USDA Forest Service · California
Ribbonwood Equestrian Cg
USDA Forest Service · California, United States
- Sites
- 9
- Hookups
- 9 with water, 8 no hookups
- Season
- Year-round
- Drinking water
- Yes
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Showers
- Yes
- Pets
- Yes
- Elevation
- 4,081 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 3
- Cell coverage
- T-Mobile good · AT&T good · Verizon good (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Access road
- RIBBONWOOD EQUESTRIAN CAMP (NFSR 7S14A) · native material · suitable for passenger cars
- Lake
- San Bernardino National Forest
- Nearest town
- IDYLLWILD
- Address
- 54270 PINECREST AVE PO BOX 518, IDYLLWILD, CA, 92549
- Phone
- (760) 862-9984
- Activities
- Camping, Fishing, Horse Camping, Horseback Riding, Mountain Biking
8 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.
About
Overview
Ribbonwood is an ideal mountain escape for equestrian campers. The campground overlooks Palm Desert and the Salton Sea in southern California and provides visitors with access to hundreds of miles of terrain for exploration and enjoyment.
The San Bernardino National Forest is submitting a proposal to increase fees at various sites across the Forest and is seeking public input. Please visit the https://www.fs.usda.gov/sbnf for more information and to submit comments regarding this proposal.
Recreation
Horseback riding and mountain biking are popular activities. The 5.3-mile Sawmill Trail begins within the campground and traverses an old road with 2,220 feet of elevation gain. It also intersects with the Cactus Spring Trail near the campground's parking area.
Bountiful botanical species exist along the trail, providing scenic views for travelers.
Facilities
The campground offers less than a dozen large, single-family campsites for both tent or RV camping. Each is equipped with tables and campfire rings with grills. Accessible flush toilets, showers and drinking water are provided, and campsites each have access to two horse corrals and hitching racks.
Natural Features
The campground is located approximately 16 miles southeast of Palm Desert, California, at an elevation of about 4,000 feet. It is nestled in a chaparral brush, high desert environment of cactus, pinyon pine and yucca plants. Roads and spurs are gravel.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 60° | 40° | 27° | 73° | 5 of 11 |
| February | 59° | 38° | 26° | 76° | 4 of 11 |
| March | 61° | 41° | 29° | 90° | 1 of 11 |
| April | 71° | 45° | 34° | 87° | 0 of 11 |
| May | 80° | 51° | 40° | 90° | 0 of 11 |
| June | 91° | 59° | 48° | 103° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 97° | 68° | 56° | 105° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 93° | 66° | 56° | 102° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 87° | 61° | 49° | 95° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 76° | 54° | 40° | 90° | 0 of 10 |
| November | 68° | 45° | 31° | 79° | 2 of 10 |
| December | 61° | 40° | 27° | 74° | 2 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
- Pinyon Flat Campground · USDA Forest Service · 1 mi
- Pinyon Flat Campground (San Bernardino National Forest) · USDA Forest Service · 1 mi · 4 sites
- Lake Cahuilla Veterans Regional Park · City, County & Regional Parks · 11 mi
- Hurkey Creek Regional Park · City, County & Regional Parks · 15 mi
- Lake Hemet Campground · City, County & Regional Parks · 15 mi
All public campgrounds in California · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-02-25. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.