Best Equestrian Camping near Kimberly, OR

Coalmine Hill Campground provides essential facilities for horseback riders seeking overnight accommodations near Kimberly. The campground features a wooden pin system to secure horses overnight while providing space for both riders and their animals. The large parking area accommodates horse trailers with ample room to turn around without difficulty. Individual sites come with picnic tables and surround a central cul-de-sac area. Basic amenities include pit toilets, though no drinking water is available on site. Most campsites benefit from ample shade, providing relief for horses and riders during warmer months. The campground operates seasonally, typically accessible from late spring through fall. Campers reference The Dyrt for top tips on camping near Kimberly, Oregon.

A 2.5-mile round trip hiking trail connects directly to the campground, offering recreational opportunities beyond horseback riding. The trail to Gibson Caves features scenic views throughout the route with options for either short or extended treks. While the campground caters to equestrian visitors, the terrain presents some challenges as the ground is uneven with scattered tree trunks throughout the camping area. Horse owners should prepare for mosquitoes during summer months by bringing adequate insect repellent. The campground sits relatively close to the main highway, creating some traffic noise that may affect sensitive horses. The nearby oriental campground provides an alternative option for horse camping in the region, though it receives mixed reviews from equestrians. Most visitors appreciate the spacious layout that allows separation between horse trailers.

Best Equestrian Sites Near Kimberly, Oregon (6)

    1. Mitchell City Park

    7 Reviews
    Mitchell, OR
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 462-3121

    "Near the painted hills of Oregon! Not much to it, but there are restrooms with running water. Caught a ride from here to the hills for sunset. Mitchell is a nice little town in central Oregon."

    "This small four site RV “Park” located in a public park in the town of Mitchell, Oregon is perfect if wanting to visit John Day National Monument."

    2. Grant County RV Park

    8 Reviews
    John Day, OR
    41 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 575-1900

    $15 / night

    "After a full day, driving, we were having trouble finding a place to stay near John Day, Oregon. All of the very few campgrounds available we’re already full."

    "Stream running next to the sites. Close to town. It is next to the fairgrounds, but very quit when no events. Good place to spend the night while traveling through"

    3. Coalmine Hill

    2 Reviews
    Heppner, OR
    33 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 278-3716

    4. Cutsforth Park Campground

    1 Review
    Heppner, OR
    34 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 989-9500

    "Pit toilets are located in one of the loops, but there are bathrooms with showers near the host site. There is a hiking trail directly from camp into the forest."

    5. Welch Creek Campground & Trailhead

    1 Review
    Ukiah, OR
    43 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 427-3231

    "Easy turn around. creek is clear and very cold.  There are picnic tables."

    6. Oriental

    1 Review
    Ukiah, OR
    47 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 427-3231
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Equestrian Camping Reviews near Kimberly, OR

20 Reviews of 6 Kimberly Campgrounds


  • Ashley B.
    Jul. 10, 2018

    Coalmine Hill

    Free horse camp near Ukiah

    One of the few national forest campgrounds on road 53, or the Blue Mountain Scenic Highway. It was a beautiful drive to the campground. There are no spot numbers for this campground and is free to camp. There are only 5 picnic tables scattered around a large cul-de-sac parking lot. I choose one at the bottom of the cul-de-sac with full view of the parking lot and no one on either side of me. This is definitely a campground geared for equestrians with a horse corral available. The only amenity is a pit toilet. Aside from the horse trailer/RV that ran its generator most of the night and morning, it was a great spot to camp. There was even a short hike (2.5 round trip) up to Gibson Caves with great views along the way. The only reason I gave it 3 stars is cause of the RV running it's generator all night and being annoyed.

  • Ashton B.
    Jul. 3, 2021

    Coalmine Hill

    Good for hiking, not so fabulous for camping.

    Let's start with the positive folks. This site as an amazing parking area that is large enough for rvs and horse trailers to be able to turn around without any issues. There's a wooden pin to be able to keep horses safe and secure over night. Almost all campsites are shaded. There is a trail for either a long hike or a short one. With two littles, we did the short on which around trip was under 3 miles. It looks like if we would have kept going there is definitely an uphill climb to continue the treck, but I'm sure the few is gorgeous on top! Now is time for the negatives that really just makes this place not that great. The campsites are very close together. The ground isn't very level, so tent camping would be bumpy and on an incline. There's also little tree trunk scattered out through out the whole place so it is kinda dangerous for kids to ran around a play. Mosquitos can be murdereres so lots of bug spray! Last thing, it is rather close to the main highway so lots of noise from the traffic.

  • Michael The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 19, 2021

    Mitchell City Park

    Camped here on bike tour

    Near the painted hills of Oregon! Not much to it, but there are restrooms with running water. Caught a ride from here to the hills for sunset.

    Mitchell is a nice little town in central Oregon.

  • G
    Jun. 13, 2024

    Mitchell City Park

    NICE SPOT IN A CITY PARK

    Not sure what some people are complaining about. This small four site RV “Park” located in a public park in the town of Mitchell, Oregon is perfect if wanting to visit John Day National Monument. Very close to the painted hills and the road to Fossil. For only $25 with electric and water, it's a steal, especially after boon-docking for a few days. Close to a small store that carries a lot of stuff. Plus the Tiger Town Brewing—all any camper needs. Right ? Would definitely stay here again.

  • D
    Jul. 3, 2021

    Mitchell City Park

    City park no frills

    First come first serve spot in Mitchell. Grocery store, cafe and brewery within walking distance. Nice lay over spot with easy access to the painted hills. Sites are close and tight getting into the spot with a trailer….but doable. Friday night of July 4th weekend we were the only ones in the campground. We would stay again if passing through here.

  • Bill B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 26, 2025

    Grant County RV Park

    SO… tired….

    After a full day, driving, we were having trouble finding a place to stay near John Day, Oregon. All of the very few campgrounds available we’re already full. Even this campground, which is part of the fairgrounds, appeared to be full and it had prior reservations on to remaining Spots. As we were about to leave, the host of the campground caught up with us and said that since we had a short motorhome(24 foot) that there was one spot remaining. The people we dealt with were very friendly and helpful. I think the host realized how tired we were and made a special effort to invite us to stay.

  • H
    Jun. 6, 2022

    Cutsforth Park Campground

    Cutforth in June.

    This campground has full and partial hookup sites. The roads are gravel and wind their way up a steep hill, but the sites provide decent privacy. Each site has a picnic table and fire pit. Pit toilets are located in one of the loops, but there are bathrooms with showers near the host site. There is a hiking trail directly from camp into the forest. We loved the serenity of being away from town in the woods where all we could hear were the birds and the creek nearby (and the thunderstorm that passed thru).

  • D
    Jul. 2, 2021

    Grant County RV Park

    Nice little spot

    Shaded pull through and easy back in sites. Good value. Stream running next to the sites. Close to town. It is next to the fairgrounds, but very quit when no events. Good place to spend the night while traveling through

  • Erin P.
    Jul. 10, 2017

    Mitchell City Park

    Weird park

    This was less of a campsite and more of a place to stay. Youre next to the only public bathrooms between Bend and John Day so prep to stay up all night as trucks roll in and out. Very few food options or grocery stores so come prepared. Right on a road. Close to painted hills, but I'd still try to find better camping.


Guide to Kimberly

Coalmine Hill Campground provides essential facilities for equestrians visiting the Kimberly area. The site features a large parking area specifically designed to accommodate horse trailers with ample turn-around space for vehicles of various sizes. A wooden pin system allows horses to be secured safely overnight while campers enjoy the primarily shaded sites. Trails accessible directly from the campground offer both short and extended riding options, with the shorter loop covering approximately 3 miles round trip. The campground includes basic amenities such as picnic tables and pit toilets but lacks water hookups, requiring riders to bring supplies for their animals. The grounds can be uneven in places, which may present challenges for some tent campers.

Located along the Blue Mountain Scenic Highway (Road 53), Coalmine Hill serves as one of the few free horse-friendly camping options in the national forest near Ukiah. The campground features approximately five unmarked campsites arranged around a central cul-de-sac parking area. Gibson Caves trail offers riders scenic views along a 2.5-mile round trip route with potential for longer excursions up steeper terrain. The proximity to Highway 53 means traffic noise may be noticeable, and summer visitors should prepare for mosquitoes. While the campground lacks defined site boundaries, this horse-focused area provides essential access to forest trails and accommodations for equestrians seeking basic facilities without fees or reservations. Daily trail rides connect campers to the surrounding forest landscape with varying terrain suitable for different riding experience levels.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Kimberly, OR?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Kimberly, OR is Mitchell City Park with a 2.9-star rating from 7 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 6 equestrian camping locations near Kimberly, OR, with real photos and reviews from campers.