Tillamook State Forest spans 364,000 acres of coastal mountains with elevations ranging from 700 to 3,600 feet. The region typically receives 100-120 inches of annual rainfall, creating lush forest conditions and seasonal creek flows. Designated equestrian campgrounds within and near the forest provide specialized facilities while offering access to extensive trail networks connecting multiple forest areas.
What to do
Mountain biking at L.L. Stub Stewart State Park: The park features miles of dedicated mountain biking trails with varying difficulty levels. From the Dairy Creek East campground, riders can access both paved and dirt trail options. "There is a two mile bike/walking path through the woods and along the bay. The beach is only a five minute walk away," notes one camper at L.L. Stub Stewart Memorial State Park.
Forest exploration on horseback: Trails throughout the forest connect major equestrian campgrounds with scenic viewpoints and water crossings. "This area is a really nice area to explore with some elevation gain. There are some existing campfire rings along the road. Boondocking is allowed," explains a visitor to Tillamook State Forest Stagecoach Horse Camp.
River recreation: Multiple forest campgrounds offer direct access to river activities during summer months. The Wilson River is particularly popular for cooling off. "The river is where it's at, folks are swimming, tubing and fishing dawn to dusk. Folks jumping off the bridge and having picnics," reports a camper at Jones Creek.
What campers like
Direct river access: Many campsites sit close to creeks and rivers, providing immediate water recreation options. "It was nice to have site options and the river is awesome on a hot day," says one reviewer about their experience at Jones Creek campground.
Trail connectivity: The integrated trail network allows hikers and equestrians to access multiple destinations without relocating camp. At Northrup Creek Horse Campground, "Nice hiking trail starts at the tent camping area, 'Big Tree Trail' will take you past some monster sized trees."
Spacious sites: Most horse camps feature larger-than-average sites to accommodate trailers and equipment. "All of the campsites are nestled among big fir trees. The campsites have picnic tables and fire pits," notes a visitor to Northrup Creek Horse Campground in nearby Clatsop State Forest.
What you should know
First-come availability: Many forest campgrounds don't accept reservations and can fill quickly during peak season. "I showed up around 3pm on a Friday and was barely able to find a walk-in tent site. All the car-accessible sites were taken and the only reservable site is the group spot," reports a camper about Jones Creek campground.
Limited amenities: Most forest service campgrounds provide minimal services. "Phone Service is super bad so be prepared to go off grid!" advises a recent visitor to Jones Creek.
Seasonal access variations: Forest roads leading to dispersed camping areas may not be maintained during winter months. "I've only been here in the winter when there are less people. Cell service here and there," notes a camper about North Fork Trask area.
Tips for camping with families
River safety precautions: Forest rivers have rocky bottoms and variable water levels. "Make sure to bring water shoes down to the river (It's super rocky)," advises a camper who visited Jones Creek with family.
Kid-friendly facilities: Some campgrounds offer specific amenities for children. L.L. Stub Stewart provides "a good paved loop for kids to ride bikes," according to one visitor who appreciated the family-friendly layout at Nehalem Bay State Park.
Educational opportunities: The Tillamook Forest Center offers interpretive programs during operating hours. "We love staying in the campground! There are many river access points, the forestry center, walking trails and wildlife all within walking distance," shares a Jones Creek visitor.
Tips from RVers
Site limitations at horse camps: While designated for equestrians, some horse camps can accommodate smaller RVs but have spatial constraints. A visitor to Northrup Creek Horse Campground notes, "Only 8 of the sites are for horse campers, a small tent/RV camping loop of 3 sites is also available, but the parking pads are small so don't think most RVs will fit in the spots."
Hookup availability: Forest campgrounds rarely offer full hookups. "The water pressure was not very good at around 35 psi. We had a clear shot to the north sky for Starlink, but it's doubtful we'd get a southern sky shot from this site due to the mature trees," explains an RVer at L.L. Stub Stewart State Park.
Accessibility considerations: Road conditions in forest areas can limit RV access, particularly for larger rigs. At North Fork Trask, "The road is in great condition and is passable with a 2WD without any issue. There is a sign saying there are logging trucks using the road."
