17 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Chief Paulina Horse Camp near Bend features horse corrals, potable water, toilets, and picnic tables on a reservable basis from May through September. Designed for equestrian use, the camp provides direct access to trails in the Paulina Mountain area while accommodating both tent and RV camping. The spacious corrals safely contain horses while campers enjoy the surrounding forest setting. Harralson Horse Campground near Oakridge offers more primitive camping with picnic tables, toilets, and fire pits but no potable water. Campers report quiet stays with good RV sites, ample firewood, and minimal crowding even during extended visits.
Whitefish Horse Camp near Crescent allows big rigs and accepts reservations for those traveling with horses in the Deschutes National Forest. The campground connects to multiple trail systems suitable for day rides of varying lengths and difficulty levels. While the site lacks toilets and water hookups, it provides essential facilities for horse owners needing overnight accommodations. Dispersed camping options exist along NF 2612 near Lemolo Lake, where flat sites down short dirt roads accommodate self-contained campers and horse trailers. This free camping area offers several shaded spots with fire rings, though mosquitoes can be problematic during summer months. For riders seeking more developed facilities, Christmas Valley Base Camp provides electric hookups, showers, and toilets for tent, RV, cabin, and glamping visitors bringing horses.
"This campground was in a great location to go see crater lake (15 min drive or less) as well as nearby Hot Springs (30ish min drive) and waterfalls. The campground itself was wooded and very close to"
"Access to the campground was right off hwy 138, which is a few miles from the north entrance to Crater Lake. Our 28 ft travel trailer easily fit with room to spare in our site."
from $16 - $27 / 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 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 $32 - $36 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $23 - $29 / night
Check Availability"Extremely remote as you can get and still drive in. Absolutely beautiful"
from $23 - $29 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $40 - $250 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $10 / night
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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.
LegendThis campground was in a great location to go see crater lake (15 min drive or less) as well as nearby Hot Springs (30ish min drive) and waterfalls. The campground itself was wooded and very close to diamond lake, it was a very beautiful location. There were lots of close by walking trails which was wonderful.
The amenities were nice enough, sometimes the showers are hot and others times was not. Most of the laundry machines were working with several out of service, and worked well enough.
The staff was helpful and gave suggestions for nearby hiking and Hot Springs. Sites included fire ring, a picnic table, and full hook ups. The stars at night were incredible.
RangerThis is a lovely campground, of course perfect if you have horses, those sites are further in. Many of the sites have lovely views of the meadow with a little creek running through. The sites were decently spaced, and the surrounding area is lovely for hiking, biking etc. the lake is not far down either.
Guide11 sites with tables and fire rings. Additional sites specifically for horse trailers. No cell service. Multiple hiking trails from the campground. 3 Creek Lake is .75 mile away. No water available
GuideWe stayed one night on August 17 through August 18, 2019, in campsite A5, the overnight cost was$24, there was no electrical or water service). The site was level, only needed 2 inch lift to level left side. The campground is at an elevation of 5180 ft.
Access to the campground was right off hwy 138, which is a few miles from the north entrance to Crater Lake. Our 28 ft travel trailer easily fit with room to spare in our site. Once we enter the campground, the asphalt pavement surrounds the campsites as we drove directly to our campsite, each campsite pad also asphalt. Weather was sunny upper 80's, the nights low 40's.
This is a very quite campground, there was no noise from main road entering the campground. Activities we enjoyed at the campground to keep busy was hiking and moutain biking. The restroom was a couple spaced down from our campsite. The free showers were also easy to find and had great water pressure. The lake is very nice, smooth water and a few mosquitos, but not that bad.
My wife and I enjoyed the campground, we will stay again next time we travel to Crater Lake, Oregon.
ScoutWe loved this spot. The sites are clean as are the bathrooms and showered. We liked how spread out the sites were from each other. Most of the sites are pretty close to the lake but you have to book early to get a site right on the water. There is a general store close by where you can get most anything you might forget and you can rent bikes, boats,canoes, kayaks or paddle boards. It was great having access to so many trails close to the campground and we went on several of them. The only draw back for us was the mosquitos. I highly recommend camping here just be prepared for the mosquitoes.
RangerThis is a very large campground with over 200 sites. I stayed overnight, July 3, 2023. I was a walk in . The ranger office was closed when I arrived and they did not have a list of available sites posted. I found a site, K11, without any reserved tag and spent a wonderful night. There was a very strong onshore breeze from the lake that kept the mosquitoes grounded and I didn't really need repellant.
The campground is two halves. In the upper half, the campsites are higher, above the lake. To the south or east, the sites are closer to the lake. Water was only available (non threaded faucets) outside the flush latrines, which were not very well kept (mostly due to the dead bugs). There is not electricity and I was only able to get 2 bars on Verizon. I could get a text through, but rarely a photo.
I have camped throughout Oregon and what impressed me as different were the large number of tent campers. More than half were tent camping, though the site would fit small to medium size rigs. I only saw one Class A and few trailers. Noisy neighbors can be a problem, as the sites though not exactly next to each other, are still close. The roads and parking for sites are paved, but some have very steep driveways. Be careful in your site selection if you have a long trailer or RV.
There are some nearby stores and gas station if you need, but very little else. A very beautiful spot with lots to do and see nearby.
LegendWe were headed to Thompson Creek reservoir, but opted for this lovely little FS campground. We had the place to ourselves the first night and another camper came in for the 2nd. Easy pull-through site, pretty level and fit both rigs. Otherwise plenty of room between sites.
It was a bit of a trek down gravel roads to get here. Took it easy, though, and no problems.
Lovely walks and hikes to be had. Beautiful stargazing. Clean pit toilets and clean overall campground. There were corrals at one end for horse camping. No cell service. (in 2020)
4 stars only because of the sometimes-washboard road to get here.
From here we visited Crack in the ground, Cowboy Dinner Tree, The Sand Dunes, Fort Rock and Christmas Valley.
GuideThere are so many sites here, that you could almost get lost. We almost gave up finding the camp host it was so big. We found a site along the lake, looking at the mountain. You could tell the people prior to us were slobs. There was garbage all over and they had their own bathroom spot in the woods adjacent to the site even though the bathroom was a short walk. There were a lot of black flying bugs around which swarmed our site and made doing anything nearly impossible.
Equestrian camping opportunities near Gilchrist, Oregon provide access to extensive trail networks throughout the Deschutes National Forest. Most horse campgrounds in this area sit at elevations between 4,500-5,500 feet, creating cooler summer temperatures than lower elevation sites. Winter conditions typically close these facilities from October through May, with snow lingering into early summer at higher elevations.
Trail riding from camp: At North Waldo Lake, riders can access a 22-mile mountain bike trail that circles the lake. "There is also an extensive trail around the lake, which can be followed on foot or bike," notes Ariel C., who appreciated the non-motorized lake environment.
Swimming with horses: Diamond Lake offers designated swimming areas where both horses and humans can cool off during summer months. "The campsite was great, the views of the lake were stunning," shares Candice B., who warns that "Be prepared to fend off mosquitoes if you're going in the summer!"
Day trips to waterfalls: Use horse camps as a base for exploring nearby waterfalls. "In the area we visited Lemolo Falls and Warm Spring Falls. We weren't disappointed," reports Reid from their stay at NF 2612 Dispersed Camping, adding that mosquito protection is essential.
Spacious campsites: Cultus Lake Campground provides ample room for horse trailers and camping equipment. "The grounds are always very well maintained. 10/10 would recommend," shares Joshua B., who has returned to the area after years away.
Non-motorized lakes: Waldo Lake prohibits motorized boats, creating a peaceful environment for shoreline rides. "Waldo 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," explains Ariel C.
Solitude in shoulder seasons: Late season camping offers fewer crowds and mosquitoes at most horse camps. "We came here late on a holiday weekend without a reservation and still got a cool spot!" notes Macy G. about Diamond Lake, though she cautions about mosquitoes during peak summer.
Mosquito preparation: Nearly every campground in the area reports significant mosquito activity, especially in early summer. "The area does have mosquitoes to contend with," warns Reid about camping near Lemolo Lake, reflecting a common theme across regional reviews.
Limited facilities at some locations: Whitefish Horse Camp connects to multiple trail systems but lacks certain amenities. Many equestrian-specific sites have minimal facilities - prioritize water access when choosing locations.
Weather changes quickly: High elevation sites experience rapid temperature drops after sunset. "Be warned that it gets VERY chilly at night," advises Kelsey M. about her North Waldo Lake experience, suggesting layers even for summer camping.
Seasonal considerations: Most designated horse camps operate on a limited season. "Only came for one night available. Was worth it," notes Karla R. about Diamond Lake, highlighting the importance of checking operational dates before traveling.
Choose developed campgrounds: Harralson Horse Campground offers basic amenities that work well for families. "Picnic tables and fire pits available. Pretty good RV sites. Pretty good tent sites," reports John M., who enjoyed a quiet 4-day stay.
Bring multiple recreation options: Lakes offer alternatives when trail riding isn't desired. "Beautiful blue water, lots of shade & beach area to play," shares Matt B. about Cultus Lake, making it ideal for mixed recreation groups.
Reserve early for peak season: Popular horse camps fill quickly during summer weekends. "The campsites are well placed for views and access to the lake," notes Philip W. about North Waldo, explaining why these locations are in high demand.
Pack for temperature swings: High-elevation camping requires preparation for cold nights even in summer. "It can get quite cold at night, but the cold keeps the mosquitoes down," explains Amber D., offering a silver lining to the temperature fluctuations.
Site selection matters: At Christmas Valley Base Camp, equestrians find electric hookups and shower facilities. "Cozy place great for large groups. Has everything a campground needs," notes Ralph G. about this private facility catering to horse owners.
Dispersed options for self-contained units: Areas like NF 2612 offer free camping alternatives. "Perfect for self-contained campers and trailers. Beautiful location near several Lakes and large fields with plenty of level camping and fire pits," shares Steve M., though he notes fires aren't always permitted.
Verify site access: Some forest roads to horse camps have size limitations. "Suitable for overnight or longer stay. Some road noise during day," notes Frank M. about a site along Highway 31, adding that "May be blocked by snow in winter."
Camp loops vary significantly: Research specific sites within larger campgrounds. "We were in a C loop single site, and there was no disappointment! The mosquitos were fairly tame, the water was pure and clean," reports Michael L. about Diamond Lake, showing how experiences differ by location.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Gilchrist, OR?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Gilchrist, OR is Diamond Lake with a 4.4-star rating from 63 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Gilchrist, OR?
TheDyrt.com has all 17 equestrian camping locations near Gilchrist, OR, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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