make it on time, “Carlinos” or the place the host it is in the North Tower. Go right at the main entrance. We missed it by wandering around the casino trying to find it. There are also amazing views at sunset and sunrise if you get to the lots closer to the end- which we didn’t. Great front desk staff! They also have routine patrol security.
Laundry: $2.00 for washing machines and $1.00 for dryers. Must be done by 10 pm with the last load starting at 8 pm.
Showers: $15/person- not included in RV fee
Dump station: $10- only from 9am- 5 pm, although each site has sewer hookups.
No wifi, but I’m not upset because the price was great and I had good cell coverage.
GuideThis was a very peaceful campground, given it was in a popular National Park. The setting is very open, with tall pines and no undergrowth, but the sites are far apart. There is no cell service, no dump site, nor any grey water dump pits. The latrines are very nice with running water and toilets. The toilet houses are the only place you can get drinking water and there are only about four locations. There is no way to hook up a hose, even with a water robber, so you have to fill jugs and carry from the sink. There is a campground host, but we had no interaction.
I was there in late July and the lake was great (cold, not numbing) for swimming. Several people launched kayaks and lots of people did the many hikes around the area. Not really a place for riding bikes.
The campground is at the end of a six-mile gravel road. Not too dusty or bumpy. Maybe that is why it wasn't so populated.
For those looking for boondock sites, the first five miles are National Forest with several side roads.
TravelerReally nice campground with great facilities and friendly staff. Right beside a casino, so you can pay for your camping and then lose all your money next door. No wifi or cable, but networks are strong.
RangerLarge pull-thru sites with vegetation in between. Casino nearby has multiple restaurants and entertainment, including golf. Cheap gas for California. Little bit of a hike to clean restrooms. Quiet. Convenient location for traveling down I-5.
LegendWe used Rolling Hills as a stop over on our voyage from Oregon to Arizona. We stayed one night. The park is CLEAN, Quiet, the sites level, The Park staff are helpful. The park is on the campus of a casino with multiple eating establishments. A Fuel station/truck stop in also on the ground.. I should be more generous in my ratings, but to get five stars the park needs mature trees. Guess I spent too much of my life in Oregon
GuideLarge campsite with fire pit and large trees. There are toilets but I didn't see any showers. If you visit after the summer season it is dry camping meaning there is no drinking water available so keep that in mind. The campground is near the lake, and cinder cone trailhead.
TravelerMy wife and I and two dogs stayed at campsite 51. Wonderful site with hook ups. easy to find and loved the proximity to the PCT.
GuideNice campground with all year facilities. We enjoyed a hike to nearby cindercone volcano. Campground is nicely shaded. The water in the lake is low this year, but lots of campers brought canoes and boats. The boat ramp is closed. No motorized boats allowed. The last 7 mile to the campground is dirtroad. Rv spots are drive through.
LegendStayed at Butte Lake for two nights in late June 2022. None of the campsites has an unobstructed lake view, but it’s a short walk to the day use area on the shore. This is a good jumping off point for a ton of hikes on this side of Lassen NP; excellent signage tells you how far each destination is. The sites themselves are not very private; kids were rolling through our site on bikes all afternoon and evening, dogs were barking at each other, it was a little crowded feeling even though it was probably only at half capacity. (There were reservation cards on almost all the sites, but it seems like a lot of people didn’t show up.) That said, after driving past some of the other campgrounds right next to the highway, I was happy to have chosen this one.
GuideWe were looking for.a place to camp near Redding, our home town. This campground is about 30 mins from Redding. It was an easy tow on rural but well maintained roads all the way to the campground. Easy tow for my 25.5 foot travel trailer and 2019 Chevy taho .
The store is well supplied with camping and fishing needs. The park has lots of trees for shade and the spaces are wide. Wider than any other places we have stayed . The spots are grassed, all clean and well maintained. Everyone there was very nice and will happily give you fishing advice, if you ask.
Our dogs loved the area down below, we would take them off leash and let them do dog-things.
Just around the corner from the campground ( walking distance) is access to the river. The whole family enjoyed dipping in when it’s warm outside
We will be back
ScoutNice campground near the creek. Sites are nice and clean but some are a bit crowded. Lots of nearby fishing.
Traveler
The first morning we were there my dog found and ate some weed that someone had carelessly and irresponsibility discarded on the ground and she became extremely ill and had to be rushed to the emergency vet for treatment. Practicing leave no trace is so important for the safety of all animals and the preservation of our wild lands.
The road in took about an hour and a half and I would not recommend attempting it without 4WD and high clearance. There is one stream crossing but it is minor.
ScoutMade a reservation 44 minutes before arriving. Quick check in. Great for overnight. Or casino patronage. No frills, but full hookups. No fire rings, picnic tables, etc.
ScoutThis is a great place to escape city life. Don't mistake this camp ground for the one in Joshua state park. The road to get there was the only headache especially since we drove a small car. We made it but I'd definitely recommend something with a higher clearance. There were 6 campsites with tables and a fire rings. The camp ground had a pit toilet and no running water. There was no cell service and alot of mosquitoes.
TravelerWe enjoyed an overnight stay here. Clean facilities, well maintained grounds and friendly neighbors. Conveniently located just off I-5, far enough away from the noise. Casino, restaurants, doggy daycare and golf just next door. Sites are level 75 ft pull through sites. We will stay again. Lower numbered sites are closest to amenities.
GuideIf you're up for driving down a bumpy gravel road for 5-6 miles, this campground is a hidden gem within Lassen. Facilities are clean, sites are decent sized and there's a beautiful lake (Butte Lake) and a couple of great hikes that you can do directly out of the campground. We did the Cinder Cone trail, which is short, exposed, extremely steep but has a great payoff in terms of view and curiosity factor. We stayed for one night only, as we were passing through and I enjoyed our stay. If you're freaked out about taking your rig down a bumpy and dusty road, I would avoid this one. Otherwise, this is a tranquil spot away from the masses, which easily offers a day or two of activities, including potentially serving as a base camp to see other sites in the park and area. e.g. Barney Falls.
Traveler
Nice huge site with basically your own valued bathroom one other campsite shares. Perfect for dry camping with your rv if you want some extra quiet and privacy you could rent both sites at $20ea.
GuideWe had a great stay. Lots of permanent residents, so know your rv etiquette. Biggest I would put in here would be about a 30 foot trailer. You have to disconnect your tow vehicle. River access right around the corner. Lady in the store was very sweet.
TravelerGreat overnight stop. Surprisingly quiet! Level pull-thru sites, full hook-ups. $40, well worth the price when temps are 90+ and need your a/c.
GuideThe road is bumpy in, so plan on that. We pulled in our R V with no problems. The lake is small but beautiful. It has a lava flow going right into it. Great for hiking, biking, paddleboard, kayaking, whatever. It is a great place on its own, but if you are trying to see the Volcano National Park, it's a bit of a drive. We loved camping here.
TravelerDespite the remote location and the bumpy gravel road to get to this park, it is a very popular campground. Advanced reservation is a must. Make sure to read the signs about the wildlife and take the advice of how to store food seriously. We saw a bear just a mile outside the campground.
The sites are large and spaced far apart and shady. The lake is only a short walk away and great for swimming, kayaking or paddle boarding. The lake is surrounded by lava and the beach has been formed by volcanic material and smells a little sulphuric but the water is very clear. There are several stunning hikes starting right at the campground .
GuideThe pool was amazing and the shuttle was great considering the heat. The Casino was ok the food not so good.
GuideThis campground made for a great overnight getaway trip. We went in late may and the weather was perfect for traditional camping activities. The mosquitoes were out in full force so bug spray is a must. There are some nice places to fish that are just a short walk from the campsites and the campsites are nicely shaded to help cut the heat during the day. We saw some salmon, deer, quail, and frogs. There was evidence of bears around our site but we didn't have any issues.
GuideMore to the campground than just camping. Fishing in camp and nearby. Friendly staff. Had originally reserved a back in site, but emailed to hopefully get a pull through. Got a quick reply, and all taken care of. Campground is close to other fishing, the Subway Cave (ya gotta go there) Lassen National Park entrance and much more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Shasta-Trinity National Forest?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Shasta-Trinity National Forest is Horse Camp Primitive Campground — Whiskeytown-Shasta-Trinity National Recreation Area with a 3.3-star rating from 3 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Shasta-Trinity National Forest?
TheDyrt.com has all 6 equestrian camping locations near Shasta-Trinity National Forest, with real photos and reviews from campers.
