L.L. Stub Stewart Memorial State Park offers equestrian camping at Hares Canyon Horse Camp, situated 37 miles northwest of Lake Oswego. The campground accommodates both tent and RV camping with electrical and water hookups. Trails throughout the park connect directly to the campground, providing immediate access for riders. Milo McIver State Park near Estacada also provides horse-friendly camping with access to numerous horse trails. The park contains wide trails suitable for horseback riding enthusiasts. Sites book up early in the season, particularly during summer months when river activities are popular. Campground facilities remain open from March through October.
Hares Canyon Horse Camp connects riders to an extensive network of equestrian-approved trails that wind through L.L. Stub Stewart's forested terrain. The trails feature varying difficulty levels appropriate for both novice and experienced riders. Willamette Mission State Park Horse Camp, located southwest of Lake Oswego near Gervais, operates seasonally from mid-May through September. This horse-friendly campground provides access to numerous trails along the Willamette River. Most equestrian campgrounds in the region require reservations, especially during peak summer months. Many horseback riders appreciate the proximity to Portland while still accessing quality trails within a short drive from Lake Oswego. The parks typically enforce standard horse camping etiquette, including proper manure management and restrictions on loose animals.
$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."
$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."
$40 / night
"Arrived here late for a single night stay on the way to the Oregon Coast. This is a very convenient stopover for those needing a place to stay near Portland."
"The park's location is very convenient, with easy access to downtown Portland and nearby attractions."
"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."
$22 - $64 / night
"If you want to camp in Oregon this is the place to go. There are several waterfalls and hiking trails. You can see wildlife and you can't beat the beauty. You can tent camp and they also have yurts."
"THE most beautiful park in Oregon that we've seen! Hiked for 5 hours! BEWARE: It's WET, so bring your wet weather gear, and good, sturdy hiking shoes for slippery terrain."
$24 - $39 / night
"Top reasons I love this campground:
- So easy to get to from anywhere in northwestern Oregon; especially the Portland area
- Open year-round
- 18-hole disc golf course
- Great hiking and"
"The upper area encircles a large open are perfect for games and running around. There is a nice disk golf course and a lot of large paths for waking and biking."
"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."
$20 / night
"I had a great weekend at Willamette Mission State Park Horse Camp! The campsites are horse friendly and the trails are absolutely gorgeous- it felt like being out in the wild."
"Only sites for camping with horses."
$39 / night
"Hares Canyon Horse Camp is one of three campgrounds in Stub Stewart State Park and unlike other horse camps which often allow the overflow of tenters and rv'ers without horses, this horse camp is equestrian"
"I don’t have a horse but I still stayed here! We were in the area, struggling to find a place to camp. After 7 pm, the campground let us set up camp in an empty equestrian campsite. Unique experience!"
TravelerIf you want to camp in Oregon this is the place to go. There are several waterfalls and hiking trails. You can see wildlife and you can't beat the beauty. You can tent camp and they also have yurts.
ScoutGreat 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!
LegendHares Canyon Horse Camp is one of three campgrounds in Stub Stewart State Park and unlike other horse camps which often allow the overflow of tenters and rv'ers without horses, this horse camp is equestrian only.
The Campground is set up in one loop and offers both single and double sites, ADA facilities, showers, toilets, and trash. Each site has a picnic table, fire pit, and a corral. There is a double corral on the double sites.
You must clean up after your own horse. Manure bin as well as shovels/brooms are provided onsite.
In mid May, the sites were very wide open.
GuideI don’t have a horse but I still stayed here! We were in the area, struggling to find a place to camp. After 7 pm, the campground let us set up camp in an empty equestrian campsite. Unique experience!
TravelerOne of our favorite Oregon SPs. In the middle of a mountainous forest with lots of hiking, paved path & mtb biking, disc golf, horse trails and more. Well maintained full hookup sites with 50amp, most 63' long. The park has recently renewed trail signage.
LegendThis 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.
GuideTHE most beautiful park in Oregon that we've seen! Hiked for 5 hours! BEWARE: It's WET, so bring your wet weather gear, and good, sturdy hiking shoes for slippery terrain. Saw all but the northern most two falls while hiking the trails. So many more to hike! Kids' play area inside Loop B, showers, and nature trails around the campground. RV dump at the horse camp turnoff. I'd try to reserve spots 9 or 12 (next to the playground and sunny spots) or 72 (next to the creek in the shade) next time! We rate this one an 8.
TravelerSite 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.
LegendA 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.
Equestrian trails and campgrounds near Lake Oswego, Oregon connect riders with diverse terrain across the region. Located within 30-45 miles of Lake Oswego, these horse-friendly camping areas sit at elevations ranging from 200 to 1,800 feet, offering riding options through old-growth forests and along riverbanks. Spring and fall generally provide the most comfortable riding conditions with moderate temperatures and less crowded trails.
Trail riding with water access: At Milo McIver State Park Campground, riders can access wide horse trails throughout the park. "LOTS of nice, wide horse trails for horse riding enthusiasts. We all made s'mores and sang campfire songs together in the evening after our day of hiking to the horse camp and up to the bat haven," reports Melissa L.
Disc golf and river recreation: Combine horseback riding with other activities. "What other campground has a bat trail? The campground area is a standard State Park area, mostly private sites tucked into the trees. The small number of campsites does not prepare you for the sheer volume of day use users," notes Nancy H. Many riders appreciate that McIver offers recreational diversity with "twin 18 hole disc golf courses" according to Steve C.
Multi-day trail loops: Explore Hares Canyon Horse Camp — L.L. Stub Stewart Memorial State Park for extended riding. "Experiencing several of the many long trails on horseback was an unforgettable experience. The horse camp comes complete with full hookups, a full bathroom with showers, and corrals for the horses," writes Tanya B.
Well-designed corrals: Horse riders appreciate the practical amenities at equine campgrounds. "Each site has a picnic table, fire pit, and a corral. There is a double corral on the double sites. You must clean up after your own horse. Manure bin as well as shovels/brooms are provided onsite," explains Stephanie Z. about Hares Canyon Horse Camp.
Water access for cooling off: The combination of riding trails and water makes Willamette Mission State Park Horse Camp popular during summer months. "I had a great weekend at Willamette Mission State Park Horse Camp! The campsites are horse friendly and the trails are absolutely gorgeous- it felt like being out in the wild," states Sprunki R.
Spacious sites: Equestrian campers need room for their trailers and gear. At Dairy Creek East — L.L. Stub Stewart Memorial State Park, "The sites are spacious, but there isn't much character. The East loop is pretty much an open field. The west loop has a few more trees but still not much privacy or space between sites," notes Stephanie Z. While not the most private, the space accommodates horse trailers.
Reservation requirements: Most equestrian campgrounds require advance planning. "During the main season when the whole place is open you can usually find a spot last min. This year with covid it's been harder to find a spot last min and they would only let you reserve 30 days in advance," reports Shane about L.L. Stub Stewart State Park.
Seasonal closures: Plan according to park operating schedules. At Oxbow Regional Park, "Because of COVID, the facilities (e.g. Welcome Center, restrooms, showers) were all closed, but that was okay for us given the short weekend trip," shares Krupa. Always check current facility status before arrival.
Wildlife encounters: Be prepared for wildlife at horse camps. At Hares Canyon Horse Camp, one camper reported: "When we came back from the shower my wife and I observed a dark shadow darting from the table around the back corner of the tent. A bobcat to be exact. I yelled at the cat for some time it wouldn't leave it sat there and stared me down," warns Patrick G.
Multi-use trail options: Families appreciate when non-riders have activities too. "Lots of hiking, swimming, and fishing through the park. It's truly a great oasis just outside of Portland," writes Blaine B. about Beacon Rock State Park Campground.
Playground access: Some equestrian campgrounds offer child-friendly amenities. "Kids' play area inside Loop B, showers, and nature trails around the campground," mentions Melissa L. about Silver Falls State Park, making it suitable for families with both riders and non-riders.
Educational opportunities: Look for parks offering nature programs. "We take elementary students to this site every spring to have a field science day. The largest Black Cottonwood tree resides at this park and is worth seeing!" explains Kelly N. about Willamette Mission State Park.
Hookup availability: RVers with horse trailers should check utility options. "The horse camp comes complete with full hookups, a full bathroom with showers, and corrals for the horses. Friendly rangers patrol the camp regularly to make sure there are horses occupying each site," explains Tanya B. about Hares Canyon Horse Camp.
Site dimensions: Verify space for both RV and horse trailer. "Our spot was very spacious as the length was 45 feet deep on asphalt. It had a picnic table and a fire ring in a well-groomed gravel area about 30' x 30'," notes Robert D. about L.L. Stub Stewart State Park.
Leveling considerations: At Battle Ground Lake State Park Campground, "Rolled in January 1st. Self pay. About 5 sites with power and water. We got a nice level one," shares Chris J., highlighting the importance of finding level sites when managing both RV and horse trailer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Lake Oswego, OR?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Lake Oswego, OR is Milo McIver State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 39 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Lake Oswego, OR?
TheDyrt.com has all 26 equestrian camping locations near Lake Oswego, OR, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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