Willamette Mission State Park Horse Camp provides the primary equestrian camping option near Gervais, Oregon. The campground features dedicated sites specifically designed for visitors with horses, located within the larger Willamette Mission State Park. Campsites include space for horse trailers and paddock areas where horses can be secured overnight. The horse camp operates seasonally from May 15 to September 30. Despite its specific equestrian focus, the campground offers limited amenities with no drinking water, picnic tables, showers, or toilets on site. Electric hookups, water hookups, and sewer hookups are available for RVs. The largest Black Cottonwood tree in Oregon resides within the park and is worth visiting while camping.
Trail riders have access to an extensive network of paths throughout Willamette Mission State Park's 1,600 acres. The park's trail system accommodates riders of all experience levels, with routes winding through varied terrain including meadows, woodlands, and along the Willamette River. Mosquitoes can be problematic at dusk due to proximity to water features. The park experiences annual flooding during winter months, making spring and summer the optimal seasons for equestrian camping visits. Beyond horseback riding, the park offers additional recreational opportunities including disc golf, mountain biking, and fishing. The area is well-maintained and spacious enough to accommodate multiple outdoor activities, with trails that provide riders with an immersive nature experience that feels like being out in the wild.
$28 - $92 / night
"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."
$20 / night
"Only sites for camping with horses."
$8 - $126 / night
"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."
"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."
$29 - $87 / night
"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?"
$25 / night
"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."
$32 - $57 / night
"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."
"Shellburgh Falls is tall with a huge basalt cave that you can walk behind the waterfall and down below to actually stand under the waterfall. Very pretty. No one was camping when I was there."
$40 / night
"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"
TravelerIf 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.
ScoutGreat 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!
LegendHares 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.
GuideI don’t have a horse but I still stayed here! We were in the area, struggling to find a place to camp. After 7 pm, the campground let us set up camp in an empty equestrian campsite. Unique experience!
TravelerOne 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.
GuideTHE 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.
TravelerSite 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.
LegendA 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.
TravelerStunning camping in a temperate rainforest. Sites are big and private. 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.
Equestrian camping near Gervais, Oregon provides access to the Willamette Valley's diverse terrain characterized by rolling hills and mixed woodland forests at elevations between 150-300 feet. The region experiences mild, wet winters and warm, dry summers with average July temperatures around 82°F. Trail conditions vary seasonally, with many equestrian trails closing during winter flooding periods from December through February.
Mountain biking trails: Silver Falls State Park offers extensive mountain biking opportunities alongside its famous waterfall hikes. "The campgrounds are nice. The hike is amazing and beautiful though most of the trails are closed to dogs," notes Krystle K. about Silver Falls State Park Campground.
Disc golf courses: Both Milo McIver and Willamette Mission parks feature disc golf courses for camping visitors. "Milo McIver may be best known for it's twin 18 hole disc golf courses, or single 27 hole layout when tournaments aren't in progress," says Steve C. about Milo McIver State Park Campground.
Fishing access points: Multiple camping areas provide river fishing opportunities throughout the camping season. "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," explains Fidel S.
Extended trail networks: The interconnected horse trails at state parks create opportunities for multi-hour rides. "The campsites are horse friendly and the trails are absolutely gorgeous- it felt like being out in the wild," mentions Sprunki R. about Willamette Mission State Park Horse Camp.
Riverfront accessibility: Many campgrounds feature direct river access for cooling off during summer months. "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," reports Brandi L.
Hiker/biker camp options: Several parks offer walk-in camping with cart assistance for gear transport. "The hike in is pretty easy--about a quarter mile down the up. They have carts to help you get all your stuff to your spot in one trip which is very helpful," explains Jenny R. about Dairy Creek West.
Seasonal weather challenges: Winter flooding impacts access to many equestrian camping sites and trail systems. "Remote and quiet campground. Only .5 mile hike to the falls... However, when I tried to visit there again the road was closed due to the fires near Detroit Lake last year," reports Kelly G. about Santiam State Forest Shellburg Falls Recreation Area.
Insect preparation: Mosquitoes present challenges during summer evenings near water features. "Campers seeking both relaxation and activity will find it hard to beat this versatile Oregon treasure," says Jama A.
Limited cell service: Many camping areas have minimal connectivity despite proximity to urban areas. "Phone Service is super bad so be prepared to go off grid!" warns Autumn R. about Jones Creek.
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas for children. "We love hiking the trails and our kids love the playground and river swimming!" says April F. about Silver Falls.
Kid-friendly water features: Multiple camp locations offer shallow water access appropriate for supervised play. "The river is where it's at, folks are swimming, tubing and fishing dawn to dusk. Folks jumping off the bridge and having picnics," describes Aria R. about Jones Creek.
Educational opportunities: Nature programs and interpretive trails supplement camping experiences. "We take elementary students to this site every spring to have a field science day," explains Kelly N.
Hookup availability: Several parks offer full hookups for larger vehicles with seasonal limitations. "Electric hookups, water hookups, and sewer hookups are available for RVs," confirms Jessica M.
Road access considerations: Some equestrian campgrounds have specific entry requirements for trucks with trailers. "We were able to switch sites away from an area with two families/lots of little kids so the area is easy for people who don't camp a lot," notes Bjorn S. about Oxbow Regional Park.
Parking configurations: Equestrian sites typically provide pull-through layouts to accommodate trailers. "Huge gravel lot with RV hookups, no sewer connection but there is an on-site dump station so that's covered," reports Casey P. about Polk County Fairgrounds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Gervais, OR?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Gervais, 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 Gervais, OR?
TheDyrt.com has all 21 equestrian camping locations near Gervais, OR, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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