Yosemite National Park: Wawona Horse Camp

By Christy Thiaucourt | April 30, 2025

Wawona Horse Camp: Equestrian Basecamp in Yosemite’s Southern Wilderness

If you're looking to explore Yosemite’s backcountry by horseback, Wawona Horse Camp is the only designated stock-use campground inside the park — and it's a gem. Nestled among tall pines and just a short ride from the scenic Wawona Meadow Loop, this camp offers a peaceful and practical base for equestrians seeking to ride Yosemite’s southern trails without the crowds of the Valley.

Camp Features

Location: Wawona, in the southern section of Yosemite National Park
Sites: 3 designated stock-use sites
Accommodations: Room for horse trailers, highlines, and nearby corrals
Access: Direct to the Wawona Meadow Loop; near trailheads into the Sierra National Forest and Yosemite Wilderness
Facilities: Flush toilets, potable water, fire rings, picnic tables
Season: Typically open late May through September (weather permitting)
Pets: Allowed (must be leashed)

Note: Wawona Horse Camp is reserved exclusively for equestrian use — you must have a horse to book a site.

Why Ride from Wawona

Wawona offers quiet, pine-scented riding away from the traffic of Yosemite Valley. Trails wind through meadows, creeks, and ridgelines — including access to the Chilnualna Falls Trail, Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, and longer routes into the wilderness.

Whether you’re staying for the weekend or planning a pack trip into the Sierra high country, Wawona Horse Camp makes a convenient, scenic starting point.