Riley Horse Campground in the Mt. Hood area provides direct access to multiple horse trails with corrals and facilities designed for equestrian campers. The campground sits at approximately 1,800 feet elevation with a mix of shaded and open sites that accommodate both tent camping and smaller RVs. Trail riders can access routes of varying difficulty levels directly from their campsites, eliminating the need to trailer horses between different riding locations.
What to do
Mountain biking at Stub Stewart State Park: The extensive trail network offers options for all skill levels, from beginners to advanced riders. At L.L. Stub Stewart State Park Campground, cyclists can access both forest trails and the paved Banks-Vernonia Trail. "The park has many hiking, biking, and horse trails. They even have a disc golf course within the park," notes MickandKarla W.
Fishing at Battle Ground Lake: This small volcanic lake offers good trout, bass and bluegill fishing opportunities just 30 minutes from Troutdale. "Great fishing! Trout, bass, blue gill... swimming area. Store on sites. Nice hike around lake with plenty of spots to rest and fish," explains Brian B. The lake has restrictions on motorized boats, keeping the water peaceful for anglers.
Waterfall hikes near Beacon Rock: Several trailheads within 5-10 miles of the campground lead to impressive cascades with relatively easy hiking access. Beacon Rock State Park Campground serves as an excellent base camp. "There are lots of hiking trails of various lengths that leave right from the campground," says Corinna B., while another camper adds, "Further up the road is a short hike to some beautiful falls."
What campers like
Secluded equestrian camping: At Riley Horse Campground, the spacious sites provide ample room for horse trailers and equipment. "The spots are large, far apart from the other sites, and very quiet. The spot I had was huge, plenty of room for a larger party, felt like a quarter of an acre," reports Ashley B., who appreciates the separation between campsites.
Swimming in the Columbia River: Multiple campgrounds offer river access for cooling off during summer months. "There's a swim area roped off, and a small sand area for the kids to play," explains Wendy C. about Battle Ground Lake, while other campers mention several water access points at Oxbow Regional Park.
Volcanic lake exploration: The unique geology creates distinctive swimming and fishing environments. "They have a cool volcanic lake with a swimming area and great fishing. It's like a mini crater lake. I mean mini like pond size," describes Ashley Y. at Battle Ground Lake State Park. The clear water makes it popular with families on hot days.
What you should know
Seasonal closures affect trail access: Many horse campgrounds near Troutdale operate on limited schedules due to weather conditions. "The campground operates seasonally from May 22 to September 13," explains a visitor to Riley Horse Campground, allowing riders to take advantage of drier trail conditions during summer months.
Train noise impacts riverfront camping: Several campgrounds along the Columbia River corridor experience railroad disruption. At Beacon Rock State Park Campground, "The train runs directly behind the site multiple times an hour and is loud," reports Becky S., who recommends selecting sites further from the tracks when possible.
Limited cell service in forested areas: Communication can be challenging in the more remote campgrounds. "Barely got 1 bar of 4g at the welcome center. There's a guest wifi in the parking lot there too but it's 2 miles further to the camp ground and texts hardly go through," notes Zach S. at Oxbow Regional Park.
Tips for camping with families
Water recreation options: Several lakes and rivers provide swimming opportunities during summer months. Battle Ground Lake State Park Campground offers "a swim area roped off, and a small sand area for the kids to play," according to Wendy C., making it ideal for families with children of various ages.
Playgrounds and recreational facilities: Some campgrounds feature developed play areas and activity centers. "The kids playground was great for the grandkids," shares Richard B., while another camper notes, "The recent upgrades to playgrounds are awesome for the kids" at Oxbow Regional Park.
Walking distance considerations: At hike-in campgrounds, prepare for carrying gear. "If you have a lot of gear they have three carts available to haul everything out in one go," suggests Nathan R. regarding L.L. Stub Stewart's walk-in sites. Another camper adds, "You have to park down below and walk to the site, the furthest ones being over a quarter mile away."
Tips from RVers
Hookup locations vary significantly: At Oxbow Regional Park, RV sites offer different amenity placements. "The water and sewer hookups were in the middle of the site, with electric being at the back of the pad," explains MickandKarla W., suggesting extensions may be necessary for some setups.
Water pressure fluctuations: Several campgrounds experience inconsistent water supply. "The water pressure was not very good at around 35 psi," notes a reviewer at L.L. Stub Stewart State Park, while another RVer at Jantzen Beach RV Park reports, "Water pressure is the lowest we've ever experienced. Not sure what's going on but all of the folks we've talked to are experiencing the same."
Site selection impacts privacy: For equestrian camping with RVs, some locations offer better spacing. "The sites were large enough to comfortably park my small car and have plenty of room to spread out. While I don't see this camp being great for excessively large rigs, I did see a few smaller and mid sized units on the loop," observes Crystal C. at Beacon Rock State Park.