Marissa O.
Traveler
TravelerSilver Falls State Park Campground
Super clean bathrooms and showers, rangers patrol the campground constantly so it feels pretty safe.
Equestrian Camping near Welches, OR
3 campgrounds with availability this weekend
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Knebal Springs Campground provides horse corrals for equestrians camping in Mount Hood National Forest, approximately 16 miles east of Welches. The campground accommodates both tent and RV camping with sites that can handle horse trailers, though large rigs may find access challenging. Basic toilet facilities are available, but campers must bring their own drinking water. The surrounding area features several trails for horseback riding, with direct access from the campground. Horse poop is occasionally found in camping areas after equestrian use, requiring attention when setting up tents.
Riley Horse Campground offers expansive, private sites on the west side of Mount Hood National Forest. The campground features spots averaging a quarter-acre in size with ample space between neighboring campsites. Water spigots are available throughout the grounds, and fire rings at each site can be fueled by deadwood collected from the surrounding forest. Equestrians appreciate the close proximity to multiple trail systems, including Romano Falls Trail, with views of Mount Hood visible through the trees. The campground remains relatively empty even on summer weekends, providing a quiet experience for horse enthusiasts. Trails in the area accommodate walking, biking and horseback riding with connections to several scenic routes throughout the forest.
Best Equestrian Campgrounds near Welches (21)
1. Milo McIver State Park Campground
"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."
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $24 - $80 / night
2. Oxbow Regional Park
"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."
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $25 / night
3. Riley Horse Campground
"It is not too far from the Portland area, I would recommend getting last minute supplies before getting off the highway."
"Secluded, open prime real estate: horse facilities abound here, but it works for everyone."
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $26 / night
4. Clackamas Lake
"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."
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $30 / night
5. Woodard Creek Campground — Beacon Rock State Park Campground
"Not only is the campground itself a woodland wonderland with winding paths through tall old growth forest areas, but the surrounding area of the park itself is impressive with exciting things to do around"
"We didn’t have any issues at the site, but noticed that spots RV4 and RV5 were relatively distanced from each other, while spots RV1-RV3 were pretty close to each other."
1 Site AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $23 - $41 / night
6. Silver Falls State Park Campground
"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."
13 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $22 - $92 / night
7. Beacon Rock State Park Group Site — Beacon Rock State Park
"I noticed that the campground itself was very well maintained and offered many features including water spigots in common areas, clear walking paths to facilities and ample parking for the campers. "
"While there are several camp and RV sites in Beacon Rock State Park, this is the only group site that I know of and it fits up to 200 people at around $4-$5 per person (the website says rates vary by person"
Check Availabilityfrom $12 - $139 / night
8. Battle Ground Lake State Park Campground
"Driving up there the way we drive (from Vancouver) you go up through ranching/farming territory and it’s nice and green and pretty, so it’s nice getting there."
"Hiking around the lake is a great way to start and/or end you day while staying at Battle Ground Lake SP. Horses are welcome. There are cabins available also. Several sites overlook the lake."
24 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $12 - $69 / night
9. Panther Creek Campground
"Across the road is a horse camp that the PCT goes through. There is a spur from the PCT directly into the campground for easy access. There is a beautiful view of Mt."
"Some camp sots are better situated then others, so do research before making reservation."
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $25 - $45 / night
10. Bonney Crossing
"Campground Review An open, relatively unused campground next to a sleep-calling stream right in between the last forested part of Mt."
"Bonney Crossing campground is located in the Eastern most side of the Mt Hood National Forest. Our campsite provided us a quiet relaxing two nights of camping."
Check Availabilityfrom $16 / night
Drive Time
- 49 min from Portland, OR
- 1 hr 25 min from Salem, OR
- 1 hr 28 min from Longview, WA
- 1 hr 43 min from Albany, OR
Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near Welches, OR
1 Photos of 21 Welches Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Equestrian Camping Reviews near Welches, OR
286 Reviews of 21 Welches Campgrounds
- SShawn T.Traveler
Battle Ground Lake State Park Campground
We camped here for 4 days, rangers were nice we hauled in our wood since we didn’t want to buy a lot, and can’t gather wood there. Plenty of trees between campsites, The Bathroom and showers were really nice and clean!! lake was also nice but small. Enjoyed our stay!!
Emily A.
RangerRock Creek Campground - Yacolt Burn State Forest
This site is great! Lots of rules listed but not enforced, would recommend having the discovery pass though as signs are prevalent. If you can avoid going the route alongside the correctional facility, you’ll have much less dirt roads and pot holes. There isn’t room in the non horse sites for a rig more than say 25 feet long. No cell service or Starlink, but if you drive to a clearing nearby you can find a satellite .
C M.TravelerJantzen Beach RV Resort
Loudest "resort" rude management
Planes, trains and automobiles....oh did I mention nosy neighbors and rude office staff? Sharon and Erika are unapproachable and judgemental office slime. Skip this place. And the pictures LIE!
- DDeborah T.
ScoutSilver Falls State Park Campground
Beautiful Forest
Beautiful camping sites. Very busy. Lots of families and people. Roads are very windy and curvy be extra cautious. Wish we had more time so much to explore. If you bring your dog, you will be very limited on where you can hike too. RV sites are pretty private. Bathrooms and showers look brand new. And Camp post are extremely kind and polite.
Jordan C.ScoutJantzen Beach RV Resort
Nice near city of Portland stop
This sounds like a pretty mixed experience at Jantzen Beach RV Resort. The three heated pools, playgrounds, fitness center, and river access definitely make it appealing for families and longer stays, and having full hookups with level paved sites is a real plus. I also like that the mature trees provide some shade and that the shoreline paths give campers a chance to enjoy the Columbia River without having to leave the property. At the same time, the constant traffic and airplane noise would probably be something I’d want to know about before booking. The low water pressure mentioned in the review is another practical concern, especially for RV travelers who expect reliable hookups. They closed the swimming pool a month early although it is 90f in Portland. The combination of permanent residents and overnight campers also seems like something that could give the park a different atmosphere depending on the site and time of year. The location near Target and the freeway sounds convenient, but Portland rush-hour traffic could definitely make getting around more difficult. Priced at$85–$100 per night, many long-time visitors believe the value has decreased and are opting to seek alternatives. Overall, Jantzen Beach RV Resort seems to offer plenty of amenities and a convenient location, but travelers looking for a peaceful, quiet campground may want to keep the noise and urban setting in mind before reserving. The comparison with Columbia River RV Park would also be helpful for anyone deciding between the two.
Emmi O.
GuideMilo McIver State Park Campground
Beautiful place!
We spent one night here. Beautiful place. Good phone service and really clean restrooms!
Michael F.ScoutJantzen Beach RV Resort
City Camping in Portland
Close to downtown Portland. Clean hot showers and good AC power. Good location for attending Indy Car race at Portland Speedway
Aimee H.GuideOxbow Regional Park
Wooded escape
Great place to have a peaceful evening or longer. Showers are hot, facilities are well maintained and provided the sites aren’t all booked, there is a decent amount of space between visitors.
Guide to Welches
Mount Hood National Forest offers diverse equestrian camping options around Welches, Oregon. Located at elevations between 1,200-5,700 feet, this area transitions from dense Douglas fir forests to drier eastern slopes. Summer temperatures typically range from 45-85°F with cooler nights at higher elevations, while spring and fall bring more variable conditions with occasional rainfall.
What to do
Hiking near campgrounds: At Panther Creek Campground, access to multiple trail systems is just steps away. "The PCT was a great for day hikes. Definitely on our list to return to!" notes Heather P. The campground connects directly to the Pacific Crest Trail with "a beautiful view of Mt. Hood just a couple of miles up the trail."
Swimming and water activities: Oxbow Regional Park offers excellent river access. "Easy distance from Portland on the Sandy River. Down a steep hill (important if you're biking)," writes Ben W. The park features multiple access points to cool off during summer months when "the river is refreshing on warm days to swim in."
Waterfall viewing: Silver Falls State Park provides access to multiple cascades. "What can I say? Silver Falls is a magical place and everyone should experience it," shares Jeff K. The park's trails lead to ten distinct waterfalls, making it ideal for day trips from Welches.
What campers like
Spacious campsites: Campers appreciate the generous spacing at many campgrounds near Welches. At Clackamas Lake, "the sites were big and very clean. It is close to Timothy lake which is where we wanted to go kayaking at. Took us 10 minutes to get there," reports Debbie T.
Peace and quiet: Many campsites offer tranquility despite their accessibility. At Bonney Crossing Campground, "the campsite is clean with no over growth. Sleeping next to the water is calming and the hikes are top notch," according to Cheryl P. Sites are "all well spaced out parallel to a nice clean looking river."
Natural features: The combination of forests and water access ranks high with visitors. "This campground is absolutely gorgeous, worth the visit even if you're just coming to the day use area," says Laura M. about Silver Falls State Park. The varied terrain provides options for different outdoor preferences.
What you should know
Limited facilities: Prepare for basic amenities at many forest service sites. Knebal Springs Campground offers "a great option as each site is different and pretty spacious. Too bad they're right off the road and the relative lack of trees takes away some privacy," notes Bjorn S. The campground is described as "semi-primitive," adding to a more natural feel.
Weather considerations: Temperature swings can be significant, especially at higher elevations. "It got very cold at night so be prepared. Also, no cell service so download movies on Netflix or bring games," advises Astrid Q. about camping in the region.
Reservation needs: Popular sites fill quickly during peak season. "The 2018 season had excellent campground hosts... They have first come first serve as well as reservable sites. It fills up quickly on the weekends, so if you don't have a site reserved I highly recommend getting there early," suggests Heartworn H.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian
campsite near Welches, OR?
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Welches, OR?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Welches, OR is Milo McIver State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 39 reviews.
What is the best site to find
equestrian camping near
Welches, OR?
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Welches, OR?
TheDyrt.com has all 21 equestrian camping locations near Welches, OR, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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