Equestrian camping near Lake Chelan National Recreation Area provides access to diverse terrain ranging from dense national forests to alpine meadows. Summer temperatures often reach the mid-80s during day and drop to the 40s at night. Water access varies significantly between sites with some offering direct river access for horses while others require carrying water for both humans and animals.
What to do
Trail riding from camp: At Junction Camp, riders access multiple backcountry routes. "Along Thunder-creek trail Junction is tucked away about 10 miles in. While the hike is relatively easy-moderate while passing through the other camps, once you get pass camp Tricouni you have 2.2 miles until camp Junction and it's a strenuous hike up the mountain for about a mile," notes Jen M.
Alpine lake access: Explore pristine mountain lakes within riding distance of several campgrounds. At Lake Wenatchee State Park Campground, riders find "direct access to the lake here, with a boat launch. There's a playground, store with snacks and basics, and accessible and gendered restrooms," according to Laura M.
Mountain viewpoints: Many equestrian-friendly camps offer scenic overlooks. "The view of Boston Glacier (currently the largest glacier in the North Cascades National Park) and multiple waterfalls are fantastic," reports a rider who visited Junction Camp.
What campers like
Spacious sites for trailers: Upper Bobcat Dispersed Camping offers "plenty of sites. Lots of room at your site and between neighbors. Super close to the river," according to Emma. This makes it ideal for horse trailers and portable corrals.
River access for horses: Several campgrounds provide natural water sources. "The lake is lovely, though it was a bit too cold in June to swim. There is a small floating dock on the lake," shares Karen L. about Maple Grove Campsites, which can be reached by trail riding.
Group camping options: For equestrian groups, sites with designated group areas work best. "We use the group camping. Spacious with lots of room to be 'noisy'," reports Roxanne W. about Lake Wenatchee State Park Campground, making it suitable for horse clubs and multiple trailers.
What you should know
Fire restrictions vary: Some equestrian camps prohibit fires year-round. For alternatives, campers at Harts Pass Campground note: "You need good weather, 4W drive and high clearance. Yep, sedans might be able to do it but they shouldn't, plain and simple. If you bottom out on this road, you have a LONG walk to town."
Seasonal access limitations: Many horse camps close during winter. "This campground has 3 loops. I found a FF site 22 that unfortunately is near the road. But no noise at night. There is a creek going through the campground. Nice for a hot day," reports Virginia G. about Nason Creek.
Insect protection essential: Both riders and horses need protection. "Be prepared for mosquitoes. But other than that very clean nice campsite," advises Jin about Lake Wenatchee. Another camper adds, "Bring bug spray because the mosquitoes are bad."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Some horse camps have family facilities. At Nason Creek Campground, "The bathrooms were nice and had flush toilets, though no soap was provided. Firewood is available from the camp host at site 31 for $7/bundle (cash only)," reports Christopher D.
Swimming options: Look for camps with safe water access. "We stayed in spot 5 in loop 1, or the woods campground. The good was the camp was quiet and the sandy swim beach was nice, but only during the week. It was packed on the weekend," notes Lorrie K. about Alta Lake State Park.
Weather preparation: Mountain weather changes rapidly. "Woke up to snow on the summer solstice!" reports Christian N. about Harts Pass Campground, highlighting the need for proper clothing even in summer.
Tips from RVers
Limited hookup availability: Most equestrian camps lack full hookups. "This is a huge USFS campground in the Wenatchee National Forest, with something like 4 separate loops and separate entrances from the road. Most of the sites are reservable on recreation.gov but they have a few FCFS sites," shares Laura M. about Nason Creek Campground.
Site selection crucial: Choose sites that accommodate horse trailers and RVs. "There are 3 loops. Loop off the lake has larger sites with more privacy and view of the cliffs. The loop in the lake has lake views but the sites are on top of each other with no privacy," advises Mark M. about Alta Lake.
Dump station access: Plan for waste management. "Easy to access dump station," reports Roberta P., who stayed at Alta Lake State Park Campground. This makes it convenient for RVers with horses who need to manage longer stays.
