We're here to help you find where to go horse camping in Strawberry Valley. Camping with horses is a beautiful way to experience nature. Search nearby equestrian campsites or find top-rated spots from other campers.
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
Loafer Creek Horse Campground
$45 / 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
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
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
During the winter season campground remains open with no snow plow or other services. Snake Lake is located in the Meadow Valley area off of Bucks Lake road and boasts shady lakeside campsites for tents, RVs, OHVs and horses. the multi-use campsite has 17 sites; 8 of them with corrals for equestrian campters. There are no hookups. Horses are allowed overnight in equestrian campsites only. Activities include fishing, hiking horseback riding on OHV trails and non-motorized boating. Snake Lake is not recommended for swimming. During winter months there is no snowplow service and water and restrooms shut down. There is no garbage service at Snake Lake Campground. Please remember to "Pack it in, Pack it out".
Dru Barner Campground offers 48 campsites that are nestled in the forest just 6 miles from Georgetown, CA. The campground offers access to trails, creeks and is a short drive from some nearby reservoirs. This campground was designed for equestrians, but it can also be used by tent, camper, trailer and recreational vehicles. Common wildlife to the area includes turkeys, deer, bears, coyote and racoons. Portions of the campground have a canopy of trees, but many of the camp units have very little shade.
Dru Barner Campground provides some good camping opportunities without having to drive long distances into the forest. Dru Barner Campground provides access to many non-motorized trails. It also is close to the Rock Creek Trail System that has both non-motorized, motorized, and multiple use trails. Several horse clubs have used Dru Barner Campground as the staging area for equestrian recreation events under special use permits. Several horse clubs have hosted barbecues and taco bars at the group kitchen area after their trail rides. Some couples have used the group kitchen area for weddings. Stumpy Meadows Reservoir is located only about 15 miles to the east for those seeking water-based recreation. There is a campground concessionaire that operates the Stumpy Meadows Boat Ramp and Picnic Area. A day use fee is charged for those facilities. Stumpy Meadows Reservoir has a 5-mile speed limit for motor boats. Rafts, canoes and kayakers frequently travel on the reservoir. There are some shorelines that provide access for swimming and wading.
Dru Barner Campground sits on a ridgeline of the Hornblende Mountains. To the north, Otter Creek has cut a forested canyon. To the south, there are the rolling ridges that surround Rock Creek. There are forests of Ponderosa pine, sugar pine, Douglas-fir, white fir and incense cedar with groups of black oak and madrone. This campground is about 15 miles west of Stumpy Meadows Reservoir.
This location is unstaffed. To speak with our main office for general information, please call: (530) 334-6477.
A nearby attraction is the Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park in Coloma, CA. This attraction is located about 16 miles southeast of Dru Barner Campground. It is where James W. Marshall discovered gold in 1848. This started the California Gold Rush. Historic building such as the blacksmith shop, mill workers cabin and the Coloma schoolhouse are available to see. There are gold panning demonstrations. There is a Gold Discovery Trail to learn the history and see the sites.
$4 - $8 / night
This campground has 15 first come sites. One of the sites is accessible and some sites can accommodate large groups. Campground amenities include water and vault toilets. Campsite amenities include picnic tables and fire ring. Stream fishing, day hiking, nature viewing and and OHV riding are some of the local attractions.
$15 / night
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
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.
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.
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.
GuideIt was great besides the bugs and all the wasps
ScoutFirst time there and we reserved a spot, site 21 and the door of our camper wasn’t facing our camp. I noticed a few sites like that. It’s pretty tight spaces and not a lot of privacy. We ended up moving to site 4, had more room and our door was facing our camp :)
TravelerSparse campground and hot. But good sites and great location
GuideThis has been my favorite spot after traveling all across US. I wanted to hide in the forest. Nothing but trees and the wind blowing through them. It was an adventurous drive on a curvy mountain road to get here, but we'll worth it. There are 48 sites (no hookups) and it's just me and one other person pretty far away. Very clean. With a pass, I only paid $4 per day. Nice clean vault toliets. Water available. Picnic tables and fire rings at each site. Corrals for horses. Wood to burn laying around everywhere. Rangers were very friendly and helpful when I came in. I'm staying 4 days this time. I'll be back. I used my WeBoost and was able to teach online and even stream some TV. The dog has loved the nice forest floor to run on and lay on. I drove into Georgetown (6 miles) one day and had the best time exploring the shops and talking to the locals. Gas station has propane. Back in or pull through sites. You can call and reserve or just show up and find an open spot. I was there in May 2021.
GuideNothing terribly good or bad about this site. Lakefront is a plus, great if you’re in the area...probably not worth a trip unless you’re boating.
RangerRight by kidd lake. More amenities than Long Lake sites, but not quite as remote/pretty
RangerI guess it’s a 5 minute uphill walk from the PCT and is hidden (plus not on PCT maps) so it’s relatively unused for non-locals. Always find something fun here left behind. 8 bunks. Some counter space. Wood. And a nice privy
Ranger
Also... got rid of some grubb here too. Nice bathroom. Fun historical place a nice hike away from Castle Peak and far enough away that you don’t get the crowds. Kitchen, firewood, fireplace, and a bunch of bunks
GuideThere were several groups partying loudly well after midnight , and the water was nearly a mile walk to the boat ramp and almost 2 mikes to a “beach” that was closed. New construction might make some of this better, but unless something drastic changes I’m scratching this one off my list.
Traveler
This is a great spot for camping. There are very nice and large spots for both Camper and Tent camping. The bathrooms and showers are clean and exactly what you would expect from a county park. There are lots of tall trees for shade during the day, and the trees separated the spots enough that groups can be separate or together. The road isn’t too close, and there isn’t much traffic after 9:00 or so anyways.
There is also a water access to go easing and a few deep spots for swimming.
There are also 3 Poké stops and a gym for Pokémon Go players.
Scout
The campgrounds is small, which was perfect. A total of 19 spaces, but on a Sunday night there were only 5 filled spaces. Trees and birds! Chipmunks! Walking trails connect to the campground! What a delight and right near Bucks Lake!
It is bear country, and the campsite was visited by a bear at night. Just one night, when the night before the dumpsters were emptied. The bear messed with the campground dumpster but left everything else alone. All the garbage goes into bear proof dumpsters. Don't leave it out in cans. Those are labeled PLASTIC and CANS. Just do what they say- and keep your food stuffed locked up. Head the warnings- right? The bear, after speaking to the host, is well known locally. They have watched it grow up.
Someone reviewed poorly because of vault toilets. Maybe they have never been camping. Vault toilets are very common and a non-issue. Sure they don't smell like an indoor bathroom- but these were serviced every day! Not a concern. They work for what you need them to do. And there was even toilet paper stocked!
ScoutBathrooms had a horrific smell, trash overflowed the receptacles all four days we were there; not to mention the huge “bear country” signs to make sure trash is properly disposed of, but the ranger just drove by it multiple times with her truck bed empty. It’s right by the main road/interstate; large trees are placed in front of the camp area..I’m assuming so a car will hit the tree and offer sometime of protection?! Yikes. We made the best of it but we will not be back. I’ve heard of other great sites around bucks lake and will be sure to check those for the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Strawberry Valley, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Strawberry Valley, CA is Sly Creek Campground with a 4-star rating from 2 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Strawberry Valley, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 18 equestrian camping locations near Strawberry Valley, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
