Chief Paulina Horse Camp
Location: Chief Paulina Horse Camp, labeled as Chief Paulina Trailhead on Google Maps, La Pine, OR 97739
Facilities: Vault toilets, manure bin, fire pits and picnic tables at each site Camp Site Amenities: picnic table, fire pit, Site Type: back-in and pull through Water: Water Tank Footing: Rocky, hoof boots recommended Cell Signal: Att 1 bar periodically Dogs: Dogs allowed Other: Weed-free hay required Website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/deschutes/recarea/?recid=38320&actid=30 Reservations: https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/233194 Fee for 4 horse corral sites is greater than the 2 horse corral sites First Come First Serve after Sept 5th, not gated during off-season |
Getting There
We had a long trip from SE Portland. It took us almost 4 hours which is the longest I have ever hauled to get to a campsite. I5 was easy and smooth. Hwy 20 has a stretch between Mill City and Detroit where there are no gas stations! We had a terrible time squeezing into the smallest gas station in Detroit. Rivers Run Gas is on a funky corner but it was the only gas station around for 20 miles before Mill City and we only had a quarter tank left. We all survived this, and I did not hit anything with my truck.
The good news is that Chief Paulina horse camp is right off a paved road. I could hear some traffic noise as I walked around camp but overall it was pretty quiet on a weekend located in a busy park. Must Brings1) Human Water and Horse Water - There was a tank of stock water. I don't know how often or how full this tank was during our visit.
2) Satellite phone or a friend with Starlink - Spotty reception with ATT if you want to work remotely you should bring your Starlink |
Day Use Area
Day Use Area Video Link
The day use area was a pretty tight circle. You pull in and out the same driveway. This could get tricky if you have a larger trailer or if there are already multiple trailers parked. This picture was taken in 9/23 and you can see the manure needs to be compacted or hauled away.
The day use area was a pretty tight circle. You pull in and out the same driveway. This could get tricky if you have a larger trailer or if there are already multiple trailers parked. This picture was taken in 9/23 and you can see the manure needs to be compacted or hauled away.
Horse Campsites
This horse camp was not gated when I checked it out after 9/5. There were horse campers and it was first come first serve in the off-season. There are pull-through spots and the camp map below is accurate.
- Site 1: Two horse wooden corral, Back-in, Driveway Length: 38 feet long x 30 feet wide,
- Site 2: Two horse wooden corral, Back-in, Driveway Length: 40 feet long x 16 feet wide
- Site 3: Two horse wooden corral, Back-in, Driveway Length: 57 feet long x 13 feet wide
- Site 4: Two horse wooden corral, Pull-through Driveway Length: 47 feet no width given
- Site 5: Two horse wooden corral, Back-in, Driveway Length: 40 feet long x 22 feet wide
- Site 6: Two horse wooden corral, Pull-through, Driveway Length 55 feet long no width given
- Site 7: Two horse wooden corral, Back-in, Driveway Length 41 feet x, 15 feet wide.
- Possible smaller pull-through spot on side of main camp road that may be enough room for a truck and camper,
- Site 8 Two horse wooden corral, Back-in, Driveway Length: 55 feet long x 16 feet wide
- Site 9: Two horse wooden corral, Back-in, Driveway Length 37 feet long x 15 feet wide
- Site 10: Four horse max, Back-in, Driveway Length 50 feet long x 38 feet wide
- Site 11: Two horse wooden corral. Pull-through, Driveway Length 46 feet long x 16 feet wide
- Site 12: Four horse max, Pull-through, Driveway Length 46 feet long
- Site 13: Two horse wooden corral, Pull-through, Driveway Length 53 feet long
- Site 14: Four horse wooden corral, Back-in, Driveway Length 50 feet x 18 feet wide
Site 2
Site Video Link
Site Video Link
Site 8
Site Video Link
Site Video Link
Trail Map
There may be trails that are marked as horse trails that are not horse friendly. I have heard that the North Rim Trail is steep with drop-offs and narrow trail sections. The trails marked in red may be hazardous for horses. The trail directly around the lake is not for horses. This is all hearsay, as I have not personally ridden these trails. It really depends on your horse but there are some narrow trails with drop-offs that just should not allow horses.
Jon hiked the Crater Rim Trail up to the viewpoint in the bottom left corner of the map. He told me it was a narrow singletrack in parts with a large drop-off. He took pictures for me so I have no desire to ride this trail. There is a forest road that goes to the same viewpoint. Depending on the traffic, it may be a safer route to get the same stunning pictures.
Jon hiked the Crater Rim Trail up to the viewpoint in the bottom left corner of the map. He told me it was a narrow singletrack in parts with a large drop-off. He took pictures for me so I have no desire to ride this trail. There is a forest road that goes to the same viewpoint. Depending on the traffic, it may be a safer route to get the same stunning pictures.
Riding
Peter Skeen Ogden Trailhead and Trailer Parking
Trailhead Video Link
We visited this trailhead when we were camped at the Ogden Group Camp for an endurance ride. This trailhead has a huge parking area that could comfortably fit many horse trailers. It has a nice turn around area and a hitching post. My preference would be to be dropped off at this trailhead and then ride the 10 miles back to the Chief Paulina Horse Camp.
We visited this trailhead when we were camped at the Ogden Group Camp for an endurance ride. This trailhead has a huge parking area that could comfortably fit many horse trailers. It has a nice turn around area and a hitching post. My preference would be to be dropped off at this trailhead and then ride the 10 miles back to the Chief Paulina Horse Camp.
Peter Skene Ogden Trail Out and Back
During our visit we rode the Peter Skene Ogden Trail. This was an easy, beautiful and fun trail. It followed the river with plenty of water or bridge crossing opportunities. We started our ride from the Ogden Group Camp and rode East towards the lake.
|
We rode this trail the day after my first 30 mile endurance ride. Sam and I took it easy, we did 3 miles out and back and spent most of our time eating grass and playing in the creek. The footing was mostly sandy but as a rule we boot all 4 hooves unless we are riding on the beach.
If you want to ride more miles you can ride the Peter Skene Ogden Trail all the way to the Lake Paulina Lodge. It is 8.3 miles one way. If you are an endurance rider this could be a really nice 16.3 mile out and back with a break at the lodge for some ice-cream. It is 9.8 miles from the Chief Paulina horse camp to the Peter Skene Ogden Trailhead making a roughly 20 mile out and back. The great thing about this longer route is that it is right by the creek so there are lots of opportunities to cool off and drink fresh water and eat green grass.
If you want to ride more miles you can ride the Peter Skene Ogden Trail all the way to the Lake Paulina Lodge. It is 8.3 miles one way. If you are an endurance rider this could be a really nice 16.3 mile out and back with a break at the lodge for some ice-cream. It is 9.8 miles from the Chief Paulina horse camp to the Peter Skene Ogden Trailhead making a roughly 20 mile out and back. The great thing about this longer route is that it is right by the creek so there are lots of opportunities to cool off and drink fresh water and eat green grass.
You can practice bridge crossing and water crossing.
Crater Rim Trail to Hike - Unsafe for Riding
The Crater Rim Trail that goes from the parking area on NF road 500 up to the viewpoint is a trail with a narrow singletrack and steep drop-offs. This trail is marked in red on the map below. My husband said it was not marked as not for horses but that it would not be safe for horses. You could ride up the NF road 500, but depending on the day, there could be a lot of car and foot traffic. You can see a lot of hikers waiting their turn for pictures at the top.
Nice panoramic picture of the view from the top but you can see the gravel parking lot and a lot of foot and car traffic at the right edge of the picture.
I would much rather drive a car up or hike up and keep my horse in the corral during this adventure.
Rating
The horse corrals at Chief Paulina horse camp need to be replaced. OET cancelled the work party scheduled for 9/2023 but it may be rescheduled for 2024. The trails around the horse camp can be challenging and the possible routes are limited. The best route is the Peter Skene Ogden trail which is easy and beautiful. The Paulina Lake is beautiful and has hot springs! This would be a great place to leave the horse for a while to paddleboard to the hot springs. I personally never leave my horse unattended, but if you have a family member that could watch the horse, everyone else could enjoy some lake time.