2 campgrounds with availability next weekend
Sahara Creek DNR Horse Camp offers equestrian camping with free access when using a Washington Discover Pass. Horse campgrounds near Orting include sites specifically designated for horse campers, with ample room for horse trailers and tents. Vault toilets are maintained throughout the property, but visitors should note there is no running water or trash service available. The campground operates on a pack-it-in, pack-it-out basis for all waste. Multiple visitors have noted the campground provides a quiet atmosphere despite occasional noise from a nearby shooting range. Camping is limited to 7 days within any 30-day period.
Located approximately 15 minutes from Mount Rainier National Park entrance, the horse camp provides access to multiple trails suitable for riding. A level ADA-accessible trail makes for convenient dog walking and short rides near camp. The shaded campground environment limits solar charging capabilities for those depending on solar power. Each site includes a picnic table and fire pit, with firewood available for purchase nearby in Ashford. Most equestrian campsites feature large spaces to accommodate multiple horses and camping equipment. The campground's proximity to Mount Rainier makes it an excellent base camp for exploring the national park's extensive trail system while maintaining affordable, horse-friendly accommodations.
"Horse camp but sites 21-30 are for non equestrian campers."
"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."
from $30 / night
"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. "
Available next weekend
from $12 - $137 / night
from $65 - $71 / night
"The campground is next to a classy laundromat, and I say classy because it’s probably one of the nicest laundromats in the area that even has a dumpsite for RVs."
"The campground is in 500+ acre Tolt-McDonald Park, far enough away from any busy road so that there is no traffic noise, just the sound of the Tolt River rapids."
"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"
"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."
Campground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $24 - $48 / 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!"
Campground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $25 - $915 / night
"It was a 5-minute walk downhill to reach the lake, which had a very long and nice boat ramp deep enough to accommodate just about any boat."
"We were lucky to nearly have the entire camp site to ourselves. Quiet and serene place to stay. Set up was easy and quick. Highly recommend."
"There is lots to do around the campground you just have to venture out and find it. This is a pet and horse friendly spot. There is one hiker spot for first come first serve."
"To the west are these beautiful sites, facilities, and walking trails. In the morning, we hiked the old growth loop prior to resuming our journey."
Available next weekend
from $12 - $297 / night
RangerVery nice! Horse camp but sites 21-30 are for non equestrian campers. Sites are wooded between and large with table, firepits/grill combo, and level wooded spaces. 2 clean, well stocked pit toilets are available. Water faucets available at several locations. WA discover pass but free otherwise. It is patrolled regularly.
TravelerI went here with my fiance in September. Went on a Friday and there was only 1 other group. Theres about 16 sites from what I saw. Its free as well but first come first served. Getting to it is pretty easy and straight forward aswell, heads up the road turns to gravel and it can get narrow. Most of the sites are along the creek which was very beautiful. Theres also 2 trails in walking distance aswell. Most sites also have a table, and metal fab firepit. Theres also a few out houses for restrooms.
GuideQuiet, but we were here mid week in late August….
RangerThis went from a four star stay to one star in the blink of an eye. There is a shooting range directly behind this campground, and the horse trails lead right past it. On August 8th 2026 around 2PM, someone’s horse was shot while they were riding less than a half a mile away from camp and when they called 911, animal control came but police would NOT come even to investigate. This was reckless use of a firearm, animal endangerment, and honestly should be a felony. There is no way to accidentally be shooting at the trails from the shooting range, you have to DECIDE to do that. Police are absolutely useless, and now I know especially in this area the cops don’t give a damn about anyone’s safety.
You can hear shooting nearby all day and all night despite the posted hours at the range. Although it’s a free stay with a discover pass, I will NOT EVER stay here again and would not recommend this place to anyone with horses.
TravelerPerfectly fine, especially considering the low low price of $0. Sites no closer together (honestly, more spacious than) the average KoA I’ve paid $60-$90 to pop up a tent in.
I chose a spot closer to the road than the lake, but if I’d arrived before 7:45 other spots would have been available, I’d imagine.
RangerHowever you camp, tent or RV, there is a site for you here. Taidnapam is the second Tacoma Power park where I have camped. There are two sides to this campground--the older side which are sites 1-52 are a mix of full hook-ups and partial hook-ups. The newer, larger loop is almost all full hook-ups with a few exceptions that are partial. There are tent spots in-between the two sides. They also have 2 group sites--one with 22 spots of full and partial hook-ups and one primitive group site. We stayed in site 9 with full hook-ups on the older loop. This loop is one big circle with a dividing road so it's kind of like two loops. The rest rooms and playground was in the middle of the first loop. My site had a short trail right to the restrooms/playground area. The playground was pretty awesome! On the far end of the second loop, there is a trail that takes you to the day-use area where there is a second fantastic playground. There was also a sprinkler system there, but we didn't know how to make it work. This area is right next to the river/east end of Riffe Lake. There are no swimming areas however because the lake has lowered over the years. We did ask if there were any swimming areas nearby or a way to get down to the water and they did have a list in the office. We checked out a few of the closer places, but since I have a 4 years old, I did not feel that any of the places were safe enough for her to get down to the water and I did not want to drive miles to get to the next park. One of the fun things about this park are the gnomes up in the trees! I didn't find out until the night before we left, but I guess you can do like a scavenger hunt type of thing to find all the gnomes.
GuideEveryone is all close together. But it’s free. They have bathroom porta potty.
ScoutThis is a really pretty site. The camping and beach access is great. We saw bald eagles and very low flying cargo planes. There is some kind of RC flying area on the north side of the site.
There is road noise, but that is going to depend on where you camp. There are sites right next to the road and sites a few hundred yards away. There are"homeless" camps here. They didn't bother us, but you can tell that not everyone here is a recreational camper.
It is large enough that we got our class A with trailer in and out. There is a bit of a loop, but this can be blocked so check first. The road is very rough, you have to go slow.
There is a dump and non-potable water station at the park a few miles up the road. It is$5 for non-campers today.
GuideBeautiful well maintained sites with tables and fire rings. Washington Pass required. Plenty of room for RVs at many of the sites - it was mostly empty when we came.
Sahara Creek DNR Horse Camp requires a Washington Discover Pass to access equestrian-friendly camping at no additional cost. Located 15 minutes from Mount Rainier National Park entrance, the campground features designated sites for equestrian campers with ample space for horse trailers. The rocky soil can make staking tents challenging, but the campground's level terrain makes this a minor issue. Campers should note that the shaded environment limits solar charging capabilities. Multiple trails are accessible from the camp, including a level ADA-accessible trail suitable for both humans and horses.
Explore hiking trails: At South Fork Snoqualmie River Dispersed Site, a network of trails leads to scenic river views. "There is a nice long trail that took us to the river. That was nice," notes Adrian E., adding that despite some mud, the experience was worth it. The trails vary in difficulty, making them suitable for different skill levels.
Visit nearby attractions: Mount Rainier National Park entrance is just 15 minutes from several horse campgrounds near Orting, Washington. "It's also near Mount Rainier," notes Amy K. about Sahara Creek DNR Horse Camp. This proximity makes the camp an ideal base for day trips to explore the national park's extensive trail system.
Fishing opportunities: Riffe Lake offers excellent fishing access with a boat ramp deep enough for most watercraft. "It was a 5-minute walk downhill to reach the lake, which had a very long and nice boat ramp deep enough to accommodate just about any boat," reports Kevin W. The lake supports multiple fish species, making it popular with anglers throughout the season.
Equestrian-friendly spaces: Horse camps near the Orting area provide specialized accommodations for those traveling with horses. "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," shares Amy K. about Sahara Creek DNR Horse Camp.
Budget-friendly options: Free camping with a Discover Pass makes Sahara Creek DNR Horse Camp an economical choice for outdoor enthusiasts. "If you have a Discover Pass already you are good to go. Love of area for Horses, trailers and regular camping. Vault toilets. No views but who doesn't like Free?" notes Charyl B. This cost-effective approach allows campers to spend more on activities rather than accommodations.
Privacy and space: At Millersylvania State Park Campground, the wooded sites offer good separation between campers. "Separated tent and RV sites, sites are spacious, a very pretty and clean lake, Beer Garden at the lake, clean bathrooms," writes John G. The natural barriers between sites provide a sense of seclusion even when the campground is busy.
Water availability: Many equestrian campgrounds near Orting require self-sufficiency with water. "Primitive camping, no water, no restrooms just vault toilets, no trash pickup either so you need to pack everything out," explains Callie S. about Sahara Creek. Campers should bring adequate water supplies, especially during warmer months.
Cell service varies: Connectivity differs significantly between campgrounds. "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," notes Fern about Sahara Creek DNR Horse Camp. Meanwhile, at South Fork Snoqualmie River, Austin R. reports, "I travel and work remotely so I'm always looking for free places that have cell reception and this place hits the jackpot."
Environmental concerns: Weather and environmental conditions can affect camping experiences. "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," mentions Fern about Sahara Creek. Some campgrounds also have seasonal restrictions or specific environmental challenges to be aware of.
Choose sites with amenities: Tolt MacDonald Park offers family-friendly facilities. "This park is big, beautiful, and very family friendly. There are plenty of huge camping spots that include fire pits, picnic tables, and room for your car," notes Dawnielle C. The park also features recreational areas specifically designed for children.
Consider noise levels: Family campsites can vary in noise levels. "We enjoyed our stay at Millersylvania. It's a beautiful place. We purchased firewood from the Boy Scout troop here for $6/bundle. The only downside for us is that it is really crowded, and a few dogs and some very rude people kept us up until about 1 am," shares carrie S. Weekdays typically offer quieter experiences than weekends.
Look for recreational options: Swimming and water activities enhance family camping trips. "The beach is the main attraction and it is hopping. We went early in the morning and staked a claim and were happy all day. There is a nice shallow area and two large swimming areas as well as a fishing dock," describes Ellen T. about Millersylvania State Park.
Site selection considerations: When choosing an RV site near Orting, be aware of varying accommodations. "It took a long time to get set up because of the ridiculously small amount of space I had to maneuver my 33ft RV and my 8ft extended cab truck," cautions Savannah H. about Majestic Mobile Manor & RV Park. Researching site dimensions before booking can prevent difficulties upon arrival.
Hookup availability: RV hookups vary widely between campgrounds. "We stayed at a full hook up campsite that included electricity sewer and freshwater," shares Theresa R. about Lewis & Clark State Park Campground. However, she notes, "The camping sites across the street had no amenities at all, but they were across the street and deeper into the forest and very beautiful."
Road conditions: Access roads to some dispersed camping areas can be challenging for larger vehicles. "Access road is right off the highway and unpaved, has a TON of holes so I wouldn't recommend driving down it without good ground clearance," warns Parker C. about South Fork Snoqualmie River Dispersed Site. Consider your vehicle's capabilities when selecting camping destinations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Orting, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Orting, WA is Sahara Creek DNR Horse Camp with a 4.3-star rating from 10 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Orting, WA?
TheDyrt.com has all 25 equestrian camping locations near Orting, WA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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