10 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Kelsay Valley Horse Camp and Whitefish Horse Camp accommodate equestrian campers visiting the Clearwater area with sites designed for trailers and horses. Both campgrounds provide primitive camping with fire rings and picnic tables. Kelsay Valley Horse Camp, located along the North Umpqua River, allows reservations for both tent and RV camping, though it lacks water hookups and showers. Whitefish Horse Camp can accommodate large rigs despite its primitive setting, allowing equestrians to bring their trailers without size concerns. Neither campground offers corrals, so visitors need to bring portable corral panels or high-line equipment. The primitive nature of these facilities appeals to riders seeking backcountry experiences with direct trail access rather than resort amenities.
These horse camps connect to extensive trail networks in the Umpqua National Forest, providing access to wooded riding routes and mountain views. Harralson Horse Campground near Oakridge offers an alternative location with toilets and trash service while maintaining a primitive camping experience. Riders report encountering few bugs at Whitefish compared to other locations in the region, though summer mosquitoes can be present throughout the area. The surrounding Diamond Lake recreation area features several campgrounds with more amenities, including showers and drinking water, though these lack dedicated horse facilities. Seasonal access restrictions apply to most horse camps in the region, with many accessible only from late spring through early fall due to mountain elevations and snow conditions.
"Beautiful location near several Lakes and large fields with plenty of level camping and fire pits although fires are not currently allowed."
"We picked this dispersed camping near Lemolo Lake since it was an open area that we could run our Starlink. There was also some cell service."
"Off highway 62 take the Natural Bridge turn off and follow the road to the campground."
"My wife and I stopped here after visiting Crater Lake. This campground is right on the Rogue river and is absolutely gorgeous. The sites are well maintained, and there are toilets."
from $15 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $10 / night
Check Availability"We were in a walk in Tent site right on the lake which was quiet for the most part. Right next to hiking path that went around the lake."
"My car and I climbed over 5,000 ft from the Oregon coast to get to Waldo Lake in the Willamette National Forest. The drive along was well worth it."
from $28 - $56 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $23 - $29 / night
Check Availability"Just moved back to Oregon and came back to find it the same as its always been. Great camping great hosts and the grounds are always very well maintained. 10/10 would recommend"
"Love going to cultus lake with friends. It gets pretty busy at times so if you want a good camping spot then you need to go before the weekend starts."
from $21 - $25 / night
Check Availability"There are only 3 campsites, which are all next to a gorgeous creek made of runoff from the spring. There is also a cabin, and an old barn the kids loved playing in."
"Highway noise, otherwise quiet. Convenient for exploring the area and visiting friends."
from $23 - $25 / night
Check Availability
GuideThis was a great campsite. We were in a walk in Tent site right on the lake which was quiet for the most part. Right next to hiking path that went around the lake. There didn't appear to be a boat put in around the area, but there is one down the street. We stayed in Campsite 28, which helped get away from the chaos of the big group sites which I would strongly Recommend! Beautiful place.
LegendMy car and I climbed over 5,000 ft from the Oregon coast to get to Waldo Lake in the Willamette National Forest. The drive along was well worth it. There are three campgrounds at Waldo Lake and North Waldo is the largest. I didn't have a reservation and attempted to find a site in the smaller two campgrounds first but neither of them had space available. Of the almost 100 sites at North Waldo I'd estimate that about a dozen were unclaimed the second weekend of September.
The campground was definitely crowded. There were many large groups with people of all ages. There was noise until about 11pm. Be warned that it gets VERY chilly at night. There are pit toilets but when I was there the majority were closed for maintenance and had been replaced by portable toilets. There are also water spigots and each site has a sump for dish water. The majority of the sites are removed from the water and only a select few are near the lake. They all have trees between the site and the water. The campgrounds also all have boat ramps and swimming areas. In addition to the trails throughout the national forest, there is also a trail that runs around the lake and through the campgrounds.
The sunsets are not to be missed! I spent all of my phone battery taking pictures of the sunset and didn't get any of the campground...
TravelerCame here every weekend 6 years ago. Just moved back to Oregon and came back to find it the same as its always been. Great camping great hosts and the grounds are always very well maintained. 10/10 would recommend
LegendThis is a great campground, very beautiful, but very busy. Off highway 62 take the Natural Bridge turn off and follow the road to the campground. The sites are for the most part secluded from each other and most are along the Rogue River with a mix of sun and shade. All sites have picnic tables and fire pits. There are also multiple outhouses throughout the campground.
Keep in mind that though the sites near the water are awesome, there is a heavily used trail that runs right along the river so you will have multiple hikers walking near or through your amazing campsite. We had site 6 and though it appears to be the best site (large and nearly fully enclosed) it's not because the trail runs at the edge of the spot and you will have loud hikers strolling right through your space.
The hiking nearby is great. There is a loop hike which takes you to the Natural Bridge area which is really cool. There is also a hike to the Rogue Gorge that takes you through another campground further up. On top of the busy trail along the campsites there is also areas where people hang out to swim or fish so you can hear people nearly all day long. It was nice the first day and night during the week but over the weekend it got a bit ridiculous and we left. There are large garbage cans for trash service but no water and no recycling. There is also no cell service from ATT, Verizon and TMobile.
Off season this place would be great but we strongly suggest not going on a weekend or busy season unless you like people noise constantly all day.
GuideMy wife and I stopped here after visiting Crater Lake. This campground is right on the Rogue river and is absolutely gorgeous. The sites are well maintained, and there are toilets. The “Natural Bridge” is a short walk away and is really cool. Lots of informative signs along the path to describe what you are seeing.
TravelerWaldo is a beautiful lake, and as long as you go later in the summer - like August and September - the less likely the mosquitoes will drive you back home. It can get quite cold at night, but the cold keeps the mosquitoes down. Tent camping is delightful, especially because generator and motorboat use is quite limited at Waldo. It's a very popular campground, but there's always someplace close by where you can find a secluded spot. When it's really hot, the swimming is lovely - unless the mosquitoes are out. It's a nice place for kids, dogs, and families.
ScoutWaldo Lake is a fantastic choice for any non-motorized boaters, as motors are banned. We took our kayaks out onto the large crystal clear lake where you can see straight to the bottom. Since there are no motored boats, the lake and campground were very quiet and peaceful. There is also an extensive trail around the lake, which can be followed on foot or bike. Nearby are more hikes and lakes (Crescent Lake allows for motored boats). Salt Creek Falls is just down the highway and makes for an excellent day hike. Would definitely recommend North Waldo for a relaxing camping trip.
LegendOne of the purist lakes in the world! Wonderful campground on Waldo Lake. Very secluded, basic sites, and close to the lake. Awesome biking and hiking trails all around the lake. Mosquitos can be vicious, but other than that it’s perfect!
Travelerwe found this place because we wanted something remote, but accessible for my SIL’s travel trailer. This place was wonderful. There are only 3 campsites, which are all next to a gorgeous creek made of runoff from the spring. There is also a cabin, and an old barn the kids loved playing in. It’s creepy, in the best kind of way. The spring itself is past a gate. The path is gorgeous; the kids called it the magic place.
Horse camps in the Clearwater area offer direct trail access with sites tailored for equestrian needs. Both Kelsay Valley and Whitefish Horse Camps can handle horse trailers in primitive settings between 3,000-5,000 feet elevation. The camps see variable weather patterns typical of Oregon mountain elevations, with late summer offering the most reliable conditions for horse camping. These facilities connect riders to diverse terrain ranging from densely forested valleys to high mountain ridge trails.
Trail riding from camp: Access extensive trail networks directly from Whitefish Horse Camp, where riders can enjoy routes through the Umpqua National Forest. With large rigs welcome, this primitive camp serves as a convenient base for equestrian adventures. Some riders note the area has "fewer bugs at Whitefish compared to other locations" in high summer.
Visit natural features: The Natural Bridge Campground offers unique geological features within a short ride or drive. Campers report "the trail to natural bridge is awesome and leads to an open area where we watched the Perseid meteor shower." The natural bridge formation shows where the river flows through a lava tube, creating a distinctive landscape feature.
Swimming opportunities: During summer months, Diamond Lake Campground provides clean, refreshing swimming access. A camper notes, "This campground has beautiful lake views, access to bathrooms and showers, and ice cream and firewood just a walk or bike ride away!" However, they caution to "remember your bug spray and long clothes" due to mosquitoes.
Nearby fishing: Multiple water bodies offer fishing opportunities within short driving distance. At Waldo Lake, "the lake is great for paddling or sailing" and "motors are banned," providing a quiet experience for anglers and paddlers alike.
Accessible primitive camping: NF 2612 Dispersed Camping offers free sites with decent access. A camper describes "flat sites down short dirt road" with an "open area with room for about six rigs." This provides an alternative to developed campgrounds with "several shaded spots" available without reservations.
Clean facilities: Campers consistently praise the maintenance of toilet facilities at various campgrounds. At Diamond Lake, one visitor noted "the hot shower water pressure was pretty amazing" while another mentioned "the facilities were above our expectations for a state-run campground."
Cell service availability: Some dispersed camping areas offer surprising connectivity. A camper at NF 2612 reported they "picked this dispersed camping near Lemolo Lake since it was an open area that we could run our Starlink. There was also some cell service." At Diamond Lake, a visitor found "cell service is decent with around 10-16 Mbps. I have Verizon and Att."
Spacious sites: North Waldo Lake provides well-spaced camping options. A camper recommends "the sites on the south loop nearest the lake - several of them are downhill from the road, and therefore quiet and woodsy and free of mosquitos." Another visitor noted "many are lake front" with "some of the sites are huge."
Primitive conditions: Horse camps lack developed amenities. Neither Kelsay Valley nor Whitefish Horse Camps offer corrals, requiring riders to bring portable panels or high-lining equipment. Harralson Horse Campground offers basic facilities with "picnic tables and fire pits available. Pretty good RV sites. Pretty good tent sites."
Insect presence: Mosquitoes can be significant in early summer. At Natural Bridge, visitors note that despite beautiful settings, there can be "lots of mosquitoes in June!" Diamond Lake campers warn "just remember your bug spray and long clothes" as "the only complaint I have is there's a lot of mosquitoes."
Weather patterns: High-elevation camps experience significant temperature shifts. One Diamond Lake visitor noted they "came here late on a holiday weekend without a reservation and still got a cool spot" but warned about temperature drops, as many campgrounds sit above 4,000 feet elevation.
Reservation status: Many campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. Natural Bridge Campground is "first come first serve, and it's self-pay. No host on site" with limited sites available. Diamond Lake visitors reported "came on Sunday with no reservations and found a spot" during off-peak times.
Family-friendly lake access: Cultus Lake Campground offers excellent water recreation for families. A long-time visitor reports "our families have been coming here for 30 years!" with another noting "really relaxing place. Beautiful blue water, lots of shade & beach area to play."
Site selection strategy: At Natural Bridge Campground, "lots of space between campsites- we couldn't see anyone else from ours" making it ideal for families needing space. Consider sites away from trails, as one camper noted their riverside site "backs up to a popular trail."
Budget options: Diamond Lake offers affordable camping with one visitor reporting "only $16 per night!" while Natural Bridge provides "great spot for $15/night or $7.50 with interagency pass."
Available amenities: Families should prepare for variable amenity access. At Natural Bridge, campers report "plenty of outhouses scattered throughout and trashcans dispersed throughout the campground, not many other amenities otherwise." Diamond Lake offers more facilities with "water to fill up a tank and a dump station and showers."
RV site limitations: While Whitefish Horse Camp accepts large trailers, most horse camping areas have limited facilities. At Douglas County Fairgrounds RV Park, RVers report "sites are pretty close to one another" but it's "still a good place for the night" when requiring hookups.
Dump station access: Diamond Lake provides dump station access, though some locations charge additional fees. A visitor noted Diamond Lake has "water to fill up a tank and a dump station" included with camping.
Camp host support: Quality of management varies between campgrounds. One fairgrounds camper reported "this decline only started when the office managers took over being the hosts" while others found camp hosts helpful for accessing facilities.
Wildlife awareness: RVers should secure food properly. One Natural Bridge camper warned they "had a packrat in the truck bed overnight" and recommended storing food items securely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Clearwater, OR?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Clearwater, OR is NF 2612 Dispersed Camping with a 4.7-star rating from 3 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Clearwater, OR?
TheDyrt.com has all 10 equestrian camping locations near Clearwater, OR, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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