1 campground with availability this weekend
Sahara Creek DNR Horse Camp accommodates both horse owners and tent campers in a forested setting near Mount Rainier. The campground has dedicated equestrian sites with ample space for horses and trailers, though it lacks specific horse corrals. A Discover Pass is required for camping, which is otherwise free with a 7-day limit in a 30-day period. The campground maintains vault toilets but offers no drinking water, electric hookups, or trash service. Large sites provide sufficient room for horse trailers and camping equipment. Some sites are reserved exclusively for horse campers, while others allow tent camping but no RVs according to visitor reports.
The campground connects to several riding trails, including an ADA-accessible trail that provides level terrain for walking dogs or shorter rides. Located approximately 15 minutes from the entrance to Mount Rainier National Park, Sahara Creek serves as a convenient base for day trips. The nearby shooting range creates occasional noise that may disturb some horses. The heavily shaded sites limit solar charging capabilities but provide natural cooling during summer months. A picnic shelter with closable sides offers protection during inclement weather. Horse owners must pack in water for their animals and pack out all waste, as the primitive camping area has no manure disposal facilities or water hookups available.
"Lovely area such beautiful surroundings."
"Very cool spot with new generation trees growing out of old generation stumps, close to river for water, very popular spot so found a lot of trash but loved the sites and hiking trails nearby"
"The campground is next to a classy laundromat, and I say classy because it’s probably one of the nicest laundromats in the area that even has a dumpsite for RVs."
"The campground is in 500+ acre Tolt-McDonald Park, far enough away from any busy road so that there is no traffic noise, just the sound of the Tolt River rapids."
"Horse camp but sites 21-30 are for non equestrian campers."
"Lots of horses here which is enjoyable. An ADA trail is level for walking the dog.
Shooting range is close by, doesn’t bother me but it’s pretty noisy."
from $30 / night
"This is a very nice, typical Washington state park with plenty of trees, greenery, hiking, pathways and even a lake."
"This is a beautiful park located on Deep Lake just outside of Olympia. The park itself is huge offering lots of options for campers. "
Available this weekend
from $12 - $140 / night
"Lake access. Trail access. Pristine wilderness. Horse trails. Hunting. Fishing. Scenery. I would rather not tell you about it and keep it to myself."
"There was a woodsy area behind the site where kids could play. The bathrooms are fancy out houses no place to wash hands. Lots of bugs in the evening."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $24 - $48 / night
"Very remote woodsy area around the lake. Pristine waters, state fish stocked lake, bring drinking water."
"Cooper Lake is absolutely stunning and admittedly the campsites are situated pretty well for views and privacy but there are definitely Pros and Cons to this campground."
from $14 / night
"Tons of options just off the beaten path. This is another gateway location which holds entrances to dozens of roads each with their own selection of dry camp sites."
"Once you arrive in the zone most of the camps are located along either Howson Creek, Little Salmon la Sac River or the backside of Lake Cle Elum. "
"23 May 2020 - you can drive to the "Y" intersection for the camp grounds and horse camp, but the snow was so deep that walking is the only option."
"Cowlitz Trail is here. Horse camping and trail in separate area. There are two sites before the main area that are more secluded but require a 4WD vehicle to get to."
from $65 - $71 / night
RangerVery nice! Horse camp but sites 21-30 are for non equestrian campers. Sites are wooded between and large with table, firepits/grill combo, and level wooded spaces. 2 clean, well stocked pit toilets are available. Water faucets available at several locations. WA discover pass but free otherwise. It is patrolled regularly.
GuideQuiet, but we were here mid week in late August….
TravelerThe campground itself is wide and quaint with decent privacy, a creek, and also has equestrian site options. Pit bathrooms are decently clean. Neighboring ranch land's cows will walk right through your campsite unbothered though, so be aware.
RangerThis went from a four star stay to one star in the blink of an eye. There is a shooting range directly behind this campground, and the horse trails lead right past it. On August 8th 2026 around 2PM, someone’s horse was shot while they were riding less than a half a mile away from camp and when they called 911, animal control came but police would NOT come even to investigate. This was reckless use of a firearm, animal endangerment, and honestly should be a felony. There is no way to accidentally be shooting at the trails from the shooting range, you have to DECIDE to do that. Police are absolutely useless, and now I know especially in this area the cops don’t give a damn about anyone’s safety.
You can hear shooting nearby all day and all night despite the posted hours at the range. Although it’s a free stay with a discover pass, I will NOT EVER stay here again and would not recommend this place to anyone with horses.
TravelerPerfectly fine, especially considering the low low price of $0. Sites no closer together (honestly, more spacious than) the average KoA I’ve paid $60-$90 to pop up a tent in.
I chose a spot closer to the road than the lake, but if I’d arrived before 7:45 other spots would have been available, I’d imagine.
GuideEveryone is all close together. But it’s free. They have bathroom porta potty.
ScoutThis is a really pretty site. The camping and beach access is great. We saw bald eagles and very low flying cargo planes. There is some kind of RC flying area on the north side of the site.
There is road noise, but that is going to depend on where you camp. There are sites right next to the road and sites a few hundred yards away. There are"homeless" camps here. They didn't bother us, but you can tell that not everyone here is a recreational camper.
It is large enough that we got our class A with trailer in and out. There is a bit of a loop, but this can be blocked so check first. The road is very rough, you have to go slow.
There is a dump and non-potable water station at the park a few miles up the road. It is$5 for non-campers today.
GuideBeautiful well maintained sites with tables and fire rings. Washington Pass required. Plenty of room for RVs at many of the sites - it was mostly empty when we came.
ScoutArrived pretty late. In daylight sites are easy to find but a bit hard in twilight/dark but lots of open spots and an easy going camp hosts makes that better.
Think more tailgating than camping on event nights.
Back in camping, ADA portapotty, showers are well used but clean and great water pressure.
For the cost and same day late booking good option for a day to come Clean up yourself and the car.
Sahara Creek DNR Horse Camp provides equestrian-focused camping options with specific sites reserved for horse owners approximately 15 minutes from Mount Rainier National Park. The campground requires a Washington State Discover Pass for entry, which covers the camping fee with a 7-day limit in a 30-day period. Beyond the dedicated equestrian areas, trail riders appreciate the ADA-accessible path that offers level terrain for shorter rides or walking dogs. The campground's heavily wooded setting limits solar charging capabilities while providing natural shade during warmer months.
Explore hiking trails near Cooper Lake: At Owhi Campground on Cooper Lake, visitors can access multiple trails including routes to Pete Lake. "There are plenty of hiking trails located close by. You can hike to Pete Lake by either driving or hiking the remaining mile down the road to the trailhead from Owhi Campground," notes Megan C.
Practice target shooting: Near Sahara Creek, recreational shooting areas provide opportunities for target practice. One visitor mentions, "Shooting range is close by, doesn't bother me but it's pretty noisy." This makes the area good for groups who want to combine camping with target practice.
Fish for trout: Bumping Lake Campground offers excellent fishing opportunities in a scenic mountain setting. "There is a boat dock right near the campground. A small general store is open until 5pm," says Keli S. The lake is stocked with rainbow trout, making it popular with anglers.
Free camping with proper permits: Budget-conscious campers appreciate the value at certain sites. "If you have a Discover Pass already you are good to go. Love of area for Horses, trailers and regular camping. Vault toilets. No views but who doesn't like Free?" notes Charyl B. about one of the equestrian camping options near Enumclaw, Washington.
Privacy between sites: At Soda Springs, campers enjoy more secluded spots. "Sites are pretty spread out offering a good amount of privacy, all are along the Bumping River. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring, with bbq grate," explains Mary C. This separation provides a more private outdoor experience.
Off-grid experience: Soda Springs Campground offers a true disconnect from technology. "This is a perfect getaway for people looking to unplug as no cell service (tested on sprint, verizon, and google fi) is available. There is tons of wildlife and lots of trails and riverbank to explore," adds Mary C.
Early arrival recommended: Popular sites fill quickly, especially during peak season. At South Fork Snoqualmie River, "There are a ton of really great sites along this road, although most of the drive-in sites will be taken if it's a busy weekend, so get there early!" advises Parker C.
Weather considerations: The area can experience rapid temperature changes even in summer. At Bumping Lake, one visitor notes, "Always windy and temps drop at night even after warm days so dress accordingly."
Road conditions vary: Access roads to many sites require appropriate vehicles. "Access road is right off the highway and unpaved, has a TON of holes so I wouldn't recommend driving down it without good ground clearance," warns Parker C. about South Fork Snoqualmie River.
Picnic shelter for gatherings: The picnic shelter at Sahara Creek offers protection during inclement weather with closable sides. "There is also a nice picnic shelter with closable sides for in climate weather and lovely trails," notes Amy K., making it ideal for family meals regardless of conditions.
Watch for hazardous plants: Exercise caution with children at certain sites. At South Fork Snoqualmie River, Lewis G. cautions, "Lovely area such beautiful surroundings. But be very cautious as near one of the camp sites are very dangerous plants that are fatal and they are lined all around the campground so not recommended if you have children."
Consider day trips: Tolt MacDonald Park offers family-friendly amenities within reach of Enumclaw. "This park is big, beautiful, and very family friendly. I've been camping in this park a few times and the only complaint I have during a high traffic weekend is that there are not enough rest rooms!" reports Dawnielle C.
Limited RV accessibility: Most equestrian camping near Enumclaw has restrictions on RV access. At Sahara Creek, one camper clarifies, "Most of the sites are horse camping only, but there are a handful that allow other types EXCEPT FOR RV, to my understanding there is NO RV CAMPING HERE," according to Callie S.
Level sites are rare: RV campers should prepare for potentially uneven ground. At Millersylvania State Park, Christina F. mentions, "The only reason for 4 stars instead of 5 is because our site had a huge mud puddle from the road going to the power and water hook-up. The thin layer of mud on the pavement made things quite slick as I was trying to get leveling blocks down."
Campsite size restrictions: Many horse-friendly campgrounds have size limitations for rigs. "I would never attempt with a trailer or even cab over camper. We took the tent and my Subaru Crosstrek up, took it slow and did just fine," reports one visitor about the challenging access roads to certain areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Enumclaw, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Enumclaw, WA is South Fork Snoqualmie River Dispersed Site with a 3.9-star rating from 19 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Enumclaw, WA?
TheDyrt.com has all 23 equestrian camping locations near Enumclaw, WA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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