Chief Paulina Horse Camp
Chief Paulina Horse Camp is the only horse campground located in Newberry National Volcanic Monument in Deschutes National Forest. A favorite for horse enthusiasts, the campground provides visitors with access to lakes, lava flows and spectacular geologic features.
More like this: reservable in Oregon · big rigs in Oregon · pets allowed in Oregon
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Equestrian | 14 |
Site guide
14 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | Standard | |
| 002 | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | Preferred | |
| 003 | Back-in | 57 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 004 | Pull-through | 47 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 005 | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 006 | Pull-through | 55 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 007 | Back-in | 41 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 008 | Back-in | 55 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | Preferred |
| 009 | Back-in | 37 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | Preferred |
| 010 | Back-in | 50 | Gravel | Partial | 12 / 2 | Yes | Preferred |
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 |
All sites are reservable at this campground. There are basic amenities for horse camping, including large equestrian sites with double or quadruple corrals and ample room for parking vehicles and trailers. Roads in the campground are unpaved as are the parking spurs. The campground parking was reconstructed in the fall of 2018 to allow for larger vehicle trailer combinations and some sites were modified to accomodate pull thru parking. While there is a water tank for the live stock, no potable drinking water is available. Restaurants and basic supplies are available at nearby resorts. Monument information is available at the nearby Paulina Visitor Center.
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 at 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 Bend go south 23.5 miles on Hwy 97, then 13.9 miles east on County Rd 21(Paulina Lake Road) From La Pine go north 5 miles on Hwy 97, then 13.9 miles east on County Rd. 21 (Paulina Lake Road)
| Coordinates | 43.7036° N, 121.2550° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedJunction Rx
21 mi from the campground
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 3.4 mi |
| Outdoor gear | REI ↗ | 23.9 mi |
| RV sales & service | Blue Compass RV Bend ↗ | 24.3 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
2020 Chief Paulina Horse Camp
Worth a stop
Lava Lands Visitor Center in nearby 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 can explore the Lava River Cave, also located in the Newberry National Volcanic Monument. At 5,211 feet (1,588 m) in length, the northwest section of the cave is the longest continuous lava tube in Oregon.
- 0.6 miLittle Crater Day Use Site ↗Day use
- 1.1 miPaulina Peak Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 8.1 mi
- 10.9 miSouth Lava Ohv Staging Area ↗OHV / range
- 13.9 miRoad 25 Ohv Staging Area ↗OHV / range
Trails nearby
- 0.1 miNewberry #51.8 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
- 0.5 miNewberry #5003.9 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
- 0.5 miNewberry #60.9 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
- 0.6 miLittle Crater Loop1.5 mi trail · hiking
- 0.6 miSilica0.5 mi trail · hiking
- 0.8 miPaulina Nordic Hill Loop0.3 mi trail · snowshoe, ski
Trailheads within three miles
- under 0.1 miChief Paulina Trailhead ↗Deschutes National Forest
- 0.9 miBig Obsidian Flow Trailhead and Interpretive Site ↗Deschutes National Forest · Season June to Late Fall
- 1.1 miPaulina Peak Trailhead ↗Deschutes National Forest
- 1.5 miPaulina Falls Day Use Area ↗Deschutes National Forest
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
This campground sits inside Deschutes National Forest.
- inDeschutes National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,870,116 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
On the National Register nearby
- I.O.O.F. Organization Camp, Paulina LakeHistoric district · LaPine · 0.2 mi
- Paulina Lake Guard StationBuilding · Bend · 1.2 mi
- Ed and Genevieve Deedon HomesteadBuilding · La Pine · 14.1 mi
Natural features
Visitors can catch a glimpse of the area's unique geological features by exploring nearby Paulina Lake, located within the collapsed caldera of Newberry Volcano. The lake covers a surface area of 1,531 acres and reaches depths of up to 250 ft. but neither Paulina Lake or its twin, East Lake, receives water from an inlet stream. Instead, each lake relies on relies on rain, snowmelt and hot springs for water. Paulina Creek drains the lake and has chiseled a narrow gorge through the caldera's west wall creating a remarkable twin waterfall. Thermal vents and hot springs along the lake's northeast edge help create a highly productive ecosystem. Wetlands, diverse forests, and rocky slopes near the campground provide a necessary habitat for shorebirds, racoons, deer, bats, and the occasional black bear. In September, the outlet of Paulina Lake may be choked with Kokanee salmon moving to spawn in Paulina Creek.
Recreation
Visitors on horseback can explore the area on a variety of trails, with several trailheads located at the campground. Lakes, lava flows and forested areas provide a beautiful scenic backdrop for a variety of rides. The Crater Rim Trail, considered one of the premiere high country trails in the area, boasts vast stretches of forest, desert and mountain views, with many access points and connector trails for convenient and customized rides. For visitors who enjoy hiking, the Peter Skene Ogden National Scenic Trail parallels Paulina Creek as it ascends 8.5 miles to the spectacular Paulina Lake. Lost Lake Trail traverses drier landscapes and heads up from the lakes into a more arid part of the Newberry Caldera. This trail affords some excellent views of The Big Obsidian Flow as well as pumice flats and other features of Newberry Volcanic National Monument. The start of the trail is near Big Obsidian Flow.
Guidebooks for Oregon
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Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Chief Paulina Horse Camp?
Sites at Chief Paulina Horse Camp are reservable on Recreation.gov. Reservations can be made online at 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 Chief Paulina 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 Chief Paulina Horse Camp?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Chief Paulina Horse Camp open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Chief Paulina Horse Camp have?
14 sites, including 14 equestrian sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Chief Paulina 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 Chief Paulina Horse Camp?
Yes, pets are allowed at Chief Paulina Horse Camp. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Chief Paulina Horse Camp?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there is 1 active fire within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one. Maximum site spur length is 50 feet.
Source: Fire nearby
What is there to do at Chief Paulina Horse Camp?
Visitors on horseback can explore the area on a variety of trails, with several trailheads located at the campground. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What if Chief Paulina Horse Camp is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Newberry Group Camp Site (0.2 mi), Little Crater Campground (0.8 mi), and Paulina Lake Campground (1.2 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby