Chief Paulina Horse Camp
Deschutes National Forest — lakeside, hiking
Location: La Pine, OR, OR
Price: From $23 per night
Price range: $23–$27 per night
Rating: 3.8 out of 5 (48 reviews)
Season: May through October
Chief Paulina Horse Camp is the only horse campground located in Newberry National Volcanic Monument in Deschutes National Forest. A favorite for horse enthusiasts, the campground provides visitors with access to lakes, lava flows and spectacular geologic features. For more information about the Newberry National Volcanic Monument, please visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/deschutes/recarea/?recid=66159 Lava Lands Visitor Center in nearby Bend, Oregon, is a great starting point for visitors
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): none signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Drinking Water
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/chief-paulina-horse-camp to be notified when sites open up.
Chief Paulina Horse Camp is the only horse campground in Newberry National Volcanic Monument, offering access to lakes, lava flows, and spectacular geologic features. Campers praise the outstanding camp hosts and beautiful setting with water available for horses.
Wildlife alert: American Black Bear, Pacific Marten, Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel, Osprey, Canada Jay, Common Merganser, Western Tanager, and Northern Sagebrush Lizard documented in the area.
Insider tips for Chief Paulina Horse Camp: Book early — this is a federal campground with only 14 sites and high demand. Bring your own horse panels; existing corrals use only three water pipe rails and may bend under pressure. Inspect campsites for level ground before setting up; not all sites are level.
Skip Chief Paulina Horse Camp if: You need RV hookups — no hookups available.. You're visiting before late May — snow may block access.. You have horses but cannot bring supplemental corral panels for safety..
Best time to visit Chief Paulina Horse Camp: June-September — Official season is May through October, but snow reported in May; mid-summer offers clearer conditions and fully melted access roads..
Nearby campgrounds: Newberry Group Camp Site (La Pine, OR), Little Crater Campground (La Pine, OR), Paulina Lake Campground (La Pine, OR), East Lake Campground (La Pine, OR).
Cell Phone Coverage at Chief Paulina Horse Camp
Cell signal at Chief Paulina Horse Camp (La Pine, OR): none overall signal based on FCC broadband data.
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
Chief Paulina Horse Camp is the only horse campground located in Newberry National Volcanic Monument in Deschutes National Forest. A favorite for horse enthusiasts, the campground provides visitors with access to lakes, lava flows and spectacular geologic features. For more information about the Newberry National Volcanic Monument, please visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/deschutes/recarea/?recid=66159 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.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early
this is a federal campground with only 14 sites and high demand.
Bring your own horse panels; existing corrals use only three water pipe rails and may bend under pressure.
Inspect campsites for level ground before setting up; not all sites are level.
Official season is May through October, but snow reported in May; mid-summer offers clearer conditions and fully melted access roads.
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
From Bend go south 23.5 miles on Hwy 97, then 13.9 miles east on County Rd 21(Paulina Lake Road) From La Pine go north 5 miles on Hwy 97, then 13.9 miles east on County Rd. 21 (Paulina Lake Road)
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Deschutes National Forest fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Deschutes National Forest before arrival — seasonal closures common.
- Bear country — store all food in bear boxes or locked vehicle at all times.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Chief Paulina Horse Camp cost per night?+
What season is Chief Paulina Horse Camp open?+
Does Chief Paulina Horse Camp have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Chief Paulina Horse Camp?+
How do I make reservations at Chief Paulina Horse Camp?+
What is the cell service like at Chief Paulina Horse Camp?+
What season is Chief Paulina Horse Camp open, and what are check-in times?+
Official resources
●Data sources on this page
CamperWatch never fabricates data. Where data is unavailable, it is not shown.
Nearby Campgrounds
Own a campground nearby?
List free on CamperWatch — we take 5% only on bookings we send. No monthly fee.