Howard Creek Horse Camp provides specialized equestrian facilities within Silver Falls State Park near Scotts Mills. The campground features multiple sites designed for horse owners, including designated trailer parking areas and access to drinking water. Electrical hookups with both 30-amp and 50-amp service are available at individual sites. Trail riders note the well-maintained paths connecting directly to the park's extensive trail system. The campground includes standard amenities such as picnic tables, fire rings, and access to showers and toilets. A sanitary dump station is available for RV campers. Sites are reservable and accommodate both tent and RV camping.
Silver Falls State Park's trail network offers numerous riding opportunities with connections to the park's famous waterfall loop. The horse camp provides direct access to bridle trails that wind through the park's dense forest terrain. Riders can access miles of designated equestrian paths that connect to the broader trail system. Water is available for horses throughout the camping area. The campground's location allows riders to explore various terrain, from gentle wooded areas to more challenging hillside paths. Most trails are well-marked and maintained year-round, though some seasonal restrictions may apply during winter months. The campground generally maintains a quiet atmosphere despite the park's popularity, creating an ideal base for day rides throughout the area.
$28 - $92 / night
"If you want to camp in Oregon this is the place to go. There are several waterfalls and hiking trails. You can see wildlife and you can't beat the beauty. You can tent camp and they also have yurts."
"THE most beautiful park in Oregon that we've seen! Hiked for 5 hours! BEWARE: It's WET, so bring your wet weather gear, and good, sturdy hiking shoes for slippery terrain."
$8 - $126 / night
"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."
$29 - $87 / night
"Very quite and tons of near empty trails even with a full campground on a weekend in the summer. Walking, bike, and horse trails. Close to the ten waterfall trail on the day use area."
"First and foremost, it's all about the waterfalls - all 10 of them - linked by paved hiking trails. Not a fan of sharing the trail with hikers when on your bike?"
$20 / night
"Only sites for camping with horses."
"Shellburgh Falls is tall with a huge basalt cave that you can walk behind the waterfall and down below to actually stand under the waterfall. Very pretty. No one was camping when I was there."
$25 / night
"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."
"So much better than those CGs next to highways and RRs"
"Dump station nearby. We were visiting relatives in this area, so really only need a safe place to park the rig. This worked out fine."
$40 / night
"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"
$30 / night
"Clackamas Lake is a great campsite. Fairly easy to find and navigate. Great for when you don't want to deal with the more crowded campgrounds."
"Great campground when nearby Timothy Lake campgrounds are full. The spot I had was large and not too close to other spots."
TravelerIf you want to camp in Oregon this is the place to go. There are several waterfalls and hiking trails. You can see wildlife and you can't beat the beauty. You can tent camp and they also have yurts.
ScoutGreat place to camp. It has wonderful hiking trails. There is swimming available in the warmer months in the Clackamas River. Horse trails for equestrians and fishing!
TravelerClackamas Lake is a great campsite. Fairly easy to find and navigate. Great for when you don't want to deal with the more crowded campgrounds.
While the camping sites are fairly close together, the site is usually lightly occupied. While we where there we only had one neighbor but the rest of the loop was empty.
For horse riders they have some equestrian only campsites.
There was plenty of trails in which to hike or ride, and a dock to go see the lake. You can also go swimming if your into Oregon lake or pond swimming.
Clackamas Lake itself is fairly small and in many ways feels more like a large and deep marsh then a lake.
Phone and internet reception (AT&T) is spotty at best.
LegendGreat campground when nearby Timothy Lake campgrounds are full. The spot I had was large and not too close to other spots. The campground was full, so there was the early morning sounds of children playing. I was in spot 8 which looked onto Clackamas Lake. Which side note is not a "lake" but more of a marshy pond with reeds and grass around the edge. Still I was able to situate my tent to look onto the lake. This spot is in the horse section so there were corrals in each spot. Looked like a horse had camped in the spot a few days earlier cause there were large piles of fresh horse poop I had to keep my dog away from. The table/tent area was about 75 feet from my car so I had to make many trips to get all my stuff into the site. If you are extra adventurous and in shape you can walk from the campground, around Timothy Lake and back, be warned this is just over 18 miles. The trail around Timothy Lake is not strenuous, and offers amazing views of Mt Hood, and there is water about half way through, but again be ready for a long hike.
GuideTHE most beautiful park in Oregon that we've seen! 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. So many more to hike! Kids' play area inside Loop B, showers, and nature trails around the campground. RV dump at the horse camp turnoff. I'd try to reserve spots 9 or 12 (next to the playground and sunny spots) or 72 (next to the creek in the shade) next time! We rate this one an 8.
LegendThis is hands down one of my favorite campgrounds, because the spots are large, far apart from the other sites, and very quiet. It is not too far from the Portland area, I would recommend getting last minute supplies before getting off the highway. The campground is a horse campground, but I reserved on the Monday before arrival and it was still very empty so no fear about taking a spot from equestrians. The spot I had (Spot 4) was 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. All the spots in the campground had plenty of space between spots. 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. The campground is close to many trails in the area, mainly Romano Falls Trail. There are views of Mt. Hood, peeking out through the trees here and there.
Additional Stay, Different Year
-A few more trees have been knocked down due to winter storms, but this is still a great campground.
TravelerSite was nice and private, staff was very friendly, and the grounds were pretty clean! 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. Plenty of horses and dogs around.
LegendA large state park located near Estacada on the banks of the Clackamas River, Milo McIver is a well-loved Oregon state park. Because it's close to Portland, it is very busy. The main campsite area is set for tents as well as RVs with electric and water hookups available. Campsites are kind of close together but well appointed with bathrooms/showers available. There is a small tent-only area also available but the sites are kind of cramped and they all spin off a common parking area with little privacy.
The park overall has lots of different open spaces for hiking, interpretive programs, disc golf, fishing, areas for horse riding, and a great overlook on the Clackamas River.
TravelerStunning camping in a temperate rainforest. Sites are big and private. Very quite and tons of near empty trails even with a full campground on a weekend in the summer. Walking, bike, and horse trails. Close to the ten waterfall trail on the day use area.
Howard Creek Horse Camp provides specialized equestrian facilities with multiple sites for horse owners. Sites include amenities such as picnic tables, fire rings, and access to drinking water, showers, and toilets. Trail riders can access well-maintained paths connecting directly to Silver Falls State Park's extensive trail system. The campground offers electrical hookups with both 30-amp and 50-amp service for RV campers. Horse camping areas connect to bridle trails winding through dense forest terrain, allowing riders to explore various terrains from gentle wooded areas to more challenging hillside paths.
Trail riding through diverse terrain: At Silver Falls State Park Campground, riders can access numerous riding paths. "What can I say? Silver Falls is a magical place and everyone should experience it. You can just get lost in the beauty of it all," notes Jeff K. Many trails connect to the park's waterfall system, though some areas restrict pets.
Enjoy waterfront relaxation: After a day of riding, cool off in nearby waterways. "We love hiking the trails and our kids love the playground and river swimming!" shares April F. about Silver Falls State Park. Most water access points open May through September with swimming areas marked by buoys.
Explore historic sites: Many trails near Willamette Mission State Park Horse Camp pass through historic landmarks. "The largest Black Cottonwood tree resides at this park and is worth seeing!" writes Kelly N. Trail maps available at ranger stations show routes to significant cultural sites dating back to early Oregon settlement.
Well-maintained campsites: Equestrian sites across the region provide ample space for horse trailers. "The campsites are nice. The hike is amazing and beautiful though most of the trails are closed to dogs," reports Krystle K. about Silver Falls State Park Campground. Sites typically range from 30-50 feet in length to accommodate vehicles and trailers.
Clean facilities: Campers appreciate the maintenance standards at horse camps. At Oxbow Regional Park, "Restrooms are well maintained and have excellent showers. No coins needed," writes marcus K. Most equestrian facilities provide vault or flush toilets within walking distance of campsites.
Access to multi-use trails: The trail networks accommodate various users. "Probably the easiest accessibility to the most awesome waterfalls per few square miles in Oregon. Ample Parking and many different falls and trails to choose from," notes Jeremy A. about Silver Falls. Trail connections often allow for loops ranging from 2-10 miles in length.
Seasonal conditions affect access: Winter closures and mud can limit trail access. "This park floods every winter. I advise planning your trip for the spring or summer knowing that there is a lot of shaded trails to keep you cool," writes Kelly N. about Willamette Mission State Park. Most equestrian sites fully operate from April through October.
Reservation requirements: Most horse camps require advance booking. At Milo McIver State Park, "Campers arriving at Milo McIver State Park are greeted by expansive riverfront sites along the Clackamas River, each offering level ground suitable for both tents and larger RVs," notes Jama A. Reservations typically open 6 months in advance through Oregon State Parks.
Water availability: Horse camps provide water sources, but quantity may vary. "Water spigots are a little overgrown, look for the spray paint on the campground drive to find them," advises Alan L. about Clackamas Lake Campground. Bring supplemental water during peak summer months when shared sources may run low.
Look for child-friendly facilities: Some sites offer better options for families with young children. "Kids' play area inside Loop B, showers, and nature trails around the campground," shares Melissa L. about Silver Falls State Park. Most family-friendly loops have centrally located playgrounds and shorter trail access.
Pack for variable weather: Even summer nights get chilly at higher elevations. "BEWARE: It's WET, so bring your wet weather gear, and good, sturdy hiking shoes for slippery terrain," advises Melissa L. at Silver Falls State Park. Temperature swings of 30-40 degrees between day and night occur regularly.
Plan for wildlife encounters: Birds and small mammals frequent campsites. "We had to pack the car before bed so they wouldn't get to the food. They do sell firewood there, but the rangers who sell it aren't there past 4 pm," notes Vanesa W. Food storage regulations apply at all sites.
Site selection matters: Choose equestrian sites with appropriate space for larger rigs. At Clackamas Lake, "We stayed at camp site #44 which has plenty of space and is surrounded by ample greenery to block view from neighboring camp sites," recommends Vera S. Most horse camps can accommodate rigs up to 45 feet but may have limited turning radius.
Check hookup availability: Not all horse camps provide full hookups. "Electricity 30 amp and water at the post. Dump station nearby," reports Theresa R. about Polk County Fairgrounds. Most sites require self-contained systems with dump stations available at central locations.
Consider the driving conditions: Access roads to equestrian camps may present challenges. "Long but pretty drive down a gravel road about 5+ miles in until you get to the campground," says kelly G. about Shellburg Falls Recreation Area. Horse camp access roads typically require slower speeds and may have seasonal weight restrictions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Scotts Mills, OR?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Scotts Mills, OR is Silver Falls State Park Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 78 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Scotts Mills, OR?
TheDyrt.com has all 15 equestrian camping locations near Scotts Mills, OR, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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