Washoe Lake State Park Campground offers convenient equestrian facilities between Carson City and Reno. The campground is divided into two distinct loops with wide sites accommodating horses and camping equipment. Loop A provides electrical hookups and water access, while Loop B offers dry camping options. The park maintains good infrastructure for horse owners, including vault toilets and areas designed for horse trailers. During winter months, only Loop A remains accessible with power hookups available on a first-come basis. The park's elevation creates variable weather conditions, particularly afternoon winds from the lake.
What to do
Backcountry riding at Desolation Wilderness: Trek through alpine terrain with clear mountain lakes. At Desolation Wilderness - Aloha Zone, riders can access remote trails. As one visitor notes, "One of my top 5 favorite place to go backpacking. Love the feeling of being immersed in nature and the views of all the lakes."
Water activities at nearby lakes: Many equestrian-friendly campgrounds are situated near lakes for swimming or fishing. At Logger Campground, "Sights are right on the lake and in the shade of the trees most of the day so it doesn't get too hot." Horses can rest while campers enjoy water recreation.
Winter cabin access: When snow covers trails, some areas offer cabin accommodations for riders. The Peter Grubb Hut provides winter shelter with basic amenities: "Kitchen, firewood, fireplace, and a bunch of bunks." This creates year-round options for equestrian visitors.
What campers like
Large, separated campsites: Horse owners appreciate sites with ample space for equipment and animals. At Fallen Leaf Campground, "The sites have bear boxes and even though they are very close to each other with little separation, they are big sites with lots of tall trees."
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms enhance the camping experience. Campers at Washoe Lake mention, "Nice campground situated close to the shores of Washoe Lake. Great amenities; picnic tables, fire pits and shade structures at many of the campsites."
Trail access directly from camp: The ability to ride out from campsites ranks high with equestrians. At Loon Lake Campground, riders appreciate that "you can cut through the back of the site to the Loon Lake trailhead for a nice hike around the lake."
What you should know
Bear safety requirements: Proper food storage is mandatory at most equestrian campgrounds. At Fallen Leaf, "You really need to pay attention to your food. Bears are not just possible here, they are likely."
Seasonal changes affect access: Many equestrian areas have limited seasons. Wrights Lake notes, "Even in the summer it can snow...BE WEATHER AWARE."
Reservation challenges: Popular equestrian sites fill quickly. As one camper explains, "It is hard to get a site. Be ready. Set alerts."
Insect concerns early season: Early summer brings mosquitoes to mountain areas. "Be prepared for lots of mosquitos early in the season. They were mostly gone by mid-August."
Tips for camping with families
Select sites away from crowded areas: For family equestrian camping, look for outer loop sites. At Fallen Leaf, "If you can get a site on the outer loop you can still have some separation, plenty of trees and with the lake so close, feel like you're in the heart of nature."
Look for shallow water access: Younger riders and families appreciate gentle water entry points. At Scotts Lake Rd Dispersed Camping, "Dispersed camping not far from Lake Tahoe. Easy to drive into just be careful of potholes and large puddles from rain, even in summer."
Check for cell service: Communication availability varies widely. North Canyon Campground reports, "Hard to get any signal in this Canyon & texting is hard to accomplish as most of the time you have no service & at best only have 1 bar."
Tips from RVers
Plan for hookup limitations: Most equestrian sites have basic utilities. At Washoe Lake, "The hook-up surcharge makes it expensive in the winter when you HAVE to camp in loop A."
Access roads can be challenging: Large rigs with horse trailers face difficult approaches. Logger Campground visitors note, "Arriving around 9pm after a long drive to find the gate locked was very disheartening, especially since reception in the area around Kirwood is missing."
Leveling can be difficult: Many horse camping areas have uneven terrain. At Scotts Lake, "We are new to dispersed camping and have a 40 ft 5th wheel as well as a GMC Denali 350 dually. We need a large space to fit into."
