U.S. Forest Service · Deschutes National Forest · Sisters, OR

Sheep Springs Horse Camp

Sheep Springs Horse Campground sits in the spectacular Metolius River Basin area in Deschutes National Forest. In close proximity to snow-capped peaks, high elevation lakes, scenic rivers and several wilderness areas, this campground offers a variety of scenery and recreational opportunities for visitors.

Closed for the seasonReservable · Recreation.gov11 sitesFrom $25 per night50 ft maxPets okFires okTents only

More like this: reservable in Oregon · big rigs in Oregon · tent only in Oregon · pets allowed in Oregon

Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
SHEEP SPRINGS HORSE CAMPSHEEP SPRINGS HORSE CAMPSHEEP SPRINGS HORSE CAMPSHEEP SPRINGS HORSE CAMP
Photos via Recreation.gov
4fires
active
Bench · 17 mi away · 67,071 acres
3 more within 50 miles
Incident details ↓

Site mix

Equestrian11
Most sites here open on Recreation.gov six months ahead, at 10 a.m. Eastern. Sold out is not final: cancellations come back into the pool, most of them two to three days out. How to catch one

Site guide

11 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.

SiteEntrySurfaceShadePeople / vehiclesFiresRating
001Back-inGravelPartial6 / 2YesStandard
002Back-inGravelPartial6 / 2YesStandard
003Back-inGravelPartial6 / 2YesStandard
004Back-inGravelPartial6 / 2YesStandard
005Back-inGravelPartial6 / 2YesStandard
006Back-inGravelPartial6 / 2YesStandard
007Back-inGravelPartial6 / 2YesStandard
008Back-inGravelPartial6 / 2YesStandard
009Back-inGravelPartial6 / 2YesStandard
010Back-inGravelPartial6 / 2YesStandard

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 length50 ft
EquipmentTents
PetsAllowed
CampfiresAllowed, subject to restrictions
Fees4-Horse Single Campsite Rate: $25/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 fees: - A 50 percent…

The campground offers 11 large equestrian sites, each equipped with a 4-place box stall. Picnic tables, campfire rings and grills and ample room for parking vehicles and trailers are also available at each site. Drinking water and a vault toilet are also provided.

Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.

Season & status

StatusClosed for the season. Forest Service sites close for the season; check the official page for the reopening date.
ForestDeschutes National Forest
BookingReservations 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).
Fees4-Horse Single Campsite Rate: $25/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 fees: - A 50 percent…
RulesMaximum site spur length is 50 feet. The water system will be turned on in the month of May depending on weather conditions and will be turned off no later than September 30, or upon the campground closing, whichever, is earlier to prevent potential damage from cold temperatures.

Deschutes National Forest recreation page ↗

Weather by month

NOAA climate normals →
Weather by month near Sheep Springs Horse Camp30°40°50°60°70°January: 11.25 inches of precipitation, 24.3 inches of snowFebruary: 7.80 inches of precipitation, 17.5 inches of snowMarch: 8.59 inches of precipitation, 13.0 inches of snowApril: 6.33 inches of precipitation, 2.9 inches of snowMay: 4.39 inches of precipitation, 0.2 inches of snowJune: 2.90 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowJuly: 0.68 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowAugust: 0.66 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowSeptember: 2.23 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowOctober: 6.06 inches of precipitation, 0.1 inches of snowNovember: 10.75 inches of precipitation, 7.6 inches of snowDecember: 12.44 inches of precipitation, 19.6 inches of snowJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanuary: 33.4°F averageFebruary: 35.8°F averageMarch: 39.4°F averageApril: 44.0°F averageMay: 51.3°F averageJune: 57.1°F averageJuly: 64.3°F averageAugust: 63.8°F averageSeptember: 57.6°F averageOctober: 47.5°F averageNovember: 38.3°F averageDecember: 32.9°F average0 in5 in10 in15 in20 in25 inTemp °FInches
The line is the average temperature and the bars are average precipitation at Marion Forks Fish Hatchery, 13 miles from the campground at 2,475 feet, station USC00355221 in the NOAA monthly climate normals for 1991 to 2020. Precipitation totals about 74 inches a year. The dotted line is average snowfall, about 85 inches a year on the same inches scale.

Getting there

From Sisters, Oregon, take Highway 20 west for about 12 miles. Turn north onto Jack Lake Road/FS Road 12 and continue for nearly 6 miles. Turn left onto FS Road 1260, then right onto FS Road 200. Sheep Springs will be on the right hand side.

Nearest townSisters, Oregon
Coordinates44.5786° N, 121.6797° W · Directions ↗

Fire nearby

  • Wildfire
    Bench

    17 mi from the campground · 67,071 acres · 90% contained

  • Prescribed
    Slow Dxp/Lemiti Rx - West

    24 mi from the campground

  • Prescribed
    Sisi Lookout Admin Piles Rx - West

    24 mi from the campground

  • Prescribed
    Spike Timber Sale Rx - West

    27 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 stationDump station ↗21.1 mi
Outdoor gearRedpoint ↗29.3 mi
RV sales & serviceBig Country RV ↗33.1 mi

Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.

Explore

Video

Video of Sheep Springs Horse Camp, OR from Bill I.

Worth a stop

Visitors can explore wilderness areas, rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and approximately 1,600 miles of trails that comprise nearly 2.5 million acres the Deschutes National Forest and the adjacent Ochoco National Forest. 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 in length, the northwest section of the cave is the longest continuous lava tube in Oregon. The nearby town of Camp Sherman has basic supplies and restaurants available.

Trails nearby

Forest Service trail data →

Trailheads within three miles

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

On Wilderness Atlas →

Mount Jefferson Wilderness begins about 0.3 miles away, and it is the closest of these.

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.

On the National Register nearby

On Register Atlas →

Natural features

Located at an elevation of approximately 3,200 feet, campsites are interspersed among a towering canopy of old-growth Ponderosa pine and a variety of spruce and fir. The Metolius River flows nearby, making its headwaters at Metolius Springs at the base of nearby Black Butte, 6,436-foot extinct stratovolcano. The clear, cold river flows north from the springs through diverse coniferous forest and a landscape of volcanic activity. The surrounding undeveloped wilderness, clean streams and diverse forests support an abundance of wildlife, including mule deer, coyote, and cougar.

Recreation

A favorite among horse enthusiasts, the campground provides visitors access to a variety of trails. Lakes, lava flows and thick forests provide the backdrop for horseback riding and hiking. The Metolius-Windigo Trail, which offers a trailhead at the campground, is a long-distance trail open to horseback riders, hikers and bicyclists. More than 100 miles long, this trail begins near the Metolius River headwaters and runs south to Windigo Pass near Crescent Lake. Because of its lower elevation, this trail remains snow-free for longer than other nearby trails.

Guidebooks for Oregon

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Reference

Questions people ask

Do I need a reservation at Sheep Springs Horse Camp?

Sites at Sheep Springs 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 Sheep Springs Horse Camp?

4-Horse Single Campsite Rate: $25/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 fees: - A 50 percent…

Source: Recreation.gov

What time is check-in at Sheep Springs Horse Camp?

Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.

Source: Recreation.gov

Is Sheep Springs Horse Camp open right now?

Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026.

Source: Forest Service status

How many sites does Sheep Springs Horse Camp have?

11 sites, including 11 equestrian sites.

Source: Recreation.gov

Will my RV fit at Sheep Springs 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 Sheep Springs Horse Camp?

Yes, pets are allowed at Sheep Springs Horse Camp. Leash rules apply.

Source: Recreation.gov

Can I have a campfire at Sheep Springs Horse Camp?

Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there are 4 active fires 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 Sheep Springs Horse Camp?

A favorite among horse enthusiasts, the campground provides visitors access to a variety of trails. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.

Source: Recreation

What is the nearest town to Sheep Springs Horse Camp?

Sisters, Oregon. Visitors can explore wilderness areas, rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and approximately 1,600 miles of trails that comprise nearly 2.5 million acres the Deschutes National Forest and the adjacent Ochoco National Forest.

Source: Getting there

What if Sheep Springs Horse Camp is full?

The nearest public campgrounds are Candle Creek Campground (2.5 mi), Lower Bridge Campground (3.3 mi), and Pioneer Ford Campground (3.4 mi).

Source: Campgrounds nearby