by PK Hawk

Created on: April 24, 2010   Last Updated: April 25, 2010

Are you planning to go horse camping in southern California?

There are several different types of horse camping.  You can always do the organized group-type of camping, hiring a well known organizer to handle the details, so that all you have to do is bring yourself, your clothing, and your horse, it's tack, feed, brushes, curry combs, hoof picks and such, or plan your trip with friends and family, each one bring their own essentials, and sort of “roughing it.”

There are many “Dude Ranch” type camps for children for a nice price in the neighborhood of $3000 for about two weeks. This may be something you are interested in as a nice vacation for your kids if they are horse lovers.  These places have really well organized packages to teach and entertain young people, while making it fun. They also teach them responsibility by teaching them to care for a horse, as well as providing riding lessons, usually available in English or Western styles of riding.

After the riding, and such, they can go swimming, or hiking, or even boating.  It all depends on the individual likes and interests of you and your child. Of course it may well also depend on your budget.

If this is the kind of camping trips you are looking for, check on some of the web sites listed below, as they offer a wide range of locations and a variety of options.

There are also adult oriented dude ranches, where you sleep in a cabin, and your food is prepared so you don’t have to do it.  These places may be strictly for adults, or may be family friendly facilities. There are also some working ranches where a person or a group can stay and actually work cattle on cattle drives, but that is for another article.

Many, if not most State Parks that have camping areas for equestrians will also have pipe corrals, as well as showers, and bathrooms, in an area not too far from your camp site. This is really a welcome addition when you have been on horseback all day, or have been hiking, and return all covered with dust.  Your camp site will more than likely have a fire area, and parking for your truck and trailer. 

Check ahead when you make reservations to be sure what they have  and don't have in the way of nearby stores, wood for fires, and over run areas for vehicles, and horses. These overrun areas are generally for day use, so plan ahead, and please observe the camp rule. Your trip will be more enjoyable for everyone there.

Now, if sleeping

• 1
• 2
• 3
• Next Page >>