Thundering down the
beach, hoof beats keeping time with the crashing surf, wind blowing through your hair,
long silky mane tickling your face, framed by a spectacular sunset to the west….
This may sound like a romance novel cliché, but for those of us whose heart keeps
rhythm with the four-beat gallop of our favorite mount’s stride, this scenario would
be a dream come true.
Cape Blanco State Park is the perfect place to enjoy just such an experience. Located
along the Southern Oregon Coastline nine miles north of Port Orford, the park is home to
one of the Oregon Coast’s finest horse camp facilities. Cape Blanco offers the best
in beach riding. The sand is packed firmly enough for your horse to comfortably walk on,
and the scenic wide-open beaches stretch for miles to the south.
The horse camp section of the park features solidly constructed corrals, ample water
sources and a large grassy area where you can take your horse out for bit of hand grazing
or just to allow him to stretch his legs. The large, sheltered, private campsites are very
easy to access, even for three horse trailers with living quarters. Another very nice
feature is that the horse camp area is in a separate section of the park, semi-isolated
from the general campground, so you won’t have to worry about children or loose dogs
finding their way into your horse’s corral.
The campgrounds are located on a high bluff. Ride or hike from your campsite to several
spectacular scenic overlooks where you can gaze across the Pacific Ocean as well as
command a bird’s eye view of the vast expanse of beach below.
The horse trail to the beach leads directly out of the horse camp and bypasses the
pedestrian and bicycle trails leading to the beach from the other sections of the park.
This trail is quite steep in places, but is well maintained. Be sure to take note of where
you come out on the beach. Once you are on the beach, there are no signs or obvious
indications pointing to the trail back to camp.
Hiking, bicycling, beach fishing, and fresh water fishing in the Sixes River are just a
few of the activities the non-riders in your group can enjoy without ever leaving the
park. A visit during early spring or late summer provides many excellent whale watching
opportunities. The park is also home to one of the oldest lighthouses in the state, and
the historic Hughes House, both of which are open for weekend tours during the summer
season.
Getting There: Cape Blanco is located Off US 101, 9
miles North of Port Orford – Get Driving Directions at the Cape Blanco State Park web
site: http://www.oregonstateparks.org/park_62.php
Trail Difficulty: Moderate. The equestrian beach trail is steep in a few places
and some stretches are very close to the cliff edge. If you have a young horse or
inexperienced rider in your group, you may want to consider leading your horses down to
the beach on your first outing.
Contact Information: Visit the State Park web site for the most current contact
information. Reserve Horse Camp sites by calling 1-800-452-5867
Cost: Peak season fees are $14 per night, $3 per horse per day, $5 per extra
vehicle per day. To avoid additional fees, be sure your horse corrals are clean before you
leave. The park provides wheelbarrows, tools and shavings to maintain and clean the
corrals.
Amenities: The horse camp has eight campsites with two horse corrals per
campsite. Portable toilets are located in the horse camp, indoor toilets and showers are
nearby. Showers are free for campers.
What You Should Know: The weather on the Oregon Coast can change quite rapidly.
Be sure to pack warm clothing for yourself, as well as a water-resistant blanket for your
horse. This applies even if you are planning your trip for mid-summer.
