Horsehead Stock Camp

Welcome, Washington adventurers and equestrians! If you're seeking a truly immersive wilderness experience within the breathtaking landscapes of Olympic National Park, then Horsehead Stock Camp is a name you need to know. Situated in the pristine backcountry near Port Angeles, this isn't your typical roadside campground. Instead, it's a designated stock camp, primarily serving those exploring the park's vast trail system with horses, mules, burros, or llamas, but also accessible to experienced backpackers. For locals who crave deep-woods solitude, stunning mountain vistas, and the unique opportunity to explore one of Washington's most iconic national parks on horseback or foot, Horsehead Stock Camp offers an unparalleled adventure.

Located within the renowned High Divide Loop / Seven Lakes Basin area, Horsehead Stock Camp is a key stop for those undertaking multi-day backcountry trips into Olympic National Park's spectacular high country. The area is celebrated for its diverse ecosystems, ranging from old-growth forests to subalpine meadows and pristine lake basins. This region provides breathtaking views of Mount Olympus and other surrounding peaks, with common sightings of wildlife like elk and bear. While it's a primitive camp, its strategic location makes it an essential hub for exploring the park's more remote and awe-inspiring terrain. It's a place where the wild beauty of Washington truly comes alive, offering a rugged yet rewarding experience for those prepared for true wilderness travel.

Horsehead Stock Camp is located within Olympic National Park, with its address linked to Port Angeles, WA 98363, USA. This is a backcountry site, meaning it is not directly accessible by vehicle. Instead, it is reached via designated wilderness trails. Specifically, Horsehead Stock Camp is situated on the High Divide Loop, which encompasses the Seven Lakes Basin – one of Olympic National Park's most sought-after backpacking destinations. Access typically involves a significant hike or stock ride from various trailheads, such as the Sol Duc Falls trailhead.

For Washington residents, reaching the trailheads leading to Horsehead Stock Camp usually involves driving west from Port Angeles on US-101 and then turning onto park roads like Sol Duc Hot Springs Road. The journey to the trailhead itself is scenic, but the real adventure begins once you embark on the trail. Due to its backcountry nature, wilderness camping permits are required for overnight stays, and reservations may be necessary for some areas, especially during peak season. This ensures that the wilderness experience remains pristine and uncrowded. The level of difficulty for accessing Horsehead Stock Camp is generally considered moderate to steep, with elevation gains, making it suitable for experienced hikers and stock users prepared for wilderness travel.

As a designated backcountry stock camp within Olympic National Park's wilderness, Horsehead Stock Camp offers very limited, primitive services, focusing on low-impact camping and supporting stock use. These services are in line with Leave No Trace principles:

• Designated Stock Campsites: Specific sites designed to accommodate stock animals (horses, mules, burros, llamas) along with campers. These areas may include hitching rails or designated areas for securing animals.
• Permitted Camping Area: Offers a legal and established location for overnight wilderness camping for permit holders.
• Proximity to Water Sources: Located near natural water sources (like lakes or streams) for both human and stock use. All water must be treated (boiled, filtered, or chemically treated) before consumption.
• Bear-Resistant Food Storage: While specific facilities at Horsehead itself are primitive, visitors are required to use bear-resistant panniers or other approved methods to secure all food, garbage, and scented items from wildlife 24 hours a day. Bear-resistant panniers may be available for loan from Wilderness Information Centers.
• Access to Maintained Trails: Provides direct access to the High Divide Loop trail system, which is maintained for stock use.
• Primitive Environment: No developed facilities such as flush toilets, picnic tables, or fire rings (campfires are prohibited above 3,500 feet, and where allowed, leave no trace).
• Wilderness Regulations: Enforcement of park regulations regarding stock use, group size limits (e.g., maximum 12 persons and 8 head of stock), and feed requirements (pellets and rolled grain to prevent weed introduction).

The region around Horsehead Stock Camp offers an array of compelling features and highlights that draw in adventurous Washingtonians:

• Spectacular Mountain Views: Offers incredible vistas of Mount Olympus and other majestic peaks, especially within the Seven Lakes Basin, providing truly iconic Olympic National Park scenery.
• High Divide Loop Access: A strategic point on the renowned 18.2-mile High Divide Loop, considered one of the park's premier backpacking routes, traversing diverse ecosystems.
• Seven Lakes Basin Exploration: Provides direct access to the aptly named Seven Lakes Basin, an area dotted with pristine subalpine lakes (like Deer Lake, which is a designated stock camp for llamas only, and others with fishing opportunities).
• Rich Wildlife Sightings: Common sightings of Roosevelt elk, black bears, and various bird species, offering incredible opportunities for wildlife observation in their natural habitat.
• Old-Growth Forest and Subalpine Meadows: The trail to the camp passes through diverse ecosystems, from lush old-growth forests at lower elevations to open subalpine meadows higher up, showcasing the park's ecological diversity.
• Designated Stock Use: One of the few areas in Olympic National Park designated for camping with pack animals, making it a unique destination for equestrian enthusiasts.
• Secluded Wilderness Experience: As a backcountry camp, it offers a profound sense of solitude and immersion in true wilderness, far from the crowds of more developed areas.
• Challenging and Rewarding Hiking: The trails are rated moderate to steep, with significant elevation changes, providing a physical challenge rewarded by stunning natural beauty.

Address: Horsehead Stock Camp is a backcountry location within Olympic National Park, accessed via wilderness trails. The general park address is Port Angeles, WA 98363, USA.

For all inquiries regarding wilderness permits, trail conditions, stock regulations, and safety in the Olympic National Park backcountry, please contact the Wilderness Information Center (WIC) or the park's main headquarters:

Olympic National Park Headquarters:

Phone: (360) 565-3130 (for general park information, conditions, etc.)

Wilderness Information Center (WIC) Phone: (360) 565-3100 (for wilderness permits and specific backcountry questions).

Website: www.nps.gov/olym (check the "Backpacking in Wilderness" and "Stock Use" sections for detailed information).

For Washington residents, Horsehead Stock Camp offers the ultimate backcountry adventure, perfectly aligning with the state's deep appreciation for pristine wilderness and outdoor exploration. Its location within Olympic National Park's High Divide Loop / Seven Lakes Basin area ensures access to some of the most iconic and breathtaking landscapes the Pacific Northwest has to offer, right in their own backyard. This isn't a casual car camping spot; it's a destination for those seeking a true challenge and the profound reward of solitude in an untouched natural environment.

What makes it particularly suitable for locals is the unique opportunity it provides for extended wilderness trips, especially for the equestrian community. As one of the designated stock camps, it allows Washington's horse and llama owners to explore remote trails that might otherwise be inaccessible, deepening their connection with the land and their animals. For non-stock users, it represents a challenging yet immensely rewarding backpacking experience, offering stunning views, diverse ecosystems, and abundant wildlife. Understanding the park's regulations and preparing for a primitive camping experience are key, but for those ready for the adventure, Horsehead Stock Camp provides an unparalleled opportunity to immerse themselves in the wild heart of Olympic National Park, making it an essential and highly cherished part of the Washington outdoor experience.

Horsehead Stock Camp

Port Angeles, WA 98363, USA