For riders looking to explore Central Oregon’s Deschutes National Forest, Sheep Springs Horse Camp near Camp Sherman offers an ideal starting point. Its lower elevation makes it perfect for shoulder season riding, providing comfortable conditions for early spring or late fall excursions. The Metolius-Windigo Trail runs through camp and a massive trail system into the Cascades can provide both high elevation backcountry trips or low elevation routes through the Metolius River Basin.
Camp Overview
Campsites: 11 sites with 4-horse corrals.
Fees: $25/night, +$2 on holidays. 50% off with Interagency Access Pass or Senior Passes. Additional vehicles $10 per night.
Permits: None, unless you ride far enough or haul out into Mount Jefferson Wilderness area.
Popularity: Average.
Elevation: 3,191 feet
Season: Early May through Mid October
Cell Service: Verizon – very spotty will take a long time to send a text.
Getting There
Directions: From Sisters, OR: Travel 12.4 miles northwest on Highway 20, then 7.0 miles north on Forest Road 12, then 1.1 miles west on Forest Road 1260, and then 1 mile north on Forest Road 1260 200.
Google Directions: Map Link
GPS Coordinates: 44.52284, -121.69992
Road Conditions: Gravel, some washboarding.
Gas Station: Chevon – 1001 Railway, Sisters, OR 97759 (not great for really large trailers)
Amenities & Camp Details
Stock Containment: Wooden and metal corrals.
Stock Water: Hand pump and natural spring.
Potable Water: Yes – from hand pump. Turned off by September 30th each year.
Manure Bin: Yes.
Trash/Dumpster: No – pack it out.
Bathroom: Yes – vault toilet.
Day Use Parking: No – large dispersed site north on road by camp.
Reserving Your Spot
Reservations: Link
Check In/Check Out: None specified.
Specific Reservation Rules:
– 2 night minimum on weekends, must reserve Fri & Sat on the same reservation.
– Holiday weekends include: Columbus Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Martin Luther King Day, Memorial Day, New Year’s Day, President’s Day, Veterans Day, Christmas. If the holiday falls on a Friday or Saturday, the customer will be required to reserve the nights of: Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and may check out on Sunday. If the holiday falls on a Sunday or Monday, the customer will be required to reserve the nights of: Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and may check out on Monday.
Site Specifics:
Site 1: Back in, 4-horse corral.
Site 2: Back in, 4-horse corral.
Site 3: Back in, 4-horse corral.
Site 4: Back in, 4-horse corral.
Site 5: Back in, 4-horse corral.
Site 6: Back in, 4-horse corral.
Site 7: Back in, 4-horse corral.
Site 8: Back in, 4-horse corral.
Site 9: Back in, 4-horse corral.
Site 10: Back in, 4-horse corral.
Site 11: Back in, 4-horse corral.
Manure Bin: Near site 1.
Bathrooms: Near sites 5 and 8.
Stock Water: Near sites 1 and 2.
Nearby Trails & GPX Tracks:
Bear Valley
Metolius River
Bear Valley TH to Minto Lake (haul out)
Calbot Lake
Nearby Dispersed Camps
Backcountry Camp Options
Metolius-Windago, Mount Jefferson Wilderness, Pacific Crest Trail. Otherwise unknown, if you have backcountry campsite info please email adventure.equines@gmail.com
Additional Resources
- USFS Camp Status Page
- NW Horse Trails – Sheep Springs Horse Camp
- NW Horse Trails – 9 Reasons to Love Sheep Springs
- Holly’s Horse Trails and Tales
- Holly’s Horse Tales and Trails – Camp Video
- Camp Map
Camp Land Manager & Contact Info
USFS – Sisters Ranger District
201 N. Pine Street Sisters, OR 97759
(541) 549-7700
If you’d like PNW trails, camps and backcountry information delivered right to your inbox, subscribe below so you don’t miss out!
Moquistang; one little mustang who does it all. 
Leave a comment