Best Equestrian Camping near Mount Rainier National Park

Home to what is, by far, the tallest peak in Washington, Mt. Rainier National Park is a majestic sight to behold. Southeast of Seattle, WA, this is a respite for the city or a destination in and of itself.

Camping in Rainier National Park is straightforward, with one major campground in each section of the park. Ohanapecosh Campgrounds has the greatest number of individual campsites. Mowich Lake Campground in the northwest is the only tent-exclusive primitive camping option. The others offer RV camping, with Cougar Rock Campground having the largest length maximum at 35 feet (27 feet for trailers). The best camping near Mount Rainier National Park during the busy season is in any of the surrounding US Forest Service Land. With options in three directions, you won’t be short on places to camp. Tahoma State Forest near Ashford, WA, is a good option as well.

Best Equestrian Sites Near Mount Rainier National Park (27)

    1. Bumping Lake Campground

    17 Reviews
    Goose Prairie, WA
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 338-7869

    $24 - $48 / night

    "Lake access. Trail access. Pristine wilderness. Horse trails. Hunting. Fishing. Scenery.

    I would rather not tell you about it and keep it to myself."

    "There was a woodsy area behind the site where kids could play. The bathrooms are fancy out houses no place to wash hands. Lots of bugs in the evening."

    2. Sahara Creek DNR Horse Camp

    7 Reviews
    Ashford, WA
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 902-1125

    $30 / night

    "Lots of horses here which is enjoyable. An ADA trail is level for walking the dog.

    Shooting range is close by, doesn’t bother me but it’s pretty noisy."

    "However many are reserved for horse campers only. There is also a nice picnic shelter with closable sides for in climate weather and lovely trails. It’s also near Mount Rainier."

    3. Soda Springs

    5 Reviews
    Packwood, WA
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 497-1100

    "23 May 2020 - you can drive to the "Y" intersection for the camp grounds and horse camp, but the snow was so deep that walking is the only option."

    "Cowlitz Trail is here. Horse camping and trail in separate area. There are two sites before the main area that are more secluded but require a 4WD vehicle to get to."

    4. Corral Pass Campground

    2 Reviews
    Greenwater, WA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 825-6585

    5. End of High Valley

    1 Review
    Packwood, WA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 497-1103

    6. Packwood Lake

    2 Reviews
    Packwood, WA
    20 miles

    "This place is the best because the only way to get to the camping spots at Packwood Lake is to hike in or the use of ATV’s."

    7. South Fork Snoqualmie River Dispersed Site

    18 Reviews
    Snoqualmie Pass, WA
    37 miles
    Website
    +1 (425) 888-1421

    "Lovely area such beautiful surroundings."

    "Very cool spot with new generation trees growing out of old generation stumps, close to river for water, very popular spot so found a lot of trash but loved the sites and hiking trails nearby"

    8. Walupt Lake Campground

    11 Reviews
    White Pass, WA
    34 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 338-7869

    $25 - $45 / night

    "Amazing camp site with a good amount of lakeside camps. Staying in site 41 to 44 guarantees amazing sunrise and sunset views. The lake water is crystal clear. Excellent location if you enjoy hiking."

    "nice tall shade trees and beautiful access to the lake. trails are around and a large beach to relax on. sites are large and trees are close enough to hang a hammock. note: road to get here is entirely"

    9. Taidnapam Park

    9 Reviews
    Glenoma, WA
    35 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 497-7707

    $37 / night

    "We scored a walk-in tent site ($22.) on Monday in the middle of August without a reservation."

    "We came here for the 4th of July to get away from the fireworks in the city (our dog is terrified of them!). We had an amazing experience!"

    10. Hause Creek Campground

    9 Reviews
    White Pass, WA
    35 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 338-7869

    $27 - $54 / night

    "Large sites, some with access to the River. Highway noise was pretty loud in some of the upper sites. Bathrooms (pit toilets) were very clean and the camp host was lovely! Nice recreation area nearby."

    "Had a great time next to the river."

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Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near Mount Rainier National Park

45 Photos of 27 Mount Rainier National Park Campgrounds


Equestrian Camping Reviews near Mount Rainier National Park

129 Reviews of 27 Mount Rainier National Park Campgrounds


  • Ashley B.
    Oct. 28, 2020

    Keenes Horse Campground

    Horse Camp near Takhlakh Lake

    This horse campground is near Takhlakh Lake.  Its a small campground with about 6 sites and is first come first serve.  All the other campgrounds in the area were full, but this one was pretty empty especially since it was visible from the road.  I stayed twice over the summer and both times there were sites with horses in them.  It is right next to the road, but there was a large pot hole in the road so people had to slow down or risk damage to their cars.  The road all the way to the campground was very bad with holes, washouts, downed trees, huge dips, I recommend paying close attention when you are driving cause stuff will sneak up on you out of no where and low clearance cars could do damage.  The campground was next to the creek and had multiple horse trails leaving from the campground.   There were also a ton of wildflowers each time I went, since they are so high in elevation the wildflowers are still around into August.

    The drive to Takhlakh Lake is only about 8 miles and takes about 20-30 minutes.  Very easy day trip to enjoy the lake but then you can leave the crowds at the lake behind.

  • p
    May. 12, 2023

    Teanaway Campground

    Beautiful Campground in Forest

    Beautiful campground with several dispersed spots, most with picnic table and fire pit. There are walk in (50 to 100 feet walk) sites as well as horse camping sites. Pit toilets are clean, don’t smell, and have TP. Road in campground is in good condition with pretty new gravel. Large frisbee golf course borders campground to east. River runs along southern edge. Verizon 1-bar LTE on east side. WeBoost made it a very usable 3 bars. Starlink works too - most sites have good openings to sky.

  • Fern
    Aug. 12, 2022

    Sahara Creek DNR Horse Camp

    Nice campground

    Not sure why it says $30, this place is free WITH your Discover Pass, 7 day limit in a 30 day period.

    Vault toilets are pretty clean.

    There is NO trash here, pack it in, pack it out. Keep it clean. Lots of horses here which is enjoyable. An ADA trail is level for walking the dog.

    Shooting range is close by, doesn’t bother me but it’s pretty noisy. Can hear some highway noise, but again, hasn’t bothered me

    I depend 100% on solar. There is deep shade in all camp spots, I chose a fairly sunny spot, but it wasn’t enough to charge my batteries. Just a heads up.

    Will return if visiting rainier again :)

  • Tony G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 3, 2023

    Horse Camp: Cody

    Nice horse camp

    Camped in dispersed campsite across from campground. Walked through campground. Has decent outhouse. Watering trough for horses. picnic tables and nice fire pits with grates in every campsite. Great picket lines for horses in each site. Use caution, since there is an abundance of bear in the area. And cougar have been sighted around the area

  • Eric H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 15, 2020

    Soda Springs

    Roughing it is perfect

    23 May 2020 - you can drive to the "Y" intersection for the camp grounds and horse camp, but the snow was so deep that walking is the only option. Several car made turning around in the intersection difficult.

  • Shariah T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 2, 2019

    Packwood Lake

    Hike in camping

    This place is the best because the only way to get to the camping spots at Packwood Lake is to hike in or the use of ATV’s. The views are AMAZING, and it’s right next to the lake, however the water may be very cold. Fires are sometimes allowed dependent if there’s a burn ban or not. Horses are also permitted on this trail. And if you’d like to continue hiking there are several trails that lead to various locations. We make this a must do every year. During certain weekends and holidays it can get very busy however there are spots all around the lake.

  • s
    May. 19, 2018

    Bumping Lake Campground

    Absolutely the best!

    It’s got it all. Lake access. Trail access. Pristine wilderness. Horse trails. Hunting. Fishing. Scenery.

    I would rather not tell you about it and keep it to myself.

  • Amy K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 8, 2025

    Sahara Creek DNR Horse Camp

    Beautiful equestrian campground

    Gorgeous site with large sites. However many are reserved for horse campers only. There is also a nice picnic shelter with closable sides for in climate weather and lovely trails. It’s also near Mount Rainier.

  • Jess G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 22, 2019

    Indian Camp Campground

    Free range cows

    Camp here for free for 7 days with a discover pass! 2 pit toilets, fire ring and picnic table at each site. Big areas for RVs, horse trailers and group sites. No water hook ups or dump stations. River access and lots of trails for nature walks. Very beautiful area! I had phone service and I use Sprint.


Guide to Mount Rainier National Park

Horse camping near Mount Rainier National Park in Washington offers a unique opportunity to explore the stunning landscapes while enjoying the company of your equine friends. With several well-reviewed campgrounds catering to horse enthusiasts, you can find the perfect spot to set up camp and hit the trails.

Campers appreciate these amenities for horses

  • At Sahara Creek DNR Horse Camp, you'll find spacious sites with easy access to trails, making it a great base for horseback riding adventures.
  • Cottonwood Campground (WA) offers river access and lush surroundings, perfect for cooling off after a day of riding.
  • Bumping Lake Campground features large, private sites and nearby trails, ensuring a comfortable stay for both you and your horse.

Equestrian campgrounds include great features

  • Walupt Lake Campground provides a serene lakeside setting with ample shade and nearby hiking trails for a well-rounded outdoor experience.
  • Taidnapam Park is conveniently located near Mount St. Helens and offers clean facilities, making it a popular choice for horse campers.
  • Hause Creek Campground features large sites with river access, perfect for relaxing after a day of riding through the beautiful Washington wilderness.

Tips for equestrian camping near Mount Rainier National Park in Washington

  • When visiting Packwood Lake, be prepared for a hike-in experience, which rewards you with stunning views and a peaceful atmosphere.
  • At Corral Pass Campground, ensure you have a reliable vehicle for the rough drive, as it leads to a secluded area ideal for horse camping.
  • Always check for trail conditions and regulations at Bethel Ridge OHV Camping to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for you and your horse.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Mount Rainier National Park?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Mount Rainier National Park is Bumping Lake Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 17 reviews.

What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Mount Rainier National Park?

TheDyrt.com has all 27 equestrian camping locations near Mount Rainier National Park, with real photos and reviews from campers.