Whitefish Horse Camp
In Deschutes National Forest, Whitefish Horse Campground offers visitors some of the most stunning scenery in central Oregon and easy access to an abundance of recreational activities in the Cascade region. A favorite among horse enthusiasts, the campground looks out onto the waters of Crescent Lake. With snow-capped peaks, high elevation lakes, scenic rivers, and several wilderness areas located nearby, this campground offers visitors the opportunity to experience both the serene and wild aspects of central Oregon.
More like this: reservable in Oregon · big rigs in Oregon · pets allowed in Oregon
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Equestrian | 17 |
Site guide
17 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Surface | People / vehicles | Fires | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 002 | Back-in | Gravel | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 004 | Back-in | Gravel | 12 / 2 | Yes | Standard |
| 005 | Back-in | Gravel | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 006 | Back-in | Gravel | 6 / 2 | Yes | Standard |
| 007 | Back-in | Gravel | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 008 | Back-in | Gravel | 12 / 2 | Yes | Standard |
| 009 | Back-in | Gravel | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 010 | Back-in | Gravel | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 011 | Back-in | Gravel | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 012 | Back-in | Gravel | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Max vehicle length | 50 ft |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
The campground has 17 large equestrian sites, each equipped with double or quadruple metal corrals. Sites 008, 013 and 018 have four horse stalls, while all the others have two horse stalls. Picnic tables, campfire rings/grills, and ample room for parking vehicles and trailers are available at each site. Drinking water is also available, as is access to vault toilets. Horse campgrounds have been designed to accommodate people who need to corral their horses. With a limited number of these kinds of campgrounds, please consider camping in one of the many other campgrounds nearby if you do not have a horse. This horse camp is open usually by Memorial Day, or after snow levels recede. It stays open until snow blocks the road, typically around Thanksgiving. However, water and host services may not be provided after early October.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Closed for the season. Forest Service sites close for the season; check the official page for the reopening date. |
| Forest | Deschutes National Forest |
| Booking | Reservations can be made online through Recreation.gov or by calling toll free 1-877-444-6777 (International 606-515-6777 or TDD 877-833-6777). |
| Fees | 2-Horse Campsite Rate: $23/night. 4-Horse Campsite Rate: $27/night. One vehicle included with reservation – Each Additional Vehicle: $10.00. NOTE: Holders of a Golden Age and Golden Access Passports and Senior and Access Passes are entitled to the following discounts on expanded amenity recreation… |
| Rules | Maximum site spur length is 50 feet. As part of a larger effort to reduce invasive species on national forest lands, weed-free feed is required on the Deschutes National Forest. Locate a weed-free feed vendor near you. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From I-5, take exit 188A towards Oakridge, continue on Hwy 58 for 69.3 miles, then turn right at NF Road 60 and continue for 2.2 miles. Turn right at Crescent Lake Road and continue for 1.2 miles. Make a slight right at NF Road 60 and travel for 3.5 miles to your destination on the left.
| Nearest town | Crescent, Oregon |
| Coordinates | 43.4656° N, 122.0314° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedRx Cold Springs
17 mi from the campground · 158 acres
- PrescribedJunction Rx
44 mi from the campground
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| RV sales & service | Blue Compass RV Bend ↗ | 55.5 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
White Horse Lake 2025
Worth a stop
Visitors can explore wilderness areas, wild and scenic rivers, lakes and reservoirs, and approximately 1,600 miles of trails in the 2.5 million-acre Deschutes National Forest and adjacent Ochoco National Forest. Lava Lands Visitor Center in Bend, Oregon, is a great starting point for visitors to learn about the diverse landscape and history of the area through interpretive programs and exhibits. Visitors may also enjoy traveling the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway. The 66-mile drive through the Cascade Mountain range, weaves through snow-capped peaks and alpine lakes, highlighting the beauty of central Oregon.
- under 0.1 miTandy Bay Picnic Area ↗Day use
- 3.8 miCrescent Lake Boat Launch ↗Boat launch
- 4 miSimax Beach Picnic Area ↗Day use
- 8.2 miTrapper Creek Boat Launch ↗Boat launch
- 10.8 miMarilyn Lakes Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 11.7 mi
Trails nearby
- 0.3 miSummit Lake Run ↗8 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
- 0.5 miWindy Lakes4.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.6 miWhitefish Creek ↗11.4 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 0.6 miOldenburg Lake ↗7.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 2.8 miSnell Lake ↗4.9 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 2.8 miMeek Lake2.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
Diamond Peak Wilderness begins about 0.4 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 0.4 miDiamond Peak Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 52,496 acres
- 5.1 miDeschutes National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,870,116 acres
- 10.2 miUmpqua National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,035,837 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
Natural features
Cresent Lake is nestled in a naturally glaciated basin behind a moraine dam, east of the towering Cascade Mountain Range. Its brilliant blue-green water, sandy beaches, and water temperature are exceptional for a high-elevation lake. The area provides habitat for mammals such as mule deer, coyote, and cougar. These species, along with many others, depend on surrounding undeveloped wilderness, clean streams, and diverse forests to live.
Recreation
A favorite among horse enthusiasts, the campground provides visitors with access to a variety of trails. Lakes, lava flows, and forested areas provide the backdrop for many of these rides. Whitefish Creel Trail is popular with both hikers and horseback riders. This trail can be accessed from the west end of Crescent Lake and follows Whitefish Creek up through lodgepole pines to a beautiful view of Diamond Peak at Diamond View Lake. From there, the trail descends along Trapper Creek through Engelmann spruce and white fir to the west end of Odell Lake. Equestrians may want to traverse at least a portion of the spectacular Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), one of America's premier National Scenic Trails. This trail showcases some of North America's most fantastic scenery, winding its way its way from Mexico to Canada through California, Oregon and Washington. Portions of the trail traverse Diamond Peak at timberline. Wilderness passes are required for this trail.
Guidebooks for Oregon
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Whitefish Horse Camp?
Sites at Whitefish Horse Camp are reservable on Recreation.gov. Reservations can be made online through Recreation.gov or by calling toll free 1-877-444-6777 (International 606-515-6777 or TDD 877-833-6777). Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Whitefish Horse Camp?
2-Horse Campsite Rate: $23/night. 4-Horse Campsite Rate: $27/night. One vehicle included with reservation – Each Additional Vehicle: $10.00.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Whitefish Horse Camp?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Whitefish Horse Camp open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Whitefish Horse Camp have?
17 sites, including 17 equestrian sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Whitefish Horse Camp?
The longest site here provides 50 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are pets allowed at Whitefish Horse Camp?
Yes, pets are allowed at Whitefish Horse Camp. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Whitefish Horse Camp?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there are 2 active fires within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one. Maximum site spur length is 50 feet.
Source: Fire nearby
Is there cell service at Whitefish Horse Camp?
FCC coverage maps show Verizon 4G LTE and AT&T 4G LTE at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Whitefish Horse Camp?
A favorite among horse enthusiasts, the campground provides visitors with access to a variety of trails. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Whitefish Horse Camp?
Crescent, Oregon. Visitors can explore wilderness areas, wild and scenic rivers, lakes and reservoirs, and approximately 1,600 miles of trails in the 2.5 million-acre Deschutes National Forest and adjacent Ochoco National Forest.
Source: Getting there
What if Whitefish Horse Camp is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Windy Group Camp (0.3 mi), Spring (0.8 mi, partly first-come), and Contorta Point Group Camp (1.2 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby