Sage Horse Camp provides equestrian camping with hitching posts near individual campsites, approximately 6 miles from Nordland, Washington. The facility sits at a moderate elevation in the rain shadow of the Olympic Mountains, receiving less precipitation than areas to the west. Unlike more developed campgrounds, Sage Horse Camp has portable toilets rather than permanent bathroom facilities and offers both dedicated equestrian sites and standard campsites for non-horse campers.
What to Do
Hiking to waterfalls: Just 2 miles from Collins Campground, visitors can access a short trail leading to impressive waterfalls. "We visited during the week and it was pretty empty. There is some hiking nearby including a short hike to some beautiful waterfalls," notes Lawrence F. from Collins Campground.
Wildlife viewing: The Olympic Peninsula offers exceptional wildlife viewing opportunities in natural settings. "Dungeness gets the least amount of rainfall for western Washington, so don't be surprised if it's sunny. This is a USFWS refuge and campground, so if you're into seabirds, this is the place to go," explains Ryan L. from Dungeness Recreation Area.
Exploring local towns: Many horse campgrounds near Nordland provide easy access to charming towns. "Langley is a great little town. The campground is on a hill above the horse barn and arena, very convenient to the town of Langley, which is delightful," shares Christine from Whidbey Island Fairgrounds Campground.
What Campers Like
River access: Waterfront campsites rank high among camper preferences. "All sites except for two are on the river with stream access. Sites are spacious though they are grouped in such a way that 2-3 sites are open to each other," reports Lawrence F. from Collins Campground.
Trail connectivity: Equestrian-friendly campgrounds typically offer direct access to trail systems. "Nice clean camping area with easy access to multiple trails and logging roads. Trails are open to hiking, horseback riding and motorcycles," explains Ivy K. from Green Mountain.
Mountain views: Several camps near Nordland feature scenic mountain vistas. "Really nice farm with a great mountain view. Quiet rural setting but close to town (Mt. Vernon) if you need anything or just want to explore the farmer's market," writes Ken F. from Greenstone Farm Camping.
What You Should Know
Limited facilities: Most horse campgrounds offer basic amenities only. "No drinking water access I could find and the directions said to get water from the nearby trailhead pump but that pump is broken so bring water or a filter," warns Kaelin M. from Enchanted Valley.
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience noise from nearby activities. "Very close to Bremerton, Silverdale, Kitsap county. Has about 5 tent spots with picnic tables and fire pit. Can be noisy due to dirt bike traffic," explains Caren M. from Green Mountain.
Reservation systems: Availability varies widely between different horse-friendly sites. "Unless you're going to the fairgrounds, this'll probably be torture. The racetrack here is non-stop noise when they're racing. It's a gravel parking lot with no real amenities," cautions Dene H. from Evergreen State Fairgrounds.
Tips for Camping with Families
Accessible recreation: Some campgrounds cater specifically to families with varied activities. "This campground is great for families and people with kids. There are playgrounds near the bathrooms. You are a short drive from the Olympic Game Farm, well worth a visit," recommends Melissa J. from Dungeness Recreation Area.
Budget considerations: Family-friendly sites offer varied pricing structures. "Located in walking distance to the Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge ($3 family admission/day or with National Parks Pass), we found this campground to be just what we were looking for! Worst part is the $10 online reservation fee, but as a family, we'd rather pay to know we have a site," shares Charlotte H. from Tolt MacDonald Park.
Quiet environment: Finding peaceful settings helps families relax. "A family campground with cheap and clean showers (50 cents/2 minutes), great play area, not a bad amount of mosquitoes for location, and quiet unlike many state park campgrounds," notes Charlotte H. from Tolt MacDonald Park.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: RV-specific amenities vary considerably across equestrian campgrounds. "We stayed in RV-2 campground area. It has water and 30 amp power at all spots with access to a dump station. You are limited to 7 nights per month," explains Adam A. from Evergreen State Fairgrounds.
Site leveling: Pay attention to the terrain when selecting an RV site. "The only campground we've been to where we didn't need to level the trailer. RV sites are all pull through, it's fairly quiet. Nice setting, lots of outdoor and indoor activities within a short drive," shares Russ H. from Tolt MacDonald Park.
Road conditions: Access roads to horse camps may present challenges. "The road from highway 101 to the campground has SO MANY potholes. Big ones that we had to navigate in our RV but nothing that made it too hard to access the campground," warns Asia M. from Collins Campground.
