Swamp Wells Horse Camp
Open as accessible, typically late spring through fall depending on road and weather conditions. The last mile of Forest Road 1816 is rough and may be impassable during wet conditions or early season. No reservations, no fees, first-come-first-served.
Air Quality Alert issued August 10 at 9:49AM PDT by NWS Pendleton OR
Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has issued an Air Quality Advisory until noon PDT Wednesday. Check with your local health or air agency for current restrictions on woodstove use. There are often exceptions for those who use wood exclusively to heat their homes and those with limited income. People can take the following precautions to protect their health: * Follow local burn restrictions to prevent deteriorating air quality. * Avoid strenuous outdoor activity in smoky conditions. * People with heart or lung problems and young children are especially vulnerable. These people should stay indoors while smoke levels are high. * Use certified High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters in indoor heating ventilation, cooling, and air purification systems. * Avoid using wood-burning stoves and other sources of indoor smoke if possible. For additional information...please visit the Web site at http://www.oregon.gov/DEQ
Air Quality Alert issued August 5 at 2:33PM PDT by NWS Pendleton OR
Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has issued an Air Quality Advisory until further notice. For the Smoke Air Quality Advisory, wildfires burning in the region combined with forecasted conditions will cause air quality to reach unhealthy levels. Pollutants in smoke can cause burning eyes, runny nose, aggravate heart and lung diseases, and aggravate other serious health problems. Limit outdoor activities and keep children indoors if it is smoky. Please follow medical advice if you have a heart or lung condition. An Air Quality Advisory for elevated levels of ozone pollution, or smog, is in effect for Hermiston in Umatilla County. Ozone pollution is expected to reach levels that could be unhealthy for sensitive groups, including children, pregnant people, older adults and people with heart or respiratory conditions. DEQ expected the Air Quality Advisory to last until 10 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026. For additional information...please visit the Web site at http://www.oregon.gov/DEQ
Alcohol Prohibitions
This Order describes acts that are prohibited upon lands, roads and trails within the National Forest System administered by the Forest Service Pacific Northwest Region in regards to alcoholic beverages.
About
Swamp Wells Horse Camp is a primitive equestrian facility in the Deschutes National Forest, designed specifically for riders seeking access to extensive trail systems in Central Oregon's high desert terrain. The camp offers approximately 10 sites with corrals for horses and manure bins for pack-out, though campers must bring their own water for both themselves and their stock. The location serves as a gateway to over 70 miles of non-motorized trails in the Swamp Wells network, with three northbound trails and one southbound trail departing from the camp. The trail system extends from the outskirts of Bend all the way to Newberry National Volcanic Monument, offering varied terrain through forested high desert landscape. The campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis with no fees or reservations required. Access requires navigating Forest Roads that become rougher near the camp. The final mile on Forest Road 1816 may be difficult for larger trailers, and the maximum site spur length of 30 feet limits rig size. The camp is managed cooperatively by the Forest Service and Oregon Equestrian Trails Central Oregon Chapter.
Directions
From Bend, take China Hat Road (Forest Road 18) 6 miles southeast to Bessie Butte, then 6 miles south on Forest Road 1810, then 3 miles east on Forest Road 1816. The last mile of road is rough and may be difficult for larger trailers.
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | — |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | — |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $0 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | 30ft |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | — |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (541) 383-5300 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
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