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Kalama Horse Camp Campground offers tent and RV camping near Cougar, Washington with seasonal operations from May to November. The campground provides access to nearby trails suitable for horseback riding with primitive facilities that include vault toilets, trash service, and a sanitary dump station. Sites are first-come, first-served with no reservations accepted. The camping areas feature picnic tables and fire rings, making this a functional base for riders exploring the surrounding terrain. Tent campers and those with smaller RVs find the campground most suitable, as it is not designed to accommodate big rigs.
Located approximately 50 miles northeast of La Center, Kalama Horse Camp connects to the regional trail system through forested terrain. The campground's walk-in access options complement the standard drive-in sites, providing flexibility for different camping preferences. While the campground lacks drinking water, electric hookups, and shower facilities, its primary appeal lies in its strategic location for accessing horse trails. Visitors should plan to bring their own water supply for themselves and their horses. The campground's basic amenities cater to self-sufficient equestrians who prioritize trail access over modern conveniences. Travelers should note that generator use is not permitted, ensuring a quieter camping experience for all visitors.
"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"Clean and generally friendly, the Jantzen Beach RV Park is right inside of Portland (at the northern end, close to Vancouver, Washington)."
"Jantzen Beach RV Park feels like a real-world stop straight out of a Subway Surfers World Tour—a lively, convenient, and colorful place where travelers pause, recharge, and enjoy the surroundings before"
from $40 / night
Check Availability"The upper area encircles a large open are perfect for games and running around. There is a nice disk golf course and a lot of large paths for waking and biking."
"And a loop with corals for horses. Miles of horse trails, bike trails, hiking trails."
from $32 - $57 / night
Check Availability"Stayed the night in one of thier small cabins, very nice sat outside by the fire and just watched the stars, this is a primary horse camp and is surrounded by trails, seen a heard of elk on one of my hikes"
"Since the camp is planned predominantly as a youth recreation center, I was a bit worried that it would be a pretty loud campsite due to lots of kids running around. That was not the case for us!"
from $45 / 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"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"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."
"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."
"Discover pass required Merrill Lake, just outside of Cougar, WA feels very remote, despite its relatively close proximity to the Portland/Vancouver area."
"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
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ScoutGreat place to camp. It has wonderful hiking trails. There is swimming available in the warmer months in the Clackamas River. Horse trails for equestrians and fishing!
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!
TravelerSite was nice and private, staff was very friendly, and the grounds were pretty clean! A short hike will take you right to the river and there’s plenty of nice trail to explore. If stepping around occasional horse poop isn’t your thing, maybe skip the hike though. Plenty of horses and dogs around.
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.
GuideI love Seaquest for their beautiful campsites and the proximity to a wonderful forest to bathe in. But don't go for the RV sites, which are laid out in a parking lot setting with no real distance from neighbors and not surrounded by trees. Unless that's your jam. It was definitely not ours, tent camping alongside some friends with a trailer who liked nothing more than to hang out at said trailer, and walk through the campground to look at other.. trailers. I don't think they even stepped foot in the 7+ miles of forest trails which is a few steps away. If you can step away from the hookups and get a real campsite off the RV pad, it is a stunning experience. Each site is surrounded by trees, creating privacy and serenity. Another great option is the yurts. We stayed in Yurt 2 (the only pet friendly yurt) and loved it.
For those with RV's, trailers, campers - look into the regular sites because I think some of them even have hookups and can accommodate most sizes. Just steer clear of RV sites T1-T16.
GuideWe love it! For a lot of reasons. Part of the reason is it’s close, so that’s part good. 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. You do have a lot of options, in that the first time we went up there was with our hiking club, and we went up there for a hike around the calderas so it’s easy to do a day trip in a car. Part of our discovery was while we were there is that the food place is really good and very nice. The kids playground was great for the grandkids.
As far as the camping, while it’s open, for the most part you do have a limited amount of privacy in the campground. The campsite we picked was a mix of things: just far enough away from the restrooms where we don’t get all the traffic there, but close enough so it’s not too far either. We were within easy walking distance to two restrooms/showers.
One thing that always looked intriguing is they do have the cabins, so maybe one of these times we’ll rent one. Another thing that some people might like is that they do have horses and some of the trails around the lake you can have horses on, plus a separate area/campground where you can have your horses, which are fun to see.
It’s a small lake but big lake, meaning they do not allow motors on the lake, even electric motors, so it’s all floats, kayakers, etc. A lot of people grab the big inter-tubes and go with that. And of course fishing up there is generally pretty good, especially when they stock it. The trails around the lake are kind of fun also because you have a high trail (very forested) and you also have a certain amount of low trails right on the water where you could have your own spots to fish and swim.
Like most campgrounds, it has its peak season and its off-season, but you can go there year-round if you choose to. The beach area isn’t big, but that’s okay. Wherever you’re heading (from the campsites down to the water, to the playground, to the food shack) you always have different trails and options for how to get from one place to another if you want to explore. If there’s anything you forgot (groceries, fishing gear etc.) you can be in the small town of Battle Ground within 5 miles.
LegendThis is a great spot for group camping! The upper area encircles a large open are perfect for games and running around. There is a nice disk golf course and a lot of large paths for waking and biking. Tons of hiking trails and close to Vernonia. The restrooms are clean. There are several ADA sites, cabins, tent soots and even horse sites.
ScoutStayed the night in one of thier small cabins, very nice sat outside by the fire and just watched the stars, this is a primary horse camp and is surrounded by trails, seen a heard of elk on one of my hikes
Kalama Horse Camp Campground sits in the forested foothills near Mount St. Helens, approximately 50 miles northeast of La Center. The campground connects to extensive trail systems through dense Douglas fir forests at elevations between 1,500-2,000 feet. Summer temperatures typically range from 55-85°F, with cooler evenings even during peak season, making it comfortable for both riders and horses.
Trail riding access points: Multiple trailheads lead directly from Kalama Horse Camp Campground for different skill levels. "There are several awesome trails you can take right from the campground and there is a campground trail that guides you around the whole campground area," notes Kelcie T., who regularly visits with her horses.
Mountain biking terrain: Despite being designed for equestrians, the surrounding trails welcome cyclists too. "This is a nice little horse camp with several sites and corals. We came for a mtn bike race but we're comfortable anyways," reports Jessica C., who enjoyed camping in her van while attending a mountain biking event.
Mushroom hunting opportunities: Fall brings exceptional foraging conditions in the surrounding Gifford Pinchot National Forest. "And if you like mushrooms... O M to the G. Check out the photos!" shares Bjorn S., who combined mushroom hunting with a hike up Mount St. Helens during their stay.
Private campsites: Most sites offer good separation from neighbors with natural barriers. "Very private and great tree cover. We had an awesome weekend," notes Joshua T., who discovered Merrill Lake Campground while searching for a last-minute spot near Mount St. Helens.
Lakeside camping: Several campgrounds near La Center feature waterfront sites. "This is a tents only campground. Boats and boat ramps are right there. All sights are walk in," explains Shannon B. about Merrill Lake, adding that the "view is gorgeous of the lake and fishing is great. Fly fish only."
Unique island experiences: For water enthusiasts, boat-in camping provides a distinctive experience. "We love camping on the island, as you can only get to it via boat so it is not overly populated," says Fatima H. about Government Island State Recreation Area, noting that while there are "no fire pits but you can burn. No potable water, so bring your own."
Seasonal availability: Most horse campgrounds near La Center, Washington operate only during warmer months. "We stayed the night in one of thier small cabins, very nice sat outside by the fire and just watched the stars, this is a primary horse camp and is surrounded by trails," notes Guy S. about Camp Wilkerson.
First-come, first-served systems: Many smaller campgrounds don't accept reservations. "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," advises A.M.C. about Kalama Horse Camp.
Limited facilities: Prepare for basic amenities at most equestrian camping areas. "Each Campsite has a firepit and picnic table. Most all of the campsite have horse corrals," explains Kelcie T., who considers Kalama Horse Camp "one of my favorite places to take my horses for a camping adventure."
Junior Ranger programs: Some parks offer educational activities for children. "At night the campground had a great Junior Ranger program with a very enthusiastic park ranger that kept the almost 50 people/kids entertained," shares Ashley B. about Seaquest State Park Campground, located about 30 miles north of La Center.
Playground access: Look for campgrounds with dedicated play areas. "My kids loved the addition of a playground. Many parks dont have this and it kept them entertained for hours," says Mary C., who appreciated this feature at Seaquest State Park.
Easier hike-in options: Some campgrounds offer manageable walk-in experiences for families with gear. "The hike in is pretty easy--about a quarter mile down the up. They have carts to help you get all your stuff to your spot in one trip which is very helpful," explains Jenny R. about L.L. Stub Stewart State Park, which provides a balance of convenience and nature immersion.
Big rig accessibility: Not all equestrian campgrounds accommodate larger vehicles. "The tent and RV sites are on the first right turn and there is even a stream to play at," notes Schona K. about Camp Wilkerson, describing the layout while cautioning that only certain areas work for RVs.
Hookup limitations: Many horse-focused campgrounds offer minimal utilities. "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," explains Mari R. about Kalama Horse Camp, which offers rustic camping without electrical or water connections.
Alternative RV options: Consider dedicated RV parks for full amenities. "Stayed here many times and it is all about the location. Office staff are always very helpful," reports Dean about Jantzen Beach RV Park, which offers city access while serving as a base for day trips to horse riding areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near La Center, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near La Center, 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 La Center, WA?
TheDyrt.com has all 31 equestrian camping locations near La Center, WA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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