Best Equestrian Camping near Prairie City, OR
The Prairie City area offers several camping options for horse owners, though none of the established campgrounds feature dedicated horse corrals according to facility data. Slide Creek Campground includes an adjacent equestrian area called Slide Horse with spaces specifically designed for horses. The creek provides convenient water access for animals and is just feet away from camping areas. Strawberry Campground, located about 9-10 miles down a dirt road, connects to trails suitable for riding within the Strawberry Mountain Wilderness. North Fork John Day Campground provides four equestrian sites and serves as a starting point for the North Fork John Day trail. The primitive campgrounds maintain vault toilets and most offer picnic tables, though hookups are generally not available at these horse-friendly locations.
Trails departing from these campgrounds provide extensive riding opportunities throughout the Strawberry Mountain Wilderness. The North Fork John Day trail allows riders to create a loop using the Crane Creek trail when river crossings are manageable. When camping with horses in this area, visitors should bring their own feed and water containers as facilities are minimal. The roads accessing these horse camps can become challenging, particularly the final miles to Strawberry Campground where high-clearance vehicles are recommended during wet conditions. Most equestrian sites operate on a first-come, first-served basis, though Grant County RV Park in nearby John Day requires reservations and offers full hookups for those preferring more amenities while traveling with horses.
