Swimming

Swimming 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. Adams to the east, Mt. Rainier (Tahoma) to the north, and Mt. St. Helens Volcanic Monument 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 East entrance (Blast Zone) to Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument and Mt. Rainier National Park. Mt. Rainier Information and Contact

• 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)

• Site: Walupt Lake Day Use Picnic Area
• Trailhead: Walupt Lake
• 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 
• 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. 

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  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 .