Horse Riding

Horse Riding Areas

• Heppner Ranger District

  The Heppner Ranger District is located in Heppner, Oregon. The District embraces 212,213 acres of the beautiful Blue Mountains, which includes portions of Grant, Morrow, Umatilla, and Wheeler Counties. There are approximately 500 miles of open roads to travel on, 27 miles of trails to hike, and 248 miles of streams that flow into 3 major rivers within Eastern Oregon.

• Alder Creek Trail #3051
• Bald Mountain Trail #3058
• Coalmine Hill Campground
• Copple Butte Trail #3052
• Hells Half Acre Trail #3062
• Madison Butte Trail #3054
• Martin Prairie Trail #3064
• Skookum Trail #3053
• Willow Creek Trail #3063
• North Fork John Day Ranger District

  The North Fork John Day District is 465,000 acres in the heart of the Blue Mountains. Diversity and complexity are key words in management of this land and its abundant resources. Plant communities range from juniper/sage/bunch grass at the 2,600 feet elevation in the Potamus Creek area to subalpine fir/whitebark pine habitats at the 8,000 feet elevation near Vinegar Hill in the Greenhorn Mountain Scenic Area

• Basin Creek Trail #3006

  Basin Creek Trail enters the west side of the North Fork John Day Wilderness and ends after 1.3 miles at it's junction with Glade Creek Trail #3014.

  Downloadable trail map

• Basin Trailhead
• Ben Harrison Trail #3173
• Big Creek Meadows Campground
• Big Creek Trail #3151

  This 6.3 mile trail travels within North Fork John Day Wilderness near Big Creek. It runs southwest from Big Creek Meadows Campground and Trailhead off of Forest Service Road 52 to  Oriental Creek Trailhead on Forest Service Road 5506 near Oriental Campground.

  Trail map

• Blue Mountain Trail #6141
• Cold Spring Trail #3008

  This trail begins at Glade Creek/Cold Springs Trailhead and enters North Fork John Day Wilderness where it joins Glade Creek Trail #3014.

  Trail map

• Glade Creek/Cold Springs Trailhead
• Corral Connection Trail #3050
• Corral Creek Trail #3009
• Cougar Creek Trail #3007
• Crane Creek Trail #3011

  This 5.1 mile trail begins at Crane Creek Flats, Forest Service Road #73 at Crane Creek Trailhead north of Granite Oregon. This trail accesses North Fork John Day Wilderness and ends at its junction with North Fork John Day River Trail #3022

  Trail map

• Crane Creek Trailhead
• Fitzwater Trail #3010
• Forks Trail #3019

  This trail begins at Forks Trailhead adjacent to Forks Guard Station, south of Forest Service Road 52 on Forest Service Road 5225. The 6.8 mile trail is within North Fork John Day Wilderness. The trail heads south to end at Forest Service Road 5225 near Silver Butte.

  Heading south there are junctions with Corral Creek Trail #3009, Miner's Cabin Trail #3186, Fitzwater Trail #3010, Moon Meadow Trail #3042, and Paradise Trail #3023.

  Trail map

• Forks Trailhead
• Glade Creek Trail #3014
• Granite Creek Trail #3016

  This 3.4 mile trail begins at Granite Creek Trailhead and ends with its junction with the North Fork John Day River Trail #3022. A large section of the Granite Creek Trail is located within the North Fork John Day Wilderness.

  There is a trail junction with Lake Creek Trail #3018 about one half mile from it's terminus at Trail #3022.

  Trail map

• Granite Creek Trailhead
• Lake Creek Trail #3018

  This trail begins on Forest Road #1010 at Lake Creek Trailhead, near O'Rourck Springs and enters North Fork John Day Wilderness.

  The 4.9 mile trail heads northeast to end at its junction with Granite Creek Trail #3016 about a half a mile from the #3016 junction with  North Fork John Day River Trail #3022.

• Lake Creek Trailhead, N. Fork John Day Wilderness
• Lost Creek Trail #3002

  This trail begins at Lost Creek Trailhead on Forest Service Road 10 and heads south into North Fork John Day Wilderness just east of Olive Lake Campground. The 5.1 miles trail ends at its junction with Blue Mountain Trail #6141.

• Lost Creek Trailhead
• Lost Lake Trail #3020

  This trail begins at Lost Lake/Lake Creek Trailhead and heads south to end at Trail #6141.

• Miner's Cabin Trail #3186

  This one mile trail begins at Miner's Cabin Trailhead and travels west through North Fork John Day Wilderness and ends at Forks Trail #3019.

  There is not much parking at the trailhead.

  Directions:

  From Ukiah, OR, travel about 23 miles to Forest Road 5226/5225 junction.  Turn right (south) onto Forest Road 5225 and travel about 4.5 miles south to Miners Cabin Trailhead.

  From Granite, OR head north on Forest Road 73 for 8.6 miles. Then continue northwest on Forest Road 52 for about 17 miles. Then turn left (south) on Forest Road 5225 and travel about 5 miles to Miner's Cabin Trailhead.

• Miner's Cabin Trailhead
• Moon Meadows Trail #3042

  This trail accesses North Fork John Day Wilderness. It begins at Moon Meadow Trailhead on Forest Service Road 5225 and ends at its junction with Forks Trail #3019.

  Directions:From Ukiah, OR, travel about 23 miles to Forest Road 5226/5225 junction.  Turn right (south) onto Forest Road 5225 and travel about 7.5 miles south to Moon Meadows.  The trailhead is located on the left side of the road where there is an information board.  Farther along the un-numbered road to the left is a rustic outhouse.

  From Granite, OR, head north on Forest Road 73 for 8.6 miles. Then continue northwest on Forest Road 52 for about 17 miles. Then turn left (south) on Forest Road 5225 and travel about 7.5 miles to the Moon Meadow Trailhead, about 4.5 miles beyond Forks Guard Station.
• Moon Meadow Trailhead
• North Crane Trail #3171
• North Fork John Day Campground
• North Fork John Day River Trail #3022

  This trail begins at North Fork John Day Trailhead within the Campground. This 22.9 mile trail travels east along along the Wild and Scenic North Fork John Day River within North Fork John Day Wilderness and ends at Oriental Creek Trailhead on Forest Service Road 5506.

  This trail is popular for its fishing, hunting, hiking, and pack and saddle recreation opportunities.

• North Fork John Day Trailhead
• North Fork John Day Wilderness: Umatilla
• North Winom Creek Trail #3160
• Oriental Campground
• Packsaddle Trail #3029

  This trail begins at Packsaddle Trailhead and Forest Service Road 52 and ends Moon Meadow Trail #3042.

  Packsaddle Trail #3029 is an ATV trail until it enters the North For John Day Wilderness at 1.5 miles. Motor vehicles and bikes are prohibited within designated Wilderness areas.

  Silver Butte US Forest Service Topo Map

• Packsaddle Trailhead
• Paradise Trail #3023
• Saddle Camp Trail #3035
• Silver Butte Trail #3025
• Silver Hill Trail #3033
• South Fork Desolation Trail #3001

  This trail begins at Forest Service Road 45, just before it crosses the South Fork Desolation Creek and ends at the junction of the Blue Mountain Trail #6141 and Lost Creek Trail #3002, at the southern border of the Greenhorn Unit of the North Fork John Day Wilderness.

• South Winom Creek Trail #3153
• Tower Mountain Trail #3156
• Wagner Gulch Trail #3031
• Welch Creek Campground & Trailhead
• Pomeroy Ranger District

  The Pomeroy Ranger District, the northern-most District of the Umatilla National Forest, is located within the Blue Mountains of southeastern Washington and northeastern Oregon. These mountains are made up of high plateaus, deeply cut by an intricate system of steep-walled, rim-rock canyons, offering excellent views of the canyons and area surrounding them.

• Big Springs Campground
• Clearwater Big House Cabin
• Clearwater Lookout Cabin
• Cross Canyon Trail #3242

  Cross Canyon Trail is open to foot and horse traffic only, since it is located within the Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness. The trail begins at Cross Canyon Trailhead and descends gradually with switchbacks to the Wenaha River which offers spectacular views. Practice Leave-No-Trace camping ethics. Pack all garbage out.

  The trail is rocky in areas and may beovergrown.  Due to budget cuts this trail may not maintained.

  Alert: The lower section of this trail may have rattlesnakes so be extremely careful. Many camping and fishing opportunities are available. The Wenaha River must be crossed to access other trails.

• Cross Canyon Trailhead
• East Butte Trail #3112
• Elk Flats Trail #3241

  This trail begins at the Elk Flats Trailhead and ends at Wenaha Forks. This trail is maintained for foot and horse traffic since it is located within the Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness.

  From Elk Flats Trailhead, the trail drops drastically for 1.5 miles to a flat, which lasts 0.5 miles, and then descends 3 miles gradually to the Wenaha Forks area on the Wenaha River.

   The trail is often heavily laden with mosquitoes at the trailhead and on past the flat section along the trail. Access to the Wenaha River and to fishing opportunities are available off this trail. There are many camping sites at the Wenaha Forks area. Views of the South Fork of the Wenaha drainage are available on the lower sections of the trail. The river must be crossed to access other trails, such as the Wenaha River Trail #3106. 

  Practice Leave-No-Trace camping ethics. Pack all garbage out.

  Topo Maps: Wenaha Forks. Download free U.S. Forest Service Topo Maps here.

• Godman Campground/Trailhead
• Godman Guard Station
• Grizzly Bear Ridge Trail #3121
• Grizzly Bear Trail #3103
• Hoodoo Trail #3244

  Hoodoo Trail is an access route to the Wenaha River area where hiking and fishing opportunities abound.  The trail begins at the Hoodoo Trailhead and travels north into Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness to meet the Wenaha River Trail #3106 on the Wild and Scenic Wenaha River. It is maintained for foot and horse traffic only, and is characterized by many switchbacks, which aid the steady descent of elevation from Hoodoo to the Wenaha River.

  Viewpoints along the trail offer terrific sights of the Wenaha drainage. The lower sections of the trail may have rattlesnakes, so caution is advised.

  Practice Leave-No-Trace camping ethics. Pack all garbage out. 

  Topo Maps: Eden. Download free U.S. Forest Service Topo Maps here.

• Indian Tom Trail
• Jelly Springs Trail #3110
• July Ridge Trail #3120

  This trail is within Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness. This trail begins at Kelly Camp Trailhead on Forest Service Road 4030 (Diamond Peak Road) and ends at its junctions with Low Saddle Trail #3122, First Creek Trail #3114.

  View a map here

• Kelly Camp Trailhead
• Meadow Creek Trail #3123

  This trail begins at Meadow Creek Trailhead and ends on Forest Service Road 4608 and is maintained for ATV, motorbikes, mountain bikes, foot, and horse user groups. The trail follows along Meadow Creek for 3 miles before it climbs in elevation to the Godman area.

• Meadow Creek Trailhead
• Melton Creek Trail #3124
• Mt. Misery Trail #3113
• North Fork Asotin Creek Trail #3125
• Oregon Butte Trail #3134
• Packer's Trail #3126
• Panjab Trail #3127

  This trail begins at Panjab Trailhead and ends at Indian Corral Area. It is well-maintained trail open to only foot and horseback travel since it is located within the Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness.

  The trail follows a gentle incline along the Panjab Creek for the first 3 miles. The next two miles climb up to the Indian Corral area where the trail evens out on the ridge top.

• Panjab Trailhead
• Rattlesnake Trail #3129

  This trail begins at Rattlesnake Trailhead within Panjab Campground and ends at the Indian Corral area within Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness. It is maintained for foot and horse use only. The trail starts off in a wooded area and climbs steadily for a mile. The next 1.5 miles is steep and rocky with many switchbacks. Towards the top, the trail evens out and follows along the ridge top to the Indian Corral area. 

  The Rattlesnake Trail is a lightly used trail because of its steepness and dryness. Water is available for stock at the bottom and there are springs along the ridge top.

  A 13 mile loop may be made by hiking up Rattlesnake Trail to Indian Corral area, coming down the Panjab Trail #3127 to Panjab Trailhead, and traveling the main road 3 miles north back to Panjab Campground. Stock facilities are available at Panjab Trailhead. No camping with stock allowed at Panjab Campground.

  Practice Leave-No-Trace camping ethics. Pack all garbage out. 

• Rattlesnake Trailhead
• Saddle Spring Trailhead
• Sawtooth Trail #3256

  This trail begins at the Sawtooth Trailhead and travels south for 14 miles through Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness to end at Wenaha River Trail #3106.  It is maintained for foot and horse use only, since it is located within the Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness. Sawtooth is maintained annually. The trail follows the Sawtooth Ridge and finally descends steep descent to the Wenaha River.

  Sawtooth Trail offers seclusion into rugged areas of the Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness. Many opportunities for spectacular views await the traveler. Alert: Portions of the trail are steep and rocky, thus it is not one of the more traveled trails.

  Practice Leave-No-Trace camping ethics. Pack all garbage out.

• Sawtooth Trailhead
• Slick Ear Trail #3104

  This trail begins at Slick Ear Trailhead and ends at the National Scenic Wenaha River and meets Wenaha River Trail #3106.

  It is maintained for foot and horse use only, since it is located within the Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness.

  The first mile of the trail winds along a ridge top. The trail then drops in elevation drastically for a half a mile. This part of the trail is steep with many switchbacks until the canyon bottom is reached. The trail then follows a gentle decline along Slick Ear Creek to the Wenaha River.

  This trail is lightly used and offers access to the Wenaha River area. Parking is very limited at the trailhead. The view of the North Fork of the Wenaha drainage along Slick Ear Trail is spectacular from the top. Water is abundant for stock once the canyon bottom is reached. Practice Leave-No-Trace camping ethics. Pack all garbage out. 

  Topo Maps: Godman Spring, Wenaha Forks. Download free U.S. Forest Service Topo Maps here.

• Slick Ear Trailhead
• Smooth Ridge Trail #3105
• Teepee Trailhead
• Three Forks Trail #3133

  This 3.3 mile trail is within Crooked Creek Trail #3100 (area is unavailable). It is an access trail to the Crooked Creek Canyon. The trail descends 1700' in 3 miles, but it is well graded with many switchbacks.

  Three Forks Trail is one of the first trails that opens in the spring. Because of its low elevation and southern slopes, the trail dries out quickly and becomes very dusty, but Crooked Creek at the bottom of the trail awaits to cool down travelers. The view of the Crooked Creek Canyon and the Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness is breathtaking.

  The access roads to the trailhead are graveled.Alert: The trail is notorious for rattlesnakes, so caution is a necessity. 

  Topo Maps: Diamond Peak. Download free U.S. Forest Service Topo Maps here.

• Three Forks Trailhead
• Tucannon Trail #3135

  This trail begins at the Bear Creek Trail #3110. (area is unavailable)

  This is a well-maintained trail with the beginning portions located within the Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness. The trail follows for 4 miles at a gentle incline along the Tucannon River until it connects with Bear Creek Trail.

• Turkey Creek Trail #3136
• Twin Buttes Trailhead
• Wenaha River Trail #3106
• Wenatchee Guard Station
• Wenatchee Trail #3137

  The beginning of the trail is located 0.25 miles west of the Wenatchee Guard Station on Forest Service Road 43. From this location, the trail drops off the south face of the ridge into the Menatchee drainage. The first 3 miles is very steep. The remaining 5 miles follow the creek. The trail ends at West Fork Wenatchee Creek.

  This trail offers a beautiful view of the Menatchee drainage. From the top, one can see the snow covered Wallowa's to the south in Oregon, and to the east the Seven Devils in Idaho. Wenatchee Trail is very steep and rugged. Once to the floor bottom, Menatchee Creek offers abundant water for stock, and there are many areas available for camping.

  Practice Leave-No-Trace camping ethics. Pack all garbage out.

• Yearling Ridge Trail #3140
• Walla Walla Ranger District

  The Walla Walla Ranger District stretches from Dayton, WA, to the north to I-84 and Meacham, OR, to the south, Elgin, OR, and the Grande Ronde River to the east and the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation to the west. It includes land in five counties and two states with a broad diversity of natural resources and an equally broad diversity of users.

• Buck Creek Trail #3073

  From Buck Creek Trailhead this more difficult trail enters North Fork Umatilla Wilderness and is open to foot and horse traffic only. It follows Buck Creek for 3.5 miles, crossing the creek once where it merges into Lake Creek Trail.  Users should exercise caution on creek crossing during the spring run-off periods.

  The trail is easy going as it climbs only 800’ to where it merges with Lake Creek Trail #3079.  Lake Creek Trail continues approximately 2 more miles up the Lake Creek drainage before leaving the Wilderness area.  Once the trail has left the wilderness area, it continues for another 2 miles until it reaches Forest Service Road #3150.  This portion of the trail travels through clearcuts and burned areas. 

  This trailhead can also access the Ninemile Ridge Trail #3072 and Buck Mountain Trail 3073.

  USGS Quad Maps: Bingham Springs. Download free US Forest Service Topo maps here. 

  View a printable guide for Buck Creek Trail #3073 (PDF file)

• Buck Mountain-Buck Rim Trail #3075
• Burnt Cabin Trail #3226

  This trail begins with at the junction with trail South Fork Walla Walla Trail #3225 and ends at Burnt Cabin Trailhead. The trail provides access to hunting, fishing, camping, and backpacking. The trail is open to hikers, horseback riders, mountain bikers and motorcyclists. Users can expect heavy motorcycle use on weekends during the spring and summer season.

• Corp/Buck Tie Trail #3076
• Corporation / Lick Creek Trailhead
• Coyote Ridge Trailhead
• Fry Meadow Guard Station
• Grouse Mountain Trail #3081
• Lake Creek Trail #3079

  This trail traveserses through the  North Fork Umatilla Wilderness.  This potion of the trail is open to foot and horse traffic only.  This trail begins at the Lake Creek Trailhead and ends at Buck Creek Trail #3073. The first part of the Lake Creek trail from the Lake Creek tralhead to the junction with Buck Mountain-Umatilla Rim is open to motorcycles and bicycles as well as hikers and horses because it outside the Wilderness. This trail also accesses Buck Mountain-Buck Rim Trail #3075 about a mile from the trailhead.

  USGS Quad Map(s): Bingham Springs, Andes Prairies. Download free US Forest Service Topo maps here.

  View a printable guide for Lake Creek Trail #3079 (PDF File)

• Lick Creek Trail #3070
• Luger Springs/Eagle Ridge Trail #3232
• Mottet/Sinks Trail #3233
• Nine Mile Ridge Trail #3072
• North Fork Umatilla River Trail #3083
• North Fork Umatilla Trailhead
• North Fork Umatilla Wilderness
• North Fork Walla Walla Trail #3222
• Rough Fork Trail #3227

  This trail begins at Rough Fork Trailhead and ends at South Fork Walla Walla Trail #3225.  The trail provides access to hunting, fishing, camping, backpacking, and a panoramic view of the upper south Fork Walla Walla River drainage.

• Rough Fork Trailhead
• South Fork Walla Walla Trail #3225

  This trail begins at a BLM trailhead, 0.75 miles past Harris County Park and ends at Deduct Pond on Forest Service Road 65-650 and provides access to hunting, fishing, camping, and backpacking.

• Table Springs/Bear Creek Trail #3223
• Umatilla Rim Trail #3080
• Zig Zag Springs Trailhead
• Wenaha -Tucannon Wilderness