Chiwawa Horse Campground provides essential facilities for equestrians visiting the Wenatchee National Forest. Located near Leavenworth, Washington, this established campground accommodates both tent and RV camping with horses. The campground features vault toilets and trash collection, with drinking water available on site. Unlike some equestrian campgrounds in the region, pets are not allowed at Chiwawa Horse Camp to minimize disturbance to the horses. The campground operates seasonally from Memorial Day through November 1, making it suitable for summer and fall trail riding adventures.
Trail access directly connects riders to the extensive network of equestrian-friendly paths in the Wenatchee National Forest. The surrounding area offers diverse terrain suitable for riders of all experience levels. Horse owners find Nason Creek Campground, located 20 minutes away, provides an alternative option with waterfront sites and creek access where horses can cool off after rides on hot days. The spacious sites at Nason Creek can accommodate multiple tents and hammocks with enough room for horse trailers. Riders appreciate the relative privacy between campsites compared to nearby Lake Wenatchee State Park. When planning an equestrian camping trip in the Chelan area, advance reservations are recommended during peak summer months when these horse-friendly campgrounds fill quickly with trail riders.
"The park itself is really well maintained, and in a beautiful location. The lake and surrounding hills were beautiful."
"Alta Lake is a nice, clean park with decent tent sites. We had a site in Loop 2 on the right (on the lake side). It was away from the main area, parking lots, boat launch or store, so pretty quiet."
Campground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $23 - $166 / night
"The campground is divided into two parts by a crisp clear and cold Wenatchee River, flowing out of Lake Wenatchee, locat d in the central Cascade Mountains of Washington."
"_We love camping in this area of Washington. There are so many campsites and each one is just far away from the nearest town which is so nice to know that you won't be bothered by the busy road."
Campground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $23 - $70 / night
"Being surrounded by the tall Washington trees and a distant sound of the babbling creek felt like a dream."
"We stayed 1 night at site 57 near the river on our way over the pass and it was a nice stay. Lots of campsites spread out among several campgrounds."
Campground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $27 / night
"The entrance will be on the right with a sign. The whole area was very interesting, orchards, rocks and water. Worth a visit!
We stayed for an overnight."
"Nice clean well maintained park with lots of access to the water. Kinda pricey for full hookup. We booked late in the year so we had to move twice within a 5 day stay."
from $12 - $41 / night
"Nice park beside very slow river adjacent to busy road. No dogs on grass. Garbage. Picnic tables. Shaded. Stay 72 hours. Warm shower. Flush toilet. $10/night/vehicle or tent"
"There is a golf course next to the campground. My Verizon signal was strong. The campground us situated far enough from the highway that road noise was negligible."
"ADA site is paved, next to vault toilet. Dry camp, no trash or bear boxes. Close to Lake Perry gin and Winthrop. Great location for hunting and fishing. Free of charge."
TravelerThe heated bathrooms with showers were definitely comfort on our cross country road trip. We arrived after hours but because we already had made reservations that morning we were able to use the slider and enter the campground. Star gazing is always top priority. We headed down to the lake’s beach to snap some shots with my iPhone 14 Pro night, setting on a tripod and remote.
RangerBeautiful setting Hot clean showers Good cell service Leave it Better Than you found it!
ScoutIt was easy to find flat areas to camp. I was careful about setting up too much. because there were several bear sightings in this area, so I wanted to avoid cooking odors and such.
GuideThis is probably my favorite campsite I have ever stayed at. Everything is far enough apart to where it doesn’t feel over crowded or crammed. It was a noisy campground, so if you are looking for something quiet this is not going to be for you… but the views, beach, cleanliness, and free shower make up for it ten times over. They also have a very cute gift shop with some merch to check out. The south lot has the more wooded and private campsites whereas the north lot is more of an open space with few tress providing any privacy. The beach is a very rocky beach, and you will need water shoes. Paddle board and kayak rentals were available as well. Onsite campfire wood, ice, snacks, basic camping supplies, and ice tram truck, etc all available at the main store.
ScoutState provided camping area. Approx 12 sites. Level, on dirt. ADA site is paved, next to vault toilet. Dry camp, no trash or bear boxes. Close to Lake Perry gin and Winthrop. Great location for hunting and fishing. Free of charge.
TravelerI’ve been camping here for several years now in my travel trailer. Lots of space between hookup sites and some vegetation to create some privacy. Park and facilities are very clean and well maintained. Lake Wenatchee is a beautiful lake. No campsites are on the lake but a short walk to the lake and beach areas. Very family and dog friendly. The town of Leavenworth is about 20 minutes away. Fun town although touristy and busy. The tall trees and wind thru the trees lull you to sleep.
GuideTwo sections. Not sure what it is called. Site 3 right on the water. Level. Stayed on a Monday night. Only a few other campers here. Trees around this pull in made it feel even cozier.
GuideFirst time staying at this beautiful State Park. We have a 28ft camper and tow truck and fit perfectly in site 177. It is pretty private because of the shrubbery and has a direct path to the restrooms. This site has no hookups but there is a dump station with potable water where we filled up and we have solar panels for most of our needs. We also have an EV truck so we just hooked up to it and used it for all of our power needs. To conserve water usage we showered daily in the public showers which were some of the nicest showers in a state park I've ever seen. There was no fee to use them. Site 177 has a nice open view of the sky and gets plenty of sunshine. Some of the other sites are much shadier but with starlink we prefer an open site and temps still dipped into the 30s at night so the warm sun was appreciated during the day. The trail is very easy to access at multiple points and is terrific for families and pets. There is also a playground near the restrooms on the north loop were our site was. Firewood is also available through the ranger station. We had no issues with mosquitos as it was still quite cool and windy. Beware the chipmunks though. They get into everything left out. There are also active bear warnings so no food left outside. We saw plenty of their poop on the trail but never encountered one. Leavenworth is about half an hour away if you want to make a day trip or need supplies.
LegendUnlike the South Campground, the North side has a lot less going on--not a bad thing at all, though! Dinged this side a star because there's no view of the lake from the camping area--you have to walk a (short) path to the beach area. There's one central restroom area with 4 individual shower rooms. Great cell service.
Equestrian camping near Chelan, Washington offers access to diverse terrain within the Wenatchee National Forest. The region sits at elevations between 1,100-4,000 feet, creating varied riding conditions from riverside trails to mountain paths. Summer temperatures typically range from 75-95°F during peak riding season, with cooler nights that provide relief for horses after day trips.
Trail riding along Entiat River: Cottonwood Campground provides direct access to several equestrian-friendly trails following the Entiat River. "Several spots on both sides of Entiat River. Typical NForest type campground with little visual privacy but decent space between spots!" notes Teresa H.
Swimming with horses: At Lake Wenatchee State Park Campground, riders can cool off their horses in designated areas. "Amazing! Our spot faced the lake and surrounding mountains. The lake has such a nice beach!! Great swimming for adults and kiddos!" says Hailey T. The sandy beach areas provide safe entry points for horses.
Alpine lake exploration: Pack trips from equestrian sites can reach alpine lakes within a day's ride. The Alta Lake State Park Campground area offers moderate trails suitable for intermediate riders. "We take our kayaks and explore. Hiking trails are close by," shares Shay F., highlighting the mixed-use trails accessible to horseback riders.
Clean facilities: Equestrian campers appreciate the well-maintained amenities at Chiwawa Horse Camp. "The campground was in good shape, nice and clean," reports Jeff C., noting that the vault toilets and water facilities are regularly serviced.
Creek access for cooling horses: Nason Creek Campground offers strategic spots where horses can safely drink and cool down. "Our site was right on the river it was huge could fit lots of tents and hammocks... and so close to the river," explains Garrett T., highlighting the spacious nature of sites that accommodate horse trailers.
Seasonal variations: Fall riding presents unique opportunities with fewer crowds. "After camping here for the maximum two week period, I was absolutely in love. Being surrounded by the tall Washington trees and a distant sound of the babbling creek felt like a dream," writes Amanda E. about her extended stay at Nason Creek Campground.
Reservation requirements: During summer months, equestrian sites fill quickly. "Make sure you reserve a site online. If you just show up last minute you may be Sol," warns Kevin K. about Lake Wenatchee State Park.
Mosquito preparedness: Insect protection for both riders and horses is essential. "Be prepared for mosquitoes. But other than that very clean nice campsite," advises Jin about conditions at Lake Wenatchee State Park.
Fire restrictions: Check current regulations as they vary seasonally. "We ended up with an ant infestation in our camper and we camp very clean. It's very barren and hot," reports Lorrie K. at Alta Lake State Park Campground, highlighting how dry conditions can create both insect and fire concerns.
Equestrian-friendly playgrounds: Some campgrounds offer facilities for children when not riding. "There is also a playground that my niece loved. Only downside was it could get a bit windy," shares Hailey T. about Lake Wenatchee State Park.
Multi-activity options: American Legion Park provides alternative activities for family members who don't ride. "Nice park beside very slow river adjacent to busy road. No dogs on grass. Garbage. Picnic tables. Shaded," notes DL M., describing the convenient amenities.
Shower facilities: After dusty trail rides, shower access becomes important. "I like this area very much. Nothing spectacular, but free showers, free WiFi, bathrooms, water faucet, and water spigot is hard to beat," explains Jonathan T. about American Legion Park, which offers these conveniences for $10/night.
Horse trailer positioning: RVers with horse trailers should arrive early to secure optimal sites. "We got lucky on a Friday with a FCFS site when all the reservable sites were marked as 'reserved' for the weekend," shares Laura M. about Nason Creek Campground.
Water access considerations: "Hard to get a site with an open sky view for solar. Many of the sites are pull through (curve along the camp site type)," continues Laura about Nason Creek, pointing out features particularly relevant to RVers with horse trailers who need specific positioning.
Dump station locations: Plan ahead for servicing needs. "Easy to access dump station. No hookups. There are trash dumpsters but no recycling," reports Laura M. about the facilities at Nason Creek Campground, information particularly useful for extended horse camping stays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Chelan, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Chelan, WA is Alta Lake State Park Campground with a 3.9-star rating from 16 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Chelan, WA?
TheDyrt.com has all 10 equestrian camping locations near Chelan, WA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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