Horse campgrounds near Sunland, California typically operate at elevations between 7,000-8,000 feet in the southern Sierra Nevada mountains. Nighttime temperatures drop into the forties even during summer months, providing relief from urban heat. Several equestrian-focused sites connect directly to both local riding trails and major wilderness routes with seasonal water availability.
What to do
Trail riding from camp: Kennedy Meadows Campground lets riders access trails without trailering horses. "Great family vacation to get away from everything. Fun horse riding trips. Great starting point for many backcountry backpack trips as it is near the PCT," notes Christy S.
Fishing with horses: Bring fishing gear to Horse Creek Campground where horses can help transport tackle to remote spots. "A good campground from late fall to mid spring. In the summer this campground gets flooded from the rising lake waters of lake kaweah, which is fine because it is blazing hot in the summer," explains Matt B.
Mountain biking alongside horses: Access single-track trails at Keysville South Recreation Site, which offers routes for both horses and bikes. "The keyesville classic mountain bike race is held every year in the area! With miles of trails and perfect single track for all age groups and abilities!" reports Erin M.
What campers like
Seasonal temperature variations: Horse Meadow Campground provides escape from heat at 7,600 feet. "At 7,600 ft., the nights dropped into the forties. A welcome break from the southern CA heat," writes Allison A.
Fishing opportunities: Many equestrian sites stock fish regularly. "Awesome location. If you like to be off the grid amidst the trees this is the place for you. We like to camp next to the creek. Fishing is plentiful and the air is great as long as there's no fires near," reports Joseph Z. about Horse Meadow.
Trail connectivity: Azalea Campground offers extensive interconnected trail networks. "There were TONS of trails immediately accessible from most camp sites, and a short walk from the rest. Campground has potable water, flush toilets, sinks for doing dishes, dumpsters/recycling," writes Connor N.
What you should know
Limited amenities: Many horse camps have restricted facilities. At Kennedy Meadows, "no fees, busted up roads, no water, no trash, no bathrooms, no cell/wifi. Basically dispersed camping in an awesome location on concrete spurs/pads. Each site still had picnic table and fire pit," reports Chester R.
Seasonal closures: Check before traveling as many sites close seasonally. "Closed as of 6/30/23 (most likely temporarily)" notes Martin T. about Horse Creek Campground.
Water availability: Frog Meadow Campground and similar sites have limited water access. "Not the easiest to get to. But, great for altitude get away. Not winter accessible," warns Tommy B.
Tips for camping with families
Check trail difficulty: Some horse trails near Sunland require skill. "Nice long drive to a beautiful destination," reports Michelle L. about Frog Meadow Campground, indicating the remote nature of many horse sites.
Pack extra supplies: Stores are often far from equestrian sites. "The nearest supplies are an hour one-way and there is no cell or wifi anywhere nearby," notes Allison A. about Horse Meadow Campground.
Insect protection: Mosquitoes can be severe at Kennedy Meadows. "The mosquitos here are biblical at night so bring your nets and deet," warns Chester R.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Horse Creek Campground has terrain issues for RVs. "Sites were generally not level as it is situated on the hill down to the lake. Bathrooms were messy and half were out of order due to a maintenance project. The RV Dump station was also unavailable," reports Connor N.
Limited hookups: Most horse campgrounds offer minimal RV services. "We spent four nights at the end of July in this beautiful campground in Sequoia National Forest. The campsites are a truly mixed bag. Some are spacious, shady, flat, and along a creek while others seem a bit more attractive to those who are part mountain goat," explains Allison A. about Horse Meadow Campground.
Road conditions: Access roads to equestrian sites often require careful driving. "It's an old logging road which we had to take quite slowly in our Hyundai Sonata," reports Allison A. about the route to Horse Meadow Campground.
