Cayuse Horse Camp
Cayuse Horse Campground sits in the foothills of the Cascade mountains in Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. A favorite among horse enthusiasts, the campground is nestled in a mixed-conifer forest. In close proximity to snow-capped peaks, high elevation lakes, scenic rivers and several wilderness areas, this campground offers visitors opportunities to experience both the serene and wild aspects of the area.
More like this: reservable in Washington · big rigs in Washington · pets allowed in Washington
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Equestrian | 13 |
| Host/management | 1 |
Site guide
13 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Surface | Shade | Water / sewer | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Back-in | Gravel | Full | No / – | 6 / 2 | Yes |
| 002 | Back-in | Gravel | Full | No / – | 12 / 4 | Yes |
| 004 | Back-in | Gravel | Full | No / – | 6 / 2 | Yes |
| 005 | Back-in | Gravel | Full | No / – | 6 / 2 | Yes |
| 006 | Pull-through | Gravel | Full | No / – | 6 / 2 | Yes |
| 007 | Pull-through | Gravel | Full | No / – | 6 / 2 | Yes |
| 008 | Back-in | Gravel | Full | No / – | 6 / 2 | Yes |
| 009 | Back-in | Gravel | Full | No / – | 6 / 2 | Yes |
| 010 | Pull-through | Gravel | Full | No / – | 6 / 2 | Yes |
| 011 | Pull-through | Gravel | Full | No / – | 12 / 4 | 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
| Max vehicle length | 65 ft |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Fees | Extra Vehicle Fee $8.00 |
This campground is open to stock users only and offers 14 large equestrian sites. There is a single corral for each site, with a maximum of 3 horses per single site and 4 horses per double site. The corrals are not near the campsites, but located in a common area with two water troughs on opposite sides of the corrals. Picnic tables, campfire rings with grills and ample room for parking vehicles and trailers are available at each site. Drinking water is also available, and there is access to vault toilets. This horse camp is open after snow levels recede, and access to trails is available.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Closed for the season. Forest Service sites close for the season; check the official page for the reopening date. |
| Season | Early June to Mid-September |
| Forest | Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest |
| Booking | Select sites can be reserved by calling Toll Free 1-877-444-6777; TDD 877-833-6777; International 518-885-3639, or on-line at www.recreation.gov. |
| Fees | Single Site: $24 Double Site: $45 Extra vehicles: $8 (second vehicle for single sites, third and fourth vehicles for double sites). Extra vehicle is defined as any vehicle (motorhome, trailer or passenger vehicle) that is not towed in with the first vehicle. |
| Rules | Campground is available for use only by recreationists accompanied by stock, ie: horses, mules, goats, or llamas. Corrals are assigned to individual campsites. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Cle Elum, Washington, take State Hwy 903 north approximately 19 miles to the end of the paved road. The campground entrance is to the right before the Old Guard Station.
| Nearest town | Ronald, Washington |
| Coordinates | 47.3996° N, 121.0948° 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. 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 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.
Fire nearby
- WildfireThree Queens
8 mi from the campground · 9,575 acres · 33% contained
- WildfireKing
9 mi from the campground · 3,427 acres · 36% contained
- WildfireWest Fork
43 mi from the campground · 310 acres · 16% contained
- WildfireLittle Giant
44 mi from the campground · 172,912 acres · 95% contained
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | EVO ↗ | 15.1 mi |
| Dump station | RV Sanitation Station ↗ | 15.4 mi |
| RV sales & service | OpenRoad RV ↗ | 36.3 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Riding out of Cayuse Horse Camp
Worth a stop
Visitors enjoy farmers markets and antique shops in the nearby communities of Roslyn, Cle Elum, and Ellensburg. Popular events in the town of Ellensburg over Labor Day weekend include the Kittitas County Fair and Ellensburg Rodeo.
- 4.9 miPete Lake Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 7.6 miScatter Creek - Cle Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 10.2 miSpeelyi Beach ↗Swimming
Trails nearby
- under 0.1 miSalmon la Sac Road ↗9.4 mi trail
- under 0.1 miFishlake ↗12.4 mi trail
- 0.1 miJolly Mountain ↗6.2 mi trail
- 0.2 miWaptus Trailhead Loop XC Ski0.8 mi trail
- 0.2 miCayuse XC Ski0.8 mi trail
- 0.3 miBig Salmon la Sac Loop XC Ski1 mi trail
Trailheads within three miles
- 0.8 miSalmon La Sac Trailhead ↗Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest
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 Alpine Lakes Wilderness, which overlaps Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest.
- inAlpine Lakes Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 414,322 acres
- inOkanogan-Wenatchee National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 3,858,129 acres
- 5.9 miMt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 2,025,595 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
- Salmon la Sac Guard StationBuilding · Cle Elum · 0.2 mi
- Lake Keechelus Snowshed BridgeStructure · Hyak · 13.1 mi
- Northwestern Improvement Company StoreBuilding · Roslyn · 13.1 mi
Natural features
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.
Recreation
The Cayuse Horse Camp provides visitors access to a wide variety of trails. Rugged peaks, sparkling lakes and forested area provide the backdrop for many of these rides. Equestrians may want to traverse at least a portion of the spectacular Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), one of America's premier National Scenic Trails. The PCT showcases some of North America's most fantastic scenery as it winds its way its way from Mexico to Canada through California, Oregon and Washington. Wilderness passes (available at the trailhead) are required for this trail.
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 Cayuse Horse Camp?
Sites at Cayuse Horse Camp are reservable on Recreation.gov. Select sites can be reserved by calling Toll Free 1-877-444-6777; TDD 877-833-6777; International 518-885-3639, or on-line at www.recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Cayuse Horse Camp?
Extra Vehicle Fee $8.00
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Cayuse Horse Camp?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
What does it cost to cancel a reservation at Cayuse 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
Is Cayuse Horse Camp open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026. Season Early June to Mid-September.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Cayuse Horse Camp have?
14 sites, including 13 equestrian sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Cayuse Horse Camp?
The longest site here provides 65 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are pets allowed at Cayuse Horse Camp?
Yes, pets are allowed at Cayuse Horse Camp. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Cayuse Horse Camp?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there are 4 active fires within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one. Campground is available for use only by recreationists accompanied by stock, ie: horses, mules, goats, or llamas.
Source: Fire nearby
What is there to do at Cayuse Horse Camp?
The Cayuse Horse Camp provides visitors access to a wide variety of trails. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Cayuse Horse Camp?
Ronald, Washington. Visitors enjoy farmers markets and antique shops in the nearby communities of Roslyn, Cle Elum, and Ellensburg.
Source: Getting there
What if Cayuse Horse Camp is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Salmon La Sac (0.3 mi), Red Mountain Campground (2.4 mi, first-come), and Cle Elum River Group Site (3.4 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby