3 MONTHS FREEPlan your Maryland trip with offline maps, RV Trip Planner, and the Free Camping Map.Try PRO
Try PRO free for 3 months
The Dyrt – find campgrounds for tents, RVs, cabins, glamping and more.
Get the app

Equestrian Camping near California, MD

1 campground with availability this weekend

Search destinations
    Add dates

    Cedarville State Forest provides equestrian camping opportunities near California, Maryland with several dedicated trails for horseback riding. While the campground does not feature horse corrals or dedicated equestrian campsites, visitors often bring horses to utilize the extensive trail system. The forest maintains a network of equestrian trails that wind through mature woodland, with some trails specifically marked for horse use. Camping accommodations include 27 sites suitable for tents and RVs, with electric hookups available at sites on the inner loop. Hikers and riders often encounter each other on the shared trails, as the equestrian paths integrate with the forest's broader trail system. The campground remains open from April through October, with sites featuring picnic tables, fire rings, and access to restrooms with showers.

    The horse trails at Cedarville State Forest connect to a broader network of paths, allowing for extended riding opportunities. Visitors report seeing wildlife including deer, rabbits, and turtles along the equestrian routes. While camping with horses, riders should be aware of potential tick exposure, as multiple visitors note significant tick presence throughout the forest area. The trails offer varied terrain suitable for different riding abilities, though seasonal conditions may affect accessibility after rainfall. Pohick Bay Regional Park, located approximately 30 miles away in Virginia, offers additional camping options but does not specifically cater to equestrian use. Both locations provide reasonable proximity to Washington DC, making them convenient options for horse owners seeking weekend trail riding opportunities while remaining close to urban amenities. Trail maps are available at the ranger station, though the office may have limited hours during certain seasons.

    Best Equestrian Campgrounds near California (2)

    Filters    Tent onlyRVCabinGlampingPetsEquestrian

      1. Cedarville State Forest

      3.8(17)31mi from CaliforniaRVs, Tents

      "We picked up the camping registration outside the office at the entrance, no need to speak with anyone. Then we just drove down to our campsite in the family camping loop."

      "There are some abandon camp loops around the open campground which makes for some cool walks with your dog. Very pretty area with lots of trails and overgrown roads to walk."

      from $30 / night

      Check Availability

      2. Pohick Bay Campground

      4.1(37)45mi from California150 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "We have been camping here for nearly 20 years. Each military tour brought us back to this area so Pohick became our second home. Our kids kayak now older but used to walk the trails as little kids."

      "We enjoyed sitting around the campfire at night and walking the dogs down to the water. We were right next to a hiking trail that went down to the water and a beach area."

      Available this weekend

      from $150 / night

      63 Sites Available
    View all 2 campgrounds

    2026 Explorer Giveaway

    Presented byLifeStraw

    Review campgrounds, win gear.

    Enter to Win

    California Contest

    Enter to Win

    Drive Time

    Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near California, MD

    1 Photos of 2 California Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers

    Equestrian Camping Reviews near California, MD

    54 Reviews of 2 California Campgrounds

    • Trees F.The Dyrt Pro User
      Jul. 16, 2024

      Pohick Bay Campground

      Excellent spot

      We loved staying at Pohick. We were here to visit DC and it was an excellent spot to stay. It was extremely hot as it was July but the sites had a lot of shade. Site 46 where we stayed was close to the bathrooms and nice and flat. The bathrooms were cleaner than any other campground we have stayed in and they have laundry and a nice stainless sink and counter for washing dishes if needed. About a 40 minute drive into DC and definitely worth it. Also, campers get a discount at the water park which was a very reasonable 5 dollars per person. The weekend tends to be a bit louder but during the week was very quiet.

    • A
      May. 29, 2024

      Pohick Bay Campground

      Good trip

      We have been camping here for nearly 20 years. Each military tour brought us back to this area so Pohick became our second home. Our kids kayak now older but used to walk the trails as little kids. The waterpark is new and loud so we avoid but nice if you have young kids. Careful low bridge on Route 1 exit ramp little warning when taking ramp off I95. Go around to next exit. The check in at the cap store is crowded and narrow even with renovations but our 34 ft makes it okay. Bring bikes. Long bike trail along road. Farmers markets in Lorton and things to do in DC. Park at Huntington or Springfield metro. Short boat ride straight across from Ft Belvoir new family campground. Ice cream shop in season by water docks. Bathrooms clean always hot water three stalls each. Sink outside for dishes. Playground buts up against inner circle which are the only sewer sites. Others are electric water. Careful some near steep drop off. Stick to main road or inner circle or first circle if in big unit. Must go round circle to get to those spots which can be annoying. Two speed bumps. Camp store sells smores ingredients, limited candy, no eggs or bacon get those off Rte 1. Past entrance on Rte 1 is a Food Lion, McDonalds. Gas stations along Rte one are tight so fill up before exiting to campground. If you are desperate there is gas 7/11 at corner of Pohick and Rte 1 but its sketchy. Up the road off Rte 1 is Fort Belvoir Access w a drivers license however cant shop without military sponsored ID. Great bbq at Telegraph Rd and greek at Olympians family restaurant. Movie theater on Telegraph is nice. Springfield Mall close. Take Onville Rd which is a backroad by Pohick Church to shortcut to Rte 1. Pohick Rd past camping turn deadends into private neighborhood. Do not pass camp entrance. Hard to turn around if you do. Near End of Pohick is a small walk with overlook. See birds at point. Drive a car not RV. Park at lot on right before road split deadend. Gunston Hall on left can see from campground and water. Tours are nice.

    • Jim L.
      Nov. 13, 2023

      Pohick Bay Campground

      Absolutely not

      This place is so noisy with these helicopters that fly 24/7. Another absolutely insane noisy campground run by nova. Absolutely a rip off because of the noise just like all nova parks seem to be.   Insane

    • V
      Apr. 27, 2023

      Pohick Bay Campground

      Last minute Overnight stay

      We were traveling with our daughter and have had a long day. Pohick bay was on our list and Owen at the camping office did such a great job making sure that everything goes well for us. The bathrooms are clean and very well kept. We will definitely stay here again!

    • Tabby B.
      Mar. 24, 2023

      Pohick Bay Campground

      Decent

      Workers are nice, campground is decent. After hours ranger was really helpful and sweet helping spot me backing in. The trails to the bay are fun. Whoever designed the comfort station in the front needs to refund the park. You have to be on the toilet to close the door, there isn't an inch of extra space in the stalls. The laundry machines are positioned as inefficiently as possible. The second comfort station smells badly of sewage and the grate in the showers is painful on my feet, and I'm a barefoot gravel walker. Try to get a spot with full hookups to avoid the bathrooms.Other than the bathrooms, it's okay.

    • Angie C.
      Feb. 25, 2023

      Pohick Bay Campground

      Great campground , close campsites

      My partner and I camped here in the middle of February '23. Great campground, clean comfort stations. Comfort station 1 is newer and more renovated that comfort station 2 but both were clean and well kept! it was very warm in the comfort station ( a plus in the winter) with hot water. There are a few trails here, a marina, waterpark & mini golf when in season.  great for families. The staff at the camp store were nice and very accommodating. This was our first trip so when we booked our site we had no idea how close the RV sites were. I mean, zero privacy, barely any  trees in between. So the camp store clerk allowed us to change our site to a more private one.  Site 11 seemed very private for anyone looking to book.

      also, just to mention, all sites that back up to the playground have no buffer or trees. You will be exposed to the playground but that may be what you're looking for. 

      All in all, a great stay!

    • moonbeans
      Oct. 15, 2022

      Cedarville State Forest

      Great beginner’s campground

      Forested campground with fairly lengthy but level (and thus beginner friendly) hiking just a short distance away from Washington, DC.

      If you’ve forgotten anything you can pop on by the Target or Costco right outside the forest.

      Also, you can purchase wood while checking in and the Rangers don’t mind if you take a bit extra. Just bring your own starters and kindling (or a small hatchet/saw).

      Planes do occasionally fly over the area so consider bringing earplugs if you are a sensitive sleeper. The noise wasn’t really noticeable when I went on a Saturday (the neighboring campsite’s dogs were louder).

    • Jen S.
      Oct. 11, 2022

      Cedarville State Forest

      Small but peaceful

      We stayed here in the family campground for 3 nights in mid-October. The sites are very small and you sit very close to the camp loop road. Our site was #16 and it was very flat and easy to back a 30’ RV into. Most of the sites have very little distance between them. You’re really on top of your neighbors at this place! We didn’t see a camp host until we left on Monday. The bath house was pretty clean but out of TP frequently (both mens and womens rooms.) There is no camp sink, which was a bummer. There are lots of water spigots around the loop, however. Plenty of firewood when we arrived Friday night, but was totally gone by Saturday morning when we took the dog out at 7am. It was mostly replenished by Saturday night. No kindling, however, just the logs. $5 per crate (honor box, cash only of course.) The ranger station was closed when we arrived and when we left so we couldn’t check out the nature center. There are some really nice trails accessible from the loop. Dog friendly! We’ll stay here again if nowhere else is available, but it’s just too tight of a campground for our taste.

    • S
      Jul. 15, 2022

      Pohick Bay Campground

      Just okay

      We had spot 84 which was great for privacy and location to the laundry! The staff was nice. It was a bummer to have no water hook-up (we did know this before booking) but that would have made it perfect. WATCH OUT for poison oak - our electrical cord must have come in contact with it as we did not hike through the woods yet we both got poison oak on the inside of our arms (from holding the cord) and it has spread down both our arms. The laundry facility was clean and it’s $2 to wash and $2 to dry. Easy 45 minute drive to DC. Overall, would stay again if passing through.

    Guide to California

    Campgrounds near California, Maryland offer diverse outdoor experiences in Maryland's southern region. Located in St. Mary's County, camping options range from forested sites to waterfront locations along the Chesapeake Bay and Potomac River. Summer temperatures typically reach 85-90°F with high humidity, while spring and fall provide milder camping conditions between 60-75°F.

    What to do

    Hiking trails: Cedarville State Forest maintains several well-marked hiking paths through Maryland woodlands. "We hiked the brown trail and it was a nice walk," notes a visitor to Cedarville State Forest. The forest also features "equestrian trails that go deep into the woods if you want a longer trail."

    Water activities: Pohick Bay provides water-based recreation on the Potomac River. "Boat rental is a short walk down the trail from the campgrounds," explains one camper at Pohick Bay Campground. During summer months, many visitors enjoy the water park, with one reviewer noting, "We loved, loved, loved the water park feature."

    Disc golf: Several parks in the area maintain disc golf courses. "I'd recommend taking in a game of disc golf on their 18 hole course," suggests a regular visitor to Pohick Bay. The course is "a short trail walk away" from the main camping areas.

    What campers like

    Wildlife viewing: The region provides opportunities to spot native wildlife. At Pohick Bay Campground, you'll find "eagles everywhere" according to one enthusiastic reviewer. Other campers report seeing snakes, alligator snapping turtles, and rabbits near Cedarville State Forest.

    Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention well-maintained bathrooms and shower facilities. "Restrooms were clean, closed daily for cleaning between 1 pm - 3 pm," reports a visitor to Cedarville State Forest. Another notes that "shower room was very nicely kept, nice paths from each campsite to restrooms."

    Family programming: Organized activities enhance the camping experience for families with children. At Pohick Bay Campground, "they had a scavenger hunt for the kids going all weekend, they had an outdoor movie scheduled for Friday night, a campfire story time scheduled for Saturday night and crafts scheduled for Sunday morning."

    What you should know

    Ticks and insects: Bug protection is essential in this region. Multiple reviewers at Cedarville State Forest warn about ticks: "I've never left this park without at least one tick" and "LOTS and LOTS of ticks. I got one, but my wife and dog got about a dozen each. Just bring tweezers." Mosquitoes can also be problematic, with one camper reporting they "tried fans, tiki torches, and many deet free or light deet products before having to buy 100% deet."

    Noise considerations: Proximity to military and urban areas affects some camping experiences. Cedarville is "close to a Naval base, and therefore you constantly hear airplanes, and helicopters at all times." Light pollution from DC also impacts stargazing, as "it's quiet, but not too dark, as the lights from DC interfere with the night sky here."

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near California, MD?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near California, MD is Cedarville State Forest with a 3.8-star rating from 17 reviews.

    Keep Exploring