Looking for a rustic and comfortable horse camping experience near Vernalis? Equestrian camping is the best way to experience nature. These scenic and easy-to-reach Vernalis campsites are perfect for equestrian campers.
Del Valle campgrounds will be closed until further notice, due to storm damage.
Deep in a valley framed by oak-covered hills, with sailboats and sailboards skimming over its waters, Del Valle is like a lakeside resort only 10 miles south of Livermore.
The centerpiece of the park is a lake five miles long with a variety of water-oriented recreation, from swimming to windsurfing and boating, surrounded by 4,395 acres of beautiful land for hiking, horseback riding, and nature study. Del Valle also is the eastern gateway to the Ohlone Wilderness Trail, 28 miles of scenic back-country trail.
Family Campground: The Del Valle Family Campground has 150 sites (two accessible), 21 of them with water and sewage, and electrical hook-ups (120 volt, 50 and 30 amp). The sites are served by centrally located toilets and shower facilities.
Group camps: There are several group campsites for groups of 11 people or more.
Equestrian camps: The Little Chaparral horse camp area has 4 small paddocks. The reservation of one paddock includes space for 1-2 horses, 4 people maximum, and parking for one trailer and rig only. Equestrian groups should reserve the Caballo Loco equestrian group camp as Little Chaparral is not designed for group use. Please note that horses are not allowed in developed areas of the park.
Coe Ranch Campground
$20 / night
$34 / night
Modesto Reservoir Regional Park is located at 18143 Reservoir Rd., a few miles from the town of Waterford, just off Highway 132. It offers over 3,200 acres of land and 2,800 acres of reservoir for recreation and camping.
$40 - $60 / night
Hikers and equestrians have access to an extensive 51 mile trail system. Mountain bikes are permitted on over 75% of the park's trails as designated. The diverse trail system at the park makes this a popular place to stage large-scale organized trail events such as equestrian endurance rides, mountain bike events and foot races. Dogs are also allowed on the trails, picnic areas, and campgrounds as long as they are on a 6 ft. leash.
Shaded picnic areas are available on a first-come first-served basis. Campers can choose from almost forty (40) reservable family campsites. Hot showers are available with paid campsite use. Group picnic and youth camping areas are available by reservation. One large lake and several smaller ponds are accessible for warm water fishing. Fires are permitted in designated fire rings only. Do not gather wood. Extinguish fires when unattended. When posted "NO FIRES", only campstoves or gas grills are permitted. For further questions please call the park office: (408) 274-6121.
$15 - $400 / night
Guide
Nice bathrooms no tokens needed, hot water, clean sink for dishes. Lotsa shaded oak spaces. Good trails.
Ranger
I had a big spot and no neighbors my entire half of the campground on a Monday night in June. I was under 2 big oaks that were buzzing with bird activity.
The bathrooms were clean and I had water on my site. I had some AT&T service.
Ranger
I had a very different take on this place than the others. The RV spot was a fair distance from the neighboring spots, it was low-density, quite, all good qualities, but there was very little see or do near the loop. There were no hikes suitable for young kids as far as I could tell. There was a little store for ice cream and camping supplies and dump station on the loop. HOWEVER, WARNING: the road around the campground looks wide but there are boulders every 10 feet or so making it insanely hard to back into our spot - and we had only a 22ft trailer! I can't see myself coming back here. The maps do accurately depict the relatively narrow space you have for back in spots. Once we were in, it was fine. The pedestal and sewer set-up was just fine. No issues there. It's just not worth the hassle.
As for the park/water part of the park, well, it was covered in garbage from the day-trippers. It was packed and only accessible by driving to it. Truly not a place I wanted to BBQ or picnic at. Cars, people, dogs, loud music, and garbage. A gross diaper on the shore. We took a very nice hike starting at the dog run. That was beautiful, but not worth the trip.
I didn't bother to photograph our site. There were all adequate, just avoid back in site here. There are so many better places to visit. I checked this off the list, no reason to return. I don't believe there was reception either from the campsite.
Last thing, we peaked in on the cabins in our loop. They looks very nice and maintained.
ScoutGreat lake and fishy, clean sites, bathrooms are great. All around awesome camping
ScoutOne of my favorite campgrounds as it’s very local and has beautiful scenery. I come here atleast once a month for some camping!
Scout
A good RV park @ fairground with lot of RVs $42 for 30-AMP though we don’t need it. Good Wifi & clean toilet/shower Friendly staff
Guide
Nice place lil shade open and close to water
Guide
Stopped on a road trip passing through, was able to get a nice spot. No one else was in the campground, so it was definitely quiet. Bathrooms and showers were available. Camp host was friendly. They also sell ice which was nice to grab for the cooler. Nice stay, saw a lot of bunnies and a bobcat on the way out.
Guide
We were there for 1 night. The view at campsite 57 is gorgeous! However, be prepared for the heat. It can reach up to 110F in summer. It is toasting even with shade. Restroom and showers need maintenance.
Scout
site #8 should NOT be a site. It is situated just feet from the holding tanks for the vault toilets. Somebody did not think through this site. Breathe in the fresh scent of raw sewage as you attempt to enjoy food being swarmed by all the flies in camp that had previously been sitting on said sewage. Drift off to dreamland as your tent is filled with and subsequently sharpens your awareness of the state of the bathrooms.
Seriously, this was bad. This is a review that came at the end of a 5 week camping trip where we stayed in 9 different campgrounds. We are lifelong campers. I have NEVER left a bad review of a campground. This was bad. Again, almost every site in this campground is great and has lots of privacy. Site #08 is a mistake and should be used for additional parking at most.
TravelerI was able to enjoy the view of lake and mountains inside the tent. Wild pigs appeared at night. It was our first camping trip and we had a great time! No internet and no electricity. Restroom was clean.
TravelerStayed here in March. Camp ground was mostly empty. Showers were locked. $35 a night. There’s an electronic kiosk to pay. Intermittent signal with ATT. 20 min drive into town with lots of amenities.
Scout
Nice place quiet lots of places for big RVs pull through spots and back in spots they have spots for family reunions have showers store boat ramp nice place to camp North Shore is not for RVs it's for tent camping the South Shore has hookups 30 50 amp service full hookups all around a good place good people quiet time is 9:00 p.m. till 7:00 a.m. I believe doesn't mean you can't be up just no loud music no carrying on to disturb the other people lake is almost full
ScoutTypical evening park. Everyone on top of one another. Good electricity and decent wifi.
Traveler
This was our first time here. It was quiet and the sites were clean. There is no shower and only a couple outhouses so it’s definitely only if you want to use your camper/rv bathroom. The hookups worked good but the sewer hookup is elevated so you will probably want sewer hose supports to lift your hose. There is a fishing pond directly next to the campground and access to the lake just a few minutes away.
GuidePerfect stop before dropping off rental RV in SF and clean, top up propane etc.
ScoutGreat location and full hook ups. Open year round, planning on coming back during the Winter!
Ranger
We have been there three times, twice for day trips when our kids were camping there and one time where our son's and daughter's family and us were camping there for three days weekend. Full hookups were use and enjoyed by all each time. On the T-Island sites you right on the water. Which is were we go. Both our kids family have Kayaks so that makes getting on the water great. Nice bathroom.
TravelerGreat place for a quick getaway with some friends or family. Enjoyed walking around and taking in the views. Saw some deer, rabbits, and hummingbirds. Enjoyed hanging out by the lake.
Staff is very friendly. Bathrooms were clean.
Scout
We starter visiting Modesto Resivor in the sixties. My father would hail all of our gear out to one of the many islands, and let the kids and dogs run free. Now that we are older, we camp on the shore line. Rustic tent camping near the water-skiing course is my favorite. Quite nights and darker stargazing. Blonde Beach is where your likely to find us Jetskiing.
TravelerThe Fairview RV Park is a great Bay Area location easy to find right off hwy 680, in the Alameda county fairgrounds. The staff are all pleasant to work with and the park and facilities are clean. I will always go back when in that area.
ScoutBeautiful view of the preserve with wild pigs off in the brush and the call of turkeys in the a.m. a nice refresh from the city.
TravelerWe hit Del Valle throughout the year, it's really close for us, but makes you feel like you're out in the cuts. Pretty much ZERO cell service, which is a good thing, helps you to disconnect. The lake is enjoyable, just wish the water level would rise.
ScoutHad an amazing overnight stay! Since it was a Sunday night hardly anyone on T Island. Rangers were so helpful!
RangerThey offer senior and military discounts. Both tent and RV full hookups around a lake. The only real problem is there are a few months during the year that they restrict the human contact with the lake water due to all the waterfowl poop in water. Many Geese that use their winter homes.
TravelerIt was a nice campground to go to. Lots of wildlife and hiking. Dogs are allowed. The lake is closed to any and all water-craft because the water level is too low. It is very clean and well maintained for the most part. Cell phone service for Xfinity/Verizon is spotty at best. There is weak wifi.
However, here's where it loses a star:
I arrived on a Friday late afternoon. Set up my tent. People were fairly loud until about 11pm. Bathrooms were really nice and clean…at first. Saturday, in came the crowd. Loud, obnoxious, and inconsiderate way past midnight. There was no reinforcement of quiet hours past 10pm. The toilets were clogged by 9pm at both restrooms. Men's restrooms have ONLY ONE STALL. And they were clogged beyond belief. I cannot understand why people do not know how to flush a toilet in public. Do they do this crap at home? Anyway, Sunday morning past 9am, still clogged up. Lines waiting to use the compromised restrooms as well. Ridiculous. Unfortunately, that's what ruined my experience. People just being completely selfish in a public campground and staff not be able to keep up with their antics. Maybe there shouldn't be so many sites for so few facilities. Just a thought.
For SUV tents, check out campsite pics on other sites before booking. SUV tents are usually limited to one entrance/exit point on the tent. Usually the driver's side. Each campsite is different. The one I reserved had only one pic that basically showed me nothing. I only could back in to set up my tent on the grass. Both the picnic table and firepit were facing the passenger side way far from the parking spot (as you can see in the second pic) opposite the entrance to my tent. So something to consider.
TravelerWe camp here with our travel trailer at the start of each season, to check out all our systems. If you are visiting and want to go to San Francisco, I think this is one of the closest RV parks to the city.
Sites are grassy, some with trees, and pretty close together.
If the Alameda Fairgrounds are having an event, you can't beat this location, it's on the property.
Horse camping in California offers a unique way to explore the great outdoors while enjoying the company of your equine friends. With a variety of campgrounds catering to horse enthusiasts, you can find the perfect spot to saddle up and enjoy nature.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Vernalis, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Vernalis, CA is Del Valle Regional Park with a 4.1-star rating from 17 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Vernalis, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 18 equestrian camping locations near Vernalis, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
