Several horse campgrounds near Lowell, Oregon accommodate equestrians with varying levels of amenities. Harralson Horse Campground provides picnic tables, fire pits, and spacious RV sites alongside tent camping areas. The campground features toilet facilities and permits pets, allowing riders to bring their dogs alongside their horses. Camping areas remain relatively secluded with low visitor traffic, creating a quiet experience with often only a few other campers present even during multi-day stays. Trails connect to the surrounding Willamette National Forest, offering extensive riding opportunities.
Whispering Pine Horse Camp and Graham Corral Horse Camp both serve as additional options in the region, both accessible via drive-in routes primarily for tent camping. North Waldo Lake campground, though not exclusively for equestrians, permits horses and features extensive trail access including a 22-mile mountain bike trail that circles the lake and connects to wilderness hiking routes. Horse Creek Group Campground accommodates both tents and RVs with picnic tables and fire pits. The sound of flowing water creates a peaceful backdrop for overnight camping. Sites are large enough to accommodate multiple tents, making this location suitable for group equestrian outings with ample space for horses and camping equipment.
$25 - $27 / night
"Lots of great trails to hike."
"There are only a few flat spots for RVs but quite a few decent spots for tent camping next to the pond. The west side of the pond has at least 2 spots that are a good distance away from the others."
"The sites are sling the right side of the of the road, the road that leads along the left (west side) of the lake. There are several sites, we stayed in H2, which is painted on the road."
$28 - $56 / night
"We were in a walk in Tent site right on the lake which was quiet for the most part. Right next to hiking path that went around the lake."
"My car and I climbed over 5,000 ft from the Oregon coast to get to Waldo Lake in the Willamette National Forest. The drive along was well worth it."
$23 - $25 / night
$32 - $36 / night
"Just moved back to Oregon and came back to find it the same as its always been. Great camping great hosts and the grounds are always very well maintained. 10/10 would recommend"
"Love going to cultus lake with friends. It gets pretty busy at times so if you want a good camping spot then you need to go before the weekend starts."
$75 / night
"Horse Creek group camp is one of my favorite campsites ever."
$5 / night
"It's a drive, hike, bike and walk in. I didn't see any spots big enough for RV but there is space to park that isn't officially a site."
"Views of Three Sisters makes for the most breathtaking sunrise and hiking around the lake is beautiful. There is also hiking up to Tenas Lakes or Scott Mountain that makes for a good day trek."
"Nature trails. Canoe. Kayak. Fish."
GuideThis was a great campsite. We were in a walk in Tent site right on the lake which was quiet for the most part. Right next to hiking path that went around the lake. There didn't appear to be a boat put in around the area, but there is one down the street. We stayed in Campsite 28, which helped get away from the chaos of the big group sites which I would strongly Recommend! Beautiful place.
TravelerGreat spot for a quick stay. There are only a few flat spots for RVs but quite a few decent spots for tent camping next to the pond. The west side of the pond has at least 2 spots that are a good distance away from the others. At the moment, no fires or barbecues allowed but propane stoves and lanterns are fine. Look for Bandits blue squeaky disk! We lost it and never found it.
TravelerHorse Creek group camp is one of my favorite campsites ever. Besides being gorgeous, the sites are large enough that you can have more than one tent in each, and the campground is all yours, so everyone camping is your pal! The only reason I didn't give it five stars is that the biffies aren't always pumped out often enough, and the water in the pump has a lot of rust in it. There is a big gravel area where you can gather for group campfire at night, and the sound of the creek is wonderful to sleep to. If you want even more privacy, you can lock the gate.
LegendMy car and I climbed over 5,000 ft from the Oregon coast to get to Waldo Lake in the Willamette National Forest. The drive along was well worth it. There are three campgrounds at Waldo Lake and North Waldo is the largest. I didn't have a reservation and attempted to find a site in the smaller two campgrounds first but neither of them had space available. Of the almost 100 sites at North Waldo I'd estimate that about a dozen were unclaimed the second weekend of September.
The campground was definitely crowded. There were many large groups with people of all ages. There was noise until about 11pm. Be warned that it gets VERY chilly at night. There are pit toilets but when I was there the majority were closed for maintenance and had been replaced by portable toilets. There are also water spigots and each site has a sump for dish water. The majority of the sites are removed from the water and only a select few are near the lake. They all have trees between the site and the water. The campgrounds also all have boat ramps and swimming areas. In addition to the trails throughout the national forest, there is also a trail that runs around the lake and through the campgrounds.
The sunsets are not to be missed! I spent all of my phone battery taking pictures of the sunset and didn't get any of the campground...
TravelerCame here every weekend 6 years ago. Just moved back to Oregon and came back to find it the same as its always been. Great camping great hosts and the grounds are always very well maintained. 10/10 would recommend
GuideThe views around the pond are very nice. Campsites are okay; some better than others. There's one bathroom facility but it's towards the entrance and the beginning of sites at the pond so be prepared with a shovel and TP. There are so many logging roads at this camp ground/mountain with dispersed camping available anywhere with flat ground you just might not be close to the pond. I went on a Friday and there were alot of people but the sites were spread out nicely you didn't really get bothered by anyone. My site was the last one by the water before it turns marshy though you could pass my site and drive for miles on logging roads. Fishing from shore is not advised; at least from my camp site. There's a large tree that runs out into the water which looks like a great place to fish but as you walk to the end of the log you'll see fishing lines all over. I lost 3 lures at that log and I think many others had too. Even watched one guy from camp try and fish there but he too got some snagged though he went in after them. A paddle boat or kayak is best; no motorized boats allowed. There's not a whole lot to do at this place. No trails that I could find so my dog and I walked on logging roads for a couple miles. This trip was spur of the moment and just wanted to get away for a night. I don't think I would come back. But some of the pictures and views were highlights of the trip.. there is a convenient store right before the entrance of the grounds though I never went but I'm sure you could get some essentials if forgotten.
TravelerThe sites are sling the right side of the of the road, the road that leads along the left (west side) of the lake. There are several sites, we stayed in H2, which is painted on the road. It's a short 30 feet walk to the site from the parking spot. We had a lakefront site which was private and spacious. There was easy access to the lake, which us full of jumping fish. We had a great time, people were friendly and it was relatively quiet. We are glad to have made the trip to "Horton Lake". Definitely recommended.
TravelerSo when I first found this campground I wasn't sure what to expect being as reviews and info were sparse so I'll do me best to sum it up. Things to know that arent stated. It is free may require NW forest pass. It's a drive, hike, bike and walk in. I didn't see any spots big enough for RV but there is space to park that isn't officially a site.
Location: Beautiful sits about 5,000 feet right off McKenzie Pass Road (closed from November to June)
Sites: I saw 6 drive in with fire ring, picnic table also 2 vault toilets.... There's more walk/ hike in but we had to much gear to do that.
Directions: Very easy to find spots all along lake and Google maps took us right to spots.
Activities: Great! Had a kayak/boat launch also had the Scott Mountain TH right there within 1/4 walking distance on dirt road. It seems that a forest fire was pretty recent ontop but the grounds seemed kind of untouched
Warnings: This was my first time up this pass. Elevation is very high which means incremental weather. Aka woke up in October with snow which happened to us.
Overall 5 stars must visit. We will be coming back next year when less snow and road reopens
TravelerWaldo is a beautiful lake, and as long as you go later in the summer - like August and September - the less likely the mosquitoes will drive you back home. It can get quite cold at night, but the cold keeps the mosquitoes down. Tent camping is delightful, especially because generator and motorboat use is quite limited at Waldo. It's a very popular campground, but there's always someplace close by where you can find a secluded spot. When it's really hot, the swimming is lovely - unless the mosquitoes are out. It's a nice place for kids, dogs, and families.
Equestrian camping near Lowell, Oregon offers access to over 1,700 miles of trails through the Willamette National Forest, with elevations ranging from 1,500 to 5,700 feet across the region. Summer temperatures typically reach 75-85°F during daytime hours, while nighttime temperatures can drop to 45-55°F even in July and August. Most horse camps remain open from May through October, with seasonal closures due to snow accumulation on higher elevation trails.
Trail riding through Willamette National Forest: At North Waldo Lake, riders can access a 22-mile mountain bike trail that circles the lake and connects to wilderness hiking routes. "Trail access is amazing," notes Jenn L., who recommends selecting "the sites on the south loop nearest the lake - several of them are downhill from the road, and therefore quiet and woodsy and free of mosquitos."
Kayaking at nearby lakes: When not riding, campers can explore the crystal-clear waters at Hult Pond. "The pond was great for kayaking and there is plenty to explore if you aren't worried about a little elevation in your hike," shares Nicki G. Non-motorized boating is permitted on many area lakes.
Mountain hiking with horses: Scott Lake Campground provides access to Scott Mountain Trail just a quarter mile from camp. "The Scott Mountain TH right there within 1/4 walking distance on dirt road," reports Mavrick S. The high-elevation trails offer views of Three Sisters mountains, with Mavrick adding, "Elevation is very high which means incremental weather. Aka woke up in October with snow."
Peaceful water sounds: Campers appreciate the natural background noise at horse camps. At Horse Creek Group Campground, "the sound of the creek is wonderful to sleep to," according to Amber D. The secluded location lets groups have privacy with "a big gravel area where you can gather for group campfire at night."
Low traffic areas: Many equestrian sites near Lowell see minimal visitor traffic. "Only one other camper while we were there (4-days)," reports John M. about his stay at Harralson Horse Campground. This creates ideal conditions for horses that may be skittish around strangers or other animals.
Fall camping opportunities: The Lowell area offers extended camping seasons compared to higher elevation locations. At Scott Lake Campground, Andrea R. notes, "We went Scott Lake in early October 2019 and had the chance to receive the first snowfall of the season." Many horse camps remain accessible into mid-October, weather permitting.
Cell service limitations: Most horse camps near Lowell have no cellular coverage. At Hult Pond, Grace A. warns, "We lost cell service about an hour before we even got there, and didn't have any the whole time there. There are some really cool spots that were taken. We ended up finding a decent spot. Would come again, but there's no cell service at all so I'd plan accordingly."
Site selection strategy: For the best experience, arrive early and be selective about your campsite. At Cultus Lake Campground, Joshua B. advises, "Just moved back to Oregon and came back to find it the same as its always been. Great camping great hosts and the grounds are always very well maintained."
Weather variability: Temperature swings can be significant, particularly at higher elevations. North Waldo Lake campers should "be warned that it gets VERY chilly at night," according to Kelsey M. Pack appropriate clothing layers for both horses and humans, as temperatures can drop quickly after sunset.
Choose less buggy timing: When camping with children, mosquito activity can make or break the experience. Amber D. suggests, "As long as you go later in the summer - like August and September - the less likely the mosquitoes will drive you back home. It can get quite cold at night, but the cold keeps the mosquitoes down."
Look for kid-friendly water access: Some sites offer safer water entry points for children. Hannah S. notes about Scott Lake Campground, "They also have a boat launch, but it didn't seem that great. I didn't see anyone use it to get boats or kayaks in the water-only people carrying their kayaks."
Select group camping areas: When traveling with multiple families and horses, Horse Creek Group Campground accommodates larger parties. Amber explains, "the sites are large enough that you can have more than one tent in each, and the campground is all yours, so everyone camping is your pal!"
Know your campground access limitations: Large rigs may struggle at some equestrian sites. At Hult Pond, Dillon & Soren A. caution, "We have a 38 foot rv. We got stuck in a ditch. Rv almost tipped over trying to u turn… if you go down the main lower path you will find a area big enough to u turn! Dont do it until then!"
Consider electrical needs: Most horse camps lack hookups, so plan accordingly. Kelda C. warns about Hult Pond, "I found a pretty pulloff area, but quickly realized it's no good if you rely on cell service, solar and/or starlink due to the tree coverage. Ended up staying for one night."
Water access planning: While many horse camps lack water hookups, some offer limited access. At Upper Lake Creek - Hult Reservoir, David B. mentions the presence of "excellent hidden creek water," though he recommends that visitors "bring what you need and use store if needed," referencing a store "one mile away."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Lowell, OR?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Lowell, OR is Whispering Pine Horse Camp with a 5-star rating from 2 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 13 equestrian camping locations near Lowell, OR, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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