Do you love the outdoors and horses? If you're looking for a rustic but comfortable experience, horse camping in Independence is the way to go. Camping with horses is a beautiful way to experience nature. At The Dyrt, you can find top-rated spots for horse camping, as reviewed by campers.
The main campground has tent sites, RV spots and cabins. Bring your horse and stay in the horse campground.
Campground Book sites at oregonstateparks.reserveamerica.com. Reservations can be made 6 months in advance. Reservations are required for cabin stays.
48 electrical sites with water (18+ sites open year-round) 43 tent sites with water nearby (seasonal May–Oct.) 14 cabins (7 pet friendly, open year-round) Flush toilets and showers Universal Access: Campsites B2 and B4, four cabins, and campground restrooms/showers are accessible. Howard Creek Horse Camp (seasonal May–Oct) 5 primitive sites with horse stalls Group site for 24 people and 12 horses
People call it the “crown jewel” of the Oregon State Parks system, and once you visit, you know why. Silver Falls State Park is the kind of standout scenic treasure that puts Oregon firmly onto the national—and international—stage.
Camping: The main Silver Falls campground has tent sites, RV spots and cabins. Bring your horse and stay in the horse campground. If you need an area for many people, the park also has group tent and RV camps, and the historic Youth Camp for up to 250 campers.
Waterfalls: Where else can you walk behind a waterfall? Check out the famous South Falls and see what a 177-foot curtain of water looks like from behind. It’s part of the Trail of Ten Falls, a spectacular, nationally recognized hiking trail that weaves through a dense forested landscape. The trail passes a series of breathtaking waterfalls along a rocky canyon, and descends to a winding creek at the forest floor. This 7.2 mile loop is considered to be a moderate hike, with an overall elevation change of 800 feet. Several connecting trails with separate access points make shorter routes. For everyone’s safety— absolutely no pets allowed on the Canyon Trail. Pets on leash are allowed on all other trails.
Boots, bikes, paws, hooves: The park offers more than 35 miles of backcountry trails for mountain biking, hiking or horseback riding (see guided ride info below). Bears and cougars live in the more remote park areas.
Daytime activities: The South Falls Day-use area has spacious lawns, barbecue stands, picnic shelters, tables, a playground, horseshoe pits, an off lead area for dogs, and a charming creek. Ever since the opening day in 1933, visitors have been using these grounds for potlucks, family reunions and weddings.
The Silver Falls Lodge and Conference Center offers a variety of amenities. Relax and enjoy comfortable lodging within the wooded setting, or feast at the many catered specialty events. Enjoy a preordered meal at the historic dining hall or order a box lunch to take on a hike or to your campsite. They also specialize in hosting special events! Visit silverfallslodge.com or call 866-575-8875.
Guided horseback rides: Silver Falls Riding Stables at Howard Creek offers five horseback rides daily through Sept. 29. Advanced reservation recommended. Visit silverfallslodge.com for times and rates.
$28 / night
Hidden in a forest between Cape Foulweather and Yaquina Head, Beverly Beach State Park’s creekside campground is one of the state’s largest. Some campsites and the park’s day-use area are just steps away from miles of ocean beach extending from Yaquina Head to Otter Rock. The park is central to excellent whale watching viewpoints, tidepools teeming with sea life, the Oregon Coast Aquarium, and shops and restaurants in Newport.
A few steps from the ocean you'll find the forest-sheltered campground. Giant, wind-sculpted trees and nurse logs surround the campsites situated along pebbly Spencer Creek. A Welcome Center located near the registration booth sells firewood and a few souvenirs. A playground is located next to the program area. The day-use picnic area is a grassy spot protected from summer winds. The day-use area also contains a reservable group meeting yurt.
Amenities & Features: 53 full-hook up sites (27 with cable TV) 76 electrical sites with water (32 pull-through) 128 tent sites with water nearby Flush toilets and showers Yurts RESERVATIONS REQUIRED Three seasonal group tent camping areas Hiker/biker camp Firewood for sale daily RV Dump station Only 1 extra vehicle per campsite Universal Access: Three campsites and six yurts are accessible to campers with disabilities.
Other Facilities: Playground (near program area) Reservable picnic shelters Welcome Center Yurt meeting hall
$31 / night
Note: Coordinates listed on The Dyrt are to the State Park. Please call the reservations desk for direct directions to campground. There are 6 campsites at Howard Creek Horse Camp, including one group site. All campsites are quite nice and feature plenty of shade and a fair amount of privacy. Sites include picnic tables and fire rings, corrals and hitching rails, manure bins, spigots with potable water and porta potties. Up to 4 horses/pack animals and 8 people are allowed per site. The group site however can accommodate up to 12 horses and 24 people.
Howard Creek Horse Camp is open seasonally, May through September.
$15 - $20 / night
This site, sometimes referred to as Horton Lake, Hult Marsh, Hult Reservoir, or Mill Pond, was developed in the early 1900s for logging operations. The reservoir and surrounding wetland is about 40 acres and supports a rich diversity of wildlife, fish, and plant species. This recreation site is popular for activities such as fishing, camping, hiking, horseback riding, and scenic driving. Link to Hult Pond EIS on EPlanning website: https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/99598/510
Aquila Vista is closed until further notice to remove wildfire burned danger trees. Aquila Vista is available for overnight group camping for groups up to 30 people and 20 vehicles. The season, when it reopens, will be mid-May through mid-October. The site is located in the heart of the forest next to a large beaver pond. There is plenty of hiking and natural beauty to see at Aquila Vista including a small waterfall. Amenities include vault toilet, two group picnic shelters with multiple picnic tables and a metal fire ring. There is no running water at Aquila Vista; ensure that you bring plenty of drinking, cooking and sanitation water. There is no firewood at the site or firewood collection allowed, please bring your own firewood if you wish to have a fire. The campsite can have mosquitoes in the summer; bring bug repellent.
The Molalla River Trail System is an extensive network of more than 20 miles of trails for hikers, bicyclists and equestrians. The trail system can be accessed from Aquila Vista. The system combines both single track trails and old forest roads. The trails wind through the forested foothills and slopes of the Molalla River Valley, occasionally offering scenic glimpses of the forests and mountains of the Cascade Range. The system offers a variety of difficulty levels for a wide range of mountain biking, hiking and horseback riding enthusiasts. Trails are generally marked with directional signs and levels of difficulty. Additional equestrian access to the trail system is from Hardy Creek or Annie___s Cabin Trailheads where there is ample parking for horse trailers. Mountain bikers and hikers can also access the trail system via Amanda___s, Americorp, and Sandquist ___s Trailheads.
The Molalla River Trail System is an extensive network of more than 20 miles of trails for hikers, bicyclists and equestrians. The trail system can be accessed from Aquila Vista. The system combines both single track trails and old forest roads. The trails wind through the forested foothills and slopes of the Molalla River Valley, occasionally offering scenic glimpses of the forests and mountains of the Cascade Range. The system offers a variety of difficulty levels for a wide range of mountain biking, hiking and horseback riding enthusiasts. Trails are generally marked with directional signs and levels of difficulty. Additional equestrian access to the trail system is from Hardy Creek or Annie___s Cabin Trailheads where there is ample parking for horse trailers. Mountain bikers and hikers can also access the trail system via Amanda___s, Americorp, and Sandquist ___s Trailheads.
The site is located in the heart of the forest next to a large beaver pond. There is plenty of hiking and natural beauty to be seen at Aquila Vista including a small waterfall.
Enjoy a scenic drive along the Molalla Wild and Scenic River which offers easy river access and opportunities for picnicking, swimming, camping, whitewater boating and fishing. The Molalla is one of the few undammed tributaries of the Willamette River and cuts a picturesque gorge on its way to the valley floor.
Standard fees apply and are non-refundable. Visit https://www.recreation.gov/rules-reservation-policies for more information.
Legend
What can I say? Silver Falls is a magical place and everyone should experience it. You can just get lost in the beauty of it all. The cabins are small but comfortable with heat, lights, and beds. Covered porch is nice to sit and listen to the rain.
GuideThis was one of my favorite established campgrounds I stayed at on my roadtrip through Oregon. The big trees are perfect shade and beautiful. The roads are perfect for biking and there’s a bike trail in the campground that leads you straight to the park. Bathrooms and showers are clean and well taken care of. There is an incredible trash and recycling center at the front of the camper ground. Campsites can be decently close to one another, so not secluded but that wasn’t an issue for me. Obviously with family’s there’s going to be noise early in the morning and late at night so just be aware of that. But I didn’t mind, and wish I could have stayed here one more night. Something I was also pleasantly surprised by was how the trees blocked excessive heat. There was a heat wave going on during the time I was there but I didn’t have a problem at all here. It was such a relief.
Scout
Campsites are spaced well apart with lots of room in each site. Bathrooms are nothing special. Make sure to bring water shoes down to the river -(It’s super rocky). Phone Service is super bad so be prepared to go off grid!
LegendGeneral: Two loops with a mix of electric and non-electric sites plus cabins.
Site Quality: All sites have paved, level camper pads, a picnic table, and a fire ring. Reasonable separation/privacy between sites, although you will see and hear your neighbors.
Bath/Shower House: Bathrooms have been updated since our last visit six years ago. Automatic flush toilets and sinks. Soap dispensers and air dryers. They were clean. Showers are individual stalls with a bench and hooks for toiletries. The only thing missing was a garbage receptacle and there were signs indicating you needed to take your garbage out. I can only guess that previous campers abused the bathroom garbage, thus taking away the convenience for everyone else!
Activities: Highlight for us is the Trail of Ten Falls which, as the name suggests, takes you past ten waterfalls. The entire trail is just over seven miles but there are shorter loop options. The best access is from the day-use area but you can get there from the campground to add mileage. Pets are not allowed on this trail. There are paved bike trails and other backcountry trails that allow dogs and horses.
Our first visit to this state park was in 1990, and we returned in 1997 and 2017. We have loved it every time, even when it rains, as it does almost every time we visit!
ScoutThis is a well-maintained, "polished" campground, perfect for first-time campers or if you're still needing some higher ammenities. They have the nicest camp bathrooms I have seen, and include showers with hot water. They have a self-service area for firewood, ice, and firestarters that you can pay for with card or cash (only up to $5 bills) and then grab what you need. The trash area has a large compactor with recycling and glass bins.
Overall, it's enjoyable and provides a very comfortable camping experience. This is also a very family-friendly campsite, but that meant hearing screaming children well into 10 at night and early in the morning with little time to enjoy to sounds of being out in nature. Children would be riding their bikes up and down the campsite loop yelling and playing, again fine for family-friendly camping but not ideal if you're not there for that.
We stayed at campsite 85 which had little privacy with the neighboring spot of 83. Would be a good spot for a family or group of friends to book out both spots for shared space. Not many trees in ideal spots if you're here during rainy season and need to tie up some shelter. There were ants all over the campsite but they didn't seem to be too much of an issue. A group of deer wandering down the camp road eating plants, seems undisturbed by the presence of humans. Also had a small skunk wander up to our trash bag and try to get in.
This campground is an easy walking distance down a trail to access the trailheads, park, and lodge area (less than a mile). Your camp parking pass also doubles as a day pass to part at any of the surrounding spots in the park if you prefer to drive there.
Scout
Talked to the owner/operator who said he sold this property a year ago and that this campsite is no longer available.
Guide
A beautiful park among dense forest. Full hookups are available only on the main road into the park so expect lots of traffic. ATT has good signal here, Verizon has poor and T-Mobile has none.
ScoutCame to Silver Creek Falls fir 3 day family union, from Montana. Never seen such a beautiful area. Planning on coming back for a visit to relation and would love to camp fir a few days would like fees, length of time for tent area, shower, bathroom?
ScoutI was planning to potentially camp here but it seems that facilities were damaged in the 2020 fires and they will not be re-established
https://www.reddit.com/r/oregon/comments/151kto5/shellburg\_falls\_santiam\_state\_forest\_oregon/
GuideThis campsite was spacious and a short 5-minute drive to the Trail of Ten Waterfalls hike. The park rangers are quite attentive and friendly. The bathrooms have outlets and are clean. They also have 3 showers, the shower head was interesting but gets the job done. Drivers must keep their cars on the driveways that are at each campsite but it was not an issue for us at all. Just a PSA. The only issue we encountered was raccoons. They didn't get into any of our stuff and were easily scared away, but even while talking by the fire at night, a couple of raccoons would join us. Harmless really. When we visited, there were a ton of families with children so it felt safe. We hiked the Trail of Ten Waterfalls but were told to do a loop for a bit of a shorter hike. (The full hike is about 8 miles, but the loop is about 6 miles where you get to see 7/10 waterfalls -- which are all so beautiful. We were told to do the hike in a clockwise direction. This allows hikers to go downstairs at the beginning of the trail instead of having to go up all of them towards the end of their long hike. I recommend stopping for a map of the trail to know which falls you are at. We enjoyed coffee, Italian soda, and huckleberry ice cream at the cafe next to the trailhead after our hike.
GuideStay one night here with a view from f the bridge and ocean!
TravelerRv sites were quite private for a state park. Loved that the campground was within walking distance of the Falls. Clean bathrooms, easy to use firewood and ice purchase and super friendly camp hosts
GuideThe tree cover was fantastic, it was 85 out in the sun but much cooler at the site. Sites were open but still secluded enough to not be bothered by your neighbors. Sites were large, had a nicely maintained picnic table. Showers were clean and hot!
ScoutGreat location. Luckily we were in a minivan and not a tent, small tent spots, so make sure you check first. Very close sites. Clean bathrooms
GuideThis is a beautiful campground with nice, shaded campsites. I was planning to stay a few days and hike to the waterfalls, but with an AQI in the unhealthy range, I will be leaving tomorrow. I hope I can get back here some day.
GuideI was finally able to make it out to this spot. The sites were clean with plenty of restrooms and showers. There are a couple of loops with many sites. Reservations are recommended as the sites fill up fast. Keep an eye out for cancelations; that's how we managed to book our site. There is a nature loop in the campground and Ten Falls is down the street.
ScoutGreat camping, lots of shade for tent campers. Flushing toilets, showers clean. Multiple camp host. Reserve a spot !
GuideBig campground with sites nicely shielded from each other with foliage. Lots of shade, full hookup and clean showered and bathrooms. Beach access is close the lower the site section alphabetically (A-H). Short walk under arch bridge to the beach. Full hookup.
ScoutVery nice state park.
TravelerCame in to the campground and was able to find our campsite quickly. 5 minutes after we had parked, a very nice ranger stopped by and greeted us; asked us a couple of questions about our reservation, checked us in, and shared information about the campground. We purchased firewood using the automated pay machine. We visited the trail of ten falls starting at the South Falls Lodge, which is less than a 5 minute drive from the campus ground. Great visit, super quiet campground; lots of trees; make sure to reserve your site well in advance; this site is usually full. Water and power on our site. Clean bathrooms and showers.
GuideWent in Winter and it was cold, wet and had surprise snow! Nice open spots, cute playground - showers and flush toilets. Dumps ration is a couple miles away. Great access to water falls.
GuideThis is a classic well maintained Or state campground. Good access to trails and the beach, showers, toilets and firewood for sale. It’s big but nice amenities.
ScoutCampground is very large with over 200 spaces, restrooms very clean as well as showers.
Camp sites are VERY tiny, most tent sites are barley big enough for a tent, picnic tables are so close to fire pits that they could catch on fire, the RV sites are very tight and people have issues getting their trailers into sites. Open year around, very busy park, reservations need to made most time months in advance.
Beach access is very close.
ScoutThis was one of our stops on a camping trip along 101. The facilities were good, but it was very crowded with almost no privacy. The sites were super close together. The campground was loud as a couple of the loops go right up under the freeway. The beach was ok, but there are many nicer beaches along the Oregon coast.
GuideGreat park! Waterfalls were raging after all the storms!! Downside is that dogs are not allowed on the majority of the infamous Ten Falls loop.
Campsite had TONS of spots available when we were there (midweek during a storm) with no reservation needed.
Sites were good (only downside is very little privacy). Paid $19 for rent only site. Had electric/ water hook up sites too. Hot showers, clean bathrooms. Had picnic table & decent space. Had good cell service here but not in other parts of the park so download maps before you leave the campsite!
GuideGreat site with excellent beach access. Clean bathrooms with hot water. Had cell service. Spots were a little tight so be nice to your neighbors because they can hear you! Light sleepers may be bothered by beach, highway & neighborly noise. Busier than I expected for midweek off season so definitely reserve ahead!
ScoutWe stayed in the B loop since A loop is closed for winter. Campsites are well spaced and large. Campsite is an easy walk or short 2 minute drive to the south falls.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Independence, OR?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Independence, OR is Silver Falls State Park Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 72 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Independence, OR?
TheDyrt.com has all 10 equestrian camping locations near Independence, OR, with real photos and reviews from campers.
