Limited horse-friendly camping options exist near Stinson Beach in Point Reyes National Seashore, with most campgrounds lacking dedicated equestrian facilities. Point Reyes trails permit horses on designated routes, though the campgrounds do not provide horse corrals or specialized equine amenities. Wildcat Campground and Coast Campground, both backpacking sites requiring reservations through recreation.gov, accommodate tents but lack specific horse infrastructure. The 6-mile hike to reach these sites makes them impractical for equestrians seeking overnight accommodations with their horses.
For horse camping near Stinson Beach, equestrians must look beyond immediate surroundings to facilities with proper equine amenities. Nearby regional parks like Tilden Regional Park in Berkeley permit day-use horse riding on multiple trails but provide no overnight horse facilities. Las Trampas Regional Wilderness permits both hiking and horseback riding access to its tent and RV sites, offering more practical options for riders. Trail access often requires advance planning, with seasonal considerations affecting ground conditions. Most public lands in the region permit horseback riding during daylight hours only, with overnight horse camping requiring specialized facilities found further inland from coastal Stinson Beach.
"in an open meadow on a bluff overlooking the ocean with a short walk to the beach and a 3.2 kilometer (2.0 miles) round-trip walk to [Alamere Falls](https://www.nps.gov/pore/planyourvisit/alamere_falls.htm"
"Really great site right next to the water and beach. The hike in is pretty easy and beautiful. We had fun making a fire on the beach at night. It's pretty windy, so be prepared."
$30 - $90 / night
"West Marin offers an incredibly picturesque location to explore, and Coast Camp is about as good as it gets."
"The beach offers tidepools close by as well as a great place for beach fire (permit needed). There are two routes to hike in."
$25 - $200 / night
"Anthony Chabot Campgrounds sits high up on the Castro Valley Hills overlooking Lake Chabot. There are several awesome hiking trails going down to the lake as well as some equestrian trails."
"as usual some spots are better than others but most close to restrooms and/or water. lots of poison oak and star thistle right off trail. great deterrent for kids to stay out of tick areas but id worry"
$45 / night
"This campsite is centrally located on the peninsula. Access to several roadside dog friendly beaches within minutes. The bay and the beach are within walking distance to campground."
"There are also equestrian trails, so you can book a horseback ride from a local ranch as well!!"
"This location is easily accessible for all. Biking, trails for hiking and the gardens are gorgeous. Rvs and horses welcome."
"We only stayed overnight the staff was very friendly,lots of stuff to do around the campsite from hiking,mtb,watch horses, frisbee golf and then you have napa where you can get wine,brewery,and restaurants"
$75 - $120 / night
"Tilden is great for anyone looking for a close park right outside of the Berkeley/San Fran area. It is a rather large park area that overlooks Berkeley."
"Tilden offers a lake in the middle to swim in and fish. The campsites have lots of fire pits. The weather is always great too!"
$43 / night
"We just stayed here for 2 nights, great location very close to Calistoga and not to far from Saint Helena! Next time i would love to try out a cabin or yurt."
"Good access to wineries close by. Only real downside was that because of the dry conditions we could not have a campfire."
$15 / night
"The 31-mile East Bay Skyline National Recreation Trail, part of the Bay Area Ridge Trail system, traverses"
$35 / night
"It’s close to the entrance but the driveway only had a slight grade. Mostly folks with trailers. The sites are not too close together but it is easy to see into the surrounding neighbors."
"Spring Lake has been that for us. We have been here for 2 weekends in the last few months."
RangerThis campsite is centrally located on the peninsula. Access to several roadside dog friendly beaches within minutes. The bay and the beach are within walking distance to campground. The bathrooms are clean and the showers are coin operated. Sites are flat and semi private. The staff is friendly and campground is large.
LegendAnthony Chabot Campgrounds sits high up on the Castro Valley Hills overlooking Lake Chabot. There are several awesome hiking trails going down to the lake as well as some equestrian trails. The hiking trails go around the lake. Dogs are allowed but they should be on a leash. Lake Chabot has a marina that rents boats for recreational use and fishing. It's a few miles driver to get there from the campgrounds. I only gave it 4 stars because of that. They have tent and RV campsites, but no RV hookups.
GuideIt is always windy and therefore cold on the beach. That is why there are such big sand dunes.
Regardless, a beautiful place to visit and camp. There are also equestrian trails, so you can book a horseback ride from a local ranch as well!!
LegendSibley Regional Preserve
San Francisco East Bay residents actually have a volcano in their backyard at Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve. Originally called Round Top Park, Sibley shares with Temescal and Tilden Parks the distinction of being one of the East Bay Regional Park District's original parks.
The Sibley backpack camp is a small, primitive hike-in site for a maximum of 15 campers (although this would be super cramped in my opinion, unless it a bunch of small kids), a moderate 0.2 mile walk from the parking lot (NO VEHICLE ACCESS). The site has basically 360 degree views of Mount Diablo, Vollmer Peak and Tilden Park. There are only two tent pads - approximately 10'x25' and 10'x20'. Site has 2 picnic tables, 1 serving table, and a pit toilet close by which was very clean and well maintained.
During the day you’ll have lots of people walk semi/sorta by the campground, but there is no reason that anyone would walk through your area as if they did they’d tumble off and down the side of a nice steep hill…
No wood fires or BBQs are allowed; only camp stoves are allowed for cooking, your night time enjoyment.
Drinking water is 0.2 miles from camp at the trail head so keep that in mind before it gets too dark to hike back and forth for a drink.
There are several trails providing tons of access throughout the preserve. The 31-mile East Bay Skyline National Recreation Trail, part of the Bay Area Ridge Trail system, traverses the preserve along the ridgeline between Wildcat Canyon and Anthony Chabot Parks. Round Top Road goes from the Sibley visitor center to the top of Round Top. Round Top Loop Trail circles Round Top peak. Volcanic Trail, once a quarry haul road, contains most of the stops on the self-guided volcanic tour.
Dogs are allowed throughout this section of the park and in camp on leash but are not allowed on the adjacent Huckleberry trails. Also, the EBRPD lists, dogs “must be under owner's control at all times” and must not disturb other animals or park visitors, but I definitely saw a lot of loose well behaved dogs running free.
Bikes are allowed on the fire trail, but there are lots of hikers and dog walkers in this park so be mindful. Also, Horses are allowed but there is no hitching rail and no water troughs in the park (or at least that I saw anywhere).
If you decide to try and bike be mindful that most trails are hiking and equestrian only. A few trails are multi-use. Bicycles are not allowed on narrow-gauge trails, except on the Skyline Trail between the Sibley visitor center and Old Tunnel Road. Bicycles are allowed on the wider-gauge fire trails and paved roads but are not allowed on Sibley Round Top from EBMUD water tank road junction to top of Round Top Peak.
Vehicles must be parked in the staging area and display a valid overnight parking permit: 3 parking permits are included in the reservation and will be mailed 5 days in advance. No additional parking permits are available. Otherwise, you can actually get here via public transport by Taking the AC Transit CB bus to the Mountain Blvd stop, them walk about 3 miles to the park.
While you can check if it’s already reserved online. Reservation must be completed at least 5 days in advance by calling 1-888-EBPARKS or 1-888-327-2757, press option 2.
RangerThis campground is nice with newer bathrooms and shower facilities, but it's also very open and exposed. Great access to Spring Lake's water-based activities and hiking trails, plus easy access to Trione-Annadel State Park for hiking and mountain biking. Howarth Park, a city park, also borders Spring Lake Regional Park and provides access to boating and fishing on Lake Ralphine, plus they have a small train, carousel, tennis courts, and a softball field. Overall a good campsite for families in need of lots of recreation options, but not the best for those wishing to "get away from it all."
RangerSkyline Wilderness County Park is a great little campground just outside of downtown Napa. There are always a lot of RVs there, but thankfully the tent section is separate from most of the RVs. The tent area leaves a little to be desired and is basically just a stretch of grass with picnic tables, BBQs and very little separation or cover from trees. Of course you don’t really think wilderness camping when you think of Napa Valley.
Despite being close to town there is actually quite a bit to do in the park and once you get back from the campground a bit you can really feel kind of far away from the congested Napa Valley. There are quite a few hiking trails and some offer beautiful views of the valley. By far the most popular is the Lake Marie Trail and Fire Road and Manzanita is popular with mountain bikers.
The River to Ridge Trail is nice and provides access to the Kennedy Park, the Napa River, and miles of bike paths, but check at the kiosk if the gate next to highway 221 (Soscol Ferry Road) is open and I have found it to not have a very consistent schedule.
According to a couple of friends that are pretty die-hard disk golfers, the course at Skyline is one of the best and most challenging in the area. I found it to be pretty fun, especially is your expectations are extremely low.
Being Napa Valley there is of course wine tasting and having a parking spot at the campground you have the perfect opportunity to take an Uber or car service to ensure your safety while enjoying Napa’s most famous export.
This is not a park that will provide you with memorable hikes or photos for your Instagram, but it is a decent place to stay in Napa if you’re the type that prefers to sleep in a tent or RV over a very pricey hotel.
ScoutThis location is easily accessible for all. Biking, trails for hiking and the gardens are gorgeous. Rvs and horses welcome.
Scoutas usual some spots are better than others but most close to restrooms and/or water. lots of poison oak and star thistle right off trail. great deterrent for kids to stay out of tick areas but id worry if we brought dogs! we were at #45, family sites and there were families with kids all over. there even was a patch of grass for kids to play on. trails nearby good for easy mountain biking and hiking
GuideWe only stayed overnight the staff was very friendly,lots of stuff to do around the campsite from hiking,mtb,watch horses, frisbee golf and then you have napa where you can get wine,brewery,and restaurants that's only 5 minutes away....would definetly be back here again
Equestrian camping near Stinson Beach, California requires careful planning due to the mixed terrain and limited dedicated facilities. Located along the eastern edge of the Pacific Coast Range at elevations between 200-800 feet, this coastal region experiences year-round moderate temperatures averaging 55-65°F. Most horse-friendly trails in the area maintain a maximum 15% grade, making them accessible for experienced trail riders but requiring proper equipment.
Trail riding on Mount Tamalpais: Access excellent wilderness trails around Wildcat Campground where riders can explore diverse terrain. "The hike changes drastically over the course of the six miles ranging from lush forests to grassy fields to breathtaking coastal views," notes Michaela C., highlighting the varied ecosystems horses can traverse.
Beach riding opportunities: Morning rides along coastal shores offer the best experience before day visitors arrive. "The beach was sandy and beautiful, not that many people around," reports Char A. about Coast Campground, noting the ideal conditions for early rides along the shoreline.
Wildlife observation on horseback: Spring visits provide optimal wildlife viewing. "We saw deer, cattle, raccoons and many other four legged vermin running around the area," describes Stuart K., documenting the variety of animals visible from horseback during trail rides.
Overnight parking arrangements: Las Trampas Regional Wilderness provides larger vehicle accommodations with "ample parking for about 30 cars" according to Stuart K., making it functional for horse trailers with advance arrangements.
Natural water access points: Creeks and small lakes provide water sources along regional trails. "There have been Mountain Lion sightings as of early 2018, so take caution and be aware of recent sightings. The Woodward Valley Trail is quite steep heading inland gaining 900-feet in the two miles from Coast to Sky trails," warns Michael I., emphasizing the importance of knowing water crossing safety.
Secluded camping sites: For riders seeking quieter overnight options, certain areas offer more privacy. "Sites 1-7 are located on the inland side of the Coast Trail just south of the junction with Firelane Trail. They're spread out in a scrub-brush area that provides a nice amount of privacy and protection for the wind," Michael I. explains about Coast Camp.
Seasonal riding limitations: Winter trail conditions often restrict horse access on steeper paths due to erosion concerns. "During our hike in and out we hung out at site #2 as this site didn't have people currently camping there. I'd be cautious about actually staying at this site as unfortunately it had the horse riders come right by as this is really the only way they can get to the hitches," explains Elliott B.
Trailer access challenges: Many campground roads have tight turns unsuitable for larger horse trailers. The road to Anthony Chabot Regional Park requires caution as "The road in is fairly winding with a bit of a drop down the cliff. If you're heading in at dusk or dawn, go slow. You will see deer stepping through the road," warns Ryan W.
Required permits: Most horse-friendly trails require advance documentation. "Coast camp is a favorite get away. In the Point Reyes National Seashore it is in a valley that is minutes from the beach... There are two routes to hike in. I prefer the longer Coast Trail (about half a mile longer) rather than the fireroad for it's scenic beauty," shares MarinMaverick.
Junior ranger programs: Children can participate in educational activities while adults tend to horses. "We love Anthony Chabot! The eucalyptus groves make the air smell wonderful, and there is so much wildlife to see (deer, turkeys, owls, etc.)," notes Amanda P., highlighting family-friendly nature activities.
Beach access points: Several locations provide safe shore access for supervised children and horses. "The campground is about 10 kilometer (6.3 miles) hike from the Bear Valley Visitor Center or an 8.8 kilometer (5.5 miles) hike on the Coast Trail from Palomarin," Elliott B. explains about Wildcat Campground, detailing access points that work for mixed-use groups.
Safe wildlife viewing areas: Designated observation points allow children to observe animals without disturbing horses. "There are miles of beach ot explore, and you can continue along teh coast trail to hike even farther," shares MarinMaverick about Coast Camp.
Alternative boarding options: Several ranches near Bodega Dunes Campground offer overnight stabling when trailer camping isn't permitted. "We spent a long weekend here at the end of February. Weather was as to be expected for near the coast, but sheltered enough from the wind. Sites were large, water fill stations and bathrooms (with showers) were easily accessible," notes Dustin C., describing amenities useful for RVers who trailer horses separately.
Maneuvering larger rigs: RV sites with horse trailer parking require advance coordination. "In June of 2025 the bathrooms in the site #22-55 loop was undergoing a pretty major renovation and portable toilets were in use," reports Michael I., highlighting the importance of checking current facilities before arrival with horses and large vehicles.
Water and waste management: Horse owners must plan for both human and equine needs. "The sites are nice with picnic tables. Some more level than others. Nice big trees. Great hosts," says Kathy B., describing the physical layout that affects horse trailer placement at Bodega Dunes Campground.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Stinson Beach, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Stinson Beach, CA is Wildcat Campground — Point Reyes National Seashore with a 4.8-star rating from 15 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Stinson Beach, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 13 equestrian camping locations near Stinson Beach, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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