Best Equestrian Camping near Packwood, WA

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.

Kalama Horse Camp has always been one of my favorite places to take my horses for a camping adventure. There are several awesome trails you can take right from the campground and there is a campground trail that guides you around the whole campground area. There are several compost toilets that are available for campers and day use. Each Campsite has a firepit and picnic table. Most all of the campsite have horse corrals.

I’ve camped here with the horses a few times for AERC endurance rides. It’s well maintained and a beautiful little valley. Lots of good spots to choose from. At our ride events we have 50+ horse trailers and we always have space. Love the area!

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

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.

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?

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.

Camped up here this weekend. It’s not the greatest road getting up there. For the most part the road isn’t bad but I was hauling a camper and a 20’ trailer with dirt bikes and quads so for me wasn’t the greatest. They have toilets here that were pretty clean and fresh water from a well pump. River runs right along the campground and makes for a very peaceful night sleep. You can ride your OHV right out of camp and up the roads for some great views. They also have horse tie ups and an elevated ramp for easier mounting of horses. For a free campground this is one of the nicest ones I’ve been to. Picnic tables and a fire ring at every camp site.

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.

Nice campground with vault toilet. Very quiet. Small spring and running creek. 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. At least when we were there the drive was flooded over but manageable.

This is primarily a spot where you go to park your horse trailer and go from there! However it’s “first come first served”. Has few amenities, pit toilets.... clean and composting. Short trailed from the campsite, very close to the Mt. St Helens trails! Very nice area, we will be back!!

Had an amazing time staying at this campground with our family. 

We brought our RV, but you can tent, or rent a Yurt or Igloo. Horses are welcome too! The new owners are doing a great job turning the property around. There is a large recent renovated cabin that fits up to 20 people you can stay as well. 

There is a bar & cafe open as well on the weekend with amazing views. Highly recommend.

This is a great rustic campground for horse camping and family oriented. Sites are nice sized, it’s generally peaceful under the large fir trees with just enough canopy to provide shade and for the wood corrals. Trails are in abundance and usually maintained by volunteers and USFS. There is stock water and wheelbarrows for mucking. Pit toilets are pretty good but just in case, bring TP! Each site has a nice picnic table and fire pit. Great views up on the high trails of the mountains. We enjoy it and go at least annually!

This is a tents only campground. Boats and boat ramps are right there. All sights are walk in. They are leveled out in a crushed rock space so be sure to bring a tarp for under your tent. Nice pick in tables per a sight and firpit with grate and a little build in BBQ stand. Bathrooms, bring your own toilet paper they are always out, but there are two port-a-potties. View is gorgeous of the lake and fishing is great. Fly fish only. Only a couple miles from a good horse camp too.

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 :)

The road is quite bumpy, and the river is dry. But there are plenty of spots to camp that are level with rock fire pits.

We came early June to try and hike near Mount Rainier. Unfortunately it was way too snowy and foggy to do any hiking. However, this campsite was incredible. Right by the river with bathrooms and clean sites.

I have been here twice in last few years. It has always been the perfect place to getaway and unplug. Quiet and peaceful. Even in heat waves this area is cooler and at night it is perfect. If you aren't afraid to wander into the woods with no trail. Lots to explore and see. Lots of little treasures near by. This site only has one vault toilet.

I’d give this campground four stars but we battled mosquitoes constantly. There are some great hikes close by and the lake is gorgeous. One hike left us awestruck with the gorgeous water falls. We had site 16 which offered great privacy and close to a bathroom. We were there in the middle of the week and the camp was busy but quiet which was great. If you’re up for the drive, head out to Tahklakh Lake for the absolute vision of the Pacific Northwest, or head to Council Bluff to hike up for a view of Rainier, Adams, St. Helens and Mt. Hood.

Lake is pristine, calm and gorgeous. Easy to kayak. Easy trail access to hikes. Cold in the morning (Aug) but warms up quickly.

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 dirt; bring mosquito repellent