Equestrian Camping near Sherwood, OR

Horse campgrounds near Sherwood, Oregon feature extensive riding trails through wooded terrain in state parks within 30 miles of the city. While L.L. Stub Stewart Memorial State Park sits at approximately 1,800 feet elevation, other equestrian camping areas like Willamette Mission State Park rest at lower elevations along river valleys. Winter conditions often limit seasonal access at these facilities.

What to Do

Trail riding exploration: Hares Canyon Horse Camp at L.L. Stub Stewart Memorial State Park offers equestrian campers immediate access to multiple trail systems. "Lots to do with the Banks/Vernonia trail running through the camp that has over 15 miles of paved walking/biking trails," notes camper Shane, highlighting the multi-use pathway that connects to horse-specific trails throughout the park.

Swimming access: During summer months, take your family to Battle Ground Lake State Park for post-ride relaxation. "Pristine campsites and beautiful cool lake that's not far from the city. Good trails and plenty of space," shares Matt W., while another camper adds, "They have a camp store open for snacks and they have flushable bathrooms!"

Disc golf course: L.L. Stub Stewart State Park maintains disc golf facilities accessible from the campgrounds. One reviewer notes, "Open feel, but sites are spacious. Nice playground for kids, fun disc golf course and wonderful access to biking (paved or dirt)," making it a versatile destination for equestrians seeking additional recreational options.

What Campers Like

Spacious equestrian sites: The horse corrals at Hares Canyon Horse Camp receive positive feedback from campers. "The horse camp comes complete with full hookups, a full bathroom with showers, and corrals for the horses. Friendly rangers patrol the camp regularly to make sure there are horses occupying each site," explains Tanya B., emphasizing the equestrian-focused management.

Proximity to Portland: Most horse campgrounds near Sherwood provide relatively quick access from urban areas. At Oxbow Regional Park, one camper appreciated that it's "conveniently only a 30-minute drive from Portland (but doesn't feel like you're near the city at all when you're there)," while another noted it's "a huge park (like 1,000 acres) with several camping options."

Well-maintained facilities: Equestrian campers frequently mention the care given to horse camping facilities. "Each site has a picnic table, fire pit, and a corral. There is a double corral on the double sites," shares a reviewer about Hares Canyon, while adding, "You must clean up after your own horse. Manure bin as well as shovels/brooms are provided onsite."

What You Should Know

Seasonal availability: Willamette Mission State Park Horse Camp operates only from May 15 to September 30. One camper warns, "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."

Reservation requirements: Many equestrian campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. A camper at L.L. Stub Stewart noted, "This year with covid it's been harder to find a spot last min and they would only let you reserve 30 days in advance so planning something in advance was impossible," highlighting the importance of checking current reservation policies.

Non-equestrian alternatives: If equestrian sites are full, some parks offer alternative camping. "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," reports one camper about their experience at Hares Canyon Horse Camp.

Tips for Camping with Families

Playground access: Milo McIver State Park Campground offers family-friendly amenities alongside horse trails. "We love hiking the trails and our kids love the playground and river swimming!" shares April F., while another camper mentions, "Kids' play area inside Loop B, showers, and nature trails around the campground."

Educational opportunities: Parks with horse camping often feature additional learning experiences. At Willamette Mission State Park, one camper notes, "A lot of work has been done to keep this site up for public education and trails - we take elementary students to this site every spring to have a field science day."

Wildlife viewing: Children often enjoy animal spotting while camping. One L.L. Stub Stewart camper reported an unusual encounter: "When we came back from the shower my wife and I observed a dark shadow darting from the table around the back corner of the tent... a bobcat to be exact," providing a reminder that wildlife viewing opportunities exist, though proper wildlife safety should be practiced.

Tips from RVers

Hookup placement: For RV campers visiting horse campgrounds, note the utilities layout. At Silver Falls State Park, one camper reported their site had "water and sewer hookups were in the middle of the site, with electric being at the back of the pad," which can affect rig positioning.

Size limitations: Check length restrictions when booking horse campsites. A camper at L.L. Stub Stewart noted their "spot was very spacious as the length was 45 feet deep on asphalt," while another mentioned, "Well maintained full hookup sites with 50amp, most 63' long."

Satellite considerations: RV campers using satellite services should check site orientation. One camper at L.L. Stub Stewart observed, "Our spot was on the north side of the road so when we put out our satellite unit it had lots of southern sky to find a signal from," a helpful detail for those requiring connectivity.