Looking for a place to camp near Welches with your horse? It's easy to find Welches campgrounds for horse camping with The Dyrt. These scenic and easy-to-reach Oregon campsites are perfect for your horse camping excursion.
The Milo McIver State Park Campground is open seasonally. Typically March 15-October 31. Situated along the scenic Clackamas River, Milo McIver State Park is only 45 minutes from Portland. This beautiful park provides a variety of outstanding recreational opportunities. You can spend a day or a week exploring the river, forest and fields. River-lovers can challenge the sometimes wild (but always picturesque) Clackamas River with rafts, canoes or kayaks. For fishing enthusiasts, Estacada Lake offers a boat ramp and an ADA fishing dock, and the Clackamas River has Steelhead and Chinook runs. There is a disc golf course on-site. Discs are for sale and to rent at the park. For more information call 503-630-7150. CAMPGROUND DETAILS: - 44 electrical sites with water - Nine tent sites with water nearby - Hot showers and flush toilets - Three reservable group tent camping areas with water, flush toilets and fire rings - Three hiker/biker campsites with water, lockers, solar charging station, and fire pit - RV dump station - 1 ADA accessible site - Two reservable, 2' x 4' charcoal grills.
$18 - $75 / night
People call it the “crown jewel” of the Oregon State Parks system, and once you visit, you know why. Silver Falls State Park is the kind of standout scenic treasure that puts Oregon firmly onto the national—and international—stage. Camping: The main Silver Falls campground has tent sites, RV spots and cabins. Bring your horse and stay in the horse campground. If you need an area for many people, the park also has group tent and RV camps, and the historic Youth Camp for up to 250 campers. Waterfalls: Where else can you walk behind a waterfall? Check out the famous South Falls and see what a 177-foot curtain of water looks like from behind. It’s part of the Trail of Ten Falls, a spectacular, nationally recognized hiking trail that weaves through a dense forested landscape. The trail passes a series of breathtaking waterfalls along a rocky canyon, and descends to a winding creek at the forest floor. This 7.2 mile loop is considered to be a moderate hike, with an overall elevation change of 800 feet. Several connecting trails with separate access points make shorter routes. For everyone’s safety— absolutely no pets allowed on the Canyon Trail. Pets on leash are allowed on all other trails. Boots, bikes, paws, hooves: The park offers more than 35 miles of backcountry trails for mountain biking, hiking or horseback riding (see guided ride info below). Bears and cougars live in the more remote park areas. Daytime activities: The South Falls Day-use area has spacious lawns, barbecue stands, picnic shelters, tables, a playground, horseshoe pits, an off lead area for dogs, and a charming creek. Ever since the opening day in 1933, visitors have been using these grounds for potlucks, family reunions and weddings. The Silver Falls Lodge and Conference Center offers a variety of amenities. Relax and enjoy comfortable lodging within the wooded setting, or feast at the many catered specialty events. Enjoy a preordered meal at the historic dining hall or order a box lunch to take on a hike or to your campsite. They also specialize in hosting special events! Visit silverfallslodge.com or call 866-575-8875. Guided horseback rides: Silver Falls Riding Stables at Howard Creek offers five horseback rides daily through Sept. 29. Advanced reservation recommended. Visit silverfallslodge.com for times and rates.
Champoeg State Heritage Area features a rare combination of history, nature, and recreation. Situated south of Newburg along the scenic Willamette River, Champoeg's forests, fields, and wetlands recreate the landscape of a bygone era. This is the site where Oregon's first provisional government was formed by a historical vote in 1843. A thriving town of 200 was established, only to be washed away during a great flood in 1861. This rich history earns the park’s placement on the National Register of Historic Places. A diversity of activities await. Enjoy walking or biking on the paved trails that pass historical landmarks and hug the river. Play the 18-hole disc golf course under the oak trees, relax at the multitude of scenic picnic areas, or fish or kayak from dock on the Willamette River. For RV's there are 21 full-hookup sites and 54 electric sites with water. The ecologically rich landscape is home to more than 130 bird species, including seasonally nesting western bluebirds and acorn woodpeckers.
$5 - $72 / night
Nestled in the forested foothills of Washington’s Cascade Mountains, Battle Ground Lake State Park is an easy escape from the local urban jungles. Located just 20 miles northeast of Vancouver, WA, and 30 miles northeast of Portland, OR, this small recreation area sits in quiet, evergreen woods, in the city named for an 1855 incident between the local Klickitat peoples and U.S. Army soldiers from nearby Fort Vancouver. The lake itself, in the center of the park, is actually in a volcanic crater, formed when a magma-induced steam explosion blasted a large hole in the ground, which subsequently filled with water. Visitors to Battle Ground Lake will find plenty of camping and outdoor opportunities in the park, with even more to discover in the surrounding area. There are numerous ways to stay and play at Battle Ground Lake. The main campground offers 35 sites with picnic tables and fire pits; a few have partial hookups for RVs. There are showers and picnic facilities nearby. The park also has 15 hike-in campsites offering more rustic camping opportunities. For groups, there is a large area with four Adirondack shelters and a covered cooking area, and for equestrian campers, there’s a group area that provides corrals, picnic tables and a vault toilet. Inside the main campground, there are also four rustic cabins to rent, each with covered porches, outdoor grills, picnic tables and electric lights and heat; BYO bed linens. Seasonal campsite rates range from $12–$45; cabin rates range from $45–$79 While you may be inclined to just kick back and nap by the lakeshore, there’s plenty to do in the park and the surrounding area, including several miles of hiking, biking and equestrian trails and a self-guided nature trail. Cool off with a dip in the lake, go for a paddle, or cast a line for rainbow trout and small-mouth bass. Just 20 miles west of the park, you can visit Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge and enjoy some of its exceptional bird watching. Or, drive one hour north for an exciting underground journey into the Ape Caves, a 2.5-mile long lava tube on the southern flank of Mount St. Helens. The lower portion of the tube is easy and family-friendly; the upper portion is a strenuous endeavor for the truly adventurous. Wear sturdy shoes, a jacket, and bring your own flashlight, as this volcanic subway is as wild as it gets.
Clackamas Lake Campground is a great camping destination, especially when nearby Timothy Lake sites are full. The lake is small and shallow. The facility is located in the Clackamas Lake Historic District in Mt. Hood National Forest. It provides access to fishing, swimming and leisurely boating, as well as a number of trails and historic points along the way.
Clackamas Lake is a great place for fishing, swimming and non-motorized boating. Anglers can expect a catch of cutthroat, brook, rainbow or German brown trout. A variety of wildlife make its home in the area as well. Nearby Timothy Lake provides opportunities for picnicking and water-related recreation, including use of power boats. The Clackamas Lake Ranger Station Historic District is less than a mile from the campground. It is a series of structures and cabins built to house Forest Service workers in the early 1900s. Rustic architecture and the historic nature of the buildings and the surrounding area, draws thousands of tourists each year. It is a must-see while staying at the campground. Hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding are also popular activities. The 2.2-mile Miller Trail begins in the campground and connects to the Pacific Crest Trail, which extends more than 2,650 miles, from Canada to Mexico. Additional trails, to scenic Little Crater Lake and to the Mt. Jefferson Wilderness, are also available in the area.
The campground is nestled in a heavily wooded forest of pine trees, with partial views of Oregon's highest peak. A lush, green understory provides some privacy between campsites. The campground is near the shores of 3-acre Clackamas Lake, and just three miles from larger Timothy Lake. It is situated at an elevation of about 3,400 feet.
The campground is less than 40 miles from Mt. Hood, where a historic lookout provides scenic views of the snow-capped mountain. Hiking and year-round skiing is available.
For facility specific information, please call (503) 622-3191.
$25 - $27 / night
The Campground sits along Panther Creek at the intersection of the Pacific Crest Trail. Driving on FR65, 4.7 miles upstream from the campground, visitors can enjoy an easy hike to Panther Falls. __Campers can enjoy the privacy provided by a variety of shade-loving plants and a thick forest of cedars, ash, firs and alder.
Hikers have close access to the Pacific Crest Trail, which spans 2,663 miles from Mexico to Canada. Outstanding scenic views are available all along this trail.
Located in southwest Washington State, the Gifford Pinchot National Forest encompasses 1.3 million acres and includes the 110,000-acre Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument established by Congress in 1982. Panther Creek Campground is located in the Mt. Adams Ranger District. Elevations here range between 1,200 feet at the Wind River Work Center, 12 miles north of Carson, WA and 12,276 feet at the summit of Mt. Adams. The Mount Adams Ranger District offers a diverse array of habitats and natural features, from old growth to second growth forest, wetland areas, low and high elevation meadows, glaciers, and low and high elevation lakes.
This location has limited staffing. Please call (509) 427-3677 for general information.
Panther Creek Campground makes a great base to explore Mount Adams and the Columbia River Gorge. The town of Carson is nearby, which is known for its hot springs. It also has a golf course, restaurants and shopping.
Cancellations Individual Campsites: Cancellations up to 2 days before a reservation start date incur a $10.00 cancellation fee. A visitor who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee including tax and applicable add-on for a campsite. Cancellations for a one-night reservation will forfeit the entire amount paid and will not be subject to an additional service fee. No-Shows A no-show visitor is one who does not arrive at a campground and does not cancel the reservation by check-out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date. Staff will hold a campsite until check-out time on the day following the arrival date. No-shows are assessed $20.00 service fee and forfeit the first night's rate, taxes and applicable add-on for a campsite. Refunds Visitors may submit a refund request through their Recreation.gov profile within 7 days of the end date of their reservation. Refunds will not be issued after the 7 days has ended. Refunds for debit or credit card payments will be issued as a credit to the original bank or credit card used to pay. For check or cash purchases, Recreation.gov will mail a Treasury check for refunds of cash, check, or money order payments to the address associated with the reservation. Treasury check refunds may take up to 6-8 weeks to arrive. In the event of an emergency closure, the Recreation.gov team or facility manager will refund all fees and will attempt to notify you using the contact information within the Recreation.gov visitor profile.
$25 / night
Riley Campground is an equestrian facility located northwest of Oregon's majestic Mt. Hood. Horse corrals are tucked into the forest near the campsites, and several horseback riding trails can be accessed from the campground. A variety of recreational and sightseeing opportunities are available for visitors to enjoy.
Several hiking, biking and horseback riding trails can be accessed from the campground, including the 5.3-mile Cast Creek Trail, which was reconstructed in 1998 and leads from the campground to the Zigzag Mountain Trail. Combined with the nearby 4.9-mile Horseshoe Ridge Trail and part of the Zigzag Mountain Trail, visitors can make a nearly 14-mile excursion. The Sandy River Trail follows the river and stretches about 3 miles. Fishing is available in nearby Lost Creek, as well as the Sandy River, which is not far from the campground. Anglers can expect a variety of trout, salmon and whitefish. The rivers are popular for fly fishing. Scenic drives and picnicking are also popular activities.
The campground is situated in the Old Maid Flat geologic area of Mt. Hood National Forest at an elevation of about 2,100 feet. It sits alongside Lost Creek and is near the Sandy Wild and Scenic River. A variety of wildlife makes its home in the area.
For facility specific information, please call (503) 622-3191.
A deviation from the road coming into the campground (Forest Road 1825), will lead to a trailhead for spectacular Ramona Falls, on the Sandy River. The 7.1-mile, moderately difficult trail leads to cascading waterfalls and is one of the most popular hikes in Mt. Hood National Forest.
$19 - $25 / night
Located on beautiful Badger Creek, at the foot of the Badger Creek Wilderness, this popular campground appeals to those who enjoy fishing, hiking, or horseback riding. This quiet campground is located along Badger Creek at one of the portals to the Badger Creek Wildnerness. Visitors who camp at this campground can access the eastern end of the Badger Creek Trail.
$16 / night
Scout
If you enjoy hiking, this is a great campground with many beautiful trails to explore. The bathroom is clean and there's free hot shower. There's a country store 2 miles west of here you can get firewood and some supplies. Sites are a little less private and occasionally I heard train passing by from the nearby railway (bring ear plugs if you are a light sleeper). Check our videos for details: https://youtu.be/BrSpGhdefQ0?si=dVS7YPTZX8AplUVL
Scout
A nice, woodsy campground, with lots of privacy between camp sites. Nice flat and level outlined areas for us tent campers. Only down side was that it was a bit of a hike to the restroom (the National Forest site map showed one near the entrance where there wasn't one). While I reserved, mid-week there were a number of open sites for those without reservations. Some of the sites are really large and can handle a bigger group. Some PCT hikers stayed here due trail closure further north due to forest fire. Would recommend.
Traveler
Nice and peaceful, I always appreciate a campground with quiet hours to enjoy the peace and quiet of outside. Additional plus that dogs weren't allowed to disrupt the wildlife and bark at the Deer etc.
Guide
This was one of my favorite established campgrounds I stayed at on my roadtrip through Oregon. The big trees are perfect shade and beautiful. The roads are perfect for biking and there’s a bike trail in the campground that leads you straight to the park. Bathrooms and showers are clean and well taken care of. There is an incredible trash and recycling center at the front of the camper ground. Campsites can be decently close to one another, so not secluded but that wasn’t an issue for me. Obviously with family’s there’s going to be noise early in the morning and late at night so just be aware of that. But I didn’t mind, and wish I could have stayed here one more night. Something I was also pleasantly surprised by was how the trees blocked excessive heat. There was a heat wave going on during the time I was there but I didn’t have a problem at all here. It was such a relief.
Scout
This was a quiet little campground. 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. Loved camping there. There is no lake it’s more of a wetlands area.
ScoutCamp-side slide opens right upto the fire pit, cannot use it. Directions from the confirmation email were incorrect. People weren't kidding about the trains. T-Mobile signal is weak, 1.8 mbps down, 0.4 mbps up
TravelerI biked to this campground from my house in Portland. It was a lovely ride. There is a long, long downhill to get to the campsite, but wow, is it beautiful! Very peaceful. Lots of wildlife. I watched a woodpecker breaking open a log for over an hour. It was such a peaceful getaway. It gets you out of the hustle of city living, even if just for the night. The downside is that dogs are not allowed, but I don't take them on my bike anyway.
TravelerThis place was amazing! The camp ground is in the middle of the forest. They have hot showers, flushing toilets and every site has a fire pit. 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. Awesome location just 30 minutes away from Portland.
Traveler
Really nice and peaceful until it got late. Some group behind us blared heavy metal, yelled etc and decided 1am would be a great time to start. Ranger was really good at telling them to stfu. Water was accessible, nice fire pit. Look forward to doing some winter camping.
ScoutThe hosts for the month of September (Freddy & Kim) are obsessed with leaf blowers and driving around in loud, diesel off-road buggies when an electric golf cart is an option. The leaf blower stuff is just extreme though. I’ve had to ask them to stop (after literal hours of it mostly on and some off) both of the weeks I’ve camped here. You can’t think, read/write, nap, etc.
While I appreciate the fastidiousness of keeping a clean area, it completely ruins being in nature. Especially when you spend the money and time to be in it. There should be rules around noise for park hosts, as well…they were substantially more disruptive than all of the other campers, combined. Just zero consideration around people that spend time/money/gas to enjoy getting away from all of the city noises. Wish I could get my money back.
With that said, the actual park/forest/river are amazing. Just be prepared for it to be noisy while you try to enjoy it. Oh yeah, great restrooms and showers.
ScoutThis is a well-maintained, "polished" campground, perfect for first-time campers or if you're still needing some higher ammenities. They have the nicest camp bathrooms I have seen, and include showers with hot water. They have a self-service area for firewood, ice, and firestarters that you can pay for with card or cash (only up to $5 bills) and then grab what you need. The trash area has a large compactor with recycling and glass bins.
Overall, it's enjoyable and provides a very comfortable camping experience. This is also a very family-friendly campsite, but that meant hearing screaming children well into 10 at night and early in the morning with little time to enjoy to sounds of being out in nature. Children would be riding their bikes up and down the campsite loop yelling and playing, again fine for family-friendly camping but not ideal if you're not there for that.
We stayed at campsite 85 which had little privacy with the neighboring spot of 83. Would be a good spot for a family or group of friends to book out both spots for shared space. Not many trees in ideal spots if you're here during rainy season and need to tie up some shelter. There were ants all over the campsite but they didn't seem to be too much of an issue. A group of deer wandering down the camp road eating plants, seems undisturbed by the presence of humans. Also had a small skunk wander up to our trash bag and try to get in.
This campground is an easy walking distance down a trail to access the trailheads, park, and lodge area (less than a mile). Your camp parking pass also doubles as a day pass to part at any of the surrounding spots in the park if you prefer to drive there.
GuideDeeply forested, gorgeous, well spaced sites, located up an easy road, nearest cell signal is about 4 toward Carson.
Scout
Talked to the owner/operator who said he sold this property a year ago and that this campsite is no longer available.
GuideWe hardly ever stay at State Parks due to we like less people. This visit was wonderful. Our site was very large and private. Campground was very quiet. We enjoyed the miles of hiking trails that were connected to the park. We really enjoyed our stay. Beautiful area!
ScoutCame to Silver Creek Falls fir 3 day family union, from Montana. Never seen such a beautiful area. Planning on coming back for a visit to relation and would love to camp fir a few days would like fees, length of time for tent area, shower, bathroom?
LegendGreat little Campground is located on a popular river for swimming and boating.
Cell: None
Scout
I was planning to potentially camp here but it seems that facilities were damaged in the 2020 fires and they will not be re-established
https://www.reddit.com/r/oregon/comments/151kto5/shellburg\_falls\_santiam\_state\_forest\_oregon/
GuideMy wife and I arrived on a Friday and left the following Tuesday with our 22’ travel trailer. We stayed in RV4 (one out of the five available RV spots) and it had full hookups. The scenery was amazing and I highly suggest the Beacon Rock/River to Beacon Rock hikes.
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. The sites are right next to the highway and train tracks as well, with trains running every 30 minutes or so.
All in all, we had a great time and it was a thoroughly enjoyable place to be. Would definitely return!
GuideThe ancient forest is enchanting. Close proximity to Multonomah Falls. Pros - bathrooms with electric outlets, free showers, deer come close and are fun to watch, quiet & fairly private stay. Cons - air port close by has low flying jets, recent bear sightings posted & no bear box or bear safe trash cans. The trash can located at our site had half eaten McDonald’s left in the can.
GuideThis campsite was spacious and a short 5-minute drive to the Trail of Ten Waterfalls hike. The park rangers are quite attentive and friendly. The bathrooms have outlets and are clean. They also have 3 showers, the shower head was interesting but gets the job done. Drivers must keep their cars on the driveways that are at each campsite but it was not an issue for us at all. Just a PSA. The only issue we encountered was raccoons. They didn't get into any of our stuff and were easily scared away, but even while talking by the fire at night, a couple of raccoons would join us. Harmless really. When we visited, there were a ton of families with children so it felt safe. We hiked the Trail of Ten Waterfalls but were told to do a loop for a bit of a shorter hike. (The full hike is about 8 miles, but the loop is about 6 miles where you get to see 7/10 waterfalls -- which are all so beautiful. We were told to do the hike in a clockwise direction. This allows hikers to go downstairs at the beginning of the trail instead of having to go up all of them towards the end of their long hike. I recommend stopping for a map of the trail to know which falls you are at. We enjoyed coffee, Italian soda, and huckleberry ice cream at the cafe next to the trailhead after our hike.
TravelerRv sites were quite private for a state park. Loved that the campground was within walking distance of the Falls. Clean bathrooms, easy to use firewood and ice purchase and super friendly camp hosts
GuideMy favorite type of campground! Feels remote, quiet, clean, well established with giant mossy trees and a river rushing through the camp.
The pit toilets were very clean and there were only 3 or 4 other groups camping.
The sound of the creek lulled us to sleep and we woke bright and early to the sound of birds and chittering squirrels.
We stayed in site 19. The sites have a lot of green space between them so I would imagine that even if there were a lot of people in the campground, it wouldn’t feel crowded. There were also lots of paths that led to the river.
10/10 would recommend and we’ll be visiting there again.
Guide
I really enjoyed this campground and had a beautiful spot (see pics). We originally were assigned #1 and that was literally next to the parking lot. Because of a mix up (a car was parked in our spot) the ranger let us move to site #35. He was really nice! The campground host who greeted us upon arrival was friendly too. We came to this campground with friends on the first summer-weather like weekend. The lake was nice and just a little walk from the campsite. The only drawback and reason for 3 stars is the boulders in front of campsites. If you were in a tent no problem because everything would be on one side. The issue is that they are between the fire pit/picnic table and your rv/trailer! I fell over one in the dark and a camper in a group scratched his leg.
TravelerThis is a great little cozy location. Many beginner trails. Clean and respectful staff. However the parking machine was not working when o arrived.
TravelerBrought our 8 foot travel trailer, and made a reservation in advance. They left our pre ordered firewood at our camp spot, so rad! Camp spots were nice sized and not too close surrounded by Beautiful ancient trees :) had a lovely time hiking down to the river as well.
Great quick get away from the city
GuideThis is a beautiful campground with nice, shaded campsites. I was planning to stay a few days and hike to the waterfalls, but with an AQI in the unhealthy range, I will be leaving tomorrow. I hope I can get back here some day.
TravelerThis is a great park to visit and camp at- it's far enough away from Portland to allow for peace and beautiful stars at night, yet close enough to be a quick trip back to civilization. I stayed here for 2 nights while visiting Portland. I found this to be the closest campground to Portland that wasn't specifically for RV's. I stayed on a Thurs& Fri night in September and it wasn't crowded at all- most sites were empty. The bathrooms here are really clean and warm, they have showers with hot water, and best of all- security at night! The park gate closes at 8pm and a security guard is on duty for the night. This level of security offers a real peace of mind. There is no service available here, allowing for true un-plugging. They also have life jackets hanging near entries to water which I found to be a nice amenity. The park itself is nice enough but my 5-star rating is really for the camping- I would certainly recommend this campground for anyone looking to camp close to Portland.
Camping near Welches, Oregon, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking to pitch a tent or park your RV, there are plenty of options to explore.
Camping near Welches, Oregon, has something for everyone. Whether you're with family or friends, there's plenty to enjoy in the great outdoors!
Frequently Asked Questions
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 with a 4.4-star rating from 36 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Welches, OR?
TheDyrt.com has all 18 equestrian camping locations near Welches, OR, with real photos and reviews from campers.
