Riley Horse Campground sits at approximately 2,100 feet elevation along the eastern border of Mount Hood National Forest. The campground experiences warm summer days with temperatures averaging 75-85°F and cool nights dropping to 45-55°F. Located 16 miles from Boring, Oregon, this equestrian-focused area provides camping options for both horse owners and regular campers during non-peak periods.
What to do
Hiking nearby trails: Access the Pacific Crest Trail from Panther Creek Campground, where "the PCT is just outside the campground" and "there is a beautiful view of Mt. Hood just a couple of miles up the trail," according to Lawrence F.
Disc golf courses: Milo McIver State Park offers "two competition quality disc golf courses. Not into disc golf or rafting? Then you probably won't see those folks at all," explains Nancy H. The park hosts the annual Beaver State Fling tournament.
Visit waterfalls: The Columbia River Gorge area features numerous waterfalls accessible from campgrounds. "Further up the road is a short hike to some beautiful falls," notes Lawrence F. about the trails near Panther Creek Campground.
Mountain biking: Trails at L.L. Stub Stewart State Park are perfect for mountain biking enthusiasts. "What makes this CG so special is the multitude of hiking, biking, and horse trails. They even have a disc golf course within the park," reports MickandKarla W.
What campers like
Large, spaced-out sites: At Riley Horse Campground, "the spots are large, far apart from the other sites, and very quiet," and Ashley B. noted that their "spot was huge, plenty of room for a larger party, felt like a quarter of an acre."
Natural surroundings: Beacon Rock State Park offers "a woodland wonderland with winding paths through tall old growth forest areas," according to Crystal C. who adds that "even as the camp filled up there was enough spacing that it didn't seem to be loud."
Water access: Campers appreciate the ability to cool off during summer months. At Panther Creek Campground, "there are several places to access the creek and play in the cold, shallow water. The stones in the stream are a rainbow of metamorphic rock," notes Lawrence F.
Proximity to Portland: These horse campgrounds near Boring, Oregon, provide easy access from urban areas. Brian W. says Battle Ground Lake State Park is "pristine campsites and beautiful cool lake that's not far from the city. Good trails and plenty of space."
What you should know
Reservation timing: For horse campgrounds in the Mt. Hood region, plan ahead. Ashley B. notes for Riley Horse Campground: "I reserved on the Monday before arrival and it was still very empty so no fear about taking a spot from equestrians."
Campsite selection matters: At Battle Ground Lake State Park, "you have to park down below and walk to the site, the furthest ones being over a quarter mile away," according to Matt W.
Seasonal changes: The camping season for Riley Horse Campground runs May 22 to September 13, while Panther Creek operates from May 18 to September 24. Lawrence F. warns about summer conditions at Panther Creek: "during the peak summer months, being in a wind break makes for a hot, stuffy, buggy experience."
Facilities vary: Some equestrian campgrounds offer basic amenities. At Riley Horse Campground, Gretch H. noted "the horse pens were huge and we used them to help hang our hammocks" while "there is a bunch hiking trails nearby including Ramona falls up the road."
Tips for camping with families
Look for child-friendly activities: Oxbow Regional Park "is well maintained with lots of picnic/day use areas, a beach and lots of nature trails (more for walking than hiking). Since it was the weekday I had most of the campground to myself--there were only a handful of other campers and some deer," reports Stephanie Z.
Consider privacy levels: Finn M. found at Oxbow Regional Park that "the outer loop sites are quiet, spacious and wooded. They are also very close to a trailhead to nice hikes and the beach. The recent upgrades to playgrounds are awesome for the kids."
Check for swimming options: At Battle Ground Lake State Park, Wendy C. reports "There's a swim area roped off, and a small sand area for the kids to play. Bathrooms are throughout the campground."
Site selection for families: At L.L. Stub Stewart State Park, Annie B. noted "The walk in sites in Dairy Loop surround a meadow, so less privacy. The other walk in sites on the other side of the visitor center are very sweet. Just little sites carved out of the woods."
Tips from RVers
Check road conditions: For equestrian camping near Boring with RVs, accessibility can vary. At Riley Horse Campground, larger rigs may have difficulty navigating. One camper at Panther Creek mentioned "the sites was a little hard to get into because of all the cars, trucks parked on the roadway."
Hookup availability: While Riley Horse Campground doesn't offer hookups, nearby alternatives exist. At L.L. Stub Stewart State Park, MickandKarla W. notes "We went ahead and backed into our site, 52, with FHUs. The pad starts with asphalt and then goes to gravel, where you actually park the rig."
Water pressure concerns: Check campground reviews for utility performance. MickandKarla W. reported at L.L. Stub Stewart State Park that "The water and sewer hookups were in the middle of the site, with electric being at the back of the pad. The water pressure was not very good at around 35 psi."
Consider size restrictions: Many horse campgrounds have limitations. At Beacon Rock State Park, Corinna B. noted that "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."
