Horse Riding and Camping
There are plenty of places for horseback riders and campers to explore in Mt. Hood National Forest. Please review the following guidelines for equestrians to help protect the Forest's resources and make everyone's visit more enjoyable.
- Weed-free feed is required in all Oregon & Washington National Forests and Grasslands. Learn more about weed-free forage in the State of Oregon.
- Equestrians should do their best to control their horse, avoid cross-country riding, and avoid tying stock to trees for prolonged periods.
Horseback Riding
Recommended best practices for equestrians and their stock:
- Stay on the trails. Ride single-file in the middle of the path, and don’t detour around puddles, snowbanks, or other obstacles if you can go through them. Instead, stay on the trail to avoid creating wider or parallel trails. Don’t take shortcuts or cut across the switchbacks; this can trample and tear out plants and create additional trails that could be more prone to erosion.
- Minimize your impact. Try your best to avoid fragile or sensitive areas, like wet meadows or marshy ground, to help protect the natural resources. Instead, keep your stock on dry, firm ground when possible. Always pack out what you packed in.
- Be courteous. Please be respectful of other trail users - like bikers and hikers - just as they should be respectful toward you. Offer the right of way to other riders, bikers, or hikers when possible. If it’s too difficult to move your horse off a narrow trail, politely ask them to step off on the downhill side. Try to spread horse manure versus leaving a large pile in the middle of a shared trail.
Horse Camping
Also called equestrian campgrounds, horse camps and stock sites are designed and intended specifically for anyone camping with a horse or other stock animal. There is a limited number of horse camps available for equestrians to use on Willamette National Forest.
Search for Horse Riding and Camping Opportunities
Harralson Horse Camp
Site Closed
Although located away from the lake, this small horse camp offers a quiet camping opportunity for equestrians away from the busy North Waldo and Islet Campgrounds. While there are no equestrian…
Harralson Trail #4364
This trail makes a slight easterly ascent, passing through Harralson Horse Camp on its way to junction with the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail (PCNST). Portions of the trail east of Harralson…
Harralson Trailhead
Site Closed
This trailhead provides access to:Harralson Trail #4364Jim Weaver Loop Trail (Waldo Lake Trail) #3590Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail # 2000See Trail page for more information.
Helen Lake Trail #3577
From the Taylor Burn Road, the trail drops off toward Helen Lake. The lake is crystal clear and surrounded by glaciated rock. It is a good swimming lake and when in season, has an ample supply of…
Helen Lake Trailhead
Site Closed
This trailhead provides access to:Helen Lake Trail #3577See Trail page for more information.
Hemlock Butte Trail #3620
This trail starts in a mature, multi-aged stand of Douglas fir, mountain hemlock, noble fir, and pacific silver fir. The climb is a steady grade until the final 0.1 mile, which becomes a scramble up…
Horse Creek Trail #3514
Beginning at Horse Creek Trailhead, Horse Creek Trail #3514 heads east and crosses Horse Creek before entering the Three Sisters Wilderness. This crossing currently has a foot bridge for hikers and a…
Hunts Creek Trail #3440 - Hunts Cove
This trail lends itself to a loop hike from Pamelia Lake Trailhead and is one of the most popular backpacking trips in the Mount Jefferson Wilderness offering views of Mount Jefferson, panoramic…
Indigo Lake Trail #3649
The trail winds through open stands of mountain hemlock, Pacific silver fir and high mountain meadows before reaching Indigo Lake. Named for its intense, deep blue color, the lake lies nestled below…
Irish Mountain Trail #3588
This is a good trail with moderate grades through an alpine forest to Otter Lake. From there, the trail proceeds through a small meadow and then heads northeast along a ridge top. The trail grade is…