Horse camping is the perfect way to enjoy Sierra City. If you're an equestrian lover who prefers nature-based adventure, yet still wants comfort, this is the perfect opportunity for you. Equestrian camping is the best way to experience nature. At The Dyrt, you can find top-rated spots for horse camping, as reviewed by campers.
East Meadow Campground is located alongside the scenic Jackson Meadow Reservoir, in the Tahoe National Forest. Its location provides for a great base camp, allowing visitors to enjoy a wide range of recreational activities, including boating, fishing, hiking and hunting. East Meadow Campground is operated and maintained by the Tahoe National Forest.
The adjacent 1,000-acre lake offers excellent opportunities for boating, canoeing, water skiing, swimming and fishing. Anglers will find rainbow and brown trout. A boat ramp is located at Pass Creek Campground. A designated swim beach is nearby. The lake is an irrigation source, meaning its level will drop as the season progresses. A portion of the Pacific Crest Trail meanders along the east side of the lake. It is open to hiking and horseback riding and provides opportunities for viewing wildlife. Hunting and biking are popular activities in the surrounding area.
Jackson Meadow Reservoir is situated in a rolling forested valley, where visitors are awarded beautiful views of the Sierra Crest and English Mountain. The campground lies on the northeastern shore of the lake, in a forest of pine and fir trees. Some sites have a view of the lake, and boats can be moored nearby.
For facility specific information, please call (530) 994-3401.
$24 / night
Logger Campground sits on beautiful Stampede Reservoir on the Tahoe National Forest, 30 minutes from Truckee, Calif. Visitors enjoy the area for its boating, fishing and abundant hiking and off-road trails. This facility is operated and maintained by the Tahoe National Forest.
Boating, water skiing, swimming and fishing are popular activities on the reservoir. Anglers will find rainbow and brown trout and kokanee salmon. A boat ramp is located on-site. Many miles of hiking and off-road vehicle trails crisscross the surrounding area. The nearby Commemorative Emigrant Trail is open to hiking and mountain biking.
The campground is situated on the south side of Stampede Reservoir, which is located on the Little Truckee River, approximately eight miles above the confluence of the Little Truckee and Truckee Rivers. A forest of ponderosa pine, Jeffrey pine and fir trees covers the area. Sagebrush dots the forest floor.
Boca Reservoir is 10 minutes south of the campground, offering additional boating, water skiing, swimming and fishing opportunities. Truckee, 30 minutes south, offers all the amenities of a year round recreational mountain town including Interstate highway connectivitiy, top notch restaraunts, resorts and hotels, grocery stores, gas stations, shopping, and historic sites. Lake Tahoe is located about an hour south and offers excellent boating, kayaking, fishing, hiking and scenic driving opportunities, as well as dining, shopping and lodging options. Other recreational opportunities include Boca Townsite Interpretive Trail, Donner Camp Interpretive Trail, Overland Emigrant Commemorative Trail, Prosser Reservoir Recreation Area, Prosser Pits OHV area, and numerous hiking, mountain biking, and OHV trails.
$75 / night
Lookout Campground is located on the California/Nevada border just west of Reno, Nevada. It sits at an elevation of 6,770 feet in a large aspen grove. It is not a highly developed campground, but it is considered a secret hideaway by those lucky enough to know about this remote gem.
Adjacent to the campground is 'Crystal Peak', which can be accessed by vehicle or a short hike. This area is also popular for off-highway vehicles, wildlife viewing, and hunting opportunities.
Visitors to this campground will be surrounded by a lush aspen, pine, and fir forest. Sites are well spaced to afford visitors plenty of privacy.
Crystal Peak is known for its impressive crystal formations. Dog Valley and Peavine Mountain are popular off-highway vehicle and mountain biking areas. The American Discovery Trail also runs through this area.
$6 / night
Loon Lake Campground is situated on the south shores of Loon Lake, and attracts many visitors with its variety of campsites and beautiful waterfront setting. Popular activities include boating, swimming, fishing, hiking, horseback riding and exploring off-road vehicle trails.
Anglers delight in fishing for rainbow and brown trout, while boaters head out for water skiing. Five picnic areas in the campground and a day-use area provide visitors with nice lake views.
The campground sits just west of Lake Tahoe in the Sierra Nevada Mountains at an elevation of 6,500 feet. The climate is similar to that of the Mediterranean with warm, dry summers and cold, wet winters.
For facility specific information, please call (831) 245-6891.
The 18-mile Rubicon Jeep Trail begins nearby. An exciting stretch of scenic, un-maintained, rocky road awaits off-road thrill seekers.
.Change Fee: A service fee may be charged at the time a modification is made depending on the changes. Cancellation Fee: A $10 service fee will be withheld from any refunds for a cancelled reservation. Customers who cancel a GROUP overnight facility reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee.. Cut-Off Window: The latest date and/or time that you can make an advanced reservation or a change to an existing reservation. Cut-off windows can vary by location, but are typically 4 days before your arrival date. A customer who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee (see Late Cancellation below). Late Cancellation: If you cancel your reservation too close to the start date, additional service fees may be withheld. Refunds: Refund requests made through www.recreation.gov will be charged a $10 processing fee. This fee is retained by the reservation service contractor along with the non-refundable reservation fee. All requests for the return of the non-refundable reservation fee and the cancellation fee will be declined by the campground concessionaire as they did not receive these fees (these are the fees retained by the reservation contractor, a different entity).
$28 / night
Black Rock Campground is a walk-in tent campground that features shoreline sites. Campsites are adjacent to the lake. Spaces are also available in the parking area for overnight RV camping. Open campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. 20 walk-in units Potable water, vault toliets, trailer space Boat launch Click here for photo tour
Peter Grubb Hut is located below Castle Peak in Round Valley, 3 miles north of the Castle Peak trailhead near I-80. Expect approximately 800′ of elevation gain. The route is poorly marked by orange triangles mounted obscurely in trees at 100-200 yard intervals. Overnight parking is available at the California Sno-Park at the Boreal-Castle Peak exit on I-80. Park on the frontage road east of the Boreal Inn and walk back under the freeway to the trailhead. Topo map: Norden 7-1/2′ quad. There are day trip possibilities to Paradise Valley, Basin Peak, Castle Peak, and Sand Ridge Lake. Round Valley is a good instructional and practice area for skiers. The hut is just off the Pacific Crest Trail and is a popular destination for day trippers; daytime privacy and security are minimal.
23 units - trailer space available first come first serve. For information call the Feather River Ranger District
Bring potable water. Water system being repaired. Visitors should always check Alerts and Notices on the Plumas National Forest website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/plumas/alerts-notices
$20 / night
Benson Hut is located just below the north face of Anderson Peak, 5.5 miles beyond the PCT trailhead on Donner Pass Road. Expect approximately 1,800′ of elevation gain. Prior experience in the backcountry is required for this trip as the route is long and treacherous, especially in bad weather. Expect bare ground and/or ice where wind has stripped snow from the ridge; beware of cornices on the east side. The hut is very difficult to reach but once in the vicinity, relatively easy to spot. Overnight parking may be arranged with Clair Tappaan Lodge or Sugar Bowl Ski Resort. Topo map: Norden 7-1/2′ quad. The hut is nestled under the north face of Anderson Peak at 8,350′ and has extraordinary views to the east, north, and west. Use extra caution as surrounding slopes are steep, avalanches are frequent, and weather (when it worsens) can be very dangerous.
Located 17 Miles northeast of Foresthill on Foresthill Divide Road. This small campground is located at the roadside, near the Mumford Bar Trailhead. Mumford Bar Trail offers hiking, mountain biking, or equestrian access to the North Fork of the American River. Featuring 4 campsites (Ok for equestrian use), hitching posts, and vault toilet. No trash service so please pack-in, pack-out. And no potable water so be sure to bring plenty for yourselves.
Whitehorse campground is located within three miles of Bucks Lake in the northern Sierra Mountains on the Plumas National Forest. The Bucks Lake area offers year-round recreation activities including fishing, hiking, snowmobiling, skiing,snowshoeing and horseback riding.
Bucks Lake provides fishing, boating, and canoeing. There are walking trails to the lake. A hiking trail runs from the campground and provides access to Buck Wilderness and the Pacific Crest Trail which runs adjacent to the campground.
Whitehorse is set in fir and pine trees offering shade during the warm summer months. Situated at 5,500 feet in elevation, the campground is settled along a small creek that feeds into Bucks Lake.
The nearby Bucks Lake Lodge has a bar, restaurant and store offering fishing supplies and groceries.
$31 / night
Traveler
Nice peaceful spot. Few cars go by, but it’s tucked away enough.
Guide
Love our stay at Logger Campground, very clean vault toilets, and facility. Most of the spots are very tight, narrow spaces. Make some when you book, you get the right size spot. Pay dump just offsite.
Scout
We had a great time up at Antelope Lake. It is a very pretty lake and would definitely recommend going. However, the camp host there was very rude and very unaccommodating. I booked 6 campsites for two nights, when I showed up on Friday, the campground was not full so I moved to my trailer to a different site because it was close to friends and family. The site I moved to was first come first serve. The camp host was hounding me - saying I must pay for the site I moved to even though the campground wasn't full. Originally, I paid close to $500 for all 6 sites and the camp host made me pay for the extra site that wasn't even taken/reserved. Be careful of this guy! I think this guy might be pocketing the money.
Scout
It's along a cove in the lake. Super nice hosts and nice campers. The bathrooms are kind of gross but that's expected. Always camp here when we go to the lake.
Guide
This site is really close to Reno, except for the time it takes on the dirt road. We went in one way and out the other. Our way in was from 395 at Bordertown north of Reno on Long Valley Road. Once on the dirt the first couple of miles were bad washboard. Slow going. Then, the rest of the trip had some challenging driving with rocks and ruts. We went really slow and everything was fine. We left via Dog Valley Road and hit the pavement again in Verdi.
We visited for a night mid-week. Only one other campsite was occupied. The trail from the campground to Crystal Peak was great. It's more like Crystal knoll. The history of Cristal Peak is amazing, and the crystals are everywhere. Really nice views from atop the knoll too. Many people visit just for the day to collect crystals.
ScoutMy wife and I love Loon Lake. It is a beautiful mountain lake located far enough away from the crowds to get some peace and quiet. Not a bad site in the campground.
Guide
Back again for the first time since the Sierra winter. Reservoir is pretty high, and not too busy this weekend with boaters. Bugs were minimal, a far cry from about 3 weeks ago at a nearby site. We were in Site 16, which has the ‘camp’ side opposite of our camper door - only reason we gave 4 stars & not 5. Otherwise outstanding!
Guide
With pristine wilderness surrounding your tent, you can camp alongside the beautiful reservoir.
Wildlife is all around you and you can see some of the most beautiful scenery you'll ever see in your life.
We enjoyed our camping trip immensely and enjoyed getting into our kayaks and on to the water.
We took some video footage as well.
There was a great fishing but we didn't catch anything.
It was very quiet and peaceful.
Scout
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.
ScoutGreat place to visit. Great walking trails group sites are great love it
ScoutYou get the feeling you are in the middle of nowhere, but yet, still only 15 minute drive to Georgetown. Hopefully they get water or lack there of figured out soon, other than that, perfect spot for 🐎 and campers alike.
Legend
Despite the beautiful Joshua trees this campground is not a great to stay. The roads are in terrible condition, trash is strewn throughout, and staff is less than friendly or helpful. Roads are terribly narrow and sites are small and very uneven. Not a great place for a trailer nor class A. No direct access to park via road. Is next to neighborhood
Scout
Pleasant setting in the trees. Only 3 other campsites in use that we noticed in October. The lake is super low, but a pleasant campground on our way home.
GuideCold night's starting in September. I have stayed here in summer and in fall. I prefer fall because there are not many people and you can have the lake to yourself. Summer I would not attempt it as it turns into an RV city. The lake attracts lots of wildlife and it is bear country so lock up your food, or better yet tie it up in a tree especially in fall when the bears are bulking up for winter. In summer you might not see wildlife as the hordes of campers scare them off from the lake. There are also beautiful sunset here, and nice stargazing.
TravelerYou should definitely check out Loon Lake right off on I-50 but the road to get to it is on ice house road which is about an hour drive. Also, is next to the known trail that people 4x4 is call Rubicon Trail.
Loon Lake was beautiful and such scenery to enjoy. Big rainbow trout and camping was amazing if your going in as a group.
TravelerWe stayed at sites 15 and 17 during the week. It wasn’t too crowded since school had just started and burning man was happening. These two sites are right on the road next to the toilets and trash bins. Some smells and lots of noises and foot traffic, some 4x4 traffic as well. Otherwise we had a short path to lake front and could keep our floats and boats tied up close by. The site was incredibly rooty/rocky - just be careful moving around at night! I pulled my van into the spot, while others tent camped. Lots of space and convenient. The water was chilly, the weather was pleasant (personally could have enjoyed a few degrees hotter), and there was a massive bug hatch blanketing the water with flying ants. Lots of bats flying around us at night. Dogs loved the site - we had a couple little ones and some hounds. I used an electric trolling motor inflatable boat to cruise around the beautiful lake. There is some road traffic/noise across the way and planes fly right over. The elevation made exercising surprisingly difficult here, including swimming! Overall wonderful camp trip.
GuideSuper place, hosts are friendly & helpful! Some spots are tricky to back in, but easy walk to the reservoir for beach/water time. Some campers moored their boats/jet skis just off the campground. Gravelly shore and bottom, excellent paddleboarding & kayaking, but be aware this is a water sports lake - so expect powerboats & jet skis.
ScoutThis is a great small campground with walking access to the Mumford Bar Trail hike down to the American River.
One vault toilet. No water spigot. Pack it in, PACK IT OUT.
Excellent spot if ya wanna get away from crowds and don’t mind less amenities. If the local backcountry is posted no fires, usually can still burn in designated pits at this camp.
OHV and backcountry camping options abound in this area.
The hike down to the American via Mumford Trail is NOT a leisurely stroll. Pack plenty of water and be prepared to spend the night down at the river if you head out late. There is a camp space down there once you reach the river and pass through the thickets.
GuideI love Loon Lake. It is beautiful. The campground wasn't so great. I was in site 31. My picnic table was half height because it had been sinking into the ground. Good thing I didn't have to use it. The vault toilets were almost full (kind of disgusting). To make things worse, one of my neighbors thought everyone in the campground should listed to their music all day! No peace and quiet here. This part of the campground (sites 1-34) seem to be old and in a need of some improvements. Sites 35-53, which was further away from the lake, was much nicer, long paved parking areas, spaced further apart, newer picnic tables. The boat ramp area was very nice and not too crowded.
ScoutGreat place
ScoutThis campsite is wonderful! Gorgeous scenery
GuideVery pretty views of the valley from the campground, and having hiking trails start from the campground was really nice. Only complaints are very close neighbors and little shade.
TravelerMust visit for horse lovers!
GuideA lovely quiet spot midweek, quiet drive to Georgetown for some great breakfasts if you want some classic American diner fare. The campground itself is well maintained, though ants can be an issue if you are careless. Midweek and off season we had the place to ourselves 3 days. The near by Otter Creek Trail is a a nice day hike though a bit of switch backing elevation to get down to the creek.
Lots of wild turkeys, deer, and birds
TravelerNever been during peak (summer) but both times we have stayed here in winter and it was FANTASTIC! 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!
Guide
Stayed one night and pitched our tent along side the American River. The spots were a little spread out, so night time was a little too quiet. 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. The trek down to the campsite was slightly difficult and we decided to utilize the four wheel drive as we navigated to and from. The sound of the river was calming.
RangerIf you're looking for some peace of mind I would go somewhere else. There are a few sites in this massive campground that might give you some privacy but not many - it is a big camping compound really, and clearly aimed at RVs and watersports types. I'm a tent camper that really enjoys privacy and quiet. Not gonna happen here. Not a bad place if that is what you're looking for though, hence the three stars.
The lake was also a bust when I went - the drought is pretty intense this year so the water level was very low and the water did not look appealing. Most of the people at the shoreside drove there to unload their boats or jetskis.
Better options nearby if you're willing to look. I bailed on my reservation and camped at a smaller site nearby next to a river. Much more my jam.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Sierra City, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Sierra City, CA is East Meadow Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 7 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Sierra City, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 24 equestrian camping locations near Sierra City, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
