Best Equestrian Camping near Mt. Hood National Forest

Bonney Crossing campground is located in the Eastern most side of the Mt Hood National Forest. Our campsite provided us a quiet relaxing two nights of camping. Site is located just next to Badger Creek and the Badger Creek trail. Kids loved spending time exploring the creek and cooling off in it. Campsites are first come first serve and only has 7 established sites. Campground is, "primitive" so you must bring your own potable water. Site does have an accessible pit toilet.

Campground Review

An open, relatively unused campground next to a sleep-calling stream right in between the last forested part of Mt. Hood National Forest and the dryer, sage-bushy eastern side of Oregon. This is a fabulous go-to campground because the drive south of the Dalles produces spectacular mountain and open landscape views. Horses are welcome here; we chatted with a friendly rider. The best part is being maybe a hundred feet from Badger Creek Trail, a versatile, climate-variety hike that sports a good stopping point at Pine Creek about 6 miles in, then to Badger Lake another 6 miles beyond that. For backpacking, it was quite nice to hike in a bit, prop up a small tent and just blend into the forest as night floated down to meet us.

Product Review

As a ranger for the Dyrt, I get to test stuff, in this case the Gregory Mountain Paragon 68 Backpack. I thought my old backpack was handy and easy, but this Gregory pack upped the ante.

Top reasons I like this pack:

1. Comfort - the most welcomed feature is that no matter how I packed it, the bag was balanced and solid on my back. I liked all the extra ways to make it sit better, like extending the length of the backpack straps themselves through a strap on each that connected to the main pack.
2. Padding - there was wicking and padding everywhere, and because of #1 on this list, no part of my body got sore or squished. The pack has a firm aluminum backing, upping the even feel.
3. Portability - it holds much more that you think, in a more streamlined way too, if that makes sense. The main material is slickery, making it easier to put things in and take them out. While I didn't prefer the top and bottom section to only be separated by a square piece of material attached at four corners (having the sections completely separate and zip open-able is what I'm used to), I can also see that cloth-like square as easily removable, quickly opening up more storage possibilities.
4. Versatility - there's a smaller string pack inside, for little side trips in the event you'd like to leave the main pack behind. Of course, we took that out right away and now it's in a different location at our place. So we like it already. ; )

Great 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!

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.

This 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.

Site 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.

Two parties (all family) stayed the night Friday night. Additional family visited Saturday night (and were able to easily get into the campgrounds to park in our sites). 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 (a nice long nature walk for the kids). This park would have been even better later in the year (we went in May), as it sits along the Clackamas river, and is the river is easily accessible for rafting, tubing, swimming, or fishing. We rate this one an 8.2.

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 hold up to 200 people, and a small 2-tent and 5-RV space down by the boat launch (at the base of Beacon Rock). This review is for the main "Beacon Rock" campground, which has 28 sites nestled in the woods including two walk/hike-in only sites. From the main road, head north directly across from Beacon rock until you come to a parking lot on the right that's the trailhead for Hamilton Mountain, Whispering Pool and others. Just past the parking lot (which also has a nice day-use picnic area and shelter) and on the right you'll come to the entrance of Beacon Rock campground.

Sites are a good size with lots and lots of beautiful trees, though the size and privacy varies greatly depending on which site you get. Ones on the right when you first enter are smaller since they butt up next to a ridge. For the most part the sites on the inside of the loop and especially the back side (it's a one-way counter-clockwise loop) are larger. Sites are first-come, first-served, and even on Memorial Day weekend there were several still available at 5pm on Sunday. Not sure if that was a fluke or we just got lucky. The campground and day use areas were built by the CCC in the 1930s so there's some beautiful rock work here and there, but it was not built with RVs in mind, so most people had tents, though a smaller trailer or pop-up might work depending on maneuverability.

Pros: Sweet little campground with lots of beautiful trees and greenery. Still had spots available on a busy weekend.

Cons: Best for tents only or a smaller trailer. Some sites are definitely better than others.

Secluded, open prime real estate: horse facilities abound here, but it works for everyone. About 60% full on a popular August Saturday, so come on over especially if you can't find space elsewhere (but hey, McNeil is bound to have some openings). A guide book said that it's exclusively for horse owners only on holidays, and a sign in the campground said holidays AND weekends, but now you're getting information from another source, with pics to boot. Lots of shade and popular trails for both humans and horses. Gesticulate those spurs a little. GEAR REVIEW: Cairn Picky Bar Moroccan Your World... nice change of pace here with the sweet curry taste of the Moroccan. This has a fuller, nicely complex flavor, with protein and carbs and waves of different ingredients, but the consistency wasn't as sludge-like as, say, a Clif Bar. It was that nice balance of substantial without being heavy. We get something chewy, friendly and bite-into-y. Buddy up.

Its Huge, many camp spots. Big open fields for discgolf, you can bring your horses to ride in designated areas. And bring your kayacks!

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. 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.

This is one of my favorite places to go in Oregon (there are many). The park has about 120 sites, it is ready for RV, Tents, Horses, Boats about anything you could want.

Dogs are welcome, however, some trails (like the Ten Falls) are not allowed.  Please pick up after your pet and keep them on a leash!

If you get a chance, do the Trail of Ten Falls, it is a spectacular, nationally recognized hiking trail that weaves through a densely forested landscape. The trail passes a series of breathtaking waterfalls along a rocky canyon and descends to a winding creek on the forest floor.

Enjoyed our stay. The park is on the Clackamas River. A horse trail traverses the river. It’s a great place to walk the dogs. Canoe rentals, fishing pier, disc golf and more.

A 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.

They have a dog park, plenty of trails, several different areas to go down to the river, frisbee golf, area for horses. Good showers. There’s a great view point to see Mt. Hood. It really is a nice place.

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. Walking, bike, and horse trails. Close to the ten waterfall trail on the day use area.

Smaller, but we were able to switch sites away from an area with two families/lots of little kids (so the area is easy for people who don't camp a lot). Beautiful river, lots of horses and fisherpeople, great trails, tall trees, lots of shade, close to Portland. Plus you can reserve sites ahead of time.

If your travels take you near Portland OR. and you need a nice spot to camp or horseback check out this park, it’s an easy 30 miles east of PDX and has over 900 acres to explore including a frisbee golf course. The park is located on the Clackamas river with some views of Mt. Hood to the east. There are many trails for horses and corrals.

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. Big group? Gotcha covered. Need a snack or gift? They're here. The campground is large and well-maintained. Sites are reservable. This is a park for all ages and all seasons.

This beautiful location is about 30 minutes from any town and is my go to when I need a good hike in the Rim Trail or just a nice nature walk around the 10 Dalls Trail.

In recent years it has become very popular and the main falls area is over run with tourists at most points during the year.

Not the place to go if you are seeking to not see anyone, but once you pass the main falls loop near the lodge the heard things out the further you trek.

Most hiking trails are mild to moderate. Seeking more of a challenge? If you venture out to the rim trail or the K214 trail heads, then you will rarely see anyone; though be aware of cougars and I'd advise a bear bell. I've seen many tracks over the years up there ranging from Cubs to a large cat tracking a horse. Meow! You may meet horse riders on these trails as well.

All and all a beautiful local treasure that is a large enough park to hold many thousands of people and still feel like you are out in the woods enjoying nature.

Camp sites are available across the main road from the park. The main park area is for day use only.

This was a great camping spot close to Portland. Only 45 mins from my house. The campground is on the popular Clackamas River where lots of day-users come to float and kayak. The day use areas can get overrun. The campground is very close to the lake which is a great spot to put in a kayak or SUP or go swimming. 

The sites were forested, spacious and private. The actual park is huge. Lots of people riding horses on trails. There's a big off leash dog area and a disc golf course-that I did not play. A nice overlook area to have a picnic, see three mountains and watch the people float down the river. 

The dump station could use an upgrade.