How much does camping cost at Santiam Horse Camp?

Camping fees at Santiam Horse Camp range from $5/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Santiam Horse Camp first-come first-served or reservation?

Santiam Horse Camp accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

What is the best time to visit Santiam Horse Camp?

Santiam Horse Camp is open null. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Santiam Horse Camp?

Santiam Horse Camp does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

How many campsites does Santiam Horse Camp have?

Santiam Horse Camp has 11 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Santiam Horse Camp?

Pets are not allowed at Santiam Horse Camp. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

What amenities are available at Santiam Horse Camp?

Santiam Horse Camp offers: Restrooms, Potable Water. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Santiam Horse Camp?

Popular activities at Santiam Horse Camp include Hiking, Biking. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Santiam Horse Camp

Q: Can I have a campfire at Santiam Horse Camp?

Fire policies at Santiam Horse Camp: Fire restrictions vary based on fire danger and must be checked via the Oregon Department of Forestry.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

4.07

27 reviews

22965 North Fork Road SE, Lyons, Oregon, 97358, United States

Featured in:Mountain Camping Oregon

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

1,732 ft

Price

$5/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

11 campsites

Season

Reopened in early su...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Book on Oregon Department of Forestry

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

1,732 ft

Price

$5/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

11 campsites

Season

Reopened in early su...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Book on Oregon Department of Forestry

Get Directions

Santiam Horse Camp

$5.00 - $5.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Additional vehicles are $5 per night, payable at the campground.

No paid fee categories listed.

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Campground Map

22965 North Fork Road SE, Lyons, Oregon, 97358, United States

Santiam Horse Camp

22965 North Fork Road SE, Lyons, Oregon, 97358, United States

Nearby places

Lyons (null miles), Gates (9 miles from Salem), Salem (30 miles)

Nearby supplies

null

Driving directionsFrom Salem take Highway 22 eastbound 30 miles until you reach the town of Gates. Turn right (south) onto Horeb Road and drive about 300 feet. Turn left from Horeb Road onto Sorbin Street. Drive .3 miles through Gates crossing the river until you reach Gates School Road. Turn right (west) on Gates School Road and drive 1.1 miles until you reach Henness Lane. Turn left (east) at Henness Lane. Pavement ends and becomes gravel road. This is the Monument Peak Road and day-use parking area for access to the Monument Peak Trail System. Drive 1.1 miles up Monument Peak Road until you reach Xmas Tree Road. Turn right (west) on Xmas Tree Road. Drive .3 miles to Santiam Horse Camp.

The haul-in route is over gravel forest road, which can be steep and skinny in places. "I'd recommend 4X4 trucks to be used for hauling more than 2 horses in," according to one user review.

Weather at Santiam Horse Camp

Current alert: Fire restrictions apply based on seasonal fire danger as determined by the Oregon Department of Forestry.

Best Time to Camp at Santiam Horse Camp

Summer delivers the most reliable conditions for trail use. Daytime highs typically reach the mid-70s to mid-80s, nights drop into the 40s and 50s. Trails run dry and dusty, which works well for long rides and hikes. Wildflowers peak in summer meadows. Winter brings cold temperatures and frequent rain or snow, limiting trail access but offering solitude.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Summer noted as most reliable season; trails dry and ideal for riding, hiking, biking.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: null. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Reopened in early summer of 2022.

About Santiam Horse Camp

Santiam Horse Camp reopened after the 2020 fires with 11 sites scattered through regenerating Santiam State Forest near Lyons. The $5/night equestrian-friendly camp provides access to a network of non-motorized trails for horseback riding, mountain biking, and hiking. Nine sites include corrals for horses; two serve non-equestrian campers.

Santiam Horse Camp offers specialized camping options focusing on equestrian use, with 9 equestrian sites and 2 non-equestrian sites available for reservation. "Campers must bring a minimum of one pack or saddle animal to stay in horse camp corral sites," as stated in the official guidelines. Sites are equipped with picnic tables and fire grates.

Historical Significance

The Oregon Department of Forestry and the Silver Falls Chapter of Oregon Equestrian Trails built the campground in 2006. Volunteers contributed 2,000 hours of labor to construct the sites and corrals. The 2020 Labor Day Fires closed the camp until recent reopening.

Weather and SeasonsSummer delivers the most reliable conditions for trail use. Daytime highs typically reach the mid-70s to mid-80s, nights drop into the 40s and 50s. Trails run dry and dusty, which works well for long rides and hikes. Wildflowers peak in summer meadows. Winter brings cold temperatures and frequent rain or snow, limiting trail access but offering solitude.

Elevationnull

Natural Features and SceneryThe 2020 fires exposed geological features that were previously hidden under dense forest canopy. Clear mountain streams cut through volcanic rock and sedimentary deposits, creating the sharp terrain visible from the trail network. New wildflowers and ground vegetation have filled meadows where canopy once blocked sunlight. Charred snags stand among patches of surviving evergreens and fresh growth. At 1,732 feet elevation, the campground sits in the Cascade foothills where you can see the raw geology that fire uncovered.

Geological RegionNestled within the geologically diverse Santiam State Forest, the campground sits amid a fascinating tapestry of volcanic history and sedimentary deposits. Clear mountain streams have carved their paths through unique rock formations over millennia, creating the dramatic terrain that makes each trail ride or hike a journey through deep time. The 2020 fires have unveiled geological features previously hidden by dense forest, offering visitors an unexpected opportunity to witness the raw bones of the Cascade landscape while experiencing firsthand how fire shapes and renews these ancient forests.

Scenic ViewsThe campground is located in a partially burned forest setting and offers a mix of trails and privacy between sites.

Lodging & AccommodationsNo hotel-style lodging accommodations are listed for this campground.

Programs & ActivitiesNo cultural or educational programs are mentioned.

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Check-in

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Stay Limit

Campers must bring a minimum of one pack or saddle animal to stay in horse camp corral sites.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Two vehicles are included with the campsite fee.

Groups

Group site-specific details are not provided.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Site layoutNine equestrian sites include corrals. Two sites serve non-equestrian campers. Reviewers note good privacy between sites. The layout is small to medium-sized with picnic tables and fire grates. Access is via a steep, narrow gravel forest road. One camper recommends a 4x4 truck for hauling more than two horses.

Reservation Platformsnull

Walk-in Availabilitynull

Cancellation Policynull

AccessibilityAccessibility features are not detailed in the provided data.

Site SizeThe campground has small to medium-sized sites equipped with picnic tables and fire grates. Specific dimensions are not provided.

PrivacyAccording to one user, “There's plenty of privacy between sites," which is a positive aspect noted by campers.

Total Campsites11 campsites

Recommended SitesSites provide plenty of privacy and well-maintained trails between and around the campground. Corrals are "made with beefy 10-inch round logs with just enough space for horses to comfortably move around," according to reviews.

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Amenities available

Santiam Horse Camp offers a variety of facilities and amenities primarily geared towards equestrian camping. According to the official sources, the campground includes 9 reservable equestrian campsites and 2 non-equestrian sites, each equipped with picnic tables and fire grates. "Potable water is provided via a hand pump well, and there are 2 vault toilets available on-site," as detailed by the authoritative content. Additionally, there are manure bins and trash services for waste management. Seasonally, fire restrictions may apply, and campers are encouraged to procure firewood locally to minimize the spread of invasive species.

Potable water

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

Activities you can enjoy

Santiam Horse Camp is an ideal destination for outdoor enthusiasts, particularly equestrians, hikers, and bikers. "Trail users travel through miles of diverse forest with clear streams and unique geological formations," according to the official description. After reopening post-wildfire damage, the campground remains a starting point for non-motorized trail systems. Maps and clear signage make navigation easy.

Hiking

Biking

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsGravel roads leading to the campground can be steep and narrow, requiring vehicles like 4X4 trucks. Fire restrictions are in place, and invasive species protection limits firewood transport into Oregon.

No Flush ToiletsFlush toilets are not available. The campground provides 2 vault toilets, as described in the facilities section.

Fire PolicyFire restrictions vary based on fire danger and must be checked via the Oregon Department of Forestry.

Quiet HoursQuiet hours are null

Emergency ServicesClosest emergency service is the Santiam State Forest office at (503) 859-2151.

Trash & RecyclingTrash service is available within the campground. Additional details such as recycling options or pickup schedules are not provided.

Water FeaturesLocated near clear streams.

Camp Host"Hosts are very friendly," according to one user review.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

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Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

From Booking Sources

4.1

27 reviews

Satisfactory

Santiam Horse Camp is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

User feedback highlights the cleanliness and privacy of the campground, as well as the quality of the trails and facilities. Many appreciate the recent reopening, although some mention the challenging access road.

Review Summaries

Based on 27 reviews

What Campers Love

Users praised the privacy between sites, the helpful maps and signage, and the sturdy corrals for horses.

Based on 27 reviews

Common Concerns

The gravel access road to the campground was noted as steep and narrow in places, which may require a 4x4 vehicle for hauling larger loads.

Based on 27 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Specific campsite numbers are not discussed in user reviews.

Based on 27 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

One user recommends using a 4x4 truck for hauling more than 2 horses due to the steep and narrow gravel roads.

Based on 27 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Reviews do not provide detailed seasonal experiences beyond the reopening in 2022. However, it is worth noting that fire restrictions and trail conditions may vary with the seasons.

Based on 27 reviews

Camper Quotes

"There's plenty of privacy between sites, well-established trails between and around the campground, and very easy access to tons of different trails." - Robert Mosher. "It's still there, super clean...

Based on 27 reviews

Accessibility Features

No information related to accessibility features or experiences is provided.

Based on 27 reviews

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Go if

Horse campers who want real solitude at a bargain price will find solid corrals, good site privacy, and trail access right from camp. Summer is the reliable window, with dry trails and wildflowers in the burn meadows.

Skip if

Hauling more than two horses? The access road is steep, narrow gravel, and at least one reviewer says you'll want a 4x4. Non-equestrian campers have only two sites to choose from, and there's no flush toilet.

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30725 N Fork Ln SE, Lyons, OR 97358

Elkhorn Valley Recreation Site sits in the forested low country near Lyons, managed by the Bureau of Land Management. This budget-friendly campground offers tent camping with vault toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables, and serves as a base for hiking burned slopes and swimming in the nearby river. Reviewers praise the quiet setting and clean facilities, though day-use crowds and occasional noise can intrude on the experience.