Looking for a place to camp near Powell Butte with your horse? Equestrian camping is the best way to experience nature. These scenic and easy-to-reach Powell Butte campsites are perfect for equestrian campers.
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
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
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.
This campground provides 49 single campsites.__ There are both reservable and FCFS sites.__ The original campsites within Big Lake are in two loops, (sites #1-14 and #15-20) which have eight or so sites with frontage on the lake shore.__ In 1992 additional campsites were opened (sites #21-49) on a long straight stretch from the boat launch towards Big Lake West.__ These sites have larger and wider parking spurs, and most sites use stairs to access the table, fire rings and tent pad below the parking spur.__ Sites can accommodate trailers up to 35 feet in length, depending on site.__ Drinking water is provided by a water system, built in 1993, which serves the entire Big Lake complex by filtering water drawn from the lake and distributing it to the campgrounds.__ There are three single vault toilets, and two double vault toilets in the campground.__ The extra vehicle parking area consists of a boat launch, picnic area, and parking for approximately 15 vehicles and boat trailers.__ All of these day use facilities are located in the middle of the campground, between the original loops and the "expansion" campsites.______ Scan and Pay is offered at this campground; you may also pay by cash or check for FCFS campsites. There are no refunds, modifications, cancellations, or other fee changes allowed with Scan and Pay payments. This system is the same as putting cash into a fee tube and cannot be refunded. Please download the Rec.Gov app prior to arriving at the campground as there may be no cellular service or very limited service at the campground.____ Reservations may be made up to 6 months in advance of arrival date by reserving online at RECREATION.GOV or by calling 877-444-6777.
Water skiing, sailing and swimming are among the favorite activities at the lake. The Patjens Lakes Trail offers excellent hiking opportunities. The trail follows the western side of Big Lake, heads south into the Mt. Washington Wilderness, passes alongside the scenic Patjens Lakes, and then loops back to the campground.
Water skiing, sailing and swimming are among the favorite activities at the lake. The Patjens Lakes Trail offers excellent hiking opportunities. The trail follows the western side of Big Lake, heads south into the Mt. Washington Wilderness, passes alongside the scenic Patjens Lakes, and then loops back to the campground.
The major activities in the Big Lake area revolve around motorized use.__ Boats frequent the lake and off highway vehicles (OHVs) us the adjacent Santiam Pass Motorized Recreation Area.__ Other attractions include Mt. Washington Wilderness and associated access trails, historic Santiam__Wagon Road, McKenzie Pass-Santiam Pass National Scenic Byway, Pacific Crest Trail, and Sand Mountain Lookout. Water skiing, sailing and swimming are among the favorite activities at the lake. The Patjens Lakes Trail offers excellent hiking opportunities. The trail follows the western side of Big Lake, heads south into the Mt. Washington Wilderness, passes alongside the scenic Patjens Lakes, and then loops back to the campground.
For facility specific information, please call (541) 967-3917.
$28 / night
Driftwood Campground is the first of four facilities located on Three Creeks Lake and provides campers with beautiful views of the water and surrounding nature.
Driftwood Campground is at the head of the Tam McArthur Trail which is a short, reasonably easy hike that provides great views of the Sisters - Faith (North), Hope (Middle) and Charity (South). The Three Sisters are volcanic peaks and are the third-, fourth- and fifth-highest peaks in Oregon. Three Creeks Lake is easy to fish from shore or by wading, but boat fishing is the most popular method. Only non-motorized boating is allowed.
Driftwood Campground is at the head of the Tam McArthur Trail which is a short, reasonably easy hike that provides great views of the Sisters - Faith (North), Hope (Middle) and Charity (South). The Three Sisters are volcanic peaks and are the third-, fourth- and fifth-highest peaks in Oregon. Three Creeks Lake is easy to fish from shore or by wading, but boat fishing is the most popular method. Only non-motorized boating is allowed.
All sites in this campground fall on the lakeside providing campers with wonderful views of adjacent Three Creeks Lake. Located in a glacial cirque below Tam McArthur Rim, the lake is 28-acre alpine gem with an elevation of 6,550 ft. surrounded by old growth forest. The outlet stream from the lake flows northward and is joined by two other streams to form Three Creek. The shoreline of Three Creek Lake varies from gentle slope to rocky cliff. Maximum depth is 28 feet down the center and near the cliff on the south end of the lake.
The close proximity to the town of Sisters offers many additional amenities and attractions, as well as the nearby Tam McArthur Trail and Sisters Wilderness Trails. Visitors can explore wilderness areas, rivers, lakes and reservoirs, and approximately 1,600 miles of trails that comprise nearly 2.5 million acres within the Deschutes National Forest and the adjacent Ochoco National Forest. Many enjoy traveling the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway, known as Oregon's Highway in the Sky, which climbs into the clouds on a 66-mile drive through the Cascade Range, weaving past snow-capped peaks and alpine lakes. To the north the Camp Sherman Fish Viewing Platform allows visitors the chance to view a variety of types of fish while the Metolius Research Natural Area gives bird watchers ample opportunities. Visit the Metolius Fish Hatchery or Wizard Falls Fish Hatchery display ponds to observe and feed different types of salmon and other fish. The Metolius-Windigo Trail, open to hikers, bikers and horses, is more than 100 miles in length and begins near the Metolius River headwaters west of the town of Sisters, Oregon. The trail was created in the 1980s primarily to serve long-distance horse riders seeking an alternative to the Pacific Crest Trail. Lava Lands Visitor Center in nearby Bend, Oregon, and the unique geological landscape of Newberry National Volcanic Monument draw visitors to the region as well. It is a great starting point for visitors to learn about the diverse landscape and history of the area through interpretive programs and exhibits. Visitors can also explore the Lava River Cave, located in the Newberry National Volcanic Monument. At 5,211 feet in length, the northwest section of the cave is the longest continuous lava tube in Oregon.
Once your reservation start date has begun, neither the Recreation.gov Contact Center nor the campground manager will be able to modify your reservation.
$19 - $21 / night
Three Creeks Meadow Horse Camp is one of four facilities located near Three Creeks Lake and the designated horse camp for the Three Creeks area. Located on the edge of a large meadow it provides campers with beautiful views of the nearby water and surrounding nature.
Neighboring Driftwood Campground is at the head of the Tam McArthur Trail which is a short, reasonably easy hike that provides great views of the Sisters - Faith (North), Hope (Middle) and Charity (South). The Three Sisters are volcanic peaks and are the third-, fourth- and fifth-highest peaks in Oregon. Three Creeks Lake is easy to fish from shore or by wading, but boat fishing is the most popular method. Only non-motorized boating is allowed.
Neighboring Driftwood Campground is at the head of the Tam McArthur Trail which is a short, reasonably easy hike that provides great views of the Sisters - Faith (North), Hope (Middle) and Charity (South). The Three Sisters are volcanic peaks and are the third-, fourth- and fifth-highest peaks in Oregon. Three Creeks Lake is easy to fish from shore or by wading, but boat fishing is the most popular method. Only non-motorized boating is allowed.
Named for the adjacent Three Creeks Lake, this campground is just a short drive from the water with wonderful views of lake and surrounding area. Located in a glacial cirque below Tam McArthur Rim, the lake is 28-acre alpine gem with an elevation of 6,550 ft. surrounded by old growth forest. The outlet stream from the lake flows northward and is joined by two other streams to form Three Creek. The shoreline of Three Creek Lake varies from gentle slope to rocky cliff. Maximum depth is 28 feet down the center and near the cliff on the south end of the lake.
The close proximity to the town of Sisters offers many additional amenities and attractions, as well as the nearby Tam McArthur Trail and Sisters Wilderness Trails. Visitors can explore wilderness areas, rivers, lakes and reservoirs, and approximately 1,600 miles of trails that comprise nearly 2.5 million acres within the Deschutes National Forest and the adjacent Ochoco National Forest. Many enjoy traveling the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway, known as Oregon's Highway in the Sky, which climbs into the clouds on a 66-mile drive through the Cascade Range, weaving past snow-capped peaks and alpine lakes. To the north the Camp Sherman Fish Viewing Platform allows visitors the chance to view a variety of types of fish while the Metolius Research Natural Area gives bird watchers ample opportunities. Visit the Metolius Fish Hatchery or Wizard Falls Fish Hatchery display ponds to observe and feed different types of salmon and other fish. The Metolius-Windigo Trail, open to hikers, bikers and horses, is more than 100 miles in length and begins near the Metolius River headwaters west of the town of Sisters, Oregon. The trail was created in the 1980s primarily to serve long-distance horse riders seeking an alternative to the Pacific Crest Trail. Lava Lands Visitor Center in nearby Bend, Oregon, and the unique geological landscape of Newberry National Volcanic Monument draw visitors to the region as well. It is a great starting point for visitors to learn about the diverse landscape and history of the area through interpretive programs and exhibits. Visitors can also explore the Lava River Cave, located in the Newberry National Volcanic Monument. At 5,211 feet in length, the northwest section of the cave is the longest continuous lava tube in Oregon.
Once your reservation start date has begun, neither the Recreation.gov Contact Center nor the campground manager will be able to modify your reservation.
$19 - $21 / 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.
This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim a site. Once on-site, you may be able to pay for your campsite(s) by scanning a QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app, and the Scan and Pay feature. If this option is available, you will need to first download the free Recreation.gov mobile app https://www.recreation.gov/mobile-app prior to your arrival as some remote areas have limited or no cellular service.
$5 / 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
The Views surpass anything negative I could say. The location is ideal, we escaped the summer heat, at our site it was about 15 degrees cooler than Sisters temps. The Host who was a Forest Service Employee was wonderful, sites are fairly close together, I would bring a large sheet potentially next time to keep from looking straight into neighbors camps. The bugs were bad in the evening at the water, but not terrible during the day. Bring lots of big spray. The lake is serene, even with boater activity there was plenty of room for my kids to very safely swim. They do not sell firewood at the campground so if you are visiting when fires are allowed bring your own wood. We will for sure return!
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.
GuideThe lake is beautiful, although unfortunately not too shaded during the day due to the wild fires. I only spent a night here and it did the job. Bring bug spray, the bugs are outrageous. This is also not a quite campground. Neighbors are close and you can hear the people on the lake, but that’s to be expected.
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.
Ranger
The site we stayed had had plenty of privacy and lake front access. The lake is very shallow so it was kid friendly.
Ranger
Spent two nights here celebrating a friends birthday party. The weather was a little too cold/windy to enjoy the lake, but the campground is clean and well kept. Fellow campers were respectful and friendly. Cultus is always a great experience.
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!
Scout
I lived in Oregon for a couple years as a kid and my family got big into backpacking. One of our family favorites was Pamelia Lake. The trail is gentle and the basin the lake is in has great mountain ranges surrounding. As an adult it was only right that this was my first place to solo. I spent a little over 3 days hiking around the area. This is a great place that has many trails of varying difficulties nearby.
TravelerNo water in the Resorvoir! But campfires were ok in August.. The campground was nice enough, but no playing in the water
LegendI have written a review on Three Creek Lake Campground that tells all about the road. The road to this camp site is just as bad if not worse. Take it slow if you have a big rig or don’t have 4 wheel drive.
This camp was more spacious than the one across the lake, and yes you get to have fires (at designated spots only). No fee, no water, no trash, and no electricity.
The bathrooms on this side of the lake didn’t make me gag and are very well stocked.
We went on a hike on Driftwood Trail (which is NOT marked). It’s the only way you can get out to Little Three Creek Lake. It was well worth it and the trail is wide and easy to follow.
Fire rangers drive around about twice daily, and Forest rangers about 5 to 6 times daily.
This side of the lake definitely has a lot more options of hiking and fishing. The lake is deeper and easier to bank fish.
It was around the 15th of the month when we decided to leave because frost was setting in, or we would have stayed a bit longer. I love this place and would definitely come back, but with a vehicle equipped for the road.
Guide
Beautiful trees, clean bathrooms, solid paddocks, and great trail network. Even had Miss Rodeo Oregon staying there on a rare weekend off before the RoundUp.
We were in site 3 which is the least flat and difficult to access, but close to the water and our friends that had booked 2. To is next to the water and has easy access even with their 4 horse LQ and dually crew cab. 4 is nice and shady but a bit of a hill. If we came back, we’d pick 5 or 6 for shade trees, easy access, but 8 and 9 have morning sun which would be nice on cool mornings. One site, 10 I think, has metal panels for the paddock. Others are pretty solid wood paddocks but bring a chain just in case the one there is broken (or you have a 5 y.o. Gelding that will break it :)
Guide
11 sites with tables and fire rings. Additional sites specifically for horse trailers. No cell service. Multiple hiking trails from the campground. 3 Creek Lake is .75 mile away. No water available
GuideMultiple pull-offs in the area. Fire rings present, but current fire ban in effect so campfires not allowed.
GuideBeautiful spot to relax! I didnt hear or see a single person the entire night even though there were other people in the area!
There werent any firepits or anything that i could find but there was a bathroom nearby, as well as a beautiful creek!
GuideWe had a wonderful experience went to Pineville to do some rock hunting had a wonderful time
GuideThe lake is calm, the campsites line the lake full of evergreens. Truly peaceful.
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!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Powell Butte, OR?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Powell Butte, OR 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 Powell Butte, OR?
TheDyrt.com has all 19 equestrian camping locations near Powell Butte, OR, with real photos and reviews from campers.
