The Dyrt is here to help plan your best camping near Sierra National Forest. Aside from great camping spots, you'll find hiking and many more outdoor experiences. Thinking of traveling with kids? You're in luck—Sierra National Forest is surrounded by family-friendly activities. Get the dirt on all the best camping near Sierra National Forest. Browse campgrounds by amenities, site types, and more.
$32 / night
"Easy walk to campstore, post office, restaurant, and visitor center. Many trails close by. Very busy in summer. No reservations. Tent only loops available."
"Very quiet but some sledding and hiking activity close by. Sites are a little close to each other, but being so quiet it's not a big deal."
$37 - $78 / night
" I agree the road out is pretty scary I don't advise trailers but I have seen them while driving in. It is one lane and you must pull out for opposing traffic."
"Our campground was right next to the river, and hiking trails to lakes, meadows and hot springs run directly off of the campground. The host was wonderful, it was all around perfect."
$40 - $55 / night
"Typical California foothills hardpan and dead grass sites - large and able to accommodate very long combo rigs and have enough width to disconnect and park adjacent to the towable."
"There are many ways to arrive here, but the most direct and easiest is on California State Highway 180. The park is open, but the office is not, so it’s find a spot and check yourself in."
"It is a beautiful campground located off Kaiser Pass Road. Even in June there was so many wildflowers and vibrate green. There was bathrooms and each site had a picnic table, fire pit, and bear box."
"When I visited some people had buried human waste next to the campsite and I cleaned it up.
Most easily accessed via Kaiser Pass. Be aware that the road is steep, narrow, and has blind corners."
$41 - $43 / night
"The site is pet friendly and has horse stables. Our neighbors were friendly and quiet. The site had a picnic table, fire pit, water spout and full electricity hook ups."
"Driving from the West toward Yosemite this location is one which will allow you to find a camping option before getting into the big crowds. "
$5 / night
"Thousand Island Lake is a trek to get to but once you get there, well you don’t really want to leave."
"Thousand Island Lake is a backcountry camping area located at 9,839 feet elevation in Ansel Adams Wilderness within the Inyo National Forest, California."
"After accidentally driving to this location following the directions of another reviewer for the “Yosemite Boondocks” campground across 41 (which we never found) we were very happy with this location."
"Great spot about 5 minutes away from Yosemite entrance. Only a few other campers nearby but plenty of space to where they were only seen from a distance."
GuideI agree the road out is pretty scary I don't advise trailers but I have seen them while driving in. It is one lane and you must pull out for opposing traffic. But definitely one of my most favorite places in the Sierras. The views are amazing, I recommend giving yourself extra time to stop and get out for the views a few times on the way in.
Once in the campground/resort area there are two separate loops to camp in as well as cabins to rent and a small dispersed camping area there is also a general store, bath house, and small Cafe that are all seasonal since the road is closed most of the year. So open and close dates vary depending on snow. You can get firewood, drinking water at the store but it can be a little pricey, so I recommend bringing your own. The baths/showers are usually included for anyone paying for a campsite, but this may have changed. It is very cheap for day use persons to use the showers though. The sites are all very nice and surprisingly private though some are pretty close together. All provide a firepit, table, bear box, and parking space. I love that there are bear boxes at such a remote place! There are vault tiolets and dumpsters for trash. The river runs along one side of the campsites so about half of the sites are on the river. Bring extra bugspray for these sites as you are close to the water.
Most important if you made it this far reading 😅😂 there are multiple NATURAL HOT SPRINGS!! There are several different pools located across the river from the campgrounds. They are all over the hillside and range in temperature from lukewarm to bath water to Hot. They also pump the natural mineral water to the bathhouse for the showers! The springs are the main reason to come out and camp. There are also tons of hiking trails and other lakes in the area including 2 thermal lakes and tons of breathtaking views. I highly recommend this place. 🏞🏕
Also: I have not personally stayed in the cabins or dispersed camping area only the paid sites along the river, but I have been here several times and have seen them. There is also a corral area for horses so I'm not sure if that qualifies it as an equestrian camp but there is a spot for the horses.
TravelerIf you wanna get away and camp next to a river and down a trail and shoot your gun or go fishing you can freedom you can horseback ride if you have horses he can fish there are fish there trout it's beautiful peaceful.
RangerThousand Island Lake is a trek to get to but once you get there, well you don’t really want to leave. This view is absolutely beautiful, and it changes rapidly with the rising and setting sun so make you have your camera ready for it. This is completely back country so you gotta pack it all in. There are some rules you have to follow while camping at this lake, 30 feet off of the trail and then another 100 feet away from the water. This can be hard to do as your camp may be on a slant or in the wide open, however you have plenty of space to choose from at this location. There is another rule about camping past a certain peninsula but from everyone we talked to they had no idea which peninsula the map was actually referring to, so you just walk past a couple of them and hope you’re in the right spot. The water is very cold but still feels great after a long hike all day.
There are multiple routes to getting to this lake, you can come. The John Muir trail and the PCT lead to this location, also Mammoth California has a trail that leads here as well. We even encountered mule train options on our way in if you prefer that type of transportation. But this is definitely somewhere you want to visit.
TravelerAfter accidentally driving to this location following the directions of another reviewer for the “Yosemite Boondocks” campground across 41 (which we never found) we were very happy with this location.
First, to tell you how to properly get here and find all the spots, drive to the end of the road (don’t pay attention to the gate and “off road” dirt road you see to the left before the parking lot. Don’t go there. Go to just before the big Snow Play parking lot and head right through the dirt. There is no paved road but the area is flat and any car, truck or rv/trailer can make it back here easily. I got nervous at first about ability to turnaround so I parked prematurely near the entrance. Keep going and you’ll find at least 4 or 5 big private areas separated by huge cut logs all with plenty of room to turnaround and not have to back up.
If you’re nervous, we watched several cars, vans, and trailers camp overnight in the big paved parking lot right past this, and that’s fine, but you’re in a parking lot. Come out to the right and you’re in heaven.
We were the only RV here and had it to ourselves an entire week (granted it’s early November). Can’t beat the proximity to Yosemite south entrance.
GuideWe are working out way north through CA and Horse Creek was in a convenient spot. Site very clean and well managed and overall its a pretty spot. Only 2-3 large and dispersed bath rooms. A number of large groups around the site which looks fun but it felt more like an urban park than being in nature.
GuideVery pleasant rv campground. Typical California foothills hardpan and dead grass sites - large and able to accommodate very long combo rigs and have enough width to disconnect and park adjacent to the towable.
We had electric service issues and camp hosts, Carlos and Luz, we on it within 20 minutes at 10:30 at night. They worked as a team and showed pride in their park.
Our 4 night stay was pleasant - the park is very quiet and road noise minimal. Water, power and sewer as advertised. If tent or dry camping, showers at the office building.
GuideGet there early enough to find a spot. Multiple locations near by not listed. It gets a bit dusty and windy. Lots of off road vehicles.
All the camper vans rolled in after dark and it filled up quick.
Mammoth Village was a short drive away.
TravelerGreat spot about 5 minutes away from Yosemite entrance. Only a few other campers nearby but plenty of space to where they were only seen from a distance. A couple nights there were louder campers on the paved side of the area but nothing crazy. Will most definitely stay there again
ScoutWe (a team of 6 people) are in SD participating in an adventure race called Questival. This campground had full restrooms and coin opporated showers. The site is pet friendly and has horse stables. Our neighbors were friendly and quiet. The site had a picnic table, fire pit, water spout and full electricity hook ups.
Horse camping near Sierra National Forest in California offers a unique opportunity to explore the stunning landscapes while enjoying the company of your equine friends. With several campgrounds catering to horse enthusiasts, you can find the perfect spot to set up camp and embark on memorable adventures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Sierra National Forest?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Sierra National Forest is Azalea Campground — Kings Canyon National Park with a 4.7-star rating from 27 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Sierra National Forest?
TheDyrt.com has all 29 equestrian camping locations near Sierra National Forest, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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