7 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Slide Creek Campground provides designated areas for horses just a few miles from Mount Vernon, Oregon. The horse camping area features multiple spots for equestrians with space for horse trailers and camping equipment. Slide Horse, part of the Slide Creek area, has dedicated spaces for horses with proximity to water sources. The creek flows within feet of the camping area, providing convenient water access for animals. Campsites are clean, quiet, and include picnic tables with fire rings. The location sits along the route to Strawberry Campground, placing it in the scenic Strawberry Mountain Wilderness area. Campers note the gorgeous setting and appreciate having easy creek access for both human use and watering horses. The natural setting offers ample space for horses while maintaining a peaceful camping environment.
North Fork John Day Campground features four equestrian-specific sites that accommodate campers with horses. The campground connects directly to the North Fork John Day trail, providing immediate access to riding opportunities. Sites are spacious enough for horse trailers and camping equipment with room to spread out. The riverside location offers water access, while the positioning between desert and forest landscapes creates varied riding terrain for all skill levels. The primitive campground maintains clean facilities with a camp host occasionally present during peak season. Trail riders can create loop routes using the connecting Crane Creek trail when river crossings permit. Camping operates on a first-come, first-served basis, with level pull-through sites that easily accommodate larger horse trailers. Riders appreciate the peaceful setting and direct trail access that allows for extended wilderness exploration without needing to trailer horses between riding locations.
"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"
from $15 / night
Check Availability"Off the beaten path, but we'll worth it! Dropped 20 degrees from the hot valley floor. Around 8 spots, first come, but a few other spots on the way up, for dispersed."
"Nice sites with lots of separation and easy access to a trailhead. Multiple vault toilets available as well as water taps that I don’t think are potable but good enough to rinse dishes."
"Slide horse has areas for your horses. It's gorgeous and the creek is just a few feet to go get water for animals and your fire pits and to put your feet in. Looking forward to coming back soon!"
"Easy turn around. creek is clear and very cold. There are picnic tables."
"There are 4 equestrian sites. There was a camp host during our stay but he was only there one of the 3 nights we stayed. "
"After a long day of driving we came up on this campground and got lucky finding two spaces available during hunting season! Level pull through site, clean pit toilet."
from $8 - $25 / night
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TravelerThis is a FCFS, primitive campground with nice spacious sites and some with river views. There are 4 equestrian sites. There was a camp host during our stay but he was only there one of the 3 nights we stayed. The North Fork John Day trail departs from the campground and it is possible to make a loop using the Crane Creek trail if the river crossing is possible.
TravelerThis area is on your up to strawberry campground, its nice and clean and quite! Slide horse has areas for your horses. It's gorgeous and the creek is just a few feet to go get water for animals and your fire pits and to put your feet in. Looking forward to coming back soon!
GuideThis was a great little campground for getting away from the Memorial Day crowds. Over the weekend we stayed, there were only 2 or 3 other campers as well.
Just south of Prairie City, this was a good location to explore the surrounding Strawberry Mountain wilderness and John Day Fossil Beds. As the road turns to a forest road, it’s gets a bit adventurous, but we just kicked it into 4 wheel drive and had no trouble getting there. We picked a site next to the creek in the back and it felt like we had the whole place to ourselves. We even got a visit from a few deer every night around dinner time. They kept their distance but still came within 20 feet to check us out.
From the campground, you can take the trails to the lake, which was a fun hike. The vault toilets were clean and the Ranger came around every day to check in. The only thing I would change is the temperature. We didn’t realize it was still so chilly at the end of May and we’re thankful for our extra layers and warmer sleeping bags we packed just in case.
Tips for camping here:
*I had my 9 year old nephew with me for this trip and was thankful I brought our bikes and games. Since the campground wasn’t busy, there weren’t other kiddos for him to play with so we needed some fun stuff to do between hikes and outings.
*There’s a steep drop off next to some sites that goes right into the creek. Keep an eye on kiddos or pick a site farther away from the creek if you’re worried about that.
*The campground was a bit dusty so bring stuff to wash up when needed.
*Lots of wildlife in the area so make sure to keep your food and other items locked up so the critters don’t get into it.
*Bring your own firewood, as there isn’t a camp host to buy it from.
GuideAfter 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.
LegendThis is basically a little RV park adjacent to a museum and playground. Points for character. It’s off the main drag and there are not a lot of choices in the area. Big lawn is well watered. However, I can’t get behind the prices. $14 just to pitch a tent is steep. Bathrooms are filthy, shower (behind a ragged shower curtain) is not worth paying for.
GuideI was lured to Strawberry Campground by it's accessibility to the Strawberry Mountain Wilderness. I'd been planning my trip for months! But, the drive to Strawberry Campground proved a bit difficult. It started with approximately 6 miles of gravel road...no problem. Then the road became a forest road...no problem. Then it began raining. It looked as though the area had experienced rain recently. The road was slick. The ruts and holes in the road began to increase. When I was about 2 miles away from Strawberry Campground, I turned around. I just didn't trust my Mazda 3 to make it without bottoming out or getting a flat tire. If I had been with someone, I might have tried to make it; but, as a solo camper, it didn't seem worth the risk.
Would I go again? Yes...but, only in a high clearance vehicle.
RangerShaded 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
TravelerOff the beaten path, but we'll worth it! Dropped 20 degrees from the hot valley floor. Around 8 spots, first come, but a few other spots on the way up, for dispersed. Right along strawberry creek, beautiful, quiet. Trails to explore, wildlife to see.
TravelerI have been at Grant County for work and so appreciate the way it is clean and quiet. Around the corner is a large playground for children. The river walk is my favorite.
The Strawberry Mountain Wilderness area surrounding Mount Vernon, Oregon sits at elevations between 4,000 and 9,000 feet, creating diverse camping environments across forest and high desert terrain. Equestrian camping options typically open between late May and October, with highest accessibility in summer months when mountain roads clear of snow. Water availability varies significantly by location and season.
Trail riding from camp: North Fork John Day Campground connects directly to wilderness trails with varied terrain. As Stephanie L. notes, "Located where desert meets the forest. This lovely area provides thrills for all. Bring your ATV'S, hiking boots, and fishing polls because this area has it all!"
Creek exploration: Slide Creek Campground offers immediate water access from campsites. Erin N. describes, "It's gorgeous and the creek is just a few feet to go get water for animals and your fire pits and to put your feet in."
Wilderness hiking: Access backcountry trails from several equestrian campgrounds. Andrew S. reports from Strawberry Campground, "Nice sites with lots of separation and easy access to a trailhead. Multiple vault toilets available as well as water taps that I don't think are potable but good enough to rinse dishes."
Level parking areas: Many equestrian sites feature flat, practical spaces for trailers. Kelly H. experienced this at North Fork John Day, noting "Level pull through site, clean pit toilet. Enjoyed a walk down to the river. Peaceful overnight!"
Temperature relief: Higher elevation camps provide escape from summer heat. Chris B. comments about Strawberry Campground, "Dropped 20 degrees from the hot valley floor. Around 8 spots, first come, but a few other spots on the way up, for dispersed."
Water access: Direct creek access for horses appears in multiple campgrounds. Oregon C. found at Welch Creek Campground, "creek is clear and very cold. There are picnic tables."
Road conditions matter: Access to many horse camps requires navigating forest roads of varying quality. Mary G. cautions about Strawberry Campground, "The ruts and holes in the road began to increase. When I was about 2 miles away from Strawberry Campground, I turned around. I just didn't trust my Mazda 3 to make it without bottoming out or getting a flat tire."
Seasonal weather changes: Mountain elevations bring unpredictable conditions. Andrew S. experienced this at Strawberry: "We got caught in rain, sleet, snow, and graupel all in one day but that's hardly the campground's fault."
Occupancy patterns: Weekday camping often provides more solitude. Joel M. observed, "We camped there on a Monday night and the campground was probably two thirds full."
Pack entertainment: Limited structured activities means bringing your own fun. Heather B. advises, "I had my 9 year old nephew with me for this trip and was thankful I brought our bikes and games. Since the campground wasn't busy, there weren't other kiddos for him to play with."
Water safety awareness: Welch Creek Campground and others feature creek access requiring supervision. Heather B. cautions, "There's a steep drop off next to some sites that goes right into the creek. Keep an eye on kiddos or pick a site farther away from the creek if you're worried about that."
Wildlife preparation: Prepare children for animal encounters. Heather B. recommends, "Lots of wildlife in the area so make sure to keep your food and other items locked up so the critters don't get into it."
Alternative options in town: When wilderness sites fill up, consider Grant County RV Park for full hookups. Bill B. explains, "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 were already full. Even this campground, which is part of the fairgrounds, appeared to be full."
Low clearance concerns: RVers should research road conditions before attempting forest service roads. Jim M. found Grant County RV Park more accessible: "Self service kiosk, 30$ a night full hook ups. Pull throughs and back in sites. Showers and bathrooms are clean."
Size limitations: Forest service horse campgrounds typically accommodate smaller RVs and trailers. Dave B. suggests alternatives: "Shaded pull through and easy back in sites. Good value. Stream running next to the sites. Close to town."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Mount Vernon, OR?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Mount Vernon, OR is Grant County RV Park with a 4.2-star rating from 9 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Mount Vernon, OR?
TheDyrt.com has all 7 equestrian camping locations near Mount Vernon, OR, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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