Best Equestrian Camping near Black Butte Lake

I’ve been camping cross country for the last month with my husband. We’re from New York, and like to think we’re not easily rattled or intimidated. This was the first time on our trip that we were both scared.

The forest service website says this campground is not open for camping, just dirt bike and horse riding, so I had found a campground further into the National Forest to camp at. When we drove by Middle Creek, we could see the sites from the road and a few of them had tents and we could see some folks, the campground was pretty clearly operating to some extent. We just wanted somewhere to stay overnight on our way into SF so we doubled back and found a site, paid the $8 and had a snack. We explored our corner of the campground a little- pretty clean, a fine campground. No visible host.

Lots of wasps and flies, like standing right next to a dumpster. There was a woman who seemed to be experiencing homelessness and/or mental illness occupying multiple sites. She pretty clearly was stealing from sites people weren’t present at, right in front of us. She also had a dog that didn’t seem to be hers.

The man at the campsite next to us didn’t have a tent or anything, just paid then sat in his truck screaming and cackling and breaking stuff loudly and pounding beers.

We left without spending the night. The police need to go take a look out there.

This campground is dry and built primarily for HOV people cuz the Elk mountain area is very much a dirt bike and four-wheel Haven.

It's got dropped toilets and it has potable water. Problem is that the spigots don't have any hose fittings, so you can't hook up, which I think is a good thing to keep people from taking over water for an extended period of time.

There's no other water anywhere else, no showers, no sinks or anything like that so prepare to come fully dry.

If you come with that in mind I would say this place is really really nice. It's very clean. If it's in a beautiful location and if you're into four-wheeling or dirt bikes, you're going to have a blast.

There there's a small town not far, 15 minutes or so, that has gas, a market, pizza places, and a few other stores. So there's plenty of access to food and gas when necessary.

This has nothing to do with the campground. Just keep in mind that Elk mountain road, especially the part leading up to the top of the mountain right as you leave the campground is an absolutely terrible road, it needs a lot of maintenance..

Only $55 for a full hookup that’s a pull through. $50 for Good Sam Members. We came in too late to enjoy the comedy shows they have every first Saturday. If you happen to make it on time, “Carlinos” or the place the host it is in the North Tower. Go right at the main entrance. We missed it by wandering around the casino trying to find it. There are also amazing views at sunset and sunrise if you get to the lots closer to the end- which we didn’t. Great front desk staff! They also have routine patrol security.

Laundry: $2.00 for washing machines and $1.00 for dryers. Must be done by 10 pm with the last load starting at 8 pm.

Showers: $15/person- not included in RV fee

Dump station: $10- only from 9am- 5 pm, although each site has sewer hookups.

No wifi, but I’m not upset because the price was great and I had good cell coverage.