McCall Memorial Equestrian Park sits four miles south of Idyllwild, just a quarter mile west of Mountain Center off Highway 74, in the heart of Riverside County‘s mountain region. This 88-acre park was built specifically for people who want to ride horses and camp, so the whole place is set up with that in mind—it’s not trying to be everything to everyone.

You’re at 4,400 feet elevation here, surrounded by the San Bernardino National Forest, which means you get real mountain scenery. The trails wind through tall pines, open meadows, and past seasonal streams. Ride for a bit and you’ll see views of the San Jacinto Mountains, rolling hills, and rocky peaks that loom above Idyllwild. A shorter trail ride gets you to Humber Park, which is the entry point to the San Jacinto High Country if you want to explore further.

The trail system here connects to bigger routes too—you can reach the Pacific Crest Trail from McCall Park and Idyllwild, though I should mention some of those connections are pretty challenging and might not suit every horse and rider combination. The gentler terrain at McCall itself gives you plenty of options for a solid day out.

If you’re bringing your dog along, they’re welcome as long as they’re leashed. The park’s pretty clear that you need to clean up right away after your dog—not something you should put off or half-do. That’s pretty standard for places like this where you’ve got multiple users sharing the same trails and camping areas.

The elevation means weather changes fast up here, so bring layers even if it’s warm when you leave town. Spring and early fall tend to be the best times to visit, though the park operates year-round.