Trails and Campgrounds
Wenatchee National Forest
Leavenworth: 25 miles, PH 509-763-3103
Gifford Pinchot Forest
Carson: The Gifford Pinchot National Forest (South end) there are a couple of areas that are popular with riders. You can access Indian Heaven Wilderness, and Trapper Creek Wilderness through Carson.
PH 360-427-5645
Steamboat Lake State Park
Grand Coulee Dam: Trails, No Camping, PH 509-633-1304
Walupt Horse Camp
Packwood:has access to the Pacific Crest Trail and 10 campsites . It is near trails 101, 121,and 98.
Location: on road 2160 near Packwood. PH 360-494-5515
Whites Pass
Whites pass, RT 12 washington state, horse camp on the pacific trail. there is a store, gas station, within 1/2 mile and the camp is right on the state road, camp sites and john, pond for horse water. Short ride puts you in sight of Mt Rainer.. the camp is right on the top on Whites Pass hwy.
Great trails but lots of mosquitos
Sahara Nicholson Trail System
Elbe Washington: ( Sahara Nicholson trail system) 15 camp sites water, high lines, BBQ pits, rest rooms located just outside of Elbe Washington heading toward Ashford right before the MT Rainier gate.
Kalama Horse Camp
Kelso: (Kalama horse camp) heading south on I-5 take the Kalama exit located just past Kelso go through town heading toward Cougar just off of freeway you'll see the Kalama horse camp sign located in the MT ST HELEN'S national monument volcanic park. It's first come first serve 20 sites, corrals, day parking area also overnight,water and rest rooms, BBQ pits very scenic looping trails lots of lava rocks and lakes and breath-taking views of MT. ST Helen's.
Fees are on donations also primitive camping located all over it's one of my favorite places.
I-5 exit is at Woodland - go East toward Cougar (20 miles?); 1/4 mile West of Cougar (at sign), go North on Forest Road 81 8 miles to the camp.
There are only 10 sites open, however the camp is being expanded to 26 sites at this time. Mt. St. Helens BCH is the "lead" group on this project. The Horse Camp is located on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, Mt. St. Helens District, but the actual Monument boundry is a couple miles past the camp.
The water is for stock use only, as it comes from a creek. There is now a log cabin shelter in the center of the camp, which will allow people to get in out of the rain for a picnic, or for use as a warming hut in the winter.
There are two new trails now under construction out of the camp.
Cinnamon Peak Trail will go up the South side of the Kalama River, then South to the peak, then North to tie in with the existing trail at Red Rock Pass. The new trail is 8.25 miles, and will make about a 13 mile loop back to camp. It should be open this fall! The second trail will go North out of camp, and is called the Fossil Creek Trail. This trail is being constructed primarily by volunteers, BCH and others, and will tie in with road 8123 above Blue Lake Trail head. Phase two of this trail will tie in with the Blue Lake Trail at Huckleberry Saddle.
Tahuya River Horse Camp in the Tahuya River Multiple use area, and Green Mountain Horse Camp.
Tahuya river Horse camp is due west of Belfair Washington, and I believe is operated under the State Forestry people. Green Mountain is west southwest of Bremerton Washington. Both are multi use Recreational areas, and have horse facilities (stalls and loading ramps). Tahuya River has a bigger camp area available, but Competitive Trail rides have been using both facilities for a number of years. There are hand pump wells for watering animals, and of course the river. At Tahuya, if you wish to get more primitive, you can scout some of the other camps scattered around and put up your own horse keeping facilities. Just clean up after yourself. There are lots of trails at both facilities, and I believe that there is a connecting trail to each other, and to the network of trails through the Olympic Mountains.
DIRECTIONS:
For Tahuya River, follow signs from I-5 to Bremerton (highway 16 north). You might see signs just north of Gig Harbor for Purdy/Allyn/Shelton, but don't take this exit, it is very winding and rough road. Just stay on highway 16 until you see signs to Highway 3 to Belfair/Allyn/Shelton. Go south on highway 3 until you see signs to Belfair State Park. Two lane road, a little winding, but decent follow that to Belfair state Park. Go past the entrance to Belfair State park, and about 1/2 mile ahead you will see signs on the right to Elfindahl (sp?) Pass, and Tahuya River Recreation Area. Look for signs to the Tahuya River horse Camp. It is paved road until you turn off to the horse camp, and then it is approximately 10 miles of well maintained gravel road. There is a very steep decline into the horse camp, but good road, and at the decline, it is straight until you reach the bottom with a very wide sweeping turn into the heart of the camp. There are all kinds of trail heads where you can park your vehicle for a day ride, without going all the way into the horse camp, but there is no water at these trail heads so bring your own.
These aren't straight forward directions, but if you contact the Back Country Horsemen, they will be able to clue you in.
Elk Haven Equestrian Center
Cle Elum: Overnight camping for horse and rider! Showers and restrooms 40 outside stalls/stall guard needed. 6 indoor stalls fenced large arena. Easy access from I-90.
80 acres with trails
1/4 mile to John Wayne Trail
1 mile to Murry Reserve
15-20 miles to Alpine Lake Area
Ginni Erion PH 509-674-2317
201 Elk Haven Rd.
Cle Elum, WA 98922
