Sahara Creek DNR Horse Camp – Elbe Hills State Forest, Washington – Moquistang; one little mustang who does it all.

Sahara Creek DNR Horse Camp – Elbe Hills State Forest, Washington

Feb 11, 2026

Sahara Creek Campground is the only established campground with equestrian-specific facilities near Mount Rainier. Located just over an hour from Tacoma, Washington – this camp sits within the Elbe Hill State Forest and is managed by WA DNR. This camp provides access to the Nicholson Horse Trail system which is limited to only hiker and equestrian users and has over 40 miles of trail available. These trails provide endless variations of loops from 2 miles to 20+ miles without retracing your steps.

ALERT: The Cedar Bridge over Sahara Creek on the Upper Elkspur Trail in the Elbe Hills State Forest will be closed until further notice due to scouring of the bridge abutment by the Creek. Riders may continue to cross Sahara Creek at the ford crossing just to the South of the bridge. Because this ford crossing is available, the affected portion of the Upper Elkspur Trail will remain open.

Camp Overview

Campsites: 30 sites.
Fees: Free with Discover Pass.
Permits: None.
Popularity: Average.
Elevation: 1,488 feet
Season: May – Late September
Cell Service: ATT – spotty. Verizon – no service.
User Comments: Steep elevation gains, horses must be fit. Trails are slick in early season. Mosquitos in late season. Shooting range nearby. Views are overgrown and very minimal. Good trail system for endurance conditioning. Well signed.

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Getting There

Directions: From Elbe, Washington, go east on SR-706 for 5.3 miles. The campground is on the north side of the highway.

Google Directions: Map Link
GPS Coordinates: 46.75868, -122.08632
Road Conditions: Paved until turn into camp.
Gas Station: 76 – 54011 Mountain Hwy E, Elbe, WA 98330

Amenities & Camp Details

Stock Containment: Highline poles along the perimeter of camp, bring your own highline. Can also set up portable corrals.
Stock Water: Yes, spigots.
Potable Water: Yes, spigots.
Manure Bin: Yes.
Trash/Dumpster: No – pack it out.
Bathroom: Yes – vault toilet.
Day Use Parking: Yes.

Reserving Your Spot

Reservations: Reservable and first-come, first served sites available.
Check In/Check Out: None specified.
Details: Sites 1-20 equestrian only. Sites 1-8 are reservable by email. Sites 9-20 are first come first serve for equestrians. Sites 21-30 first come first serve for equine, tent, and trailers.
Reservation Requests: Email the following information when requesting a reservation and allow up to 48 hours for the request to process:

First and last names
Phone number
Start and end dates of reservation
Site number requested
Total number of vehicles
Total number of campers
Primary vehicle license plate and state
Primary vehicle Discover Pass number
ORV/Equine/Camping status

Rules:

Reservations are available with a minimum of three days’ and a maximum of three months’ notice. Requests outside of those parameters will not be considered.
Reservations are not available over state holiday weekends. All campsites are open on a first-come, first-served basis from the Thursday before the holiday until the Monday after the holiday.
All vehicles and trailers must have valid registration.
All licensed motor vehicles must display a Discover Pass to camp in Elbe Hills ORV Campgrounds. (Towed trailers do not require a Discover Pass to be displayed.)

Site Specifics:

Site 1: Back-in, equestrian only, reservable.
Site 2: Back-in, double driveways, equestrian only, reservable.
Site 3: Back-in, equestrian only, reservable.
Site 4: Back-in, equestrian only, reservable.
Site 5: Back-in, equestrian only, reservable.
Site 6: Back-in, equestrian only, reservable.
Site 7: Back-in, equestrian only, reservable.
Site 8: Back-in, equestrian only, reservable.
Site 9: Back-in, equestrian only, reservable.
Site 10: Back-in, equestrian only, first come, first served.
Site 11: Back-in, equestrian only, first come, first served.
Site 12: Pull-through, equestrian only, first come, first served.
Site 13: Pull-through, equestrian only, first come, first served.
Site 14: Pull-through, equestrian only, first come, first served.
Site 15: Pull-through, equestrian only, first come, first served.
Site 16: Pull-through, equestrian only, first come, first served.
Site 17: Pull-through, equestrian only, first come, first served.
Site 18: Pull-through, equestrian only, first come, first served.
Site 19: Pull-through, equestrian only, first come, first served.
Site 20: Back-in, equestrian only, first come, first served.
Site 21: Back-in, first come, first served.
Site 22: Back-in, first come, first served.
Site 23: Back-in, first come, first served.
Site 24: Back-in, first come, first served.
Site 25: Back-in, first come, first served.
Site 26: Back-in, first come, first served.
Site 27: Back-in, first come, first served.
Site 28: Back-in, first come, first served.
Site 29: Back-in, first come, first served.
Site 30: Back-in, first come, first served.

Bathrooms: Near sites 4, 23, and 29.
Stock Water: Near sites 2, 4, 5, 14 and 15.

GPX Tracks & Topo Maps:

WHT: Upper & Lower Elkhorn Loop
WHT: ADA Loop
WHT: Valley View Day Use Area
WHT: Woodpecker Day Use Area
WHT: North Point Day Use Area
WHT: High Point Day Use Area
WHT: Jenny’s Junction Day Use Area

Sahara Creek DNR Horse Camp – Topo Map Download

Nearby Dispersed Camps

None known.

Backcountry Camp Options

Unknown but there are highlines available at Beaver Creek Trailhead and Memorial Trailhead. If you have backcountry campsite info please email adventure.equines@gmail.com