Tree Phone Campground provides primitive camping facilities with river access for horses in the Ahtanum area. Located on Forest Service land near White Swan, this campground sits at approximately 3,200 feet elevation in a transitional forest zone with ponderosa pines. The climate features warm summer days and cool nights with seasonal temperature variations requiring appropriate gear for comfort.
What to do
Trail riding access: Horse riders can explore forest roads directly from Tree Phone Campground without trailering to separate trailheads. "You can ride your OHV right out of camp and up the roads for some great views," notes Jacob V., who appreciated the campground's direct trail connections.
Mountain biking: The Bethel Ridge area offers extensive off-road terrain for two-wheeled exploration. "Very quiet sprawling camp area," reports Jessica C. about the Bethel Ridge OHV Camping area, which provides access to forest roads that branch throughout the region.
Hunting opportunities: The surrounding national forest lands permit seasonal hunting with proper licenses. Dani H. mentions that near Ahtanum Meadows Campground, "additional activities include Hunting, Hiking, Snowmobiling, and animal observation, to name a few. Recently, due to a large number of dispersed camping the State has begun allowing seasonal campfires if properly contained."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Several campgrounds maintain basic but functional restrooms. At Yakima Sportsman State Park, Jorge H. reports, "The showers are by tokens 2 for $1, each token gives you 3 minutes of shower time," providing details on the paid shower system at this developed campground.
River access: Campers value waterfront sites throughout the region. "River runs right along the campground and makes for a very peaceful night sleep," explains Jacob V. about Tree Phone Campground, highlighting the calming effects of the nearby water.
Privacy between sites: Several camping areas offer separation between individual sites. Regarding Cottonwood Campground, Carrie S. mentions, "Loved how quiet and small this campground is, and how much privacy the sites have. Many of the sites have river access, which was lovely in the heat."
What you should know
Limited phone service: Cell coverage is inconsistent throughout the region. At Soda Springs, Chris notes the camping area is "the perfect place to getaway and unplug," mentioning its disconnected nature as a positive feature of this primitive campground.
Water availability: Not all campgrounds offer potable water. While Tree Phone provides "fresh water from a well pump," others require bringing your own supply. Dylan M. notes about Cottonwood Campground that "water is close to the entrance, so a bit of a haul."
Road conditions: Access roads vary significantly in quality. "It's not the greatest road getting up there. For the most part the road isn't bad but I was hauling a camper and a 20' trailer with dirt bikes and quads so for me wasn't the greatest," explains Jacob V. about reaching Tree Phone Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Several campgrounds offer family-oriented recreation. Mary C. shares about Yakima Sportsman State Park: "There is plenty of space for kids to play and visibility is high for bike riding. There is a huge group campsite that has bathrooms near it."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The area supports diverse wildlife observation. Mary C. adds that around Yakima Sportsman, "There are tons of hikes and a small pond to explore...with turtles!" providing a specific wildlife viewing opportunity.
Water safety considerations: Rivers in the region can have strong currents and variable conditions. Dylan M. cautions about Cottonwood that while "some spots are right on the river, but don't expect to lounge by it in your chair. There is only a short narrow opening and the riverbank is lush and rocky."
Tips from RVers
Site limitations: RV sites vary in size and accessibility across the region. Near Yakima, Ashley B. notes that at Brooks Memorial State Park, "The spaces are very close together with very few trees separating spaces," indicating the potential crowding in developed camping areas.
Turning radius concerns: Larger rigs face maneuverability challenges at some campgrounds. Jacob V. observed at Ahtanum Meadows, "Not very many campsites, maybe 8 at the most. If you have a trailer there is not much room to turn around."
Seasonal access issues: Weather affects road conditions seasonally. Eric H. reports about Soda Springs, "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."
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