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Kalama Horse Camp Campground provides essential equestrian accommodations near Cougar, Washington with wood corrals at most campsites. Located in Gifford Pinchot National Forest, this rustic campground features multiple trails accessible directly from the camp area, including a trail that circles the entire grounds. Each site includes a fire pit and picnic table, with several sites offering horse corrals for overnight stays. The campground has composting toilets, stock water access, and wheelbarrows available for manure management. Trails surrounding the camp lead to excellent mountain views, making it a popular destination for those camping with horses. The campground operates seasonally from May 1 through November 1 and operates on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservations accepted.
Several miles of well-maintained trails branch out from Kalama Horse Camp, offering riders varying difficulty levels and terrain options. The trails connect to higher elevation routes with panoramic mountain vistas that horse owners frequently mention as highlights of their riding experience. Volunteer groups and the US Forest Service maintain the extensive trail network. The campground's proximity to Mount St. Helens trails provides excellent day-trip riding opportunities while using the camp as a base. Campers report the sites are generously sized with ample room for truck and trailer parking alongside tents or small RVs. The tree cover provides good shade for horses during summer months. While the campground offers basic amenities, its location just a few miles from Cougar allows riders to access additional supplies when needed. The peaceful forest setting under tall fir trees creates an ideal environment for both horses and their owners.
"Driving up there the way we drive (from Vancouver) you go up through ranching/farming territory and it’s nice and green and pretty, so it’s nice getting there."
"Hiking around the lake is a great way to start and/or end you day while staying at Battle Ground Lake SP. Horses are welcome. There are cabins available also. Several sites overlook the lake."
from $12 - $87 / night
Check Availability"Pit toilets, lake access, close to Mt. St. Helens activities. Four miles from Cougar."
"There are 8 walk in sites and one drive up site, all first come first serve discovery pass required. Some sites are larger than others, but in ours we were able to fit two 6ptents and one 2p tent."
"Kalama Horse Camp has always been one of my favorite places to take my horses for a camping adventure."
"This is primarily a spot where you go to park your horse trailer and go from there! However it’s “first come first served”. Has few amenities, pit toilets.... clean and composting."
from $23 / night
Check Availability"I love Seaquest for their beautiful campsites and the proximity to a wonderful forest to bathe in."
"I gave this park a high rating primarily because of its location."
from $12 - $87 / night
Check Availability"9 campsites available, but when we got there they were all taken so we took a spot right beside the lake. Fly fishing allowed. Has a bathroom and access to non-potable water."
"Across the road is a horse camp that the PCT goes through. There is a spur from the PCT directly into the campground for easy access. There is a beautiful view of Mt."
"Some camp sots are better situated then others, so do research before making reservation."
from $25 - $45 / night
Check Availability"Had a beautiful spot with a short trail to the creek. Has some very clean pit toilets through the camp ground. Its a horse camp, to be mindful of the horses."
"Trails from campsites and throughout the campground to the creek or hiking/biking/horse trails. Fires in the provided pits were allowed in early July."
"We stayed here (without horses) when we couldn’t find anywhere else to stay. It was completely empty in July, probably because people think you have to be a horse to stay here."
"We stayed at this horse camp in early April because all other area campgrounds were closed until May. What a lucky find! We were the only ones there. Pit toilets were clean enough."
from $15 / night
"Close proximity to Multonomah Falls. Pros - bathrooms with electric outlets, free showers, deer come close and are fun to watch, quiet & fairly private stay."
"There is distance between you and other guests but if you want to meet your neighbors you can. They have ADA sites, a lake, play grounds and a welcome center."
from $25 / night
Check Availability"We scored a walk-in tent site ($22.) on Monday in the middle of August without a reservation."
"We came here for the 4th of July to get away from the fireworks in the city (our dog is terrified of them!). We had an amazing experience!"
from $35 - $915 / night
Check Availability
ScoutIncredible, free, private. Tent sites only, short hike in from parking lot, bring your own everything. Pit toilets, lake access, close to Mt. St. Helens activities. Four miles from Cougar.
TravelerCamped in dispersed campsite across from campground. Walked through campground. Has decent outhouse. Watering trough for horses. picnic tables and nice fire pits with grates in every campsite. Great picket lines for horses in each site. Use caution, since there is an abundance of bear in the area. And cougar have been sighted around the area
LegendHares Canyon Horse Camp is one of three campgrounds in Stub Stewart State Park and unlike other horse camps which often allow the overflow of tenters and rv'ers without horses, this horse camp is equestrian only.
The Campground is set up in one loop and offers both single and double sites, ADA facilities, showers, toilets, and trash. Each site has a picnic table, fire pit, and a corral. There is a double corral on the double sites.
You must clean up after your own horse. Manure bin as well as shovels/brooms are provided onsite.
In mid May, the sites were very wide open.
GuideI don’t have a horse but I still stayed here! We were in the area, struggling to find a place to camp. After 7 pm, the campground let us set up camp in an empty equestrian campsite. Unique experience!
TravelerThere are 8 walk in sites and one drive up site, all first come first serve discovery pass required. Some sites are larger than others, but in ours we were able to fit two 6ptents and one 2p tent. All campsites have a fire ring and picnic table. You’ll still see and hear your fellow campers, but it does seem semi private. Make sure to bring toilet paper, the bathroom seems to never be stocked. Make sure to haul out all trash.
You can’t use motorized boats and can only fly fish in the lake, but a very nice 1 mile hike is adjacent to the day use area. Also very close to Cougar for gas and supplies for emergencies. Driving distance to popular day hikes. No cell service.
LegendThis horse campground is near Takhlakh Lake. Its a small campground with about 6 sites and is first come first serve. All the other campgrounds in the area were full, but this one was pretty empty especially since it was visible from the road. I stayed twice over the summer and both times there were sites with horses in them. It is right next to the road, but there was a large pot hole in the road so people had to slow down or risk damage to their cars. The road all the way to the campground was very bad with holes, washouts, downed trees, huge dips, I recommend paying close attention when you are driving cause stuff will sneak up on you out of no where and low clearance cars could do damage. The campground was next to the creek and had multiple horse trails leaving from the campground. There were also a ton of wildflowers each time I went, since they are so high in elevation the wildflowers are still around into August.
The drive to Takhlakh Lake is only about 8 miles and takes about 20-30 minutes. Very easy day trip to enjoy the lake but then you can leave the crowds at the lake behind.
GuideWe have stayed here a couple of times now, both by accident when our intended destinations were full. The sites are pretty well spread out in a double loop with 3 double pit toilets and 2 hand pumps for water. There are several places to access the creek and play in the cold, shallow water. The stones in the stream are a rainbow of metamorphic rock.
Across the road is a horse camp that the PCT goes through. There is a spur from the PCT directly into the campground for easy access. There is a beautiful view of Mt. Hood just a couple of miles up the trail. Further up the road is a short hike to some beautiful falls. The road continues for a long way, eventually looping up to Cougar, making for a lot to do in the area. Camas is a short drive for most supplies though for spirits you'll have to go to Stevenson about 30 minutes away. Overall an accessible and pleasant place to camp.
LegendDiscover pass required
Merrill Lake, just outside of Cougar, WA feels very remote, despite its relatively close proximity to the Portland/Vancouver area. This campground is best suited for tent camping, as there is only one RV site and sometimes it’s occupied by a camp host.
I met up with some folks who were in tents and occupied the tent spots and spent the night in the parking lot in my van. Several other folks did this as well. You're just a little ways from the campsites that have picnic tables and fire pits.
The lake is the real attraction here. Great for paddle boarding or kayaking. There's a boat launch. Best of all, it's free!
LegendSmaller, but we were able to switch sites away from an area with two families/lots of little kids (so the area is easy for people who don't camp a lot). Beautiful river, lots of horses and fisherpeople, great trails, tall trees, lots of shade, close to Portland. Plus you can reserve sites ahead of time.
Kalama Horse Camp Campground serves equestrian needs with wood corrals located near most sites. This area within Gifford Pinchot National Forest sits at approximately 1,800 feet elevation with moderate temperatures ranging from 40-80°F during the operating season. The campground's network of trails connects to higher elevations where riders can access views of nearby mountains on paths maintained by volunteer groups in partnership with the US Forest Service.
Trail exploration beyond camp boundaries: Visitors to Panther Creek Campground can access the Pacific Crest Trail directly from the campground area. "PCT was a great for day hikes. Definitely on our list to return to!" notes Heather P. The campground offers "Multiple access points to the creek and the PCT is just outside the campground," according to Jeff K.
Fishing opportunities: Merrill Lake Campground provides a peaceful setting for anglers with specific regulations. "Fly fish only," mentions Shannon B., while Brooke S. adds, "You can't use motorized boats and can only fly fish in the lake, but a very nice 1 mile hike is adjacent to the day use area." The lake offers a boat launch for non-motorized watercraft.
Mountain exploration: Multiple horse-friendly trails near Cougar provide access to scenic viewpoints. "Great views up on the high trails of the mountains," notes Mari R. about the trail system at Kalama Horse Camp. Many of these trails connect to routes that showcase Mount St. Helens vistas and volcanic landscapes unique to this region.
Spacious sites for equestrian needs: Kalama Horse Camp Campground features ample room for horse trailers and camping equipment. "Sites are nice sized, it's generally peaceful under the large fir trees with just enough canopy to provide shade and for the wood corrals," reports Mari R. The campground's layout accommodates both equestrian and non-equestrian campers with "each spot is large and quite private," according to Jessica C.
Natural water features: Visitors appreciate the streams and lakes in the area. At Panther Creek, "There's water sources and restrooms" which Candace describes as "such a luxury out here." The creek provides "wonderful white noise" according to Sue L., creating a peaceful camping atmosphere.
Old-growth forests: The region's mature forest settings create distinctive camping environments. At Merrill Lake, Dan M. describes camping "on the lake shore amidst a grove of Old Growth Cedar" with a "Short and beautiful nature trail through the Cedars." These mature forests provide natural shade and habitat for wildlife viewing opportunities.
Limited amenities: Most horse campgrounds near Cougar operate with basic facilities. At Merrill Lake Campground, "Discover pass required... Make sure to bring toilet paper, the bathroom seems to never be stocked. Make sure to haul out all trash," advises Brooke S. This reflects the self-sufficient nature of many campgrounds in the area.
Seasonal considerations: Weather can affect camping conditions significantly. The operating season for Kalama Horse Camp runs May 1 through November 1, with most favorable conditions from June through September. During summer, sites with shade become particularly valuable as Shannon B. notes the campgrounds offer "tree cover" that provides "good shade" during warmer months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Cougar, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Cougar, WA is Battle Ground Lake State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 41 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Cougar, WA?
TheDyrt.com has all 30 equestrian camping locations near Cougar, WA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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