Sahara Creek DNR Horse Camp requires a Washington Discover Pass for entry but is otherwise free to use with a 7-day limit in any 30-day period. Located approximately 15 minutes from Mount Rainier National Park entrance near Ashford, this camp connects to several miles of equestrian-friendly trails through Department of Natural Resources land. The campground features vault toilets and sites with picnic tables and fire rings, but no water hookups or shower facilities.
What to do
Trail riding with horses: Sahara Creek DNR Horse Camp offers access to multiple riding paths directly from the campground. One visitor noted, "There is also a nice picnic shelter with closable sides for protection during inclement weather" and "An ADA-accessible trail is level for walking dogs or shorter rides."
Visit Mount Rainier: Tolt MacDonald Park is a great basecamp for day trips to Mount Rainier. A camper shared, "It was quiet and peaceful" while another mentioned "This park is big, beautiful, and very family friendly."
Explore nearby hiking: Several campgrounds offer access to hiking trails. At South Fork Snoqualmie River Dispersed Site, a camper reported, "There was a nice long trail that took us to the river. That was nice."
What campers like
Free camping with Discover Pass: Sahara Creek DNR Horse Camp provides no-cost camping for those with a Washington Discover Pass. A visitor clarified, "This is a free camp ground if you have a Wa 'Discover Pass' it is a shady campground not great for solar."
Proximity to amenities: Many horse campgrounds near Sumner, Washington offer convenient access to supplies. One camper at Sahara Creek stated, "Riders appreciate the proximity to Ashford where supplies, including firewood, can be purchased just 5 minutes away at a local gas station."
Private riverfront sites: Collins Campground offers secluded waterfront camping. A camper reported, "There are 15 sites and most are along a river with private access from your campsite. We loved staying here! There is a lot of privacy between each site too."
What you should know
Cell service variability: Cell reception ranges from none to full service across various campgrounds. At South Fork Snoqualmie River Dispersed Site, a camper shared, "I travel and work remotely so I'm always looking for free places that have cell reception and this place hits the jackpot. I have Verizon and have 2-3 bars of service."
Weather preparedness: The Pacific Northwest climate requires appropriate gear. At Millersylvania State Park, a camper noted, "After months of trying to get reservations for this popular campground, we finally got one for Thanksgiving weekend! The park is on their winter schedule so only sites 1-7 and 226-248 were open."
Road conditions: Access roads to some campgrounds may be challenging. At Collins Campground, a camper warned, "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."
Tips for camping with families
Look for kid-friendly amenities: Some campgrounds offer special features for children. Millersylvania State Park provides family-oriented recreation options. One visitor shared, "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."
Consider yurt options: For families who prefer not to tent camp, some locations offer alternative accommodations. At Tolt MacDonald Park, a camper reported, "Spent a night in the yurt. Everything worked" while another noted the park "offers the typical primitive campsites with fire pits and picnic tables, as well as yurts and shipping container conversions for those who want more of a 'GLAMping' outdoor experience."
Choose locations with easy water access: Waterfront camping provides built-in entertainment. At Riffe Lake Campground, a visitor stated, "This park is huge! Lots of space to hang out and swim. There's always kids running around so it is great for young ones. Bathrooms were clean and big."
Tips from RVers
Check site dimensions: Some equestrian campgrounds near Sumner have limited space for larger rigs. At Riffe Lake Campground, a camper advised, "RV spots are gravel pads and had water and electric, some had full hook up too. Some spots are better suited for larger rigs (ours was a little tight)."
Consider levelness: Finding level sites can be important for RVs. One camper at Tolt MacDonald Park reported, "The only campground we've been to where we didn't need to level the trailer. RV sites are all pull through its fairly quiet."
Plan for limited hookups: Many horse-friendly campgrounds have minimal or no RV hookups. At South Fork Snoqualmie River Dispersed Site, a camper mentioned, "A lit if the spots are on the smaller side, so we had a bit of trouble finding one that could fit our motorhome, but it was worth it."
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