Riley Horse Campground

Overview

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.

Recreation

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.

Facilities

The campground offers single-family equestrian campsites. Most of the sites are equipped with horse corrals or cross rail hitching posts, tables and campfire rings with grills. Accessible vault toilets and drinking water are provided. Horse owners are responsible for cleaning up after their horses.

The campsites are intended for equestrians, but may be used by others. McNeil Campground (1/4 mile away) and Lost Creek (1 �½ miles away) are good alternative sites for those without horses. McNeil does not accept reservations. Horse corrals or hitching racks are provided at the sites.

Natural Features

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.

Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (503) 622-3191.

Nearby Attractions

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.

Camp site features

Across 13 camp sites:

  • Fire pit: all 13 sites
  • Pets allowed: all 13 sites
  • Longest RV: 35 ft
  • Largest party: 6 people

Directions

From Sandy, travel Highway 26 for 18 miles to Zigzag. Turn north onto Lolo Pass Road. Continue for about 4 miles, then turn right on Forest Road 1825 and continue for less than a mile. Bear right, staying on Forest Road 1825, and cross the Sandy River Bridge. Continue for another half-mile, to Forest Roads 1825-382. Turn right, cross Lost Creek Bridge, and the campground will be almost immediately on the right.

Stay Limit

Check in from 2 PM, check out by 12 PM.

Reviews

16 reviews
5 stars
8
4 stars
6
3 stars
2
Jon p
Loop:Area Riley
Site:
Reviewed 2 months ago
We are self contained so I can't speak for bathrooms. We love that it's close to home and a nice quiet campground in the woods. The river is a close walk, and it's to hear the horses in camp.
Bob & Ann B
Loop:Area Riley
Site:
Reviewed a year ago
This a a popular camp site. A mix of equestrian riders and traditional campers. Trails are fairly clear with an occasional log to traverse around or cut out of your way. I was surprised to see mountain bikers daily on cast creek trail in the Mt Hood Wilderness! Seems the Forest Service could do a little more patrolling. . .
Israel E
Loop:Area Riley
Site:
Reviewed 3 years ago
It was a nicely maintained camp. Good area. Sadly, no horses. We were happy to be able to use the camp, because we don't have any horses and the camp we first tried was full, so this was close to where we wanted to go. The only drawbacks were that there was just a lot of loud partying late Saturday and Sunday nights. The smoke in the area was pretty hard to handle, though of course, that was not the fault of the campsite, just the season, climate change and all that.
Judy A
Loop:Area Riley
Site:
Reviewed 3 years ago
Beautiful camp! We were in site 4, which has a slight incline for sleeping in my trailer, but it was manageable. My only criticism of the actual camp is that there was no toilet paper in the outhouse for the first 24 hours we were there on a holiday weekend, and then sparsely provided for the 3 days after. A lot of the sites were non-horse campers but I get it--if horse people don't reserve the sites, they let non-horse campers use them. It was just disappointing to see such a cool camp under used by equestrians. I would definitely stay there again. I recommend sites 5 and up--that end of the camp is flatter and has more shade. But we reserved pretty late (about 2 weeks before the holiday weekend) and felt lucky to get a site at all. Also, the website still says some of the sites only have hitch rails--that is not true. They have installed new corrals into many of those hitch rail sites!
Dana S
Loop:Area Riley
Site:
Reviewed 4 years ago
We've camped here a couple times this season with friends and really enjoyed it. Small campground, but peaceful. Have stayed at sites #5 and #7, both which are great, but overall site #7 is the best in my opinion. Only recommendation would be for the bathrooms to be checked and restocked more frequently. Doesn't seem to be any official camp host that I could tell, but someone that does drive by once a day. Our last visit the bathroom nearest our campsite was never restocked, but luckily I had brought my own tp, lol.
Brian N
Loop:Area Riley
Site:
Reviewed 4 years ago
Love that campground! Had the reservation for months. No water! Pumps were broken. Made camping a bit harder to provide for horses.
Availability

See the Camp Sites section below to find detailed booking availability.

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Season dates

Peak season

May 22, 2027 – Sep 8, 2027

Reservable online

Peak season

May 22, 2028 – Sep 8, 2028

Reservable online

Camp Sites

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