Equestrian camping opportunities near Buxton, Oregon extend beyond the facilities at Hares Canyon Horse Camp. The area sits at approximately 1,600 feet elevation in the northern Coast Range with mixed coniferous forest dominating the landscape. Winter temperatures typically range from 30-45°F with frequent rain, while summer brings 70-85°F days and much drier conditions—affecting both trail access and camping comfort throughout the year.
What to do
Trail connection opportunities: The Banks-Vernonia State Trail serves as a primary access route for riders staying at Anderson Park, where "the camp is run by the city and it is very clean. I've seen boyscout troops come through on packs of bicycles and single joggers on the Banks Vernonia trail which is easy and scenic. The trail comes through camp and you can walk anywhere in town from camp."
Stargazing sessions: Clear nights offer excellent viewing conditions at Hares Canyon Horse Camp. As one visitor noted, "The top of the park shows a vast section of sky which is perfect for meteor shower watching." Local astronomy groups frequently host organized viewing events during meteor showers.
Mountain biking on dedicated trails: Cyclists can access numerous trail networks from L.L. Stub Stewart State Park. According to one visitor, the park offers "wonderful access to biking (paved or dirt)" and maintains "fun disc golf courses" for those seeking alternative recreation options.
What campers like
Winter accessibility: Cold-weather camping is practical at several locations. At Dairy Creek East, one visitor reported: "Showed up in the dark & rain, no reservations in February. Lots of room at each site, very clean, nice bathrooms, quiet. Easy onsite reservation/payment."
Privacy at hike-in sites: For those seeking seclusion, Brooke Creek Hike-in Camp provides more isolated sites. "The tent pads are a typical woodsy mix of pine straw, leaves, and loose gravel. Sleeping pads are a blessing, but so are nicely stacked leaf piles in a pinch. Tent stakes require a little oomph, I just use the ball of my shoe to push it into the ground."
Natural surroundings: Visitors frequently comment on the forested setting. At Camp Wilkerson, a camper described their experience: "My partner and I had a relaxing time camping at Camp Wilkerson, staying overnight on a Saturday and Sunday in August... We stayed at the tent site T9 and pretty much had the place to ourselves on Sunday. The solitude and creek nearby made the experience quite tranquil."
What you should know
Site layout considerations: Campground configurations vary significantly across the area. At Camp Wilkerson, "The tent camping area actually leaves a lot to be desired. The group camping areas have lean to that can accommodate many people in the bunks. We brought a pop up camper and was able to get it set up nicely."
Limited cell service: Communication can be restricted at multiple sites. At Camp Wilkerson, "Sprint and Verizon have no signal for sure and no Wi-fi is available."
Trail wayfinding challenges: Navigation on some trail systems requires preparation. A Camp Wilkerson visitor noted: "We did have a hell of a time figuring out the trail wayfinding! The Little Foot trail is overgrown and the wayfinding signs don't make any sense... stick to the Liahona trail, take a picture of the map and bring a compass."
Tips for camping with families
Group-friendly options: For families camping together, certain sites offer specialized accommodations. At Camp Wilkerson, "Great camping if you go in groups... The group camping areas have lean to that can accommodate many people in the bunks."
Playground access: Dairy Creek East includes dedicated play areas. According to one visitor, "If you're camping with kids, there's a play area here."
Wildlife awareness: Animal encounters occur periodically at Reehers Camp and other sites. At Hares Canyon Horse Camp, one camper experienced: "When we came back from the shower my wife and I observed a dark shadow darting from the table around the back corner of the tent... it was a bobcat." Remember to secure food appropriately and maintain proper distance from wildlife.
Tips from RVers
Hookup locations: At L.L. Stub Stewart Memorial State Park, site layout affects setup ease. One visitor noted: "The water and sewer hookups were in the middle of the site, with electric being at the back of the pad. The water pressure was not very good at around 35 psi."
Connectivity options: Satellite internet may function at some sites. As reported at L.L. Stub Stewart: "We had a clear shot to the north sky for Starlink, but it's doubtful we'd get a southern sky shot from this site due to the mature trees. We got 3 bars LTE on Verizon."
Site selection priorities: Consider the type of camping experience when booking. At Dairy Creek campground, "The East loop is more open and affords a more social experience for those who like the chance to interact with their neighbors a bit more," while "The Dairy Creek West loop has more shaded and privacy for most of the sites if that's what you are seeking."
