Are you an equestrian lover who prefers a more rustic experience when you visit Tecopa? Finding a place to stay in California while traveling with your horse has never been easier. Find California equestrian campgrounds with ease on The Dyrt.
Red Rock Canyon's standard, RV, and group campsites are located in the stunning Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, an approximate 20 mile drive from "The Las Vegas Strip." Visitors enjoy hiking, rock climbing, bike riding and scenic driving in this unique Mojave Desert environment. Note: If visitors would like to visit the scenic drive, they must have a separate timed entry reservation for each day they plan to enter the scenic drive. Reservations are required October 1 to May 31, 8am -5pm.
The Red Rock Scenic Drive & Visitor Center is located 3 miles from the campground. If visitors would like to visit the scenic drive, they must have a separate timed entry reservation for each day they plan to enter the scenic drive. Reservations are required October 1 to May 31, 8am -5pm. Red Spring/Calico Basin is located 2 miles from the campground and is a no fee area and does not require a reservation. Activities available are miles of hiking trails, rock climbing, horseback riding, mountain biking, and road biking. Guided hikes and educational programs available on certain days at the Visitors Center.
Explore the peak tops, rolling sandstone ridges, steep walled canyons which highlight special wildlife, vegetation, and cultural history. The campground is in a quiet bowl near some of the most popular rock climbing destinations in the country, providing privacy with limited shade.
Spring Mountain Ranch State Park (10 minutes) Springs Preserve (20 minutes) Floyd Lamb Park (30 minutes) Desert National Wildlife Refuge (35 minutes) Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve (40 minutes) Mt Charleston/Spring Mountain Visitor Gateway (45 minutes) Hoover Dam (1 hour) Lake Mead National Recreation Area (1 hour) Valley of Fire (1 hour) Grand Canyon West (2.5 hours)
Cancellations*: *cancellation becomes a "late cancellation" at 12:01 am EST on the day before arrival. $10.00 fee if reservation is changed/cancelled earlier than the day before arrival. $10.00 plus first night's camping fee is charged if reservation is cancelled the day before or the day of the arrival, except when the reservation is only for 1 night (in which case only the first night's camping fee is charged). No Shows: customer does not arrive and/or does not cancel reservation by check out time (11 :00am) the day after the scheduled arrival date. $20.00 service fee charged and forfeit the first night's user fee If requested before the late cancellation window: NRRS will handle If requested during the late cancellation window (day before arrival, or day of arrival): Customer will be charged first night's use fee, and refunded rest If requested after arrival, during or after departure from site: recreation.gov processes and field office has to approve
$80 / night
Record summer heat make Death Valley a land of extremes. Yet, each extreme has a striking contrast. Towering peaks are frosted with winter snow. Rare rainstorms bring vast fields of wildflowers. Lush oases harbor tiny fish and refuge for wildlife and humans. Despite its morbid name, a great diversity of life survives in Death Valley. **https://www.recreation.gov/camping/gateways/2662
Read reviews here: https://www.hipcamp.com/en-US/u/paullfa6b7f
$17 - $24 / night
Guide
Just 10 miles down a great, stereotypical, paved desert road off of I-15 you’ll find an unmarked turnoff as the road curves. The turnoff quickly becomes a dirt road that runs straight for miles. On the right side is the Mojave National Wilderness and on the left is the Mojave National Preserve where camping is allowed in designated areas only. These are marked pretty well and can easily accommodate groups (see “camping” below). The road is easy (see “Approach” below) and I’d feel comfortable taking a 2wd sedan to at least the first campsite which is only about 200m from the road. Fires are allowed in fire pits only which both sites I saw have.
Camping There are two designated dispersed campsites that I saw. I didn’t drive much past the second site though the road wasn’t difficult. The sites are well established and well marked. Some places look like they could be campsites but they are marked as “No Camping.” Look for the established areas with a fire pit that have the designated camping signs. They are located next to rock formations that help block the wind and give you a place to get on top of to look around. Watch out for snakes! The first one is maybe 200m down the road on the left. It has a driveway leading to a circular area so it would be good for a pull through camper or two. It’s large enough for a few campers, I’d say, or several vehicles. Pretty ideal if you had a horse trailer (there is not water source) as across the site is a good equestrian/hiking trail. I chose this one because it was actually smaller and I didn’t want to take up the larger second site. The second site is visible from the first but not close enough to interact much. The rock formation is larger, it’s more hidden from the main road, and has more space for vehicles. Better for a group - even a large one. Check the sign on the way into the preserve to make sure fires are allowed that day. Firewood can be purchased at the market in Baker.
The Approach and Ace Test The exit off of I-15 is convenient - stop in Baker immediately on the right for supplies then right across the interstate is Kellbaker Rd - the paved road that goes through the Mojave. After the mile 10 marker, the road turns right and in the middle of the turn is an unmarked paved driveway. Turn onto that driveway and it becomes a sandy dirt road that runs straight. There are some signs that say “No Motor Vehicles” and “No Camping” but these signs are talking about not leavening the road. You’re fine if you stay on the road. There are some pull offs that look like campsites but they will have rocks across the path and have signs saying no camping. Look for the designated camping signs and pull offs with a fire pit. This road does pass the Ace test for me (Ace was my 216 VW Jetta that I took on roads like this often); however, there are a couple spots toward the second campsite and beyond that I, personally, would do with Ace but if you’re less comfortable, the first campsite is maybe 200m in and any car could make that easily.
Activities The trails are well marked and one can explore the Lava Tubes which is just across the dirt road and easy access. It’s hot even in spring so bring a lot of water - more than you think you need. WATCH OUT FOR SNAKES. I had a fire and it was great to sit, relax, and stargaze. There isn’t a lot of light pollution so on a clear night, it’s awesome. Further down the paved road, there are other things like more Lava Tubes, some mines, and a trail you can drive along to check out water tanks. I like this camp area because it’s isolated and out of town but close enough to get supplies while allowing access further into the preserve. You can also go check out the World’s Largest Thermometer in Baker as well as an Alien kitsch shop and a few restaurants.
Weather I was there towards the end of April and it was in the 90’s and sunny during the day, a hot breeze coming from the west. At night, it was clear and starry and a low around 65.
Cell Service and Other Services I had 3 bars of Verizon LTE and was able to text and send videos and do some of my remote work. There are no amenities; however, Baker is just 10 miles away and has a few gas stations and a market that have pretty much everything from laundry detergent to firewood.
Legend
This campground is open September through June and all sites are dry camping. There is a separate area for RVs, trailers, and vans but many camper vans (including ours) were in the tent section. The camper pads in this area are dirt/gravel and not all of them are level but we made it work. Each site has a fire ring, BBQ grill, and picnic table. Some of the sites (but not all) have a covered picnic table and the table is located on a cement pad.
There are more than sufficient vault toilets sprinkled throughout the campground and all the ones we used were clean. No showers. No dump station.
The hosts were great – they are from Minnesota, and it is their third year at this campground. They made daily rounds and were very friendly.
This campground is located just outside the park and therefore not subject to the park fees. You will need a timed entry for the 13-mile scenic drive from October through May (but if you enter before 8 am, you will not need it). We had only a fleeting one bar of Verizon cell service. Make sure you make reservations as the campground was full on a Monday night in mid-November.
Scout
It was beautiful and easy to get to, just recommend something a lil bigger than a sedan, it can make it, just kind of sketchy. Lots and lots of flies, keep that in mind, didn’t get a single bite but heard buzzing around our heads and near our food most of the time.
A little less privacy just because the open sites are pretty close to one another, just across the roads from each other, but enough privacy to feel comfortable, and it’s dispersed so remember there’s no facilities. Also states you can stay for 14 days.
ScoutDespite the misleading name of this place you don't have to be part of a reserved group to camp here! Plenty of small dirt roads with camping pull outs. Some of which have fire pits that can be used depending on the time of year. Some trash and some road noise but overall a great place to stay near Charleston!
Scout
Great
LegendI had been in this direction before and knew I wanted to camp here! It’s an easy drive from Los Angeles. We stopped right off the freeway at the super Walmart for supplies and then the campsite was only about 15min from there. Checking in with our incredibly friendly camp host was easy. The campsite was very clean and we had a fire pit. The bathrooms were also very clean! Red Rock State Park is only about 8 min away and I strongly suggest getting a scenic drive reservation. Once you go in you can spend the whole day there! Beautiful spot and pet friendly!
TravelerThis place is the best price and close to all the action in Armargosa Valley.
GuideAll good for a desert camp except the light pollution from Vegas city. Don’t expect to see desert night sky
LegendThis is a small desert campground. Drinking water but no water or dump for camper. Lots of cars in and out all night. Not sure why. Toilet but no showers. No electric.
ScoutClean bathrooms, 10-15 degrees cooler than Vegas. Some trash left around campsites, but nothing disqualifying.
TravelerEasy to book for a last minute climbing trip. Great location right outside of Red Rocks. Clean facilities. No privacy. Can get pretty windy.
RangerStayed the weekend, RV spaces are set apart from the tent sites in a semi-circle of 5 spaces in a quiet area. There are aluminum picnic tables, fire pits and BBQ’s but not hookups. Spaces are pretty deep but not very wide. Space 5 is at the end up near a slight hill so it was a bit more private than the others which are pretty close together. It was close to home which was nice. Great view of Red Rock in the distant to see the sun set.
RangerFor just being under an hour outside of Las Vegas this campsite met our needs beautifully. It wasn't very crowded when we went in early March. Still had patches of snow on the ground.
GuideNice campground with big sites. Some nice shade pavilions at a lot of the sites. Enough pit toilets for all. Water is available but no hookups. Nothing special but you can reserve sites online and the hosts are on top of things. I appreciate that.
If I could have a do over, I think that bikes would be a ton of fun at Red Rock. Also a few more days to explore it all.
GuideSites are not private by any stretch of the imagination, but the hosts were delightful, and there are water spigots outside the bathrooms (pit toilets).
GuideIf you get a chance take the scenic drive. The campground is just fine with vault toilets, and water but no showers, sewer dump, electric or other hookups. The location is very scenic. The facilities are well kept and the hosts on site are very nice. Many sites include a hard canopy over a paved patio, with picnic table and fire ring nearby. Each also had a large, level sand pad for pitching a tent.
TravelerGuadalupe's desert and a simple place to park.
TravelerStayed 2 nights to stock up and do laundry. Office hours were 9-5, got in at 4:45 and no one was there. So I looked for security and they checked me in. No phone # to call, no signs. They even billed me wrong and had to debate them for half hour. Clean park with Wi-Fi, cell service was spotted.
LegendCan't beat the location. Sites are close together, can be loud. Facilities are ok. Can be very windy.
LegendFantastic one way drive through amazing Aztec Sandstone cliffs and mountains. Excellent rock climbing and hiking.
LegendEverything is along the one way road and is easily accessible. It's a great driving tour if that's all you want.
Climbing is world class!
LegendClosest you can stay to Red Rock Canyon. The sites are small and close together. Tent pads are basically big wooden sandboxes that do not fit many tents above 6 people.
Wind is an issue here. There are no natural wind blocks. Noise can be bad (climbers from all over the world having the time of their lives), but overall you can't complain being able to drive 5 minutes to the front gate to RRC.
Facilities are all ok and average compared to other state/national campsites. Multiple camp hosts are by the end of the entrance road. There are some walk in sites, but those are commonly taken up by the foreign climbers that are a bit more adventurous.
Closest food is a small strip mall about 10 minutes West on the main road. Albertson's supermarket is nicely stocked and has a great craft beer selection. Subway sandwiches, a pizza place, and a gas station make up a perfect refuel spot.
LegendSpots are reservable and first come first serve. They have group camping as well. They close this campground during the summer months because it’s honestly just too hot to stay however This campground is amazing the hosts are incredible a lot of places get reserved but people flake or whatever so if you do not have a reservation my best advice is to find the Camp host and they’ll tell you which spots nobody has shown up for because if you drive through and strike out and see that there’s reservation signs a lot of times people don’t show up so they know who was supposed to show up and who wasn’t and they will let you know which spots are available. The best thing about this place is you’re literally minutes from any free hiking and your minutes from getting in to the scenic Loop . If you are unable to get into the scenic loop One of the nearest places to hike is First Creek Trail it’s free and it’s amazing you can hike all the way to the top and it’s neat because you get to literally see water streaming through and see wildlife at its finest, icebox trail is also another neat Hiking trail mind you I’m a mom so these are kid friendly hikes!!! I have a three-year-old and a seven-year-old and they can make it to the top every time. make sure you pack in a lot of water !! if you have a dog which we do make sure you bring poop pick up bags it seems as if people don’t care about nature to pick up the poop- people blow my mind when it comes to hiking how they just let their dogs do whatever … next the petroglyph wall trail head hike is mild compared to others and enjoyable they have signage telling you about the history which is really neat.
Back to the camping I recommend finding a campsite that has covered tables just in case you don’t bring a pop up or any shade but nonetheless they have nice bathrooms water spouts throughout and it’s a really cool easy accessible campground to where you can get to anything that you want to get to I really recommend coming here October through April because the temperature cools down but yet you’re still able to enjoy all those amazing hikes without overheating or exhausting yourself if you need to reach a store you just jump on the street and go to Charleston and the Freeway there’s many stores you can refuel get liquids anything you may need that you forgot you’re nearby to stores which is about a 20 minute drive which isn’t bad. you’re allowed to have fires at this campground weather permitting they sometimes have wood but I would not guarantee that. also make sure fire restrictions are checked before. each spot has a grill and a fire ring and if you’re lucky and get a spot with cover canopy then you’re Doing great. They also have walking camp spots Where everyone uses a community parking area and then walk maybe 100 feet to a camp spot they have shared bathrooms there as well so you don’t have to walk further to potty. they pretty much have everything all set up for you they also have a no turn away policy they’re not gonna turn you away if you’re hiking and needing a spot to stay. overall a super great spot to go camping even in the heat you get to enjoy the bright stars and wildlife
LegendI haved visited this campsite before but have not stayed the night. The place is currently closed for summer (Jun 2 - Aug 31). My photos only reflect the drive way and entrance, as you are not able to drive inside the campsite.
They do have three campgrounds, main, group and overflow. The main sites can accommodate tent and/or rvs. Most rigs I seen during my last visit was 25 feet and smaller in the main area. Plenty of space between sites so you don't feel cramped. The overflow had 2 motorcoaches with plenty of turn around in the area and group can fit just about any size rig.
ScoutHad an overall good experience camping here! Plenty of spaces, both big and small, with some far enough from the main road so you don’t hear traffic. Small pieces of trash left behind from other people here and there. Some hikes are located very close to camp as well.
Keep in mind that fires may not be allowed if a No Fire mandate is being enforced. Fire pits in this campsite will have a little yellow flag in them as a reminder as well as a large sign at the entrance to the camp stating the same. This does depend on the season or climate at the time you are going. Small propane stoves for cooking are still allowed nonetheless.
GuideLet's be sure about this. If you're a tent camper, then just know you're going to roast between the months of May and October. The day times are brutal and the nights are barely cooler. We hit it in late May and had to find indoor fun between 10am and 7pm, returning to our campsite only when the sun began it's stunning descent behind the mountains. Even though half the sites have covered areas, don't be mistaken that you'll have shade, or that shade will be cool.
But once twilight hits, you'll grok the magic of the desert. Convenient location with very hikable mountains nearby... just attempt them in the early morning. Or anytime not so summer-like. The site itself is a nice slice of desert, beautiful and dry.
Curses on the RV who pulled in past midnight, tugged by a mega-truck that kept it's engine running for a good 25 minutes trying to fit into their spot. Textbook rude camp etiquette. An easy way to wake everyone up.
But the rest of the camp was friendly and courteous. We had site 41. No cover, but it wouldn't have mattered in that heat. Bathrooms were decent and well placed, although quite a few were not open. One garbage bin at the entrance of the camp.
RangerWe love camping in this location it's close to downtown Summerlin.
Horse camping in California offers a unique way to explore the great outdoors while enjoying the company of your equine friends. With various campgrounds catering to horse enthusiasts, you can find the perfect spot to set up camp and ride the trails.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Tecopa, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Tecopa, CA is Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area - Red Rock Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 67 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Tecopa, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 4 equestrian camping locations near Tecopa, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
