Looking for the best horse camping near Ochoco National Forest and Crooked River National Grassland? Equestrian camping is an adventurous and unique way to experience the city. Find our top-rated horse campsites from other campers like you. Plan the perfect trip in minutes.
Located partway along the Crooked River’s 125-mile journey from the Ochoco Mountains to its confluence with the Deschutes River, the Prineville Reservoir is a vast blue pool filling a colorful canyon of volcanic rock, sagebrush and juniper. The reservoir was created in the 1960s with the construction of the Bowman Dam. The state park was established shortly after to provide campers, anglers and water lovers an opportunity to enjoy the natural area—and a chance to beat Central Oregon’s summer heat. The park lies adjacent to the Prineville Reservoir Wildlife Area, which preserves the habitat of a wide variety of mammals, waterfowl, songbirds and raptors.
Prineville Reservoir State Park is located just 15 miles south of the town of Prineville, and 50 miles east of Bend. The park’s Main Campground features 67 sites, including full- and partial-hookup RV sites and primitive tent sites. The Jasper Point Campground features 28 partial-hookup sites. Both locations provide drinking water, flush and vault toilets, hot showers, and recycling stations; a dump station is located at the Jasper Point site. There are also a few camping cabins for rent. The park hosts interpretive programs at an outdoor amphitheater, and onsite amenities include sports courts, hiking trails, a dog park, and a fishing pier. The park host sells ice and firewood. Dogs are welcome, but must remain leashed. Seasonal campsites are $21–$33/night; cabins are $89–$99/night; reservations recommended.
For enjoying some on-the-water fun time, boaters can launch watercraft from the ramp at the day-use area, which has plenty of parking for vehicles and trailers. Nearby, sunbathers and swimmers can enjoy some beach time at the designated swim area. Picnic tables are available for packing lunches and refreshments to enjoy by the water. For paddling around the shoreline, kayaks and SUPs can be put in from either the boat launch or the beach. Anglers can cast for trout, catfish, bass and black crappie, then take their catches back and prep them for dinner at the park’s fish cleaning station. Another boat ramp, beach and parking area is located west of the state park at Powder House Cove, near the Bowman Dam.
$37 / night
An oasis sits just east of Bend...a small 12-acre pond surrounded by old juniper and dusty trails. Tall willow and cattails offer a lush green vista in a sea of desert brown. Visitors can pass through to access the north side of the Oregon Badlands Wilderness or spend the day at the pond, enjoying the sunshine and fishing for sunfish, largemouth bass and brown bullheads. The .75 mile walking trail around the pond provides access to spots for picnicking and floating. Bring a tent and tuck yourself back amid the basalt rock for a primitive night of camping. Know Before You Go: Open YEAR ROUND. The pond is not ADA accessible. Open for primitive overnight camping. Amenities include limited trailer parking, but no potable water or restrooms. Campfires are allowed; fire restrictions may be in effect in the summer. Pets should remain under owner control at all times. Motorized boats are not permitted. Canoes, kayaks and float tubes are allowed but must be carried from the parking lot over a narrow bridge to the pond. Point of Interest: This pond was built to hold excess water from the Central Oregon Irrigation District canal system. It has been stocked for fishing and the state record reader sunfish was caught here at almost two pounds! Reynolds Pond Brochure ADA Access: No accessible facilities are available.
Escape to your home away from home at Bend/Sisters Garden RV Resort near Sisters, Oregon. Experience our luxury resort that features camping cabins and fully furnished cottages in addition to RV sites. Equipped with numerous amenities and outdoor recreation activities, our resort is the perfect destination for families and lovers of the great outdoors. In addition to the activities noted in our attractions section you may also enjoy the many other Events & Activities taking place around our resort.
$43 - $78 / night
Many people enjoy the solitude and primitive experience of camping away from developed campgrounds and other campers. Dispersed camping is the term used for camping anywhere in the National Forest OUTSIDE of a designated campground. Dispersed camping means there are no toilets, no picnic tables, no trash cans, no treated water, and no fire grates. If you are dispersed camping in the winter, recognize that the Forest Service does not plow or maintain Forest Roads in the winter, so plan your trip accordingly.
Typically, dispersed camping is NOT allowed in the vicinity of developed recreation areas such as campgrounds, boat ramps, picnic areas or trailheads. There are extra responsibilities and skills that are necessary for dispersed camping. It's your responsibility to know these before you try this new experience.
Picking a Campsite If you are going to an area where others have camped before, pick a site that's been used before. Plants, soil and wildlife are impacted by new campsites, so using existing ones will minimize your impact on the forest. If there is no existing campsite, then follow these Leave No Trace guidelines:
Camp on bare soil if possible, to avoid damaging or killing plants and grass. Do NOT camp within 200 feet of any water source, plants near water are especially fragile. Don't camp in the middle of a clearing or meadow. Make your campsite less visible so that other visitors will see a "wild" setting. Don't try to level or dig trenches in the ground at your campsite. Select a campsite with good natural drainage. Visit the Leave No Trace website for more information.
$35 - $40 / night
Traveler
Great location and the amenities were those of a full service RV resort. Bathrooms & showers, pet area, trash service, fire pit rings, and more. Big pull through spots. Right off the road so there was a bit of road boise but still overall great.
Traveler
Friday night rest stop boondocking. All to ourselves. One jeep came out after we set up and 2 trucks went past us in at 20:30. Lovely sunset nice place to let dog run.
Guide
Camp host was nice, easy access to sites. Showers/bathrooms clean but dated.
Guide
Easy access and larger camp spots. We were there during a few events hosted by the Sisters Rodeo and got to listen to the events.
A lot of horse trailers come into the dispersed camping area to park and ride their horses, and I've seen a lot of larger bog rig horse trailers parked at the camp sites near the front. Every single one that came in was respectful and kind. A couple of the trainers even allowed my oldest onto their horses with permission after she asked.
There were a couple of long-time stay campers that kept to themselves. We didn't have any issues with leaving our campsite unattended, even with our cook stove, propane, and ground solar equipment out in the open.
Great for solar. Just if you don't have it set on top, you will have to move it throughout the day.
Verizon cell service is completely fine. No wifi, of course, but if you use a mobile hotspot like we do, you shouldn't have any issues.
We camped at 3 different spots. The first one was right as you pulled in, directly behind the rodeo gates. Large spot, 2 fire pits. Perfect for a group. The second was farther back. Only spent 1 night there cause there was a fire ant colony and we have kids. That just seemed like a bad idea for us. Spot itself was great, though. Another perfect spot for a group, minus the fire ants. The third spit was closer to the entrance, about half way in-between the other 2 we stayed at. This one had some broken glass that was buried as well as what looked like a diabetic syringe, also buried in the dirt. This was the only camp site that had any type of garbage at it. Every other one was cleaned from what we glanced at.
Rangers come through every few days to make sure everything is safe and taken care of. When it became "no fires allowed" a ranger went to every camp site with people and asked if he could leave the information papers about what would be allowed vs not allowed during the "no burn" time. He was very respectful and kept his distance. I was by myself with my 3 young kids when he stopped by, and he stayed at least 5 feet away from all of us unless I gave the okay to come closer. The Rangers also placed "no fire" flags at each of the empty campsites in the firepits in case someone came in afterward.
Overall, it was very peaceful and a great place to stay if you plan on going to the rodeo or an event held at Sisters Rodeo but are strapped on funds.
And of course, like all dispersed campsites, it's a "pack in pack out". No water, power, sewage, bathrooms, showers, or anything else available. You bring it in, and you take it out.
GuideAlthough all the sites were taken, we were given a spot near a cabin with fullhook-up facilities. Also the use of picknick bench and chairs for tat cabin. The cabin was blocked for rental. The campground was very well maintained.
Legend
We were able to score a couple of nights here in Early May. It's a very popular Oregon State Park and I'm sure summer requires advance planning. The weekend we were there was pretty full and our site was at the top of the B loop. Monday, however, the park cleared out to much fewer campers. The lake was actually mostly full and the views were beautiful. Some of the amenities were boating, of course, lake views from some sites, a nice dog park along with the normal state park fare. We'll definitely make another trip!
ScoutWe are here as camp hosts; the rangers are great to work with. The campground is beautiful, we have deer and squirls and lizards every day. It was so fun to watch the squirls play. The roads are paved, and the sites are as well with fire pits and picnic tables. full hookups with fifty amps or you can choose a lessor grade site. The lake is full, and the fishing is good. I have seen ospreys diving into the lake hunting. sites are mostly level, and the roads are wide.
GuideStayed two nights at end of June. Reservoir is full but has algae bloom along shore. Firewood and ice is available to purchase on site. bathrooms and showers were clean and well kept. Sites near the water have a nice breeze sometimes. Some sites have partial shade. roads and campsite drives are paved.
Traveler
Me and my girlfriend rolled into this free public campsite around 10pm and easily found a spot to set up camp. It seemed pretty good and safe as there were multiple other people RV/Tent camping. But at about 1:30am in the morning someone near us starting screaming at a person to get away from his campsite and was clearly in a great deal of panic. We decided during that incident to pack up and leave in the middle of the night because we felt unsafe and was worried someone might lurk into our campsite like what happened to the other fella. Be cautious because it is public and unguarded.
Scout
We really like this spot because you can walk into town but far enough outside that it has a lot of privacy. The PRT trail system is close by, Three Creeks and the 3 Sister. We only ever see hikers and bikers.
GuideWe stayed here for two nights late March early April. We had snow and some wind, but this place was beautiful. The facilities were immaculate and the rangers were amazing. Unfortunately the reservoir was very low, but perhaps there will be water later in the year. Long drive for us from the Tri Cities, but we’ll make this trip again!
TravelerNo water in the Resorvoir! But campfires were ok in August.. The campground was nice enough, but no playing in the water
GuideMultiple pull-offs in the area. Fire rings present, but current fire ban in effect so campfires not allowed.
GuideWe had a wonderful experience went to Pineville to do some rock hunting had a wonderful time
GuideArrived after the office closed and started to read late check in rules and available spaces. Helped to look up to see on the other side of the door envelopes with names, including ours. Access is easy for even large rigs. All sites are paved. Space between sites is reasonable. On site restrooms are very nicely presented. There is an on site pool and outdoor gathering place, a general store, propane vending, a dog walking path and large property behind the park to take pets with a reminder to clean up and pack it out. Garbage service is nice - place the bags by the road and maintenance staff will take it away.
You are a few miles from sisters and about 15 from the outskirts of Bend (the side that has the big box hardware and all purpose stores).
The RV park is quiet and comfortable. There are plenty of trees and green grass at each site. The way the park is laid out, it’s more of an RV neighborhood of travelers.
TravelerThis campground and small pond is spread out over what must be 20+ acres of scattered sage brush and Juniper trees and it's pretty much boondocking. We were here in mid June 2022 with our 19' camp trailer. And I think there might have been three other campers. No amenities - You carry it in, You carry it out. There is fishing in the pond but no motorized boats.
TravelerSite 11 is perfect for those who prefer to be near a spa-like bath house in an RV park. Heated floors, huge showers. Fantastic.
We were RV park virgins and this intro will set a high bar for our future travels!
GuideBeautiful, well-maintained park. Sites have paved, flat pads that are surrounded by grass and spacious. A park-like setting with a large pond, dog runs, frisbee golf, etc. lots of big rigs, but enough smaller ones so we felt comfortable. Ask for site away from main road.
TravelerI camped in May and the water level was very low (26%). Others have commented on the small pads and that is true. I don't have a very big RV and the pad was only just big enough.
The bathrooms & showers appeared to be clean; although I didn't use either. Star gazing is stunning. The view from my spot was beautiful.
Some fellow campers were able to get cell phone service from the fishing platform.
The only thing that was really annoying is the fact that there is no dump station if one has a site without sewer hook up. The nearest is at Jasper Point which is about 2 miles or so away down a narrow, winding road. I found the concept of a campsite that allows RV's but has no dump station to be extremely annoying and seriously, who thought that was a good idea?
TravelerThis was my first time renting an RV spot at a campground and don’t have much experience to compare with other campgrounds. The RV spot I reserved had good amenities such as electrical outlets, a water faucet, a picnic table and a fire pit. I don’t have an RV but reserved this spot to car camp in my Tesla and be able to charge my car overnight.
Other amenities include bathroom and showers. They sell firewood and ice where the campground hosts are.
The campground hosts and park rangers were also very friendly.
TravelerTop end RV resort with something for everyone. Just outside of Sisters with easy access to Bend and to many recreational sites for hiking, biking, fishing.
TravelerBike touring thru and they have some shade for your tent, grass, nice showers, about all u need passing thru. It's at the fairgrounds. Tent spot $15 and just set up wherever in the grass, nice grass. About 8 small trees for shade. RV folks on gravel in the sun
RangerGreat FREE BLM space. We watced storms cells develop, then fizzle away here in late June. There are many spots to park and/or pitch a some tents on the sandy base surrounded by junipers. We found lava rock fire circles, but no fires are allowed at this time. Camp stove only (no charcoal). One other camper was staying in a tent on the bank of the pond.
TravelerStayed for two nights midweek and was 1 of 2 campers out there. Most establish sites had trash and liquor bottles in their fire pits, so I can’t speak to what it’s like on the weekend, but I would stay again.
I’m learning the ropes of truck life while working full time, so the proximity to Bend is a big plus.
TravelerThis place is beautiful. The bathrooms are wonderful. The fairgrounds are next door and we were able to let the pups run free there. The staff was very helpful and friendly. They were there to help, but not pushy or nosy. Great little mini golf course. The sites are updated, level and clean. Stayed an extra night since we liked it so much.
GuideThree night trip to Sisters, OR. Very happy with this RV spot. Nice staff, clean, flat pull through spacious spots. Great amenities, with wonderful bathroom/shower facilities.
One of my favorite perks was if you put out your propane tank in front of your spot, they'll pick it up, refill it and deliver back.
Definitely recommend, and will stay here again.
GuideNot bad for a quick night close to Bend. Not crowded, but most established sites had a lot of trash/litter around. Woke up to some locals walking by. Probably wouldn’t stay again unless we needed to.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Ochoco National Forest and Crooked River National Grassland?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Ochoco National Forest and Crooked River National Grassland is Prineville Reservoir Campground — Prineville Reservoir State Park with a 4.5-star rating from 25 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Ochoco National Forest and Crooked River National Grassland?
TheDyrt.com has all 9 equestrian camping locations near Ochoco National Forest and Crooked River National Grassland, with real photos and reviews from campers.
