Equestrian Camping near John Day Lock and Dam, Lake Umatilla, OR

Knebal Springs Campground serves equestrian riders with sites spaced along a forest service road on the eastern edge of Mount Hood National Forest. Located at the transition between forest and high desert terrain, this primitive campground sits at approximately 4,500 feet elevation. Sites accommodate tents and smaller RVs with vault toilets available but no potable water, requiring visitors to pack in all water needed for themselves and their horses.

What to do

Trail exploration: Badger Creek Trail connects to Bonney Crossing Campground providing various hiking options. "The best part is being maybe a hundred feet from Badger Creek Trail, a versatile, climate-variety hike that sports a good stopping point at Pine Creek about 6 miles in, then to Badger Lake another 6 miles beyond that," notes Bjorn S.

Water activities: During summer months, Crow Butte Park offers water recreation options on the Columbia River. "The water was super calm, so kayaking was very enjoyable," reports Denise B., making this a good alternative to the horse-focused activities at Knebal Springs.

Wildlife viewing: Morning hours provide opportunities to observe local fauna including deer, small mammals, and various bird species. The transition zone between forest and desert creates diverse habitat types. At Crow Butte, one camper noted "There are really cute baby frogs hopping all around in the mornings though which was very cute. Just watch your step."

What campers like

Peaceful atmosphere: The relatively remote location ensures quieter camping experiences compared to more developed sites. "This is a great option as each site is different and pretty spacious... A little more remote and in the 'semi-primitive' category, adding to a more natural feel," explains a visitor to Knebal Springs.

Stream access: Many campers appreciate creek-side sites for natural cooling and ambient sound. According to Scott B. at Bonney Crossing, "Kids loved spending time exploring the creek and cooling off in it."

Scenic diversity: The landscape transitions from forested areas to drier eastern terrain. Patrick M. from Crow Butte Park mentions, "Trails over and around the butte provide great vistas of the Columbia River." This geographic transition zone offers visual variety not found in more uniform settings.

What you should know

Weather conditions: The region experiences significant temperature fluctuations between day and night, particularly at higher elevations. "It was a little cold and windy during this time of the year," reports one camper at Hunt Park, highlighting the need for adequate clothing and shelter.

Water requirements: No potable water available at primitive sites. Pack sufficient water for both humans and horses. Most equestrian sites require 5-10 gallons per horse per day depending on temperature and activity level.

Site availability: First-come, first-served system means weekends can fill quickly during peak summer months. Greg L. noted about Bonney Crossing, "We were there for 2 nights and didn't see any other people. The campsites are all well spaced out parallel to a nice clean looking river. We stayed in the off-season, so that is probably why it was empty. I would expect this campsite to be packed during the summer."

Tips for camping with families

Creek exploration: Shallow water access points provide natural play areas. Scott B. mentions, "Kids loved spending time exploring the creek and cooling off in it," when describing their stay at Brooks Memorial State Park.

Wildlife awareness: Teach children proper food storage techniques. As Taleah U. observed at Crow Butte, "Be careful about leaving food out, zipping your tent up, leaving car doors open. The mice were pretty bad and came out at night driving my dog crazy."

Shade considerations: Some sites offer better tree coverage than others. Ashley B. notes, "The spaces are very close together with very few trees separating spaces," suggesting families select sites with adequate shade during summer months.

Tips from RVers

Site selection: RVers should evaluate site dimensions carefully. Denise B. shares at Crow Butte Park, "The grounds were clean and green," while another camper mentioned, "Reasonable cost for a full hookup at $40/night."

Hook-up availability: Options range from primitive to partial connections. David B. noted about Hunt Park, "This is a county fair grounds with lots of RV space for all sizes. Self register at the gate and find your spot. Nice rest room and showers."

Road conditions: Access roads to more remote equestrian camping areas may require careful navigation with larger vehicles. Several forest service roads narrow considerably after turning off main highways.