Capitol State Forest hosts multiple equestrian campgrounds near Shelton, Washington, within a 110,000-acre working forest. The terrain features second-growth forest with elevations ranging from 200 to 2,600 feet. Weather can change quickly in this region, with summer temperatures typically between 60-80°F and frequent rainfall in spring and fall.
What to Do
Trail riding: Millersylvania State Park Campground offers access to multiple hiking and biking trails within a 903-acre park setting. "The park is huge offering lots of options for campers. A quick walk around the grounds offered a nice hike and showed us some pretty awesome sites," notes Mary C.
Hiking to waterfalls: At Collins Campground, visitors can access nearby waterfall trails. "There is a hike with a trailhead 2 miles from the campsite. We walked there and it was a milder way walk uphill to the trail head and then the .8 mile hike heads to a pretty waterfall which you can walk behind," writes Asia M.
Fishing: Porter Creek offers fishing opportunities alongside camping. "This is a family favorite and enjoy the time we spend camping here," shares SIMPLEGRINN A. The area features several fishing spots with access to local creeks and rivers.
What Campers Like
River access: Many campsites at Porter Creek feature creek-side locations. "The river is gorgeous and fun to explore!" says Jessica A. This provides natural water features for cooling off during summer months.
Forested settings: Fall Creek Campground offers wooded sites that campers appreciate. "Kids really enjoyed the creek nearby and it was great for our tent camping. We were able to hike around and had water, and restrooms that were clean," according to Mayna M.
Privacy between sites: Campers value the spacing at many local campgrounds. "There is a lot of privacy between each site too," notes Asia M. about Collins Campground. This provides a more secluded experience even when campgrounds are partially occupied.
What You Should Know
Discovery Pass requirements: Washington State Discovery Pass ($35/year) is required at several equestrian campgrounds. "Completely dispersed tent or rv camping with a Washington Discovery Pass ($35 year) otherwise FREE for up too 7 days," explains Jody S.
Variable road conditions: Access roads to many horse campgrounds in the Shelton area can be challenging. "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," reports Asia M. about Collins Campground.
Limited amenities: Most equestrian camping areas have minimal facilities. "This is a pretty nice campground! There are 3 loops, one is dedicated to horses M-F. Both visits I arrived Sunday afternoon and found a few spots to pick from. There's a vault toilet per loop. No trash, no water, no hook ups so come prepared," shares Abby M.
Tips for Camping with Families
Lake activities: Kammenga Canyon Campground provides options for families who enjoy outdoor recreation. "Nice open sites with space for multiple vehicles or trailers. Easy access to ORV trails," notes Tim.
Tent site selection: Choose sites with room for kids to explore. "Sites are spacious though they are grouped in such a way that 2-3 sites are open to each other. Would make for a great place for groups with multiple tents," suggests Lawrence F.
Water play options: Several campgrounds offer water features for families. "There is also a large grassy area to play. We saw an elk. Beach not great. Seal Rock is also very close and you are allowed to harvest oysters without a permit," mentions Lawrence F.
Tips from RVers
Limited hookup options: Most equestrian campgrounds near Shelton have few or no hookups. "No trash, no water, no hook ups so come prepared," advises Abby M. Solar panels may be useful as some sites receive adequate sun.
Site leveling challenges: Be prepared for uneven terrain at primitive camping areas. "The thin layer of mud on the pavement made things quite slick as I was trying to get leveling blocks down," notes Christina F.
Trailer parking: Horse trailers require special consideration. "Entire campground has decent roads but go extra extra slow in areas," advises Jody S. Several campgrounds provide extra space specifically designed for horse trailers and rigs.
Guide
