Eldorado National Forest horse camping

Where can I camp with horses in the Eldorado National Forest?

• Dru Barner Campground

  26 horse sites ^[1] · season: Year round; peak season April 1 – October 31 ^[2]

• Loon Lake

  8 horse sites ^[3] · status: Site Closed ^[4] (USDA Forest Service) · season: Reservable June 19 – September 6; first-come, first-served September 7–27 ^[5]

• Tells Creek Equestrian Camp

  listed for horses by the USDA Forest Service

• Wrights Lake Equestrian Campground

  15 horse sites ^[6] · status: Closed for the 2026 season (estimated to 10/30/26); trailhead parking open ^[7] (USDA Forest Service) · season: Reservable July 1 – September 6; first-come, first-served September 7–27 ^[8]

Where do I park a horse trailer in the Eldorado National Forest?

Horse trailheads and stock facilities named by the USDA Forest Service

• Caples Creek Equestrian Trailhead

  0.2 miles south of the Caples Creek Trailhead on Silver Fork Road, west side off 10N94 ^[9] · Listed for horseback riding and horse camping ^[9] · No trailer-parking details published ^[9]

• Allens Camp Trailhead

  Off Highway 88 via Plasse's Resort Rd (County Rd 220) ^[10] · Day use only, sunrise to sunset; closes with snowfall ^[10] · No restroom; no trailer-parking details published ^[10]

• Wrights Lake Campground equestrian loop

  15 equestrian sites (69-83) ^[7] · 2 vehicles (including horse trailers) and 6 people per site ^[7] · Season late June to October; reserve via Recreation.gov ^[7] · Campgrounds closed for the 2026 season; trailheads and trailhead parking remain open ^[7]

• Loon Lake Campground equestrian loop

  9 equestrian units (E1-E9) plus Equestrian Group #3 for 25 people ^[4] · Single units: 2 vehicles and 6 people ^[4] · Season late June to October ^[4] · Page shows a Site Closed label ^[4]

• Dru Barner Campground

  Ideal for equestrian use: four water troughs, several pull-through spaces, trail access ^[11] · Open year-round; access road not plowed in winter ^[11] · Currently no water; space 10 closed ^[11] · Road-repair closure tentatively Nov 2-20 ^[11]

From the agency's own horse and stock pages. Trailer space is only what each note says.

Named by the USDA Forest Service

• Fleming Meadow Trailhead

  horse/pack animals: “Horse/Pack animals are allowed at this site.” ^[12] · Directions ^[13]

• Horse Canyon Trailhead

  description: “HORSE CANYON TRAILHEAD” ^[14] · Directions ^[14]

Named by Recreation.gov

• Fleming Trail System & Trailhead

  activities listed: horseback riding ^[15] · trailer spaces not published by Recreation.gov · Directions ^[15]

Horse staging, trailheads and entrances from the agencies' own map data. A trailer count appears only where the agency publishes one; a quoted lot note is the agency's wording. Parked a trailer here? Add it in Ride

Which Eldorado National Forest trails allow horses?

USDA Forest Service

214 trails, 720.1 mapped mi ^[25]

• Pony Express

  38.2 mapped mi ^[26] · horse season: 01/01-12/31 · surface: nat - native material · horses allowed per USDA Forest Service

• Rock Creek Loop

  28.2 mapped mi ^[27] · horse season: 01/01-12/31 · surface: nat - native material · horses allowed per USDA Forest Service

• Pacific Crest Trail

  26.3 mapped mi ^[28] · horse season: 01/01-12/31 · surface: nat - native material · horses allowed per USDA Forest Service

• Caldor Loop

  22.4 mapped mi ^[29] · horse season: 01/01-12/31 · surface: nat - native material · horses allowed per USDA Forest Service

• Plummer Ridge Loop

  20.6 mapped mi ^[30] · horse season: 01/01-12/31 · surface: nat - native material · horses allowed per USDA Forest Service

• Rubicon

  20.2 mapped mi ^[31] · horse season: 01/01-12/31 · surface: nat - native material · horses allowed per USDA Forest Service

• Carson Emigrant N.r.t.

  17.6 mapped mi ^[32] · horse season: 01/01-12/31 · surface: ac- asphalt, nat - native material · horses allowed per USDA Forest Service

• Gold Rush

  16.9 mapped mi ^[33] · horse season: 01/01-12/31 · surface: nat - native material · horses allowed per USDA Forest Service

• Camp Irene

  14.8 mapped mi ^[34] · horse season: 01/01-12/31 · surface: nat - native material · horses allowed per USDA Forest Service

• Big Mtn. Loop

  14.2 mapped mi ^[35] · horse season: 01/01-12/31 · surface: nat - native material · horses allowed per USDA Forest Service

Plus 204 more named horse-legal trails in the same data, not listed here.

OpenStreetMap

62 trails, 190.7 mapped mi ^[36]

• Pacific Crest Trail

  30.8 mapped mi ^[37] · surface: ground · horses allowed per OpenStreetMap contributors

• Western States Trail

  12.0 mapped mi ^[38] · surface: ground · horses allowed per OpenStreetMap contributors

• Rubicon Trail (16E30.2)

  11.7 mapped mi ^[39] · surface: ground · horses allowed per OpenStreetMap contributors

• Rock Creek Loop

  8.8 mapped mi ^[40] · surface: ground · horses allowed per OpenStreetMap contributors

• Trail 1

  7.5 mapped mi ^[41] · surface: ground · horses allowed per OpenStreetMap contributors

• Rubicon Trail

  7.2 mapped mi ^[42] · surface: concrete, ground, rock · horses allowed per OpenStreetMap contributors

• Mace Mill Loop

  6.0 mapped mi ^[43] · surface: ground · horses allowed per OpenStreetMap contributors

• Two Peaks Trail (16E11)

  5.5 mapped mi ^[44] · surface: ground · horses allowed per OpenStreetMap contributors

• Pony Express Trail

  5.4 mapped mi ^[45] · surface: ground · horses allowed per OpenStreetMap contributors

• Lyons Creek Trail

  4.9 mapped mi ^[46] · surface: ground · horses allowed per OpenStreetMap contributors

Plus 52 more named horse-legal trails in the same data, not listed here.

Nearby on Tahoe National Forest

• Western States

  8.7 mapped mi ^[16] · surface: native material · horses allowed per USDA Forest Service

• Rubicon Jeep

  5.1 mapped mi ^[17] · surface: native material · horses allowed per USDA Forest Service

• Bake Oven

  2.0 mapped mi ^[18] · surface: native material · horses allowed per USDA Forest Service

• Miller Meadow OHV Spur

  1.8 mapped mi ^[19] · surface: native material · horses allowed per USDA Forest Service

• 16e12

  1.1 mapped mi ^[20] · surface: native material · horses allowed per USDA Forest Service

• North Fork American River

  1.0 mapped mi ^[21] · surface: native material · horses allowed per USDA Forest Service

• Chicken Hawk Connector

  0.6 mapped mi ^[22] · horses allowed per USDA Forest Service

• Mosquito Ridge

  0.5 mapped mi ^[23] · surface: native material · horses allowed per USDA Forest Service

• Observation Pt. Campsite

  0.1 mapped mi ^[24] · surface: native material · horses allowed per USDA Forest Service

Trails the USDA Forest Service manages in the Eldorado National Forest and marks open to horses, plus trails OpenStreetMap marks as horse-legal near the horse camps. Mileage is the mapped length of segments with that name.

Is the Eldorado National Forest open to horses right now?

• Dru Barner Campground: season Year round; peak season April 1 – October 31 ^[2]
• Loon Lake: status Site Closed ^[4] (USDA Forest Service) · season Reservable June 19 – September 6; first-come, first-served September 7–27 ^[5] · status Open ^[47]
• Tells Creek Equestrian Camp: status Open ^[48]
• Wrights Lake Equestrian Campground: status Closed for the 2026 season (estimated to 10/30/26); trailhead parking open ^[7] (USDA Forest Service) · season Reservable July 1 – September 6; first-come, first-served September 7–27 ^[8] · status Open ^[49]

• Wrights Lake campgrounds closed for the 2026 season (estimated to 10/30/26); trailhead parking open. ^[7]
• Dru Barner closes about three weeks for road repair, tentatively Nov 2 to Nov 20. ^[11]

As of October 25, 2026. Check with the agency before you haul: seasons move with snow and fire.

What are the horse rules in the Eldorado National Forest?

Official horse info: Eldorado National Forest | Horse Riding and Camping ^[50]

• Most trails suit horse and foot travel; early season may bring downfall and wet areas. Horses have the right-of-way on multiple-use trails. ^[50]
• Desolation Wilderness: entering without a valid permit is prohibited (Forest Order 03-24-01, effective Mar 9, 2024 to Mar 8, 2027). ^[51]
• Desolation Wilderness: "Possessing more than two livestock per person, or possessing more than 12 livestock per group" is prohibited; groups max 12 persons. ^[51]
• Desolation Wilderness: no hitching, tethering or hobbling saddle or pack animals within 200 feet of water or 100 feet of a campsite. ^[51]
• Desolation Wilderness: livestock waste must be scattered at least 100 feet from water sources and campsites. ^[51]
• Wrights Lake equestrian sites: visitors must travel with pack or saddle stock, one equine or pack animal per site; campers without stock must leave, no refund. ^[7]

Is there water for horses in the Eldorado National Forest?

Water for horses at trailheads: Not published by the USDA Forest Service. Ridden here? Add it in Ride

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What other horse campgrounds are near the Eldorado National Forest?

• Skillman · 33.0 mi away · Tahoe National Forest

• Little Lasier Meadow Horse Camp · 37.8 mi away · Tahoe National Forest

• Packsaddle · 48.5 mi away · Tahoe National Forest

• Clark Fork Horse Camp · 50.1 mi away · Stanislaus National Forest

More horse trails in California

Sources

1. Recreation.gov: https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/10077451, fetched October 25, 2026
2. Recreation.gov: https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/10077451?tab=seasons, read and verified by hand October 16, 2026
3. Recreation.gov: https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232070, fetched October 25, 2026
4. USDA Forest Service: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r05/eldorado/recreation/loon-lake-campground, read and verified by hand October 16, 2026
5. Recreation.gov: https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232070?tab=seasons, read and verified by hand October 16, 2026
6. Recreation.gov: https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/251578, fetched October 25, 2026
7. USDA Forest Service: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r05/eldorado/recreation/wrights-lake-campground, read and verified by hand October 16, 2026
8. Recreation.gov: https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/251578?tab=seasons, read and verified by hand October 16, 2026
9. USDA Forest Service: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r05/eldorado/recreation/trails/caples-creek-trail, read and verified by hand October 16, 2026
10. USDA Forest Service: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r05/eldorado/recreation/allens-camp-trailhead, read and verified by hand October 16, 2026
11. USDA Forest Service: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r05/eldorado/recreation/dru-barner-campground, read and verified by hand October 16, 2026
12. USDA Forest Service: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r05/eldorado/recreation/fleming-meadow-trail-system-trailhead, fetched October 25, 2026
13. USDA Forest Service: https://apps.fs.usda.gov/arcx/rest/services/EDW/EDW_InfraRecreationSites_01/MapServer/0/query?where=site_cn%3D'10167010394'&outFields=*&f=html, fetched October 25, 2026
14. USDA Forest Service: https://apps.fs.usda.gov/arcx/rest/services/EDW/EDW_InfraRecreationSites_01/MapServer/0/query?where=site_cn%3D'10163010394'&outFields=*&f=html, fetched October 25, 2026
15. Recreation.gov: https://www.recreation.gov/gateways/1063, fetched October 25, 2026
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25. USDA Forest Service: https://apps.fs.usda.gov/arcx/rest/services/EDW/EDW_TrailNFSPublish_01/MapServer/0, fetched October 25, 2026
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29. USDA Forest Service: https://apps.fs.usda.gov/arcx/rest/services/EDW/EDW_TrailNFSPublish_01/MapServer/0/query?where=objectid%3D10561854&outFields=*&f=html
30. USDA Forest Service: https://apps.fs.usda.gov/arcx/rest/services/EDW/EDW_TrailNFSPublish_01/MapServer/0/query?where=objectid%3D10562545&outFields=*&f=html
31. USDA Forest Service: https://apps.fs.usda.gov/arcx/rest/services/EDW/EDW_TrailNFSPublish_01/MapServer/0/query?where=objectid%3D10562587&outFields=*&f=html
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36. OpenStreetMap contributors: https://www.openstreetmap.org/, fetched October 25, 2026
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38. OpenStreetMap contributors: https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/298585974
39. OpenStreetMap contributors: https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/125412402
40. OpenStreetMap contributors: https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/1469611709
41. OpenStreetMap contributors: https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/1472424388
42. OpenStreetMap contributors: https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/1443605240
43. OpenStreetMap contributors: https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/1469611680
44. OpenStreetMap contributors: https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/169777760
45. OpenStreetMap contributors: https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/129821460
46. OpenStreetMap contributors: https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/172879293
47. USDA Forest Service: https://apps.fs.usda.gov/arcx/rest/services/EDW/EDW_InfraRecreationSites_01/MapServer/0/query?where=site_cn%3D'5253.003661'&outFields=*&f=html, fetched October 25, 2026
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50. USDA Forest Service: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r05/eldorado/recreation/opportunities/horse-riding-and-camping, read and verified by hand October 16, 2026
51. USDA Forest Service: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r05/eldorado/alerts/occupancy-and-use-restrictions-desolation-wilderness-area, read and verified by hand October 16, 2026