Are you the owner for this park? Make it a featured listing and be seen in the top search results!
Sequoia/Horse Meadow
Overview
Overview
Horse Meadow Campground serves as a serene, high-elevation retreat tucked away in the Sequoia National Forest. Unlike developed private resorts, this Forest Service campground offers a rustic, back-to-nature experience for those looking to disconnect. Situated at approximately 5,000 feet, it provides a cool escape from the summer heat of the lower valleys, making it an ideal destination for campers who prefer quiet nights under a clear, starlit canopy over modern park amenities.
Location & Surroundings
Located near Kernville, California, the campground is strategically positioned to offer direct access to the rugged beauty of the Southern Sierra Nevada mountains. The setting is heavily forested with pine and oak trees, creating a secluded atmosphere that feels miles away from civilization. The journey to the site offers scenic mountain views, providing travelers with a quintessential high-altitude forest experience that defines the charm of the Sequoia National Forest region.
Amenities & Park Features
As a national forest facility, Horse Meadow is designed for simplicity rather than luxury. The site provides basic amenities, including vault toilets, picnic tables, and fire rings at each campsite. There are no electrical or water hookups available, so self-sufficiency is key for guests. The campground features sites suitable for smaller RVs and tents, ensuring that the peaceful, natural layout of the forest remains the primary focus of your visit.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
The area surrounding Kernville is a hub for outdoor enthusiasts. Guests can easily access the Kern River for world-class whitewater rafting, kayaking, or fly fishing. Hiking trails are abundant throughout the Sequoia National Forest, offering routes for all skill levels that wind through groves and mountain ridges. For those interested in local history, the nearby town of Kernville provides a charming glimpse into the region’s gold mining past and local mountain culture.
Who This Park Is Best For
Horse Meadow is perfect for off-grid travelers who enjoy dry camping and want to immerse themselves in nature. It is ideally suited for tent campers and those with smaller RVs or travel trailers who prefer a quiet, wooded setting over paved pads and resort-style crowds. If you value solitude, fresh mountain air, and a minimalist camping style, this forest destination provides the authentic Sierra experience you are seeking.
Features & Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
Reviews
Erica Richmond
Beautiful campground! We took a large group of us and had a great time. Attentive camp host, clean bathrooms, no running water. Right by Salmon Creek. Be aware, there is a bear on site. Host said he has been there 3-4 months. We put all of our food and trash in the car at night but he still came and tore into our bottled water at night.
Orion Michael Guy
Secrets of Sequoia - lots of free dispersed camping in the area as well - perfect for long stay boondocking
Shane Frank
Great campsite and great host Wayne. It’s very nice to get FAR away from people and see the stars. The road up was mostly dirt and bumpy but any car can make it as long as you’re ok with giving your car a wash when you get home. We hiked salmon creek falls. 4 1/2 miles in and 4 1/2 miles out. 9 mile round trip. I am in very good shape and this hike was BRUTAL. Be warned. It’s a very tough hike especially towards the end. You can get hurt on some of the rocks and climbing down to the final water fall section. The trip took us 5.5 hours round trip with us resting at the bottom for about 45 minutes and swimming in the pools. It was well worth the hike. I can justify eating 3 hot dogs the night before on the campfire. The campsite itself was well maintained. Had fire rings and bathrooms. Although because of COVID-19 the vault bathrooms aren’t serviced by the forest service So bring your own toilet paper. They are still “clean” for a vault toilet though. No power, running water pumped from the creek. We went in July. The high was upper 70s and lows were low 40s in the early morning so be prepared! Bright stars and days and nights full of nature’s natural noises. Beautiful. Will come back.
Eric Metz
Love this place. Secluded first come first served site with always a spot available with water and port a potties. Temperatures are cooler than staying on the river.
Dan Gertler
Secluded and quiet