Horse Riding and Camping

There is a long tradition of horses and mules helping visitors reach the high country. 

Trail Courtesy:

• Hikers should move off to the downhill side of the trail when encountering stock.
• A little conversation while you pass each other may reduce the chances of horses or stock being spooked.
• Look ahead for a good place to move aside when you are being overtaken.
• Hikers should accept directions from riders to help their stock safely pass. Riders should allow hikers time to find good footing and a safe place to stand before passing.

For information about modern stock packing ethics, and the history of packing in the Sierra Nevada, view this video.

Horseback Riding

There are 13 pack stations within the Inyo National Forest that offer horseback riding and resupply services for through hikers! Please check with the pack station while planning your trip to see what service they are currently offering.

• Bishop Creek Pack Station
• Cottonwood Pack Station
• Frontier Pack Train (June Lake area)
• Glacier Pack Train (Big Pine Lakes area)
• Mammoth Lakes Pack Outfit
• Convict Lake Resort (day rides only)
• McGee Creek Pack Station
• Mt. Whitney Pack Trains
• Pine Creek Pack Station
• Rainbow Pack Outfitters (South Lake area and beyond)
• Reds Meadow Pack Station
• Rock Creek Pack Station
• Sequoia Kings Pack Trains (Onion Valley)

Pack outfits operate under special use permit and are monitored to ensure these outfits are held to a high standard of environmental protection and customer service. Outfitters are required to hold insurance and possess various certifications in their fields of expertise. Help protect forest resources and curb illegal outfitting and guiding by making sure the service you hire holds a current permit to provide services on Inyo National Forest.

Horse Camping

Popular campgrounds for horses are located at:

• Agnew Meadows Campground
• Horseshoe Meadows Equestrian Camp

Search for Horse Riding and Camping Opportunities

Search

Site Status

Any Site Open Site Closed Site Temporarily Closed

Sort by

- A-Z - - Z-A -

Recreation Opportunities

Horseback Riding (57)

Horse Camping (19)

Showing: 11 - 20 of 59 results

Cottonwood Pass Trail

Starting from the end of Horseshoe Meadows Road, the trail over Cottonwood Pass goes to the northern portion of the Golden Trout Wilderness. Small streams meander through tree-rimmed meadows in this…

Craters Loop Trail

10 miles of trail: open to mountain bike, hiking, and equestrian use.Intermediate - Advanced Mt BikeThe loop begins about 1/4 mile before the parking lot and heads west. There are signs to mark the…

Craters Spur Trail

3 miles of trail: open to mountain bike, hiking, and equestrian use.Intermediate Mt Bike route with single track optionsThe route starts from the Inyo Craters Loop and provides some sections of…

Duck Pass Trail

The Duck Pass trail climbs the forested hillside behind Coldwater Campground and goes past Arrowhead, Skelton, and Barney lakes before going over Duck Pass to join the John Muir trail. A side trail…

Fish Creek Trail

Following the general route of an old wagon trail, the Fish Creek Trail starts near Reds Meadow Resort (shuttle stop # 10) or the Rainbow Falls trailhead (shuttle stop #8). The trail passes multiple…

High Trail

The High Trail starts from Agnew Meadows (shuttle bus stop #1). Instead of crossing Agnew Meadows, the trail climbs partway up the east side of the canyon. There are magnificent views across the…

Hilton Creek Trail

Most hikers start near the pack station on Rock Creek Road for a moderate climb over a ridge through a forest of whitebark pine and lodgepole to reach Hilton Creek. An alternate trail from Crowley…

Horseshoe Meadow Area

Site Open

Horseshoe Meadow is a vast 10,000 foot high meadow, surrounded by lodgepole pine forest. Getting there is an adventure in itself; the road to Horseshoe Meadow climbs over 6,000 feet, as it winds its…

Horseshoe Meadow Equestrian Camp

Site Open

Horseshoe Meadow Equestrian Camp has 10 drive-in campsites with a corral and hitch rail at each site. Potable water available. Cottonwood Pass, Cottonwood Lakes and Trail Pass Trails provide access…

Horton Lakes Trail

After the increasingly poor dirt road through Bishop's Buttermilk Mountains, the Horton Lakes trail follows an old mining road into the hanging valley north of Mt. Tom. If your vehicle can drive as…