Are you planning a trip to North Cascades National Park with your horse? We've got you covered. Camping with your horse in North Cascades National Park just got easier. Search nearby equestrian campsites or find top-rated spots from other campers.
Along Thunder Creek Trail, the first open view is from a 1970 burn at about 4.5 miles (7.2 km). Here an emerging forest of young Douglas-fir and a profusion of seed bearing herbs and shrubs attract birds, rodents and their predators. Across the valley, note a newer burn from lightning strikes in 1990. Rock cliffs and McAllister Glacier provide natural fire breaks and a splendid backdrop for this evolving forest scene. The next backcountry camps, McAllister hiker and stock, are located at mile 6.7 (10.8 km) and are a popular overnight destination. Pass the stock camp first, with a view from a high cliff down Thunder Creek. This view was created in the massive floods of 2003, when the river below shifted course significantly and carved into the cliff, suddenly bringing trail and hiker into much closer proximity to the creek! Hikers continue a short distance and cross the roaring creek on a log bridge to access the spacious and green creek-side hiker camp. The far site is a group site. Smaller Tricouni Camp lies 1.3 miles (2.1 km) beyond McAllister, in a more open salal forest, just after crossing Fisher Creek on a bridge. From Tricouni, the trail begins its first real climb: a relentless 2.2 miles (3.5 km) gains over 1000 feet (305 m) to reach Junction Camps (hiker and stock) and a major trail junction. From the high ridge of the hiker camp, enjoy an expansive view of Boston Glacier and Tricouni Peak. From here, one may either take the Fisher Creek Trail 14.8 miles (23.8 km) over Easy Pass to SR 20, or continue on the Thunder Creek Trail to Park Creek Pass. Both ways lead to grand trail experiences.
Great views. Alpine meadows. This forested campground is located in the Hart's Pass Area, near the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail. No trailers allowed on Forest Road 5400 to Hart's Pass (very narrow road).
Maple Grove Campsites are located on Baker Lake Trail. This is a wonderful family hike for all seasons with its low elevation and level grade. Stands of giant old growth trees draped in lichen and covered in moss are some of the highlights along this trail. Baker Lake Trail is the only trail on Mt. Baker Ranger District open for stock and llama use year round. It can also be accessed at the north via Baker River Trail 606. This trail leads into a majestic stand of Douglas fir that regrew after Mt. Baker erupted and started a forest fire in 1843. You can still see the burned snags of the cedar trees that once dominated the area. From south to north, the trail contours the eastern shoreline of Baker Lake, offering glimpses of Mt. Baker. All along the trail spot western trillium, twinflower, foamflower, coralroot and twisted stalk.
$20 - $60 / night
Baker Lake Horse camp is a dispersed campsite along the north-east side of Baker Lake. Baker lake camping is situated in the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest and Baker River valley southwest of North Cascades National Park and is fed by the Baker River along with numerous smaller
Located near the Chiwawa River at Rock Creek this campground is approximately 15 miles up the Chiwawa River Road #6200. It offers 7 long pull-through spurs and horse facilities. It is wheelchair accessible. __The Basalt Ridge Trail #1527__and The Rock Creek Trail #1509 are accessed from this horsecamp.
This campground was originally established in 1937 by the Civilian Conservation Corps and boasts a picnic gazebo built by the CCC as well as an old registration booth. Fourteen campsites will accommodate tents or trailers. Two sites have horse corrals. Each campsite has a picnic table and fire ring.
$10 / night
Scout
Camping is great for those who like to experience the atmosphere of the mountains and forests or resorts that also have camping. As the article above shows, camping is very fun if we have a happy spirit. So let's see the feedback experiences of customers when coming to the camping places on this website: https://suikagameonline.io
Ranger
Highest road in WA: Harts Pass. You need good weather, 4W drive and high clearance. Yep, sedans might be able to do it but they shouldn’t, plain and simple. If you bottom out on this road, you have a LONG walk to town.
Camp: moderately sized sites. We arrived July 1 and only two campsites were habitable due to snow. A bear box would be nice. The landscape is a bit unusual due to beetle and fire damage.
Guide
The campground was in good shape, nice and clean.
RangerStarting spot for our PCT SOBO thru-hike in 2019. Woke up to snow on the summer solstice!
Beautiful area (even with the eastern approach to it a burned down forest) and for most of the summer, there are super nice rangers at the cabin there. If you are a thru-hiker, theres oftentimes trail magic here!! Easy hitch down to Mazama.
Ranger
Took the site to the farthest north. STUNNING sunset views of Baker and (if you get into the water) Shuksan. Bunch of flat sites, great fire-rings, and even an old dock if you have a boat. No running water, but... there’s a lake right there!
Hiked the whole Baker Lake Trail and from what we saw, this was the best site!
TravelerAlong Thunder-creek trail Junction is tucked away about 10 miles in. While the hike is relatively easy-moderate while passing through the other camps, once you get pass camp Tricouni you have 2.2 miles until camp Junction and it’s a strenuous hike up the mountain for about a mile. There are 3 campsites to choose from in Junction. Get there relatively early because there are only 2 with a view of the glacier, the third is nice and private and tucked away but you won’t see the mountain from the site. The pit toilet is tucked away in some trees to your left of the campsites with plenty of privacy and scenery. Junction great spot for camping or to break for lunch and take in the gorgeous views. I will add if you choose to visit during a warmer time bring bug spray and get a fire going ASAP to keep them at bay until the night air comes in.
Guide
Several spots on both sides of Entiat River. Typical NForest type campground with little visual privacy but decent space between spots!
Guide
Dry camping with pack it in and pack it out! No organized camp spots just wide area pull off in National Forest but access road is good except for washboard sections.
Scout
This spot has been the 2nd choice for my family over the years, we typically camp at Kerr camp just down the mountain a little way but we have enjoyed this spot as well, awesome trails from this spot to ride Utv's. The gazebo is always awesome for a large family gathering and the views of the meadow are very peaceful. Wish there was more of a creek but I cannot play God.
ScoutBig, open sites. Quiet spot. Room to roam. I think there’s paddock to bring horses but I’m not sure. Tons of dirt bike/side by side trails in the area.
GuideSeems like these sites are quite popular. However, I went during the middle of the week, on a slightly rainy day, at the end of August and was the only person there.
If you're like me and not from Washington, remember to get a discovery pass (~$10 per day) if you're parking at the Baker Lake Trailhead. The hike in to Maple Grove is approx. three and a half miles. Don't be surprised if you run into some folks on horseback.
The trail is relatively flat and goes through some beautiful old growth forest. We got a spot right by the lake that was flat and soft. All of the sites had fire pits and seemed pretty dispersed. There were also bear boxes. The vault toilets were some of the cleanest I'd seen.
As you can see from some of the photos, there's a dock that you could boat up to that doubles as a great place see Mt. baker.
GuideThe road to Hart's pass is carved into the side of a mountain and NOT for the faint of heart. But once you're up there, the views are great. It was pretty smoky in August of 2018 from all the wildfires and the campground itself was burned through in the not too distant past (not sure when) but it is still a gorgeous spot. It is the kick off for the last leg of the PCT before Canada and the start of a nice backpack South to Rainy Pass.
There is little or no shade or privacy because of the lack of trees but the sites are fairly far apart.
Great place for star gazing!
RangerCampground Review: Maple Grove campground (boat-in or hike-in)
3.5 stars
I have a love and hate relationship with Maple Grove campground and in my experience it has all depended on the season in which I have visited the lake. I love the campgrounds along the lake and amazing views of Mount Baker, just hate the unbearably busy fishing and camping crowds, biting flies and mosquitos summer brings.
I have been to Baker Lake three (3) times in the last three (3) years to camp and have only been able to actually camp on the lake two (2) of those three (3) trips. September has been my golden month on the lake as far as luck in finding a camping site. We no longer even bother heading up to Baker Lake or any of the surrounding campgrounds in July or August unless we are there to fish and/or already have a reservation. We once made the trip up mid-July for our anniversary and found out upon arriving in town it was the opening weekend of sockeye salmon fishing season and I have never seen so more boats packed onto a lake except at Sea Fair! It was crazy! No camping available, not even on the side NF / FS roads.
When you do have the chance to make the journey to Baker Lake’s Maple Grove campground, you will find a small campground tucked in a serene maple grove shading the shoreline of the lake. You have two (2) options to access the campground;
Once you start the hike the first real point of interest you come across is the bridge at Anderson Creek at 1.5 miles down the trail, followed by Anderson Creek Campground at 2 miles. Continue on another 2 miles and you will reach the spur for the Maple Grove campground.
Maple Grove campground has a wooden boat dock but depending on water levels I’ve seen it completely beached or floating alone in the water, you’ve been warned.
Maple Grove Campground hosts six (6) official, semi-private campsites that you’ll find free on a first come first serve basis. No need to bring the dehydrated meals or bear canister (unless you backpacked) because there are bear boxes located at almost every site to store food and scented items. Each site has a picnic table, fire pit and grill. We found at least one topless toilet located near the camp with a nice view of the forest, rumor has there are more. There is no running water on this side of the lake so bring your water filter to head to the local creeks with.
If you do have the pleasure of hiking in to Maple Grove Campground or chose to explore the surrounding area, take the time to check out the forest as it is full of huge, old growth trees, some trees still showing the evidence of old lumbar scars. If you continue hiking past Maple Grove there are two (2) more campgrounds further north along the lake; Swift Creek and Noisy Creek.
The real pleasure of staying at the Maple Grove Campground or any of the boat-in/hike-in campsites along this side of the lake, are the majestic views of Mount Baker and Mount Shuksun rising up above Baker Lake. You can literally sit on the dock all day soaking up those epic views.
Warning: I have heard rumors that the boat-in/ hike-in camps along Baker Lake can get rowdy and loud with large group parties in the summer months. We haven’t had this experience personally but have heard tales of this happening and seen reports of this on WTA.
GuideNot too far from the trail at baker lake. Quiet and peaceful.
ScoutThese campgrounds are about a 4 mile hike in from the trailhead. Plenty of wild berries, flowers, and ferns along the way. We had fun just relaxing under the Big Leaf Maple trees. Each campground has a flat tent site. Some also have fire pits with grills and picnic tables, but not all. There is a pit toilet and urine diverter on site. There are also a couple bear boxes to share, as bear (and deer!) roam this area. The lake is lovely, though it was a bit too cold in June to swim. There is a small floating dock on the lake. Spectacular views of Mt Baker and Mt Shuksan - be sure to watch the sunset. Boaters frequent this lake so there is a bit of motor noise, but this doesn't bother me. Dog-friendly campsite. This made for a very relaxing overnight backpacking trip!
LegendGorgeous backcountry campground, complete with firepits and privy -- makes roughing it even easier. Water is easy access from Thunder Creek, which is just down the hill. This site is about 10 miles south of the Colonial Creek Campground, a great basecamp option for this trek, as you start the hike through old growth forest. This is the perfect site for a large group, but it also has quite a few smaller “tucked away” spots for individuals, couples, etc. The views of Boston Glacier (currently the largest glacier in the North Cascades National Park) and multiple waterfalls are fantastic. Bear canisters are required, as the predominant fir trees in the area are not conducive to hanging food. Cost=free! Permit required from NOCA Visitor Center.
Guide
The lake is great and the views can't be beat! Head up in the spring to catch the amazing display of wildflowers.
LegendThere are lots of camping options at Baker Lake and they all have beautiful views and similar amenities.
If you are fishing or have a boat, Horse Camp doesn't have a boat launch but there is one at the campground nearby, Shannon Creek.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near North Cascades National Park?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near North Cascades National Park is Junction Camp — North Cascades National Park with a 5-star rating from 3 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near North Cascades National Park?
TheDyrt.com has all 7 equestrian camping locations near North Cascades National Park, with real photos and reviews from campers.
