Welcome to Tahoma Chapter's
Horse Camping Resources
Note: List provided for informational purposes only. Trail Maps and related data can change. Please check with local governing agencies for trail and road conditions before planning trips into the backcountry.
This is not a complete list of all horse camping /trail riding opportunities in Washington State. These are some popular places that our members have visited.
See links below for other resources for Horse Camping & Trail Riding in WA State (& Beyond)
Trail maps may be available for these areas at: Green Trails Maps
Cle Elum Area
(Click on links for more Info)
Teanaway Community Forest
Popular area for horse camping. Tahoma Chapter uses the Teanaway Campground (area for horse campers) and Indian Camp Horse Camp up the Middle Fork Teanaway Rd. Many trails to ride, most are easy - moderate difficulty. Area is used by mountain bikers and hikers. Bicycle Clubs have created some maps. GPS/GAIA for navigation is recommended. Trail mapping may be done by DNR in the future. No corrals, highline areas in horse camps. No water close by. Pavement all the way to Teanaway Campground. For Indian Camp, pavement ends, then gravel road. Discover Pass required.
Cayuse Horse Camp - Salmon La Sac
Nice horse camp with corrals in common area and stock water. Reservations available. Campsite Fee. Ride to Salmon La Sac Trailhead for access to Waptus River Trail, Pollalie Ridge Trail, Cooper River Trail - Pete Lake Trail. Out & back trails. Longer loop rides available. Difficulty = Cooper River, Waptus, Pete Lake Trails are Easy - Moderate, rocks & roots, creek crossings. Pollalie Ridge - Harder - climbing. Pavement all the way to camp. US Forest Pass required.
Pete Lake Trailhead - Salmon La Sac
Provides access to Pete Lake Trail within Alpine Lakes Wilderness. Nice day ride, out & back. Cooper River Trail access from here also. Day use area, no camping. Difficulty = Easy - Moderate, creek crossings, rocks, roots. Camping available at Cayuse Horse Camp. US Forest Pass required.
Salmon La Sac Trailhead
Access to Waptus River Trail, Pollalie Ridge Trail, Cooper River Trail - Pete Lake / Alpine Lakes Wilderness (see above). Day use area, no camping. Camping available at Cayuse Horse Camp. US Forest Pass required
DeRoux Trailhead / Horse Camp - North Fork Teanaway Rd.
Haney Meadows - Ken Wilcox Horse Camp - Blewett Pass
This remote, high elevation campground/horse camp offers. Stock water only. Beautiful high-country trails. Difficulty - varies, depending on trail. One of the camps our chapter helps maintain, BCHW historically has annual work party here. Camp is accessed by a steep grade road. US Forest Pass required.
Stafford Creek Trailhead- Teanaway
Provides access to Stafford Creek Trail and to Navajo Pass and Peak. Difficulty = Moderate. US Forest Pass required.
Tucquala Meadows/Fish Lake Trailhead
A remote, high elevation location that provides access to Deception Pass Trail and Trail Creek within Alpine Lakes Wilderness. Access to Deception Pass, Cathedral Pass, Hyas Lake, and many others. Limited camping area available at trailhead. US Forest Pass required.
Ellensburg Area
Joe Watt Canyon - Thorp
Located in LT Murray Wildlife area. Discover Pass required.
Horse Camping area and trail system with good early season riding.
Robinson Canyon - Thorp
Located in LT Murray Wildlife area. Combination of roads and trails. Horse camping area with good early season riding.
Driving Directions: From I-90, take exit 101 and turn south on Thorp Highway. Veer right onto Killmoor Road and continue 2.5 miles to Robinson Canyon Road. Turn right and proceed to the gate at the road’s end. Discover Pass required.
BBQ Flats & Cascade Camp - Wenas
Both camps located in the LT Murray Wildlife area. Direct access to miles of trails and old logging roads that wind through open meadows and a mixed pine, fir, and spruce tree forest. Ideal hub for horseback riding, offering diverse terrain. Combination of trails and Green Dot Roads. On Audubon Rd. - Area. This area ranges up to the top of Clemmons mountains and further west, as well as areas north. Many types of wildlife can be seen, including elk herds and deer. Early access could find sheds and winter kill elk ivory. Great camping and cross-country riding. Stock water available in early season. No potable water. Discover Pass required. Below maps provided by BCHW.org
Burke Lake- Quincy
Burke Lake is one of the ancient lakes that makes up the Quincy Wildlife Recreational Area. It offers camping and access to the Columbia River and amazing geographical formations. Popular destination in April before the snakes appear. Horse camps are restricted to designated areas. The trails are rocky and stock requires shoeing. These trails access the Ancient Lakes Basin, the Columbia River and interior trails with views. Fishing is good in most lakes. Discover Pass is required.
Directions and Camping Information (provided by BCHW.org)
Greenwater / Crystal Mountain Area
Buck Creek/ Ranger Creek
Camping site of Hwy 410 near Crystal Mountain. Campground is adjacent to Evergreen Air Field. A trail to the west is a perimeter trail, mostly on the flat. The main trail to the west is commonly called Sun Top. On the trail route is a walk trail to the falls. This trail is an access to Ranger Creek Trail, White River Trail and leads to Deep Creek Trail with access on these eastern trails to Corral pass. US Forest Pass Required.
Government Meadows
Entrance to the PCT (Pacific Crest Trail). Road access on FS70 road off Highway 410. Northbound is not wilderness in large part. Southbound is wilderness area requiring Weed-Seed Free feed or native grazing. The camp has highlines and a vault toilet. The camp has no stock or potable water. Stock water is available at the Government Meadows Cabin (3/4 mile away) or back down access road (1/2 mile). The trails are suited for most stock and riders. US Forest Pass Pass required
Lost Lake / Echo Lake
Greenwater Lakes Trail connects to Lost Lake Trail and Echo Lake Trail. Drive east on State Highway 410 from Enumclaw 20.3 miles to Greenwater Road #70. Then left (north) onto Road #70 and follow 9.6 miles to trail sign. Turn right onto Road #7033, the trailhead is on the right side of road after 0.5 mile. No camping at trailhead. US Forest Service Pass.
Sand Flats Horse Camp - Crystal Mountain
Camping at Sand Flats, Half Camp or lower parking lot available. Stock water available, no potable water. Vault toilets at Sand Flats and Half Camp. Advanced riding except for Bullion Basin, which is basic skill level. US Forest Pass Required.
SW Washington
Capitol Forest - Olympia
Capitol State Forest is a beautiful recreation destination just a short drive from Olympia. Horse camps, Margaret McKenny & Falls Creek offer corrals and horse water. Multi-use trails, designated trails for horses/hikers and motorized use. Discover Pass Required. See link above for more information and trail maps.
Keenes Horse Camp - Mt. Adams
High elevation horse camp. Beautiful, popular area for equestrians. Access to PCT and other numerous trails. Manure bins, stock water. The Mt. Adams Wilderness is just outside the campground to the south. 25 miles from Randle, WA on Forest Service Roads. Green Trails Maps available for this area. US Forest Pass Required.
Cody Horse Camp - Mt Adams
Cody Horse Camp features 16 pull-through campsites in a stand of lodgepole pine and mixed conifers and includes a mounting assist ramp and water trough. All sites have highline poles and long pull-through parking Green Trails Maps available for this area.. US Forest Pass required
Walupt Horse Camp - Mt Adams
Walupt Horse Camp is located one mile west of Walupt Lake. It is a full-service horse camp with gravel interior roads, spurs, and parking area. Riders can access numerous trails from the campground. Access the Goat Rocks Wilderness. Green Trails Maps available for this area. US Forest Pass required.
Kalama Horse Camp - Mt. St. Helens
Kalama Horse Camp is located just outside the west boundary of Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. 27 sites accommodate equestrian users, with nearby access to trails.. Campsites available to be reserved at recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. Other sites available first come, first serve, there is a camp host. Stock water, manure bins, corrals. Beautiful trails with views of Mt. St Helen's. Paved road all the way to camp. US Forest Pass required.
Cascades to Palouse Trail
Middle Fork Snoqualmie - North Bend
Nile Creek - Naches
White Pass Horse Camp
Black Pine Horse Camp - Leavenworth
Other Places to visit with your horses
Washington State Horse Park - Cle Elum
Silver Ridge Ranch - Easton
Mazama Ranch House- Mazama
More trail/trailhead/horse camp info. can be found on these sites:
Horse Riding and Camping Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest
Horse Riding and Camping Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
Backcountry Horsemen of Washington / Trail & Horse Camping Resources
Trailmeister- Find Horse Trails and Camps
NW Horse Trails and Camps - Guidebooks for Sale