Ranch camping near Mercer Island with wildlife watching
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94% (1629 reviews)
- Mercer Island
94% (1629 reviews)
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12 top ranch campgrounds near Mercer Island with wildlife watching
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Rockin’ Z Ranch
5 sites · RVs, Tents11 acres · Redmond, WA
At the mouth of the Snoqualmie Valley you’ll find the Rockin’ Z Ranch! Camp among the trees and watch horses gallop past on this tranquil equestrian property. Enter through a separate gate into our spacious and well appointed camp-out corner; a great place to relax or use as a base camp for surrounding activities. Just a short walk away, at the end of our private road, is the trailhead to Soaring Eagle Regional Park. This 750 acre park has endless trails for biking and hiking. Head east to Fall City or beyond to the Cascades. The Rockin’ Z Ranch invites you!
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$30
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Cowboy Camp, Sat Dinner, Sun Break
20 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents11 acres · Port Townsend, WA
WHAT WE OFFER
SATURDAY NIGHT DINNER and SUNDAY BREAKFAST
Due to popular demand, we have continued our full Chuckwagon dinner served around the campfire at Cowboy Camp on Saturday night ( $30 per person) , see full menu below, and have also added Cowboy breakfast on Sunday mornings when campers are present, consisting of scrambled eggs with/or without spinach and cheese served with grilled whole wheat toast, large fluffy pancake, choice of bacon or sausage patty, glass of orange juice and bottomless cup of coffee, ($15 per person). Allowances are made for food allergies, preferences and requests.
Breakfast can be ordered the night before.
Why cook and wash dishes when you don't have to? Just relax and enjoy the camping experience.
CAMPSITES
Here on our property, you can choose from simple walk in campsites with no special amenities, to a full campsite with picnic table, fire ring, and space for tent or trailer, up to a full size camper trailer parking area.
We also have the lovely Cowboy wall tent with electricity and extra plugs for charging devices, a small electric heater, larger dorm style refrigerator, Queen size bed and all the bedding, additional oversized twin bed with bedding, 2 lamps, love seat reclining sofa and side table, Bistro style table and two chairs, 2 burner hotplate with coffee and tea, plates, cups and silverware, We provide 5 gallon containers of natural snowfall derived city water at your site.
The wall tent has a separate porta potty with handwashing station.
A larger portapotty is located in the center of the field for easy access from all
other campsites.
Coming soon we are hoping to get our propane shower and shower room up and running.
ACTIVITIES
Other activities include local trails for hiking and biking, close proximity to Port Townsend, town beach and waterfront and a short drive to the Olympic National forest.
FOOD
This year, due to positive feedback, we are increasing our offering of a full course Chuckwagon dinner, two person minimum, paid for when you book your campsite. You can select from smoked pulled pork, BBQ chicken, Smoked ribs or the vegetarian selection, baked spaghetti squash stuffed with a blend of marinara, roasted zucchini, yellow squash and bell peppers, topped with parmesan cheese. Sides served with the dinner include roasted corn on the cob ( in season), potato salad, homemade Horseshoe beans, corn bread and either blackberry cobbler or pineapple upside down cake. You provide the beverage. Guests meander over to the cook tent at about 6 pm and enjoy dinner seated around tables and chairs complete with plates, cups and silverware. Dinner is served by reservation only on Saturday nights. Dinner is $30.00 per person. 24 hour advance notice required so your food is always fresh.
Breakfast ( described in intro above, is $15 per person)
THE PROPERTY
Just what is Cowboy Camp, you might ask. The traditional definition refers to sleeping outside under the stars with only a bedroll, a fire and the night sky for companions. But if you are a fan of the western genre and lifestyle, you might also know it as a place to go to hang out with like minded folks and experience the Cowboy lifestyle. This includes all people, men and women alike, as the term "Cowboy" is largely generic and not gender oriented. A taste of that lifestyle is what we are offering here at our Cowboy Camp.
HORSES
It wouldn't be Cowboy Camp without horses and they are definitely present. They can be heard whinnying at mealtimes and throughout the day as they keep in touch with each other. They are generally quiet at night. Horses are not allowed in camping areas when campers are present. No farm would be complete without chickens and ours is no exception. A few hens can generally be seen wandering around the barn searching for bugs, We do not have a rooster, so guests can sleep peacefully.
We are offering camping sites ranging from simple tent sites with fire ring, picnic table and soft sandy tent sites to small cabin type tents with beds and electricity.
As part of your cowboy camp experience you can sign up for a horsemanship lesson involving handling and grooming horses and time spent working with the horse in the round pen. (There is no actual riding such as a trail ride offered at this time, we are working on that). You can also sign up for a roping lesson. Learn to throw a loop and catch "Little blue", our roping dummy steer head.
HIKES AND BIKES
We also have games of horseshoes ( with real horseshoes) and corn hole boards. You can take a hike around the property on our trail through mature Douglas fir and majestic Western cedar forest.
A 1/4 mile walk down our quiet country gravel road will take you to the 80 acre Jefferson County Land trust forest with several beautiful trails meandering through mature uncut forest. These trails are suitable for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. That forest further connects to the Cappy's trail system, a network of several miles of trails that will wind around and eventually lead into Port Townsend itself if you choose to venture into town.
Or you can choose to travel via mountain bike or foot approximately one mile down the road to the DNR forest property that will lead you through more gorgeous wooded and open areas to access the Larry Scott trail, a 7.3 mile out and back firm surface multi-use trail that leads either out of town through the woods or to the north directly into Port Townsend along the scenic waterfront.
Our beautiful piece of property is comprised of almost 11 acres situated on the northeast tip of the Olympic Peninsula just outside the quaint Victorian seaport town of Port Townsend. It lies approximately 4 miles from downtown with its many art galleries, restaurants, shops, boat harbor, farmer's market and the historic Rose theater.
The farm itself is located within a section of old growth forest comprised of 100 year old Doug Firs, cedar trees and alder groves. There is an open pasture area in the center of the property, which is ringed completely by thick stands of forest, so it feels completely private. You have to look closely to see the neighboring two houses through the forest.
The horses are excluded from camping areas during your visit, and will most likely be housed on neighboring property while guests are present. No need to worry about curious horses coming into your campsite to say hello.
It is a wildlife paradise with frequent visits from local deer, bald eagles, ducks on the pond, owls nesting in the trees, and coyotes travelling through.
The frog pond is alive all night with singing. If you are a light sleeper you might consider earplugs.
We have created a walking trail through the forest around the land that is full of the sounds of life and birds. A pileated woodpecker makes its home in the back corner and two pairs of barred owls also inhabit the nearby Douglas firs. They can be heard at night calling out as they settle in for the evening.
An important note for the walking explorer, please be aware that many areas of the farm are in their natural state. This means you might encounter prickly plants such as star thistle, nettles and tansy ragwort. We are happy to identify these for you if you are unfamiliar with them. Please be aware and dress in long pants and long sleeves while hiking. There are no poisonous snakes present in this region.
We train horses here so there is a full size riding arena and training round pen. On any given day, you might see horses being trained and ridden.
MORE ABOUT THE FOOD
At the end of your day of adventures, you can opt to sign up ( when your site is booked) for a delicious feast at Cowboy Camp. Using old time traditional Dutch oven cooking techniques and slow smoking methods, meals are comprised of such items as slow cooked smoked pork shoulder or ribs, Dutch oven baked "Horseshoe Beans" ( a crowd favorite), fire roasted corn on the cob (in season) , homemade potato salad, green spinach salad, and of course dessert such as homemade blackberry cobbler or pineapple upside down cake. Vegetarian selections are also available upon request.
ADVENTURES CLOSE BY
Venturing out from the farm you can sign up to go on a whale watching excursion with Puget Sound Express out of Port Townsend. Seeing a whale is guaranteed or you get a free return trip.
Also, the Olympic National Park is only a short one hour drive to the west and the view from Hurricane Ridge is not to be missed.
Your Hosts:
Property owners Karma and Rick come with a long extensive history of experience in the horse industry and western culture. Together they share over 100 years of experience with horses, both having ridden since young children.
Karma loves sharing her knowledge of horses and horsemanship with others and has been a certified riding instructor for many years.
Rick grew up with a horse and cattle background from a young age. As a young man he competed in the rodeo sports of bareback broncs, calf roping, bull riding and team roping. He then worked as a professional farrier, horse trainer and ranch employee in Texas. He learned the art of Texas BBQ cooking while living and working on Texas ranches.
He loves to cook for others and enjoys sharing tales of the ranch life.
You can choose to be as involved as you like during your visit. You can sit quietly in the forest and just enjoy peace and quiet if you so desire. We will not bother you. Our goal is simply to provide you with a beautiful place to relax, play, and enjoy during your visit.
So come on out, set a spell, and enjoy a wonderful day, weekend, or week here at Cowboy Camp.
Side note : Due to the presence of horses, chickens and various wildlife on the property, in addition to outdoor cooking activities, we do not allow outside dogs at this time. Thank you for your understanding.
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$45
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(187)
Malaney Creek Farm
16 sites · RVs, Tents124 acres · Shelton, WA
MCF is situated 12 minutes NE of Shelton Washington with secluded wetlands nested against the SW shores of Spencer Lake. Covering over 124 acres MCF offers terrain from grassy fields to heavily wooded forests and an abundance of sanctuary wetlands. Being surrounded mostly by private timberlands expands the remote feeling this location has to offer. More than 3 miles of maintained trails deliver single track/ pedestrian/equine pathways to wider trails joined by a main trunk trail large enough for vehicles.
Malaney Creek meanders through a cool grassy tree lined meadow where a 40 year old wooden bridge serving the main driveway can be viewed.
Established in 1977 as a resident farm, MCF was once rich with an old growth ceder forest feeding a cedar mill and railroad built by early settlers of Mason County. Remnants of the old growth giants still remain.
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$32
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99%
(848)
Cedar+Fern
6 sites · RVs, Tents13 acres · Quilcene, WA
This beautiful 13acre slice of heaven sits along the Little Quilcene River. Cedar+Fern hosts multiple campsites in a park-like setting amongst PNW's forest giants, Western Red Cedar, Douglas Fir, Big Leaf Maple, etc.
During your stay, explore the walking trails throughout the towering forest to find private spots along the river to take a dip. Check out all the new growth on the young fruit orchard and large food garden. Walk through the alder grove and discover both the pond as well as the new farm extension!
While on the land, let the sounds of the river wash away life's stress and enjoy a bit of the slow life.
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$45
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92%
(76)
Pleasant Hill Private Park
6 sites · RVs, Tents8 acres · Carnation, WA
Home for over 30 years, homemade trails and camping on our 8 acres, RV's welcome. We have an RV electric hookup on one area, spot 6. Tents and Trailers welcome! Campers and Car Campers welcome. You will drive thru a country dirt road “neighborhood,” to get here, surrounded by horses and trees……
Speed Limit is 10 miles an hour on our dirt road……long driveway (900 ft.) and gate access. Pro campers welcome, please be self contained and able to self manage, we have wildlife around, a river, safety first above all else!
Welcome to the heart of the Snoqualmie Valley, Located across from the gorgeous Snoqualmie River, our property borders the Snoqualmie Valley Trail that Runs from Duvall to North Bend for Bikers, Runners, Horse Travel, Walking, Hiking and no motorized vehicles allowed.
Thirty Nine (39) minutes to Snoqualmie Pass Ski Lodge, Alpental and Hyak, Fifteen (15) minutes to Mt. Si Hiking trails, and beautiful Duvall with Muddy Boots Farm including the Corn Maze! Ten (10) minutes to Historic Snoqualmie Falls, Carnation Farms, Misty Valley Farms, Jubilee Farms, and Oxbow Farms. Four (4) minutes to Fall City and Fall City Floating Company, Multiple Golf Courses, Raging River Restaurant, Aroma Coffee Shop, Frontier Saloon, Downtown Carnation, Timberfest, Tolt McDonald Park, Snoqualmie and Raging River for Boating, Kayaking, Fishing and Swimming. Also Tolt Laundromat, voted best in the Nation with RV dump site, Ixtapa, Carnation Cafe, Sam’s Noodle Town, Blake’s Pizza, and the most exciting Remlinger Farms Brewery, Fun Park, Arcade, Restaurant, serving many flavors of soft serve ice cream, coffee shop, live music Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights plus a Complete Country Marketplace, open YEAR ROUND!
Two (2) minutes to Snoqualmie and Raging River for fishing, boating and swimming and Last, 1 minute to the cascade foothills and the trails leading you to nature, beautiful Orenda Winery next door, and our Home of the Fabulous Orchids, where music is priority one and guitar circles break out of nowhere. We welcome you to Pleasant Hill, a country neighborhood nestled up to the cascade forest foothills in the heart of the Snoqualmie Valley where adventures are waiting!
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$31.50
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Forested with River Access/Firepit
1 site · RV, Tent12 acres · North Bend, WA
This camp site is very private and peaceful! We will be open from May 1st through September 14th, 2024. We have a 3 night maximum stay per booking. (Starting 9/15/2024, we will be making improvements to our property and doing some re-seeding.)
The site can accommodate up to two RVs or 3-4 tents depending on the distance apart. We allow up to 6 people per booking. The firepit and the Snoqualmie River are about 150' away from your tent or RV. We have a porta-potti at the camp site. Pets are welcome at our HipCamp, but we do require that you clean up after them. Near North Bend there are several hiking/biking trails including the trail up Mt. Si., Si View Park, and the Rattlesnake Ridge trail system. For shoppers, we have shops in town and the Factory Outlet Mall. For dining, there are several restaurants in North Bend.
PLEASE NOTE: CHECK IN TIME: 2:00-5:00 P.M.
Our rate is $70 per night.
We ask all drivers (cars, RVs, trailers, etc.) to back into the campsite. This will make for an easy exit. Thanks!!
Please send us a text message when you arrive at the campsite. Thanks!
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$70
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Beaver Valley Retreat
2 sites · RVs, Tents45 acres · Chimacum, WA
Kodama is a 45-acre regenerative farm located in the beautiful Beaver Valley of Chimacum, WA. We use organic, permaculture-based techniques to provide fresh food for our local community. Kodama Farm also raises Nigerian Dwarf goats and tends to a tropical geodesic greenhouse where we grow citrus and other tropical fruit. Kodama is also protected farm land forever! Working with the Jefferson Land Trust and the North Olympic Salmon Coalition, we have conserved over 20 acres of riparian habitat and will be working to transform this land back into it's more natural state by planting thousands of native trees, shrubs, and re-meandering the section of salmon-bearing Chimacum creek that runs through our land.
Stay at Kodama Farm right next to a few of our Nigerian Dwarf goats! Explore our little regenerative farm and flower gardens, walk through our tropical geodesic dome greenhouse, and enjoy the gorgeous valley views. We are located 6 miles south of "downtown" Chimacum which is the home to the Chimacum Corner Farmstand (the best natural foods/organic grocery store in the world), and Finnriver Farm and Cidery (a lovely family-friendly place!). Our farm is a convenient spot to launch off of for your Olympic National Park adventure! There are some insanely beautiful hikes nearby and we are about 2 1/2 hours away from the coast. We are right off the main highway which means you will unfortunately hear some car noise mixed in with the birds and goats, but bring some musical instruments and you won't notice a thing!
Our campsite is a grassy patch down in the valley nestled under a large spruce tree next to a goat pasture. If our male goat is in that pasture, you may get occasional goaty smells, but that is just part of the farm life :) We have a picnic table, chairs, fire pit, electrical outlets, and a porta-potty available a short walk away for campers to use. Your campsite is the only one on the property. You may see us farmers going about our daily tasks, but we will make sure you have your privacy.
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$40.50
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The Forest Farmstead
5 sites · Lodging2 acres · Poulsbo, WA
We are slowly converting our beloved multi-generational family home into a sustainable organic permaculture farm with an edible food forest. We are replenishing the forest with wild edible native plant and herbs, planting hugelkultur organic permaculture gardens and preparing the land for future farm animals. Your stay with us is helping us nurture the land and nourish our family & community!
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$88
/ night
Booked 6 times
GardenerofEdenFarms.com
3 sites · Lodging1 acre · WA
Rural camping with a glam twist. Fresh chicken eggs from our chickens for you to gather in the morning. Hike down to the stream or relax in the hammock. The fire pit will be a great place to roast some marshmallows and look at the stars.
Large RV with 2 recliners and a view of the valley. Sleeps 6 with a kitchen and bedroom as well as a full bathroom.
Gas and charcoal barbecue on site, table for 6 outdoors, lots of plants and berries for the picking. Hiking down to the stream in our trails leads to the green belt that stretches for miles!
Kayak, boat, & dirt bike rentals available as well as extras tents, coolers, & specialty items. Breakfast served daily on request. Come stay with us. You won’t be disappointed
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$89.10
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92%
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The Happy Horse Farm
5 sites · RVs, Tents5 acres · Lakewood, WA
Property is a 5-acre gated horse farm surrounded by wooded military property on 3 sides.
Conveniently located 15-20 minutes from Tacoma and Olympia.
Just 5 mins to Starbucks/coffee and grocery stores but far enough away from the city so it feels more secluded.
American Lake and Spanaway Lake (and their parks with playgrounds) for swimming and paddle boarding are both just 5 mins away!
The owner lives on site, as well as several horses, chickens, and a dog.
Large stone fire pit with chairs near house is available for camper use.
Pending: Paddle board rental and bicycles for use on property or trails!
Set-up your tent anywhere within the horse paddocks - there are no specific sites, although there is a small fire pit and rustic bench seating at far back corner of property.
Tents can be outside of horse areas as well, if preferred.
RV dry camping anywhere within or outside horse areas.
For RVs needing dedicated electrical/water hookup, there are specific sites closer to the house.
***If you are travelling with more than one vehicle, please purchase an car extra parking spot.***
Only four 30amp RV spots are available and are most easily accessible for Rvs under 30'. Standard 110volt outlets can also be available for RV use.
Woodbrook Hunt Club, the oldest fox hunting club west of the Mississippi, is a neighbor so lots of horseback riding goes on in the neighborhood. (Dragged scent only, no live foxes are harmed.)
Private horseback riding lessons or guided trail rides available by reservation only, subject to weather and owner availability.
Use of military trails adjacent to property for hiking and bike riding subject to open land usage and permitting by military base.
Happy HipCamping! 😊
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$55
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99%
(58)
Rutabaga Ridge
1 site · RV, Tent18 acres · Quilcene, WA
Private camp on 18 acres, ideal for small groups, families and couples. There is one main camp with a fire pit, one picnic shelter, and a tiny building that can be a slept in easily.
Guests love it here: "This campsite is pure magic and the host was wonderful, hospitable, kind and accommodating. Highly recommended for anyone needing time to center themselves, and or have a great time with friends and family."
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$99
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Huckleberry Heaven
1 site · Tent14 acres · Longbranch, WA
Private retreat of the road but close to everything. Flat almost 14 acres near two state parks, two marinas, lake bay, and Longbranch, many camps including camp Colman, camp Seymour, camp Lorenzo, and more.The farm has water, septic a new ADA bath house with indoor toilet, sink and shower, and outdoor urinal. We're excited to host you!
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$48
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Under $50
Dog-friendly getaways
Ranch camping near Mercer Island with wildlife watching guide
Overview
Looking for an unforgettable camping experience near Mercer Island, Washington? Look no further than Hipcamp! With over 1,200 options to choose from, you'll find the perfect campsite that suits your accommodation preference, whether it's a tent, cabin, or RV. Plus, you'll have access to a wide range of activities and terrains, including fishing, wildlife watching, and off-roading (OHV). And don't worry about missing out on the essentials - many campsites offer popular amenities like pet-friendly spaces, cooking equipment, and showers. Check out the top-rated campsites like Bumps & Bruzas (333 reviews), Maple Creek Outfitter Campsites (263 reviews), and Cedar+Fern (258 reviews). Don't wait, start planning your camping adventure today!
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