Equestrian camping options extend beyond the well-known facilities in Tillamook State Forest and L.L. Stub Stewart Memorial State Park. The coastal forests near Oceanside, Oregon contain several horse-friendly campgrounds at elevations ranging from 200 to 3,000 feet. Trail systems connect through diverse terrain including second-growth forest, meadows, and coastal ridges with some trails remaining accessible year-round despite seasonal rainfall averaging 80 inches annually.
What to do
Beach riding at Nehalem Bay: Experience shoreline riding at Nehalem Bay State Park Campground, where equestrians can enjoy designated beach access routes. "Great dune area. Always horses riding on the beach too. Super neat experience," notes Jamie B. The park offers direct beach access within a five-minute walk of camping areas.
Trail connections: Hares Canyon Horse Camp at L.L. Stub Stewart Memorial State Park provides access to an extensive trail system. "Experiencing several of the many long trails on horseback was an unforgettable experience. The horse camp comes complete with full hookups, a full bathroom with showers, and corrals for the horses," reports Tanya B. Trails connect to the Banks-Vernonia paved pathway, allowing for extended riding routes.
Crabbing excursions: Combine coastal activities with horseback riding at nearby locations. "Great location - Go crabbing at Kelly's and then horseback riding on the beach!" suggests Jean M. about Nehalem Bay State Park Campground. Several coastal rivers and bays offer crabbing opportunities within a 30-minute drive of horse camping areas.
What campers like
Natural settings: The forested environment enhances the camping experience at Jones Creek in Tillamook State Forest. "We love staying in the campground! There are many river access points, the forestry center, walking trails and wildlife all within walking distance. The campsites are on a first come first serve basis and many of them are pretty big," writes Katie C.
Site separation: Privacy between campsites ranks high in camper preferences. "The sites are pretty private, bathrooms within a short distance and the quiet hours are from 10pm-7am," explains Katie C. about Jones Creek. This contrasts with some other campgrounds in the region where sites have limited separation.
Water features: River access provides additional recreation opportunities. "The river is where it's at, folks are swimming, tubing and fishing dawn to dusk. Folks jumping off the bridge and having picnics," shares Aria R. about Jones Creek campground. Most equestrian campgrounds near Oceanside feature access to creeks, rivers, or the ocean.
What you should know
Campground policies: Different horse camps have varying rules regarding equestrian-only use. "Friendly rangers patrol the camp regularly to make sure there are horses occupying each site," notes Tanya B. about Hares Canyon Horse Camp — L.L. Stub Stewart Memorial State Park.
Wildlife encounters: Be prepared for potential wildlife interactions. "When we came back from the shower my wife and I observed a dark shadow darting from the table around the back corner of the tent... A bobcat to be exact," shares Patrick G. about his experience at Hares Canyon Horse Camp. Wildlife sightings can include bobcats, deer, elk, and various bird species.
Weather variations: Coastal conditions can change rapidly. "Cold and windy," reports Diana L. about Nehalem Bay State Park, noting that "Campground just opened back up after redoing it - the bathrooms are very nice and the rv pads and electric is redone." Some horse camps remain open year-round despite challenging winter weather.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Families appreciate recreational facilities at Dairy Creek East — L.L. Stub Stewart Memorial State Park. "Our spot was across the road some ways away from the kids play area that was still closed due to COVID," mentions Robert D. Family-friendly amenities vary between horse campgrounds.
Recreational options: Multiple activities keep families engaged beyond riding. "Open feel, but sites are spacious. Nice playground for kids, fun disc golf course and wonderful access to biking (paved or dirt)," says Ryan W. about Dairy Creek East. Many equestrian campgrounds connect to multi-use trail systems.
Tide pool exploration: Coastal locations offer unique nature experiences. "When we went the tide had gone out leaving little tide pools around. It was very nice," shares Deanna F. about Nehalem Bay State Park Campground. Some beaches accessible from horse camps feature tide pools at low tide.
Tips from RVers
Hookup locations: Pay attention to utilities placement at campsites. "Our spot was very spacious as the length was 45 feet deep on asphalt. It had a picnic table and a fire ring in a well-groomed gravel area about 30' x 30'. The back of our spot was against very high trees," explains Robert D. about Dairy Creek East, adding that "The water and sewer hookups were in the middle of the site, with electric being at the back of the pad."
Satellite connectivity: Site selection impacts satellite reception for RV systems. "Our spot was on the north side of the road so when we put out our satellite unit it had lots of southern sky to find a signal from," notes Robert D. Tree coverage varies significantly between equestrian campgrounds.
Limited dump facilities: Some horse camps lack full RV services. "No sewer hook up, so you had to use a dump station. Not a huge inconvenience," reports C M. about staying at North Fork Trask, where "Super big spots off side of forest roads" provide space for larger rigs.
Legend
