Equestrian Camping near Donald, OR

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    Willamette Mission State Park Horse Camp provides equestrian-focused camping options near Donald, Oregon. The camp has designated sites specifically for horseback riders with their mounts. Located along the Willamette Valley Bikeway, the horse camp serves as a gateway to numerous riding trails and paved paths throughout the park's wooded areas. The campsites feature level ground suitable for both tents and RV setups, with easy access to the trail network. Water access for horses can be limited during certain seasons, with no potable water available at the camp itself. Visitors should plan to bring sufficient water for themselves and their horses or be prepared to filter water from the Willamette River. The horse camp operates seasonally from May 15 to September 30.

    The trail system at Willamette Mission State Park offers varied terrain for riders of all experience levels. Multiple reviews note the park floods every winter, making spring and summer the optimal seasons for equestrian camping visits. The shaded trails provide welcome relief during hot summer months, though mosquitoes can be problematic at dusk due to the proximity to water. Beyond horseback riding, the park features additional recreational opportunities including disc golf, mountain biking, fishing, and hiking trails. The park hosts Oregon's largest Black Cottonwood tree, a notable landmark worth visiting during rides. For those seeking horse-friendly camping options in the area, Milo McIver State Park, located approximately 30 miles east of Portland, also offers extensive horseback riding trails across its 900-acre property with designated horse-friendly areas and corrals for overnight equestrian campers.

    Best Equestrian Campgrounds near Donald (25)

      1. Silver Falls State Park Campground

      4.7(78)26mi from Donald107 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "If you want to camp in Oregon this is the place to go. There are several waterfalls and hiking trails. You can see wildlife and you can't beat the beauty. You can tent camp and they also have yurts."

      "THE most beautiful park in Oregon that we've seen! Hiked for 5 hours! BEWARE: It's WET, so bring your wet weather gear, and good, sturdy hiking shoes for slippery terrain."

      from $28 - $92 / night

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      2. Milo McIver State Park Campground

      4.4(38)23mi from Donald60 sitesRVs, Tents

      "It has wonderful hiking trails. There is swimming available in the warmer months in the Clackamas River. Horse trails for equestrians and fishing!"

      "A short hike will take you right to the river and there’s plenty of nice trail to explore. If stepping around occasional horse poop isn’t your thing, maybe skip the hike though."

      from $8 - $126 / night

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      3. Willamette Mission State Park Horse Camp — Willamette Mission State Park

      3.8(5)14mi from Donald5 sitesTents

      "Only sites for camping with horses."

      from $20 - $74 / night

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      4. Oxbow Regional Park

      4.4(31)33mi from DonaldRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "Close proximity to Multonomah Falls. Pros - bathrooms with electric outlets, free showers, deer come close and are fun to watch, quiet & fairly private stay."

      "There is distance between you and other guests but if you want to meet your neighbors you can. They have ADA sites, a lake, play grounds and a welcome center."

      from $25 / night

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      5. Jantzen Beach RV Park

      3.5(15)28mi from DonaldRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "Arrived here late for a single night stay on the way to the Oregon Coast. This is a very convenient stopover for those needing a place to stay near Portland."

      "Jantzen Beach RV Park feels like a real-world stop straight out of a Subway Surfers World Tour—a lively, convenient, and colorful place where travelers pause, recharge, and enjoy the surroundings before"

      from $40 / night

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      6. Dairy Creek West — L.L. Stub Stewart Memorial State Park

      4.4(38)39mi from Donald55 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "The upper area encircles a large open are perfect for games and running around. There is a nice disk golf course and a lot of large paths for waking and biking."

      "And a loop with corals for horses. Miles of horse trails, bike trails, hiking trails."

      from $32 - $57 / night

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      7. Battle Ground Lake State Park Campground

      4.3(40)43mi from DonaldRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "Driving up there the way we drive (from Vancouver) you go up through ranching/farming territory and it’s nice and green and pretty, so it’s nice getting there."

      "Hiking around the lake is a great way to start and/or end you day while staying at Battle Ground Lake SP. Horses are welcome. There are cabins available also. Several sites overlook the lake."

      8. Polk County Fairgrounds

      3.7(6)28mi from DonaldRVs, Tents

      "So much better than those CGs next to highways and RRs"

      "Dump station nearby. We were visiting relatives in this area, so really only need a safe place to park the rig. This worked out fine."

      9. Howard Creek Horse Camp — Silver Falls State Park

      5.0(2)27mi from Donald6 sitesRVs, Tents

      "Very quite and tons of near empty trails even with a full campground on a weekend in the summer. Walking, bike, and horse trails. Close to the ten waterfall trail on the day use area."

      "First and foremost, it's all about the waterfalls - all 10 of them - linked by paved hiking trails. Not a fan of sharing the trail with hikers when on your bike?"

      from $29 - $87 / night

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      10. Government Island State Recreation Area

      4.0(3)29mi from DonaldTents, Cabins, Glamping

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    Equestrian Camping Reviews near Donald, OR

    303 Reviews of 25 Donald Campgrounds


    • Bear G.
      Jun. 23, 2021

      Silver Falls State Park Campground

      Absolutely beautiful

      If you want to camp in Oregon this is the place to go. There are several waterfalls and hiking trails. You can see wildlife and you can't beat the beauty. You can tent camp and they also have yurts.

    • Kathy C.
      Jun. 5, 2018

      Milo McIver State Park Campground

      Awesome place with activities for all!

      Great place to camp. It has wonderful hiking trails. There is swimming available in the warmer months in the Clackamas River. Horse trails for equestrians and fishing!

    • Stephanie Z.The Dyrt PRO User
      Jun. 3, 2019

      Hares Canyon Horse Camp — L.L. Stub Stewart Memorial State Park

      Equestrians Only

      Hares Canyon Horse Camp is one of three campgrounds in Stub Stewart State Park and unlike other horse camps which often allow the overflow of tenters and rv'ers without horses, this horse camp is equestrian only.

      The Campground is set up in one loop and offers both single and double sites, ADA facilities, showers, toilets, and trash. Each site has a picnic table, fire pit, and a corral. There is a double corral on the double sites.

      You must clean up after your own horse. Manure bin as well as shovels/brooms are provided onsite.

      In mid May, the sites were very wide open.

    • O
      Aug. 28, 2021

      Dairy Creek East — L.L. Stub Stewart Memorial State Park

      Beautiful State Park Campground

      One of our favorite Oregon SPs. In the middle of a mountainous forest with lots of hiking, paved path & mtb biking, disc golf, horse trails and more. Well maintained full hookup sites with 50amp, most 63' long. The park has recently renewed trail signage.

    • Ashley B.
      May. 24, 2018

      Riley Horse Campground

      Hidden Gem in the west side of Mt. Hood National Forest

      This is hands down one of my favorite campgrounds, because the spots are large, far apart from the other sites, and very quiet. It is not too far from the Portland area, I would recommend getting last minute supplies before getting off the highway. The campground is a horse campground, but I reserved on the Monday before arrival and it was still very empty so no fear about taking a spot from equestrians. The spot I had (Spot 4) was huge, plenty of room for a larger party, felt like a quarter of an acre. There were no neighbors on one side of the spot and only the water spigot on the other. All the spots in the campground had plenty of space between spots. There was lots of dead, dried out wood laying all around the site that after a couple hours of collecting I had plenty to keep a fire all weekend, and still left a pile of wood when I left. The campground is close to many trails in the area, mainly Romano Falls Trail. There are views of Mt. Hood, peeking out through the trees here and there.

      Additional Stay, Different Year
      -A few more trees have been knocked down due to winter storms, but this is still a great campground.

    • M
      Sep. 25, 2016

      Silver Falls State Park Campground

      Silver Falls State Park

      THE most beautiful park in Oregon that we've seen! Hiked for 5 hours! BEWARE: It's WET, so bring your wet weather gear, and good, sturdy hiking shoes for slippery terrain. Saw all but the northern most two falls while hiking the trails. So many more to hike! Kids' play area inside Loop B, showers, and nature trails around the campground. RV dump at the horse camp turnoff. I'd try to reserve spots 9 or 12 (next to the playground and sunny spots) or 72 (next to the creek in the shade) next time! We rate this one an 8.

    • Cody T.
      Sep. 12, 2021

      Milo McIver State Park Campground

      Loved it!

      Site was nice and private, staff was very friendly, and the grounds were pretty clean! A short hike will take you right to the river and there’s plenty of nice trail to explore. If stepping around occasional horse poop isn’t your thing, maybe skip the hike though. Plenty of horses and dogs around.

    • Brian C.
      Aug. 1, 2018

      Milo McIver State Park Campground

      Well-loved Oregon state park

      A large state park located near Estacada on the banks of the Clackamas River, Milo McIver is a well-loved Oregon state park. Because it's close to Portland, it is very busy. The main campsite area is set for tents as well as RVs with electric and water hookups available. Campsites are kind of close together but well appointed with bathrooms/showers available. There is a small tent-only area also available but the sites are kind of cramped and they all spin off a common parking area with little privacy.

      The park overall has lots of different open spaces for hiking, interpretive programs, disc golf, fishing, areas for horse riding, and a great overlook on the Clackamas River.


    Guide to Donald

    Willamette Mission State Park Horse Camp offers overnight options for equestrian trail users approximately 8 miles northeast of Donald, Oregon. The camp sits at an elevation of about 140 feet in the Willamette Valley, with flat terrain accessible for both tent and RV campers. The seasonal facility serves as a connection point to multiple riding trails with oak woodland and riparian habitat suitable for spring through early fall camping visits.

    What to do

    Disc golf adventures: Oxbow Regional Park, located east of Portland, features disc golf courses near camping areas. "There is lots to outdoor activities at Willamette mission state park. there is everything from disc golf, mountain biking, fishing, shooting range, hiking, and large enough to host an event," notes Fidel S., highlighting recreational diversity beyond horseback riding.

    Explore volcanic landscapes: Battle Ground Lake State Park offers unique geological features. "They have a cool volcanic lake with a swimming area and great fishing. Its like a mini crater lake. I mean mini like pond size," explains Ashley Y. The park provides a distinct landscape alternative about 35 miles north of Donald.

    Seasonal river activities: When summer temperatures rise, waterways near equestrian campgrounds provide cooling options. "The area is pretty with lots of trails and paved paths. There are opportunities for fishing also," shares Jefferson S. about Willamette Mission State Park. Water access varies seasonally, with the Willamette River accessible during summer months.

    What campers like

    Trail diversity: Silver Falls State Park offers extensive trail systems that complement equestrian paths. "The hike is amazing and beautiful though most of the trails are closed to dogs," notes Krystle K., indicating the park's varied trail restrictions. These trails provide alternatives for campers visiting without horses.

    Natural shade: The tree cover at equestrian sites helps during hot weather. "I advise planning your trip for the spring or summer knowing that there is a lot of shaded trails to keep you cool," recommends Kelly N. about Willamette Mission State Park. This natural cooling makes summer riding more comfortable despite valley heat.

    Privacy options: Brooke Creek Hike-in Camp at L.L. Stub Stewart State Park provides more secluded camping alternatives. "When we visited, there were at most 2-3 other groups in the area so we were very spread out and had lots of privacy," reports Jenny R., noting the uncrowded environment, even when horse camps might be fully booked.

    What you should know

    Seasonal closures: Most equestrian campgrounds near Donald operate seasonally. "This park floods every winter. I advise planning your trip for the spring or summer," warns Kelly N. about Willamette Mission, explaining the annual closure pattern common to Willamette Valley camping areas.

    Water planning: Milo McIver State Park provides horse trails but campers should note water considerations. "There is no potable water, so you must plan to pack enough water for the night and the next morning or filter Willamette River water," advises Jefferson S. about similar facilities, indicating the need for water management strategies.

    Insect preparation: During warm months, prepare for mosquitoes near water sources. "Mosquitoes can be a problem at dusk because of the water," cautions Kelly N. about Willamette Mission. Evening trail rides require proper insect protection, especially near river areas or after rain.

    Tips for camping with families

    Playground access: Parks with both equestrian facilities and family amenities offer versatility. "The kids playground was great for the grandkids," mentions Richard B., describing complementary activities at Battle Ground Lake State Park that add value for mixed-interest groups.

    Swimming options: Summer water recreation provides cooling alternatives when not riding. "This site is soooo beautiful! stayed here a couple times and always enjoyed it. Has an area to go fishing but I never caught anything," shares Brandi L., describing water features at Willamette Mission State Park that appeal to families.

    Cart availability: For carrying gear to hike-in sites when horse camping isn't feasible, some parks offer equipment help. "If you have a lot of gear they have three carts available to haul everything out in one go," notes Nathan R. about Brooke Creek Camp, providing a practical solution for families with extensive camping equipment.

    Tips from RVers

    Utility connections: Polk County Fairgrounds offers affordable alternatives when horse campgrounds are full. "Electricity 30 amp and water at the post. Dump station nearby," confirms Theresa R., describing the basic but functional hookups available at this alternative site about 15 minutes from Donald.

    Level parking surfaces: Horse camps typically provide level ground suitable for various RV types. "Huge gravel lot with RV hookups, no sewer connection but there is an on-site dump station so that's covered," describes Casey P., highlighting the practical RV accommodations available near Donald at alternative sites when equestrian campgrounds fill up.

    Spacing considerations: RV sites at horse campgrounds prioritize room for trailers. "We were only a handful of other campers and some deer," shares Stephanie Z., describing the typical uncrowded weekday environment at Oxbow Regional Park, which provides space suitable for horse trailers during non-peak periods.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Donald, OR?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Donald, OR is Silver Falls State Park Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 78 reviews.

    What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Donald, OR?

    TheDyrt.com has all 25 equestrian camping locations near Donald, OR, with real photos and reviews from campers.