Looking for the best horse camping near Waterville? Whether you own a horse or are joining a tour group, equestrian camping is an adventurous and unique way to experience the city. With our help, you'll find the best Washington equestrian campsites from scenic to easily accessible.
Lake Wenatchee State Park is a 489-acre camping park with 12,623-feet of waterfront on glacier-fed Lake Wenatchee and the Wenatchee River and is a great place for camping near Seattle. The park is bisected by the Wenatchee River, creating two distinct areas – south park, which features areas for camping, swimming and horseback riding, and north park, which is in a less developed, forested section of the park and a quarter-mile walk from the lake.
The park has 155 tent spaces, 42 water and electric sites, one dump station, seven restrooms, and 16 showers. In addition, the park provides two ADA campsites. Call 509-763-3101 for more information.
The south campground (sites 1 - 100) has parking pads 30 to 40-feet in length, with only two pull-through sites. Larger RVs and fifth-wheelers should use the north campground (sites 101 - 197) which includes 42 large pull-through utility sites. Maximum tents allowed are one family tent or up to two 2-3 man tents. Maximum vehicles allowed are two per site, additional vehicles may park in overflow areas.
Alta Lake State Park has 32 utility spaces, trailer dump, 4 restrooms (one ADA) and 12 showers. Maximum site length is 38 feet (limited availability). Dump station available year-round, dump station fees are $5 per use. If you are camping, this fee is included in your campsite fee.
The Nason Creek Campground is located approximately 19 miles north of Leavenworth, Washington, and about one mile south of the Lake Wenatchee State Park. Set in old growth forest and in the Cascade foothills, Nason Creek is a popular destination.
In addition to being a prime location for hiking, fishing, swimming, horseback riding and mountain biking in summer and early fall, the Nason Creek area offers excellent skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling in the winter months. The campground is also a great base camp for day-hikers and overnight backpackers. Several access trails from the area give hikers the chance to create their own excursions, whether it be a day hike or an overnight trip. Anglers enjoy fishing for rainbow trout, cutthroat trout and kokanee salmon from boat or shoreline on nearby Lake Wenatchee.
Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest offers stunning scenic views, with high, glaciated alpine peaks, valleys of old growth forest and rugged shrub-steppe country making up the diverse landscape. Elevations range from below 1,000 feet to over 9,000 feet. Visitors to the area can expect many days of warm, sunny weather in the summer, and winters with clear skies and plenty of snow. The surrounding undeveloped wilderness, clean streams and diverse forests support an abundance of wildlife, including deer, porcupine, native fish and migratory birds. Endangered and threatened species, including the Northern Bald Eagle, the Northern Spotted Owl, gray wolves and grizzly bears, also find havens in nearby ecosystems.
This location has limited staffing. Please call (661) 702-1420 for general information.
Visitors enjoy the North Cascades and Lake Wenatchee State Park. Guests can also explore the area's colorful railroad and mining history at the Steven's Pass Historic District, or hit the slopes at Steven's Pass Ski Area.
Cancellations Individual Campsites: Cancellations up to 2 days before a reservation start date incur a $10.00 cancellation fee. A visitor who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee including tax and applicable add-on for a campsite. Cancellations for a one-night reservation will forfeit the entire amount paid and will not be subject to an additional service fee. No-Shows A no-show visitor is one who does not arrive at a campground and does not cancel the reservation by check-out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date. Staff will hold a campsite until check-out time on the day following the arrival date. No-shows are assessed $20.00 service fee and forfeit the first night's rate, taxes and applicable add-on for a campsite. Refunds Visitors may submit a refund request through their Recreation.gov profile within 7 days of the end date of their reservation. Refunds will not be issued after the 7 days has ended. Refunds for debit or credit card payments will be issued as a credit to the original bank or credit card used to pay. For check or cash purchases, Recreation.gov will mail a Treasury check for refunds of cash, check, or money order payments to the address associated with the reservation. Treasury check refunds may take up to 6-8 weeks to arrive. In the event of an emergency closure, the Recreation.gov team or facility manager will refund all fees and will attempt to notify you using the contact information within the Recreation.gov visitor profile.
$25 / night
Located along the west fork of the Teanaway River, the camp offers 55 campsites with fire rings and two ADA-accessible toilets.
Located near the Chiwawa River at Rock Creek this campground is approximately 15 miles up the Chiwawa River Road #6200. It offers 7 long pull-through spurs and horse facilities. It is wheelchair accessible. __The Basalt Ridge Trail #1527__and The Rock Creek Trail #1509 are accessed from this horsecamp.
The Smith Brook trail starts off with several switchbacks, then continues up to Union Gap where it meets the Pacific Crest Trail. Turn south (left) at Union Gap and continue hiking until you reach the gap between Mount Lichtenberg and McCausland, where you get a first glimpse of Lake Valhalla.
Just before reaching the gap, a boot trail follows the ridge up to an old lookout site at Mount McCausland. Less then a half a mile and 600 feet of climbing and you will reach the top, where you will have a great view of Glacier Peak to the north. There are lots of huckleberries in the meadows along this trail.
Pass over the gap and descend to Lake Valhalla. There are a number of overnight campsites and a couple of backcountry toilets at the lake, although campfires are not permitted. There is a very pleasant sandy beach at the lake as well, which is perfect for lunch and relaxing in the summer.
Welcome to Barn Valley. 4 acres of fully cross fenced private land for you to come enjoy. What's cross fenced mean? Simply put, you get a private camp section enclosed in so your furry critter can roam free and you don't have to worry about uncle Carl stealing your beers in the middle of the night from the campsite nextdoor.
We are ideally located 300 yards from river access(follow western fenceline to the river, stay within 5 feet of fence, rest is private land), minutes from hiking, biking, fishing and horse back riding destinations. Oh, is it winter? Snowshoe, ski and snowmobile then!
With the Teanaways ideal weather, every day can be an adventure.
Potable Water accessible at center section of the 3 middle campsites. Pull pump up and push back hard and water will come out (it comes out fast and with lots of pressure, be ready).
Each campground has atleast a 9'3" wide cattlemen gate (sites 1 and 3 have 14'+ gates). Most RVs and vehicles can fit through (measure your vehicle mirror to mirror and trailers widest points), and main homes 1/2 acre wide driveway makes it easy to navigate a back in travel trailer as well. Site 1-3 are 50 Feet Wide by 90 feet long. Each one can have a fire until late Aug (fire ban). Please douse fires after done. Blue Jug near pump along fence.
10-15 minutes to breweries, distilleries and restaurants. 1 hour to North Bend/Leavenworth, 1.5 to Bellevue. Welcome to tranquil Barn Valley! Every adventure, hiking, biking, snowshoeing etc.. is accessible from property or a short drive away.
Note: If you're coming to camp in the winter. Be smart, pack warm and only drive capable 4x4/all wheel vehicles with good traction tires and a plan for deep snow. We do not shovel. Spare shovel located at pumphouse.
Sites are dog friendly ( do not leave your animals unattended). Equine/group lot is site 4. It is 2 acres and allows for only one person to book and pay for all other attendees. Just like sites 1-3, please be respectful of others and ask permission to approach other peoples animals, property and campsites. Park vehicles inside fenceline (inside your campsite).
Quiet hours at sunset. NO generators past 10pm.
This is a fun and family friendly location. Main home is an airbnb and family cabin that uses northern pasture and reserves the right to the main homes parking and fenced in area for their animals. Please keep it safe for all and close all gates after passing through them. Pack out what you pack in. NO toilets, no trash cans, no nonsense. Just have fun. The valley is special for all. Lets keep it that way. Lots of deer, birds and grasshoppers.
$25 - $75 / night
Scout
I was unhappy we could not find this place on Hipcamp.
I was excited to find it on dyrt.com
I am sad the former owner emailed me to explain he had sold it to a neighbor and it is not available.
Guide
This place was so fun we plan to go back again in September! Even though the sites were close together, we still felt like we had a lot of privacy. There were lots of paths to take our kids for walks or bike rides. And the swimming area at the lake was really nice. They even had a snack shack! The only thing that was missing was a better playground. There was a slide, and that was about it.
Scout
About a 20 minute drive from Clu Elum. Free with a Discovery Pass but no one checked while I was there. Plenty of spots even late on a Friday. No water or trash but some vault toilets
GuidePersonally I really enjoyed this park and camping. The park itself is really well maintained, and in a beautiful location. The lake and surrounding hills were beautiful. Even with the few private homes nearby, it didn't really take away from the scenery in my opinion.
I camped in the upper loop in a site that backed to the hill side. The layout of the sites are very unique, no two sites (in the upper loop at least) are alike. My spot had a lower parking area with room for two cars. The you step up to the "living room" where the picnic table and fire pit were, then off of that area was a isolated tent pad area.
The next spot over on one side was up hill from me, so didn't really see them (but could hear them). The spot on the other side was closer and lacked a little bit of privacy, but as far as state parks go, it was still fairly spread out. I was also there for a Saturday and Sunday night, so Sunday the park completely emptied out and I think there were only 2 or 3 others in the entire upper loop, and not near me at all, which was nice.
I'm sure there are times when the lake gets overrun with motor boats and jet skis, but the weekend I was there (6/8 & 6/9) wasn't to bad at all. Paddle boards and kayaks outnumbers the boats with motors, and even those weren't racing around the lake, they were all fishing.
I mostly camp in dispersed camping areas, but this is a state park I would put on my short willing to return to list.
GuideBeautiful and quiet. We stayed one night with car and rooftop tent. Arrived late 7pm but there were enough spots left. Toilets clean. River nearby.
Traveler
Outside the picturesque town of Leavenworth, lies the most stunning body of water in the Pacific Northwest. This was our first camping trip and we could not have picked a better time or place. We visited in September when summer was slowly becoming fall. The weather was cool but not unmanageable and the camp ground was near empty. The only sounds that could be heard were the wrestling of leaves, the gentle lapping of waves, and the nightly screaming of elk in the distance.
At the time of our visit, there was a burn ban but we were allowed to use a propane fire pit.
We plan on going back when it’s a bet warmer so we can take our kayaks.
Our dog loved it!
GuideI showed up Saturday evening and found a spot no prob. It was crowded (and very loud) but most parties acknowledged the 10PM quite hrs. By Sunday evening 90% of the crowd had left and it was heavenly! The toilets were well maintained, honestly very clean for the location etc. i was impressed. No water/electricity. T-mobile was hit or miss - couldn’t connect hot spot.
Legend
We camped here due to all the campgrounds near the enchantments being full, but the 25 drive to and from leavenworth was very pretty and not too bad. Try to get a site on the creek! The sites on the creek are the most private and you can go for a dip like we did! The water isn’t freezing. It is also right down the road from Lake Wenatchee State Park which is beautiful!
ScoutIf tenting, I wish we had done a walk-in site, it is only 20 feet to walk in, and by the river. The campground, I am assuming would be great if in an RV. We slept in our car. There were generators running most of the day, and an outdoor TV. Maybe just bad luck on our part. But people were respectful of the quiet hours.
I should have read more reviews that talked about dispersed camping up the road a bit.
As others stated bring your own tp! We arrived a Monday, so maybe it got ‘wiped’ out over the weekend.
Lots is shade at sites, with patches of sun also for getting warmer when you want to. Fairly bug free end of June.
TravelerQuite liked this campground, a few things to note first about the site then the park.
Site: 31 Great distance between tent pad and picnic table with a few well placed trees for hammock/ clothing line Fire ring was great distance from picnic table. Great privacy (granted the people in the site next to us weren’t there) Close walk to bathroom/showers & Trash Short 5 minute walk to the lake.
Park: Showers were actually free Normally it is pretty windy, but there was no wind both days we were present Mosquitos were worse than usual, but a constant cost of DEET and a anti mosquito candle kept them at bay, still got bit up a bit There is a pretty legit store with camping stuff, espresso, and ice cream Playground near beach area By the beach there was a dude selling kayak/ paddle board rentals, he does not come on especially windy days Kind Staff, met camp hosts dog
I’ve also attached some photos of the RV sites from the north campground
Definitely will come back
GuideLove this park normally but the amount of mosquitoes were off the chart. Even with multiple means of combating them, it was a losing battle.
ScoutThe campground was very clean and parking a 25 ft trailer was easy. Many camping spots for trailers. Camp fill up quickly. Quiet place. Large camping spots. Clean toilets. Creek and river access from campground.
TravelerStopped off on way to Seattle and ended up staying a few days. Really great campground with nice play structure for kids and the restrooms were the cleanest of any campground I have been to in years! Well maintained and if not here during peak feels like you have the lake to yourself. Great stop off!
TravelerBeautiful campground with several dispersed spots, most with picnic table and fire pit. 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. Large frisbee golf course borders campground to east. River runs along southern edge. Verizon 1-bar LTE on east side. WeBoost made it a very usable 3 bars. Starlink works too - most sites have good openings to sky.
ScoutQuiet, easy access, tons of stars. Lots of space. Love that these are fully fenced so our pups can relax off leash with us after our day adventures
TravelerYou park really nervst the other, that’s why only 4 stars, hood for fishing, hook ups, great view, well maintained
ScoutFirst night here. Hosts are great. Reserved and first come first served. Shady spots and not too close. Some sites near the road, it's not a wilderness spot.
GuideSite was adequate. The picnic table was super close to the fire pit and a huge rock but you can’t move it. The table is chained to the ground. The site has decent shade during the day. But enough exposure to dry clothing and tents. Baths are okay. The shower rooms were clean. $0.50 for 3 minutes. Water was close by. Garbage and bathroom were a short walk.
GuideClean and fairly private campground with great hosts and several sites on l creek and lake. Good roads to park. Clean bathrooms. Recommend sites 36 and 37 on creek.
ScoutThe camp sight we stayed in was pretty clean. Small distances in between each site so you don't feel like you're camping ontop of other people. Wake up to the sounds of ravens yelling and chipmunks trying to climb in your car throughout the day!
TravelerWe had a tent site up on the hill that was semi-private with beautiful views. Plenty of birds to wake you with the sunrise. I could see how the lake could be busy in peak months but it wasn’t while we were here.
TravelerThis was our first big camping trip as a family. My husband and I had both camped separately as kids/teens but we never did it as a couple for some reason.
Anyways, this was a fun trip. Despite there being a heat wave, the weather by the lake was refreshing. The campers around us were polite. My daughter even made some friends with the site next to us.
The beach was super busy but there was still abundant room to set up a couple of chairs & relax. The rentals were fairly priced - hubby went out on the lake in a kayak. And the little store was friendly. Bathrooms were as clean as busy state park bathrooms could be.
We're headed back again to the same site this year.
GuideIt’s Lake Wenatchee + camping. No more review needed.
ScoutIt was too cold to swim but so nice on the beach. It was quiet at night and they have a little store in case you forgot anything.
Guide
The campground was in good shape, nice and clean.
GuideOf the 200+ sites in the south campground, none were occupied. It was dark, facilities were shut down for the season, host was off duty. Ghost town. One other car pulled in after I'd made camp, but I'd already decided to bail for the KOA in Leavenworth. Did not stay the night.
Tmobile 5G was good: 50-80mpbs, same with ATT.
TravelerWonderful place to camp during autumn. Beautiful colors. Arrived for the last weekend before gates were closed (Closed noon Monday 10/11) A lot of no show reservations, recommend coming Saturday morning and taking the pick of the crop. Very close to amazing hikes and Leavenworth. Camp hosts were helpful, bathrooms were clean and comfortable. Fires were permitted, cold at night this time of year but many sites were still tent camping.
Horse camping in Washington offers a unique opportunity to explore the great outdoors while enjoying the company of your equine companions. With a variety of campgrounds that cater to horse owners, you can find the perfect spot to set up camp and ride the scenic trails.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Waterville, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Waterville, WA is Lake Wenatchee State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 42 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Waterville, WA?
TheDyrt.com has all 11 equestrian camping locations near Waterville, WA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
