Cayuse Horse Camp

Show on map 509-852-1100 jveulman@goexplorus.com

29580 SALMON LA SAC RD.
RONALD, WA 98940

Three Queens Fire Area Closure Reduced on the Cle Elum Ranger District

This closure prohibits entry or use of roads, recreation sites, campgrounds and trails on national forest system lands within a defined area within the Cle Elum Ranger Districts to ensure the safety of the public and firefighting resources during the Three Queens. View the attached updated closure order and map for location details. A portion of the closure has been lifted, it provides more access to the north end of Cle Elum Lake, and areas around the north end of Kachess Lake, and Keechelus Ridge areas to the east of I-90.

Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest

Cle Elum, WA

Three Queens Fire Closure

Closure Order: 06-17-03-2026-45

Pursuant to 16 USC § 551 and 36 CFR § 261.50 (a) and (b), and to provide for public safety, the following acts are prohibited within the Cle Elum Ranger District of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. This Order is effective October 1, 2026 and will remain in effect through October 31, 2026, unless rescinded sooner.

PROHIBITIONS:

Entering into or being upon National Forest System lands, as described below and displayed on the attached map, Exhibit A [36 CFR § 261.53(e)].
Being on a National Forest System Trail, as described below and displayed on the attached map, Exhibit A [36 CFR § 261.55(a)].
Being on a National Forest System Road as described below and displayed on the attached map, Exhibit A [36 CFR § 261.54(e)].
Use of vehicle off of National Forest System Roads as described below and displayed on the attached map, Exhibit A [36 CFR § 261.56].

CLOSURE AREA DESCRIPTION:

Area closure only applies to USFS lands, roads, and trails within.

The area, trail, and road closures are defined as follows:

The closure area begins in the northeast corner of Section 15 in T. 22 N. R. 12 E. It then follows the section line south to the southeast corner of Section 15, it then turns east on the north section line of Section 23 and 24 to where it intersects the Box Canyon Creek Road 4930 in T. 22 N R. 12 E, Section 24. It follows and includes FSR 4930 south to its junction with FSR 4948, Gale Creek Road in T. 22 N , R 13 E Sec. 32. It then turns east across the north edges of Sections 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 31 to where it intersects with French Cabin Creek Road FSR 4308 in T. 22 N. R. 14 E, Sec. 31. It follows FSR 4308 to the west edge of the Cle Elum River in T. 22 N. R 14 E. Sec.32. FSR 4308 is open. It follows the Cle Elum River north to where it intersects the Cooper River Road, FSR 4600 in T. 22 N. R. 14 E. Sec. 21 FSR 4600 is closed. It then follows and includes FSR 4600 north to where the road intersects the east section line of Section 17 in T. 22 N. R 14 E. It follows the east section line of Sections 17 and 8 to where it meets FSR 4316-111 in T. 22 N. R 14 E, Sec 8. It then follows FSR 4316-111 to the Salmon la Sac Trailhead and the
start of the Waptus River Trail #1310 in T. 22 N. R 14 E. Section 8. It follows the Waptus River Trail to its junction with the Trail Creek Trail in T. 23 N. R 12 E. Section 13. Waptus River Trail is open to the Trail Creek Trail junction. It follows the east edge of Sections 13, 12, 1 north to thenorth east corner of Section 1 in T. 23 N. R 12 E. It then turns west on the north edge of Sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, in T. 23 N. R 12 E, and continues on the north edge of Section 1 to its intersection with the Forest Boundary in T. 23 N. R 12 E. It then follows the Forest Boundary south to Section 23 in T. 23 N, R 11 E. It follows the section line south to its intersection with the Alaska Lake Trail 1314.1 in T. 23 N. R 11 E. Section 24. It then follows and includes the Alaska Lake trail to its intersection with the Wilderness Boundary in T. 23 N. R 11 E. Section 1. It follows the Wilderness Boundary south to the mid-point of the west edge of Section 12 in T. 23 N. R 11 E. It then heads east to the northeast corner of Section 15 in T. 22 N. R. 12 E Section 15 where it intersects the start point of the closure.

TRAILS CLOSED:

Little Kachess Trail 1312
Rachel Lake Trail 1313
Mineral Creek Trail 1331
Lake Lillian Trail 1332
Gold Creek Valley Trail 1314
Pete Lake Trail 1323
Thorp Creek Trail 1316
Knox Creek Trail 1315.1
Little Joe Lake Trail 1330.1
Kachess Ridge Trail 1315 -North of the Knox Creek Trail
Red Mountain Trail 1330
Alaska Lake Trail 1314.1
Cooper River Trail 1327
Pacific Crest Trail #2000 – Ridge Lake to Spinola Creek Trail #1365
Escondido Lake Trail 1320
Tired Creek Trail 1317
Waptus Pass Trail 1329
Lemah Meadows 1323.2
Waptus Burn Trail 1329.3
Polallie Ridge Trail 1309
Spade Lake Trail 1337
Dutch Miller Gap Trail 1362
Spectacle Lake 1306

ROADS CLOSED:

4309
4312
4600
4613
4616
4616-114
4617
4930

DEVELOPED SITES CLOSED:

Owhi Campground
Owhi Boat Launch
Mineral Creek Trailhead
Rachel Lake Trailhead
Pete Lake Trailhead

See Exhibit A for closure map.

EXEMPTIONS:

Pursuant to 36 CFR § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:

Any Federal, State, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or fire-fighting force in the performance of an official duty.
Persons with Forest Service Permit No. FS‑7700‑48 (Permit for Use of Roads, Trails, or Areas Restricted by Regulation Order), specifically exempting them from this Order.

These prohibitions are in addition to the general prohibitions in 36 CFR Part 261, Subpart A.

Violations of these prohibitions are punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000.00 for an individual or $10,000.00 for a corporation, or imprisonment for not more than six months, or both. (16 USC § 551; 18 USC §§ 3551, 3571, and 3581.)

Executed in Wenatchee, Washington this 5th day of October, 2026.

Overview

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.

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.

Facilities

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.

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.

Contact Info

This location is unstaffed. To speak with our main office for general information, please call: (661) 702-1420.

Nearby Attractions

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.

Charges & 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

Visitors may submit a refund request through their Recreation.gov profile within 7 days of the end date of their reservation. 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.

For check or cash purchases, Recreation.gov will mail a Treasury check for refunds of cash, check, or money order payments to the address associated with the reservation. Treasury check refunds may take up to 6-8 weeks to arrive.

In the event of an emergency closure, the Recreation.gov team or facility manager will refund all fees and will attempt to notify you using the contact information within the Recreation.gov visitor profile.

Camp site features

Across 13 camp sites:

Fire pit: all 13 sites
Pets allowed: all 13 sites
Longest RV: 65 ft
Largest party: 12 people

Fees

Extra Vehicle Fee $8.00

Directions

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.

Stay Limit

Check in from 2 PM, check out by 12 PM.

Reviews

31 reviews

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 stars

Ali M

Loop:Area Cayuse Horse Camp

Site:

Reviewed 4 months ago

The water system at the correls is completely broken with broken plastic pipes that could injured horses. Reservations were not posted when we arrived. The manure bunker needs to be emptied as well. The company managing the contract needs to be held accountable. There were 6 families with horses camping there while we were. It is being used!

Ali M

Loop:Area Cayuse Horse Camp

Site:

Reviewed a year ago

Very safe and wonderful horse camp.

Pam H

Loop:Area Cayuse Horse Camp

Site:

Reviewed a year ago

Corrals are spacious and secure for horses.

Ali M

Loop:Area Cayuse Horse Camp

Site:

Reviewed a year ago

There was no camp host so no reservations where posted. Fortunately, there was no conflicts. The stock water was on, but the hoses that are normally available where not out. We did see a ranger driving through twice which was great. A fantastic experience overall. Hopefully, the camp host and stock water situation will be smoother for everyone next year. Thank you to the staff still working and keeping the doors open.

Mason E

Loop:Area Cayuse Horse Camp

Site:

Reviewed a year ago

Quiet and clean

Margie B

Loop:Area Cayuse Horse Camp

Site:

Reviewed a year ago

The central bathroom was full. It’s the second week of July. So full it’s splashed your backside when having a morning uh-hem! Then to top it off, the hoses were gone. The water sprockets were NOT on. If you wanted water, you had to hand pump it and then haul it over to your horse paddock. It was a workout. No camp host this season. We are under a new contract that isn’t hands on and let non-horse people camp here again. This is cyclic folks. I pray they get a grip on this before summers end. I was scheduled to come back in September for a week. I’m keeping an eye on other posts on whether to cancle or not.

Availability

See the Camp Sites section below to find detailed booking availability.

Reserve