Best Equestrian Camping near Government Camp, OR

Knebal Springs Campground offers the only dedicated horse corrals among Government Camp area campgrounds. Located in the eastern section of Mt. Hood National Forest near Dufur, this rustic campground accommodates both tent and RV campers with equestrian facilities. The campsites are positioned along a gravel road with moderate spacing between sites, providing room for horse trailers. While the campground lacks drinking water and showers, vault toilets are available for campers. The sites come equipped with picnic tables and fire rings, though firewood is not sold on-site. Sites are spread out, offering some privacy despite proximity to the access road. The relative lack of trees provides more sunlight than typical forested campgrounds in the region.

Several horse-friendly campgrounds provide access to Mt. Hood's extensive trail systems. Riley Horse Campground, situated on the west side of Mt. Hood National Forest, features large, well-spaced sites that accommodate horse trailers and camping equipment. This campground offers access to nearby trails including the Romano Falls Trail with views of Mt. Hood. The spacious sites, some measuring nearly a quarter acre, provide ample room for both horses and camping equipment. Drinking water is available via spigots throughout the campground. While primarily designated for equestrians, non-horse campers can often find availability except during holiday weekends when the campground is reserved exclusively for horse owners. Joe Graham Horse Campground near Government Camp provides another option with toilet facilities and drinking water, operating seasonally from May through mid-September.

Best Equestrian Sites Near Government Camp, Oregon (14)

    1. Clackamas Lake

    10 Reviews
    Government Camp, OR
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (503) 630-5721

    $25 - $27 / night

    "Clackamas Lake is a great campsite. Fairly easy to find and navigate. Great for when you don't want to deal with the more crowded campgrounds."

    "Great campground when nearby Timothy Lake campgrounds are full. The spot I had was large and not too close to other spots."

    2. Riley Horse Campground

    3 Reviews
    Rhododendron, OR
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (503) 630-5721

    $23 - $25 / night

    "It is not too far from the Portland area, I would recommend getting last minute supplies before getting off the highway."

    "Secluded, open prime real estate: horse facilities abound here, but it works for everyone."

    3. Milo McIver State Park Campground

    43 Reviews
    Estacada, OR
    31 miles
    Website
    +1 (503) 630-7150

    $8 - $78 / 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."

    4. Oxbow Regional Park

    36 Reviews
    Corbett, OR
    29 miles
    Website
    +1 (503) 797-1850

    $25 / night

    "Great access to the river to keep cool in summer. Nice sandy beaches. Park also has a lot of sheltered picnic areas and playground.

    Multi-use trail great for short runs and apparently horses."

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

    5. Beacon Rock State Park Campground

    20 Reviews
    North Bonneville, WA
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (509) 427-8265

    "There are at least four different campgrounds within Beacon Rock state park including the main camping site, an equestrian area with two spaces large enough for horse trailers, a group camp site that can"

    "The climb up the rock is through a well-built trail. It can get narrow at spots and not for those who fear heights. The view at the top, however, is amazing."

    6. Bonney Crossing

    5 Reviews
    Tygh Valley, OR
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 467-2291

    $16 / night

    "Campground Review

    An open, relatively unused campground next to a sleep-calling stream right in between the last forested part of Mt."

    "Bonney Crossing campground is located in the Eastern most side of the Mt Hood National Forest. Our campsite provided us a quiet relaxing two nights of camping."

    7. Knebal Springs

    2 Reviews
    Government Camp, OR
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 386-6366

    $15 - $39 / night

    8. Panther Creek Campground

    20 Reviews
    Carson, WA
    36 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 338-7869

    $25 - $45 / night

    "Across the road is a horse camp that the PCT goes through. There is a spur from the PCT directly into the campground for easy access. There is a beautiful view of Mt."

    "Some camp sots are better situated then others, so do research before making reservation."

    9. Battle Ground Lake State Park Campground

    40 Reviews
    Heisson, WA
    50 miles
    Website

    "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."

    10. Joe Graham Horse Campground

    Be the first to review!
    Government Camp, OR
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (503) 630-5721

    $25 - $27 / night

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Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near Government Camp, OR

1 Photos of 14 Government Camp Campgrounds


Equestrian Camping Reviews near Government Camp, OR

177 Reviews of 14 Government Camp Campgrounds


  • 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!

  • Guinevere H.
    Aug. 24, 2016

    Clackamas Lake

    Beautiful, if small, lake

    Clackamas Lake is a great campsite. Fairly easy to find and navigate. Great for when you don't want to deal with the more crowded campgrounds.

    While the camping sites are fairly close together, the site is usually lightly occupied. While we where there we only had one neighbor but the rest of the loop was empty.

    For horse riders they have some equestrian only campsites.

    There was plenty of trails in which to hike or ride, and a dock to go see the lake. You can also go swimming if your into Oregon lake or pond swimming.

    Clackamas Lake itself is fairly small and in many ways feels more like a large and deep marsh then a lake.

    Phone and internet reception (AT&T) is spotty at best.

  • Ashley B.
    May. 24, 2018

    Clackamas Lake

    Close to Timothy Lake

    Great campground when nearby Timothy Lake campgrounds are full. The spot I had was large and not too close to other spots. The campground was full, so there was the early morning sounds of children playing. I was in spot 8 which looked onto Clackamas Lake. Which side note is not a "lake" but more of a marshy pond with reeds and grass around the edge. Still I was able to situate my tent to look onto the lake. This spot is in the horse section so there were corrals in each spot. Looked like a horse had camped in the spot a few days earlier cause there were large piles of fresh horse poop I had to keep my dog away from. The table/tent area was about 75 feet from my car so I had to make many trips to get all my stuff into the site. If you are extra adventurous and in shape you can walk from the campground, around Timothy Lake and back, be warned this is just over 18 miles. The trail around Timothy Lake is not strenuous, and offers amazing views of Mt Hood, and there is water about half way through, but again be ready for a long hike.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Corinna B.
    May. 31, 2018

    Beacon Rock State Park Campground

    Nice Small, Green State Campground

    There are at least four different campgrounds within Beacon Rock state park including the main camping site, an equestrian area with two spaces large enough for horse trailers, a group camp site that can hold up to 200 people, and a small 2-tent and 5-RV space down by the boat launch (at the base of Beacon Rock). This review is for the main "Beacon Rock" campground, which has 28 sites nestled in the woods including two walk/hike-in only sites. From the main road, head north directly across from Beacon rock until you come to a parking lot on the right that's the trailhead for Hamilton Mountain, Whispering Pool and others. Just past the parking lot (which also has a nice day-use picnic area and shelter) and on the right you'll come to the entrance of Beacon Rock campground.

    Sites are a good size with lots and lots of beautiful trees, though the size and privacy varies greatly depending on which site you get. Ones on the right when you first enter are smaller since they butt up next to a ridge. For the most part the sites on the inside of the loop and especially the back side (it's a one-way counter-clockwise loop) are larger. Sites are first-come, first-served, and even on Memorial Day weekend there were several still available at 5pm on Sunday. Not sure if that was a fluke or we just got lucky. The campground and day use areas were built by the CCC in the 1930s so there's some beautiful rock work here and there, but it was not built with RVs in mind, so most people had tents, though a smaller trailer or pop-up might work depending on maneuverability.

    Pros: Sweet little campground with lots of beautiful trees and greenery. Still had spots available on a busy weekend.

    Cons: Best for tents only or a smaller trailer. Some sites are definitely better than others.

  • Bjorn S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 27, 2015

    Oxbow Regional Park

    Super Family-Friendly, Watch Out for the Horses

    Smaller, but 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). Beautiful river, lots of horses and fisherpeople, great trails, tall trees, lots of shade, close to Portland. Plus you can reserve sites ahead of time.

  • Richard B.
    Aug. 1, 2018

    Battle Ground Lake State Park Campground

    We Love This Place

    We love it! For a lot of reasons. Part of the reason is it’s close, so that’s part good. 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. You do have a lot of options, in that the first time we went up there was with our hiking club, and we went up there for a hike around the calderas so it’s easy to do a day trip in a car. Part of our discovery was while we were there is that the food place is really good and very nice. The kids playground was great for the grandkids.

    As far as the camping, while it’s open, for the most part you do have a limited amount of privacy in the campground. The campsite we picked was a mix of things: just far enough away from the restrooms where we don’t get all the traffic there, but close enough so it’s not too far either. We were within easy walking distance to two restrooms/showers.

    One thing that always looked intriguing is they do have the cabins, so maybe one of these times we’ll rent one. Another thing that some people might like is that they do have horses and some of the trails around the lake you can have horses on, plus a separate area/campground where you can have your horses, which are fun to see.

    It’s a small lake but big lake, meaning they do not allow motors on the lake, even electric motors, so it’s all floats, kayakers, etc. A lot of people grab the big inter-tubes and go with that. And of course fishing up there is generally pretty good, especially when they stock it. The trails around the lake are kind of fun also because you have a high trail (very forested) and you also have a certain amount of low trails right on the water where you could have your own spots to fish and swim.

    Like most campgrounds, it has its peak season and its off-season, but you can go there year-round if you choose to. The beach area isn’t big, but that’s okay. Wherever you’re heading (from the campsites down to the water, to the playground, to the food shack) you always have different trails and options for how to get from one place to another if you want to explore. If there’s anything you forgot (groceries, fishing gear etc.) you can be in the small town of Battle Ground within 5 miles.


Guide to Government Camp

Oregon offers a fantastic experience for horse camping enthusiasts, with a variety of campgrounds that cater specifically to equestrians and their needs.

Equestrian campgrounds include ample amenities

  • At Riley Horse Campground, you'll find spacious horse pens and nearby hiking trails, making it a great spot for both you and your horse.
  • Joe Graham Horse Campground provides a peaceful setting with large sites, perfect for those looking to enjoy nature with their equine companions.
  • Bonney Crossing offers a primitive camping experience with well-spaced sites near Badger Creek, ideal for a quiet getaway with your horse.

Activities for horse camping enthusiasts

  • Enjoy scenic rides along the trails at Riley Horse Campground, where you can explore the beautiful surroundings of Mt. Hood National Forest.
  • Joe Graham Horse Campground is conveniently located near various trails, allowing for easy access to stunning views and diverse terrain.
  • At Bonney Crossing, families can enjoy creekside activities while the kids explore the nearby trails.

Tips for equestrian camping near Government Camp, Oregon

  • When visiting Riley Horse Campground, be sure to bring plenty of bug spray, as the area can have a high mosquito population during warmer months.
  • At Joe Graham Horse Campground, it's advisable to reserve your spot in advance, especially during peak season, to ensure you get a suitable site for your horse.
  • For a more secluded experience, consider camping at Bonney Crossing during the off-season, when you can enjoy the tranquility of the area with fewer crowds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Government Camp, OR?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Government Camp, OR is Clackamas Lake with a 4.2-star rating from 10 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 14 equestrian camping locations near Government Camp, OR, with real photos and reviews from campers.