OutReserve

Horse Camp Primitive Campground

Horse Camp site #2
Horse Camp site with tent
Horse Camp site #1

Featured amenities

Pet Friendly
Pet Friendly

About Horse Camp Primitive Campground

This campground is located in the southeast corner of Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, 15 miles west of Redding, California, and three and a half hours north of Sacramento. This is the only campground in the park that can accommodate camping with horses, but horseback riders must share the campground with visitors who may not have horses. The cool, clear waters of Whiskeytown Lake provide endless water activities. The picturesque mountain setting and extensive forested backcountry offer ample opportunities for horseback riding, hiking and biking.

Number of accommodations: 2

Campground Amenities

  • Pet Friendly
    Pet Friendly

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Open year round

This campground is open year round, providing flexibility for your stay.

365 Days

Sites & Availability

2 Sites Available

Site
Price
🚐 001, Loop: HORSE CAMP PRIMITIVE CAMPGROUND
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 002, Loop: HORSE CAMP PRIMITIVE CAMPGROUND
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night

Reviews (31)

What Guests Are Saying

Horse Camp Primitive Campground is a favorite for its peaceful, clean, and private atmosphere, ideal for stargazing and enjoying nature. Reviewers appreciate the responsive rangers and spacious sites, despite occasional challenges with parking and some inconsiderate guests. Overall, it offers a great location for camping and fishing, making it a desirable spot for return visits.

Review Summary

4.2
31 reviews
5
54.8%
17
4
25.8%
8
3
9.7%
3
2
0.0%
0
1
9.7%
3

Debbie M

Verified

March 9, 2024 β€’ Stayed at: 002, Loop: HORSE CAMP PRIMITIVE CAMPGROUND

5

Quiet, beautiful location. Water spigot nearby. Toilet area was very well kept and clean. Great place to camp for hiking and kayaking.

Matthew C

Verified

December 18, 2023 β€’ Stayed at: 002, Loop: HORSE CAMP PRIMITIVE CAMPGROUND

5

It's a great spot with tons of parking. It's nice to be away from all the other campers, however, you will get a decent amount of cars, bicyclists, and hikers passing by.

Tim P

Verified

November 21, 2022 β€’ Stayed at: 001, Loop: HORSE CAMP PRIMITIVE CAMPGROUND

4

Plenty of space in Site 1

Shauna H

Verified

November 15, 2022 β€’ Stayed at: 001, Loop: HORSE CAMP PRIMITIVE CAMPGROUND

5

Quiet and spacious. Beautiful area and beautiful site. Bathroom was clean and well stocked. Bear boxes in good working order. I didn't see any bear but I saw deer and foxes. The fox know where you cook and where to find scraps or anything you leave unattended for a minute. So beware of them. They're so cute but don't let them have your food! Lots of shady trees. Huge site but not a huge amount of level space, bring your levelers. I only stayed one night since I was just passing through. I'd love to go back!

rochelle p

Verified

April 7, 2022 β€’ Stayed at: 001, Loop: HORSE CAMP PRIMITIVE CAMPGROUND

5

I’ve been going here about 8 years. It’s one of my favorite spots, and I can bring my trailer

Brandon h

Verified

February 12, 2022 β€’ Stayed at: 001, Loop: HORSE CAMP PRIMITIVE CAMPGROUND

5

Our experience other than a couple cars driving through it was very quiet and dark for great star viewing. There was plenty of space. Overall we had a great time.

Andy C

Verified

January 12, 2022 β€’ Stayed at: 002, Loop: HORSE CAMP PRIMITIVE CAMPGROUND

5

Toilets! I have 3 daughters so this helped a lot. We stayed in a Tent and while you couldn't find a perfectly level spot, we managed to make it work. You have 2 sites. Site 1 looks like a better spot for RTT/car camping. You can park a lot closer than you can at #2. There is a walking trail that begins at camp2 and continues to guardian rock. The walk to overlook is a sidewalk, continue trail is dirt and loose rock. We did not see any vehicles or people during our trip. We saved this as one of our favorites in the area.

Angela S

Verified

December 4, 2021 β€’ Stayed at: 002, Loop: HORSE CAMP PRIMITIVE CAMPGROUND

5

Pleasantly surprised! We just loved the quiet, the STARS and how clean it was here. Lots of things to do here! We explored! Went to Whiskeytown Falls and Crystal Creek Falls. So Beautiful! We will be back. Thank you for having a bathroom so close!

Donna W

Verified

November 21, 2021 β€’ Stayed at: 002, Loop: HORSE CAMP PRIMITIVE CAMPGROUND

5

We spent 3 nights 2 we had it all to ourselves. It was quiet and beautiful.

Misty W

Verified

August 20, 2021 β€’ Stayed at: 001, Loop: HORSE CAMP PRIMITIVE CAMPGROUND

1

We didn't stay at the camp site. We have never visited this area before and when I made the reservations online it didn't say that it was a remote campsite. When we (my son 12 and myself) I didn't feel comfortable or safe to camp at this site. Now I'm trying to get a refund and it's almost impossible.

Location Horse Camp Primitive Campground

Address:
Po Box 188
Whiskeytown, CA, 96095
United States

Latitude & Longitude: 40.5761 / -122.531

Elevation: 326 feet

Policies & Rules

Category About
General

Download your proof of payment for your campsite from recreation.gov onto your phone or other device. You must be able to show this to a park ranger if requested.

General

Entrance Pass Required - Whiskeytown is a National Park Service site and requires a vehicle entrance fee. You can purchase an entrance pass at the visitor center, or online by using your smart phone, tablet, or computer by going to the website. www.Recreation.Gov. 
If you already have a valid Interagency Annual, Senior, Access, Military, or Whiskeytown Annual pass, please display this pass in a hangtag or place it on the dashboard of your vehicle. Annual passes from Crater Lake National Park, Lassen Volcanic National Park and Lava Beds National Monument are also valid here at Whiskeytown.

General

Check-in time is 1:00 p.m. and check-out time is 12 p.m. (noon).

General

Maximum occupancy is 10 people and 3 vehicles.

General

Horse Camp may accommodate any vehicle or combination of vehicles, including trailers, RVs, and RVs pulling other vehicles.

General

Quiet hours are between 10 pm and 6 am.

General

Black bears frequent the area: all food, beverage containers, toiletries, cooking and eating utensils must be stored inside a bear-resistant locker or out of sight in your vehicle unless they are in immediate use.

General

Protect our natural resources. Gather only dead and down wood for firewood. Do not put nails in trees or damage or remove vegetation.  Campfires must be attended at all times and completely extinguished (using water and dirt) when going to bed or leaving the campsite.  

General

Pets must be kept on a leash or in a crate at all times. Pets may not be left unattended. Dispose of pet waste in trash cans.

General

Please be advised that because the Carr Fire of 2018 burned extensively through the park, post-fire hazards such as falling trees and branches remain. Stay alert while camping in Whiskeytown National Recreation Area.

General

You may stay a total of 14 days from May 15 through September 15 or a total of 30 days for the entire calendar year.  

General

Click here for more information about Whiskeytown National Recreation Area www.nps.gov/whis

General

There is a 3 tent maximum per site for this campground.

General

Camping is limited to an aggregate of 14 days between April 1 and October 31 (inclusive) and no more than 30 days per person per calendar year. No period of stay of 30 days may be succeeded by any period of stay with less than a 7-day break.

The 14 day between April 1 and October 31 is necessary to provide more equitable access to campsites. The maximum 30 window between November 1 and March 30 is necessary to prevent individuals from residing within Whiskeytown

Nearby Campgrounds

Nearby destinations