Beauty Mountain Wilderness
40 mi northeast · Bureau of Land Management
The Beauty Mountain Wilderness encompasses a total of 15,627 acres and is managed by the BLM's Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office .
Outdoors
Horseback riding near Carlsbad
Trails and recreation areas near Carlsbad open to horseback riding, including horse camps.
15places to ride horses
40 mito the closest
Year-roundbest months
Good to know: Check trailer parking and stock water at the trailhead, and whether certified weed-free hay is required.
Closest picks
Otay Mountain Wilderness
45 mi southeast · Bureau of Land Management
The Otay Mountain Wilderness has a total of 16,885 acres and is managed by the BLM's Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office .
Map of all 15 places
Map of 15 places loads as you scroll.
30 to 75 miles (12)
Beauty Mountain Wilderness
The Beauty Mountain Wilderness encompasses a total of 15,627 acres and is managed by the BLM's Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office .
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Photography
- Wilderness
Cleveland National Forest
- Biking
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horse Camping
- Horseback riding
- Off-highway vehicles
- Picnicking
- Ranger programs
Otay Mountain Wilderness
The Otay Mountain Wilderness has a total of 16,885 acres and is managed by the BLM's Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office .
- Camping
- Horseback riding
- Photography
- Wilderness
- Wildlife viewing
El Prado Group
El Prado Group Campground is a great mountain getaway just one hour east of San Diego, California in the Laguna Mountain Recreation Area.
- Biking
- Birding
- Camping
- Cultural Activities
- Hiking
- History
- Horseback riding
- Information Site
Horse Heaven Group
Contrary to its name, Horse Heaven Group Campground has no equestrian sites. Instead, this tent-only facility can accommodate gatherings of up to 100 people.
- Biking
- Birding
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Mountain Biking
- Scenic Drive
- Wildlife viewing
Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail
The Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail covers over 1200 miles through the homelands of 70+ Tribal communities. It follows the historic route of the 1775-76 Spanish colonizing expedition from Sonora, Mexico to San Francisco, CA.
- Hiking
- History
- Horseback riding
Boulder Oaks Eqst
Boulder Oaks offers equestrian and family sites in the scenic Cleveland National Forest, about an hour away from San Diego, California.
- Backpacking
- Birding
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horse Camping
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
- Picnicking
Prado Dam
This San Bernardino County Parks managed area is an oasis within one of the fastest growing areas of Southern California. Riverside County and the City of Corona also provide recreation facilities.
- Boating
- Camping
- Horseback riding
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
Brea Dam
The recreation facilities at this project are managed by the City of Fullerton (CA) Community Services. Golf and tennis are main attractions at this project, located among the picturesque rolling hills in the City of Fullerton.
- Biking
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hotel/Lodge/Resort Privately Owned
- Picnicking
San Bernardino National Forest
- Biking
- Camping
- Climbing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horse Camping
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
Lake Cahuilla
Surronded by the stark beauty of the Santa Rosa Mountains, Lake Cahuilla (pronounced Kah-wee-ah) is a favorite recreation area in the Coachella Valley.
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Picnicking
- Recreational Vehicles
- Water sports
Santa Rosa Wilderness
The terrain within the Santa Rosa Mountains Wilderness is rugged with elevations rising dramatically from just above sea level to 7,000 feet.
- Camping
- Hiking
- History
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
- Photography
- Wilderness
- Wildlife viewing
75 miles and farther (3)
San Gorgonio Wilderness
This wilderness is part of the eastern slope of the San Bernardino Mountains with topography rapidly changing from low, rolling foothills and canyons to steep, rugged mountains. Elevations range from 2,300 to 5,500 feet.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
- Photography
- Wilderness
- Wildlife viewing
Sand to Snow National Monument
Remember your OUTDOOR ETHICS when enjoying your public lands. Please RECREATE RESPONSIBLY.
- Accessible Swimming
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Photography
- Wildlife viewing
- Winter sports
Whittier Narrows Dam
This project is managed by Los Angeles County Parks and the City of Pico Rivera. Whittier Narrows has no permanent pool.
- Biking
- Boating
- Horseback riding
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
Distances are straight-line miles from downtown Carlsbad. Listings come from Recreation.gov’s federal recreation database; check each official page for hours, fees, fire restrictions and closures before you go.
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More outdoors near Carlsbad
Questions
Where is the closest place for horseback riding near Carlsbad?
Beauty Mountain Wilderness (Bureau of Land Management), about 40 miles northeast of Carlsbad as the crow flies. Next are Cleveland National Forest (43 mi) and Otay Mountain Wilderness (45 mi).
When is the best time for horseback riding near Carlsbad?
Based on Carlsbad’s average highs, all year. Conditions at higher elevations can be much cooler.
Who manages these places?
Federal agencies including Bureau of Land Management, USDA Forest Service, US Army Corps of Engineers. Each listing links to its official page for hours, fees, closures and current conditions.