2 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Horse Creek Campground in the Siuslaw National Forest provides essential equestrian facilities with 11 individual sites, each featuring horse corrals for overnight equine accommodations. Located about 4 miles off Highway 101 between Florence and Yachats, this campground offers well-maintained vault toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables. Sites are nicely separated with natural foliage, providing privacy and shade for horses and campers. The campground includes a water trough for horses, though water is not potable for humans. While originally developed for horse camping, non-equestrian campers also use these facilities. Access requires navigating a narrow dirt road with some large potholes, and the sharp turn from Highway 101 can be challenging for those towing larger trailers. Visitors use The Dyrt to find real feedback on camping near Mapleton, Oregon.
The trail system connecting to Horse Creek Campground features beautiful forest paths with some hilly terrain suitable for experienced horses. Baker Beach Campground offers another horse-friendly option with good access to beach riding opportunities. Equestrians note that horses should be reasonably fit to handle the hilly terrain around Horse Creek. Several campsites are pull-throughs while others are back-ins, accommodating various trailer sizes and rigs. No reservations are accepted at Horse Creek, with sites available on a first-come, first-served basis for $14.24 per night via self-pay. Horse campers should arrive early in the week to secure spots with corrals, as weekends can fill quickly. Riders appreciate direct beach access from Baker Beach Campground, requiring a walk through deep shifting sand dunes. The Oregon Equestrian Trails group has contributed significantly to campground improvements, including gravel roads and corral installations. Campers searching for horse campgrounds near Mapleton will find these two sites offer the most reliable equestrian infrastructure in the area.
"Parks that are walking distance to shops and restaurants are such a treat. "
"The main draw of this campground is its proximity to the cute town of Florence. We don't tow a car, so being able to camp within walking distance of shops and restaurants is always a treat."
from $35 - $55 / night
"Horse Creek is a great site for horse camping. Only two sites are for non-stock campers."
"Just south of Yachats, highway 101 makes a sharp turn with a steep drop, down to the beach."
from $10 - $44 / night
"Small (only a handful of sites) campground with a moderate walk to the beach. The campground host was very friendly!"
"Close to the neighbors it’s pretty flat if you back up close to the rocks. The grounds and trail smell like horse poop. Goes away if the wind blows in an another direction."
"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."
"When all other nearby campgrounds were full, we came here. Great spot in between Florence and yachats."
"Like most Oregon coast campgrounds, the summer months are very busy."
"4 1/2 stars for this sprawling, accessible campground, easy to find and close to so many things Shangra-La-ish about Newport and the Oregon Coast."
Available this weekend
from $32 - $130 / night
"Lots of great trails to hike."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $28 - $30 / night
"This a more peaceful spot, without immediate engine noise but with plenty of room for human and horse at each site. It's a nice size to get to know a few neighbors - but not too many. "
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $22 / night
ScoutStopped in for a night. Nothing fancy but did the trick. Cheap wood nearby, up the road with the big mushroom. Used the fire pit to cook dinner. Generators are definitely allowed as some dude ran his all night… bathroom was clean considering what it is.
GuideThis dispersed campground allows a 14-day stay. Paved roads and a good variety of sized campsites. I found a cemented level slab to park my trailer on, however, this was the only site with a cemented structure. Lots of blackberries to pick, and very nice place to hike with your pets.
TravelerI am so grateful someone told me about this campground. It has old growth trees and 15 miles of trails. It is a campground for people with horses but two of the spots are for anyone. ( Also, you can camp in a site that has corrals.) No one will make you leave. I walked the trails every day through the gorgeous forest. Would definitely come here again. The only drawback is that the first three quarters of a mile off the highway are mostly a single Lane road. I drove slowly and honked at the two large curves. But there were plenty of people up there with horse trailers so evidently, it's not as much of a problem. Eric, the camp host, is a great guy.
GuideI loved it here. The spots are a little close where I was but at least there was a picnic table. I love the location most of all. You can hear the birds and watch the seals close up. Well kept park and good facilities.
RangerEverybody raves about this campground, but we found it just ok. This is a HUGE campground situated along the Oregon coast and Hwy 101. Actually, you walk under Hwy 101 to get out to the beach. There are 8 loops (A-H), that are a mix of yurts, standard tents sites, FHU (full hook-ups) and PHU (partial hook-ups) sites. Loops A, B, and groups sites are the closest to the beach, but also closest to the road noise from Hwy 101. The campground is nice, but there is not much privacy or space as sites are packed in close together. We lucked out in that our site, F14, was around a bend in the road and surrounded by shrubs. This was not the norm though from what I saw during our daily walks. As other reviewers mentioned, this is a very family friendly campground. There were tons of kids on bikes and scooters going to and fro. This caused a little bit of an issue when we arrived and were prepping to back our 32ft 5th wheel into our spot. I had to give a yell at some kids who kept riding their bikes behind our trailer as my husband was trying to maneuver the trailer. Not cool and not very good campground etiquette. I will say this though, when quiet hours rolled around, I didn't hear a peep out of anyone near us. A couple more things...I had no Verizon connectivity what-so-ever until I got to the beach. If you are in loops C-H, the beach is definitely not "steps" away. It was quite a walk from F loop and even farther if you camp at the back of H and G loops. Lastly, the dump station (sigh). There is one lane in the dump station. For such a huge campground that has only 53 full hook-up sites out of 257 campsites, one lane is not enough. We waited in the dump station line for 45-50 minutes before we could dump our tanks. Another issue is the pilot program that Oregon state parks is doing at some of their parks. The fee for the dump station is $10 for everyone unless you had a FHU site. There is a qr code that you're supposed to be able to scan and pay. Well, I still didn't have service at the dump station and my husband doesn't have a smart phone. I had to walk over and pay at the ranger station. We had an issue at another park as well, but that will be in the review for that park.
Another little note: we saw some dead birds on the beach. I reported this to the ranger station and she told me that unfortunately this is a normal occurance in August. The name escapes me at the moment, but this type of bird nests in the rocks and when a predator comes, they fling themselves off the rocks. So it is a normal thing in August, but just beware for when you go out on the beach.
Guide4 stars because ppl are packed in like sardines. Off season this place would be best.
This is August and of course there are lots of families with kids and adults seem to think it’s ok for them to scream around on bikes and e-bikes w/o any limits on speed and awareness of other people.
However there are a few nature trails thru some unbelievable old growth forest that is mind numbing beautiful!!!
It’s close to the ocean, so you can walk.
The campgrounds are long and spread out, the lower letters a-c have the best spots if you love the ocean. Also better WiFi signals.
There are a few people who think that they own the spots I guess and can be up doing their thing like this guy. It’s got a big ram truck. It seems to be moving his truck just to move it this morning and then later on and it loud. It’s 6:30 AM light is flashing right in my eye. I’m trying to enjoy my coffee.
Take away the people in this place would be stellar
Good access to the town. It’s only about 7 miles away to get supplies, but it’s quiet with the exception of the people and the forest is lovely.
TravelerStopped here for the night. Got the last open spot on a Tuesday. Got site 2. Close to the neighbors it’s pretty flat if you back up close to the rocks. The grounds and trail smell like horse poop. Goes away if the wind blows in an another direction. The trail to the beach has a lot of horse poop as there’s someone up the road that does horse back riding tours to the beach. Only a few sites we got luck and got the last available site on a Tuesday in July. Got site 2 it’s pretty level if you get up close to the rocks in the side. Campground host was very friendly. Cleanest pit toilet I have ever seen.
TravelerGreat staff and great overall place to stay
ScoutWe had a nice camp spot. Showers and restrooms not far away from any campsite. Will definitely return to this one.
Equestrian camping near Mapleton, Oregon places riders in the heart of the coastal forest, with elevations ranging from sea level to 800 feet. The region receives approximately 70 inches of annual rainfall, creating lush vegetation and moderate temperatures between 45-65°F during peak camping season. Most horse-friendly campgrounds maintain dirt or gravel roads that can become rutted during wet weather.
Beach riding from Baker Beach: The trails from Baker Beach Campground offer direct beach access for horses. "Be prepared for a hike through deep shifting sand dunes to get to the beach. And watch out for horse poo as this is a busy horse path the local stable takes to the beach," notes Annie C. The walk requires navigating soft sand before reaching rideable shoreline.
Forest trail exploration: The network of forest trails near Horse Creek provides varied terrain experiences. "The trails are wonderful!! But hilly so make sure your horse is fit or you are willing to take it easy. Many of the original overlooks are starting to be grown in but the forest is amazing!" advises Dodie K. Most trails include moderate elevation changes requiring reasonably fit horses.
Wildlife viewing at Hult Pond: Hult Pond offers peaceful paddling and wildlife observation opportunities. "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. Evening goose activity provides a natural soundtrack for campers settling in for the night.
Secluded camping spots: Baker Beach Campground provides a small but peaceful setting. "Small (only a handful of sites) campground with a moderate walk to the beach. The campground host was very friendly! Most of the sites open up into a shared circular area but it still felt very private and nice!" reports North Idaho N. The arrangement balances community and privacy effectively.
Trail quality and maintenance: Riders appreciate the well-maintained paths at Wild Mare Horse Campground, which offers "a nice size to get to know a few neighbors - but not too many. I didn't have a horse to hop on, but I did notice a great mix of scenery to explore," shares Bjorn S. The campground layout allows for trailer maneuvering without crowding.
Sound of waves at night: Several coastal horse camps allow campers to sleep with ocean sounds. "The hike to the beach was fantastic. Eric, the camp host was a great source of information. Gave us some great hikes to do and where to have a shower in town. Could hear the waves crashing all night," reports Val about Baker Beach.
Campsite availability challenges: Horse-friendly sites fill quickly, particularly at popular locations. "If you don't show early in the week with your big rig and all your horses you will not get a spot," warns Laurie S. about Horse Creek Campground.
Access road conditions: Many equestrian campgrounds require navigating difficult roads. "The turn into this road from Highway is a sharp one and immediately uphill. Probably not for anyone towing large trAilers but if your skilled you can try it out," advises Ash C. about Dry Lake Horse Camp.
Limited amenities: Most horse camps offer minimal facilities. "There is no water available here. There are bathrooms available, but we didn't need to utilize them. No fires allowed. There are no trash cans or dumpsters… this is a pack in, pack out area, so be prepared to take your trash with you!" explains Connie H. about Hult Pond.
Bring entertainment for rainy days: The coastal climate means preparation for wet conditions. "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. Would come again, but there's no cell service at all so I'd plan accordingly," advises Grace A. about Hult Pond.
Choose sites with beach proximity: Beverly Beach State Park offers family-friendly amenities with ocean access. "Great under Highway beach access. Nice spaced sites," notes Jeff K. The campground provides educational programs and fossil hunting opportunities along the beach.
Consider non-equestrian alternatives: When horse camps fill up, nearby options can accommodate families. "We stayed in an ADA site during the week in mid July. It was nice flat ground and easy access to the beach through the campground. The surroundings were aesthetically beautiful and a quant little store near the entrance," shares Tiffany E. about Beverly Beach State Park.
Turnaround challenges: RVers should scout turnaround locations before committing to forest roads. "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!" warns Dillon & Soren A. about their Hult Pond experience.
Site selection for larger rigs: When towing horse trailers, evaluate site options carefully. "Cost is $14.24/night, self pay, no reservations, no host on site. There are 11 sites, each nicely separated from the other. Some are pull throughs and some are back ins," explains Laura M. about Horse Creek Campground.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Mapleton, OR?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Mapleton, OR is Port of Siuslaw Campground & Marina with a 3.9-star rating from 18 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Mapleton, OR?
TheDyrt.com has all 11 equestrian camping locations near Mapleton, OR, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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