Wild Horse Equestrian is for horse campers only — no exceptions. Set at 7,000 feet in pine forest near Big Bear, it's one of the few campgrounds in Southern California built specifically for riders, with more than two dozen corrals and staging areas. Access to the Santa Ana River Trail and Pacific Crest Trail makes it a strategic base for mountain riding.
Campground Details
- ⛺Type
- Group
- 💵Fee per Night
- $10
- 📍GPS
- 34.15526, -116.78160
- 🐾Pets Allowed
- No
- 🗺️Address
- CA
The Camp
Eleven sites (eight singles, three doubles) sit among tall pines that provide welcome shade at elevation. Each site comes with table, fire ring, and grill. Flush toilets, showers, and drinking water keep things civilized, but parking space is limited — plan accordingly if you're hauling a horse trailer.
The horse facilities are the real draw: individual corrals for each animal, a dedicated watering station, staging area, and hitching racks. The terrain around camp is rocky and steep but manageable for beginner and intermediate riders.
What to Know
Reservations are essential and open six months in advance. The $10 nightly fee is a bargain for what you get, but remember this is strictly equestrian — arrive without horses and you'll be turned away.
At 7,000 feet, nights can be cold even in summer. The surrounding terrain offers good riding for various skill levels, from gentle meadow loops to more challenging mountain routes.
Nearby
The Santa Ana River Trail starts near camp and typically makes for a one-hour loop with mountain views, but you can also connect to a route that reaches the Pacific Crest Trail several miles out. Other trailheads include Fish Creek Meadow, Mission Creek, Dry Lake, and South Fork.
The San Gorgonio Wilderness and its open meadows are accessible from here. Mountain streams in the area offer fishing opportunities.
Big Bear Lake sits 20 miles away for water recreation, dining, and resupply runs when you need a break from camp life.