T&A Adventures *.
Guide
GuidePack River Dispersed Site
Beautiful remote area
There are several dispersed sites up here along Pack River. Good for horses, camping and solitude.
Equestrian Camping near Metaline, WA
6 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Search destinations
Add dates
Pack River Dispersed Site features several spots along the waterway that accommodate horses and provide camping opportunities in a secluded natural setting approximately 30 miles from Metaline. The dispersed camping areas offer primitive accommodations with no designated corrals or stalls, though adequate space exists for portable corrals or highlines. Sites can accommodate horse trailers with sufficient room for turnaround in several locations, though some access roads feature washboard sections and rutted areas that may challenge larger rigs. No reservations are required at this free camping area. The natural riverside setting provides good terrain for horses with access to water. The campground receives positive reviews for its peaceful environment and suitability for equestrian use. Campers reference The Dyrt for top tips on camping near Metaline, Washington.
Iron Mountain Ranch Screen House offers a unique horse camping option in the Metaline area with drive-in access and tent camping opportunities. The ranch maintains bathroom facilities with outdoor showers and provides trash collection services, though potable water and electrical hookups are unavailable. Campfires are permitted with firewood available on-site. The ranch's natural setting supports wildlife viewing opportunities, with visitors reporting bear and deer sightings near the camping areas. No designated horse corrals appear in the amenities list, so equestrians should prepare to bring portable containment systems. The ranch's location provides access to local riding trails in a remote setting characterized by spectacular mountain views and clear night skies. The property maintains a pet-friendly policy, accommodating both canine and equine companions for outdoor adventures.
Best Equestrian Campgrounds near Metaline (6)
1. Lionhead Campground — Priest Lake State Park
"Wonderful camping sites, along with sites that accommodate RV campers, pull behind campers, and they even have small cabins to rent!"
"I worked at Priest Lake State Park as a residential biologist for the summer of 2016. It was an amazing experience! I had access to parts of the park not allowed to campers."
2. Iron Mountain Ranch Screen House
"Lots to do in the area if you like fishing, hiking, biking, horses, and much more. I had a great campfire and watched a mama bear and her cub on the hill beyond the cabin! "
from $50 / night
Check Availability3. Plowboy Campground
4. Outlet Campground
"The only problem was people walking thru your site to the house next to the campground. Couldn’t figure that out and thinking it was random."
"Outlet Campground is a fine place to spend a weekend, but if you’re familiar with Priest Lake, you’ll notice it’s not quite as spacious or scenic as some of the other campgrounds in the area."
5. Dreamswept Farm Resort
from $12 - $32 / night
Check Availability6. Pack River Dispersed Site
"Good for horses, camping and solitude."
Drive Time
- 1 hr 46 min from Spokane, WA
- 1 hr 53 min from Coeur d'Alene, ID
- 3 hrs 30 min from Lewiston, ID
- 4 hrs 28 min from Wenatchee, WA
Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near Metaline, WA
6 Photos of 6 Metaline Campgrounds
Equestrian Camping Reviews near Metaline, WA
20 Reviews of 6 Metaline Campgrounds
- John W.
ScoutIron Mountain Ranch Screen House
Clean, quiet, spectacular location!
I enjoyed staying in the screen house cabin and will definitely be back. Lots to do in the area if you like fishing, hiking, biking, horses, and much more. I had a great campfire and watched a mama bear and her cub on the hill beyond the cabin! Also saw deer in the driveway and the night sky was awesome with NO lights in any direction except the stats!
Great hosts and everything you need!
John
- KKris F.
TravelerOutlet Campground
Little gem on the lake
Wow! What a find! My daughter and I booked site 11 unseen and we jumped for joy when we drove up. A tiny little piece of beach, huge tent/picnic area. The only problem was people walking thru your site to the house next to the campground. Couldn’t figure that out and thinking it was random. Close enough to clean bathroom and the hosts were super friendly.
- Theresa R.Scout
Lionhead Campground — Priest Lake State Park
Tradition for me
Ever since I can remember I've been standing on the beach every 4th of July! The place is breathtaking and refreshing! Wonderful camping sites, along with sites that accommodate RV campers, pull behind campers, and they even have small cabins to rent! The swimming area and beach are unlike any other I've seen ....soft warm sand between your toes and the water .....ooohhh the water is so clean and cool perfect for summer ⛱️ days!! We always venture outside the campground and pick huckleberries . Pancakes with fresh huckleberries is the best especially from North Idaho! The rangers are super friendly and welcoming always! There's so many trails for hiking and the creek that runs into priest lake is super special!! I can't wait to see it again this year!! See you there everyone!!
- Jeff W.Scout
Lionhead Campground — Priest Lake State Park
Worked the State Park for a summer.
I worked at Priest Lake State Park as a residential biologist for the summer of 2016. It was an amazing experience! I had access to parts of the park not allowed to campers. The staff are all very friendly and nice to work with. The hand- scooped homemade ice cream is worth it alone! Kayaking up the thoroughfare to the upper lake is a great workout with some amazing and beautiful scenery and animals along the way. You will see lots of moose, and sometimes black bears. If you take the short hike to Moose lake, there is excellent rainbow trout fishing, and gorgeous scenery as well. Hunt lake trail is a beautiful trail to hike, but not for beginners. Priest Lake itself is a little chilly when first getting in to swim, but is very refreshing in the mountain heat. There are many good places to pick huckleberries all over the area! The campgrounds at the Indian Creek unit, which is where the headquarters and store are located, are very clean. There are plenty of RV and tent camping sites and 5 cabins available to rent. All cabins sleep different numbers of people, ranging from 5 to 9, the moose cabin being the largest and nicest. The cabins have no bathrooms or kitchens but boast fire rings and are right across from communal park bathrooms and showers. The lion head unit on the upper lake is about 12 miles up the road from Indian Creek turning into gravel about 8 miles up right before moose lake. It has a few smaller camper sites and many tent sites available. There is a maintenance shed along with a small ranger booth which also serves as a small store with ice and other foods and small supplies. There are first aid kits and radios available at all campground ranger booths. Priest lake has amazing fishing for rainbow trout, Mackinaw (lake trout), smallmouth bass, and Pike minnow (as the main species). The nearest town, Coolin, UD, is about 12 miles down the road. It is a small town with a store, a diner and a bar/ restaurant. The diner and restaurant have decent staple foods for what they have to offer. The store is fairly small but generally has most of the foods and supplies needed for restocking your camping food or obtaining the odds and ends you may have forgotten or overlooked at home. All around it is a beautiful place to visit with friendly staff and locals and I would highly recommend it to anyone seeking an unforgettable family camping experience.
Cody H.GuideLionhead Campground — Priest Lake State Park
You won’t want to leave camp
Ended our tour of Northern Idaho at spot #140. Tons of flat area to put down a tent, mosquito shade (they are pretty bad), and enjoy the amazing view!
Bathrooms with vault toilets, water pump, and grey water dump all just a short walk away
- Jessie Z.Scout
Lionhead Campground — Priest Lake State Park
Car camping by the lake
Campground was clean and spread out. There was a day use peach nearby so was a little loud with volleyball players and day use people. The Lake is gorgeous! Paddle Boarding, boating, kayaking...all a great time!
Heather J.ScoutLionhead Campground — Priest Lake State Park
Beeeeeautiful!!
It is a gorgeous area. Our spot was about 20 feet from the water. Sandy campsite is a nice change of pace from dirt ( although I love dirt😁). The staff were incredible friendly and welcoming. I am a solo camper +🐶 and I felt very safe here. Very family friendly place. I really just wish more places would allow dogs at the beach or even have a nice sectioned off part for the doggies. Very heartbreaking to be so close to that beautiful water and not be able to enjoy it because I couldn't bring my bestie. 😕 Otherwise, I love it and will return!!
Kathy B.
LegendLionhead Campground — Priest Lake State Park
Way Up There!
Visited Priest Lake in October. Water was turned off at sites because of freeze threat, but otherwise had options for dry camping or electric hook ups.
Beautiful spot on the lake. Lots to do in the area. Rode my bike around to see some of the private homes. Didn't have a kayak, but that would have been fun.
Loved meeting friends here for a campout.
Guide to Metaline
Pack River Dispersed Site offers free camping spots along the Pack River approximately 30 miles from Metaline, Washington. The area sits within the Kaniksu National Forest at elevations ranging from 2,100 to 2,500 feet. Summer temperatures average 75-85°F during day and 45-55°F at night, with frequent afternoon thunderstorms from July through August.
What to do
Trail riding with horses: Pack River provides access to several horse-friendly trails without designated facilities. According to T&A Adventures, "There are several dispersed sites up here along Pack River. Good for horses, camping and solitude."
Riverside fishing: Priest Lake State Park offers excellent fishing opportunities in the region. As Jeff W. notes, "Priest lake has amazing fishing for rainbow trout, Mackinaw (lake trout), smallmouth bass, and Pike minnow (as the main species)."
Stargazing: The minimal light pollution creates exceptional night sky viewing conditions. John W. at Iron Mountain Ranch reports, "The night sky was awesome with NO lights in any direction except the stars!"
What campers like
Wildlife encounters: Several equestrian-friendly camping areas offer opportunities to observe native wildlife. At Iron Mountain Ranch, one camper shared, "I watched a mama bear and her cub on the hill beyond the cabin! Also saw deer in the driveway."
Lake activities: Outlet Campground provides access to water recreation. Kris F. notes, "A tiny little piece of beach, huge tent/picnic area... Close enough to clean bathroom and the hosts were super friendly."
Privacy between sites: Horse campers appreciate adequate spacing between sites in some locations. According to jm at Outlet Campground, "Nice little campground by the water. Really quiet, nice space in between sites."
What you should know
Road conditions: Access roads to horse-friendly dispersed camping can be challenging. Emma T. cautions about Pack River Dispersed Site: "Lots of washboard/rutted sections on the road and some steep areas getting to certain campsites."
Campsite selection: At Plowboy Campground, Jill S. explains, "There are a few picnic tables, and a few fire rings down on the lakeshore, but lots of sites in addition to the developed sites scattered in the trees."
Reservation requirements: Some popular equestrian camping areas book quickly. For Priest Lake State Park, Yuki B. advises, "Reservations are 9 months in advance and it is a phone call of luck that will get you this prime area."
Tips for camping with families
Beach options: When camping with horses and children, consider sites with water access. At Priest Lake, Heather J. shares, "It is a gorgeous area. Our spot was about 20 feet from the water. Sandy campsite is a nice change of pace from dirt."
Amenities for comfort: Dreamswept Farm Resort offers more facilities for families camping with horses. Rebecca S. notes, "There are outdoor or private indoor showers, it's ADA accessible, there's also a great outdoor kitchen and BBQ area."
Kid-friendly activities: Look for campgrounds with recreational options. At Priest Lake, Scott B. recommends, "There are numerous trails to explore and the beach is beautiful white sand with crystal clear water."
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: Many horse camping areas near Metaline have size restrictions. Scott B. cautions that Priest Lake's Lionhead Campground "is designed more for tent camping of very small rv's such as truck campers or tent trailers."
Hookup availability: Determine whether equestrian sites offer necessary connections. Saraj B. at Outlet Campground explains, "The campground does have clean bathrooms with running water and flush toilets."
Parking considerations: Horse trailers require adequate space for maneuvering. Emma T. advises about Pack River, "On the river and very peaceful. Remember to leave not trace and pack out your trash!"
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian
campsite near Metaline, WA?
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Metaline, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Metaline, WA is Lionhead Campground — Priest Lake State Park with a 4.4-star rating from 11 reviews.
What is the best site to find
equestrian camping near
Metaline, WA?
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Metaline, WA?
TheDyrt.com has all 6 equestrian camping locations near Metaline, WA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring