Wildcat Equestrian Area
Eastman Lake — lakeside, hiking
Location: Raymond, CA, CA
Price: From $60 per night
Rating: 4 out of 5 (0 reviews)
Season: May through October
Wildcat Equestrian Area at Buchanan Dam, H.V. Eastman Lake is a perfect launchpad for activities like horseback riding, birding and hiking. Tucked in the Sierra Nevada foothills, the area attracts abundant wildlife like bobcats, bald eagles, golden eagles, and hawks.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): strong signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: AT&T. Verizon 4G: 100%. AT&T 4G: 100%. T-Mobile 4G: 100%.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Vault Toilets, Showers, Boat Launch
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/wildcat-equestrian-area to be notified when sites open up.
Wildcat Equestrian Area offers a peaceful, uncrowded setting in the Sierra Nevada foothills perfect for horseback riding, hiking, and birding with abundant wildlife viewing opportunities.
Wildlife alert: California Ground Squirrel, Western Red-tailed Hawk, Savannah Sparrow, Western Meadowlark, Loggerhead Shrike
Insider tips for Wildcat Equestrian Area: Book early as this is a federal campground with limited availability Bring a self-contained RV as there are no hookups available Horse corrals and hitching posts available for equestrian use
Skip Wildcat Equestrian Area if: You need RV hookups. You plan to camp outside May-October.
Best time to visit Wildcat Equestrian Area: May-October — Campground operates seasonally May through October only.
Nearby campgrounds: Wildcat Recreation Area Campground (Raymond, CA), Codorniz Recreation Area Campground (RAYMOND, CA), Chowchilla Recreation Area Day Use (RAYMOND, CA), Hidden View (RAYMOND, CA).
Cell Phone Coverage at Wildcat Equestrian Area
Cell signal at Wildcat Equestrian Area (Raymond, CA): strong overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: AT&T.
- Verizon 4G LTE: 100% coverage
- AT&T 4G LTE: 100% coverage · AT&T 5G: 100%
- T-Mobile 4G LTE: 100% coverage
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
Wildcat Equestrian Area at Buchanan Dam, H.V. Eastman Lake is a perfect launchpad for activities like horseback riding, birding and hiking. Tucked in the Sierra Nevada foothills, the area attracts abundant wildlife like bobcats, bald eagles, golden eagles, and hawks.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early as this is a federal campground with limited availability
Bring a self-contained RV as there are no hookups available
Horse corrals and hitching posts available for equestrian use
Campground operates seasonally May through October only
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: AT&T.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
Eastman Lake is 30 miles northeast of Madera, 25 miles east of Chowchilla, and 50 miles north of Fresno. From Highway 99, travel east on Avenue 26 then north on Rd 29. Follow signs into the campground.
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Eastman Lake fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Eastman Lake before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Wildcat Equestrian Area cost per night?+
What season is Wildcat Equestrian Area open?+
Does Wildcat Equestrian Area have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Wildcat Equestrian Area?+
How do I make reservations at Wildcat Equestrian Area?+
What is the cell service like at Wildcat Equestrian Area?+
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●Data sources on this page
CamperWatch never fabricates data. Where data is unavailable, it is not shown.
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