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Margaret McKenny Equestrian Campground in Capitol State Forest has a dedicated horse corral, making it one of the few horse camping options near Matlock, Washington, with direct access to an extensive trail system for horseback riders. The campground consists of three loops, with one specifically reserved for equestrians Monday through Friday. The primitive sites accommodate both tents and RVs but offer no hookups, water, or trash service. A Discovery Pass ($35 annually) is required for camping, which allows stays up to 7 days. Camp hosts maintain the grounds and enforce pet policies. Each loop contains a vault toilet for basic sanitation needs.
The campground connects directly to Capitol State Forest's extensive trail system, providing numerous riding opportunities through diverse terrain. First-come, first-served registration is required at the front billboard upon arrival. The roads leading to and within the campground can be rough in spots, requiring careful navigation with horse trailers. Completely dispersed camping allows flexibility for positioning vehicles and setting up horse containment. The peaceful, quiet environment makes it ideal for horses that need minimal disturbance. During peak seasons, arriving early is recommended as equestrian sites fill quickly, especially on weekends when all loops become available to horseback riders.
"There are hiking trails close by but be sure to do your homework because there are many trails that allow ATV, horses, bikes, and people on them."
"There is a bunch of awesome trails with beautiful surroundings for every level of hikers and if you can find your way to Porter Falls, you definitely wont be disappointed with the view!"
from $14 / night
Check Availability"This is a very nice, typical Washington state park with plenty of trees, greenery, hiking, pathways and even a lake."
"This is a beautiful park located on Deep Lake just outside of Olympia. The park itself is huge offering lots of options for campers. "
from $12 - $162 / night
Check Availability"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."
"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. "
from $25 - $100 / night
Check Availability"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."
"We had our choice of campsites, near hiking trails and the creek. The road wasn't too rough to get there, and we were able to park nearby. What more do you need?"
"We took the trail past Enchanted Valley and up to Marmot Lake, up to Lake Lacrosse, hopped over Ranger Pass (extremely difficult), and back down into the valley."
"Located 15 miles from Graves Creek Campground on a backcountry trail, this is a campsite that any true backpacker must experience."
"There are 3 loops, one is dedicated to horses M-F. Both visits I arrived Sunday afternoon and found a few spots to pick from. There’s a vault toilet per loop."
"Completely dispersed tent or rv camping with a Washington Discovery Pass ($35 year) otherwise FREE for up too 7 days."
"Our site is one away from from the toilet/ bath house there are 6 combo rooms. There are 3 cabins, 12 full service sites, tent sites some w/ electric. Laundry 1 washer and dryer."
TravelerWe have gone and stayed in many of their sites. Very roomy sites and Richard the care taker is an amazing camp host! He has always made our stay wonderful. Showers and clean bath rooms available plus a small store for your wood and forgotten marshmallow needs... close to the beach and equestrian friendly... this is where we always stay!
GuideVery 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. The bugs weren’t too bad with citronella bracelets and candles but bring bug spray if you like. There’s river access and lots of trails to explore. There’s even horse trails and a huge horse stall area for a group site/horse trailer.
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.
TravelerNice clean camping area with easy access to multiple trails and logging roads. Trails are open to hiking horseback riding and motorcycles. Camp ground has multiple horse stalls in a common area. Only open on weekends.
TravelerThis 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. There is a latrine here but no water hookups. There is a large creek running alongside some of the campsites. There are hiking trails close by but be sure to do your homework because there are many trails that allow ATV, horses, bikes, and people on them. Over all this is a great place to go if you want to get away.
TravelerDispersed sites - most standard, but some partial hook up sites available. Forested campground with large playing field nearby. Willapa Hills hiking trail nearby, river access with some swimming available (but no designated areas or lifeguards). Showers available/uses tokens.
Horse camp sites too!
LegendThis is a very nice, typical Washington state park with plenty of trees, greenery, hiking, pathways and even a lake. There's a camp store along with several large outdoor kitchens that would be good to use for groups. Many of the structures like the kitchens and even bathrooms were built back in the 1930s by the CCC, which is pretty cool. It's just far enough off I-5 to not have the freeway noise, but close enough to be convenient. It's also nearby to Great Wolf Lodge if you're looking for a place to stay near there.
On the other hand, the RV sites especially are basically in a big field with a cement road going around it. The sites have tables and fire pits, but no privacy what-so-ever. The tent sites are slightly better, with more trees, but still very close to one another.
The campground also has glamping available (canvas permanent tents) that looked cool.
ScoutNice open sites with space for multiple vehicles or trailers. Easy access to ORV trails. Expect lots of noise from off-road vehicles and music.
ScoutI should have done a little more research before reserving a spot as this was not what I was looking for. There were pastures and fields surrounding the campground which was set back in a part of forrest. The street in front of the campground was a main road that cars and tractors drove up and down all day. All of the other campers were quiet and respectful but the location was not what we had hoped for. As far as recreation goes, neither we nor our neighbors could find the falls. There were regular flush toilets available and it was decently clean. Plenty of field space and climbing toys for families. We stayed in site 48 which was away from the other campsites but near the entrance to the campground and close to the road.
LegendThis is a pretty nice campground! There are 3 loops, one is dedicated to horses M-F. Both visits I arrived Sunday afternoon and found a few spots to pick from. There’s a vault toilet per loop. No trash, no water, no hook ups so come prepared. There’s a host onsite and they are very kind. You do need a discovery pass in order to stay and just register up front. Was able to get decent sun for my solar so was able to stay for a couple of days with no issues. There’s hiking trails all around you!
Capitol State Forest offers several camping options near Matlock, Washington, including primitive campgrounds and dispersed sites. Located approximately 20 miles west of Olympia, the forest spans over 110,000 acres with elevations ranging from 400 to 2,600 feet. Seasonal access varies depending on weather conditions, with some roads becoming impassable during winter months.
Trail riding opportunities: Capitol State Forest contains over 80 miles of horse-friendly trails through diverse terrain. At Margaret McKenny Equestrian Campground, riders can access extensive trail networks directly from camp. According to one camper, "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."
Hiking day trips: Multiple trails throughout the forest offer hiking opportunities with varying difficulty levels. The Porter Creek Campground serves as an excellent base for nearby hikes. A visitor noted, "There is a bunch of awesome trails with beautiful surroundings for every level of hikers and if you can find your way to Porter Falls, you definitely wont be disappointed with the view!"
Fishing spots: Several creeks and rivers in the area provide fishing opportunities. A camper at Porter Creek mentioned, "This is a family favorite and enjoy the time we spend camping here," highlighting the area's popularity for fishing excursions. Creek access points are available at multiple campgrounds throughout the forest.
Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the natural separation between camping areas in the forest. At Campbell Tree Grove Campground, "Old fashioned forest service-type campground, with lots of vegetation between camp sites for privacy." This layout creates a more secluded camping experience compared to more developed campgrounds.
Vault toilets: Basic sanitation facilities are available at most established campgrounds in the area. As one visitor to Fall Creek Campground noted, the area offers "water, and restrooms that were clean," making it suitable for tent camping with families.
Quiet atmosphere: Many campgrounds in the area provide a peaceful setting away from busy recreation areas. A visitor to Campbell Tree Grove described it as "very secluded and peaceful," while another mentioned, "This campground is very secluded and road in is very rough and alot of tree's down across road," indicating its remote character.
Discovery Pass requirements: Washington State Discovery Pass ($35 annually) is required for camping in many forest locations. One camper at Margaret McKenny noted, "Completely dispersed tent or rv camping with a Washington Discovery Pass ($35 year) otherwise FREE for up too 7 days."
Road conditions: Forest roads can be challenging, especially for larger vehicles or trailers. A camper at Tahuya River Campground described "Dirt road, lots of potholes, lots of fun," while another at Campbell Tree Grove warned the "road in is very rough."
Limited amenities: Most campgrounds in the area offer only basic facilities. At Porter Creek, a camper described it as "primitive camping with over 12 sites available. Located in Capital Forest and upkept by DNR. It's first come no reservations." Visitors should bring all necessary supplies, including drinking water, as most sites lack hookups.
Creek exploration: Children often enjoy exploring the waterways near campgrounds. At Fall Creek, "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."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Matlock, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Matlock, WA is Porter Creek with a 4.1-star rating from 7 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Matlock, WA?
TheDyrt.com has all 17 equestrian camping locations near Matlock, WA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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