Farragut State Park equestrian facilities provide camping for riders bringing horses to the Hayden Lake area. The park's backcountry trails accommodate horseback riding on designated routes through varied terrain. Trail markers display horse-permitted routes with seasonal access depending on ground conditions. Horse camping facilities include individual corrals, access to water, and appropriate parking for trailers.
What to do
Trail riding at Riverside State Park: Located about 30 miles from Hayden Lake, Riverside State Park Equestrian Campground offers specialized horse camping with access to river trails. "This place is such a well put together establishment, it has the most beautiful breath taking sceneries. It also seems like the perfect atmosphere to really be able to bond with your horse," notes Keila C.
Fishing access: Silver Lake offers fishing opportunities near camp at Ruby's Resort. Sites provide water access for anglers seeking various fish species. "Great spot for fishing and playing with the kids. We stayed on the premium lake view site which was solid and away from much of the other campers so it felt private," reports Devon L.
Tent camping and trail exploration: For primitive camping options connected to trail systems, Breakwater Campground provides tent sites along a Coeur d'Alene River tributary. "This campground stretches along a tributary of the CdA river, and there is great tent camping and fly fishing. Downside is that there is limited vehicle access to most spots," explains Lane P.
What campers like
Horse training facilities: Riverside State Park Equestrian Campground provides specialized facilities beyond trails. Gary M. notes, "There is also an arena, round pen, and trail training course a quarter mile up the road from the campground. For large groups and/or overflow, permission may be granted for camping in adjacent areas suitable for high lining horses."
Lake access and swimming: Round Lake State Park offers water recreation with dedicated swimming areas. "The swimming area is nice with kind of sandy beach, but there is a bit of seaweed in the swimming area. There are also two docks perfect for fishing," writes Jason S., who also mentioned catching "a couple of crappies and trout" during his stay.
Trail systems: The extensive trail network near Hayden Lake connects multiple recreation areas. At Liberty Lake Regional Park, visitors find "hiking trails, a beach within walking distance of the campground... Several hiking trails, including an equestrian trail, waterfall, fishing and lots of wildlife. There were deer in the campground every day, we saw moose, owls, pilated woodpecker, and hawks," according to Joel R.
What you should know
Limited phone service: Cell coverage varies significantly around Hayden Lake's horse camping areas. At Breakwater Campground, Dusty W. cautions, "No Reception! We didn't find it since there is no reception anywhere nearby and ended up at Bumblebee. If you head toward Breakwater though, there are several other free spots to camp."
Weather considerations: Summer temperatures can impact comfort at exposed camping areas. At Kootenai County Fairgrounds, Mary F. notes, "Noted, they have planted trees but it is going to be a while for them to mature before they provide shade. 90+ degrees was brutal in this tar paved."
Site sizes and limitations: Many equestrian sites limit the size of camping units. Ruby's Resort reviewer Jen S. explains, "My only complaint is how tight the campground is. Definitely not made for big rigs or 40'. Smaller campers only."
Tips for camping with families
Educational opportunities: Some parks provide learning experiences for children visiting horse camping areas. At Round Lake State Park, Heather M. explains, "The camp visitor center has a cool place for kids to learn about the wildlife in the area with foot prints in sand, bird calls, samples of the different types of trees and more. They also have boards to rent and games as well."
Swimming areas: Look for designated swimming beaches with gradual entry points. "The lake is just as beautiful but not the camping part," notes Brett R. about Round Lake, indicating the importance of water access for family enjoyment despite camping area changes.
Site selection for privacy: Choose sites with natural buffers between neighbors when possible. At Liberty Lake Regional Park, Annika W. advises, "I stayed in the tent part of the campground, and the sites (especially the first few) are awfully close. This is a great campground for camping with friends but I don't recommend it for a quiet getaway."
Tips from RVers
Access considerations: RVers should research access roads before bringing large rigs to horse campgrounds. At Liberty Lake Regional Park, Angel A. cautions, "The road in was kinda sketchy if you are pulling a large RV. It is surrounded by a heavily wooded area that is very beautiful and well kept up."
Hookup reliability: Check utilities availability and reliability, especially during seasonal transitions. Nic F. at Round Lake shares, "Swung by here yesterday (late Dec) after calling to confirm hookups were still functional. There was only one hookup spot plowed, and it's connectivity was not stable."
Spacing between sites: RV sites at horse camps often prioritize trailer parking over site privacy. At Bonner County Fairgrounds, Mary F. notes the "pros: nicely forested providing shade to many sites, inexpensive, tons of space to walk dogs, water and electric at sites, dump and water station easy to navigate," but lists "cons: sites are small."
