Post Meadows Campground

For Oregonians seeking a unique and truly rugged outdoor experience, Post Meadows Campground near Plush offers an authentic high-desert retreat. Unlike your typical developed campground, Post Meadows provides a more primitive, yet incredibly rewarding, dry camping experience, particularly catering to equestrian enthusiasts. Situated within the breathtaking Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge, this destination is a gateway to vast, untouched landscapes, abundant wildlife, and a profound sense of solitude.

Post Meadows Campground is designed for those who appreciate getting back to basics and immersing themselves fully in nature. It's a place where the stars shine brighter, and the sounds of the wilderness define your stay. While it requires some preparation and an understanding of remote camping, the rewards are immense: unparalleled access to scenic riding trails, opportunities for wildlife viewing, and a peaceful environment away from the crowds. It's a true Oregonian adventure, inviting you to explore the state's diverse beauty beyond the lush forests and coastal regions.

Especially for horse owners, Post Meadows stands out as a top-tier destination, offering facilities specifically tailored to accommodate equine companions. This focus on equestrian camping, combined with its remote location and unique desert ecosystem, makes it a distinctive and highly valued spot for a specific kind of outdoor enthusiast within Oregon. Prepare to disconnect, explore, and embrace the wild beauty of southeastern Oregon.

Post Meadows Campground is located in a remote part of southeastern Oregon, within the Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge, near the small community of Plush, OR 97637, USA. This location places it in the vast and rugged expanse of the Great Basin high desert, offering a truly secluded wilderness experience.

Accessing Post Meadows Campground involves traveling on dirt roads. From the Refuge Headquarters, which is also located in Plush, the road to the campground is approximately 14 miles of dirt, with some potentially rough spots. While the distance isn't extreme, the nature of the road means that visitors should be prepared for off-pavement driving and ensure their vehicle is suitable for such conditions. It's highly recommended to have a good full-size spare tire and to check with the Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge for current road conditions, especially during different seasons or after adverse weather.

Given its remote nature, cell phone coverage is not reliably available in the area, and emergency services or roadside assistance are not readily accessible. Visitors are advised to be well-informed and equipped for backcountry travel, carrying essential supplies such as extra water, a shovel, an axe or Pulaski, tire chains (if applicable to the season), and a first aid kit. Informing someone of your travel plans and expected contact time is also a crucial safety measure. The nearest potable water is available at the Refuge Headquarters, meaning campers at Post Meadows need to bring their own water or be prepared to transport it from the headquarters. This remote setting, while requiring extra preparation, is precisely what makes Post Meadows Campground such an appealing destination for Oregonians seeking true solitude and an unadulterated connection with the high desert environment.

Post Meadows Campground offers a set of services tailored to its remote, dry camping environment, particularly catering to equestrian users.

• Large Campsites: The campground provides 6 large campsites, capable of accommodating any size rig, including those with horse trailers.
• Corrals with Water Troughs: Specifically designed for horse owners, the campground features large corrals equipped with water troughs for horses. However, campers must bring their own water to fill these troughs, as water is not piped directly to the corrals.
• Potable Water Access: While not available directly at the campsites, potable water for human use is accessible at the Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge Headquarters, approximately 14 miles away.
• Pit Toilets: Two pit toilets are available on-site, providing basic restroom facilities.
• Dry Camping: The campground offers a dry camping experience, meaning there are no hookups (electrical, water, or sewer) for RVs.
• No Campfires Allowed: Important to note for planning, campfires are generally not permitted at Post Meadows Campground, primarily due to fire danger in the high desert environment. Visitors should check current restrictions at the Refuge Headquarters.
• No Garbage Collection: Campers are required to pack out all trash, as no garbage collection or trash cans are provided.
• Overnight Stock Use: It is the only road-accessible site on the Refuge for overnight stock use, making it a unique and valuable resource for equestrians.

Post Meadows Campground offers several distinctive features and highlights that make it a unique and attractive destination for specific types of outdoor enthusiasts in Oregon.

• Premier Horse Camping Destination: This is arguably the most significant highlight. Post Meadows is exceptionally well-suited for visitors bringing horses, offering large corrals with water troughs. It is, in fact, the only road-accessible site for overnight stock use on the Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge, making it a prime spot for equestrian adventures.
• Spacious Campsites: With 6 large campsites, the campground can accommodate substantial rigs, including those with horse trailers, ensuring ample space and comfort even for larger setups.
• Remote High Desert Experience: Situated within the Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge, the campground provides an authentic and rugged high desert environment. This offers a profound sense of solitude and disconnection from urban life, appealing to those who seek true wilderness.
• Wildlife Viewing Opportunities: Being in an antelope refuge means excellent chances for wildlife observation, including the majestic pronghorn antelope and other desert fauna. This provides a rich experience for nature photographers and wildlife enthusiasts.
• Access to Extensive Riding/Hiking Areas: The refuge offers vast areas for horseback riding and hiking, allowing explorers to venture deep into the unique desert landscapes directly from the campground.
• Basic but Functional Facilities: While primitive, the presence of large corrals, water troughs (requiring campers to bring water), and pit toilets provides the necessary infrastructure for a comfortable dry camping experience.
• Peaceful Atmosphere: Despite occasional wind, the overall quietness and remoteness contribute to a peaceful atmosphere, ideal for those looking to escape noise and crowds.
• Potable Water at Refuge Headquarters: The availability of potable water at the nearby Refuge Headquarters (14 miles away) is a crucial convenience for campers, though it requires planning for transport.

For inquiries regarding Post Meadows Campground and the Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge, it's best to contact the Refuge Headquarters.

Address: Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge, 38782 Hart Mountain Road, Plush, OR 97637, USA

Refuge Headquarters Phone: (541) 947-2731 (This is the most relevant phone number for information regarding the refuge and its campgrounds, including Post Meadows).

Lakeview Office Phone: (541) 947-3315 (Another contact for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service in the region).

For Oregonians, Post Meadows Campground offers a unique and highly suitable outdoor experience, especially for those who appreciate the wilder, less-traveled parts of their state. Its location within the vast Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge, near Plush, positions it as an ideal escape into Oregon's captivating high desert. Unlike the lush forests and rugged coastlines that define much of Oregon's outdoor recreation, Post Meadows provides a distinct change of scenery, inviting locals to explore the diverse ecological tapestry of their home state.

One of the most compelling reasons for locals to visit Post Meadows is its unparalleled suitability for equestrian camping. For Oregon horse owners, finding a campground with spacious corrals and water troughs is a significant advantage, and Post Meadows is uniquely positioned as the only road-accessible site for overnight stock use on the entire Refuge. This makes it an invaluable resource for those who wish to explore the extensive, undeveloped trails of the high desert on horseback, offering a freedom and connection to nature that few other places can match. The opportunity to ride or hike through pristine landscapes, observing antelope and other wildlife in their natural habitat, creates truly unforgettable experiences.

Furthermore, Post Meadows caters to the Oregonian spirit of self-reliance and appreciation for raw wilderness. It’s a dry camping site, meaning no electrical or water hookups, and requires campers to bring in their own water (or retrieve it from the Refuge Headquarters). This provides a more authentic, less commercialized camping adventure. For many locals, this self-sufficient approach to camping is part of the appeal, fostering a deeper connection with the environment and a sense of accomplishment. While the "no campfires allowed" rule might be a departure from typical camping rituals, it underscores the critical importance of fire safety in the dry desert environment, a responsibility that conscientious Oregonians understand and respect.

While one review mentioned an unsettling experience related to unexplained sounds, it's important to view such anecdotes within the context of remote wilderness settings, where natural sounds can be amplified and interpreted differently in the dark. These stories, if anything, add to the mystique of the area, but should not detract from its fundamental offerings as a natural sanctuary.

In conclusion, Post Meadows Campground is a perfect fit for Oregonians seeking a distinctive, adventurous, and peaceful escape. It offers a unique opportunity for horse camping, a chance to immerse oneself in the stunning high desert landscape, and a rare sense of solitude that is increasingly hard to find. For those prepared to embrace a more rustic style of camping and appreciate the wild beauty of southeastern Oregon, Post Meadows Campground promises an enriching and memorable local outdoor adventure.

Post Meadows Campground

Plush, OR 97637, USA