1 campground with availability this weekend
Margaret McKenny Equestrian Campground in Olympia accommodates horses with dedicated corrals and suitable parking for horse trailers. The campground permits pets and offers picnic tables at each site. While the facility has vault toilets available for campers, it lacks hookups for electricity, water, and sewage. The trails around the campground provide access points for riders looking to explore the surrounding forest terrain. Some RV spots can accommodate equestrian visitors, though the primary focus is on the horse-specific amenities. The area maintains a permit system for all visitors.
Located approximately 25 miles from Steilacoom, the campground connects to multiple trail systems suitable for various riding experiences. Riders access both wooded terrain and more open landscapes directly from the campsite areas. The grounds feature relatively flat terrain, making it accessible for horse trailers of different sizes. Water access for horses remains limited, so visitors should plan to bring sufficient water supplies for their animals during their stay. Trail conditions vary seasonally, with some routes becoming muddy after heavy rainfall periods. The camping areas accommodate small to medium-sized groups of equestrians, though larger gatherings may require special arrangements through the permit system.
"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 this weekend
from $12 - $140 / night
"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."
"Completely dispersed tent or rv camping with a Washington Discovery Pass ($35 year) otherwise FREE for up too 7 days."
"Each gives a completely different but wonderous experience, either with open views of flower pastures and woods, or a more insular green surrounded by trees."
from $55 / 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."
"There are hiking trails close by but be sure to do your homework because there are many trails that allow ATV, horses, bikes, and people on them."
"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."
"You are supposed to have a Washington State Discovery pass to stay here, also they want you to fill out self registration once you arrive, fyi there are no pens onsite to do so."
"We had our choice of campsites, near hiking trails and the creek. The road wasn't too rough to get there, and we were able to park nearby. What more do you need?"
"Easy access to ORV trails. Expect lots of noise from off-road vehicles and music."
from $65 - $71 / 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.
RangerThis was our last stop after a trip down the Oregon coast. We spent two nights here. It's a lovely little state park along the Chehalis River. The "falls" are more of a rapids. There used to be a suspension bridge, but that was taken out in a flood in 2007. The campground is on the smaller side, but spaces are amongst the trees. Site 32, where we are, can accommodate a larger rig. The site is quite large and backs up to a hiking trail and the river, though there is a steep drop off. No playground for littles, but there is a large, open field where kids can play. No Verizon connectivity at all in the campground. I got one 5g bar over in the day use area by the houses. Also, the dump station is closed and looked like it had been for awhile so if you camp in a trailer and use your own bathroom, you'll need to go out and dump the tanks at one of the rest areas on I-5.
We do not have Starlink, but be warned if you do, there is heavy tree cover here. This park would benefit from the wifi pilot program that they are doing at some of the other WA state parks.
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.
TravelerWe imagine this is a busy place in the summer, but we enjoyed a quiet camp spot for the night. Paid $55 for the spot with electric hookup for our van, and extra vehicle. Very spacious site. Several other rv campers, but all were quiet and respectful.
TravelerFantastic area
ScoutWe 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.
Margaret McKenny Equestrian Campground offers equestrian-focused camping 25 miles from Steilacoom, Washington. Located within Capitol State Forest near Olympia, the campground sits at approximately 400 feet elevation in second-growth forest terrain. The area receives about 50-70 inches of annual rainfall, creating seasonal trail condition challenges from October through April.
Trail riding access points: The campground connects to over 80 miles of multi-use trails through Capitol State Forest. "There's hiking trails all around you!" notes Abby M. of Margaret McKenny Equestrian Campground, who appreciated the surrounding network of trails accessible from camp.
Explore forest hiking: Fall Creek Campground offers additional trail options through old-growth sections. According to one camper, "We were able to hike around and had water, and restrooms that were clean," reports Mayna M. of Fall Creek Campground.
Visit nearby lakes: Millersylvania State Park, about 30 minutes from Steilacoom, offers lake access and water recreation. "The lake is great. You're packed in pretty close to each other, but the trees provide pretty good insulation," shares Jed G. of Millersylvania State Park.
Quiet camping atmosphere: Many equestrian campers appreciate the peaceful environment. "We have thoroughly enjoyed ourselves every time we have called at Margaret McKenny! The camp hosts Steve and Ginny are helpful, kind and keep it maintained well," states Rachel W..
Clean facilities: Vault toilets are maintained regularly at most horse campgrounds near Steilacoom, Washington. At Porter Creek, "The trail and creek are beautiful," notes one camper who appreciated the natural setting despite some maintenance concerns.
Spacious camping areas: Dragon's Gate Gardens offers unusually large campsites. "Each reservable space is massive.... 4-5 times the size of most campsites. While you may reasonably run into other campers within each section if you go for a walk, you won't even know anyone is in the other sections, its so private," explains Amanda of Dragon's Gate Gardens.
Discovery Pass requirements: Margaret McKenny requires a Washington State Discovery Pass for camping. "You do need a discovery pass in order to stay and just register up front," explains Abby M. These passes cost $35 annually or $11.50 for a day pass.
Varying seasonal conditions: Winter camping presents challenges with mud and limited facilities. "There are ample trails throughout the park including a lovely trail along the lake, which is not far from the campground. The only reason for 4 stars instead of 5 is because our site had a huge mud puddle from the road going to the power and water hook-up," notes Christina F. of Millersylvania State Park.
Limited amenities: Most equestrian campgrounds offer basic facilities. "No trash, no water, no hook ups so come prepared," advises a Margaret McKenny camper. Bring all necessary supplies including water for horses.
Lake activities for kids: Families often enjoy the lake access at some campgrounds. "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," shares Ellen T. of Millersylvania State Park.
Safety considerations: Keep children supervised on trails shared with horses. At Tolt MacDonald Park, a suspension bridge is popular but requires caution: "The suspension bridge is pretty cool, but hold onto your phones tight because it could slip through the holes into the river below."
Camp selection strategy: For quieter family camping, choose weekdays or off-season. "We stayed in the group camp and I can highly recommend it. It had it's own bathrooms. It was set back in the woods with tons of places for tents," explains Ellen T.
Site selection considerations: RV sites vary in size and access difficulty across the region. "This was a nice spot to stay the night, clean, nice picnic tables and fire pits, one pit toilet," explains Samuel H. of Fall Creek Campground.
Solar power opportunities: Some sites offer good solar exposure for off-grid camping. "Was able to get decent sun for my solar so was able to stay for a couple of days with no issues," notes Abby M. about Margaret McKenny campground.
Road conditions: Access roads to equestrian campgrounds can be challenging. "Dirt road, lots of potholes, lots of fun," reports Ray D. of Tahuya River Campground, highlighting the importance of proper vehicle clearance when accessing horse campgrounds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Steilacoom, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Steilacoom, WA is Millersylvania State Park Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 35 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Steilacoom, WA?
TheDyrt.com has all 18 equestrian camping locations near Steilacoom, WA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
