Discover Hesperia: Camping, Horseback Riding, and History

Hesperia can be explored through a wide range of interests: camping at Hesperia Lake Park, fishing at Hesperia Lake, horseback riding at various locations, and traces of the city’s layered history. When planning your trip, it helps to first decide what you want to focus on. That way, finding a vacation rental becomes more than just choosing a place to stay—it also means deciding which experiences you want to shape your visit.

Camping, Fishing, and Outdoor Experiences

Camping is available year-round at Hesperia Lake Park. The sites are suitable for both RVs and tent campers, so you can choose the type of camping that fits your trip. Operating details may change, so it’s a good idea to check the latest information before you arrive.

Hesperia Lake is a fee-based fishing lake. Before heading out to fish, check the current rules and fees, as both may change. This lets you plan your fishing visit specifically, rather than assuming it’s included with the camping options.

Mojave River Forks Regional Park is in Hesperia’s Summit Valley, at the access point to the Pacific Crest Trail, and offers open-air camping. Numerous trails offer opportunities for horseback riding. The park also provides opportunities for exploration and challenges for all experience levels and age groups. Camping, riding trails, and other explorations offer different ways to spend time outdoors here.

Horseback Riding and Trail Distances

For horseback riding excursions, the details about Mojave River Junction and Hesperia Lake Park are particularly specific. The Mojave River Junction equestrian facility is on the Mojave River, six scenic miles from the equestrian facilities at Hesperia Lake Park. From Mojave River Junction, riders can continue along the trail another five miles north to Mojave Narrows County Regional Park.

The six-mile figure describes the distance between the equestrian facilities; the five miles refer to the additional distance riders can follow north from Mojave River Junction to the regional park. The figures therefore answer two different questions when planning your route: how far apart the equestrian facilities are, and where the trail continues from Mojave River Junction.

The Hesperia Lake Equestrian Camp operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Keep this in mind when planning and check the latest operating information in advance.

Parks for Play and Exercise

Hesperia has a BMX facility with tracks for all experience levels, as well as a separate track for young riders. This distinction is a practical planning point for families with young riders. Race and training schedules can change, so check the latest information before your visit.

Hesperia Civic Plaza Park has a playground, bocce ball courts, and a QR Fit Trail. This is a different kind of park from the BMX facility: here, the offerings include a playground, bocce, and a fit trail, while the BMX facility focuses on riding. If you’re planning activities for different interests, these specific differences can help you choose.

Historic Sites and Hesperia Days

Hesperia’s historical heritage includes the history of the Mojave Indian Tribe, Spanish settlers, and people who traveled west along the Mormon Trail. These connections offer different perspectives on the area’s history. The historic site “John Brown Road at the Mojave Trail Crossing,” dating to 1870, is located in Mojave River Junction.

Hesperia’s role as a stop for travelers is also part of its historical story: the city served as the last stop before they undertook the arduous journey through Cajon Pass. The historic site at the Mojave Trail Crossing points to a named place and a specific year; the account of Cajon Pass, meanwhile, focuses on Hesperia as a stop before a challenging journey.

Hesperia Days is an annual fall festival connected to the city’s cultural heritage. If you’d like to plan your trip around it, check the dates for each year’s event. Visitors who see all the Hesperia Historical Sites can receive a patch at the Harrison Exhibit Center on Main Street.

Explore More Destinations

Explore more destinations: Lake Arrowhead, Cajon Junction, Victorville, Searles Valley, Yucca Valley, Needles, Rancho Cucamonga, Big Bear City.

For the main travel overview: San Bernardino.