USDA Forest Service · California
Horse Campground
USDA Forest Service · California, United States
- Sites
- 10
- Hookups
- 10 with water, 10 no hookups
- Season
- June 19 to September 6
- Drinking water
- Yes
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Pets
- Yes
- Elevation
- 5,108 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 1
- Cell coverage
- T-Mobile none · AT&T none · Verizon none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Access road
- BLACK ROCK CREEK (NFSR 22N57) · bituminous surface treatment · moderate degree of user comfort
- Lake
- Plumas National Forest
- Nearest town
- Oroville
- Address
- FEATHER RIVER RANGER DISTRICT, Oroville, CA, 95965
- Phone
- 530-534-6500
- Activities
- Boating, Camping, Fishing, Hiking, Mountain Biking, Swimming, Water Skiing
9 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.
About
Overview
Horse Camp is located on the eastern shore of the Little Grass Valley Reservoir, giving visitors ample opportunity to fish, swim, boat and enjoy nature.
The camp is one of eight campgrounds in the area, but the only one equipped to handle equestrian campers. It provides access to a beautiful, adjacent mountain lake and various hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding trails that meander through the scenic hills and valleys.
Recreation
The 1,615-acre lake provides ample opportunities for visitors to fish, boat, swim and water ski. Anglers can expect a catch of a variety of trout and kokanee salmon, among other species of fish, however, fishing licenses are required to participate.
The Lakeshore Trail, which loops 14.5 miles around the lake, is available for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. The trail connects to the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail, which stretches from 2,650 miles from Canada to Mexico, across three states. A variety of day hikes can be done on portions of the trail.
Facilities
The campground offers 10, single-family equestrian campsites, available for tent and RV camping. Eight of these sites are available to reserve online. Hookups are not available and the parking surfaces are gravel. Lantern posts and hitching posts are provided at each site.
Each site is also equipped with a table and a campfire ring with a grill. Accessible vault toilets are provided. An on-site host may be available.
Natural Features
The campground is located in the Northern Sierra Nevada Mountains, in northern California, at an elevation of about 5,060 feet. It is on the eastern shore of the Little Grass Valley Reservoir, which was formed by flooding in the 1960s. The campground and the lake are surrounded by thick stands of pine and fir trees.
There are several campgrounds located around the lake as well as cabins on the south side. The campground is also the center of a popular snowmobiling area during winter months.
Nearby Attractions
About 12 miles northeast of the lake at an elevation of 5,446 feet lies a small, natural lily pond, called Fowler Lake. This beautiful site is perfect for day hikes and picnics.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 41° | 28° | 13° | 57° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 43° | 28° | 9° | 60° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 43° | 28° | 14° | 75° | 10 of 11 |
| April | 50° | 30° | 13° | 68° | 11 of 11 |
| May | 65° | 41° | 26° | 78° | 3 of 11 |
| June | 75° | 48° | 34° | 92° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 85° | 56° | 45° | 96° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 84° | 56° | 49° | 96° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 76° | 50° | 39° | 85° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 67° | 41° | 29° | 79° | 4 of 10 |
| November | 51° | 34° | 19° | 68° | 7 of 10 |
| December | 43° | 28° | 11° | 60° | 10 of 10 |
Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.
Nearby campgrounds
- Running Deer Campground · USDA Forest Service · 1 mi · 41 sites
- Red Feather Campground · USDA Forest Service · 1 mi
- Red Feather California · USDA Forest Service · 1 mi · 59 sites
- Little Beaver a Campground · USDA Forest Service · 1 mi · 119 sites
- Wyandotte a Campground · USDA Forest Service · 1 mi · 28 sites
All public campgrounds in California · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-03-11. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.