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.
What to do
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.
What campers like
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.
What you should know
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.
Tips for camping with families
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.
Tips from RVers
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.
