Equestrian campers seeking horse campgrounds near Dorris, California will find several options within a 30-mile radius. Located in Siskiyou County near the Oregon border at an elevation of 4,240 feet, this area experiences warm summer days with cooler nights and heavy winter snowfall. Most equestrian camping facilities in this region operate seasonally from late spring through early fall, with closures during winter months due to snow accumulation.
What to do
Trail riding to Howard Prairie Lake: Lily Glen Horse Camp provides direct access to a 3.5-mile loop trail leading to Howard Prairie Lake. As one camper noted, "There are a few wooden stalls for horses and campgrounds are first come first served" and "Beautiful trails in the area."
Explore logging history: Visit Collier Memorial State Park, where you can discover the area's timber heritage. A camper described, "Down the easy 1mi. trail along the spring creek, they have a super cool old pioneer village and lumber museum. It's full of olde tyme cabins and era timber industry tools and equipment."
Fish mountain lakes: The mountain lakes near Dorris provide excellent fishing opportunities. At Fourmile Lake Campground, visitors enjoy "spectacular views of Fourmile Lake and Mt. Mcgloughlin." One camper shared that "The lake is clear and pristine, views for days... Trails to hike, kayak, fish, boat."
What campers like
Natural springs and wildlife viewing: Campers appreciate the natural water features throughout the region. Near Keno Camp, one visitor reported, "Gorgeous river small damn fishing kayaking boat dock! Park/playground for kids safe secure peaceful!" Another noted, "There's lots of wildlife here as well! Deer, fish, birds, rabbits, the occasional mountain lion as well."
Privacy between sites: Many horse camps provide good separation between campsites. At Martins Dairy Campground, a camper praised, "The overnight use has 6 available spots at $10/day which is a deal given that the sites are ample with awesome picnic benches and fire pits."
Stargazing opportunities: The mountain elevation and minimal light pollution create excellent night sky viewing. A visitor to Fourmile Lake Campground mentioned, "Great campground with spectacular views of Fourmile Lake and Mt. Mcgloughlin. Most of the campsites are quite roomy, some are private, and some are open."
What you should know
Seasonal closures affect access: Many campgrounds in this region have limited operating seasons. Regarding Hyatt Lake Recreation Area, a camper advised, "according to Rec.gov it will be closed for the 2023 season for upgrades."
Road conditions vary: Some horse camps require travel on unpaved or steep roads. A camper warned about one dispersed site: "Road up is gravel & steep. No place to pull over."
Hunting season awareness: When exploring beyond designated horse trails, be mindful of hunting seasons. A camper at Lily Glen Horse Camp cautioned, "We came just before hunting season... be mindful of hunters if exploring the BLM lands during season."
Tips for camping with families
Clean facilities matter: When camping with children, facility cleanliness becomes essential. At Collier Memorial State Park, a camper reported, "Very clean bathrooms and unlimited showers. We stayed in a tenting site, with our mini Meerkat trailer, off the grid. Lots of bold chipmunks."
Wildlife encounters: Prepare children for wildlife interactions at camp. At Keno Camp, one camper shared, "The small town of keno is not far from camp either, so if you are in need of more ice or propane, they have small town 'stores' to get your essentials from!"
Educational opportunities: Many campgrounds near Dorris offer historical learning experiences. A visitor to Collier Memorial State Park mentioned, "They even offer a wagon ride pulled by an old Cat-30, for free, and in June they do a reenactment of the time period in costume and all."
Tips from RVers
Site size limitations: Many horse campgrounds have limited space for larger rigs. At Hyatt Lake Recreation Area, a camper advised, "Would be cautious bringing a huge rig up here as the roads are windy and sites are on the smaller side."
Water and pump stations: RVers should note water availability varies between campgrounds. A camper at Lily Glen Horse Camp reported, "There are pit toilets, garbage cans and well with a hand pump."
Reservation requirements: Some campgrounds require advance bookings while others operate first-come, first-served. At Hyatt Lake, a camper noted, "The campground requires you to make a reservation online even though there are empty sites everywhere... neither of us had cell reception so I find this to be a very odd requirement."
