California / Riverside County / Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument

Ribbonwood Equestrian Cg

Closed — Closed for 2025 due to staffing shortages and budget constraints. The campground is expected to reopen for the 2026 season. Reservations required; no first-come, first-served camping available.

About

Ribbonwood Equestrian Campground serves as an ideal mountain escape for horse enthusiasts, situated approximately 16 miles southeast of Palm Desert at 4,000 feet elevation. The campground overlooks Palm Desert and the Salton Sea, nestled in a chaparral brush and high desert environment characterized by cactus, pinyon pine, and yucca plants. The facility features 8 spacious pull-through campsites with gravel roads and spurs, designed to accommodate large vehicles and horse trailers. The campground provides direct access to an extensive trail system. The 5.3-mile Sawmill Trail begins within the campground and traverses an old road with 2,220 feet of elevation gain, intersecting with the Cactus Spring Trail near the parking area. These trails and the surrounding terrain offer hundreds of miles for horseback riding and mountain biking exploration. Bountiful botanical species exist along the trails, providing scenic views throughout the journey. This equestrian-focused campground operates on a reservation-only basis and does not accommodate first-come, first-served camping.

Directions

From Palm Desert, 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.

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