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L.T. Murray Wildlife Area accepts pets throughout its dispersed camping areas, offering solitude and privacy for those camping with dogs. Located near Thorp, this free camping destination requires visitors to close gates behind them when entering. Multiple reviews confirm excellent cell service is available despite the remote setting. The area features dirt roads that can be rocky and steep in places, with higher clearance vehicles recommended but 4WD not necessarily required. Several pull-offs for camping appear after driving about 20 minutes into the wildlife area, with campsites spread far apart providing privacy for campers and their pets.
Ellensburg KOA welcomes pets and offers riverside camping along the Yakima River, making it an ideal location for dogs who enjoy water access. Though located near Interstate 90 with some road noise, the campground provides a clean, well-maintained environment with full hookup RV sites, tent sites, and cabins that accommodate pets. Amenities include clean restrooms, showers, a heated pool, and a playground for families traveling with both children and dogs. The campground store stocks basic supplies plus beer and wine. Staff enforce quiet hours, beneficial for campers with pets who need rest. Visitors note that sites backing up to the river offer particularly scenic views, though summer temperatures can reach 90 degrees with limited shade.
"This is right off I90 very convenient but close to freeway so some road noise. I90 is the main east west freeway in Washington. It is right on the river and there's a pool."
"Two kids and a dog in tow, we all loved it. Kind of expensive but I think that’s typical for a KOA. Kids loved the activities and amenities and we had amazing bbq and hard cider provided by host."
"**Ranger Review: Camp Fare Premium Meals at LT Murray Wildlife Area ** Camping Review: The LT Murray Wildlife Area is located in Thorp, between Cle Elum and Ellensburg."
"Murray Wildlife Area is a great option if you’re looking for a quiet, spacious spot surrounded by nature. Entrance is through a large metal gate—be sure to close it behind you."
"There was a pretty little calico cat that hung out with us for a bit, who happily plopped around us outside. Sleeping was peaceful, and I actually slept the best I had in my tent yet."
"There are walk in (50 to 100 feet walk) sites as well as horse camping sites. Pit toilets are clean, don’t smell, and have TP. Road in campground is in good condition with pretty new gravel."
"The site was In a good place, just a walk away from the river. We did have like 2 hornets make their way into our tent. I used the showers behind the dog park, which had 2 shower stalls."
"Easy to pop into Cle Elem or surrounding area to explore. I needed an Eastern Washington fix so I really enjoyed it."
from $38 - $270 / night
Check Availability"There was wild roosters running around which was difficult for our retrievers who are pheasant hunting dogs. The mossy cliff was beautiful and fun foot bridge."
"My husband and I don't really ever make our way around the Yakima area, only because the hiking there is more "desert" feel and in the summer the rattlesnakes are out and about."
from $38 / night
Check Availability"Very pretty area outside of Thorp. Campground is primative, pit toilets, but does have water and garbage. Unfortunately, the site is closed from Labor Day through Memorial Day. "
"I’ve encountered an array of wildlife (grouse, beavers, elk) around Taneum Campground and love it. Higher up in the hills can get pretty windy but the area is beautiful to explore."
from $125 / night
Check Availability"Stayed here for a week, had a great time near the creek with our dogs! Attempted some fly fishing after seeing some others give it a shot with no luck. Tons of dispersed camping up and down the road!"
"Stumbled on this by just exploring the backroads near the BLM campground down the road. Technically this is USDA Forest Service land, but it is RIGHT next to BLM land. "
"One thing I love about Washington is that there are so many different places to hike. My husband and I stayed here, which is close to White Pass where there are tons of great hikes."
"We stayed at the campsite #1 which is adjacent to the boat launch."
from $25 / night
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GuideThis is my new favorite spot to camp in Washington. The spaces are well distributed, the location right next to the river is beautiful and the site staff were extremely gracious. I’d strongly recommend picking a number between 2 and 10 as those are the closest sights to the river if you’re looking to enjoy the sounds of the water. There is also a full bathroom at around the mid 20s if you’d prefer a functional toilet system.
TravelerSo I tried booking a spot through this app, and then cashapp was pending the purchase. I ended up calling the campground and they never received my booking. So I waited about 10 min and then I seen that my money was refunded. I ended up calling the camp back and booking it through over the phone. Same price....so I don't see what discount might have done. And also this campground or the lady who answered the phone had never heard of this APP...and named a few partners they work with....this app not being one of them...so...I don't know... ANYWHO.....
Stayed one night, the site 204 was a little difficult to find. The on-site store was pretty good size, from what I saw they had camping gear and regular convenience store stuff. When we got there there was only 1 other tent/ family set up a space away. The site was In a good place, just a walk away from the river. We did have like 2 hornets make their way into our tent. I used the showers behind the dog park, which had 2 shower stalls. And was empty. Hot water instantly, cute lil set up. The campground it self was pretty big...like it was a little town...big play area for kids, lake looked big, same with dog park. Then I took a walk around on the path, and followed the river (as in picture). Quiet time at 10....woke up early and packed up...felt safe, didn't get bothered..no trouble checking In...loved it...
LegendWe’ve camped here a number of times and love it. 4 kids and a dog. We’ve tent camped, stayed in the cabins and our class C RV. We’ve been in a variety of spots around the campground. Our favorite were tent camping over the river and being close to the playground & dog park on the RV. The store is the best I’ve come across at a campsite. Great kid craft activities, nice playground, yummy pancake breakfast, great access for swimming in the river. We walk to town. It’s awesome.
GuideNice spacious sites. Lots of privacy between sites. No dog park. Great view of the lake from your door. We took a 4 mile, one-way, bike ride to the town of Vantage and then to the Ginkgo Petrified Forest. The town of vantage is very small with a lot of closed shops. Has a gas station and convenience store. That’s about it. Very scenic area and quiet and relaxing.
LegendEastern Washington near the water is my favorite type of landscape. It's a hot, windy, and a true desert climate. When you get near a body of water like you do along the Yakima River, the diversity of life expands and makes for great wildlife watching.
Umtanum Recreation Site is part of several BLM campgrounds lumped together along the Yakima River known as the Yakima River Canyon Campgrounds. All can be reserved ahead of time via the reservation.gov website: https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/250985. Standard for most BLM camping in Washington, sites are very basic. Gravel parking, pit toilets, and a picnic table. This place does have a dumpster for trash, not all do. There are no hook ups, no drinking water, and in our case, very little shade. Neighbors are close and there is not a lot of privacy. The day use area is right there too, close to camping and can be loud. It is heavily patrolled by the wonderful BLM folks to keep everything clean and the people orderly. They also give out tickets if you don't mind the warnings for correct passes or day use fees.
The campground itself is one little loop with six sites. The loop is an offshoot of a very large gravel parking area for day use. Mostly boat launching and hiking access to Umtanum Creek and Umtaum Ridge trails. You can check the Information Board for rules on day use and camping fees, passes, and how to check to see if a site is reserved.
We arrived on July 3rd in the afternoon. The campground was very quiet and all the sites were reserved. The morning of July 4th, the recreation site turned into a total madhouse. BLM Rangers, Law Enforcement, making constant rounds to patrol the never ending hoards of people coming to park and float the river. There was a lot of noise, dust, drunk and rowdy folks. Friday was calm again until afternoon, Saturday was not as bad as the 4th but still pretty crazy. It was also hot! No shade to be had in our site. After hiking in the morning, we spent a lot of time across the bridge, in it's shadow, in the river.
If you are using this spot as a base to do some hiking, fishing, or floating it's very convenient. I am sure in Spring and Fall when river floating is not at it's peak, it's gorgeous and peaceful. The raptors and songbirds are splendid. We saw Bighorn sheep on the hill, big rock squirrels, wild turkeys with babies, and fish. No rattlesnakes or ticks, but this is prime territory. Hiking down the Umtanum Creek trail, over the suspension bridge, is one of my favorite hikes ever.
ScoutSilver Springs is our go-to for camping at Mt. Rainier. You get almost all the benefits of staying inside the park without most of the drawbacks (impossible reservations, permits, pet policies, etc.). Campsites are usually clean and spacious and kids feel safe riding around on their bikes and playing in the stream. Just be careful if you’re staying at one of the sites along the river during high rainfall as it can be dangerous for kids and pets.
RangerThis lake is a fairly easy hike in from the end of Forest Service Road 4312, my hiking guidebook says to park at the Thorp Lake trailhead but the path is pretty overgrown and if you want to just camp park where the road terminates and walk uphill for about a mile and a half before reaching the far side of the lake. The campground is on the other side where Thorp Creek dumps into the lake. Look for fire rings and bring your trowel as there's no outhouse that I could see. Enjoy views of Thorp Mountain and if you get a wild hair climb up to reach the lookout tower on top!
ScoutLoved this campgrounds! Lots of trails to hike, pet friendly, and the river is a sight to see. Beautiful. Go during Memorial or Labor Day weekend and you can also check out the NW largest flea market in Packwood WA about 15 mins away.
GuideIt's been our favorite campground for years, but recently last year, the park removed all the flushing toilets, and replaced with vaulted toilets!
Pros
- Close to Seattle about 1.5 hr - 2 hrs away depending on traffic.
- It has numbers of walk-in sites with great access to the lake.
- Lots of loop for kids to ride bike and explore.
- Great access to many hiking trail near by like Pacific Crest Trail(PCT) can be accessed near the campground and Racheal Lake trail head is only 15 mins drive away.
- Great for kayak, canoe, paddle board, or just chill and swim in the lake.
- Friendly rangers and comp hosts.
- Campground is always clean.
- Most campsites have great privacy, you are not right on top of your neighbor.
- Most loops within a walking distance to lake access except Beargrass loop.
- Hardly cell phone service is a plus for us, unless you are at the beach or boat launches.
Cons
- Vaulted toilets ... (we don't mind vaulted toilets, but it used to have flushing toilets until 2017).
- Very busy, hard to make get a reservation. Most walk-in campsites will be filled up by Friday morning.
- In 2018, camp hosts no longer sell firewood (not sure if this still the case). We used to be able to get firewoods on the way in, but the last 2 times we went there this year, no one is selling firewood outside of the campground either. We had to drive to Easton to get firewood.
- Dogs are not allow at the main beach (most campgrounds now have this rules but there aren't many off to the side area where dogs can hang out and you can watch your kids at the same time). Although some camp hosts do not enforce this rule, until the beach gets really busy.
Dispersed camping sites spread throughout the L.T. Murray Wildlife Area near Thorp offer alternatives to established campgrounds. This region lies in central Washington's Kittitas Valley, with an elevation of approximately 1,650 feet and summer temperatures regularly reaching 90°F during peak camping season. Winter snow accumulation makes many dispersed areas inaccessible from November through April.
Hiking at Teanaway: Follow trails directly from Teanaway Campground into surrounding forests. "If you are a mountain biker, this spot will not disappoint with the trail system right out of camp," notes one visitor. The campground sits within Teanaway Community Forest with river access for cooling off during summer hikes.
Fishing opportunities: Access the Yakima River at Umtanum Campground, which features a boat launch and suspension bridge. "The suspension bridge is awesome," reports a camper. The area supports both bank fishing and boat access points, with fall being particularly popular among local anglers targeting trout.
Wildlife viewing: Look for deer, bighorn sheep and wild turkeys throughout the region. The wildlife corridors near Liberty Recreation Site provide excellent viewing opportunities, especially at dawn and dusk. "We saw large elk, deer, many birds, and were visited by some wild turkeys in the night," reports a camper.
Cell reception for remote workers: Despite wilderness settings, certain areas maintain usable connectivity. L.T. Murray Wildlife Area campers report "ATT and Verizon were both 3 strong bars," making it viable for those needing to stay connected. Sites positioned on higher ground generally offer better signal strength.
Waterfront access: Many campgrounds feature river or lake proximity, providing natural cooling during hot months. Whispering Pines RV Campground offers sites alongside the Yakima River. "It is right on the river and there's a pool. Rafting and fishing the Yakima river are great reasons to stay here," explains a reviewer.
Night sky visibility: Minimal light pollution creates exceptional stargazing conditions. "The stars were out and the comet NEOWISE was visible," noted a camper about their experience. Areas farther from Interstate 90 provide darker skies and less ambient noise from highway traffic.
Weather considerations: Summer temperatures frequently exceed 90°F in this region with limited shade at many sites. "August is a tough time to be there with 90 degree weather and lack of shade," warns one camper about riverside camping.
Road access challenges: Many dispersed camping areas require careful navigation of unpaved roads. Sites in Liberty Town/Williams Creek demand appropriate vehicles. "Some of these sites can be tricky to get to unless you have a good vehicle for it," notes a visitor who adds that "I don't think I would have been able to get to the further in dispersed sites if I was driving a Civic."
Highway noise factors: Campgrounds near Interstate 90 experience continuous traffic sounds. Lake Easton State Park campers frequently mention this drawback: "Noisy, noisy, noisy, and noisy. From the sound of the highway to the insurmountable number of inconsiderate neighbors... forget getting any sleep."
Swimming options: Lake access provides natural recreation for children. "We've been here a few times only because it has such a nice beach for little kids to swim and play in the sand," shares a Lake Easton State Park visitor. Several campgrounds feature designated swimming areas with gradual entry points.
Playground availability: Some campgrounds include developed play areas. "They also have a nice playground for kids there too," mentions a Lake Easton reviewer, while another notes that Ellensburg KOA has "a TV/play room that my littles loved but not as much as the heated pool."
Spacing between sites: For families needing more privacy, seek campgrounds with generous site separation. Taneum Cabin offers a standalone accommodation option. Dispersed sites in wildlife areas typically provide greater distance between camping parties than established campgrounds.
Hookup options: Several dog friendly campgrounds near Thorp offer full-service sites. "We stayed here for just over two weeks back in May... Lots of sites, very well laid out and easily maneuverable/accessible," reports a Whispering Pines RV Campground visitor.
Site positioning: Riverside campsites offer premium experiences but may lack shade. "I chose a site that backed up to the river, the back of the motorhome was close to cantilevering over the river," shares an RVer, adding that "Mornings were nice with coffee sitting out watching the high paced river go by."
Clearance requirements: Many dispersed camping roads present challenges for larger rigs. "Very steep and Rocky! We car camp in a Wagoneer and it was fine," notes a camper at L.T. Murray Wildlife Area. Most pet-friendly campsites with easiest RV access cluster along the I-90 corridor between Cle Elum and Ellensburg.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Thorp, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Thorp, WA is Ellensburg KOA with a 3.8-star rating from 19 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Thorp, WA?
TheDyrt.com has all 167 dog-friendly camping locations near Thorp, WA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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