16 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Silver Falls State Park and Howard Creek Horse Camp accommodate equestrians with specialized trail access and camping facilities near Mehama, Oregon. Howard Creek Horse Camp, located within Silver Falls State Park, connects directly to miles of dedicated horse trails separate from the park's popular hiking paths. The campground features drinking water, electric hookups, and fires are permitted at designated sites. Tent and RV camping options are available with picnic tables and reservable sites. The horse trails remain relatively empty even during peak summer weekends when the campground is full.
The Trail of Ten Falls connects to numerous horse-friendly paths throughout Silver Falls State Park, though horses are prohibited on some hiking-only sections. Santiam State Forest's Santiam Horse Camp, temporarily closed due to 2020 wildfire damage, previously offered electric hookups, toilets, and water access specifically for horse campers from May through October. Willamette Mission State Park Horse Camp operates seasonally from mid-May through September with tent sites suitable for equestrians. The extensive trail networks allow riders to explore dense forest terrain and scenic waterfall views without competing with the heavy hiker traffic that frequents the main waterfall trails.
"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."
from $28 - $92 / night
Check Availability"Very quite and tons of near empty trails even with a full campground on a weekend in the summer. Walking, bike, and horse trails. Close to the ten waterfall trail on the day use area."
"First and foremost, it's all about the waterfalls - all 10 of them - linked by paved hiking trails. Not a fan of sharing the trail with hikers when on your bike?"
from $29 - $87 / night
Check Availability"Shellburgh Falls is tall with a huge basalt cave that you can walk behind the waterfall and down below to actually stand under the waterfall. Very pretty. No one was camping when I was there."
"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."
from $8 - $126 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $20 / night
Check Availability"Only sites for camping with horses."
from $20 - $74 / night
Check Availability"So much better than those CGs next to highways and RRs"
"Dump station nearby. We were visiting relatives in this area, so really only need a safe place to park the rig. This worked out fine."
"This hidden gem can’t be seen from the highway. But it’s a quick drive down a improved road to it,s clear refreshing waters with fishing and plenty places to swim."
"This was a great little lakeside campground with easy water access, and bathrooms (pit toilets) onsite. It is really dusty, which was expected."
from $28 / night
Check Availability"Clackamas Lake is a great campsite. Fairly easy to find and navigate. Great for when you don't want to deal with the more crowded campgrounds."
"Great campground when nearby Timothy Lake campgrounds are full. The spot I had was large and not too close to other spots."
from $30 / night
Check Availability
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!
TravelerClackamas Lake is a great campsite. Fairly easy to find and navigate. Great for when you don't want to deal with the more crowded campgrounds.
While the camping sites are fairly close together, the site is usually lightly occupied. While we where there we only had one neighbor but the rest of the loop was empty.
For horse riders they have some equestrian only campsites.
There was plenty of trails in which to hike or ride, and a dock to go see the lake. You can also go swimming if your into Oregon lake or pond swimming.
Clackamas Lake itself is fairly small and in many ways feels more like a large and deep marsh then a lake.
Phone and internet reception (AT&T) is spotty at best.
LegendGreat campground when nearby Timothy Lake campgrounds are full. The spot I had was large and not too close to other spots. The campground was full, so there was the early morning sounds of children playing. I was in spot 8 which looked onto Clackamas Lake. Which side note is not a "lake" but more of a marshy pond with reeds and grass around the edge. Still I was able to situate my tent to look onto the lake. This spot is in the horse section so there were corrals in each spot. Looked like a horse had camped in the spot a few days earlier cause there were large piles of fresh horse poop I had to keep my dog away from. The table/tent area was about 75 feet from my car so I had to make many trips to get all my stuff into the site. If you are extra adventurous and in shape you can walk from the campground, around Timothy Lake and back, be warned this is just over 18 miles. The trail around Timothy Lake is not strenuous, and offers amazing views of Mt Hood, and there is water about half way through, but again be ready for a long hike.
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.
GuideBeautiful trees, clean bathrooms, solid paddocks, and great trail network. Even had Miss Rodeo Oregon staying there on a rare weekend off before the RoundUp.
We were in site 3 which is the least flat and difficult to access, but close to the water and our friends that had booked 2. To is next to the water and has easy access even with their 4 horse LQ and dually crew cab. 4 is nice and shady but a bit of a hill. If we came back, we’d pick 5 or 6 for shade trees, easy access, but 8 and 9 have morning sun which would be nice on cool mornings. One site, 10 I think, has metal panels for the paddock. Others are pretty solid wood paddocks but bring a chain just in case the one there is broken (or you have a 5 y.o. Gelding that will break it :)
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.
TravelerStunning camping in a temperate rainforest. Sites are big and private. Very quite and tons of near empty trails even with a full campground on a weekend in the summer. Walking, bike, and horse trails. Close to the ten waterfall trail on the day use area.
Silver Falls State Park and the surrounding area offer equestrian-focused camping facilities within a one-hour drive of Mehama, Oregon. The region sits at elevations between 800-1,500 feet in the foothills of the Cascades, creating varied terrain for trail riding. During summer months, temperatures typically range from 75-85°F with low humidity, while spring and fall bring cooler temperatures and occasional rain showers that keep the forest vegetation lush.
Trail riding networks: Silver Falls State Park Campground features over 25 miles of horse trails that connect to the main waterfall areas while keeping riders separate from heavy foot traffic. As Andrea M. notes, "This is a very family friendly camp ground, so watch out for all the RVs and kids on bikes. But once you are out on the trail it gets peaceful and picturesque."
Waterfall viewing: The 7.2-mile Trail of Ten Falls loop offers spectacular waterfall views, though horses aren't permitted on certain sections. Sherrie B. from Howard Creek Horse Camp says, "First and foremost, it's all about the waterfalls - all 10 of them - linked by paved hiking trails. Not a fan of sharing the trail with hikers when on your bike? There are miles of mountain bike trails. Have horses? They have trails too."
Swimming access: Several campgrounds provide water access for cooling off after trail rides. At Milo McIver State Park, campers appreciate the Clackamas River access, with one reviewer noting, "Milo McIver has large sites w great river access" and "The campground is well maintained and the hosts have been great each time I have been there."
Less crowded horse trails: Jennifer H. from Howard Creek Horse Camp reports, "Stunning camping in a temperate rainforest. Sites are big and private. Very quite and tons of near empty trails even with a full campground on a weekend in the summer." This contrasts with the busy main hiking trails at Silver Falls.
Spacious corral sites: Many equestrian campgrounds feature dedicated spaces for horses. Melissa N. from Clackamas Lake shared, "My family and my best friend and her family took her two horses for a week long camping trip! It was so much fun." The horse-specific sites include corrals and extra parking for trailers.
Seasonal operation: Most horse campgrounds near Mehama operate from May through October. Willamette Mission State Park Horse Camp runs from mid-May through September, with one camper noting, "This site is soooo beautiful! stayed here a couple times and always enjoyed it." The shorter season ensures optimal trail conditions.
Seasonal closures: Several equestrian campgrounds have limited operating seasons or may close unexpectedly. Regarding Santiam State Forest's Shellburg Falls area, Amit W. reported, "I was planning to potentially camp here but it seems that facilities were damaged in the 2020 fires and they will not be re-established."
Trail conditions: Weather can significantly impact trail usability. Kelly N. warns about Willamette Mission State Park: "This park floods every winter. I advise planning your trip for the spring or summer knowing that there is a lot of shaded trails to keep you cool. Mosquitoes can be a problem at dusk because of the water."
Reservation requirements: Most horse campgrounds near Mehama require advance booking, especially during peak season. Ashley B. from Clackamas Lake advises, "Great campground when nearby Timothy Lake campgrounds are full. The spot I had was large and not too close to other spots."
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer play areas for children between trail rides. Melissa L. notes about Silver Falls State Park Campground: "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!"
Educational opportunities: Many horse campgrounds offer educational programs during summer months. Nancy H. from Milo McIver explains, "What other campground has a bat trail? There are private feeling hiking trails around the large park. The campground area is a standard State Park area, mostly private sites tucked into the trees."
Multi-use activity options: Families appreciate campgrounds with diverse recreation beyond horseback riding. April F. shares her experience: "We love hiking the trails and our kids love the playground and river swimming!"
Hookup availability: Electric and water hookups vary among horse campgrounds. At Silver Falls State Park, Jeff K. reports, "The cabins are small but comfortable with heat, lights, and beds. Covered porch is nice to sit and listen to the rain."
Site spacing: RV sites at some horse campgrounds offer more privacy than others. Richard H. observes, "Site spacing is good with lots of privacy between camps. Bathrooms and showers are super nice and clean. Roads and campsites are paved and level. Short drive or hike to the falls."
Dump station locations: Not all horse campgrounds have on-site dump stations. According to Melissa L., "RV dump at the horse camp turnoff" at Silver Falls State Park provides convenience for longer stays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Mehama, OR?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Mehama, OR is Silver Falls State Park Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 78 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Mehama, OR?
TheDyrt.com has all 16 equestrian camping locations near Mehama, OR, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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