Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
9 mi southeast · National Park Service
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.
Outdoors
Horseback riding near Thousand Oaks
Trails and recreation areas near Thousand Oaks open to horseback riding, including horse camps.
12places to ride horses
9 mito the closest
2within 30 miles
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
Hansen Dam
28 mi east · 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.
Lightning Point Group Campground
41 mi east · 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.
Map of all 12 places
Map of 12 places loads as you scroll.
Within 30 miles (2)
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
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
30 to 75 miles (8)
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
Angeles National Forest
- Biking
- Camping
- Fire Lookouts/Cabins Overnight
- Hiking
- Horse Camping
- Horseback riding
- Off-highway vehicles
- Picnicking
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
Cachuma Lake
Cachuma Reservoir, formed by Bradbury Dam , offers a prime recreational opportunity for the south central coast area of California.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hotel/Lodge/Resort Fs Owned
- Nature education
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
Traver Ranch
The Traver Ranch was established in the 1940's when the family purchased approximately 800 acres and began building the large block house that still stands along the edge of Soda Lake Road.
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Photography
- Ranger programs
- Wildlife viewing
Temblor Recreation Area
Temblor Recreation Area was newly designated in the Bakersfield RMP (December 2014) and provides opportunities for OHV riding on a network of over 200 miles of designated routes, recreational shooting, hunting, and other dispersed forms of…
- Biking
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
- Off-highway vehicles
- Photography
- Wildlife viewing
75 miles and farther (2)
Carrizo Plain National Monument
All vehicles including UTVs on the monument must be street-legal (DMV plated) and all vehicles must stay on roads. REMINDER: Please follow warning signs and respect private property when visiting your public lands.
- Biking
- Camping
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
- Nature education
- Photography
- Wildlife viewing
Van Matre Ranch
The Van Matre family owned several farm properties throughout the plain. This property, known to them as "The Camp" was orginally homesteaded by Jerry Hagerty in 1930.
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Photography
- Wildlife viewing
Distances are straight-line miles from downtown Thousand Oaks. 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 Thousand Oaks
THINGS TO DO · YOUTUBE SHORT
Paradise Falls, Thousand Oaks ,CA
A local activity Short shared by Brenda Cruz.
Watch on YouTube ↗
THINGS TO DO · YOUTUBE SHORT
Beautiful Wildwood Park, Thousand Oaks, CA.
A local activity Short shared by Kid Troopers TV.
Watch on YouTube ↗Around Thousand Oaks
More outdoors near Thousand Oaks
- Hiking near Thousand Oaks
- Camping near Thousand Oaks
- Fishing near Thousand Oaks
- Boating and kayaking near Thousand Oaks
- Biking and mountain biking near Thousand Oaks
- Picnic spots near Thousand Oaks
- Wildlife viewing and birding near Thousand Oaks
- Swimming holes and lakes near Thousand Oaks
- Parks in Thousand Oaks
- Day trips
- Weather by month
Questions
Where is the closest place for horseback riding near Thousand Oaks?
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (National Park Service), about 9 miles southeast of Thousand Oaks as the crow flies. Next are Hansen Dam (28 mi) and Lightning Point Group Campground (41 mi).
When is the best time for horseback riding near Thousand Oaks?
Based on Thousand Oaks’s average highs, all year. Conditions at higher elevations can be much cooler.
Who manages these places?
Federal agencies including US Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Land Management, USDA Forest Service. Each listing links to its official page for hours, fees, closures and current conditions.