Oregon Coast Beach Horse Camping at Horsfall Beach
Looking for a truly unique horse camping experience on the Oregon Coast? Wild Mare Horse Camp at Horsfall Beach offers one of the most memorable beach riding adventures in the Pacific Northwest.
Located within the Siuslaw National Forest between Reedsport and North Bend, this well-maintained equestrian campground combines forest canopy trails, expansive sand dunes, and breathtaking ocean riding — making it a favorite destination for horse owners throughout Oregon, including many of us from Central Oregon.
Camp Amenities & Facilities
Wild Mare Horse Camp features 12 well-designed campsites with:
- Paved, level parking pads
- Potable water throughout the campground
- Manure disposal areas on both ends
- Fire rings and picnic tables at each site
- Galvanized horse pens in approximately half the sites
- Well-maintained wood pens in the remaining sites
The campground is clean, thoughtfully maintained, and one of the nicest horse camps we’ve visited in Oregon.
Reservations are required and must be made online prior to arrival.
Riding at Wild Mare
The ride to the beach begins with a beautiful one-mile trail beneath alder and spruce trees, with mossy forest floors that feel almost magical. The trail then opens into sweeping dunes filled with grasses and coastal vegetation before reaching the Pacific Ocean.
Expect:
- Deep sand footing
- Rolling dunes
- Ocean breezes and coastal wildlife
- Coyotes, deer, dragonflies, and lizards
Because much of the riding is in sand, it’s a solid workout for horses. Our group typically rode 3–5 miles at a time, returned to camp for a break, and then headed back out for an evening ride when the tide was low.
Mornings were often sunny and clear, while coastal fog would roll in later in the day — offering a refreshing break from Central Oregon’s high desert heat.
Marked non-motorized horse trails also run west of the camp through large dunes and toward scenic lake views.
Important Things to Know
- The north side of Horsfall Beach Road allows motorized OHV use.
- The south side is designated non-motorized and includes the horse camp and equestrian trails.
- OHV riders generally stay in their designated areas, though you may hear engines in the distance.
- The campground is open year-round.
- It’s only about 10 minutes from North Bend and Coos Bay for supplies.
We traveled in late August when daytime temperatures hovered around 70 degrees — a perfect coastal escape from Central Oregon’s warmer summer weather.
The Story Behind “Wild Mare”
Wild Mare Horse Camp is named after a local legend from the 1950s. A young filly escaped from a grazing herd in the dunes near Horsfall Beach and could never be recaptured.
Despite multiple attempts to catch her — even with relay teams — she evaded capture, thriving in the coastal dunes for 32 years. Her story became part of local folklore, and the campground now carries her name in honor of her independent spirit.
(Source: U.S. Forest Service, Reedsport, Oregon; South Slough Adventures, 1995.)
Why It Matters for Oregon Equestrians
For horse owners living in Bend, Sisters, Tumalo, Powell Butte, and throughout Central Oregon, Wild Mare Horse Camp is an incredible coastal getaway that showcases the diversity of Oregon’s equestrian lifestyle.
From mountain trails to desert landscapes to ocean dunes — this is why so many riders choose to live in Oregon.
