Capitol State Forest offers equestrian camping options near Littlerock, Washington, with numerous trails winding through 110,000 acres of managed forestland. The forest sits at elevations ranging from 400 to 2,600 feet with predominantly Douglas fir stands, providing camping opportunities that vary from designated campgrounds to primitive sites along forest roads. Camping conditions can change dramatically with seasonal rainfall, which averages 70 inches annually.
What to do
**Trail exploration: Connect to miles of multi-use paths directly from Margaret McKenny Equestrian Campground. Hiking, biking and horseback riding options abound with varying difficulty levels. "There's hiking trails all around you!" notes Abby M., who appreciated the easy trail access.
**Lake activities: Cool off during summer at nearby Deep Lake in Millersylvania State Park Campground. "The lake is great. You're packed in pretty close to each other, but the trees provide pretty good insulation," says Jed G. The lake offers swimming, fishing, and paddling opportunities.
**Creek exploration: Several campgrounds feature creek access for wading and wildlife viewing. At Fall Creek Campground, "Kids really enjoyed the creek nearby and it was great for our tent camping. We were able to hike around and had water, and restrooms that were clean," according to Mayna M.
What campers like
**Solar charging options: Some forest sites receive adequate sun for solar power systems. "Was able to get decent sun for my solar so was able to stay for a couple of days with no issues," reports Abby M. about her stay at Margaret McKenny Equestrian Campground.
**Helpful camp hosts: Many visitors appreciate the staff who maintain the properties. At Porter Creek, Jessica A. notes: "Porter Creek Campground is primitive camping with over 12 sites available. Located in Capital Forest and upkept by DNR. It's first come no reservations. The river is gorgeous and fun to explore!"
**Peaceful environments: The forested settings provide quiet camping experiences with natural separation between sites. "Spent 7 days (max) here. Camp hosts went out of their way to make it comfortable, clean and quiet," shares Jody S. about his experience at Margaret McKenny.
What you should know
**Discovery Pass requirement: Most state forest campgrounds in the area require a Washington Discovery Pass for overnight stays. As Jody S. explains, you can get "completely dispersed tent or rv camping with a Washington Discovery Pass ($35 year) otherwise FREE for up too 7 days."
**Limited amenities: Many forest campgrounds offer basic facilities. At Fall Creek Campground, Samuel H. observes: "You are supposed to have a Washington State Discovery pass to stay here, also they want you to fill out self registration once you arrive, fyi there are no pens onsite to do so."
**Weather variations: The Capitol State Forest area receives significant rainfall, especially from October through May. Be prepared for mud and wet conditions during these months, and watch for seasonal campground closures. Phoebe B. noted at Porter Creek: "We arrived at the end of the road to find the campground closed, so we ended up abandoning our final night and driving home."
Tips for camping with families
**Playground access: Millersylvania State Park provides dedicated recreation spaces for children. "We come here often as we live in Olympia. Pros: close to the city in case you forget something or a little one has a meltdown, lots of varied activities: biking, light mtb, trail running, hiking, paddling & fishing," shares Calvin K.
**Nature exploration opportunities: Streams and forest trails offer natural play spaces for children. According to Rachel W., who camped at Margaret McKenny, "We have thoroughly enjoyed ourselves every time we have called at Margaret McKenny! The camp hosts Steve and Ginny are helpful, kind and keep it maintained well."
**Emergency access considerations: When camping with children, consider proximity to services. Some campgrounds are more remote than others. At Porter Creek, Vikky S. advises: "This Campsite is in the woods and does not have basic amenities. It's a very rustic outdoor experience, Frequented by ATV and motorcycle and mountain biking people."
Tips from RVers
**Site size restrictions: Many equestrian campgrounds near Littlerock have limited space for larger RVs. "There are 3 loops, one is dedicated to horses M-F. No trash, no water, no hook ups so come prepared," advises Abby M. about Margaret McKenny Equestrian Campground.
**Road conditions: Forest roads can be challenging for larger rigs. Jody S. notes about Margaret McKenny, "Entire campground has decent roads but go extra extra slow in areas." Take particular care after rainfall when roads may be slippery.
**Self-contained capability: Most horse campgrounds near Littlerock lack hookups. Bring adequate water supplies and waste storage. As Katrina M. advises about Margaret McKenny: "If you looking for a dry camp escape this is a nice place. Definitely don't recommend for a camper. It is also first come first serve."
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