Equestrian camping near Tacoma, Washington offers diverse terrain across Kitsap and Pierce counties with elevations ranging from 10 to 4,500 feet above sea level. The region receives approximately 40 inches of annual rainfall with summer temperatures averaging 75°F. Most horse-friendly campgrounds operate from April through October, closing during winter months when trails become muddy and hazardous.
What to do
Trail riding through old-growth forests: Mount Rainier National Park's surrounding areas provide extensive trail systems for horse riders. At Sahara Creek DNR Horse Camp, visitors can access multiple trail networks. "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. It's also near Mount Rainier," notes Amy K.
Explore riverside terrain: The Olympic Peninsula offers water-adjacent camping with river access. Collins Campground provides riverside sites with "whimsical river access" according to Kaelin M. Another camper states, "Amazing little campground all sites except for two or on the river quiet clean bathrooms."
Mountain biking on shared trails: Many equestrian areas permit mountain biking on designated routes. Kitsap Peninsula trail systems accommodate multiple user groups. The mix of terrain creates options for all skill levels. Tim notes at Kammenga Canyon Campground, "Nice open sites with space for multiple vehicles or trailers. Easy access to ORV trails."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Campers appreciate spacing between sites at many Tacoma-area campgrounds. At Collins Campground, Asia M. reports, "There is a lot of privacy between each site too," adding that "most are along a river with private access from your campsite."
Proximity to Mount Rainier: Millersylvania State Park Campground serves as a convenient base camp for mountain excursions. Christina F. explains, "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. It made for a nice, quiet weekend even though the open sites were 80% full."
Accessibility to urban amenities: Campgrounds near Tacoma balance natural settings with proximity to services. Calvin K. mentions that Millersylvania offers "close to the city in case you forget something or a little one has a meltdown, lots of varied activities: biking, light mtb, trail running, hiking, paddling & fishing."
What you should know
Discover Pass requirements: Many Washington DNR campgrounds require state permits. At Sahara Creek, Shelby W. reminds campers, "YOU NEED A WA DISCOVER PASS TO CAMP HERE!!! But it is free with the pass. And there's a gas station 5 minutes down the road in Ashford where you can buy one."
Limited facilities at dispersed sites: South Fork Snoqualmie River Dispersed Site offers primitive camping with minimal amenities. Jon H. advises, "No bathrooms, so plan on dropping the kids off at the pool before visiting. Seeing as there is water nearby, there are plenty of mosquitoes. Bring some bug spray!"
Road conditions to remote sites: Access roads to more secluded campgrounds often require appropriate vehicles. Parker C. notes about South Fork Snoqualmie: "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."
Winter closures: Most equestrian facilities close seasonally. GrandpaMoto B. explains that Sahara Creek "is a shady campground not great for solar. It is a pleasant campground but can be noisy at times as there is a shooting range not too far away."
Tips for camping with families
Lake access for children: Water features provide recreation options for families with kids. At Millersylvania State Park, John G. found "a very pretty and clean lake, Beer Garden at the lake, clean bathrooms, shower requires tokens but shortens the shower time if you have to wait."
Group camping options: For multi-family trips, several campgrounds offer designated group areas. Ellen T. recommends, "We stayed in the group camp and I can highly recommend it. It had its own (slightly frightening- not well cleaned, run down) bathrooms. It was set back in the woods with tons of places for tents."
Safety considerations: Tolt MacDonald Park offers family-friendly camping with some safety notes. Dawnielle C. advises, "The suspension bridge is pretty cool, but hold onto your phones tight because it could slip through the holes into the river below."
Noise levels: Weekend crowds can affect sleep quality. Carrie S. notes about Millersylvania: "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."
Tips from RVers
Site accessibility: RVers should research access requirements before arrival. At Majestic Mobile Manor, Savannah H. cautions, "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."
Leveling challenges: Campground terrain varies throughout the region. Russ H. notes about Tolt MacDonald Park, "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."
Solar power limitations: Shaded campsites affect solar charging capabilities. At Sahara Creek, Fern explains, "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."
