Kalama Horse Camp
Federal campground in Gifford Pinchot National Forest
Location: Amboy , WA, WA
Price: From $23 per night
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (34 reviews)
Season: May through October
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.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): none signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/kalama-horse-camp to be notified when sites open up.
Kalama Horse Camp offers 27 sites primarily for equestrian users with nearby access to trails for horseback riding, hiking, and biking on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest near Mount St. Helens. Campers rate it 4.7/5 stars and appreciate the beautiful scenery and great trail access.
Wildlife alert: Mountain goats, black bears, columbian black-tailed deer, cascade golden-mantled ground squirrels, cedar waxwings, canada jays, western tanagers, varied thrushes, common garter snakes, and northern alligator lizards have been documented within 8km.
Insider tips for Kalama Horse Camp: Book early — this is a federal campground with high demand. Obtain a Washington Discovery Pass to avoid citations. The camp is primarily designed for horse camping with hitching posts and mounting blocks available.
Skip Kalama Horse Camp if: You need RV hookups — no hookups available at most sites; only self-contained RVs suitable.. You require year-round access — seasonal operations May through October only.. You're looking for developed lake recreation — McBride Lake no longer exists according to recent camper reports..
Best time to visit Kalama Horse Camp: May-October — Official operating season for the campground..
Nearby campgrounds: Marble Mountain Group Picnic Site (Cougar, WA), Lower Falls Campground (Trout Lake, WA), Sunset Falls Campground (Yacolt, WA), Paradise Creek Campground (CARSON, WA).
Cell Phone Coverage at Kalama Horse Camp
Cell signal at Kalama Horse Camp (Amboy , WA): none overall signal based on FCC broadband data.
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
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.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early
this is a federal campground with high demand.
Obtain a Washington Discovery Pass to avoid citations.
The camp is primarily designed for horse camping with hitching posts and mounting blocks available.
Official operating season for the campground.
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
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.
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Gifford Pinchot National Forest fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Gifford Pinchot National Forest before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Kalama Horse Camp cost per night?+
What season is Kalama Horse Camp open?+
Does Kalama Horse Camp have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Kalama Horse Camp?+
How do I make reservations at Kalama Horse Camp?+
What is the cell service like at Kalama Horse Camp?+
What season is Kalama Horse Camp open, and what are check-in times?+
Official resources
●Data sources on this page
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