Lightning Point Group Campground
15 mi south · USDA Forest Service
Lightning Point Campground sits at an elevation of 6,100 feet, about 25 miles southeast of Palmdale and roughly 35 miles north of the San Fernando Valley.
Outdoors
Horseback riding near Palmdale
Trails and recreation areas near Palmdale open to horseback riding, including horse camps.
15places to ride horses
15 mito the closest
4within 30 miles
October–Maybest months
Good to know: Check trailer parking and stock water at the trailhead, and whether certified weed-free hay is required.
Closest picks
Bandido Group Campground
17 mi south · USDA Forest Service
Located along Santa Clara Divide Road in the Angeles National Forest, Bandido Group Campground sits among fragrant Jeffrey pines in the upper montane zone of the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument.
Hansen Dam
27 mi southwest · US Army Corps of Engineers
The City of Los Angeles manages the extensive day-use facilities, including golf and riding stables, are available at this site in the San Fernando Valley.
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Within 30 miles (4)
Lightning Point Group Campground
Lightning Point Campground sits at an elevation of 6,100 feet, about 25 miles southeast of Palmdale and roughly 35 miles north of the San Fernando Valley.
- Birding
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horse Camping
- Horseback riding
- Mountain Biking
Bandido Group Campground
Located along Santa Clara Divide Road in the Angeles National Forest, Bandido Group Campground sits among fragrant Jeffrey pines in the upper montane zone of the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument.
- Biking
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Mountain Biking
Hansen Dam
The City of Los Angeles manages the extensive day-use facilities, including golf and riding stables, are available at this site in the San Fernando Valley.
- Boating
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
Angeles National Forest
- Biking
- Camping
- Fire Lookouts/Cabins Overnight
- Hiking
- Horse Camping
- Horseback riding
- Off-highway vehicles
- Picnicking
30 to 75 miles (11)
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
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
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
The Santa Monica Mountains offer easy access to surprisingly wild places. Experience the famous beaches of Malibu or explore more than 500 miles of trails.
- Biking
- Camping
- Climbing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
Jawbone Canyon OHV Area
The Jawbone Canyon Off-Highway Vehicle Area provides a wide variety of riding opportunities including cross country play, trail riding, and advanced technical hill climbing opportunities.
- Accessible Facility Or Activity
- Biking
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
- Off-highway vehicles
- Photography
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
Juniper Flats
Juniper Flats covers 101,272 acres of mixed public and private lands. Located between the Mojave Desert and the forests of the San Bernardino Mountains, Juniper Flats hosts a unique mixture of plants from both environments.
- Biking
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
- Nature education
- Off-highway vehicles
- Photography
Dove Springs OHV Area
From cross-country play in the sandy bowl to steep hill climbs, the Dove Springs OHV area offers over 5,000 acres of open-use public land for you to enjoy.
- Accessible Facility Or Activity
- Biking
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
- Photography
- Wildlife viewing
San Bernardino National Forest
- Biking
- Camping
- Climbing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horse Camping
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
Bright Star Wilderness
Bright Star Canyon encloses Kelso Creek and leaves Sequoia National Forest to cross the southern portion of the Bureau of Land Management's Bright Star Wilderness.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
- Photography
- Wilderness
- Wildlife viewing
Black Mountain Wilderness
Black Mountain stands at 3,941 feet, a mesa rising above an expanse of desolate, ancient lava flows. The mountain lies in the northwest corner of the Wilderness, and from the summit, the area drops in elevation to 2,080 feet.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
- Nature education
- Photography
- Ranger programs
- Wilderness
Golden Valley Wilderness
The Lava Mountains span the northwestern portion of Golden Valley Wilderness, cresting to almost 5,000 feet on Dome Mountain.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
- Photography
- Wilderness
- Wildlife viewing
Distances are straight-line miles from downtown Palmdale. Listings come from Recreation.gov’s federal recreation database; check each official page for hours, fees, fire restrictions and closures before you go.
Get outside around Palmdale
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THINGS TO DO · YOUTUBE SHORT
Palmdale, California.
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More outdoors near Palmdale
Questions
Where is the closest place for horseback riding near Palmdale?
Lightning Point Group Campground (USDA Forest Service), about 15 miles south of Palmdale as the crow flies. Next are Bandido Group Campground (17 mi) and Hansen Dam (27 mi).
When is the best time for horseback riding near Palmdale?
Based on Palmdale’s average highs, October–May. 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.