Kalama Horse Camp
Kalama Horse Camp is located just outside the west boundary of Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. 27 sites accomodate primarily equestrian users, with nearby access to trails for horseback riding, hiking and biking.
More like this: reservable in Washington · pets allowed in Washington
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Equestrian | 17 |
| Standard, no hookups | 10 |
Site guide
27 sites in 2 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A | Equestrian | Back-in | 50 | Paved | Partial | Yes | |
| 2 | A | Equestrian | 60 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 4 | A | Equestrian | Pull-through | 50 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 5 | A | Equestrian | Back-in | 40 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 6 | A | Equestrian | Pull-through | 50 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 7 | A | Equestrian | Pull-through | 50 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 8 | A | Equestrian | Pull-through | 60 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 9 | A | Equestrian | Pull-through | 60 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 10 | A | Equestrian | Back-in | 40 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 3 - HOST | A | Equestrian | Pull-through | 50 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Fees | Extra Vehicle Fee $8.00 |
Picnic Shelter Hitching Posts and Mounting Blocks
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
From Portland, OR take I-5 north to Woodland, WA. Take Exit 21 for WA-503 E toward Woodland/Cougar. Follow WA-503 East; turn left onto Forest Road 81, following signs for Kalama Recreation Area. Travel 8 miles north; turn right and continue following signs for Forest Road 81. Campground is on the right.
| Coordinates | 46.1429° N, 122.3241° W · Directions ↗ |
Charges and cancellations
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. Group Sites Group Facility (including Cabins and Lookouts): A visitor who cancels a group overnight facility reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use 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.
Fire nearby
- WildfireHigh Lava
21 mi from the campground · 2,899 acres · 95% contained
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 23.7 mi |
| RV sales & service | Camping World ↗ | 25.7 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Patriot ↗ | 26.9 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
EP118 - A run near Merrill Lake and the Kalama Horse Camp - Travel and Exercise
Worth a stop
- 6.8 miClimbers Bivouac Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 10.4 miTrailhead: South Coldwater ↗Trailhead
- 10.6 mi
- 12.4 mi
Trails nearby
- 0.1 miKalama Ski Trail ↗11 mi trail
- 0.1 miFossil ↗6.5 mi trail
- 0.1 miCinnamon ↗10 mi trail
- 0.1 miTootle0.9 mi trail
- 0.1 miKalama Sno ↗11 mi trail
- 1.5 miToutle ↗13.2 mi trail
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside Gifford Pinchot National Forest.
- inGifford Pinchot National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,496,308 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Yale BridgeStructure · Yale · 12.8 mi
- Jim Creek BridgeStructure · Woodland · 13.7 mi
Recreation
Interpretive Sites Hiking, biking and horseback riding trails
Guidebooks for Washington
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Kalama Horse Camp?
Sites at Kalama Horse Camp are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Kalama Horse Camp?
Extra Vehicle Fee $8.00
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Kalama Horse Camp?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
What does it cost to cancel a reservation at Kalama Horse Camp?
Cancellations Individual Campsites: Cancellations up to 2 days before a reservation start date incur a $10.00 cancellation fee.
Source: Charges and cancellations
How many sites does Kalama Horse Camp have?
27 sites, including 17 equestrian sites and 10 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I bring an RV to Kalama Horse Camp?
Kalama Horse Camp is listed for tents only.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Kalama Horse Camp?
Yes, pets are allowed at Kalama Horse Camp. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Kalama Horse Camp?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there is 1 active fire within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one.
Source: Fire nearby
What if Kalama Horse Camp is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Horse Camp: Green River (18.3 mi, first-come), Lower Falls Campground (21.4 mi), and Sunset Falls Campground (22.7 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby