L
Lani B.
Guide
GuideGoat Meadow - Dispersed Camp Site
Loads of space! Not many people here in October. Park lot had two trailers and the trail to the right is wide open with numerous pullouts. Lots of great trails around for the dogs.
Equestrian Camping near Wawona, CA
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Wawona Horse Campsites in Yosemite National Park provides primitive horse camping sites near the southern entrance of the park. These reservable equestrian campsites accommodate riders with horses but lack standard amenities, with no drinking water, electrical hookups, or toilets available. Fires are permitted at designated sites, though campers must bring their own firewood and supplies. The campground allows pets alongside horses, making it suitable for visitors traveling with multiple animals. Located at 37.539277 latitude and -119.653589 longitude, these sites offer access to the park's extensive trail network. The campground's basic layout prioritizes function over comfort, offering space for horse trailers without developed facilities.
Bridalveil Creek Campground in Yosemite National Park offers another equestrian option with more developed facilities. Located at 37.6622222 latitude and -119.6197222 longitude, this campground features drinking water and toilets, making it more suitable for longer stays with horses. Trash disposal is available, though the campground does not offer horse corrals or specialized equine facilities. Campers traveling with horses must supply their own containment systems. The trail system connects to Yosemite's broader network, providing access to diverse terrain and scenic viewpoints. Advance reservations are strongly recommended, especially during peak season when equestrian sites fill quickly. The campground's location provides convenient access to multiple riding trails while maintaining proximity to park attractions.
Best Equestrian Campgrounds near Wawona (28)
1. Goat Meadow - Dispersed Camp Site
"Excellent spot 7 min from the Yosemite South Wawona Entrance. Im staying at a dispersed camping spot in late July and there is level, paved parking with tent camping spots."
"After accidentally driving to this location following the directions of another reviewer for the “Yosemite Boondocks” campground across 41 (which we never found) we were very happy with this location."
2. North Pines Campground — Yosemite National Park
"Great location right in the middle of Yosemite Valley. Great access to beautiful hikes and scenery. The camp sites are spacious."
"There is a shuttle stop right outside the campground. You are also in easy walking distance to the path to Mirror Lake and the ever popular Mist Trail."
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $48 / night
3. Bridalveil Creek Campground — Yosemite National Park
"Decent access to drinking water and each site has tables and fire rings, no RV hookups (another reason you have more "campers" and it's less noisy at night)."
"Your best bet is to visit the valley and camp outside the Park or in locations outside the valley. The granite cliffs and waterfalls are something to treasure."
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $36 - $75 / night
4. Big Sandy Campground
"Off-road on the way to the camp site. We stayed at #4, with a good shade and it’s by the creek. Everything is good only it’s too dusty when other cars pass by without slowing down."
"Has a creek through the middle next to pretty much all sites. The stars at night are incredible. It’s about a 40 minute drive from Yosemite."
5. Yosemite Valley Backpacker's Campground — Yosemite National Park
"For people with mobility issues, this site is a good walk away from the inner valley trails, fine for anyone else who is up for walking distances, because that is why you came to Yosemite!"
"Beautiful campground, unfortunately right next to the trail, but very spacious and also has bathrooms and picnic tables right there!"
6. Sierra National Forest Summit Camp Campground
7. Sweetwater
"The site is pet friendly and has horse stables. Our neighbors were friendly and quiet. The site had a picnic table, fire pit, water spout and full electricity hook ups."
"Driving from the West toward Yosemite this location is one which will allow you to find a camping option before getting into the big crowds. "
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $41 - $43 / night
8. Wawona Horse Campsites — Yosemite National Park
Check Availabilityfrom $50 / night
9. Granite Creek Campground
"If you wanna get away and camp next to a river and down a trail and shoot your gun or go fishing you can freedom you can horseback ride if you have horses he can fish there are fish there trout it's beautiful"
"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."
10. Silver Lake Campground at June Lake
"Although this campground is located in the midst of so much dramatic beauty, few campgrounds capture that beauty like this one."
"Each site was spacious and far enough away from your neighbors to have privacy. Some sites had natural brush coverage, some sites more open."
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $32 - $64 / night
Drive Time
- 1 hr 13 min from Fresno, CA
- 1 hr 38 min from Merced, CA
- 1 hr 51 min from Hanford, CA
- 2 hrs 12 min from Modesto, CA
Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near Wawona, CA
2 Photos of 28 Wawona Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Equestrian Camping Reviews near Wawona, CA
220 Reviews of 28 Wawona Campgrounds
Rav H.GuideGoat Meadow - Dispersed Camp Site
This is actually a really nice free dispersed camping site. Once you get to the Goat Meadows sign if you go left you will find a large parking lot with bathrooms. There were probably ten rigs or so jst camping up on the parking lot. If you go right down the hill you will find multiple dispersed camping sites. They are a little obscure, but some have nice fire rings that let you know it’s a site. They are very well spaced so even when you have neighbors you will hardly see or hear them. At the top of the hill where you go left or right was a camp host looking site but not sure if it is actually, but there was a camper there with a bumper pull trailer who uses a very loud shop type cheap generator that you can literally hear all over the area. Luckily, he turned it off about 10pm but started it up around 8am. If it weren’t for him probably would have given this site five stars. Also, T-Mobile and ATT both had zero cell service our phones were both on SOS but that really wasn’t a problem for us.
Nick B.GuideGoat Meadow - Dispersed Camp Site
Great dispersed spot
We came here in October and had no issues finding a spot. We stayed in the parking lot but there are also more remote spots if you continue to the right that are suitable for vans, truck campers, and tents. This area is only minutes from the west entrance to Yosemite and Mariposa Grove and 40 minutes from the valley. The parking lot is big-rig friendly but could fill up quick during the summer. There are on-site vault toilets and dumpsters.
Samantha M.GuideTwin Lakes Campground
One of my faves
Clean and spacious. Water was just a short walk away. Amazing views all around the campground. Restrooms were always clean.
Zack P.
ScoutTwin Lakes Campground
Beautiful Campsite
I had a huge campsite site-one camping spot over from the lakeside. the whole back of the site open to forest-46a (this is a prime cluster of sites). Close to what are probably the cleanest, best maintained bathrooms in the park system (cleaned twice daily). The Mamouth lakes area is not for campers seeking solitude, it's just too popular an area for that. However, despite a lot of people around, it is beautiful and stunning area nevertheless!
There is one thing to note-don't forget to bring clothes to layer up with as it can turn cold and windy without a moment's notice. In fact, because of a relentless, daily wind, it was the only camping spot I felt compelled to fully stake down my large Wonderland Tent. all summer...
Another highlight of Mamouth is there are plenty of fish at nearby lakes-this area is considered one of the best regions in USA for trophy trout. The Lakes are also stocked with plenty of good-sized trout for eating; however, Twin Lakes is not the best lake for shore fishing-you need a boat or float to get to the best spots-plus, it is a very weedy as well.
Besides GREAT FISHING, you are nearby to a dozen FANTASTIC day hikes and there are many more great hikes for a bit longer drive- this is a day-hikers paradise!
If the lack of solitude doesn't bother you (find it by hiking), it is also nice camping area for extended stays because you are so close to the town of Mammoth Lakes-it has good restaurants, bakeries, ice cream, and a Vons supermarket (best price on ice here),
All in All, it was a great place to pitch my REI Wonderland Tent for a week and I highly recommend it.
- LLeonard H.
RangerTwin Lakes Campground
Near Paved Bike / Hike Trail
Stayed at shaded site 4 next to main road between main lodge and store. Site was a little sloped for 24' RV. Clean flush toilets with sinks. Easy walk to store and main lodge. Paved bike/walking trail a big plus. Showers were closed at store. Water available. A little windy and chilly on lake but site protected under trees. Free shuttle stops nearby if want to visit town or upper lakes.
Hans V.RangerGoat Meadow - Dispersed Camp Site
Close to Yosemite
Many spots on a very dusty and bumpy patch of forest just taking a right before the snowplay area. Many other boondockers, including one with a generator. Our spot had previously been used by horses evidenced by the pile of dung next to a tree. Smelled a bit funny. But as it is free, shouldn't complain of course - perfectly fine as a stop before or after Yosemite.
Ashlyn H.GuideScenic Loop Dispersed Camping - Eastside
Lots of Spots! 2WD accessible
So many spots! The road just keeps going back! Lots are pretty far off the road, so very quiet and dark.
- Hans V.Ranger
Twin Lakes Campground
Wooded, nice, and free shuttle!
Nice in the woods, closed to small twin lakes that have rowing boat rental. Clean restrooms. Quite well spaced but 2-in-1 pads. No showers (normally there is one at the shop, but closed). Free shuttle up/down the mountain is a big plus.
Guide to Wawona
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."
Frequently Asked Questions
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campsite near Wawona, CA?
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Wawona, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Wawona, CA is Goat Meadow - Dispersed Camp Site with a 4.5-star rating from 58 reviews.
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equestrian camping near
Wawona, CA?
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Wawona, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 28 equestrian camping locations near Wawona, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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