26 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Anderson Park in Vernonia provides horse-friendly camping with dedicated corrals for equestrian visitors. The park accommodates both tent and RV campers with hookups for electricity, water, and sewer. Facilities include drinking water, picnic tables, showers, and toilets, with trash service and a sanitary dump station available. Horse owners can access multiple riding opportunities as the park permits horse trail access with designated trails for riders. The campground allows fires with firewood available on-site. The park hosts remain friendly and helpful for equestrian campers seeking guidance on local trail conditions. Camp Wilkerson in Rainier offers another horse-friendly option with cabins available for overnight stays. Tent and RV sites accommodate riders with their horses. The trails meander through forest areas alongside creeks.
Located approximately 45 minutes from St. Helens, L.L. Stub Stewart State Park features Hares Canyon Horse Camp with specific accommodations for equestrians. Trail riders can access extensive networks directly from their campsites, connecting to the surrounding forest lands. The trails provide opportunities to view wildlife, with some visitors reporting elk sightings during rides. Both parks maintain clean facilities, though Camp Wilkerson visitors note the upper bathrooms near the horse camp are newer and more updated than lower facilities. Riders should be aware that cell service is limited or non-existent at most equestrian campgrounds in the region, with no signal reported for Sprint and Verizon at Camp Wilkerson. Reservations are recommended, especially during peak summer months when horse camps fill quickly with weekend riders.
"Driving up there the way we drive (from Vancouver) you go up through ranching/farming territory and it’s nice and green and pretty, so it’s nice getting there."
"Hiking around the lake is a great way to start and/or end you day while staying at Battle Ground Lake SP. Horses are welcome. There are cabins available also. Several sites overlook the lake."
"The upper area encircles a large open are perfect for games and running around. There is a nice disk golf course and a lot of large paths for waking and biking."
"And a loop with corals for horses. Miles of horse trails, bike trails, hiking trails."
from $32 - $57 / night
Check Availability"Stayed the night in one of thier small cabins, very nice sat outside by the fire and just watched the stars, this is a primary horse camp and is surrounded by trails, seen a heard of elk on one of my hikes"
"Since the camp is planned predominantly as a youth recreation center, I was a bit worried that it would be a pretty loud campsite due to lots of kids running around. That was not the case for us!"
from $45 / night
Check Availability"Arrived here late for a single night stay on the way to the Oregon Coast. This is a very convenient stopover for those needing a place to stay near Portland."
"Jantzen Beach RV Park feels like a real-world stop straight out of a Subway Surfers World Tour—a lively, convenient, and colorful place where travelers pause, recharge, and enjoy the surroundings before"
from $40 / night
Check Availability"We were able to let them go play and be close by. Plenty of trees for semi-private campsite. We had a blast! Great place to catch views of Mt St Helens and 1 hour away from Johnson Observatory."
"St. Helens but it was overcast. Spoke with a very nice camp host. Clean bathrooms, one women’s shower. Walk to Mt. St. Helens visitor center. Very shaded and dense forest."
"Hares Canyon Horse Camp is one of three campgrounds in Stub Stewart State Park and unlike other horse camps which often allow the overflow of tenters and rv'ers without horses, this horse camp is equestrian"
"I don’t have a horse but I still stayed here! We were in the area, struggling to find a place to camp. After 7 pm, the campground let us set up camp in an empty equestrian campsite. Unique experience!"
from $33 - $95 / night
Check Availability"One of our favorite Oregon SPs. In the middle of a mountainous forest with lots of hiking, paved path & mtb biking, disc golf, horse trails and more."
"Dairy Creek is clean and well maintained, and has great access to the trails and disc golf around the park. If you're in an RV this is a good set up."
from $33 - $57 / night
Check Availability"This campground is adjacent to a couple of really awesome bike paths, so I parked here for day use. I haven't camped here YET but I thought I could add some photos!"
"I've seen boyscout troops come through on packs of bicycles and single joggers on the Banks Vernonia trail which is easy and scenic."
from $20 - $35 / night
Check Availability"Close proximity to Multonomah Falls. Pros - bathrooms with electric outlets, free showers, deer come close and are fun to watch, quiet & fairly private stay."
"There is distance between you and other guests but if you want to meet your neighbors you can. They have ADA sites, a lake, play grounds and a welcome center."
from $25 / night
Check Availability"It has wonderful hiking trails. There is swimming available in the warmer months in the Clackamas River. Horse trails for equestrians and fishing!"
"A short hike will take you right to the river and there’s plenty of nice trail to explore. If stepping around occasional horse poop isn’t your thing, maybe skip the hike though."
from $8 - $126 / night
Check Availability
TravelerThis is primarily a spot where you go to park your horse trailer and go from there! However it’s “first come first served”. Has few amenities, pit toilets.... clean and composting. Short trailed from the campsite, very close to the Mt. St Helens trails! Very nice area, we will be back!!
TravelerCampsite 32 backed up to the day camp area with a playground. Perfect for our family with 3 kiddos. We were able to let them go play and be close by. Plenty of trees for semi-private campsite. We had a blast! Great place to catch views of Mt St Helens and 1 hour away from Johnson Observatory.
LegendWe stayed here one night while heading north. Hoped to see Mt. St. Helens but it was overcast. Spoke with a very nice camp host. Clean bathrooms, one women’s shower. Walk to Mt. St. Helens visitor center. Very shaded and dense forest. No cell (occasionally 1 bar LTE AT&T). Too heavily forested for Starlink. Had to leave early Monday morning since we were working and needed internet.
ScoutIncredible, free, private. Tent sites only, short hike in from parking lot, bring your own everything. Pit toilets, lake access, close to Mt. St. Helens activities. Four miles from Cougar.
GuideGood clean campground. Many of the sites have good privacy. Restrooms are clean and one is quite new. ADA options. 7 miles of reasonably maintained trails though not marked very well. Park map is terrible. Location is everything with easy access to Mt St Helens learning centers and observatory.
GuideI stopped at Mt. St. Helens while travelling from Seattle down to Oregon and had a great run on the trails. I spent more time on the trails than expected and hadn't made plans for a campground. I found Seaquest State Park in the NPS Gazette and drove in just as the sun was setting. I spent the night and although I didn't visit the entire park, it did seem like a nice, family oriented campground. The bathrooms were clean and while the campsites are relatively close together, there are sufficient trees and shrubs to maintain privacy. The bathroom facilities were satisfactory.
ScoutHad a great time here, the sites were spaced out and private. It was a bit noisy being by the road, but there are spots farther away that would be a lot quieter. Went paddle boarding nearby in a great lake and took the time to drive up to Mt. St. Helens.
GuideLoved the yurt village, which is in its own area on the other side of the campground from the regular sites. Yurts and restrooms were clean. Beware the mosquitos! We always get eaten alive when we stay at Seaquest. Easy access to the Mount St Helens area. Johnston Ridge Observatory was closed when we were there but we were still able to see some amazing views and get some nice hikes in nearby.
ScoutWe went over Labor Day weekend with a small group and had two adjacent campsites. The sites were large and well graded. They were also well separated from each other with lots of vegetation dividing them. Bathrooms seemed to have been recently upgraded and were some of the nicer state park bathrooms we’ve come across. Kids enjoyed the junior ranger program and the Mt St Helens visitor center across the road has great exhibits on the eruption. About a 40 minute drive to Coldwater lake where you can access a number of trails closer to the volcano.
The St. Helens region offers camping options across diverse ecosystems with elevations ranging from 120 to 1,600 feet. The area receives approximately 45 inches of annual rainfall, creating lush forest conditions that support extensive trail systems. Summer temperatures typically range from 50-85°F, with cooler nights even during peak season.
Mountain biking on dedicated trails: Dairy Creek West at L.L. Stub Stewart Memorial State Park features extensive biking opportunities. "The park has many hiking trails of varying length, access to the Banks-Vernonia State Trail, several disc golf courses, cabins, a horse camp, a day use picnic/event area and a hike-in camp area," notes Shane B.
Disc golf courses: Battle Ground Lake State Park Campground offers a fun disc golf experience in a unique setting. "One of the best State parks for camping. Well manicured sites. Plenty of privacy. Great fishing! Trout, bass, blue gill... swimming area. Store on sites. Nice hike around lake with plenty of spots to rest and fish," shares Brian B.
Stargazing opportunities: Clear nights provide excellent conditions for astronomy enthusiasts. "The top of the park shows a vast section of sky which is perfect for meteor shower watching," says Jeff H. about Hares Canyon Horse Camp. Local astronomy groups often host star gazing events at several parks during meteor showers.
Volcanic lake swimming: The region features unique swimming spots. "They have a cool volcanic lake with a swimming area and great fishing. Its like a mini crater lake. I mean mini like pond size," explains Ashley Y. about Battle Ground Lake. The small crater offers a refreshing swimming experience different from river options.
Trail variety for all skill levels: Camp Wilkerson offers multiple trail experiences. "Hiking and horse trails meander through the forest along a creek or two as well! There is a lodge and old schoolhouse available for renting for big parties or events as well," explains Blayne W. These trails provide options for both novice and experienced hikers.
Proximity to Portland while feeling remote: Oxbow Regional Park provides a wilderness experience close to urban areas. "Husband and I spent this past weekend camping in Oxbow Regional Park and thoroughly enjoyed it! Given it's late October and a bit chilly out, the campground was pretty quiet with only a few other campers around. We were able to hike the area and enjoy a serene weekend in nature... conveniently only a 30-minute drive from Portland (but doesn't feel like you're near the city at all when you're there)," shares Krupa.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Equestrian camping near St. Helens offers chances to spot native animals. "Stayed the night in one of their small cabins, very nice sat outside by the fire and just watched the stars, this is a primary horse camp and is surrounded by trails, seen a heard of elk on one of my hikes," reports Guy S. about Camp Wilkerson.
Winter camping options: Some parks remain open year-round. "Rolled in January 1st. Self pay. About 5 sites with power and water. We got a nice level one. There are only 5 other sites in the whole campground occupied. Short walk to the lake to fish. Beautiful and quiet... And 25 degrees," shares Chris J. about Battle Ground Lake.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near St. Helens, OR?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near St. Helens, OR is Battle Ground Lake State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 40 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near St. Helens, OR?
TheDyrt.com has all 26 equestrian camping locations near St. Helens, OR, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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