Dispersed camping opportunities near Lilliwaup, Washington include several horse-friendly sites within Olympic National Forest. The area sits along the eastern edge of the Olympic Peninsula, with elevations ranging from 300-4,000 feet depending on location. Summer temperatures typically reach 70-80°F while winter brings significant rainfall and occasional snow at higher elevations.
What to do
Trail riding access: Tahuya River Campground provides access to numerous dirt trails suitable for horses. "Dirt road, lots of potholes, lots of fun," notes Ray D., making it an adventurous starting point for riding excursions.
Riverside exploration: Collins Campground offers excellent water access for horses after trail riding. "There is a hike with a trailhead 2 miles from the campsite. We walked there and it was a milder way walk uphill to the trail head and then the .8 mile hike heads to a pretty waterfall which you can walk behind," reports Asia M.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Several equestrian campgrounds near Lilliwaup border areas with abundant wildlife. "We drove past 3 piles of bear scat along the dirt road into the campground, which was fine. Our dog growled into the woods a couple of times while on some nature walk which was a little worrisome but with the right tools, actions and preventative things we were fine," shares one camper at Campbell Tree Grove Campground.
What campers like
Secluded campsites: Many equestrian camping areas offer privacy between sites. "Very secluded, deep wood camping. About an hour on unpaved road until you get to the actual camp but the drive is gorgeous! Old growth and new baby trees line the roads and there's about 10+ little streams along the way," notes a reviewer about Campbell Tree Grove Campground.
Riverside relaxation: Campers appreciate sites with direct water access. "We got an awesome river spot with our brand new set up. It rained but was a beautiful and oh so green area to camp," writes Kathleen J. about Collins Campground, where most sites offer river frontage.
Primitive but functional facilities: Horse campgrounds near Lilliwaup typically provide basic amenities. "Very nice campground all sites except for two or on the river quiet clean bathrooms," says Tyler S. about the facilities at Collins Campground.
What you should know
Road conditions: Access to many horse-friendly campgrounds requires careful driving. "About an hour on unpaved road until you get to the actual camp," notes one camper about Campbell Tree Grove Campground, while another mentions "the road in is incredibly bumpy, we actually popped a tire on the way in."
Water management: Most equestrian sites near Lilliwaup lack drinking water. "No drinking water access I could find and the directions said to get water from the near by trail head pump but that pump is broken so bring water or a filter," advises Kaelin M. about Collins Campground.
Bear awareness: The Olympic Peninsula hosts black bears near many horse campgrounds. Proper food storage is essential for safety. "Bear canisters are a must here as it is in prime bear country, even though we didn't see any," notes a camper at Enchanted Valley.
Tips for camping with families
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds better suit families seeking quiet experiences. "Nice campground it's pretty open but nice and quiet," reports Christopher B. about Tahuya River Campground, making it suitable for families with younger children.
Waterfall access: Short hikes to waterfalls can reward families camping with horses. "The .8 mile hike heads to a pretty waterfall which you can walk behind," shares Asia M. about trails accessible from Collins Campground.
Group camping options: Multiple horse campgrounds offer spaces designed for family gatherings. "Sites are spacious though they are grouped in such a way that 2-3 sites are open to each other. Would make for a great place for groups with multiple tents," notes Lawrence F.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for trailers: When bringing horse trailers, carefully consider campground layout. "Very secluded and road in is very rough and alot of tree's down across road," warns a reviewer about Campbell Tree Grove Campground, suggesting advanced planning for safe access.
RV size limitations: Most equestrian campgrounds near Lilliwaup accommodate smaller trailers only. "MY WIFE AND I MADE A TRIP OUT TO THIS CAMP GROUND IN FEBRUARY AND IT WAS AWESOME. LOOKING FORWARD TO WHEN IT OPENS IN APRIL OF 2020. THERE ARE ONLY 6 CAMPSITES NOT 21! VERY SECLUDED AND ROAD IN IS VERY ROUGH AND ALOT OF TREE'S DOWN ACROSS ROAD," notes SIMPLEGRINN A.
Seasonal access: RVers should check road conditions before attempting equestrian campgrounds during spring and fall. "It is tucked away on the western side of the Olympic Mountains, but easy to drive to. Old fashioned forest service-type campground, with lots of vegetation between camp sites for privacy," shares Merrie S.
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