Is Horse Springs Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Horse Springs Campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Arrive early, especially on weekends and holidays, to secure a spot.

Are there showers at Horse Springs Campground?

Horse Springs Campground does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

How many campsites does Horse Springs Campground have?

Horse Springs Campground has 11 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Arrive early for the best site selection.

Are dogs allowed at Horse Springs Campground?

Pets are not allowed at Horse Springs Campground. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

Horse Springs Campground

3.95

19 reviews

Top 11% in CAFall

Stargazing

First-come, first-served

This campground doesn't take reservations — sites are claimed in person on arrival, so there's no availability to check online. Plan to arrive early, especially on weekends and holidays.

Quick Facts

5,719 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

11 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Book on null Official Website

Get Directions

First-come, first-served

This campground doesn't take reservations — sites are claimed in person on arrival, so there's no availability to check online. Plan to arrive early, especially on weekends and holidays.

Quick Facts

5,719 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

11 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Book on null Official Website

Get Directions

Horse Springs Campground

No fees available

Campsite Fees

No paid fee categories listed.

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free to start · paid plans add 2-min scans

256,000+ sites monitored · Email alerts to start; SMS and in-app with an account

Learn more about alerts →

Share this campground

Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

nullnull

I manage this campground

Plan a trip to Horse Springs Campground

Compare with similar sites, watch availability, and build a packing list — Camp Sage handles all of it.

Campground Map

Horse Springs Campground

34.3521, -117.0705

Nearby places

null

Weather at Horse Springs Campground

Best Time to Camp at Horse Springs Campground

Best season: fall. Fall offers the best combination of mild daytime temperatures (typically 50–75°F) and crisp, cool nights (often 30s–40s), making hiking, stargazing and panoramic photography especially pleasant at 5,719 ft elevation. Vegetation is still green with clear vistas—fewer bugs and far fewer visitors than peak summer means a quiet, true high‑desert camping experience. Lower wildfire and heat stress risk (compared with late summer) makes this season the most comfortable and reliable for tent camping and Peak months: October, September, May, June Avoid: December, January, February

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.5 / 5

Top 11% in CA

Source: 'Fall delivers the best conditions' with comfortable daytime temps and clear air.

Planning Tips

About Horse Springs Campground

Horse Springs Campground sits at 5,719 feet in San Bernardino National Forest near Apple Valley, offering primitive tent camping in a secluded high-desert setting. The small campground draws OHV enthusiasts and visitors seeking quiet, open views away from crowds. Fall brings mild days and crisp nights ideal for stargazing and exploring the surrounding terrain.

Horse Springs Campground features a total of 11 single-family campsites designed for primitive camping experiences in a high-desert environment. The sites vary in shade availability.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: fall. Fall offers the best combination of mild daytime temperatures (typically 50–75°F) and crisp, cool nights (often 30s–40s), making hiking, stargazing and panoramic photography especially pleasant at 5,719 ft elevation. Vegetation is still green with clear vistas—fewer bugs and far fewer visitors than peak summer means a quiet, true high‑desert camping experience. Lower wildfire and heat stress risk (compared with late summer) makes this season the most comfortable and reliable for tent camping and Peak months: October, September, May, June Avoid: December, January, February

Elevation5719 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryJunipers and mountain pines grow side by side here, a high-desert ecosystem uncommon in California's mountain forests. The terrain is rugged and open, with mountain vistas in multiple directions. OHV routes weave through the surrounding landscape, cutting across hillsides where the vegetation stays surprisingly green even in drier months. The elevation keeps temperatures moderate compared to the lower desert, but the landscape retains that spare, windswept character. More rock and scrub than dense forest.

Lodging & AccommodationsNo lodging accommodations such as cabins or glamping options are discussed for Horse Springs Campground.

Programs & ActivitiesThere are no details about cultural or educational programs at the campground.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

Null

Guests Allowed Per Site

Null

Groups

Group camping specifics are not provided.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Reservation Platformsnull

AccessibilityNo explicit details regarding accessibility features are provided.

Site SizeSizes of campsites are not detailed in the provided materials.

PrivacyThe campground's remote and secluded nature suggests higher levels of privacy, but no explicit details are given.

Total Campsites11 campsites

Recommended Sitesnull

Amenities available

Horse Springs Campground offers a remote and secluded stay in the San Bernardino National Forest, surrounded by juniper and pine trees. It is particularly suited for OHV (Off-Highway Vehicle) users due to its proximity to designated green-sticker routes and the BLM Juniper Flats district.

I manage this campground

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

No Flush ToiletsFlush toilets are not mentioned in the data.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

Rate Horse Springs Campground

Been here? Tap a star to start. Takes about a minute.

Sign-in required only if you want your name on it.

From Booking Sources

4.0

19 reviews

Mixed Reviews

Horse Springs Campground has mixed reviews, placing it in the bottom 85% of campgrounds based on reviews

There are no direct user reviews provided for Horse Springs Campground. It is described as a remote and less-visited site, ideal for visitors seeking solitude and an off-the-beaten-path experience.

Review Summaries

Based on 19 reviews

What Campers Love

Horse Springs Campground is praised for its seclusion, high desert views, and its suitability for OHV enthusiasts.

Based on 19 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

There are no specific reviews tied to particular campsites.

Based on 19 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

Be the first to review this campground

Every adventure creates another. Share what you learned so the next camper feels a little more prepared heading out.

Go if

You want a quiet, off-grid camping experience with OHV access and sweeping high-desert vistas.

Skip if

You need developed amenities, hookups, or prefer forested shade over open desert terrain.

Nearby Campgrounds

Less Visited

3.5

(11)

Big Pine Equestrian Group Campground

SAN BERNARDINO

Big Pine Equestrian Group Campground sits in the San Bernardino National Forest at 6,820 feet, designed specifically for horse-based group trips with corrals and hitching racks. California Land Management operates this small, seasonal site near Big Bear Lake, where riders and their stock can access mountain trails, fishing spots, and reservoir boating. The spacious layout and shaded setting appeal to equestrian groups planning multi-day backcountry excursions.