Best Equestrian Camping near Riggins, ID

Secesh Horse Camp provides essential facilities for equestrians exploring the Secesh River area near Riggins. The campground features hitching rails for horses and has been used as a horse camp for nearly a century. Sites accommodate both tents and RVs with adequate space for horse trailers. The historical campground maintains a rustic atmosphere with basic amenities including vault toilets and picnic tables. Campers report the sites are flat and suitable for establishing a riding base, though the area can be dusty during dry periods. The campground charges a $10 parking fee and allows pets, making it convenient for riders traveling with dogs and horses together.

Trail access directly from the campground connects riders to the Secesh River Trail, which begins across the river from the camp. The trail offers excellent riding opportunities with scenic views and access to wild huckleberries and strawberries in early July. Riders can explore multiple miles on forest roads by UTV or pickup while discovering the Salmon River drainage. The drive to the campground follows a scenic route along the Salmon River, with Lick Creek Road providing access from McCall. High clearance vehicles are recommended for some of the surrounding forest roads, which can be steep in places. The remote location offers quiet camping with minimal traffic, though the roads can be challenging with substantial dust during summer months.

Best Equestrian Sites Near Riggins, Idaho (10)

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Equestrian Camping Reviews near Riggins, ID

12 Reviews of 10 Riggins Campgrounds


  • Jersey G.
    Nov. 16, 2022

    Ruby Meadows Trailhead

    Close to Adventure

    Great little campground, until the fire went through.  Most of it survived, but fire damage is present adjacent to the road and along the trails.

    It can sometimes be crowded with ATV and motorbikes, but most the time they are courteous and polite. 

    I enjoyed panning in the creeks around the area because there are neat dark red and purple garnet to be had.  Only found a speck or two of gold, so I am glad I was looking for garnet and not gold.

    Traveled from N. Idaho and Montana to here multiple times over the year - definitely worth the trip, especially since they paved the road.

  • Hannah C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 5, 2020

    Secesh Horse Camp

    Little old, but great!

    I really liked this campsite. It would be a great spot if you are planning on camping with horses as it has hitching rails. It is a historical site that has been used off and on for the past century. Wether come from McCall via Lick Creek Road, or fr the east down the Salmon River, it is beautiful! Be sure to hike the Secesh river trail which starts across the Secesh River from the campground. I found huckleberries and wild strawberries along the trail at the beginning of July. It cost $10 to park here.

  • J
    Aug. 23, 2020

    Table Meadows Campground

    Things change

    We used to pull horse trailers in there all the time - 20 years ago

    We won’t be pulling anything in there again. Gained some plumbing experience due to large “pot holes” that can swallow trailer tires whole.

    Forest service has forgotten about the road and let it fall into dismal shape. Would be best if traveled without a trailer and with 4x4.

    Campsites are there but grasses have overgrown most of the site.

    Assume that road is in poor shape and sites are best for tents.

  • J
    Aug. 31, 2019

    Iron Phone Junction Campground

    Decent base camp area

    Camp is decent with a few spots for smaller RV or campers - pit toilet - trees surround - high clearance vehicle recommended - steep in places

    You can explore a few miles on the roads by UTV or by pickup while exploring the Salmon River drainage or the Snake River drainage. Traveling to Pittsburgh Landing and Kirkwood from here is considered a short day ride.

    Steep terrain surrounds the area

    Unit 18

    A lot of cattle ranching in the summer and mostly hunters In the fall.

    Forest service maps are recommended for travel since a lot just circle back to start, mostly on road, little access for off road travel.

  • Max L.
    Aug. 8, 2019

    Windy Saddle Trailhead Campground

    What heaven on earth truly is

    Arrived late on a Saturday night originally intending to camp at the 7 devils campground but there were no available sites so decided to go back to windy saddle. We were the only campers at windy saddle and were able to get a perfect site at the head of the trail over looking hell’s canyon and Heaven’s gate. Had an absolutely gorgeous view of the devils peaks easy access to trails, devils lake, Heaven’s gate trail. One of the best camping trips I have ever had. There is a vault toilet but no other amenities which was ok for our stay. I am definitely going to be coming back to camp at windy saddle again.

  • M
    Oct. 9, 2022

    Kennally Creek

    Excellent Place to Camp

    After an hour of driving over a very bumpy and gravely road, you arrive at a serene camp ground. Its right next to a creek and is connected to some hiking loops. Very calm and quiet area.

  • C
    Jul. 15, 2019

    Kennally Creek

    Quiet and relaxing

    campsites with picnic tables and fire pits. Bathroom with no running water. Bears are known to visit but we didn’t see any signs. The creek is gorgeous , not deep . The trail head is close to camp. The trails are fairly easy and maintained. Lovely place .

  • Alyse L.
    Nov. 8, 2023

    North Thomason Meadows

    Wildflowers, raptors, beautiful views at the top of Imnaha Canyon

    I recommend this section of Wallowa-Whitman NF Rd 46 (4600) between Thomason Meadow Guard Station and Buckhorn Lookout because it is grazed less than surrounding areas, and thus has more plant diversity--i.e. great WILDFLOWER BLOOM in the spring. At 5000 feet, June to early July is a peak bloom time.

    This is the top of the Imnaha River breaks, and you can see fully down into the BEAUTIFUL canyonlands of the Imnaha and Snake. Birdwatching was good for us out here too, especially raptors. One of the trailheads to the historic Nez Perce Nee -Me-Poo Trail is near this "Camp-1" dispersed spot.*

    *One of our maps calls the marked spot "FSR 46 Camp-1," but the dispersed camp sites are all along NF Rd 46 from here north to Buckhorn.

    The drive up to this area is well-maintained gravel, and an SUV with decent tires can do it. (We did it with a truck hauling a toy-hauler trailer). Bring all the water and supplies and tools you need--this area is REMOTE.

    Take Crow Creek Rd off of Hwy 82 (btwn Enterprise and Joseph). All is paved until your intersection with Zumwalt Road, where you veer R to stay on Zumwalt (aka Zumwalt-Buckhorn Rd). It's gravel after that intersection.

    Follow signs to Zumwalt Prairie or Buckhorn Lookout.

    Crossing over Zumwalt Prairie is a GORGEOUS drive. The Nature Conservancy has their Zumwalt Prairie Preserve here, and it's a great side trip from the camp spot.

    This section of NF-46 road is extremely quiet. Only the occasional ranch vehicle travels through. In fall this is a popular camp area for hunters.

    I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 because of zero water, zero data, the ecosystem/soil that has been abused in the past (not wilderness), the 50-minute drive to WiFi/ restaurant/ water refill/ black water dump. But if I was comparing primitive camping to primitive camping, this would be a 5 of 5.

    I would go back here (in late spring or early fall) in a heartbeat.

  • Jersey G.
    Nov. 16, 2022

    Nez Perce National Forest Five Mile Campground

    Fun Campsite

    Great little campsite.  There are actually two campgrounds across the road from each other.  The newer one is a wide open area while the older one is not conducive to larger 5th wheels.  

    I camped at the older one with my little 1960 Rolls Royal camper.  Fun trails all around to explore and I've heard you can pan in the creek.  

    It is reported the 2022 fire pretty well wiped out the area so camper beware...


Guide to Riggins

Equestrian camping options near Riggins, Idaho cater to riders seeking access to backcountry trails and forest roads. The region features several horse-friendly campgrounds at elevations ranging from 2,000 to 5,000 feet, with terrain varying from river valleys to mountain meadows. Forest Service roads in the area typically open by late May, though higher elevation trails may remain snow-covered until mid-June.

What to do

Trail riding access: Windy Saddle Trailhead Campground provides direct access to Hell's Canyon trails with views overlooking the canyon. "We were able to get a perfect site at the head of the trail over looking hell's canyon and Heaven's gate. Had an absolutely gorgeous view of the devils peaks easy access to trails, devils lake, Heaven's gate trail," reports Max L.

Wildlife viewing: The remote forest areas surrounding Riggins offer opportunities to spot elk, deer, and various bird species. At North Thomason Meadows, campers note exceptional wildlife viewing. "Birdwatching was good for us out here too, especially raptors," shares Alyse L., who also mentions that the area features "beautiful views at the top of Imnaha Canyon."

Seasonal foraging: Forest areas near horse campgrounds contain wild edibles during summer months. "I found huckleberries and wild strawberries along the trail at the beginning of July," notes Hannah C. who hiked the trails near Secesh Horse Camp.

What campers like

Remote locations: Horse campgrounds near Riggins provide isolation from crowds. Iron Phone Junction Campground offers a quiet base for exploration. "Camp is decent with a few spots for smaller RV or campers - pit toilet - trees surround - high clearance vehicle recommended - steep in places," writes J C., who adds that "traveling to Pittsburgh Landing and Kirkwood from here is considered a short day ride."

Scenic drives: Access roads to horse camps offer views worth the journey. "Wether come from McCall via Lick Creek Road, or fr the east down the Salmon River, it is beautiful!" says Hannah C. about the route to Secesh Horse Camp.

Historical significance: Many camping areas have served as horse camps for generations. At Table Meadows Campground, J C. notes, "We used to pull horse trailers in there all the time - 20 years ago," indicating its long-standing use by equestrians despite road conditions deteriorating over time.

What you should know

Road conditions: Forest roads to horse camps often require high-clearance vehicles. J C. warns about Table Meadows: "Gained some plumbing experience due to large 'pot holes' that can swallow trailer tires whole. Forest service has forgotten about the road and let it fall into dismal shape."

Facility limitations: Most horse campgrounds offer minimal amenities. Kennally Creek provides basic services. "Campsites with picnic tables and fire pits. Bathroom with no running water. Bears are known to visit but we didn't see any signs," reports Cyndi S.

Seasonal considerations: Weather impacts accessibility and camping comfort. Jersey G. notes about Ruby Meadows Trailhead: "Traveled from N. Idaho and Montana to here multiple times over the year - definitely worth the trip, especially since they paved the road," suggesting improved access in recent years.

Tips for camping with families

Wildlife education: Horse campgrounds provide opportunities to teach children about local ecosystems. "The creek is gorgeous, not deep. The trail head is close to camp. The trails are fairly easy and maintained," explains Cyndi S. about Kennally Creek, suggesting suitable terrain for younger riders.

Cabin alternatives: For families uncomfortable with tent camping, consider forest service cabins. Buck Park Cabin offers basic shelter. Lance C. describes it: "Not much to it but it did offer a sheltered place to build a fire/get warm and weather a bad storm. If you want remote with the bare basics, this is the place."

Trailhead proximity: Choose camps near shorter hiking trails for children. "After an hour of driving over a very bumpy and gravely road, you arrive at a serene camp ground. Its right next to a creek and is connected to some hiking loops," notes Max R. about Kennally Creek.

Tips from RVers

Clearance requirements: RV access to horse campgrounds varies significantly. "Dope off grid, dusty, pretty, dusty, epic drive and views along salmon river to hidden gem Secesh river. Flat sites. Good spot for riding base," reports Skyeriver about Secesh Horse Camp.

Site limitations: Most horse campgrounds accommodate smaller RVs only. At Iron Phone Junction Campground, J C. notes there are only "a few spots for smaller RV or campers," suggesting larger rigs should seek alternatives.

Self-sufficiency: Remote horse camps require complete self-sufficiency. Alyse L. advises at North Thomason Meadows: "Bring all the water and supplies and tools you need--this area is REMOTE," mentioning the "50-minute drive to WiFi/restaurant/water refill/black water dump."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Riggins, ID?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Riggins, ID is Windy Saddle Trailhead Campground with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Riggins, ID?

TheDyrt.com has all 10 equestrian camping locations near Riggins, ID, with real photos and reviews from campers.