Undated photo of Northrup Creek Horse Campground.
Oregon Department of Forestry
While most Oregon campgrounds get booked months in advance, the Oregon Department of Forestry wants people to know there’s a way to find one on short notice.
ODF said people should consider exploring some of Oregon’s less-traveled state forest campgrounds.
“Try searching for a horse campground,” said Tim Hoffman, a spokesman for the forestry department. “They have corals and access to water and manure bins. But there’s also areas for tent camping.”
Hoffman said people don’t think regular campers can book a horse camp, but in a few cases, they can. And these sites don’t require horses or pack animals are are generally accessible by vehicles, and not just by horseback.
“They’re all drive-in sites, because they’re set up for horse trailers,” he said. “For the tent camping area there’s a common small parking area.”
Undated photo of Santiam Horse Campground in Santiam State Forest, Oregon.
Oregon Department of Forestry
Hikers and mountain bikers are allowed on horse trails. But anything with a motor is prohibited.
The Oregon State Parks department runs the majority of Oregon campgrounds, and horse sites on state park land require campers to have horses or pack animals with them. But that’s not the case with the four sites ODF is recommending.
The hidden ODF gems include Northrup Creek Horse Camp in the Clatsop State Forest; the Santiam Horse Camp in the Santiam State Forest; and Reehers Camp in the Tillamook State Forest.
ODF Recreation, Education and Interpretation Program Manager Joe Offer said these sites “typically enjoy lower visitation, even during busy summer weekends.”
Sites can be booked on the Reserve America website, which stipulates for each campground how many sites are available and which ones require pack animals.
At Northrup Creek, for example, there are eight reservable equestrian sites and three reservable drive-in campsites. Reehers Camp offers nine reservable equestrian sites and seven reservable drive-in non equestrian sites.
“Our developed recreation sites provide opportunities for recreationalists of all sorts,” Offer said. ”Whether you’re camping, hiking, riding horses, or just enjoying the trees, you’re able to find a place for you in Oregon’s state forests, our common ground.”
For campers, hikers or cyclists unfamiliar with horse camps or trails, the Back Country Horsemen of Oregon have put together a guide to sharing the trails.
Undated photo of Oregon Forestry Department staff at Oregon campground.
Oregon Department of Forestry
Clarification: This story was updated to reflect that Oregon State Parks maintains the majority of campgrounds in the state and that state parks horse camping site requirements differ from those at the Oregon Department of Forestry sites mentioned above. Additional links and context have also been provided.
