Best Equestrian Camping near Three Rivers, CA
Looking for the best horse camping near Three Rivers? Equestrian camping is the best way to experience nature. These scenic and easy-to-reach Three Rivers campsites are perfect for equestrian campers.
Best Equestrian Sites Near Three Rivers, CA (17)
1. Horse Creek Campground
Three Rivers, California10 Reviews•16 Photos•173 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
- RVs
$20 / night
2. Whitney Portal
Alabama Hills, California28 Reviews•124 Photos•399 SavesOverview
Whitney Portal Campground is in a prime location within the eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains - at the base of Mt. Whitney, the highest peak in the continental United States. With hiking trails to Mt. Whitney and the John Muir Wilderness less than a mile away, the campground is a popular home base for hikers, as well as family, RV and tent campers who wish to explore the area's activities and enjoy unparalleled scenery.
Recreation
Hikers are drawn to the majestic scenery and challenging trails of the Whitney Portal recreation area. Nearby trails lead into the John Muir Wilderness and Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park. The campground is only 0.5 miles from trailheads to Mt. Whitney, Meysan Lake and other popular destinations. Visitors should be aware that hiking in this area may require a permit. Visitors can also hike, fish and picnic in the area around the campground. There are numerous lakes, streams and a small pond in the area for trout fishing.
Natural Features
The facility is situated in a thick pine forest at an elevation of 8,000 ft. Campers can see striking views of the rugged granite peaks surrounding it. The area is home to abundant wildlife, including black bear, mountain lions, mule deer, pine martin, pika and many species of fish and birds. This campground is especially prone to bear activity.
Nearby Attractions
Campers can enter the John Muir Wilderness, a land of lofty snow-capped mountains, deep canyons and vast expanses of glacially carved terrain, via nearby trails. Mt. Whitney is within the wilderness area and entry is available by lottery for experienced hikers. John Muir Wilderness
Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (602) 726-1102.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- RVs
- Tents
$93 / night
3. Horse Creek
Lemon Cove, California7 Reviews•17 Photos•86 SavesOverview
Horse Creek Campground is located on the Kaweah River in the foothills of central California's Sierra Nevada Mountains. The Terminus Dam on Kaweah Lake is three miles east of Lemon Cove, CA.
Recreation
Kaweah Lake offers boating, water skiing and sailing. Horse and walking trails are available during low water. Anglers can fish for largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, catfish and rainbow trout.
Natural Features
The campground is settled on the river in a broad, arid valley with few trees. Shade is limited.
Nearby Attractions
The Horse Creek campground is 11 miles from Sequoia National Park's southern entrance station. Visitors enjoy viewing the inspiring Giant Forest Grove and mighty General Sherman Tree - the world's largest tree in volume. It is one hour more past the entrance station to reach 5,000' and the mightly Sequoias. __Note: Vehicles over 22' will not be allowed up Highway 198 through Sequoia National Park. It is a 1930s, two lane, switch back, road on the side of a mountain. __Larger vehicles need to use the northern route on Hwy 180 thorugh Sequoia National Forest to Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Park. In this area you can view America's Christmas Tree, The General Grant Tree and access the other areas. The Visitor Center is shared with the Forest Service and National Park Service.
- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- RVs
$20 / night
4. Sequoia RV Park
Dunlap, California13 Reviews•42 Photos•84 SavesThe last RV park before the Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park North entrances! We are open year round, 30 & 50 amp full hookups, extremely large lots (double of normal parks), 40+ RV sites, accommodate up to 80’ RV, level pull-thru sites, WiFi, good cellphone reception, shower, laundry, trails around seasonal pond, club house with microwave and sink, postal box on site, 30 seconds driving to gas station/minimart/coffee shop, 5 minutes to steak house/bar/brewery/pizza restaurants. We also have late check out time of 6pm if the park is not full (normal time is 11am. We provide services for daily, weekly, monthly and even yearly stay. Tent sites are available in both walk-in or drive-in with electricity options.
- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
$40 - $55 / night
5. Monarch Lakes Backcountry Sites
Three Rivers, California2 Reviews•5 Photos•78 SavesBackcountry sites around this 9.4-mile round trip hike that climbs over 2,500 feet to visit the picturesque pair of high-elevation lakes.
- Phone Service
- RVs
- Tents
- Group
- Equestrian
- Cabins
6. Lone Pine
Alabama Hills, California14 Reviews•48 Photos•217 SavesOverview
Lone Pine Campground is located near the base of Mt. Whitney, the highest peak in the continental United States, offering unparalleled views of the mountain and surrounding peaks of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. An abundance of fishing and hiking opportunities can be found both in and around Lone Pine.
Recreation
Hikers are drawn to the majestic scenery and challenging trails of the Whitney Portal area. Trails lead to the John Muir Wilderness, including Mt. Whitney, and Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park. The Mt. Whitney trailhead is just 7 miles away. The less challenging National Recreation Trail connects Lone Pine Campground to Whitney Portal and its picnic area and fishing pond. The eastern Sierras are also known for exceptional trout fishing, and anglers can access Lone Pine Creek and a nearby pond.
Natural Features
The campground is nestled in sagebrush alongside Lone Pine Creek. At an elevation of 6,000 feet, the location offers clear views of surrounding granite peaks. Desert wildflowers add brilliant colors to the landscape in spring. The area is home to abundant wildlife, including black bear, mountain lions, mule deer, pine martin, pika and many species of fish and birds. This campground is especially prone to bear activity.
Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (602) 726-1102.
Nearby Attractions
Campers can enter the John Muir Wilderness, a land of lofty snow-capped mountains, deep canyons and vast expanses of glacially carved terrain, via nearby trails. Mt. Whitney is within the wilderness area and entry is available by lottery for experienced hikers.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- RVs
- Tents
$70 - $78 / night
7. Western Big Meadow Road Camping Area
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, California1 Review•5 Photos•38 SavesTo Be Updated
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- RVs
- Tents
- Group
8. Horseshoe Meadow Campground
Alabama Hills, California5 Reviews•5 Photos•74 SavesHorseshoe Meadow is a vast 10,000 foot high meadow, surrounded by lodgepole pine forest. Getting there is an adventure in itself; the road to Horseshoe Meadow climbs over 6,000 feet, as it winds its way up from Lone Pine. Three campgrounds are located in the Horseshoe Meadow Area. Trails from Horseshoe Meadow provide access to the Golden Trout Wilderness and Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park. The road to Horseshoe Meadow is closed from approximately November to May due to snow.
- Pets
- Fires
- ADA Access
- Tents
- Equestrian
- Standard (Tent/RV)
$6 / night
9. Kennedy Meadows Campground
Little Lake, California9 Reviews•13 Photos•343 SavesLocated on the Pacific Crest Trail near the South Fork of the Kern River, Kennedy Meadows campground is surrounded by the South Sierra, Golden Trout, and Domeland wildernesses. It's a great place for camping near Los Angeles. Some of the 38 sites are shaded by juniper and pinion. Maximum vehicle length is 30ft.
- Pets
- Fires
- Reservable
- ADA Access
- RVs
- Tents
10. Alabama Hills Dispersed Site
Alabama Hills, California4 Reviews•4 Photos•89 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- RVs
- Tents
- Group
Recent Equestrian Reviews in Three Rivers
101 Reviews of 17 Three Rivers Campgrounds
- J
Joseph Z.
Guide
Horse Meadow Campground
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.
Linda B.
Scout
Sequoia RV Park
Helpful people
We had a flat tire on a Sunday morning and permanent resident was more than helpful with taking the tire off and giving us a ride to the tire place to get it fixed and put back on. Beautiful view of the mountains and very close to the park
Brittney J.
Traveler
Horse Creek Campground
Beautiful scenery, less amenities
We chose this campground to be an easy "getting back to camping" campground since it was supposed to be developed and even have showers.
Cons: The central restrooms/showers have been non-operational for over a year based on the maintenance log of the porta potty. While the porta potty was well maintained, there were no hand wash stations or anything to make up for the loss of sinks and showers. The tap outside the building didn't work and neither did the water fountain.
The host was not there for check-in. Thankfully, we ran into a very kind maintenance worker that gave us the predator rundown for the area and told us how to get to our site. The host eventually showed up, but was not there for at least 5 sets of campers who were trying to check in.
Nearly every campsite has a major hill, so most will not have a good flat area for a tent. Site 61 is flat and a couple of others have flatter grounds, but many will have you sleeping on an angle.
Cons Site 61: The previous group was very disrespectful of the site and left glass shards everywhere. We had to sweep it away from our tent site and kept finding more as we were using our site. It was especially a problem since we brought our dog, so eventually we just laid tarps out to let her walk on instead of the dirt for her safety.
No shade at all. While most other sites had trees or an aluminum awning to provide some sort of shade, Site 61 had nothing. Thankfully, we planned for that, but definitely worth mentioning for other campers. Most sites on the inside of the loop had good tree coverage, so if that's what you're looking for definitely book one of the inner loop sites like 63.
For those looking to be fully removed from the world, you should know this campsite is RIGHT off the highway, so there is traffic and some headlights if drivers have their brights on. That didn't bother us, but we've lived off of major streets for years, so we tune it out pretty well.
Pros: There was running water, but you had to find it near other campsites. (Closest one to ours was near Site 63, which was very convenient)
Pros Scenery: The stargazing is beautiful. There is some limited light pollution emanating from the other side of the foothills, but because you are surrounded by foothills you get some good, dark surroundings to really appreciate the stars. Similarly, the sunrise and sunset were slightly late/early because the sun was contending with the surrounding hills. When the sun was rising over the hills, there was a beautiful glow to them.
Pros Site 61: You have absolutely no neighbors, which gives you more privacy and the ability to face out in any direction and enjoy the scenery.
Predators: Coyotes, rattlesnakes, meat bees (bring cheap canned meat to set out during the day and they will leave you alone for the most part)
Cool Wildlife: Various birds, though I was never able to get a good enough look to identify them. There were also bats at night that really helped with the bug problem and created a cool ambience while stargazing. My husband loved listening to them hunt!
Overall: We enjoyed the site, but were extremely grateful that we are redundancy packers. If we didn't have our extras, we probably would not have had a good time since it was 100+ degrees every day we were there and the grounds weren't totally as advertised. (Toilets, showers, etc)
- CCharlie W.Scout
Lone Pine
Lone Pine is beautiful
Beautiful views!
Deb H.
Ranger
Whitney Portal
Pretty
The campground is beautiful. The sites are a bit close together and many have little privacy, but it was very quiet and enjoyable. The vault toilets needed to be emptied and they were very stinky. It seemed a little early in the season (early June) for them to be so full. Nice hiking trails accessible from the campground. Saw fresh bear scat near our site, but never saw any bears.
- SStephanie R.Scout
Alabama Hills Dispersed Site
Nice spot
Easy to find at night, even had a fire ring. Road is sandy but with clearance is fine.
Jacques B.ScoutHorse Creek Campground
Very nice
Very pretty spot 😊 could hear coyotes At night. Warm showers 😁. All awesome except for the fact you have to reserve one night in advance 😔
Kent G.GuideAlabama Hills Dispersed Site
Alabama Hiils Dispersed site
This site is on Horseshoe Meadow Road about 1/2 mile north of the Tuttle Creek site. There are 3 legal spots with camping signs. First two are level. Third will need leveling blocks. First site is large and was to turn around a larger trailer or rv. The SuperDrive get to spots is getting a large rut go slow and even my Subaru Forester had no issue. The second and third have better views. But the first can offer wind protection from the north. BLM. Carry in and out.
Candice M.GuideWhitney Portal
Near whits
Nice spot near mount Whitney’s trailhead. Decent bathrooms. Some what of a watching destination from the portal. Small sites
Leslie R.
Legend
Inyo National Forest Cottonwood Lakes Trailhead Campground
Trailhead campground for Mt Langley hike
We didn't camp here, rather we used this as the start/finish point for our 2-day hike to the summit of Mt. Langley. It was a convenient place to park, because you drive right up to the trailhead, and there are trash cans, bear boxes, and vault toilets. We stashed some extra toiletries in the bear boxes, rather than risk leaving them in the car. Toilets were pretty clean. Unfortunately, the potable water spigots were already turned off. The national forest website said they are off in the winter, but I didn't expect that already in early September. This is an equestrian campground, so there was some horse dung on the trails around the campground.
- MMartin T.Scout
Horse Creek Campground
Currently closed
Closed as of 6/30/23 (most likely temporarily)
Cyndy & Selena R.Guide
Hume Lake Rd Overlook Dispersed
Chaos to get to
You have to drive up a winding road up 5000ft thennnn you have to drive up on cliff side and down hills to get to the area but wait it's closed
Josh M.Guide
Horse Creek
Quiet spot in the valley
Still a bit of a mess after the flooding and no staff. Very scenic and beautiful though. Sites are not very level so come prepared.
- MMariana C.Traveler
Lone Pine
Lone Pine Camp ground
We stayed at this location for 2 nights. It wasn’t crowded, restrooms were clean, and overall great camp site. You can park right next to your campsite, each one has its own picnic table, bear box, and fire pit. The campsite is along a creek which sounds lovely at night.
The campground did not have water during our visit but seems like it does certain times of the year
therealquaid D.Guide
Western Big Meadow Road Camping Area
Popular Area with some secluded spots
I’ve camped in a few different areas along Big Meadows road. It’s a great spot, this pin location gets Verizon signal along with some of the higher sites if you pull off the road. Higher sites are pretty private and have enough sun coverage for solar, the ones by the road get traffic passing by daily.
Montecito Bay Lodge just down the road has an all you can eat buffet Breakfast/Lunch $9 Dinner $20, the closest supplies are Kings Canyon Visitor Center, and Stony Creek Gas Station (closed oct-apr).
You might want to double check with the Visitor Center if this road is open when it’s snowing.
Chester R.Scout
Kennedy Meadows Campground
Campground time forgot
Most reviews here are dated. Campground has been abandoned for years so: 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. The mosquitos here are biblical at night so bring your nets and deet. Kern creek and trails right from campground. General store and Grumpy Bear tavern close down the road. Only 2 other campers here when I stayed in October. Great place as long as you are expecting disbursed camping experience.
- ffabricio M.Scout
Horse Creek Campground
Water available
We visited this camp late July 2022, hot temperatures although nice breeze. Google map is not updated/ accurate since it shows lake bend is closer to campsites which is not. The drought have made it too far to my liking we had to drive 3 miles up where the river flows to cool down , restrooms facilities are not maintained regularly. There are 2 restroom facilities (with showers) for 75+ sites.. too many people waiting in line to use the restrooms . Security was excellent rangers were patrolling very often, drinking water was available on sites…
- SStephen M.Guide
Sequoia RV Park
Awesome host - Nice facility
Very pleasant rv campground. Typical California foothills hardpan and dead grass sites - large and able to accommodate very long combo rigs and have enough width to disconnect and park adjacent to the towable.
We had electric service issues and camp hosts, Carlos and Luz, we on it within 20 minutes at 10:30 at night. They worked as a team and showed pride in their park.
Our 4 night stay was pleasant - the park is very quiet and road noise minimal. Water, power and sewer as advertised. If tent or dry camping, showers at the office building.
Katie T.GuideWhitney Portal
Magical spot, Gorgeous
The trees against the rocks and blue sky is gorgeous every time you look up. Very cool campsites nestled into the raw nature. We loved it. Didn’t see any bears, used the bear locker and trash cans on site.
KirstenTravelerSequoia RV Park
Peaceful getaway close to the NPs
Lovely place in the Sierra very close to the National Park. Great place to stay for your visit, to start or end your adventure. Manager is very helpful and welcoming. Nice facilities and good internet. Fair pricing. Easy to reserve. You get to pick your site upon arrival.
- Kristian W.Guide
Horseshoe Meadow Campground
Good for tents, not for campers
Great for tent camping, but no pull-in or flat spots if you're sleeping in your vehicle. I slept in the equestrian campground since those were back-in sites, but if there are horses you're not allowed to do that. The hike to the base of Langley was great though!
Beth G.GuideLone Pine
Loved this campground, work up to views of My Whitney.
Great campground with views of Mt Whitney from camp. Had everything we needed for a comfortable night and we enjoyed exploring the rocks and little stream nearby. The ground is fairly hard and not much shade - plan your gear accordingly. We needed bug spray in April for mosquitoes. Our little Ford Fiesta did fine on the dirt roads to access the campsite.
Stacie M.TravelerKennedy Meadows Campground
Solitude in the offseason
Went up during the winter and stayed the weekend The fishing was great The campground was empty and we were basically alone The camp was clean and bathrooms were good Hiking was awesome But it was cold and our diesel fuel froze overnight Found a general store down the hill and had a community pot luck for 5 bucks It was sone of the best family fun
Connor N.RangerHorse Creek Campground
Great views, not well maintained
We spent 2 nights here on our way to Sequoia/Kings Canyon NP. The spot was nice, right on the lake with nice mountain views. 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 (same reason). During peak season I'm sure this is a great spot, but at the time of our visit it was a bit out of sorts. If we pass by again in the future we'll give it another try.
- Joshua H.Scout
Horse Creek Campground
Gorgous
This place is awesome and knowing that certain times of the year it actually goes underwater. So it's just knowing that ur camping on an actual lake is pretty damn cool. Plus it's clean. And the scenery is spectacular
David H.ScoutSequoia RV Park
Unscheduled stop
We had a long and fantastic day in sequoia national park and were really tired! Just wanted to stop in the end and finish off with a lovely evening and some sleep. Despite being full, the hosts were really kind and accommodating and said they try to keep a few pitches spare for unplanned overnighters like us. Really great welcome and service. Great hot showers too! 😀
- bbrigitteTraveler
Sequoia RV Park
Just great
We had a great time. We were very welcome.
Guide to Three Rivers
Horse camping in California offers a unique way to explore the state's stunning landscapes while enjoying the company of your equine friends. With a variety of campgrounds catering to horse enthusiasts, you can find the perfect spot to set up camp and ride the trails.
Equestrian campgrounds include essential amenities
- Horseshoe Meadow Campground features spacious sites with picnic tables and bear boxes, making it a great base for hiking and horseback riding.
- Horse Creek Campground allows pets and offers water hookups, ensuring a comfortable stay for both you and your horse.
- Horse Camp Campground is designed for equestrian use, providing a peaceful environment surrounded by nature.
Equestrian campers like these nearby activities
- At Horse Creek, you can enjoy scenic views and access to hiking trails that are perfect for horseback riding.
- Inyo National Forest Cottonwood Lakes Trailhead Campground serves as a great starting point for hikes to Mt. Langley, offering breathtaking views along the way.
- Lone Pine provides access to trails with stunning vistas of Mt. Whitney, making it an ideal spot for adventurous riders.
Most campgrounds have horse-focused amenities like water access
- Sequoia RV Park offers electric hookups and drinking water, ensuring your horse has everything it needs during your stay.
- Frog Meadow Campground features picnic tables and toilets, making it a convenient choice for horse campers looking for basic amenities.
- Western Big Meadow Road Camping Area is big rig friendly and allows fires, providing a comfortable camping experience for horse owners.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Three Rivers, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Three Rivers, CA is Horse Creek Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 10 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Three Rivers, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 17 equestrian camping locations near Three Rivers, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.