Silver Creek Marsh Campground provides dedicated equestrian facilities within Fremont-Winema National Forest, about 30 miles from Beatty. The area sits at approximately 4,500 feet elevation, characterized by ponderosa pine forests transitioning to high desert terrain. Local weather patterns typically bring warm summer days with cool nights, while spring and fall visitors should prepare for temperature fluctuations of 30-40 degrees within a 24-hour period.
What to do
Fishing at Thompson Reservoir: Visit Thompson Reservoir near Silver Creek Marsh for fishing opportunities. "Lovely walks and hikes to be had. Beautiful stargazing. Clean pit toilets and clean overall campground. There were corrals at one end for horse camping," notes Kelly H.
Explore logging history: Take a short drive to Collier Memorial State Park to visit their outdoor logging museum. "Follow the walking trail to the logging museum. Logging equipment, buildings, train cars (all outdoors) with guided tours and a gift shop. The nearby river is small and beautiful," shares Jessica P.
Stargazing: The remote location of equestrian-friendly campgrounds near Beatty provides exceptional night sky viewing. "We were able to see soooo many stars in the sky!!" reports Fiona W. about camping in the area. The minimal light pollution creates ideal conditions for identifying constellations.
What campers like
Peaceful surroundings: Horse owners appreciate the quiet camping environments. "We had the place to ourselves the first night and another camper came in for the 2nd. Easy pull-through site, pretty level and fit both rigs. Otherwise plenty of room between sites," says Kelly H. about their experience at Silver Creek Marsh.
Clean facilities: Jackson Creek campground maintains good standards despite its remote location. "Beautiful, remote and quiet. Large camp sites," notes Kim K. The pit toilets are regularly maintained at most equestrian campgrounds in the area.
Wildlife viewing: The diverse ecosystems around Beatty support abundant wildlife. Nicole W. from Keno Camp shares, "There's lots of wildlife here as well! Deer, fish, birds, rabbits, the occasional mountain lion as well. Have fun, be safe!!"
What you should know
Road conditions: Access roads to horse-friendly camping areas can be challenging. "The paved road in is not maintained well and has huge cracks every 20 feet, some that could take out a wheel. But the slow bumpy trip was worth it," reports Michael M. about Silver Creek Marsh.
Seasonal availability: Most equestrian campgrounds operate seasonally. "Pushed through to stop here for the night only to find the entrance gated and the sign says 'Closed for the Season'," warns Glen G. about attempting off-season camping at Keno Camp.
Water planning: Bring sufficient water for both humans and horses. Fourmile Lake Campground has drinking water available, but most horse camps in the region require you to pack in your own water supply.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Look for campgrounds with open spaces for children to play. "The camp sites are pretty spread out which was really nice!" mentions Tylere Y. about Fourmile Lake Campground, providing room for family activities.
Educational opportunities: "We stayed at site A25 on the inner ring. I suggest trying to get a site on the outer ring. Some of those are just off the river with private trail access," advises Tj B., highlighting how riverside sites at Collier Memorial provide nature learning opportunities for children.
Wildlife awareness: Teach children about local wildlife expectations. "The chipmunks are everywhere and will steal food. Our dog was quite annoyed," warns Jessica P., emphasizing the importance of proper food storage even from small creatures.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for trailers: Choose pull-through sites when bringing horse trailers. "Sites are level, well shaded and several are long and can handle big trailers. Some sites have less shade if you need StarLink access," notes Michael M. about camping at Silver Creek Marsh.
Services available: Know where to find supplies since most horse camps are remote. "If you are in need to restock larger items, Klamath Falls is only 25 mins away," advises Nicole W., providing practical information for extended stays.
Connectivity considerations: Cell service is limited around Beatty. "Pit toilets, no showers, no WiFi but Star Link works of course," shares Heather E., highlighting the importance of alternative communication options for emergency situations when camping with horses.
