Have you ever dreamed of riding beneath towering redwoods or galloping alongside the ocean? You can’t fulfill the fantasy in Nevada, of course, but fortunately we can just head over the border and visit our neighbor to the west. The California coast is day drive from Nevada and there are some pretty spectacular places for equestrians to ride. Seven hours west of Reno, Orick Horse Camp is a great basecamp that provides easy access to both the forest and the ocean.
Campground
The Orick Horse Camp is no frills, but it is budget friendly and easy going. It is a large grassy area and an old rodeo facility. There are no hookups or designated sites. Basically, just find a spot to park for dry camping. You can set up your own portable corral, high tie to your trailer, or rent one of their stalls.
There are 17 nice sized stalls, but they are made out of wood and there are shared walls. When the campground is busy, that could lead to conflict between strange horses. This can also be a biosecurity hazard, so assume your own risk. There are faucets and hoses at all the pens for water. The campground provides wheelbarrows, and you must clean your own stalls and take manure to a nearby pile. There is a large arena for turnout and rolling.
The campground has garbage and men’s and women’s bathrooms with pay showers. The showers take quarters ($1.25 for 5 minutes). Pro tip: Come prepared with quarters! There are no banks in the town of Orick, and the few stores that are there do not have change. A camp host is usually on site, who may or may not be a horse person.
There is a working ranch with cattle on pasture adjacent to the campground. There are also lots of elk and black bear activity, but there aren’t any reported issues with bears coming into the area where the horses are. Dogs are allowed in the campground, though they must be on a leash.
Orick Horse Camp’s operating season is fluid. It opens when the rain stops (anywhere from March to May) and closes when it starts again (usually sometime in October). Reserving a site is extremely easy; you can do it online, by phone, by email, or by Facebook messenger. Prices are super affordable: $15 per night for a horse and $5 a night per person.
Trails
Orick has two trails out of camp. The first heads up into the mountain and the Redwood National Park. It’s a bit of a climb at the beginning, but evens out into a nice seven-mile ridge loop trail under a canopy of redwood trees and a lush understory of green ferns and other plants. These are not the largest redwoods in the national or state park system, but they are impressive nonetheless. There are even a few burned out trees that you can ride into for a photo op! At points, the forest opens up to offer peek-a-boo views to the ocean.
The single track trail is moderately technical for the elevation gain and descent and tree roots to navigate, but the footing is nice and soft. The ridge loop trail connects to a larger network of trails and logging roads for those who are looking for more miles. (The local endurance group hosts a 30/50 mile ride here every summer.) Depending on the time of year you may encounter some small creeks. Dogs are not allowed on these trails. Keep your eye open for a bright yellow banana slugs!
The other trail out of Orick Horse Camp leads to the ocean. You’ll cross Highway 101 and ride along a nice flat and wide levee trail behind the town. The levee trail winds through big grassy pastures and ends at the Pacific Ocean. Here you can ride up or down the beach. The beaches are clean and not at all crowded. There are cool rock formations rising up out of the water, tidepools, lagoons, and driftwood. Dogs are allowed at the beach.
The beach riding is not technical. However, the levee trail through down requires crossing the highway either on the street or by following the trail through the underpass which is narrow and might make some horses nervous. In addition, there is the occasional homeless encampment along the trail.
