Campground Camping

Campground Camping Areas

• Cowlitz Valley area

  The Cowlitz Valley area is administered by the Cowlitz Valley Ranger District. This area is located in the Northern most portion of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest in southwest Washington, and comprises about 575,000 acres of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. The Cowlitz Valley area is roughly located among three volcanic peaks: Mt. Rainier to the north, Mt. Adams to the east, and Mt. St. Helens to the west. A line connecting Mt. Adams and Mt. St. Helens following the Boundary Trail #1 makes up the southern boundary. On clear days this trail affords spectacular views.

  Nearby towns include Packwood, Glenoma, Morton and Ashford. The area has numerous campgrounds and over 500 miles of trails for a wide variety of users. Cowlitz Valley Ranger District manages four Wilderness areas including the Goat Rocks Wilderness, Glacier View Wilderness, Tatoosh Wilderness and William O Douglass Wilderness. Major River Drainages include the Cowlitz River, Clear Fork of the Cowlitz, and the Cispus River.

  Nearby attractions include Mt. Rainier National Park and Mount St. Helens National Monument.

• Campground: Adams Fork
• Campground: Big Creek
• Campground: Blue Lake Creek
• Campground: Cat Creek
• Campground: Horseshoe Lake
• Campground: Iron Creek

  This large campground (98 sites) is on a flat along the Cispus River and is located in an old growth stand of Douglas fir, Hemlock, and Cedar. Lush vegetation and ample space between sites makes them quite private. This is a great place to camp while exploring the more remote side of Mount St. Helens. Iron Creek Campground Loop encircles the campground and is perfect for a stroll through the big trees and offers great views of the Cispus River.

  View an Iron Creek Campground Loop Trail map (.pdf)

  View an Iron Creek Campground map (.pdf)

  Nearby Recreation Sites

  • Iron Creek Picnic Site
  • Woods Creek Watchable Wildlife Area
  • Mount St. Helens East Side
     

  Accessible Adventures Video
  

• Campground: Killen Creek
• Campground: La Wis Wis

  This large campground (109 sites) is located right off of US Highway 12 at the junction of the Clear Fork of the Cowlitz and the Ohanapecosh Rivers. It is situated in an old growth stand of Douglas Fir, Hemlock and Cedar. Most sites offer good privacy.

  The Purcell Falls Trail #162A and the Blue Hole Trail #167 originate from the campground and offer views of the falls and the Blue Hole along the Ohanapecosh. This is a great destination for those traveling through looking for an overnight stay and also makes a great central location for an extended stay while exploring the local area.

  View a La Wis Wis Campground map (.pdf).

• Campground: Coho Group Camp
• Campground: North Fork

  This campground is located near the Cispus River and right on the banks of the North Fork of the Cispus River. The campground includes three group sites and the main campground. Two trails are accessible directly from the campground. River Trail # 131 is a relatively flat .6 mile trail that goes behind the group sites. The North Fork Trail #122 is a 1.6 mile trail that starts behind the old Guard Station and climbs quickly to the bluff above the campground. Several vistas provide good views of the Cispus River.

  View a North Fork Campground map (.pdf).

• Campground: Olallie Lake
• Campground: Soda Spring
• Campground: Takhlakh Lake

  A very popular campground close to the shore of Takhlakh Lake. The Campground includes ten walk-in sites. The views across the lake of Mt. Adams are outstanding. The northern trails of the Mt. Adams Wilderness are nearby. Takhlakh Loop Trail # 134 originates in the campground and encircles the lake. It’s a 1.1 mile flat hike around the lake. You can also connect to the Takh Takh Meadows trail #136 that leads you to an old lava flow. Great views abound from the top of the lava field. Mosquitos can be numerous in the early season.

  View a Takhlakh Lake Campground map (.pdf).

• Campground: Tower Rock
• Campground: Walupt Lake

  A popular high elevation campground on the shores of Walupt Lake and surrounded by the Goat Rocks Wilderness. The campground provides outstanding views of the the southern Goat Rocks Wilderness. The campground offers various sizes of camping units as well as 7 walk-in sites.

  Walupt Lake spans 384 acres and is the second largest lake in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. The clear mountain waters are popular with anglers who come here to cast for Rainbow and Cutthroat Trout. This campground is surrounded by the Goat Rocks Wilderness, named for the rugged peaks where numerous mountain goats are found. Scattered throughout the area are alpine meadows, lakes and ponds.

  The Lake has a primitive boat ramp and day use area great for swimming and hanging out a hot summer day. Mosquitos can be a problem early in the season. There are numerous trails nearby. Walupt Lake Trail # 101 goes along the northern edge of the lake and is an easy hike to the end of the lake. The Nanny Ridge Trail # 98 climbs steeply but offers great views of the Goat Rocks Wilderness. Be sure to fill out a Wilderness Permit before entering the designated Wilderness.

  Walupt Lake Day Use Picnic Site is within this campground.

  View a Walupt Lake Campground map (.pdf)

• Horse Camp: Cody
• Horse Camp: Keenes
• Horse Camp: Walupt
• Mount St. Helens area

  Visit Mount St. Helens area from any direction! 

  MAP: Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument (.pdf)

  • Mount St. Helens West

    

    From I-5, drive into the heart of the blast zone. Spectacular crater views, visitor centers, picnic areas and hikes await.

    Learn more

  • Mount St. Helens East

    

    This summer and fall route offers views of the crater and Spirit Lake, interpretive sites, and easy or rugged hiking. 

    Learn more

  • Mount St. Helens South

    

    Lava flows, waterfalls, caves, and lush forest abound. Plenty of year-round recreation options.

    Learn more

  • Mount Margaret Backcountry

    

    Rugged, steep trails and amazing landscapes typify the Mt. Margaret Backcountry. Permits required for overnight camping.

    Learn more
• Horse Camp: Green River
• Campground: Sunset Falls Campground and Day Use
• Horse Camp: Kalama
• Mt. Adams area

  Mt. Adams area is administered by the Mt Adams Ranger District. This area is located in the eastern portions of Gifford Pinchot National Forest in southwest Washington, and comprises 367,000 acres. This area includes Mt. Adams Wilderness, Indian Heaven Wilderness and Trapper Creek Wilderness.

  The Lewis River Recreation Area is within Mt. Adams Ranger District. The Lewis River Recreation Area is a 14-mile corridor, situated alongside the Lewis River and Forest Road 90 within the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. This popular recreation area is located 26 miles east of Cougar, and 29 miles west of Trout Lake, WA. This area provides access to the popular Lewis River Trail #31, and associated waterfall viewing. Advanced reservations via Recreation.gov are required daily during the busy visitor season from June 15 through September 30.  

  Mt. Adams is a prominent landmark in the area. Elevations here range between 1200 feet at the Wind River Work Center, 12 miles north of Carson, WA., and 12,276 feet at the summit of Mt. Adams. Precipitation varies from 70.7 inches of rain and 65.1 inches of snow at the Wind River Work Center and 44.1 inches of rain and 95.7 inches of snow at the Mt. Adams Ranger District office in Trout Lake, WA. The area features a great diversity of habitats and features, from old growth to second growth forest, wetland areas, low and high elevation meadows, glaciers, and low and high elevation lakes.

  • Locations on and off the forest to explore
  • Forest Vicinity Map
  • Mount Adams Climbing Conditions Report 
  • Recreation Conditions Report 
• Campground: Crest Camp/Trailhead
• Campground: Goose Lake

  Goose Lake is a popular fishing, boating and swimming lake. It is especially good for children. The lake is stocked with fish several times a season. The day use area has parking, picnic tables, a vault toilet and a boat ramp. Campsites are located in level spots on the hillside with attractive views of the lake. Parking for the sites is on the road side. The sites are walk in and allow tent camping only.

  View a map of Goose Lake Campground (.pdf)

• Campground: Morrison Creek
• Campground: Moss Creek
• Campground: Oklahoma
• Campground: Panther Creek
• Campground: Paradise Creek
• Campground: Peterson Prairie

  Peterson Prairie Campground is an attractive campground with level, well shaded graveled sites.  This site is located near large huckleberry fields making the campground very popular during huckleberry season.  It has easy access on a paved road. The popular tourist spots, Natural Bridges and Ice Caves are nearby. There is drinking water and in season a host in the campground.

  Peterson Prairie Group Campground is also available by reservation.

  View a Peterson Prairie Campground map (.pdf)

• Campground: Tillicum
• Campground: Trout Lake Creek
• Campground: Twin Falls
• Forest Road 24

  Forest Road 24 starts at the end of Hwy 141 west of Trout Lake at the Forest Service Boundary and ends at the junction with the 8851 Road north of Big Mosquito Lake.   Areas of interest along this road are Atkinson Sno-Park and Group Camp, The Ice Cave entrance and Picnic area, Peterson Prairie Campground and Cabin, Little Goose Lake, Meadow Creek Campground, Berry Fields, and Big Mosquito Lake. 

• Campground: Atkisson Group Camp
• Campground: Cultus Creek
• Forest Road 30/Wind River Highway

  Forest Road 30 enters the Southern end of the Gifford Pinchot as Wind River Highway just north of the towns of Carson and Stabler. It is paved to the 82/80 junction and Lone Butte Sno-park. Forest Road 51, Curley Creek Road, connects Forest Road 30 with Forest Road 90 and Highway 503.

  This road accesses interesting destinations such as the historic Wind River Work CCC Center and Hemlock Dam removal site, Beaver Campground and the upper Wind River, Old Man Pass, Surprise Lakes and the Berry Fields. It ties into Forest Road 24 at the north end of Indian Heaven Wilderness.

• Campground: Beaver
• Campground: Government Mineral Springs
• Campground: Forlorn Lakes
• Campground: Wicky Shelter
• Horse Camp: Falls Creek
• Horse Camp: Mt. Adams
• Lewis River Recreation Area

  Advanced reservations via Recreation.gov are required daily during the busy visitor season June 15 - September 06.  Reserved tickets must be purchased on-line and printed before you travel. 

  .............................

  The Lewis River Recreation Area is a 10-mile corridor, situated alongside the Lewis River and Forest Road 90 within the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. This popular recreation area is located 26 miles east of Cougar, and 29 miles west of Trout Lake, WA. This area provides access to the popular Lewis River Trail #31, and associated waterfall viewing.

  The area includes Lower Falls Campground & Day Use area, Lewis River Horse Camp, and parking areas associated with Crab Creek, Middle Falls, Platinum Creek, Upper Falls (Quartz Creek), and Wright Meadows.

  Visitors camping at Lewis River Horse Camp or Lower Falls Campground do not need a parking reservation to park at their site.

  Read Frequently Asked Questions. View a Lewis River Recreation Area MAP .

• Campground: Lower Falls
• Horse Camp: Lewis River