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Limited horse-friendly camping options exist near Ephrata, Washington. Potholes State Park Campground in Othello offers camping for equestrians, though it lacks dedicated horse corrals according to the amenities list. The campground features 60 full-hookup RV sites arranged in circular loops and 61 primitive tent sites, some along the water. Campsites include picnic tables and fire rings, with both back-in and pull-through options available. The park remains open year-round and accommodates tent, RV, cabin, and glamping setups.
Trails in the area provide limited riding opportunities without designated equestrian facilities. Potholes State Park connects to surrounding public lands where horses may be permitted with proper management. The campground offers clean restrooms, showers, and a boat launch for water access. Sites near the water have little shade and can become dusty, while interior sites benefit from poplar trees providing some protection from sun and wind. Visitors note that the park can experience strong winds and temperature fluctuations typical of the Columbia Basin desert environment. Wildlife sightings are common, including deer, coyotes, and various bird species, though campers should be aware that rattlesnakes are occasionally encountered in the area.
"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"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
Check Availability"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."
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.
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.
GuideI love this spot. The hike up Steamboat Rock and the kayaking on Banks lake is amazing.
The campground is well appointed and clean. I have been there twice and am planning to go again.
LegendWell maintained with lots of trees which is not typical for the surrounding area. Had full services which was nice because it was warm and the air conditioning was appreciated.
Equestrian camping near Ephrata, Washington offers options beyond the well-known Potholes State Park. Located in the Columbia Basin, this region features semi-arid desert conditions with temperature swings between seasons—summer highs often exceed 90°F while winters bring freezing temperatures. Campers should prepare for strong winds common in this open landscape where dust storms can temporarily reduce visibility.
Fishing opportunities: The O'Sullivan Reservoir at Potholes State Park Campground provides excellent fishing for multiple species. "The campground is located on O'Sullivan Reservior in the middle of nowhere. It has excellent fishing and a plenty of room to boat to different areas to fish... Fish that can be found are: Walleye, Crappie, Bass, Trout. There are also a lot of Carp to encounter," notes Deborah W.
Water activities: Bring watercraft to fully experience the reservoir areas. Brandon B. mentions Potholes as "a great place to bring your watersports" though access can be limited in some areas with "best [access] by the boat launch."
Golfing excursion: For those wanting a break from camping activities, Osbourne Bay Campground sits adjacent to a golf course. Judy T. observes, "There is a golf course next to the campground. My Verizon signal was strong. The campground is situated far enough from the highway that road noise was negligible."
Stargazing conditions: The clear desert skies offer exceptional night viewing. Ryan from The Oasis reports, "Quiet, beautiful sunset and had a clear night full of stars!"
Wildlife viewing: The diverse ecosystem supports many animal species. "We encountered lots of animals in the park. The bird sounds are incredible... Mourning doves, quail, robins, and red wing blackbirds among the many. Deer walked through the campground and beavers and otters were swimming in the reservoir," writes Shay F. about their experience at Potholes State Park.
Shade availability: In this hot, desert environment, campers appreciate tree cover. Eva H. notes about Potholes, "Beautiful trees surrounded the sites provide much need shade during hot summer," while Judy T. describes Osbourne Bay: "There are large cottonwood trees to shade the sites. When we were there in October, their golden foliage shone in the sunlight."
Wildlife precautions: Snake encounters occur in this region. One camper at Potholes State Park reported: "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... It was curled up underneath. Very angry with us and ready for a fight when we got a stick to move him."
Insect preparedness: Pack insect repellent for comfortable outdoor time. Brandon B. advises about Osbourne Bay Campground: "Bring your bug spray!" while Eva H. warns about Potholes: "mosquitoes are leaving you alone every time you are outside."
Site selection strategy: Consider sun exposure when choosing campsites. Stephanie S. notes about Potholes, "The lower campground was mainly tents and the sites are smaller, but there are lots of trees. Up above are the larger sites, including full hookups for RVs."
Playground access: Children can enjoy dedicated play areas at Potholes. "There is a good playground for kids and a short walking trail," mentions Stephanie S.
Animal interactions: Some campgrounds offer unique opportunities to see domesticated animals. At The Oasis, Ryan experienced: "They have farm animals that the kids could see. The baby rabbits are so cute!"
Food storage precautions: Secure food items from wildlife. One camper shared their experience: "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. First night, we lost a half gallon glass jar of dog food... Ended up loosing a box of graham crackers, bag of marshmallows, and a bag of burger buns."
Site positioning considerations: Campground layouts may require careful maneuvering. Doug notes: "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. I am talking big ones, they are at least half the size of the picnic tables... once in, you have to make sure you place your TT in the right place so you don't have one in front of your door."
Connectivity availability: Cell service varies by location and carrier. Gary S. mentions "WiFi also" at Potholes State Park, while Judy T. confirms "My Verizon signal was strong" at Osbourne Bay Campground.
Dust management: The arid conditions create dusty sites. One RVer described their Potholes site: "There was very little grass, odd for end of April, so the site was mainly just a dirt patch which was dry enough it was pretty much just dust."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Ephrata, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Ephrata, WA is The Oasis with a 5-star rating from 1 review.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Ephrata, WA?
TheDyrt.com has all 4 equestrian camping locations near Ephrata, WA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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