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Equestrian Camping near Trout Lake, WA

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    Horse Camp: Cody and Keenes Horse Campground provide specialized facilities for equestrians visiting the Trout Lake area. Located in Gifford Pinchot National Forest, Cody Horse Camp offers picnic tables, vault toilets, and large sites suitable for horse trailers. Keenes Horse Camp operates seasonally from June through September, featuring toilets and trash disposal services. The campgrounds accommodate tent camping with horses, though RV access is limited at some sites. Picket lines for horses are available at each site in Cody Horse Camp, with watering troughs providing convenient water access. The deeply forested sites offer good spacing between campsites, providing privacy for campers and their horses. Bear activity has been reported in the area, requiring proper food storage and animal care.

    The Pacific Crest Trail connects directly to several horse camps in the region, offering extensive riding opportunities. Nearby Panther Creek features a dedicated horse camp across from the main campground where PCT hikers often pass through. Kalama Horse Camp, open May through November, provides additional options for equestrians with toilets, trash service, and sanitary dump facilities. Multiple horse trails depart directly from these campgrounds, passing through areas abundant with wildflowers, especially during August when they remain in bloom due to the high elevation. Trailhead access to wilderness areas including Indian Heaven is available from these locations. Riders should exercise caution as cougar sightings have occurred in the vicinity of Cody Horse Camp. The terrain offers varied riding experiences through old growth forests and alpine meadows.

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    Best Equestrian Campgrounds near Trout Lake (22)

    Filters    Tent onlyRVDispersedCabinGlampingPetsEquestrian

      1. Panther Creek Campground

      4.6(20)21mi from Trout Lake33 sitesRVs, Tents

      "Across the road is a horse camp that the PCT goes through. There is a spur from the PCT directly into the campground for easy access. There is a beautiful view of Mt."

      "Some camp sots are better situated then others, so do research before making reservation."

      from $25 - $45 / night

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      2. Steamboat Rock Campground

      4.5(2)13mi from Trout LakeRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "A Lake or a pond is your front view, the back is cliffs, prairie, and wildlife. Spent the day with a Fishing Guide (1-509-860-7233).  I hope the pictures show how great this place is."

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      3. Lewis River Horse Camp — Gifford Pinchot National Forest

      4.8(4)20mi from Trout Lake4 sitesRVs, Tents

      "We stayed here (without horses) when we couldn’t find anywhere else to stay. It was completely empty in July, probably because people think you have to be a horse to stay here."

      "We stayed at this horse camp in early April because all other area campgrounds were closed until May. What a lucky find! We were the only ones there. Pit toilets were clean enough."

      from $15 / night

      4. Tillicum Campground

      4.0(1)15mi from Trout LakeRVs, Tents

      "There's no cell service in the campground, but 1-2 bars of AT&T 4G is available about 3 miles from camp, (1 mile up FS Rd. 8854, near the junction of FS Rd. 8851 and FS Rd. 24)."

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      5. Walupt Lake Campground

      4.6(10)30mi from Trout Lake42 sitesRVs, Tents, Glamping

      "Amazing camp site with a good amount of lakeside camps. Staying in site 41 to 44 guarantees amazing sunrise and sunset views. The lake water is crystal clear. Excellent location if you enjoy hiking."

      "nice tall shade trees and beautiful access to the lake. trails are around and a large beach to relax on. sites are large and trees are close enough to hang a hammock. note: road to get here is entirely"

      from $25 - $45 / night

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      6. Keenes Horse Campground

      4.0(1)22mi from Trout LakeTents

      "This horse campground is near Takhlakh Lake.  Its a small campground with about 6 sites and is first come first serve.  "

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      7. Battle Ground Lake State Park Campground

      4.3(40)48mi from Trout LakeRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "Driving up there the way we drive (from Vancouver) you go up through ranching/farming territory and it’s nice and green and pretty, so it’s nice getting there."

      "Hiking around the lake is a great way to start and/or end you day while staying at Battle Ground Lake SP. Horses are welcome. There are cabins available also. Several sites overlook the lake."

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      8. Horse Camp: Cody

      5.0(1)25mi from Trout LakeRVs, Tents

      "Walked through campground. Has decent outhouse. Watering trough for horses. picnic tables and nice fire pits with grates in every campsite. Great picket lines for horses in each site."

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      9. Woodard Creek Campground — Beacon Rock State Park Campground

      4.0(11)36mi from Trout LakeRVs, Tents

      "Not only is the campground itself a woodland wonderland with winding paths through tall old growth forest areas, but the surrounding area of the park itself is impressive with exciting things to do around"

      "We didn’t have any issues at the site, but noticed that spots RV4 and RV5 were relatively distanced from each other, while spots RV1-RV3 were pretty close to each other."

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      10. Kalama Horse Camp — Gifford Pinchot National Forest

      4.3(7)39mi from Trout Lake27 sitesRVs, Tents

      "Kalama Horse Camp has always been one of my favorite places to take my horses for a camping adventure."

      "This is primarily a spot where you go to park your horse trailer and go from there! However it’s “first come first served”. Has few amenities, pit toilets.... clean and composting."

      from $23 / night

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    Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near Trout Lake, WA

    5 Photos of 22 Trout Lake Campgrounds

    Equestrian Camping Reviews near Trout Lake, WA

    132 Reviews of 22 Trout Lake Campgrounds

    • Ashley B.
      May. 24, 2018

      Riley Horse Campground

      Hidden Gem in the west side of Mt. Hood National Forest

      This is hands down one of my favorite campgrounds, because the spots are large, far apart from the other sites, and very quiet. It is not too far from the Portland area, I would recommend getting last minute supplies before getting off the highway. The campground is a horse campground, but I reserved on the Monday before arrival and it was still very empty so no fear about taking a spot from equestrians. The spot I had (Spot 4) was huge, plenty of room for a larger party, felt like a quarter of an acre. There were no neighbors on one side of the spot and only the water spigot on the other. All the spots in the campground had plenty of space between spots. There was lots of dead, dried out wood laying all around the site that after a couple hours of collecting I had plenty to keep a fire all weekend, and still left a pile of wood when I left. The campground is close to many trails in the area, mainly Romano Falls Trail. There are views of Mt. Hood, peeking out through the trees here and there.

      Additional Stay, Different Year
      -A few more trees have been knocked down due to winter storms, but this is still a great campground.

    • Ashley B.
      Oct. 28, 2020

      Keenes Horse Campground

      Horse Camp near Takhlakh Lake

      This horse campground is near Takhlakh Lake.  Its a small campground with about 6 sites and is first come first serve.  All the other campgrounds in the area were full, but this one was pretty empty especially since it was visible from the road.  I stayed twice over the summer and both times there were sites with horses in them.  It is right next to the road, but there was a large pot hole in the road so people had to slow down or risk damage to their cars.  The road all the way to the campground was very bad with holes, washouts, downed trees, huge dips, I recommend paying close attention when you are driving cause stuff will sneak up on you out of no where and low clearance cars could do damage.  The campground was next to the creek and had multiple horse trails leaving from the campground.   There were also a ton of wildflowers each time I went, since they are so high in elevation the wildflowers are still around into August.

      The drive to Takhlakh Lake is only about 8 miles and takes about 20-30 minutes.  Very easy day trip to enjoy the lake but then you can leave the crowds at the lake behind.

    • Richard B.
      Aug. 1, 2018

      Battle Ground Lake State Park Campground

      We Love This Place

      We love it! For a lot of reasons. Part of the reason is it’s close, so that’s part good. Driving up there the way we drive (from Vancouver) you go up through ranching/farming territory and it’s nice and green and pretty, so it’s nice getting there. You do have a lot of options, in that the first time we went up there was with our hiking club, and we went up there for a hike around the calderas so it’s easy to do a day trip in a car. Part of our discovery was while we were there is that the food place is really good and very nice. The kids playground was great for the grandkids.

      As far as the camping, while it’s open, for the most part you do have a limited amount of privacy in the campground. The campsite we picked was a mix of things: just far enough away from the restrooms where we don’t get all the traffic there, but close enough so it’s not too far either. We were within easy walking distance to two restrooms/showers.

      One thing that always looked intriguing is they do have the cabins, so maybe one of these times we’ll rent one. Another thing that some people might like is that they do have horses and some of the trails around the lake you can have horses on, plus a separate area/campground where you can have your horses, which are fun to see.

      It’s a small lake but big lake, meaning they do not allow motors on the lake, even electric motors, so it’s all floats, kayakers, etc. A lot of people grab the big inter-tubes and go with that. And of course fishing up there is generally pretty good, especially when they stock it. The trails around the lake are kind of fun also because you have a high trail (very forested) and you also have a certain amount of low trails right on the water where you could have your own spots to fish and swim.

      Like most campgrounds, it has its peak season and its off-season, but you can go there year-round if you choose to. The beach area isn’t big, but that’s okay. Wherever you’re heading (from the campsites down to the water, to the playground, to the food shack) you always have different trails and options for how to get from one place to another if you want to explore. If there’s anything you forgot (groceries, fishing gear etc.) you can be in the small town of Battle Ground within 5 miles.

    • Tony G.The Dyrt PRO User
      Dec. 3, 2023

      Horse Camp: Cody

      Nice horse camp

      Camped in dispersed campsite across from campground. Walked through campground. Has decent outhouse. Watering trough for horses. picnic tables and nice fire pits with grates in every campsite. Great picket lines for horses in each site. Use caution, since there is an abundance of bear in the area. And cougar have been sighted around the area

    • Eric H.The Dyrt PRO User
      Jun. 15, 2020

      Soda Springs

      Roughing it is perfect

      23 May 2020 - you can drive to the "Y" intersection for the camp grounds and horse camp, but the snow was so deep that walking is the only option. Several car made turning around in the intersection difficult.

    • Shariah T.The Dyrt PRO User
      Jun. 2, 2019

      Packwood Lake

      Hike in camping

      This place is the best because the only way to get to the camping spots at Packwood Lake is to hike in or the use of ATV’s. The views are AMAZING, and it’s right next to the lake, however the water may be very cold. Fires are sometimes allowed dependent if there’s a burn ban or not. Horses are also permitted on this trail. And if you’d like to continue hiking there are several trails that lead to various locations. We make this a must do every year. During certain weekends and holidays it can get very busy however there are spots all around the lake.

    • Kelcie T.
      Sep. 29, 2021

      Kalama Horse Camp — Gifford Pinchot National Forest

      One of my favorite places!

      Kalama Horse Camp has always been one of my favorite places to take my horses for a camping adventure. There are several awesome trails you can take right from the campground and there is a campground trail that guides you around the whole campground area. There are several compost toilets that are available for campers and day use. Each Campsite has a firepit and picnic table. Most all of the campsite have horse corrals.

    • Ashley B.
      Jul. 30, 2018

      Brooks Memorial State Park Campground

      Small State Park off Hwy 97

      This review is for the main campground, there is another group/horse campground across the highway that I did not stay in. The small campground is right off Highway 97. The first part of the campground is where the hook ups, large RV's, small trailers and tent campers are located. The spaces are very close together with very few trees separating spaces. Some spots looked barely big enough for a 2 person tent. In this same area is the only flush toilets/showers (Coin operated). Continuing past this main area and over a small hill is where the tent camping/sheep herders tents are located. Since it was located away from the main camping area it was quiet with regards to hearing fellow campers, the downside is the spaces are closer to the Highway. Day and night, semis speed past the state park on either a downhill straight away or an uphill straight away, regardless it sounds like a freight train or military landing pad all night/day long. It was so loud you had to stop talking until the semi passed. The space I was in was so small my 3 person tent only fit if one side was touching the fire ring. Luckily there was a fire ban so no fire to melt my tent. The space also had full view of the pit toilet, since it was the only toilet on that side, I saw everyone come and go. It was also super close to one of the sheep herders tent site. There were 2 sheep herder tents sites. The spots looked large and the tents looked like they would sleep at least 4-5 people. The other tent sites where much larger, but still all the sites could hear the highway. Note, be careful about leaving food out, zipping your tent up, leaving car doors open. The mice were pretty bad and came out at night driving my dog crazy. There were a bunch of trails that ran through out the park that provided a nice alternative to get to the other side of the park or climb to the top of the hill near the power lines. The camp host was also a very nice gentleman who suggested activities in the near by area. I was exploring the area cause it's new to me, but I wont return cause it's not my type of camping.

    • Steve C.
      Jun. 10, 2016

      Battle Ground Lake State Park Campground

      Beautiful small lake with a nice private campground

      Hiking around the lake is a great way to start and/or end you day while staying at Battle Ground Lake SP. Horses are welcome. There are cabins available also. Several sites overlook the lake.

      Fishing and swimming are common here, but the lake often closes to swimming later summer season due to bacteria etc. in the water.

    Guide to Trout Lake

    Equestrian camping opportunities surround Trout Lake, Washington at elevations ranging from 1,900 to 4,500 feet. The deeply forested campsites in this section of Gifford Pinchot National Forest experience temperature swings of 30-40 degrees between day and night, even in summer months. Most horse campgrounds remain open from May through early November, depending on snowpack conditions.

    What to Do

    Fly fishing only lakes: Merrill Lake offers unique fishing restrictions. "Great for paddle boarding or kayaking. There's a boat launch. Best of all, it's free!" notes Kathy B. about Merrill Lake Campground.

    Mountain biking from horse camps: Some equestrian areas welcome cyclists too. Jessica reports about Kalama Horse Camp: "This is a nice little horse camp with several sites and corals. We came for a mtn bike race but were comfortable anyways. Each spot is large and quite private."

    Waterfall hikes: The region has numerous cascading water features accessible from camping areas. As Kate G. mentions, "There are some great hikes close by and the lake is gorgeous. One hike left us awestruck with the gorgeous water falls."

    What Campers Like

    Old growth cedar groves: Mature forests provide natural shade and habitat. Dan M. appreciates this aspect at Merrill Lake: "This is a great little campground, on the lake shore amidst a grove of Old Growth Cedar. Only 8 spaces for tents."

    Wildlife viewing opportunities: The area supports diverse animal populations. Tony G. warns about Cody Horse Camp: "Use caution, since there is an abundance of bear in the area. And cougar have been sighted around the area."

    Creek access for cooling off: Multiple campsites feature water proximity. Joshua T. at Kalama Horse Camp reports: "This campground wasn't on our radar for this last weekend camping trip. We stumbled across it looking for a spot to camp. Only about 10 camp sites but in very good condition. Very private and great tree cover."

    What You Should Know

    Vault toilets require preparation: Facilities vary across campgrounds. Shannon B. advises: "Bathrooms, bring your own toilet paper they are always out, but there are two port-a-potties."

    Road conditions can be challenging: Access requires high-clearance vehicles in some areas. Ashley B. notes about Keenes Horse Camp: "The road all the way to the campground was very bad with holes, washouts, downed trees, huge dips, I recommend paying close attention when you are driving."

    Temperature fluctuations: The high elevation means significant day-to-night changes. Jenna B. reports about Walupt Lake Campground: "Sites were super shaded. Lots of trees for some privacy... Lots of mosquitoes in July so bring your bug spray."

    Tips for Camping with Families

    Playground access: Some nearby campgrounds offer recreational facilities. Wendy C. describes Battle Ground Lake State Park Campground: "There's a swim area roped off, and a small sand area for the kids to play. Bathrooms are throughout the campground."

    Short loop trails: Several campgrounds feature easy hiking options. Wendy continues: "There are two hikes around the lake; an upper, and a lower one. Both are easy hikes, and are dog and kid friendly."

    Swimming opportunities: Natural water features provide cooling recreation. Terrie M. explains her Walupt Lake experience: "Our camp site number was 38 and we had our own beach area. The campsite was close to 2 others on both sides, but it was the only one that had neighbors because it was a last minute reservation, but the beach made it worth it."

    Tips from RVers

    Limited hookup availability: Most horse camps lack RV amenities. Marcia O. shares about Tillicum Campground: "We've stayed at Tillicum CG for more than 15 years. It used to be a very large CG, with water available; no water now. We've stayed there in a 11 1/2' pickup camper, and now a 33' class A motorhome, and have had to trim a few limbs in order to get to campsite #12."

    Cell service challenges: Connectivity varies significantly by location. Brooke S. notes: "Also very close to Cougar for gas and supplies for emergencies. Driving distance to popular day hikes. No cell service."

    Leveling considerations: Tent pads at horse campgrounds often require adjustments for RVs. Lawrence F. shares about Panther Creek: "We have stayed here a couple of times now, both by accident when our intended destinations were full. The sites are pretty well spread out in a double loop with 3 double pit toilets and 2 hand pumps for water."

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Trout Lake, WA?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Trout Lake, WA is Panther Creek Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 20 reviews.

    What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Trout Lake, WA?

    TheDyrt.com has all 22 equestrian camping locations near Trout Lake, WA, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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