Quinn Meadow Horse Campground is situated in Deschutes National Forest. It is the largest and one of the most popular horse campgrounds in the area, offering visitors scenic views and access to an abundance of recreational activities in the Cascades region.
A favorite among horse enthusiasts, the campground is nestled in a mixed-conifer forest in close proximity to snow-capped peaks, high elevation lakes, scenic rivers and several wilderness areas. The campground provides visitors access to a variety of trails. Lakes, lava flows, and forested area provide the backdrop for many of these rides.
The campground offers several large equestrian sites that open up to a vast riding area on the southwest side of Mt. Bachelor. Sites are equipped with double or quadruple corrals and horse stalls. A manure pit and watering hole are on-site. Horses may be watered only at Sink Creek, and cleaning up manure, hay and trash is required prior to detarture.
The campground is equipped with Adirondack picnic shelters, tables, campfire rings, vault toilets and drinking water. Electrical hookups are not available. Ample room for parking vehicles and trailers is available at each site.
Adjacent to the campground is spring-fed Quinn Creek which flows into Hosmer Lake. Just 45 minutes from Bend, this emerald beauty sits on the backside of Mt. Bachelor with the Three Sisters Wilderness in the distance.
Quinn Creek Trail is short and sweet and begins in the campground. It follows Quinn Creek past the north end of Hosmer Lake and on to the Metolius-Windigo Horse Trail. With only a short shuttle by bike or car between Sparks and Devils Lake, a longer, 11-mile loop can be made by connecting the Katsuk Pond Trail from Devils Lake Trailhead to Quinn Creek, and then on to Sparks Lake via the Metolius-Windigo Horse Trail
The area provides habitat for mammals such as mule deer, coyote, and cougar. Migratory birds and native fish also call the area home. These species, along with many others, depend on surrounding undeveloped wilderness, clean streams and diverse forests to live.
The Metolius-Windigo Trail is a long-distance trail open to horseback riders, hikers and mountain bikers. It can be accessed from several trailheads. At over 100 miles in length, this trail begins near the Metolius River headwaters west of Sisters and runs south to Windigo Pass near Crescent Lake.
The trail was created in the 1980s, primarily to serve long-distance horseback riders seeking an alternative to the Pacific Crest Trail. Because of its lower elevation, this trail is snow-free longer than trails at higher elevations. It passes through a wide variety of scenic terrain and forest types.
Horse campgrounds have been designed to accommodate campers with horses. With a limited number of these kinds of facilities, please consider camping in one of the many other campgrounds nearby if you do not have a horse.
Nearby Attractions:
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 educational programs and exhibits.
Visitors enjoy traveling the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway, known as Oregons Highway in the Sky. The 66-mile drive through the Cascade Mountain Range weaves through snow-capped peaks and alpine lakes, highlighting the beauty of central Oregon.
