Ribbonwood Equestrian CG
Ribbonwood is an ideal mountain escape for equestrian campers. The campground overlooks Palm Desert and the Salton Sea in southern California and provides visitors with access to hundreds of miles of terrain for exploration and enjoyment.
More like this: reservable in California · pets allowed in California
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Equestrian | 8 |
| Host/management | 1 |
Site guide
8 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Water / sewer | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Pull-through | 120 | Gravel | Partial | Yes / – | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 002 | Pull-through | 120 | Gravel | Partial | Yes / – | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 003 | Pull-through | 100 | Gravel | Yes / – | 8 / 1 | Yes | |
| 004 | Pull-through | 130 | Gravel | Yes / – | 8 / 1 | Yes | |
| 005 | Pull-through | 90 | Gravel | Partial | Yes / – | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 006 | Pull-through | 120 | Gravel | Yes / – | 8 / 1 | Yes | |
| 007 | Pull-through | 100 | Gravel | Yes / – | 8 / 1 | Yes | |
| 008 | Pull-through | 100 | Gravel | Partial | Yes / – | 8 / 1 | 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 2:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
The campground offers less than a dozen large, single-family campsites for both tent or RV camping. Each is equipped with tables and campfire rings with grills. Accessible flush toilets, showers and drinking water are provided, and campsites each have access to two horse corrals and hitching racks.
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 | San Bernardino National Forest |
| Booking | Call 1-877-444-6777 or www.recreation.gov. Reservations can be made as early as 6 months or as late as 3 days in advance. |
| Fees | $15 per night, holders of Interagency Senior or Access cards are entitled to 50% campsite fee reduction. Holder of the card must be present. |
| Rules | The fee allows for a maximum of 8 people per campsite and entry for 1 vehicle and 1 legally towed vehicle. There are no refunds for inclement weather. Fire restrictions may be imposed at any time due to hot, dry weather conditions, at which time campfires and charcoal fires may not be allowed. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Palm Desert, California, take the Palms to Pines Highway/Highway 74 south for approximately 16 miles to the community of Pinyon. Turn left onto South Pinyon Drive and the entrance to the campground is on the right.
| Nearest town | Idyllwild, California |
| Coordinates | 33.5761° N, 116.4547° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Pete Carlson's Gofl & Tennis ↗ | 10.9 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 31.6 mi |
| RV sales & service | Mountain Air Mobile Home Sales ↗ | 36.2 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Trails nearby
- 0.3 miPinyon ↗7.5 mi trail
- 0.6 miCactus Springs ↗10.2 mi trail
- 1.9 miSawmill2.5 mi trail
- 2.5 miPalm Canyon ↗10.4 mi trail
- 5 miLive Oak Springs ↗5.2 mi trail
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 Santa Rosa-San Jacinto Mountains National Monument.
- inSanta Rosa-San Jacinto Mountains National Monument ↗National Monument · Bureau of Land Management · 279,535 acres
- 2.9 miSanta Rosa Wilderness ↗Wilderness · BLM/FS · 78,576 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
Historic landmarks nearby
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Natural features
The campground is located approximately 16 miles southeast of Palm Desert, California, at an elevation of about 4,000 feet. It is nestled in a chaparral brush, high desert environment of cactus, pinyon pine and yucca plants. Roads and spurs are gravel.
Recreation
Horseback riding and mountain biking are popular activities. The 5.3-mile Sawmill Trail begins within the campground and traverses an old road with 2,220 feet of elevation gain. It also intersects with the Cactus Spring Trail near the campground's parking area. Bountiful botanical species exist along the trail, providing scenic views for travelers.
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 Ribbonwood Equestrian CG?
Sites at Ribbonwood Equestrian CG are reservable on Recreation.gov. Call 1-877-444-6777 or www.recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Ribbonwood Equestrian CG?
$15 per night, holders of Interagency Senior or Access cards are entitled to 50% campsite fee reduction. Holder of the card must be present.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Ribbonwood Equestrian CG?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 2:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Ribbonwood Equestrian CG open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Ribbonwood Equestrian CG have?
9 sites, including 8 equestrian sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Does Ribbonwood Equestrian CG have hookups?
Yes, water hookups at some sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there showers or a dump station at Ribbonwood Equestrian CG?
Accessible flush toilets, showers and drinking water are provided, and campsites each have access to two horse corrals and hitching racks.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Ribbonwood Equestrian CG?
Yes, pets are allowed at Ribbonwood Equestrian CG. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Ribbonwood Equestrian CG?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. The fee allows for a maximum of 8 people per campsite and entry for 1 vehicle and 1 legally towed vehicle.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is there cell service at Ribbonwood Equestrian CG?
FCC coverage maps show Verizon 5G, AT&T 5G, and T-Mobile 5G at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Ribbonwood Equestrian CG?
Horseback riding and mountain biking are popular activities. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Ribbonwood Equestrian CG?
Idyllwild, California.
Source: Getting there