Riley Horse Campground provides direct access to several hiking and riding trails, making it a prime destination for equestrian camping near Rhododendron, Oregon. The campground sits at approximately 2,100 feet elevation in Mount Hood National Forest, where summer daytime temperatures typically range from 65-85°F with cooler evenings. Horse owners find the spacious corrals practical for camping trips, while non-horse campers can use them as makeshift amenity structures.
What to do
Trail exploration: Romano Falls Trail connects directly to Riley Horse Campground, offering both hikers and riders a scenic journey. Visitor Gretch H. notes "there is a bunch hiking trails nearby including Ramona falls up the road," giving campers multiple route options within walking distance.
Fishing access: Timothy Lake is approximately 18 miles from the Rhododendron area, accessible from Clackamas Lake Campground. According to visitor Alan L., "We stayed here after we couldn't find any open spots at the Timothy Lake campgrounds. It was a nice and quiet spot. Good access to Clackamas Lake."
Waterfall viewing: 10 waterfalls in one hike at Silver Falls State Park makes for an exceptional day trip from the Rhododendron area. Melissa L. explains that her group "hiked for 5 hours! BEWARE: It's WET, so bring your wet weather gear, and good, sturdy hiking shoes for slippery terrain. Saw all but the northern most two falls while hiking the trails."
What campers like
Spacious sites: Many equestrian campsites near Rhododendron provide ample room for horses and camping equipment. At Riley Horse Campground, Ashley B. describes her site as "huge, plenty of room for a larger party, felt like a quarter of an acre. There were no neighbors on one side of the spot and only the water spigot on the other."
Horse amenities: Clackamas Lake offers dedicated equestrian sites with horse-friendly facilities. Guinevere H. notes "for horse riders they have some equestrian only campsites" with "plenty of trails in which to hike or ride."
Firewood availability: At Riley Horse Campground, campers often find natural resources for campfires. Ashley B. reports "there was lots of dead, dried out wood laying all around the site that after a couple hours of collecting I had plenty to keep a fire all weekend, and still left a pile of wood when I left."
What you should know
Insect preparation: Bug protection is essential at certain campgrounds during summer months. At Clackamas Lake Campground, Colby M. warns "seriously, bring bug spray and put it on the minute you get there" due to the high mosquito population.
Water sources: Some campgrounds have limited water access points. At Clackamas Lake Campground, Alan L. notes that "water spigots are a little overgrown, look for the spray paint on the campground drive to find them."
Site availability: Most equestrian campgrounds near Rhododendron operate seasonally. Ashley B. shares that at Riley Horse Campground, she "reserved on the Monday before arrival and it was still very empty so no fear about taking a spot from equestrians."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: For families with children, Milo McIver State Park Campground offers dedicated play areas. Richard B. mentions "the kids playground was great for the grandkids" with "different trails and options for how to get from one place to another if you want to explore."
Swimming options: Natural water features provide summer cooling opportunities. At Battle Ground Lake State Park, Tiffany M. says the park has a "lake" that's perfect for swimming, though she notes "you hear people playing on the lake but that is to be expected."
Family-friendly hiking: Short, manageable trails suit younger hikers. At Beacon Rock State Park, Corinna B. describes "several very nice hikes of various lengths that leave right from the campground," making it easy for families to enjoy outdoor activities without long drives.
Tips from RVers
Limited hookup locations: RVers should research equestrian campgrounds near Rhododendron for hookup availability. At Panther Creek Campground, Jeff K. notes "nice big sites with a level tent pad" but mentions that while some RVs can be accommodated, the campground may not be "great for excessively large rigs."
Parking considerations: Some sites require careful vehicle positioning. At Beacon Rock State Park, Corinna B. explains that "some are split-level, in that you park up top and walk a few steps down to your camp site," which may present challenges for some RVers with mobility concerns.
Road conditions: Access roads to some campgrounds require careful driving. At Bonney Crossing Campground, Cheryl P. notes "the road down is a little sketchy but as long as you go slow it's well worth it," advising RVers to proceed with caution on forest service roads leading to horse camps.
