Horse Riding and Camping

Traveling by horse is a great way to explore Eldorado National Forest's diverse landscapes. Most trails are suitable for both horse and foot travel, although early in the season there may be downfall and wet areas on some trails.

Trail etiquette for multiple use trails calls for horses to have the right-of-way. Hikers should yield to horses. Bicyclists should yield to horses and hikers. Horse riders are responsible for the control of their horse at all times.

• Non-motorized Trails Recreation Opportunity Guide (ROG) 

Horse Camping

Horse Camping

Whether it be overnight camping or an extended trail ride by horseback, the Eldorado National Forest will provide you with unique experience. Overnight camping by horseback is a great way to introduce young and old alike to the pleasures of the great outdoors. The following facilities are designed or have an loop for camping with horses.

• Loon Lake Campground has both single unit equestrian sites in a designated loop and an equestrian group site. Pacific Ranger District.
• Wrights Lake Campground has an equestrian loop as you enter the campground. This is one of our high elevation campgrounds at 7,000 feet. You can ride out to several trail both in and outside the wilderness. Pacific Ranger District.
• Tells Creek Camping area near the Van Vleck Trailhead. Pacific Ranger District.
• Dru Barner Campground is a lower elevation campground and generally accessible most of the year. Georgetown Ranger District.
• Caples Equestrian Trailhead and camping area on Silver Fork road is a great location for accessing the trails in the area. Placerville Ranger District.

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Recreation Opportunities

Horseback Riding (28)

Horse Camping (20)

Showing: 1 - 10 of 29 results

Allens Camp Trailhead

Site Open

Access to Allens Camp Trail 17E19Non-motorized Trails Recreation Opportunity Guide (ROG)

Beebe Lake Trail

This trail leads from Hungalelti Ridge 2.1 miles to Beebe Lake through open forests and passing meadows including Ladeux Meadow.

Black Rock Lake Trail

This trail connects the Munson Meadow Trail 1.1 miles to Black Rock Lake.

Caples Creek Trail

The Caples Creek Trail is a moderate 4-mile round trip hike through red fir forest and wet meadows with views of cascading Caples Creek and the Silver Fork of the American River. There are nice…

Carson Pass to Lake Winnemucca Trail

This trail, one of the most popular in the national forest, leads 2.5 miles through open forest and meadow, past some of the best mountain wildflower displays in California in mid-summer. Dogs must…

Cole Creek Trail

This trail travels from the Munson Meadow Trailhead through open forest and meadow to a series of lakes lying just above 8,000 foot elevation. Signs of cattle may be evident; the area is part of a…

Devil's Lake Trail

The trail is a moderate 1 mile hike through forest. Devils Lake is one of a few Sierra lakes where leeches may be found.

Dru Barner Campground

Site Open

The campground is ideal for equestrian use, with four water troughs, several pull through spaces, and access to trails. The park provides day-use facilities for staging non-motorized trails…

Emigrant Lake Trail

This trail follows the Caples Lake shoreline before ascending through forest with several stream crossings to Emigrant Lake. Dogs must always be leashed and controlled. 

Evergreen Trail

The Evergreen Trail starts near Upper Blue Lake campground and proceeds over a small pass and down into Summit City Canyon near the site of an old mining community. It crosses Summit City Creek and…