6 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Slide Creek Campground includes areas specifically designed for horses, located along a creek near Prairie City, Oregon. The horse camping area at Slide Creek features hitching posts and space for horses near campsites. The campsites are equipped with picnic tables and fire pits. Trail access is readily available for riders, with clean, clear creek water just feet away for watering horses during stays. The campground provides vault toilets for campers. Slide Creek offers primitive camping in a quiet, clean setting with sufficient room for horse trailers. The camping area is situated on the way to Strawberry Campground in the Strawberry Mountain Wilderness. Campers report the area remains quite peaceful even during peak seasons, with many visitors enjoying having the place to themselves. Campgrounds near Dayville, Oregon are listed with photos on The Dyrt.
The Strawberry Mountain Wilderness provides numerous trail opportunities for equestrians staying at area campgrounds. Riders can access trailheads directly from Slide Horse area, which serves as a convenient basecamp for exploring the surrounding wilderness. Creek access provides natural water sources for horses after trail rides. The forest roads leading to these horse-friendly campgrounds can be rough and potentially challenging during wet conditions, requiring appropriate vehicles for hauling horse trailers. Many visitors recommend high-clearance vehicles, especially for the last miles approaching the campgrounds. The area experiences significant temperature variations with weather changing rapidly in the mountains. Some equestrians note bringing extra layers is advisable even during summer months. Camping with horses in this region offers solitude with wildlife sightings common around the campgrounds, including deer that frequently visit during evening hours.
"After a full day, driving, we were having trouble finding a place to stay near John Day, Oregon. All of the very few campgrounds available we’re already full."
"Stream running next to the sites. Close to town. It is next to the fairgrounds, but very quit when no events. Good place to spend the night while traveling through"
from $15 / night
Check Availability"Near the painted hills of Oregon! Not much to it, but there are restrooms with running water. Caught a ride from here to the hills for sunset. Mitchell is a nice little town in central Oregon."
"This small four site RV “Park” located in a public park in the town of Mitchell, Oregon is perfect if wanting to visit John Day National Monument."
"Off the beaten path, but we'll worth it! Dropped 20 degrees from the hot valley floor. Around 8 spots, first come, but a few other spots on the way up, for dispersed."
"Nice sites with lots of separation and easy access to a trailhead. Multiple vault toilets available as well as water taps that I don’t think are potable but good enough to rinse dishes."
"Slide horse has areas for your horses. It's gorgeous and the creek is just a few feet to go get water for animals and your fire pits and to put your feet in. Looking forward to coming back soon!"
"Easy turn around. creek is clear and very cold. There are picnic tables."
TravelerThis area is on your up to strawberry campground, its nice and clean and quite! Slide horse has areas for your horses. It's gorgeous and the creek is just a few feet to go get water for animals and your fire pits and to put your feet in. Looking forward to coming back soon!
GuideThis was a great little campground for getting away from the Memorial Day crowds. Over the weekend we stayed, there were only 2 or 3 other campers as well.
Just south of Prairie City, this was a good location to explore the surrounding Strawberry Mountain wilderness and John Day Fossil Beds. As the road turns to a forest road, it’s gets a bit adventurous, but we just kicked it into 4 wheel drive and had no trouble getting there. We picked a site next to the creek in the back and it felt like we had the whole place to ourselves. We even got a visit from a few deer every night around dinner time. They kept their distance but still came within 20 feet to check us out.
From the campground, you can take the trails to the lake, which was a fun hike. The vault toilets were clean and the Ranger came around every day to check in. The only thing I would change is the temperature. We didn’t realize it was still so chilly at the end of May and we’re thankful for our extra layers and warmer sleeping bags we packed just in case.
Tips for camping here:
*I had my 9 year old nephew with me for this trip and was thankful I brought our bikes and games. Since the campground wasn’t busy, there weren’t other kiddos for him to play with so we needed some fun stuff to do between hikes and outings.
*There’s a steep drop off next to some sites that goes right into the creek. Keep an eye on kiddos or pick a site farther away from the creek if you’re worried about that.
*The campground was a bit dusty so bring stuff to wash up when needed.
*Lots of wildlife in the area so make sure to keep your food and other items locked up so the critters don’t get into it.
*Bring your own firewood, as there isn’t a camp host to buy it from.
RangerNear the painted hills of Oregon! Not much to it, but there are restrooms with running water. Caught a ride from here to the hills for sunset.
Mitchell is a nice little town in central Oregon.
GuideNot sure what some people are complaining about. This small four site RV “Park” located in a public park in the town of Mitchell, Oregon is perfect if wanting to visit John Day National Monument. Very close to the painted hills and the road to Fossil. For only $25 with electric and water, it's a steal, especially after boon-docking for a few days. Close to a small store that carries a lot of stuff. Plus the Tiger Town Brewing—all any camper needs. Right ? Would definitely stay here again.
RangerFirst come first serve spot in Mitchell. Grocery store, cafe and brewery within walking distance. Nice lay over spot with easy access to the painted hills. Sites are close and tight getting into the spot with a trailer….but doable. Friday night of July 4th weekend we were the only ones in the campground. We would stay again if passing through here.
GuideAfter a full day, driving, we were having trouble finding a place to stay near John Day, Oregon. All of the very few campgrounds available we’re already full. Even this campground, which is part of the fairgrounds, appeared to be full and it had prior reservations on to remaining Spots. As we were about to leave, the host of the campground caught up with us and said that since we had a short motorhome(24 foot) that there was one spot remaining. The people we dealt with were very friendly and helpful. I think the host realized how tired we were and made a special effort to invite us to stay.
LegendThis is basically a little RV park adjacent to a museum and playground. Points for character. It’s off the main drag and there are not a lot of choices in the area. Big lawn is well watered. However, I can’t get behind the prices. $14 just to pitch a tent is steep. Bathrooms are filthy, shower (behind a ragged shower curtain) is not worth paying for.
GuideI was lured to Strawberry Campground by it's accessibility to the Strawberry Mountain Wilderness. I'd been planning my trip for months! But, the drive to Strawberry Campground proved a bit difficult. It started with approximately 6 miles of gravel road...no problem. Then the road became a forest road...no problem. Then it began raining. It looked as though the area had experienced rain recently. The road was slick. The ruts and holes in the road began to increase. When I was about 2 miles away from Strawberry Campground, I turned around. I just didn't trust my Mazda 3 to make it without bottoming out or getting a flat tire. If I had been with someone, I might have tried to make it; but, as a solo camper, it didn't seem worth the risk.
Would I go again? Yes...but, only in a high clearance vehicle.
RangerShaded pull through and easy back in sites. Good value. Stream running next to the sites. Close to town. It is next to the fairgrounds, but very quit when no events. Good place to spend the night while traveling through
Equestrian camping near Dayville, Oregon provides access to the Strawberry Mountain Wilderness, with elevations ranging from 4,000 to over 9,000 feet. The area features volcanic peaks, alpine lakes, and meadows accessible via multiple forest service roads. Summer temperatures at higher elevations can drop significantly at night, while lower campgrounds maintain more moderate conditions throughout the camping season.
Trail riding to alpine lakes: The Strawberry Mountain Wilderness trails connect multiple campgrounds to several alpine destinations. From Strawberry Campground, riders can access trails leading to stunning viewpoints. "There was a beautiful creek running through the campsite and great large pine trees. Clean bathrooms," notes Joel M., who found the campground accessible despite challenging road conditions.
Creek exploration with horses: Many equestrian-friendly sites offer natural water access for horses after rides. "Slide horse has areas for your horses. It's gorgeous and the creek is just a few feet to go get water for animals and your fire pits and to put your feet in," reports Erin N. about Slide Creek Campground.
Wildlife observation: The remote nature of these campgrounds provides excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. "We even got a visit from a few deer every night around dinner time. They kept their distance but still came within 20 feet to check us out," writes Heather B. about her experience at Strawberry Campground.
Secluded camping locations: Many equestrian campers appreciate the solitude of less-developed sites. "Off the beaten path, but well worth it! Dropped 20 degrees from the hot valley floor. Around 8 spots, first come, but a few other spots on the way up, for dispersed," writes Chris B. about Welch Creek Campground & Trailhead.
Creek access from campsites: Proximity to water is particularly valuable for horse camping. "Stayed there late summer. Had the place to myself. Easy turn around. Creek is clear and very cold," reports Oregon C. about Welch Creek Campground.
Multiple camping options: The forest roads leading to main campgrounds offer additional options when primary sites fill up. "If you can get up the sketchy and rough road, it's a beautiful site," notes Andrew S. about Strawberry Campground, where "multiple vault toilets available as well as water taps" provide basic amenities.
Road conditions vary seasonally: Forest roads can present challenges for vehicles pulling horse trailers. "Then it began raining. It looked as though the area had experienced rain recently. The road was slick. The ruts and holes in the road began to increase," shares Mary G. about her attempted trip to Grant County RV Park.
Temperature fluctuations: Mountain elevations experience significant temperature variations. "The only thing I would change is the temperature. We didn't realize it was still so chilly at the end of May and were thankful for our extra layers and warmer sleeping bags we packed just in case," notes Heather B.
Limited facilities: Most equestrian camping sites offer minimal amenities. "Bring your own firewood, as there isn't a camp host to buy it from," advises Heather B. Vault toilets are standard at most forest service campgrounds, with no running water or electricity.
Bring alternative activities: Less developed campgrounds require preparation for children's entertainment. "I had my 9 year old nephew with me for this trip and was thankful I brought our bikes and games. Since the campground wasn't busy, there weren't other kiddos for him to play with," recommends Heather B.
Safety considerations: Some campgrounds have natural features requiring supervision. "There's a steep drop off next to some sites that goes right into the creek. Keep an eye on kiddos or pick a site farther away from the creek if you're worried about that," warns Heather B.
Town amenities for supplies: Depot Park in Prairie City provides a convenient base with more amenities. "In the town of prairie city, with good coffee," notes Kate W., making it useful for resupplying before heading to more remote horse camping areas.
RV size limitations: Most equestrian campgrounds have size restrictions for rigs. "It's accessed from a nine or ten mile dirt road, a bit of a challenge to navigate the last mile," explains Joel M. about Strawberry Campground, indicating larger horse trailers or RVs may struggle.
Leveling challenges: Some sites require work to properly set up. "Not to hard to level, but kind of tight on some corners for my 30' motor home," shares Mark P. about his stay at Depot Park, suggesting careful selection of sites when traveling with larger rigs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Dayville, OR?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Dayville, OR is Grant County RV Park with a 4.2-star rating from 9 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Dayville, OR?
TheDyrt.com has all 6 equestrian camping locations near Dayville, OR, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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