Horseshoe Lake, near Skamania, Washington, is a charming little spot tucked away in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. This campground is all about the natural beauty, with most sites offering stunning views of the lake, making it a perfect backdrop for your camping adventures.

The area is great for paddleboarding and kayaking, with the lake's warm waters inviting you to dive right in. Campers rave about the peacefulness, with one visitor noting, “Waking up to mist boiling off the perfectly still lake was a treat.” Just keep in mind that it’s a first-come, first-served setup, so getting there early is key if you want to snag a prime spot.

While the amenities are minimal—think vault toilets and picnic tables—visitors appreciate the well-maintained sites and the clean facilities. The surrounding nature is a big draw, with plenty of conifers providing some privacy between sites. Just be prepared for the mosquitoes; they can be relentless, especially early in the season.

If you’re up for a little adventure, the road leading in can be a bit rough, so a vehicle with good clearance is recommended. Whether you’re fishing, hiking, or just soaking in the views of Mount Adams, Horseshoe Lake offers a refreshing escape into the great outdoors.

Horseshoe Lake

Looking for the best campgrounds near Gifford Pinchot National Forest, WA? Aside from great camping spots, you'll find hiking and many more outdoor experiences. Thinking of traveling with kids? You're in luck—Gifford Pinchot National Forest is surrounded by family-friendly activities. Ready to plan your adventure? Check out our campgrounds near Gifford Pinchot National Forest and user-submitted reviews.

Gifford Pinchot National Forest

The Best Camping Near Gifford Pinchot National Forest, Washington

Compared to nearby campgrounds, it’s smaller which I like because there are less people. Not a lot of bugs. 

Small campground, Great Lake

This is a small first-come, first served campground. On a late July weekend approximately half of the ten sites were empty. There are no amenities other than a vault toilet and there are tons of mosquitos - bring bug spray.  However, the lake is heaven for paddle boarding and kayaking and the view of Mt. Adams from the lake is AMAZING.

Great for paddle boards and kayaks

This is a lovely and small first-come, first-served campground along the banks of picturesque Horseshoe Lake. It's an amazing setting with most sites having a view of the lake. Waking up to mist boiling off the perfectly still lake was a treat. A short trail down the peninsula leads to absolutely stunning views of Mount Adams with the lake in the foreground (particularly at sunset). Fishing, paddleboarding, and hiking seemed to be the most popular activities. Mosquitos were quite vicious, which is not surprising considering the lakes in the area.  
  
Based on its remote location, it was busier than expected, but most folks who showed up on a Friday afternoon in early August were able to snag a campsite (if none are available, there are plenty of dispersed camping spots along Forest Service Road 120 on the way to the lake). It's a compact campground, so spots are pretty close together and you'll likely hear neighbor's conversations, but there are plenty of stands of conifers that provide a bit of privacy.

  

The road (FS120) was not well-maintained at all. I would recommend a higher clearance vehicles or skill in maneuvering deeply rutted and uneven dirt roads with significant potholes. There was a pit toilet, but it was not functional/open at the moment.

  

I spent four nights here and loved it. It's a little (somewhat hidden) gem.

  

8/10

A Little PNW Gem

Bit of a drive in, and since it’s FCFS, definitely get there early if you want a good spot. There are only 2 sites that are next to the lake, the others are not more than 100 yards max - but they are pretty close together. Road in can be tricky for some regular passenger cars, but SUVs and anything bigger or with more clearance is totally fine. Toilet was very clean and the sites were well maintained, but well used, some of the picnic tables were pretty damaged/old. Lake was gorgeous and the water was really warm! Didn’t have an issue with mosquitoes but I could see how early in the season they can get bad. Overall a great campground and worth the drive.

Great little campground

Amazing campground. Super great spot. Great views, super quiet and secluded. The host was amazing. The mosquitoes were awful. However nothing you could do. ￼

Photos of Horseshoe Lake

Real photos from real campers