Cape Blanco State Park offers equestrian camping facilities approximately 9 miles from Port Orford along the southern Oregon coast. The area sits at an elevation of about 200 feet above sea level with average summer temperatures ranging from 55-65°F. Coastal winds frequently reach 15-30 mph, creating challenging but manageable conditions for horse owners. The park's equestrian area features native vegetation that helps shield campsites from strong ocean breezes.
What to do
Lighthouse tours: Visit the historic Cape Blanco lighthouse, which stands as the oldest on the Oregon coast. "The lighthouse was a bonus. You can walk to the lighthouse and the beach from the campground," notes Mea H. about Cape Blanco State Park Campground.
Coastal trail hiking: Access the Coastal Trail directly from equestrian camping areas for rides along oceanfront routes. Ryan W. reports, "The Coastal Trail runs through camp and you can follow it North for a half mile through the trees while listening to the ocean waves. You'll pop out into a meadow of wild flowers and tall grasses overlooking the ocean and out towards the Cape Blanco lighthouse."
Beach fishing: Try surf fishing along the shoreline at Bullards Beach State Park Campground, located about 60 miles north of Wedderburn. "There is a beach nearby that would be a long walk or a short bike ride away. The lighthouse is also a nice attraction," according to Emma L.
Historical tours: Explore the 1898 Hughes House at Cape Blanco. Tim W. explains, "We visited the historic Hughes house that is on the park grounds. It was built in 1898 and they have tours."
What campers like
Private campsites: Horse owners appreciate the secluded nature of sites at Cape Blanco. Ryan W. describes, "Hiker/Biker was really off on its own and very private. There was an REI sponsored storage box station complete with USB charging ports, bike stand, tools, shared fire pit and picnic table."
Natural windbreaks: The tall Sitka spruce trees throughout Boundary Campground provide excellent protection for horses during windy conditions. Julie P. shares, "The Boundary Campground located in the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest in Oregon is a great place to go for a quite getaway. It almost felt like we had the whole campground to ourselves."
Ocean sounds: Campers enjoy falling asleep to the sound of waves. Lainey P. from Cape Blanco notes, "I absolutely loved my stay here. My site had everything I needed for great solo car camping; sink dump nearby, water, plenty of privacy but not so much I felt isolated. I could sort of hear but not see my neighbors, and my site had a pretty special hidden feature behind the campfire - the perfect unexpected spot for my hammock."
Clean facilities: Bullards Beach maintains well-kept restrooms and showers. Grace A. comments, "The bathrooms were super clean, and the showers were as well. Would defiantly stay here again."
What you should know
Weather preparation: Pack for cool conditions even in summer. "Be prepared for cold weather and misty air," advises Haley C. about Cape Blanco. "It is very windy here, but the plants surrounding the sites keep out most of the coastal wind and also provide plenty of privacy from other sites."
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly between campgrounds. Robert O. at Bullards Beach State Park reports, "Cell signal on Verizon was really low speed and mostly useable. But ATT was good with 5-7Mbs without using our outside antenna and cell booster, 10-20mbs when using it."
Trail access: Several horse-friendly trails connect directly from campgrounds. Julie P. at Boundary Campground notes, "There is a great hike that is nearby called Bear Creek Trail. This trail does run along the river, which makes it great for fishing. They also have trails that you can ride your horses. We actually saw a few people doing this when we were on our morning hike."
Reservation systems: Most equestrian sites operate on first-come, first-served basis. Cape Blanco has specific policies as noted by Tim W.: "It is a first come first serve campground except for the cabins. Park in the spot you want then go pay the camp host."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Lake camping provides alternative options for families with horses. Paul H. at Lake Selmac County Park shares, "We love coming to lake selmac to use the yurts for winter camping. They're heated and cozy. The kids enjoy the fishing and I love the view across the lake."
Beach access planning: When camping with children and horses, consider distance to beach access points. At Bullards Beach, "There's a trail that leads to the beach. There really isn't many campsites - I believe there are only 8. It is pretty cheap to stay here as well - only $5 per night," according to Julie P.
Wildlife viewing: Children enjoy spotting local animals around the campsites. Liesa B. notes about Lake Selmac, "Peaceful. Love watching the water birds. Lots of trees. Even nice in the winter. Clean bathrooms and good hiking."
Multiple camping loops: Seek out campgrounds with various loop options for different family needs. Kevin R. explains, "We stayed in the Heron loop which was the smallest and most primitive. It was wonderful and we had the whole south of the lake to ourselves."
Tips from RVers
Site privacy considerations: RV campers at Lake Selmac Resort appreciate the layout. Nicole O. explains, "Some sites here are very private feeling because you park the car up top and walk down (not far at all) to the tent that sits close to the lake."
Dump station status: Check current dump station availability before arrival. Mea H. warns about Cape Blanco, "The dump station is closed because it's broken and they've been trying to secure funding to replace it. You will need to plan on using the dump station at the state park north or south of this park."
Water and power connections: Verify hookup options when bringing horses and RVs together. Robert O. at Bullards Beach notes, "Stayed 5 nights site A-40 a very nice spot for our 26ft Class C motor home we fit a-ok an had 30am and 15am at the post, the site and utilities are in great shape."
