2 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Horse facilities near Benton City, Washington are limited at established campgrounds in the area. Crow Butte Park and Potholes State Park Campground, while not specifically designed for equestrians, allow camping with various accommodation options including tents, RVs, and cabin rentals. Neither park features dedicated horse corrals according to available data. Crow Butte Park, located on an island in the Columbia River connected by a causeway, offers campsites with varying levels of shade and proximity to water. The park experiences occasional wind and has trails over and around the butte that provide views of the Columbia River.
Potholes State Park Campground offers more developed facilities with full hookup RV sites arranged in circular loops and primitive tent sites in a lower area of the campground. The park includes both back-in and pull-through sites suitable for horse trailers, though specific equestrian amenities are not mentioned in available information. Direct access to hiking trails provides opportunities for exploring the surrounding desert landscape. Campers should be prepared for the arid desert climate with hot days, cool nights, and occasional gusty winds. Wildlife is abundant in the area, including deer, beavers, otters, and various bird species. Visitors should exercise caution as rattlesnakes have been spotted in the campground area, particularly during warmer months.
"Just off Washington SR 14, on an island in the Columbia River, connected by a short causeway to the mainland. "
"Camping here is nice on the Columbia River Washington side. Little breezy at times. $40.00 a night for RV $30.00 for veterans $20.00 for tents"
"Campground Review: Potholes State Park is located in Central Washington, a bit south of Moses Lake. The climate is arid desert so expect hot days, cool nights, and occasional gusty winds. "
"Close to a major town, store and restaurant across the road, giant sites with a good layout to still feel somewhat secluded and if you’re an angler, you’re 100 yards away from the boat launch."
from $12 - $71 / night
Check Availability
TravelerWe enjoyed our 1 night stay at Potholes. It’s a bit hard to get to coming from the west, but the park is well kept. It was early June, and the park was not at all crowded. We liked the layout of the loops for RVA camping, which felt like there was a decent amount of space. We did not fish or otherwise use the lake, but it is very scenic. Shower facilities were also well-maintained.
TravelerWe spent 4 nights here in early April 2026. We had sight #58 and it was great! Each loop has a wonderful grass lawn to enjoy. Sites are pretty large for a state park, our 30 foot trailer fit easily and our F350 parked next to it in the space. Little privacy between sites but there is enough space in between that you don’t notice.
If you have a tent, the spots are next to the lake. A couple had beautiful views of the lake.
We’ve heard that the mosquitoes are terrible here but we were early enough to only have a few.
If you fish or bird, this is a great spot for you! Bass were huge. And the Coots were fun to watch.
TravelerIf you have a boat and know how to fish, this lake it is a great spot. For a dock you need to go to Mardon Resort just down lake, but you need to rent a camp site to use it. This is not a swimming lake. It is a seep lake from irrigated farms and direct irrigation from Coulee dam. In August and September the lake is quite low and may be difficult to launch a boat. Great store nearby and a 2 restaurants. Lots of grass to run your dog too.
ScoutA big shout out to Wayne, the camp host. He was such a life saver. The in-line water filter in our fifth wheel blew apart so we were checking to find the nearest RV parts place, on a Saturday evening. Wayne had a spare! He let us borrow his spare water filter for the duration of our stay, which saved us a 2-hour round-trip drive to Prosser. While the camp hosts are around, visible, and staying busy, they let the campers be campers to enjoy their time.
The water was super calm, so kayaking was very enjoyable. The grounds were clean and green.
GuideJust off Washington SR 14, on an island in the Columbia River, connected by a short causeway to the mainland. The campsites lie on the landward side of a sandy butte that dominates the small island. Trails over and around the butte (no rattlesnakes seen, though signs warned about them) provide great vistas of the Columbia River. Campsites are well-spaced (both back-in and pull-through), with electric and non-electric options. Reasonable cost for a full hookup at $40/night. Showers said to be available, but we didn't use or see them. As others have mentioned, the campground can be windy, although the higher numbered sites, roughly 32-50 (toward the butte, away from the mainland) tend to be calmer.
TravelerBeautiful trees surrounded the sites provide much need shade during hot summer. However, mosquitoes are leaving you alone every time you are outside.
LegendT mobile 5G. Dead fish and algae in the lake- green speckles. The water is green. The picnic tables are partially buried in the sand. The discovery pass including the processing fee was $13. The sites are big and well spaced along the reservoir shoreline. Saw about 3 Pit toilets equally spaced along the shore line. Nice old trees providing shade. Nice breeze to close the day. Can't see any flies.
TravelerPros: good fishing, good amenities (shower, bathroom, etc), price, cleanliness, availability. Cons: Typical designated camping stacked right next to each other so barking dogs, crying kids, or drunks are highly likely to be a nuisance. Overall it's really well maintained and accessible. There's a little grocery store/market/gas across from the park on 262 if you need anything.
RangerPerfect in every way. Close to a major town, store and restaurant across the road, giant sites with a good layout to still feel somewhat secluded and if you’re an angler, you’re 100 yards away from the boat launch.
Horseback riding opportunities near Benton City, Washington exist despite limited dedicated equestrian facilities. The area falls within the Columbia Basin, characterized by shrub-steppe vegetation, with summer temperatures often exceeding 90°F and winter lows below freezing. Winter camping requires preparation for nighttime temperatures that regularly drop below 32°F, while summer visitors contend with high heat and minimal natural shade.
Fishing opportunities: Potholes State Park Campground offers access to O'Sullivan Reservoir. "There's great fishing if you have a boat, but with no easily accessible shore, it's not great for shore fishing. The shore is mud so swimming also isn't ideal either," notes Stephanie S. Fish species include "Walleye, Crappie, Bass, Trout. There are also a lot of Carp to encounter," according to Deborah W.
River exploration: Crow Butte Park provides Columbia River access. "The water was super calm, so kayaking was very enjoyable," reports Denise B. The park features "Trails over and around the butte (no rattlesnakes seen, though signs warned about them) provide great vistas of the Columbia River," according to Patrick M.
Wildlife viewing: Morning hours provide the best opportunities for wildlife spotting. "Deer walked through the campground and beavers and otters were swimming in the reservoir while we did some fishing from the group camping area," shares Shay F. Dawn and dusk viewing times yield the most active wildlife periods, with binoculars recommended.
Natural shade: During hot summer months, strategically placed campsites offer temperature relief. "Beautiful trees surrounded the sites provide much need shade during hot summer," writes Eva H. Sites numbered "32-50 (toward the butte, away from the mainland) tend to be calmer" with less wind at Crow Butte Park, according to Patrick M.
Family-friendly amenities: Recreational facilities cater to various age groups. "Fun little park for the kids and nice little beach for swimming," notes Ben B. Another visitor mentions "a good playground for kids and a short walking trail" at Potholes State Park.
Veteran discounts: Military service members receive special pricing at certain locations. "Camping here is nice on the Columbia River Washington side. Little breezy at times. $40.00 a night for RV $30.00 for veterans $20.00 for tents," explains Derek R. These discounts apply year-round rather than seasonally.
Wildlife encounters: Preparation for local fauna encounters remains essential. "We did see two snakes. One swimming towards us while we were fishing on the boat, the other in our camp site. This was a baby rattlesnake, not a gopher snake," warns Shay F. Rattlesnakes appear most frequently during warmer months, particularly in rocky areas.
Weather considerations: Potholes State Park Campground experiences significant temperature fluctuations. "The climate is arid desert so expect hot days, cool nights, and occasional gusty winds," notes a ranger. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 95°F during daytime hours while dropping significantly after sunset.
Insect activity: Certain locations require additional preparation. "However, mosquitoes are leaving you alone every time you are outside," cautions Eva H. at Potholes State Park. Another visitor noted "So... many... spiders! I paid 20 bucks for 1 night tent camping for me and 2 dogs" at Crow Butte Park.
Playground access: Structured play areas provide entertainment for younger visitors. "This campground is close to home for us and a really nice place for the kids to play," shares Benjamin B. The playground equipment includes swings, climbing structures, and open grassy areas for ball games.
Site selection for privacy: Crow Butte Park offers varying degrees of seclusion. "Site was easy to back into. Clean and level. Lots of shade and grass. Allows pets (on leash)," notes Ben B. Sites along the perimeter typically provide more privacy than central locations.
Safety precautions: Educational opportunities about local wildlife enhance safety. "Just be aware especially if you have little kids running around," advises Shay F. regarding snake encounters. Morning wildlife walks provide learning opportunities while minimizing exposure during peak snake activity hours.
Utility availability: Hookup options vary significantly between campgrounds. "The RV sites have power, water, and sewer. They are arranged like a wheel, you drive around the small center and the other trailers are the spokes in the wheel," explains Shay F. regarding Potholes State Park.
Wildlife-proof food storage: Potholes State Park Campground requires secure food practices. "This was also the first time we experienced animal problems on a camping trip... there were racoons that liked our food more than we did," shares Doug. Secure all food items in hard-sided containers, especially overnight.
Campsite navigation challenges: Physical barriers may complicate setup. "We had to back our TT all the way into the camp site due to they line each side of the camp sites with huge boulders... they put one on each side of the entrance to the camp site which does make it a bit concerning to back in," notes Doug. RVs longer than 30 feet should select sites specifically designated for larger vehicles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Benton City, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Benton City, WA is Crow Butte Park with a 4.1-star rating from 8 reviews.
Keep Exploring
