Equestrian campsites near Union, Washington offer access to diverse terrain through the Capital State Forest and Olympic Peninsula foothills. At 300-800 feet elevation, these horse-friendly campgrounds typically operate from May through October. Winter conditions often close remote facilities while lower elevation sites remain accessible year-round.
What to do
Trail riding through dense forest: Green Mountain provides multiple connected trails for horseback riding. According to Ivy K., the area has "nice clean camping area with easy access to multiple trails and logging roads. Trails are open to hiking horseback riding and motorcycles."
ORV recreation: Kammenga Canyon Campground offers direct trail access for off-road vehicles. Tim reports it has "nice open sites with space for multiple vehicles or trailers. Easy access to ORV trails. Expect lots of noise from off-road vehicles and music."
Swimming in mountain lakes: Millersylvania State Park Campground features a lake with designated swimming areas. Christina F. notes, "There are ample trails throughout the park including a lovely trail along the lake, which is not far from the campground."
What campers like
River access from campsites: Collins Campground offers waterfront sites along the Duckabash River. Asia M. says "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."
Clean facilities: At Porter Creek, campers appreciate the maintained environment. According to Jessica A., it's "primitive camping at its finest! Porter Creek Campground is primitive camping with over 12 sites available. Located in Capital Forest and upkept by DNR."
Family-friendly activities: Millersylvania State Park provides recreational options for all ages. John G. mentions "a very pretty and clean lake, Beer Garden at the lake, clean bathrooms... We had a large group of four families and it accommodated us very well."
What you should know
Permit requirements: Most equestrian sites in the region require a Washington Discovery Pass for entry. At Green Mountain, this permit is mandatory for all visitors, with campsites available on a first-come basis.
Water availability: Bring adequate water supplies when visiting remote horse camping areas. At Enchanted Valley in Olympic National Park, Tom K. advises "bear canisters are a must here as it is in prime bear country" and facilities are minimal.
Road conditions: Many access roads to equestrian campgrounds have challenging surfaces. Asia M. warns about Collins Campground: "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."
Tips for camping with families
Look for shallow swimming areas: Millersylvania offers safe water access for children. Geanna R. says, "We did some paddle boating, dipped our toes into the water, and purchased snacks at the small store. This was a perfect halfway point to meet family."
Choose campsites with space for play: Porter Creek provides room for activities. VIKKY S. explains, "This Campsite is in the woods and does not have basic amenities. It's a very rustic outdoor experience... There is a large creek running alongside some of the campsites."
Consider noise levels: When planning family stays at horse campgrounds near Union, select weekday visits for quieter experiences. At Kammenga Canyon, expect significant noise from off-road vehicles, especially on weekends.
Tips from RVers
Check site dimensions: Many equestrian campgrounds have limited space for larger rigs. At Collins Campground, Lawrence F. notes "sites are spacious though they are grouped in such a way that 2-3 sites are open to each other. Would make for a great place for groups with multiple tents."
Prepare for primitive conditions: Most horse-friendly sites have minimal amenities. Kathleen J. from Collins Campground advises, "Restroom was not too smelly, no tp when we arrived, but most of us prepare for that. Would go again but would be more selective of site."
Pack extra supplies: When visiting equestrian sites near Union, bring all essentials. Asia M. points out Collins Campground has "bathrooms are very limited (just 2 outhouses) and obviously no hook ups."
