Equestrian camping near Wawona, California sits at approximately 4,000 feet elevation in the southern portion of Yosemite National Park. The mixed conifer forest includes ponderosa pine, incense cedar, and black oak trees. During summer months, daytime temperatures typically reach 85-90°F while dropping to 50-55°F at night, creating significant temperature swings that campers should prepare for with appropriate layered clothing.
What to do
Horseback riding on local trails: Goat Meadow offers accessible terrain for riders bringing their own horses. "I've camped at Goat Meadow twice- once in 2022 and more recently in March of 2025. Both times were fantastic... Coyotes and bears are active in the area- coyotes raided a bag I had hanging from a tree and stole my food!" notes Alexander at Goat Meadow Dispersed Camp Site.
Fishing in nearby creeks: The waterways around camp areas provide fishing opportunities in season. Kevin T. describes the experience at Goat Meadow: "Quite a large level area, though it was November and not peak season so there were loads of space. We pulled in and there were a couple of trailers with horses and a couple of other vehicles and we parked with loads of space between."
Sunrise viewpoints: Drive to Glacier Point for exceptional early morning views. Buck R. recommends from Bridalveil Creek Campground: "Get up early and go to Glacier Point for the sunrise overlooking Half Dome, then head back towards camp but stop at Sentinel Dome parking. It's only 2.5 miles round trip to Sentinel Dome and the view is stunning."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many horse camping areas offer more separation between campsites than standard campgrounds. Benjamin C. notes about Bridalveil Creek: "decent space, decent privacy, a bit more wooded than other campground in the park, some shaded sites."
Proximity to Yosemite entrances: The convenience of camping near park access points saves significant driving time. Clément D. from Goat Meadow describes it as a "Great spot near Yosemite south entrance. Very quiet and private."
Easy access to water sources: Many sites feature creek access. Katelin M. notes at Goat Meadow: "Close to Yosemite entrance, which was great. Stayed about a week which also crossed over Memorial Day weekend. Arrived the Tuesday before. This place gets CROWDED. At 5:30 it's like everyone got off work and headed home, it's nuts."
What you should know
Variable road conditions: Access roads to horse camping areas can be challenging. Paige from Goat Meadow reports: "The road getting there has tons of potholes and the road in the site is super super bumpy."
Wildlife precautions: Bear-resistant food storage is essential for all equestrian campers. At North Pines Campground, R.D. warns: "Bear activity is high at this campground, and there is usually a poster at the kiosk relaying recent breakins."
Seasonal considerations: Winter conditions significantly impact access to horse camps. Conrad G. describes his experience at Summit Camp: "Need a 4x4 to get to the campground and it took us about 45min up the mountain to find the place but it was perfect once we got there."
Tips for camping with families
Beginner-friendly trails: Several areas offer less challenging terrain for young riders. Jonathan from Goat Meadow notes: "This site had loads of space. When we camped 1 car 2 tents on 4/11/25 there were a number of other people and plenty of spots to check out. The area felt safe and easy to access."
Campfire preparation: Fire restrictions vary seasonally throughout the area. Fred H. at Sweetwater Campground shares: "We stayed one night for $24. The managers were very kind, accessible, and knowledgeable. The pit toilet facilities were clean. There was easily accessible water for cooking, drinking, etc."
Shade availability: Summer heat makes tree cover important. Ty P. from Goat Meadow observes: "Plenty of space for all vehicle sizes. Roads are very accessible. Nice and wooded."
Tips from RVers
Site selection for larger rigs: Not all horse camps accommodate large trailers. Rebecca L. from Granite Creek Campground advises: "Granite Creek Campground is primitive. There are pit toilets, but they are located only on the upper loop, so the sites in the lower loop are quite far away, so be prepared to dig a hole."
Generator restrictions: Operating hours for generators vary by location. R.D. explains at North Pines: "North Pines and Upper Pines accommodate most of the RVs in the park, and even though there are rules around generator hours, people tend to break these rules when they get hot or cold."
Trailer parking configurations: Setup orientation matters for comfort. Elliott B. notes about Bridalveil Creek: "Good space for tents and you're semi secluded from other campers and not as many RVs/Trailers as some of the other campgrounds. Decent access to drinking water and each site has tables and fire rings, no RV hookups."
