Carter Meadows Horse Group
The Carter Meadows Horse Group Campground lies at the southern edge of the Klamath National Forest on the South Fork of the Salmon River. Designed for large groups with horses, the camp's proximity to the Trinity Alps Wilderness and the Pacific Crest Trail makes the site popular with riders and hikers.
More like this: reservable in California · pets allowed in California · group sites in California
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| group equestrian | 1 |
Site guide
1 site. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | 200 | Gravel | Partial | 25 / 10 | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 10:00 AM.
Amenities & rules
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Tent pads | Yes |
The Carter Meadows Horse Group Site is designed for up to 25 people and 25 horses. It includes an area for dispersed tent or trailer camping and three sections of corrals of varying sizes: seven one-horse corrals, three 2-horse corrals and three 3-4 horse corrals. The site also includes a gravel parking area, a gated entrance, a hitch rack and a mounting ramp.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Closed for the season. Forest Service sites close for the season; check the official page for the reopening date. |
| Forest | Klamath National Forest |
| Fees | $50 per night |
| Rules | Group campsite available by reservation only. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Interstate 5 near Yreka, California, take the south Yreka exit onto Highway 3 south and continue for 23 miles. Turn right on Highway 93 toward Cecilville and continue 12 miles to Carter Meadows Summit. Approximately 1/2 mile beyond the summit, turn left on Road 39N08. The Group Site is another 1/4 mile on the right.
| Nearest town | Fort Jones, California |
| Coordinates | 41.2220° N, 122.9110° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedFive-6 Rx
32 mi from the campground
- PrescribedSrf 2026 Rx Implementation
33 mi from the campground · 500 acres
- PrescribedFive-7 Rx
33 mi from the campground
- PrescribedLeary Rx
36 mi from the campground
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Etna Creek Outfitters ↗ | 16.2 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 29.6 mi |
| RV sales & service | Cousin Gary RV Center ↗ | 48.6 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Still can’t believe I did this🤯 w Carter Kench #shorts
Worth a stop
A short drive away, the Carter Meadows Summit is accessible for day hikes along the Pacific Crest Trail to Hidden and South Fork Lakes.
- 0.7 miTrail Gulch Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 0.7 miCarter Meadows Summit Trailhead ↗Trailhead
Trails nearby
- 0.1 miCarter Meadows Interior4.3 mi trail
- 0.6 miTrail Gulch2.8 mi trail
- 0.7 miHidden Lake0.9 mi trail
- 1 miLong Gulch3.9 mi trail
- 1.3 miSouth Fork Lakes3.3 mi trail
- 1.7 miSaloon Creek2.7 mi trail · hiking, horse
Trailheads within three miles
- 0.7 miTrail Gulch Trailhead ↗Klamath National Forest
- 0.7 miCarter Meadows Summit Trailhead ↗Klamath National Forest
- 1 miLong Gulch Trailhead ↗Klamath National Forest
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside Shasta-Trinity National Forest.
- inShasta-Trinity National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 2,715,499 acres
- 1 miTrinity Alps Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 537,357 acres
- 4 miRussian Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 12,521 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
On the National Register nearby
- White's Gulch ArrastraSite · Sawyers Bar · 9.5 mi
- Sawyers Bar Catholic ChurchBuilding · Sawyers Bar · 13 mi
Natural features
The Klamath National Forest encompasses nearly 2 million acres of land straddling the California and Oregon border. The Klamath is a vast array of mountains, streams and lakes and, at elevations ranging from 450 to 8,900 feet, is home to diverse plant life and nearly 400 animal species. The partially shaded campground sits at an altitude of 5,800 feet.
Recreation
The Carter Meadows Horse Group Site is adjacent to the Trinity Alps Wilderness and the Pacific Crest Trail. From this site, groups can ride to three trailheads that access several wilderness lakes and many miles of trails. Fishing is available in nearby streams and wilderness lakes.
Guidebooks for California
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Carter Meadows Horse Group?
Sites at Carter Meadows Horse Group are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Carter Meadows Horse Group?
$50 per night
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Carter Meadows Horse Group?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 10:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Carter Meadows Horse Group open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Carter Meadows Horse Group have?
1 site, including 1 group equestrian.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Carter Meadows Horse Group?
Yes, pets are allowed at Carter Meadows Horse Group. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Carter Meadows Horse Group?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there are 4 active fires within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one. Group campsite available by reservation only.
Source: Fire nearby
What is there to do at Carter Meadows Horse Group?
The Carter Meadows Horse Group Site is adjacent to the Trinity Alps Wilderness and the Pacific Crest Trail. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Carter Meadows Horse Group?
Fort Jones, California. A short drive away, the Carter Meadows Summit is accessible for day hikes along the Pacific Crest Trail to Hidden and South Fork Lakes.
Source: Getting there
What if Carter Meadows Horse Group is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Hidden Horse Equestrian Campground (0.2 mi), Shadow Creek Campground (8.3 mi, first-come), and Big Flat Campground (10.7 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby