Joshcfi 
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GuideFallen Leaf Campground - South Lake Tahoe
Nice place if you can get a reservation
Super popular spot. A little tight if you have a larger trailer or motorhome. Plenty of trees for shade.
Equestrian Camping near Washington, CA
3 campgrounds with availability this weekend
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Dru Barner Campground in Georgetown accommodates both horses and riders throughout the year with horse-friendly features and direct trail access. Marked equestrian campsites have adequate space for truck and trailer parking near individual sites. The campground includes picnic tables, toilets, drinking water, and accommodates both tent and RV camping with water hookups available. Must visit for horse lovers with access to miles of scenic riding trails through the Eldorado National Forest. The nearby Otter Creek Trail offers a good day ride option with some elevation changes as you descend to the creek. Campground roads are well-maintained and sites are generally level for easy trailer positioning.
The equestrian trails connect to extensive networks throughout the surrounding national forest lands, providing multiple riding routes suitable for day trips. Riders can access various terrain from gentle meadow rides to more challenging forest paths with stream crossings. Wild turkeys, deer, and birds are frequently spotted along the trails, enhancing the riding experience. Winter months typically offer quieter camping conditions with fewer visitors. Horse owners should note that ants can become an issue during warmer months if feed is left unsecured. Georgetown is a short drive away for supplies or classic American diner breakfasts before heading out on the trails. Midweek reservations often result in a more secluded experience, particularly during off-peak seasons when fewer campers visit the area.
Best Equestrian Campgrounds near Washington (39)
1. Skillman Horse Camp
"This is quintessential California no frills forest camping under trees that are so tall they muffle all sound, where the dirt is so infused with pine needles that it smells like incense. "
2. East Meadow Campground
"Bugs were minimal, a far cry from about 3 weeks ago at a nearby site. We were in Site 16, which has the ‘camp’ side opposite of our camper door - only reason we gave 4 stars & not 5."
"So remote and private but everything you need at the campground with water access within walking distance. Sites are great with picnic tables and bathrooms near by."
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $24 - $48 / night
3. Mumford Bar Trail Campground
"This is a great small campground with walking access to the Mumford Bar Trail hike down to the American River. One vault toilet. No water spigot. Pack it in, PACK IT OUT."
4. Skillman
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $18 - $36 / night
5. Dru Barner Campground — Eldorado National Forest
"The good part is this is a beautiful place in the trees to camp with nearby hiking,. And it's equestrian friendly if you want to bring your horse. The Verizon connection was strong."
"Close to Georgetown and to the El Dorado National Forest. Super clean and easy to get to. Signs off 193 are well marked! The have horse corrals too if you’re into that. Highly recommend!"
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $3 - $8 / night
6. Loon Lake
"These two sites are right on the road next to the toilets and trash bins. Some smells and lots of noises and foot traffic, some 4x4 traffic as well."
"Just returned from a weekend getaway to Loon Lake. We (2 people, 1 pup) stayed two nights at site #25 at Loon Lake Campground. Perfect location for daytime fishing and nighttime stargazing."
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $30 - $160 / night
7. Sly Creek Campground
"Great walking trails group sites are great love it"
"With pristine wilderness surrounding your tent, you can camp alongside the beautiful reservoir."
Check Availabilityfrom $20 / night
8. Ruck-A-Chucky Campground — Auburn State Recreation Area
"Our site was next to the raft launch/pickup, so there were a couple of groups picked up during the day. Bathrooms were average and the site was maintained well."
"Small cars made it down ther without difficulty)
Once at the camp ground, right on the waters edge, grab up the 3rd site on the right. It is literally on the edge of the river."
9. Peter Grubb Hut
"Fun historical place a nice hike away from Castle Peak and far enough away that you don’t get the crowds. Kitchen, firewood, fireplace, and a bunch of bunks"
10. Fallen Leaf Campground - South Lake Tahoe
"The campground itself is beautiful, walking distance to Fallen Leaf Lake and short drive to South Lake Tahoe. My husband, my pup and I liked the campsite a lot."
"From the East you’ll pass thru all of that, past the Camp Richardson and finally turn away from Lake Tahoe into Fallen Leaf Campground."
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $47 - $128 / night
Drive Time
- 1 hr 10 min from Yuba City, CA
- 1 hr 16 min from Reno, NV
- 1 hr 47 min from Carson City, NV
Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near Washington, CA
8 Photos of 39 Washington Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Equestrian Camping Reviews near Washington, CA
214 Reviews of 39 Washington Campgrounds
- AAlice H.
ScoutBeals Point Campground — Folsom Lake State Recreation Area
Easy Access Camping
Easy to find campsite, we arrived after hours on a Monday so drove around to find a spot and then paid using the collection box and envelopes, we couldn't get the QR code to work. Phone reception here is good. There is a constant hum of traffic but it is not loud and it is quiet around camp. Toilets and showers are clean and well stocked with toilet paper. We didn't stay long but saw some wildlife, coyote and squirrels mostly. A little bit of rubbish around from campers but overall very tidy. The sites are flat pull-in or reverse-in style, there are also some campsites marked with wheel chair access.
- TTim S.Scout
Fallen Leaf Campground - South Lake Tahoe
Beautiful cared for campground
It’s hard to get a reservation, but it’s worth it if you can. Beautiful sites, decent showers, lovely staff. Recommend!
- bberlyn C.Scout
Fallen Leaf Campground - South Lake Tahoe
EAT OUT
Was not aware lake tahoe was surrounded with all kinds of shops in the area we were staying in, extremely friendly people and so were the bears! Our first night a bear came right for our campsite as we were about to cook and took our eggs out of our cooler then invited its other fuzzy friend over. It was hard to cook our food as they were targeting our campsite so we went out to eat instead. The bears walked about the campsite for 6 hours probably but besides that bathroom was clean and so was the shower i felt really safe with other campsites close to me
Lee D.
LegendBeals Point Campground — Folsom Lake State Recreation Area
Lake fun near Sacramento
General: Beals Point is one of two locations on Folsom Lake for camping. Large campground with a mix of electric and non-electric campsites plus some group sites.
Site Quality: Drives are paved and mostly level. We camped in a little “cul-de-sac” with just four sites. While these sites back up to the American River Bike Trail (aka Jedediah Smith Recreation Trail), it was overgrown, and I did not see direct access to the trail as we did the last time we were here.
Bath/Shower: Typical CA state park layout– all-gender units with toilet and sink (but no soap, towels, or dryers) and showers. Unlike other CA state parks, these take quarters instead of tokens. The units could use a little TLC, but what was most disheartening was how other campers had trashed them– toilet paper (and worse) scattered all over the insides. Obviously not the fault of the campground.
Activities/Amenities: Folsom Lake is the draw, and people were fishing, kayaking, and swimming. The 32-mile paved multi-use American River Bike Trail is easily accessible. There is a snack bar/concession stand for beach rentals, but it was not open when we were there.
Our stay here this time was over a weekend; it was completely full, and it reminded us once again that we prefer to camp during the week and shoulder seasons when campgrounds are less crowded!
- AAdriana A.Guide
North Canyon Campground — Spooner Lake State Park
This area is walk in only
Ranger explained you can't drive your vehicle to the campground
- HHolly C.
TravelerGhost Mountain RV Campground
Ghost mountain is a perfect family place
Our family loved it here. Great staff. The poo was clean and heated. They had volleyball, karaoke, clean bathrooms and open showers.
There is even a cute pond to fish out of.
Theirs an old town that has two stores open. One is ice cream and the other is breakfast and lunch. Everything is affordable. - DDeannScout
Fallen Leaf Campground - South Lake Tahoe
Management
Daughter parked in empty site over night. At 9:30 three (pounding in our trailer)people yelling at us for parking that spot. The three people came into our camp yelling insisting we were not following rules. We told them we were happy to follow rules and moved car. They called the sheriff giving us two hours to leave. The host continued to lie about her conversation that night at 11 pm in the rain about leaving the car overnight due to it being late and unreserved.. She reported we would be cited but no mention immediate reason to kick us out(the campground is nearly empty due to weather rain/snow)The manager had no self control threatening and escalating the situation all over a parked vehicle. Diann the manager is threatening on a power trip with there was no issue but us moving a vehicle out of an unreserved spot. The camp ground in managed by people who threaten rather than ask you to do something different. As well if a bear comes into your site they come charging in at 11 pm charging you for leaving food out when there is none. Stay at Camp Richardson or State Park as the harassment here has sadly destroyed the family orientation.
John L.GuideAscension Ranch
Eagles Nest 🦅
We booked the Eagles Nest campsite, and the views were awesome! We stayed two nights and had a good time. There are two spots down below the main road that are accessible but recommend at minimum AWD, especially if visiting during the rainy season. The host was very helpful got us a case of water and even had fresh eggs that we bought. 👍🏼
Guide to Washington
Dru Barner Campground offers extensive equestrian facilities for riders in the Eldorado National Forest. The campground sits at approximately 3,200 feet elevation and experiences mild spring and fall temperatures with hotter summer conditions. Water access can be intermittent depending on seasonal conditions, with some campers noting water quality issues requiring visitors to bring their own supply.
What to do
Trail riding beyond the campground: The surrounding forest offers extensive riding options beyond those mentioned in camp literature. At Loon Lake, "the hiking trail was right behind my site, and I took full advantage of it, wandering through the backcountry" as one camper noted.
Fishing opportunities: Several creeks and lakes within short driving distance provide fishing options. At East Meadow Campground, "beautiful campgrounds with access to sandy beaches from your tenting spots, access to the Pacific crest trail & many other hiking routes."
Wildlife viewing: The forest hosts diverse wildlife beyond the usual deer and turkeys. "Lots of wild turkeys, deer, and birds" are commonly spotted in the area according to visitors, making wildlife photography a popular activity.
What campers like
Well-maintained forest trails: The network of trails connecting to Dru Barner receives regular maintenance. At Fallen Leaf Campground, riders appreciate that "Nicely spaced and maintained campground surrounded by wilderness and beaches."
Quieter weekday options: Many experienced visitors recommend midweek stays. "Midweek and off season we had the place to ourselves 3 days," one visitor noted about their experience at the campground.
Creek access for cooling off: Several small streams provide refreshing spots during hot summer days. At Ruck-A-Chucky Campground, "Soak up some sun and enjoy the cool snow melt waters" is a common activity for visitors during warmer months.
What you should know
Water supply limitations: Recent reports indicate water challenges. "Bring water as there is none available due to poor quality," warns a recent visitor to the area, making this an essential item to pack.
Variable weather conditions: The elevation means weather can change quickly, especially in shoulder seasons. "Even in the summer it can snow...BE WEATHER AWARE," cautions a camper at Fallen Leaf Campground.
Insect management: Beyond just ants mentioned in other sources, wasps can be an issue during certain periods. "It was great besides the bugs and all the wasps," noted one camper, suggesting bringing appropriate repellents.
Tips for camping with families
Bear awareness: The area has active bear populations requiring proper food storage. "You really need to pay attention to your food. Bears are not just possible here, they are likely," states a visitor to nearby camps.
Georgetown supply runs: The nearby town offers essential services. "Close to Georgetown and to the El Dorado National Forest. Super clean and easy to get to. Signs off 193 are well marked!" reports a winter visitor to Dru Barner Campground.
Winter camping options: Unlike some horse campgrounds that close seasonally, this area remains accessible year-round. "Never been during peak (summer) but both times we have stayed here in winter and it was FANTASTIC!" shared an enthusiastic camper who discovered the area during the off-season.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian
campsite near Washington, CA?
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Washington, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Washington, CA is Skillman Horse Camp with a 5-star rating from 1 review.
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Washington, CA?
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Washington, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 39 equestrian camping locations near Washington, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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