CuteCamper
Gifford Pinchot National Forest
Whether you seek solitude, social activity, creative inspiration, wildlife, forest products or scenic beauty, you can find it in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.
Recreation sites on the forest are grouped into three geographic areas:
- Cowlitz Valley area (north side)
- Mt Adams area (south side)
- Mount St Helens area (west side)
Site Conditions: Scroll to Recreation Conditions Report below the map
Some campgrounds and group sites are available to reserve in advance at Recreation.gov.
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Ape Cave Interpretive Site Ticket Timed Entry
At 2.5 miles long, Ape Cave is the third longest lava tube in North America. Explore a chilly, pitch-black corridor deep beneath the forest floor of Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. A short, paved trail leads to the entrance of the cave, where visitors must descend a series of staircases for self-exploration of the cavern. The 3/4 mile long Lower Cave is relatively easy and family-friendly; most visitors explore the Lower Cave in about an hour. For the more adventurous, the 1.5 mile Upper Cave involves scrambles over rock piles, scaling an 8 foot rock wall, and exiting a small opening in the ground surface before hiking 1.5 miles back to the entrance. The Upper Cave can take 2 hours or more to explore. Visitors must come prepared to explore the cave independently—there are no lights in the cave, so visitors must bring their own headlamps or flashlights. Cell phone lights are not adequate for the cave. More information on the cave can be found here. To provide for public safety and to protect the delicate cave ecosystem and natural resources, tickets for Ape Cave are required for each vehicle parking on-site. Thank you for your cooperation!
Lewis River Recreation Area Tickets Timed Entry
The Lewis River Recreation Area is located in the heart of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. This area provides access to the popular Lewis River Trail and associated waterfall viewing. The Lewis River trail winds along a gentle grade through a magnificent Douglas fir, western red cedar and big leaf maple old-growth forest with abundant side streams, springs, and waterfalls. There are multiple access points along this 14-mile trail, including trailheads at Curly Creek Falls, Lower Falls, Middle Falls, and Quartz Creek. This trail is popular with mountain bikers, hikers, and waterfall enthusiasts, especially on hot summer days. There are two campgrounds in the Lewis River Recreation Area: Lower Falls Campground (reservations available on Recreation.gov) and Lewis River Horse Camp (First Come, First Served Only ). You can find more information here: http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/gp/LRRA
The Lewis River Recreation Area Ticket and other site requirements are necessary to provide for the protection of public health and safety and resource protection. Reservations are required June 15 through September 6. Thank you for your cooperation! Reservation MUST be printed AND a hard copy must be placed on vehicle dashboard upon arrival in the Lewis River Recreation Area.
Kalama Horse Camp Campground
List of CampsitesOverview
Kalama Horse Camp is located just outside the west boundary of Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. 27 sites accomodate primarily equestrian users, with nearby access to trails for horseback riding, hiking and biking.
Recreation
Interpretive Sites
Hiking, biking and horseback riding trails
Facilities
Picnic Shelter
Hitching Posts and Mounting Blocks
Nearby Attractions
Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument
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.
Group Sites
Group Facility (including Cabins and Lookouts): A visitor who cancels a group overnight facility reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use 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.
Atkisson Group camp Campground
List of CampsitesOverview
Sitting just west of Washington's second largest mountain, Mt. Adams, Atkisson Group Camp is open for campers between May and September and becomes a sno-park for a variety of activities in winter. The flat, forested terrain makes Atkisson a popular spot for hikers, mountain bikers and winter sports enthusiasts.Recreation
The flat terrain surrounding Atkisson is ideal for biking and hiking during the warmer months. Huckleberry and mushroom picking is permitted, and Nordic skiing and and snowmobiling are popular during the winter.Facilities
This group site is a large paved area with plenty of room for RVs. There is a covered, common picnic building in the center. Atkisson will accommodate up to 50 people and offers 99 feet of paved driveway.
In winter, this area serves as Atkisson sno-park, with a covered warming shed a large wood burning stove.
Campers must bring drinking water, but vault toilets, a fire ring & picnic table are available.
Natural Features
Located in southwest Washington State, the Gifford Pinchot National Forest encompasses over 1.3 million acres, including the 110,000-acre Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument established by Congress in 1982.Atkisson is located in the Mount Adams Ranger District in the easternmost portion of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. This Ranger District comprises 367,000 acres and includes Mt Adams Wilderness, Indian Heaven Wilderness and Trapper Creek Wilderness.
Mt Adams, a potentially active stratovolcano and the second-tallest mountain in Washington state, is a prominent landmark of the District. Elevations here range between 1,200 feet at the Wind River Work Center (12 miles north of Carson, WA) and 12,276 feet at the summit of Mt. Adams.
The District also features a great diversity of habitats, from old growth to second growth forest, wetland areas, low and high elevation meadows and lakes, as well as glaciers.
contact_info
This location has limited staffing. Please call (509) 427-3677 for general information.Nearby Attractions
Atkisson is a great base for exploring the region further, including the abundance of activities and sights around Mount Adams. The nearby town of Trout Lake offers restaurants and shopping.Charges & Cancellations
Group Sites
Group Facility (including Cabins and Lookouts): A visitor who cancels a group overnight facility reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use 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.
Moss Creek campground Campground
List of CampsitesOverview
Located in the southeast corner of the Gifford-Pinchot National Forest and close to Columbia River Gorge, Moss Creek Campground sits alongside the Little White Salmon River. At an elevation of 1,400 feet, the campground is shaded by a thick canopy of hemlock, cedars, firs and maples. Moss Creek is ideal for those wishing to escape the summer heat.Recreation
The Little White Salmon River offers rainbow and brook trout for anglers. Visitors can enjoy wading in the cool waters.Facilities
This small campground has 16 sites that are ideal for tents but useable by smaller RVs and trailers.
Drinking water and vault toilets are available. Picnic tables and fire rings are provided, and firewood can be purchased on-site.
Natural Features
Located in southwest Washington State, the Gifford Pinchot National Forest encompasses 1.3 million acres and includes the 110,000-acre Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, established by Congress in 1982.Moss Creek is located in the Mount Adams Ranger District in the easternmost portion of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Mount Adams is a prominent landmark on the District, where elevations range between 1,200 and 12,276 feet.
The District features a great diversity of habitats, from old growth to second growth forest, wetland areas, low and high elevation meadows, glaciers and low and high elevation lakes.
contact_info
This location has limited staffing. Please call (509) 538-2060 for general information.Nearby Attractions
Moss Creek Campground is an excellent base for exploring the various sights around Mount Adams and the Columbia River Gorge.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.
Oklahoma campground Campground
List of CampsitesOverview
Oklahoma Campground is nestled in a lush grove of large hemlock, cedar, maple and fir trees alongside the Little White Salmon River, near the Columbia River Gorge. The campground is flat and is ideal for smaller groups to camp in clusters.
Recreation
Big Lava Bed is located just west of the campground. The trail takes hikers through a landscape marked by basalt lava formations and pine forest.The multi-use Monte Carlo Trail is also nearby and can be enjoyed by hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders.
Fishing and wading is permitted in the Little White Salmon River, where anglers can find brook and rainbow trout.
Facilities
This campground offers some tent-only sites as well as sites for RVs up to 40 feet. Site 12/13 is a double site and must be reserved as such and can accommodate up to 16 people. Parking spurs are unpaved and may be lumpy.
The campground offers amenities such as picnic tables, fire rings and potable water. Vault toilets are also available.
Natural Features
Located in southwest Washington State, the Gifford Pinchot National Forest encompasses 1.3 million acres and includes the 110,000-acre Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument established by Congress in 1982.Oklahoma Campground is located in the Mt. Adams Ranger District. Elevations here range between 1,200 feet at the Wind River Work Center, 12 miles north of Carson, WA and 12,276 feet at the summit of Mt. Adams.
The Mount Adams Ranger District features largely diverse habitats and natural features, from old growth to second growth forest, wetland areas, low and high elevation meadows, glaciers, and low and high elevation lakes.
Nearby Attractions
Oklahoma Campground's proximity to the Columbia River Gorge and Mount Adams, makes it an ideal base for exploring those areas.contact_info
This location has limited staffing. Please call (509) 427-3677 for general information.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.
North Fork Campground (WA) Campground
List of CampsitesOverview
North Fork Campground sits along the North fork of the Cispus River, shaded by a canopy of trees that include hemlock, maple and Douglas fir.This popular campground is typically open from mid-May through late September and offers standard sites in addition to the Bear, Beaver and Elk group sites.
North Fork is situated between three of Washington's most impressive mountains: Mount St. Helens, Mt. Adams and Mt. Rainier. The variety of recreational activities and the diverse natural beauty draws many visitors to this area.
Recreation
North Fork Campground makes a great base camp for a variety of activities. Hikers, mountain bikers and OHV riders can access the nearby multi-use Valley Trail. From this trail, OHV riders can enjoy a network of over 50 miles of OHV trails.The North Fork Loop and River trails are open to foot traffic and can also be accessed in this area.
Anglers can fish the Cispus River for brook trout, steelhead and salmon.
Facilities
The campground consists of 33 sites that have parking spurs, which vary from 20 to 40 feet in length. A few of these sites are 40 foot pull-through, and the rest are back-in.Picnic tables, grills and potable water are also provided. There is a host on-site and firewood is available for sale.
Natural Features
North Fork is part of the Cowlitz Valley Ranger District, which is located in the northernmost portion of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.Located in southwest Washington state, the Gifford Pinchot National Forest encompasses 1.3 million acres and includes the 110,000-acre Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument established by Congress in 1982.
This Ranger District manages four Wilderness Areas including the Goat Rocks Wilderness, Glacier View Wilderness, Tatoosh Wilderness and William O. Douglass Wilderness. Major River drainage includes the Cowlitz River, Clear Fork of the Cowlitz, and the Cispus River.
A variety of wildlife may be spotted in this area, including elk, deer and bears.
Nearby Attractions
Randle is the closest town to North Fork, and offers access to the Windy Ridge Lookout at Mount St. Helens.Adventurous hikers who want to enjoy some spectacular views may be interested in the Tongue Mountain Trail, which climbs to an elevation of 4,838 feet.
contact_info
This location has limited staffing. Please call (360) 686-3008 for general information.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.
Iron Creek Campground Campground
List of CampsitesOverview
Iron Creek Campground sits near the confluence of Iron Creek and the Cispus River. This large campground winds through a forest of old-growth Douglas firs, cedars and hemlock. Lush vegetation and ample space between sites offers excellent privacy.Recreation
Iron Creek provides great fishing for cutthroat trout, whitefish and rainbow trout.Visitors can stroll along the .3-mile Iron Creek Old Growth Trail and weave through the forest and along the Cispus River, or continue on a longer walk down the Iron Creek Campground Trail. This trail is barrier-free and designed to accommodate any age or skill level, with benches and plenty of places to stop along the way.
Facilities
There are 99 single and double family sites that are back-in and paved. Level spurs provide easy RV parking. Picnic tables, campfire rings and drinking water are provided.Natural Features
Located in southwest Washington State, the Gifford Pinchot National Forest encompasses 1.3 million acres and includes the 110,000-acre Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument established by Congress in 1982.Iron Creek is part of the Cowlitz Valley Ranger District, which is located in the northernmost portion of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. This District is roughly located among three volcanic peaks: Mt. Rainier to the north, Mt. Adams to the east, and Mount St. Helens to the west.
contact_info
This location has limited staffing. Please call (360) 686-3008 for general information.Nearby Attractions
The Woods Creek Watchable Wildlife Interpretive Site is just up Forest Road 25 toward the town of Randle. Forest Road 25 is a popular scenic drive and provides excellent views of Mount St. Helens.The Windy Ridge Viewpoint at Mount St. Helens is approximately 20 miles away.
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.
Tower Rock Campground Campground
List of CampsitesOverview
Tower Rock Campground is named for the impressive pillar that looms nearby and offers semi-private sites shaded by a mix of cedar, Douglas fir and maple.Recreation
A privately-owned trout pond offers fishing nearby, but anglers can also cast for brook trout in the Cispus River.The Burley Mountain trailhead is located off of Forest Road 28, about 4 miles from the Highway 23 intersection. From this trailhead, visitors can hike to multiple waterfalls, including Angel Falls.
Facilities
Tower Rock provides easy RV camping with paved parking spurs that can accommodate vehicles between 20 to 30 feet.
Drinking water, picnic tables and campfire rings are provided. This facility has vault toilets.
Natural Features
Tower Rock Campground is located about a quarter mile from the south bank of the Cispus River on the east side of Mount St. Helens. The terrain is mostly meadow and mountainside, as the campground is surrounded by mountains on almost every side.contact_info
This location has limited staffing. Please call (360) 686-3008 for general information.Nearby Attractions
Tower Rock Campground is just east of Mount St. Helens, making it a convenient base for exploring this volcanic monument.Layser Cave Interpretive Site, which has a short trail leading to the cave, is also nearby.
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.
Adams Fork Campground Campground
List of CampsitesOverview
Nestled among tall conifers on the Adams Creek Fork of the Cispus River, Adams Fork Campground offers single sites for tent and RV camping, as well as three double sites, with several of the sites sitting along the banks of the river.
Adams Fork Campground makes an excellent base from which to explore Mount St. Helens and the surrounding area. Nearby multi-use trails offer a myriad of recreational activities, in addition to trout fishing in the Cispus River.
Recreation
Part of the Randle Recreation Area, Adams Fork Campground is an ideal location for many recreational activities. The Valley Trail network, popular with dirt bikes and ATVs, offers 50 miles of multi-use trails close to this campground.Hikers, horseback riders and mountain bikers can also use the Valley Trail, which offers views of the Cispus River Valley and Tongue Mountain and anglers can fish for brook trout in the Cispus River.
Facilities
This campground consists of 24 paved back in sites, including three double sites that can accommodate 12 to 25 campers. Many of the sites are small but still usable by RVs, with a maximum parking spur length of 30 feet.
There are no water or electric hook-ups, but drinking water and vault toilets are provided. Fire rings are provided.
Nearby ORV trails, the campground is popular with ORV riders. Campers should expect riders coming and going from the campground.
Natural Features
Located in southwest Washington State, the Gifford Pinchot National Forest encompasses over 1.3 million acres, including the 110,000-acre Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument established by Congress in 1982.Adams Fork is part of the Cowlitz Valley Ranger District, which is located in the northernmost portion of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest in southwest Washington.
This Ranger District manages four Wilderness Areas including the Goat Rocks Wilderness, Glacier View Wilderness, Tatoosh Wilderness and William O Douglass Wilderness.
The Cispus River originates in a high glacial valley in the Goat Rocks Wilderness, and flows through heavily forested areas before before meeting the North Fork and flowing westerly past many trails and campgrounds.
Nearby Attractions
The nearby town of Randle offers an access point to the Windy Ridge viewpoint at Mount St. Helens.contact_info
This location has limited staffing. Please call (360) 686-3008 for general information.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.
Walupt Lake Campground Campground
List of CampsitesOverview
Walupt Lake Campground offers scenic views of Mt. Adams and the surrounding forest on the west end of Walupt Lake. The sites here provide plenty of privacy and ample shade form the surrounding hemlock, cedar and fir trees.
Walupt Lake Campground is a great choice for visitors looking to fish, swim, boat or explore the numerous hiking, biking and horseback riding trails in the area.
Recreation
Anglers can fish for brook, rainbow and cutthroat trout in Walupt Lake. Swimming and the use of motorized and non-motorized boats is also permitted.Numerous trailheads can be accessed from this campground. Walupt Lake Trail, Nannie Ridge Trail and Coleman Weedpatch Trail are popular hiking and equestrian trails.
Facilities
Walupt Lake Campground offers some tent-only sites, but standard sites have gravel spurs that can accommodate RVs between 20-40 feet. Each walk-in tent site along the lake shore has a small beach area.
Campsites include picnic tables and campfire rings. Vault toilets are provided on the premises.
A horse camp is adjacent to this campground.
Natural Features
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.
Nearby Attractions
Walupt Lake's location between Mt. Adams, Mt. Rainier and Mount St. Helens makes it possible to explore any of these areas on a day trip.contact_info
This location has limited staffing. Please call (360) 686-3008 for general information.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.
Takhlakh Lake Campground Campground
List of CampsitesOverview
Takhlakh Lake Campground sits at an elevation of 4,400 feet in a well-shaded location next to its namesake lake. The campground sits at the base of Mt. Adams, providing visitors with incredible views in every direction. The campground has a short season, but it's a particularly popular destination for hikers exploring the trails around Mt. Adams.
Recreation
The campsite offers access to the Takhlakh Loop, an accessible trail suitable for all ages and skill levels and the Takhlakh Meadow Trail.The lake provides an ideal spot for anglers to cast for rainbow trout and for boaters looking to kayak or canoe. The lake is reserved for non-motorized use only.
Facilities
The campground consists of 54 back-in sites with unpaved parking spurs that vary in length from 15 to 40 feet. Some sites are tent only.No drinking water is provided at this campground, but other amenities include vault toilets, picnic tables and campfire rings.
Takhlakh Lake Campground offers accessible sites and activities and amenities that support current accessibility standards.
Natural Features
Takhlakh Lake is part of the Cowlitz Valley Ranger District, which is located in the northernmost portion of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.This location offers breathtaking views of not only Mt. Adams, but also Mt. Rainier, and Mt. Saint Helens.
Nearby Attractions
Near the campground, hikers can access trailheads for the 2,663-mile Pacific Crest Trail. This leads to the Highline Trail, which attracts experienced hikers and backpackers for its views of Mt. Rainier, Mount St. Helens and Oregon's Mt. Hood.contact_info
This location has limited staffing. Please call (360) 686-3008 for general information.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.
Paradise Creek campground Campground
List of CampsitesOverview
Paradise Creek sits at the confluence of Paradise Creek and the Wind River, nestled under an old-growth forest of cedars, firs, alder and maples. The sites by the river enjoy privacy from an abundance of lush undergrowth, while the other sites have a more open and spacious feel. The campground's remote location is ideal for campers seeking a quiet and relaxed environment.
Recreation
The Wind River provides excellent fishing, with a population of steelhead and Chinook salmon. Check state regulations for open season and boundries. Wading is permitted in Paradise Creek. Fishing is not permitted in the campground.
Seasonal berry picking is a popular pastime and for visitors interested in hiking, there is access to the Lava Butte Trail 200 from the campground.
Facilities
The campground consists of 42 back-in sites with paved parking spurs that vary from 20 to 40 feet in length. The Premium Sites are adjacent to the Wind River.Each site has a picnic table and fire ring. An on-site hand pump offers drinking water, and vault toilets are available.
Natural Features
Located in southwest Washington State, the Gifford Pinchot National Forest encompasses 1.3 million acres and includes the 110,000-acre Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument established by Congress in 1982.Paradise Creek Campground is located in the Mt. Adams Ranger District. Elevations here range between 1,200 feet at the Wind River Work Center, 12 miles north of Carson, WA and 12,276 feet at the summit of Mt. Adams.
The Mount Adams Ranger District offers a large variety of habitats and natural features, from old growth to second growth forest, wetland areas, low and high elevation meadows, glaciers, and low and high elevation lakes.
Nearby Attractions
Paradise Creek is an ideal base for exploring the different viewpoints around Mount St. Helens and Mt Adams. The nearest town is Carson, WA.
contact_info
This location has limited staffing. Please call (509) 427-3677 for general information.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.
Beaver Campground Campground
List of CampsitesOverview
Beaver Campground is nestled among large, old maple and sycamore trees, offering a quiet and private family camping experience. Its location along the Wind River provides opportunities for anglers, but other recreational activities can be found in abundance here as well.On-site playground equipment and horseshoe games offer fun for all ages and the surrounding forest allows visitors the chance to discover many animal and plant species.
Recreation
The Wind River offers Chinook salmon and steelhead trout fishing for anglers.(check state regulations for season open/close) And the nearby Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife fish hatchery offers opportunities in the spring to view Chinook salmon.
Kayaks and canoes are permitted on the Wind River and the surrounding area offers opportunities for hiking, horseback riding and biking.
Berry picking is popular in season.
Facilities
This campground consists of 24 campsites that can accommodate either tents or RVs. One group site is available and can accommodate up to 50 people and 10 vehicles.
vault toilets are available and drinking water is offered on-site. Picnic tables and fire pits are provided.
Beaver Campground is very unique, having a swingset, activity field and horseshoe pit available on-site, providing entertainment for all ages.
Natural Features
Located in southwest Washington State, the Gifford Pinchot National Forest encompasses over 1.3 million acres, including the 110,000-acre Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument established by Congress in 1982.Beaver Campground is located in the Mount Adams Ranger District, in the easternmost portion of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. This district spans 367,000 acres and includes the Mt Adams Wilderness, Indian Heaven Wilderness and Trapper Creek Wilderness.
Mt Adams, a potentially active stratovolcano and the second-tallest mountain in Washington state, is a prominent landmark of the District. Elevations here range between 1,200 feet at the Wind River Work Center (12 miles north of Carson, WA) and 12,276 feet at the summit of Mt. Adams.
A great diversity of habitats and geological features are represented here, from old growth to second growth forests and wetland areas to low and high elevation meadows and lakes, as well as glaciers.
contact_info
This location has limited staffing. Please call (509) 427-3677 for general information.Nearby Attractions
Beaver Campground is one of the closest Forest Service campsites to the Columbia River Gorge and Portland, Oregon.The nearby town of Carson is known for its hot springs, but visitors can also find the Wind River Arboretum, a golf course, restaurants and shopping.
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.
Group Sites
Group Facility (including Cabins and Lookouts): A visitor who cancels a group overnight facility reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use 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.
Peterson Prairie Campground Campground
List of CampsitesOverview
Peterson Prairie Campground offers shaded and secluded campsites nestled in a forest of large pine, spruce and fir trees. The campground tends is popular among huckleberry pickers.
At an elevation of 2,800 ft., Peterson Prairie offers a cool summertime climate during the hottest part of the season. Several kid-friendly attractions are a short distance away, making this campground a great choice for families.
Recreation
Seasonal harvesting of huckleberries and mushrooms is a popular pastime.
Natural Bridges and Ice Cave are scenic, family-friendly nature trails near Peterson Prairie Campground. A stairway leading into the Ice Cave allows convenient access to the cave's incredible ice formations. Please be prepared when visiting the caves. Information is avaialble at the campground and the Mt Adams Ranger Station.
Facilities
Drinking water and vault toilets are available. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring. The sites are spacious with gravel parking spurs.
Natural Features
Located in southwest Washington State, the Gifford Pinchot National Forest encompasses 1.3 million acres and includes the 110,000-acre Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument established by Congress in 1982.
Peterson Prairie is located in the Mt. Adams Ranger District. Nearest town is Trout Lake, WA.
The Mount Adams Ranger District offers a large variety of habitats and natural features, from old growth to second growth forest, wetland areas, low and high elevation meadows, glaciers, and low and high elevation lakes.
Nearby Attractions
This campground is near Bird Creek Meadows, a trail that offers spectacular wildflower displays and opportunities to observe numerous birds.Goose Lake is 8 miles west of the campground and offers excellent trout fishing.
contact_info
This location has limited staffing. Please call (509) 427-3677 for general information.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.
Group Sites
Group Facility (including Cabins and Lookouts): A visitor who cancels a group overnight facility reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use 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.
North Fork Bear Group Camp Campground
List of CampsitesOverview
Shaded by a dense canopy of pine, fir and cedar trees, North Fork Bear Group sits alongside the Cispus River in the North Fork Campground. Typically open from mid-May to late September, North Fork Bear Group is one of three popular group sites within the campground.North Fork is situated between three of Washington's most impressive mountains; Mount St. Helens, Mt. Adams and Mt. Rainier. The variety of recreational activities and the diverse natural beauty draws many visitors to this area.
Recreation
North Fork Bear Group makes a great base camp for a variety of activities. Hikers, mountain bikers and off-road vehicle riders can access the nearby multi-use Valley Trail. From this trail, riders can enjoy a network of over 50 miles of additional off-road vehicle trails.The North Fork Loop trail is open to foot traffic and can also be accessed in this area.
Anglers can fish the Cispus River for brook trout, steelhead and salmon.
Facilities
The group site will accommodate up to 25 people with tents and RVs. It's secluded with gated access.Picnic tables, grills and drinking water are provided. There is a host on-site and firewood is available for sale.
Natural Features
Located in southwest Washington state, the Gifford Pinchot National Forest encompasses 1.3 million acres and includes the 110,000-acre Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, established by Congress in 1982.North Fork is part of the Cowlitz Valley Ranger District, which is located in the northernmost portion of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.
This Ranger District manages four Wilderness Areas including the Goat Rocks, Glacier View, Tatoosh and William O. Douglass Wilderness. Nearby rivers include the Cowlitz River, Clear Fork of the Cowlitz and the Cispus River.
A variety of wildlife may be spotted in this area, including elk, deer and bears.
Nearby Attractions
Randle is the closest town to North Fork, and it offers access to the Windy Ridge Lookout at Mount St. Helens. Adventurous hikers who want to enjoy some spectacular views may be interested in the Tongue Mountain Trail, which reaches an elevation of 4,838 feet.contact_info
This location is unstaffed. To speak with our main office for general information, please call: (360) 686-3008.Charges & Cancellations
Group Sites
Group Facility (including Cabins and Lookouts): A visitor who cancels a group overnight facility reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use 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.
North Fork Beaver Group Camp Campground
List of CampsitesOverview
North Fork Beaver Group sits alongside the Cispus River in the North Fork Campground, shaded by a dense canopy of pine, fir and cedar trees. Typically open from mid-May through late September, North Fork Beaver Group is one of three popular group sites within the compound.North Fork is situated between three of Washington's most impressive mountains: Mount St. Helens, Mt. Adams and Mt. Rainier. The variety of recreational activities and the diverse natural beauty draws many visitors to this area.
Recreation
North Fork Beaver Group makes a great base camp for a variety of activities. Hikers, mountain bikers and OHV riders can access the nearby multi-use Valley Trail. From this trail, OHV riders can enjoy a network of over 50 miles of OHV trails.The North Fork Loop trail is open to foot traffic and can also be accessed in this area.
Anglers can fish the Cispus River for brook trout, steelhead and salmon.
Facilities
The group site can accommodate up to 40 people with tents and RVs. It is secluded with gated access and offers visitors picnic tables, grills and drinking water.There is a host on-site and firewood is available for sale.
Natural Features
North Fork is part of the Cowlitz Valley Ranger District, which is located in the northernmost portion of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.Located in southwest Washington state, the Gifford Pinchot National Forest encompasses 1.3 million acres and includes the 110,000-acre Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument established by Congress in 1982.
This Ranger District manages four Wilderness Areas including the Goat Rocks Wilderness, Glacier View Wilderness, Tatoosh Wilderness and William O. Douglass Wilderness. Major River drainage includes the Cowlitz River, Clear Fork of the Cowlitz and the Cispus River.
A variety of wildlife may be spotted in this area, including elk, deer and bears.
contact_info
This location is unstaffed. To speak with our main office for general information, please call: (360) 686-3008.Nearby Attractions
Randle is the closest town to North Fork, and offers access to the Windy Ridge Lookout at Mount St. Helens.Adventurous hikers who want to enjoy some spectacular views may be interested in the Tongue Mountain Trail, which climbs to an elevation of 4,838 feet.
Charges & Cancellations
Group Sites
Group Facility (including Cabins and Lookouts): A visitor who cancels a group overnight facility reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use 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.
North Fork Elk Group Camp Campground
List of CampsitesOverview
North Fork Elk Group sits alongside the Cispus River in the North Fork Campground, shaded by a dense canopy of pine, fir and cedar trees. The facility is typically open from mid-May through late September, and is one one of three group sites within the campground.North Fork is situated between three of Washington's most impressive mountains: Mount St. Helens, Mt. Adams and Mt. Rainier. The variety of recreational activities and the diverse natural beauty draws many visitors to this area.
Recreation
North Fork Elk Group makes a great base camp for a variety of activities. Hikers, mountain bikers and OHV riders can access the nearby multi-use Valley Trail. From this trail, OHV riders can enjoy a network of over 50 miles of OHV trails.The North Fork Loop trail is open to foot traffic and can also be accessed in this area.
Anglers can fish the Cispus River for brook trout, steelhead and salmon.
Facilities
This tent-only site has six tent pads and will accommodate up to 30 people. It's secluded with gated access and offers picnic tables, grills and drinking water.There is a host on-site and firewood is available for sale.
Natural Features
North Fork is part of the Cowlitz Valley Ranger District, which is located in the northernmost portion of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.Located in southwest Washington state, the Gifford Pinchot National Forest encompasses 1.3 million acres and includes the 110,000-acre Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument established by Congress in 1982.
This Ranger District manages four Wilderness Areas including the Goat Rocks Wilderness, Glacier View Wilderness, Tatoosh Wilderness and William O. Douglass Wilderness. Major River drainage includes the Cowlitz River, Clear Fork of the Cowlitz, and the Cispus River.
A variety of wildlife may be spotted in this area, including elk, deer and bears.
Nearby Attractions
Randle is the closest town to North Fork, and it offers access to the Windy Ridge Lookout at Mount St. Helens.Adventurous hikers who want to enjoy some spectacular views may be interested in the Tongue Mountain Trail, which climbs to an elevation of 4,838 feet.
contact_info
This location is unstaffed. To speak with our main office for general information, please call: (360) 686-3008.Charges & Cancellations
Group Sites
Group Facility (including Cabins and Lookouts): A visitor who cancels a group overnight facility reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use 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.
Panther Creek campground Campground
List of CampsitesOverview
The Campground sits along Panther Creek at the intersection of the Pacific Crest Trail.
Driving on FR65, 4.7 miles upstream from the campground, visitors can enjoy an easy hike to Panther Falls.
Campers can enjoy the privacy provided by a variety of shade-loving plants and a thick forest of cedars, ash, firs and alder.
Recreation
Hikers have close access to the Pacific Crest Trail, which spans 2,663 miles from Mexico to Canada. Outstanding scenic views are available all along this trail.
Facilities
The campground consists of 33 back-in sites with parking spurs that vary from 20 to 40 feet in length.The campground's Premium Sites are adjacent to the creek and each site comes with a picnic table and grill. Potable water and vault toilets are also available.
Natural Features
Located in southwest Washington State, the Gifford Pinchot National Forest encompasses 1.3 million acres and includes the 110,000-acre Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument established by Congress in 1982.Panther Creek Campground is located in the Mt. Adams Ranger District. Elevations here range between 1,200 feet at the Wind River Work Center, 12 miles north of Carson, WA and 12,276 feet at the summit of Mt. Adams.
The Mount Adams Ranger District offers a diverse array of habitats and natural features, from old growth to second growth forest, wetland areas, low and high elevation meadows, glaciers, and low and high elevation lakes.
contact_info
This location has limited staffing. Please call (509) 427-3677 for general information.Nearby Attractions
Panther Creek Campground makes a great base to explore Mount Adams and the Columbia River Gorge.The town of Carson is nearby, which is known for its hot springs. It also has a golf course, restaurants and shopping.
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.
Blue Lake Creek Campground - Gifford Pinchot NF (WA) Campground
List of CampsitesOverview
In a well-shaded location among maple trees and ferns, Blue Lake Creek Campground offers open, grassy spaces with sites that can accommodate both tents and RVs with a small brook that babbles through the campground.Both Blue Lake and the Cispus River can be reached from multi-use trails leaving the campground, making this location popular among hikers, mountain bikers and OHV riders.
Recreation
There is direct access to the Valley Trail, which is used by OHV riders, mountain bikers, hikers and horseback riders. Valley Trail offers a network of over 50 miles of OHV trails.The shorter High Log Trail is only open to foot traffic and connects with the Cispus River, where fishing and other water activities abound.
Hikers looking to explore the stunning scenery of Blue Lake, can take the Valley Trail #270 to the Blue Lake Trail, which leads visitors on a trek of moderate difficulty to Blue Lake, where fishing and beautiful mountain landscapes await.
Facilities
The campground consists of 11 back in sites with paved parking spurs that vary from 20 to 30 feet in length. Due to its popularity among OHV riders, Blue Lake Creek can become noisy when trail bikes come and go.Minimal privacy is provided between sites. Hookups and drinking water are not available at this facility, however there are picnic tables, grills and vault toilets available on site.
Natural Features
Located in southwest Washington State, the Gifford Pinchot National Forest encompasses over 1.3 million acres, including the 110,000-acre Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument established by Congress in 1982.Blue Lake Creek Campground is located in the Cowlitz Valley Ranger District, which is in the northernmost portion of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.
This Ranger District manages four Wilderness Areas including the Goat Rocks Wilderness, Glacier View Wilderness, Tatoosh Wilderness and William O Douglass Wilderness.
The Cispus River runs nearby the campground and can be accessed via a short hike. Blue Lake, a small mountain lake with beautiful turquoise waters, can also be reached by via a trail leaving the campground.
contact_info
This location has limited staffing. Please call (360) 686-3008 for general information.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.
La Wis Wis Campground Campground
List of CampsitesOverview
Situated at the confluence of three waterways near Mount Rainier, La Wis Wis is nestled under a canopy of towering Douglas firs and red cedars. The handful of sites that dot the riverbank enjoy the most sunshine.With an abundance of activities nearby, La Wis Wis is a popular destination for long-stay camping. Its proximity to Mount Rainier National Park makes it an excellent base for exploring all of the area's natural wonders.
Recreation
Hikers can easily access the Blue Hole Trail and Purcell Falls Trail from La Wis Wis.Anglers can fish for rainbow trout, cutthroat trout and whitefish at either Butter Creek or Skate Creek.
Facilities
La Wis Wis is ideal for tents, car campers and truck campers with a slide-in. The Hatchery Loop sites can accommodate RVs, but navigation through other parts of the campground may be difficult due to narrow roadways and large trees.The campground features 122 sites, including walk-in tent camping. Both vault and flush toilets are available. Picnic tables, picnic shelters and grills are provided.
Drinking water is available on-site at the main part of the camp. Campers staying at the Hatchery Loop need to bring potable water or get water at the main site.
Natural Features
Located in southwest Washington State, the Gifford Pinchot National Forest encompasses 1.3 million acres and includes the 110,000-acre Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, established by Congress in 1982.La Wis Wis is located in the Tatoosh Wilderness area of the Cowlitz Valley Ranger District. The campground sits where the Ohanapecosh River, Cowlitz River and Purcell Creek meet.
The campground features old-growth forest and opportunities to observe a variety of wildlife.
contact_info
This location has limited staffing. Please call (360) 686-3008 for general information.Nearby Attractions
La Wis Wis is located near the entrance to Mount Rainier National Park. The popular Henry M Jackson Memorial Visitor Center at Paradise within Mount Rainier National Park is 28 miles away.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.
Group Sites
Group Facility (including Cabins and Lookouts): A visitor who cancels a group overnight facility reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use 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.
Big Creek (Gifford Pinchot National Forest, WA) Campground
List of CampsitesOverview
Situated in the vicinity of majestic Mount Rainier, Big Creek is a family campground nestled among Douglas firs, hemlock, alders and maples. The lush vegetation offers plenty of privacy between sites.The sites at Big Creek form a loop, with only a handful of sites sitting along the banks of Big Creek. Open from mid-May through late September, Big Creek provides an alternative to the campgrounds at Mount Rainier National Park, which can get very crowded during the summer.
Recreation
Anglers can try their luck at catching brook trout in Big Creek or for those looking to explore the area, the Osborne Mountain Trail starts at the campground. The route is steep, but the scenery is amazing, and the trail can be traversed by foot, horse, mountain bike or dirt bike.Facilities
The campground requires vehicles to have a relatively tight turning radius. Big Creek can accommodate tents, trailers and RVs, with a maximum vehicle length of 22 feet.Some parking spurs are paved; others are native moss and dirt. Some sites have rocks or heavy vegetation, which may make it difficult to pitch a tent.
Drinking water is available, but there are no hot showers available onsite. Vault toilets are provided as well as a pedestal grill, fire pit and picnic table at each site.
Gray water disposal facilities are located throughout the campground.
Natural Features
Located in southwest Washington State, the Gifford Pinchot National Forest encompasses over 1.3 million acres and includes the 110,000-acre Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument established by Congress in 1982.Big Creek is located in the Cowlitz Valley Ranger District, the northernmost portion of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. This Ranger District manages four Wilderness Areas including the Goat Rocks Wilderness, Glacier View Wilderness, Tatoosh Wilderness and William O' Douglass Wilderness.
The Cowlitz Valley Ranger District is roughly located among three volcanic peaks: Mt. Rainier to the north, Mt. Adams to the east, and Mt. St. Helens to the west, providing visitors with a unique geological landscape.
Nearby Attractions
Big Creek is 6 miles from the Nisqually entrance of Mount Rainier National Park. The popular Henry M. Jackson Memorial Visitor Center at Paradise is 21 miles away, and the nearby town of Ashford offers restaurants, along with a few art galleries and shops.contact_info
This location has limited staffing. Please call (360) 686-3008 for general information.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.
GOVT MINERAL SPRINGS GUARD STA Campground
List of CampsitesOverview
Nestled in a grove of towering old-growth conifer trees, the Government Mineral Springs Guard Station is a delightful setting for guests seeking relaxation and recreation in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.The Government Mineral Springs area has been a draw to recreation enthusiasts since the early 1900's. In 1910, S.D. Fox and the Star Brewing Company of Portland began construction of a hotel near Trapper Creek, which eventually became known as Government Mineral Springs. The popular resort boasted bath houses, Iron Mike Bubbling Springs, a dance pavilion, store, ice cream parlor, goldfish ponds and flower gardens. Early advertisements for the resort claimed the mineral water spas were capable of curing physical ailments. In 1935, the hotel burned to the ground.
Camping remained popular at the site, and in 1937, the Civilian Conservation Corps significantly expanded and developed the public campground and built the guard station, which was used for Forest Service administration of the campground and other local recreational use. Today, the cabin provides a unique lodging opportunity.
Guests should be aware that during the winter season, the cabin is only accessible via a half-mile trek on skis, snowshoes or snowmobiles from the parking area.
There is no motor vehicle access from the road that leads to the cabin when snow is present on the road. Parking at the snow park is required, and requires a snow park pass. This pass can be purchased at local vendors.
Recreation
Many recreational opportunities are within close proximity of the Guard Station, including fishing, hiking, biking, mushroom and huckleberry picking, hunting, skiing and snowshoeing.Nearby fishing opportunities include spring chinook fishing on the Wind River and lake fishing for brown and brook trout in Soda Peaks Lake, in Trapper Creek Wilderness.
A short drive from the cabin is the Falls Creek Falls Trail, a 3.5-mile round-trip hike for the whole family. Accessible year round, the trail follows a forested creek before crossing a suspension bridge, then traverses a side slope which offers views of the creek and interesting rock formations. At the end of the trail is lower Falls Creek Falls, a three-tiered waterfall which drops nearly 250 feet into a pool below the viewpoint.
Facilities
The two-story cabin can accommodate up to nine guests. The lower floor has a large kitchen with a propane stove, dining room and living room with a table and chairs, fireplace and two futon couches that fold out into double beds. Two upstairs bedrooms can accommodate five guests, with two single beds in one bedroom, and one bunk-bed that sleeps three in a second bedroom. Propane heat, lights and a cooking stove are provided along with wood for the fireplace. Pots, pans, dishes and cooking utensils are provided. A vault toilet is located on site.There is no potable water at the cabin, and guests are encouraged to bring plenty for drinking, cooking and washing. A stream within 300 feet of the guard station may be used as a water source; however, the water must be treated or boiled before drinking. Melted snow can be used for washing, but is not safe for drinking.
Although the cabin has several amenities, guests do need to provide their own sleeping bags, linens, towels, dish soap, matches, first aid kit, toilet paper and garbage bags. Bringing an additional light source in case of emergencies is also advised.
Natural Features
Trapper Creek Wilderness is within walking distance of the guard station, boasting 6,050 acres of diverse habitat. Cascading streams and waterfalls are plentiful throughout the steep slopes at the lower elevations, while huckleberry fields occur higher near Observation Peak.Wildlife abounds in the area. Animals commonly seen include black tail deer, Roosevelt elk and black bear. The more elusive cougar, bobcat and pine marten are seen occasionally. Spotted owls, barred owls, pileated woodpeckers and goshawks inhabit the forest treetops.
Nearby Attractions
The guard station is located between Mt. St Helens National Volcanic Monument and the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, convenient for day trips.Peterson Prairie Cabin Campground
List of CampsitesOverview
The Peterson Cabin is located on the Mt. Adams Ranger District, is powered by propane, and wood heat and can sleep six people. The cabin was salvaged from demolition in 2014 and moved into place of a cabin that was razed by fire in 2012. The cabin has been meticulously restored and is open year round. Between December 1st and April 1st the road to the cabin is closed. Parking at Atkisson Sno-Park is required between these dates and a Washington State Sno-Park Pass is required. Ski, snowshoe or snowmobilers can access the cabin from Atkisson Sno-Park.Recreation
Many recreational opportunities are within close proximity of the cabin. Hiking, biking, fishing, hunting and mushroom and huckleberry picking are popular during the snow-free months. Guests can enjoy cross-country skiing and snowshoeing during winter.The Pacific Crest Trail, Indian Heaven Wilderness and Mt. Adams Wilderness are all within easy driving distance and boast scenic vistas.
Atkisson Sno-Park is approximately 2.5 miles from the cabin and serves as a portal to the forest's network of 95 miles of groomed snowmobile trails. Three signed, ungroomed cross-country ski loops also depart from the Atkisson Sno-Park, offering loop opportunities of 4 to 11 miles. Portions of these loops overlap with each other and the snowmobile trail network.
Facilities
Peterson Cabin accommodates up to six guests. The rustic cabin's lower floor has an accessible bedroom with a double bed, a kitchen area and living/dining room with two loveseats and a fireplace/wood stove insert. Propane lighting and heating are provided throughout. The kitchen is equipped with a propane cook top, stove, and refrigerator, pots and pans, dishes and utensils, as well as a dining table and four chairs. An outdoor picnic table and vault toilet are on-site. Firewood is provided.
No water is available during from October through Spring; guests must bring plenty for drinking, cooking and washing. In the summer months potable water is available.
Although the cabin has several amenities, guests do need to provide their own sleeping bags, linens, towels, dish soap, matches, first aid kit, toilet paper and garbage bags. Bringing an additional light source in case of emergencies is also advised.
Natural Features
A dense canopy of Douglas fir towers over the cabin and huckleberry bushes are thick in the understory.Nearby Mt. Adams Wilderness is dominated by its namesake peak. At an elevation of 12,276 feet, Mount Adams looms over at least ten glaciers, forested slopes and subalpine meadows.
Wildlife in the area is abundant, including spotted owls, black tail deer, Roosevelt elk and black bear. The more elusive cougar, bobcat and pine marten are seen occasionally.
Nearby Attractions
Guler Ice Cave is one mile west of the cabin. It is filled with spectacular ice formations that resemble stalactites, stalagmites, columns, fans and boxwork. The ice is believed to form because the cave acts as a trap, retaining the heavy cold air that settles into the cave in winter. As the snow melts above, moisture dripping into the cave forms into ice columns and masses. The cave is about 650 feet long, with four sections separated by three ceiling collapses.The Forest Service has built a stairway down to the cave, but the steps can be slippery during winter. When exploring the cave, wear warm clothing, boots and a helmet. Use crampons if you have them. Have three sources of light.
Winter access requires cross-country skis, snowshoes or snowmobile. Many of the ice formations are just inside the cave entrance, so it's not necessary to explore deep inside.
Sunset Falls Campground Campground
List of CampsitesOverview
Sunset Campground is located in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Visitors enjoy scenic views of the river and a waterfall within the campground. The campground is open all year.
Recreation
There are several hiking trails nearby, including the Silver Star trail which offers excellent views of Portland, Oregon. The area is also popular with kayakers that visit the East Fork Lewis River.Facilities
Sunset Campground offers 18 standard sites that accommodate tents and RVs (22 feet), but no hookups are available. Picnic tables and campfire rings with grills are provided, as are 3 vault toilets and trash receptacles.Natural Features
The campground is just off the East Fork Lewis River at an elevation of 1,000 feet. The campground road and trail path to the falls are paved and shaded by large evergreen trees.Nearby Attractions
The campground is located in between Mount St. Helens and Mount Adams, and only about an hour north of Portland, Oregon.contact_info
This location is staffed. Please call (360) 686-3008 to speak with local staff.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.
Climbers Bivouac Trailhead Facility
A 2.7 mile winding gravel road (Forest Road 830) leads you to Climber’s Bivouac and the trailhead for Ptarmigan Trail #216A, the start of the Monitor Ridge Climbing Route. Fourteen or so tent pads with fire pits are available, as well as dispersed camping. Sites are first come, first served only. There are pit toilets, but no water.
America the Beautiful, Northwest Forest Passes or $5 per vehicle per day in the fee tube cover the recreation fee. Parking is limited, with overflow parking available at Marble Mountain Sno-Park, the parking for the winter climbing route, located about seven miles away. Please park motorhomes or travel trailers at Marble Mountain Sno-Park lots.
Monitor Ridge Climbing Route Facility
The Monitor Ridge Climbing Route is the primary route used by climbers during the summer to reach Mount St Helens Summit. It is a non-technical scramble, gaining 4,500 feet in 5 miles. Most climbers complete the round trip in 7 to 12 hours.
The climbing route used in the summer months begins at Climber's Bivouac south of the volcano. At 3,700 feet elevation, Climber's Bivouac has the highest vehicle access on Mount St. Helens. Start on Ptarmigan Trail #216A which climbs 1,100 feet in 2 1/4 miles to timberline at 4,800 feet elevation.
Above timberline, the route generally follows Monitor Ridge, climbing steeply through lava flows and loose pumice and ash. From timberline the route is marked with large wooden posts to about 7,000 feet elevation. The upper 1,300 feet of the route is unmarked and covered with loose, rock, pumice and ash. On your descent, take care to stay on route. A minor detour may put you far off route at timberline.
Miners Car Interpretive Site Facility
View the sobering remains of a Pontiac Grand Prix pummeled and thrown by the 1980 lateral blast. The owners parked it and walked about a mile to a cabin near Black Rock Mine, and did not survive the blast.
For information about accessible recreation opportunities in Pacific Northwest National Forests, visit http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/r6/accessiblerecreation
Lava Canyon Interpretive Site Facility
Discover more about Mount St. Helens eruptive past in this much more stark, higher-elevation setting. Access Lava Canyon Trail #184 at this site. Travel along the trail and explore a mudflow-scoured canyon with views of a waterfall plunging over an ancient lava flow. Continue on the Lava Canyon Trail for more challenging hiking experiences with rewarding views.
Accessible Adventures Video featuring Lava Canyon Trail:
Coldwater Lake Picnic and Boating Site Facility
Coldwater Lake Recreation Area is located 45 miles east of Castle Rock in the heart of the blast zone near the Science and Learning Center at Coldwater and Johnston Ridge Observatory. Experience the effect the May 18, 1980 eruption had on the Coldwater Valley, including creating a brand new lake. Kayaking is popular here. Combustion engines are prohibited on the lake, but anglers reach trophy trout by electric motors, rowing, or kicking. See Restrictions section.
The 0.6 miles accessible Birth of a Lake Interpretive Trail allows visitors to enjoy close up views of Coldwater Lake.
Accessible Adventures Video
Sno-Park: Cougar Facility
Access point for the Kalama Ski Trail, and Forest Road 81 snowmobile route. The trail system offers 25 miles of snowmobile trails and 18 kilometers ungroomed ski trails. All trails are multi-use and shared with non-motorized recreationists. Parking for approximately 15 vehicles.
View a map of the Kalama Ski Trail and surrounding trails at Cougar Sno-Park.
Alert: The winter mountain climbing route is closed to snowmobile users to improve safety for winter climbers, skiers and snowshoers. Climbing permits required for everyone above 4,800 feet on Mount St. Helens.
Harmony Falls Viewpoint Facility
Enjoy a view of Spirit Lake with its still-floating raft of logs deposited during the 1980 eruption. An interpretive display shares the magic of the forest and lake, pre-eruption. Depart on the steep, one-mile Harmony Trail #224 that leads to the lakeshore. Harmony Falls is not visible. The site was submerged by the May 18, 1980 landslide which slammed into Spirit Lake, causing a 200-foot rise in lake level.
Lahar Viewpoint Interpretive Site Facility
This 1980 mudflow area offers an outstanding view of Mount St. Helen’s (non-crater) south side. The v-notch on the mountain once held Shoestring Glacier, which was liquified along with the surrounding mountain snow from the heat of the eruption. Water mixed with rock and ash, creating a giant lahar (destructive mudflow originating on a volcano) which swept down St. Helens at 100 miles per hour. It raced through the forest and across this location, shearing off most trees and debarking others as far as 30 feet up. A variety of trees, plants and wildlife now inhabit this once-barren mudflow.
Accessible Adventures Video
Meta Lake Interpretive Site Facility
This site provides access to the short paved Meta Lake Trail #210 that leads to a clear blue lake teeming with life. Come and hear stories about plant and animal survivors and new arrivals. During July you may see swarms of squirming tadpoles along the lakeshore on their journey to adulthood.
Interpretive talks are offered daily during the summer. Look for a Forest Interpreter at this site at various times during the day. Program times are posted on the information board.
Please note: This site is inaccessible much of the year due to weather conditions.
Accessible Adventures Video
Blast Edge Viewpoint; Monument Entry Facility
The lateral blast during the 1980 eruption thundered across the landscape as far as 17 miles from the volcano, blasting away, flattening or leaving standing dead trees. Stop and marvel at the still-standing dead trees killed by the heat during the eruption at the outer edge of the blast zone. The site marks the eastern entrance to the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument.
For information about accessible recreation opportunities in Pacific Northwest National Forests, visit http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/r6/accessiblerecreation
Smith Creek Trailhead (Road 8322) Facility
Provides access to: Smith Creek Trail #225
Forest Road 8303 Facility
Access road to Trail of Two Forests and Ape Cave
Forest Road 8123 Facility
Access to Blue Lake Trailhead.
Forest Road 8322 Facility
Access road to Lower Smith Creek Trailhead.
Trailhead: Chain-of-Lakes Facility
Provides access to: High Lakes Trail #116 northeast of Ollallie Lake and southwest of Horseshoe Lake and Keenes Horse Camp.
Trailhead: High Rock/Greenwood Lake Facility
Provides access to: High Rock Trail #266 to the north and Greenwood Lake Trail #253 to the south.
Horse Camp: Keenes Facility
This campground is located in a high elevation stand of lodgepole pine and mixed conifers. There are 13 sites, 26 hi-line posts, one mounting ram and two manure bins. Water for stock is available. Bring your own drinking water. Mt. Adams Wilderness is just outside the campground to the south. Numerous trails are nearby including the High Lakes Trail #116, Keenes Trail #120 and Muddy Meadows Trail #13. Be sure to fill out a Wilderness Permit before riding in the Wilderness.
Trailhead: Jackpot Lake Facility
Provides access to: Klickitat Trail #7 east of Cispus Lookout adjacent to Jackpot Lake.
Dark Divide Roadless Area Facility
The Dark Divide Roadless Area provides great opportunities for extended trips along rock studded ridges and cirques carved by long extinct glaciers. Several trails provide scenic access to Boundary Trail #1 through mixed conifer and old-growth forests.
The historic Boundary Trail was important in the early history of the Forest Service. Well established by 1911, the trail served as the principal route for rangers on horseback patrols on the boundary between the Rainier and Columbia Forest Reserves. It is now a National Recreation Trail, offering a backpacking opportunity or shorter hikes to rocky peaks and sub alpine meadows, all with outstanding views.
Forest Road 23 Facility
Forest Road 23 accesses the east side of the Gifford Pinchot N. F. It connects the Cowlitz Valley Ranger District and the Mt. Adams Ranger District passing through beautiful high Cascades and Wilderness senery along the way. Driving along Upper Cispus River and Mt. Adams Wilderness Area, with ajacent roads to High Lakes area access available.
FR 23 is not maintained in winter, Baby Shoe Pass is not accessible. It re-opens in the snow free months in early Summer through Fall. It is paved for most of its route, there is a 12 mile gravel stretch over Babyshoe Pass.
Forest Road 99 Facility
Forest Road 99 accesses Windy Ridge interpretive sites and recreation trails on the east side of Mount St Helens.
It meets Forest Road 25 near Wakepish Sno-park running to Windy Ridge and other Spirit Lake overlooks past places such as Bear Meadow Viewpoint, Miner's Car, Meta Lake and Cascade Peaks.
This is one of the most popular back-country destinations on the Forest and Monument with enough to see and do to fill more than a full day.
Forest Road 90 Facility
Forest Road 90 is a designated Federal Forest Highway and accesses residences along Swift Reservoir and beyond. It is the main east-west artery in the center on the Gifford Pinchot.
Important Forest sites along FR 90 include Pine Creek Information Center, Lewis River Falls, Twin Falls Campground, Ollalie and Takhlakh lakes and Mt. Adams Wilderness Area.
FR 90 is plowed to Pine Creek in winter and is passable the rest of the way as snow melts in late spring and early summer.
Forest Road 30/Wind River Highway Facility
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.
Trailhead: Upper Gotchen Creek (FR 8040) Facility
Provides access to: Gotchen Creek Trail #40 from the north.
Primitive parking lot with limited parking. Up to 2 cars maximum.
Huckleberry Access Facility
This viewpoint area offers a view of Mount St Helens. In season it is an ideal spot to find huckleberries. It is paved with plenty of room for RV's.
Sno-Park: SnowKing Facility
In a mature and varied forest setting interspersed with mountain meadows and geographic features, this park is near the Mt. Adams Wilderness. Here visitors will find access to trails leading to remote forest lakes, high-mountain elevations and some of the most spectacular country found anywhere.
Ski trails around SnowKing Sno-Park
This Sno-park is a heavily used by both motorized and non-motorized users. The area accesses 20 miles of non-motorized, groomed cross-country ski trails and many miles of backcountry ski and snowmobile terrain. No groomed snowmobile trails.
Trailhead: Bluff Lake Facility
Provides access to: Trail #65 Bluff Lake within Goat Rocks Wilderness.
Trailhead: Buck Creek-Lower Facility
Provides access to: Buck Creek Trail #54 just north of Mount Adams Horse Camp.
This parking lot has a 4 vehicle capacity.
Trailhead: Middle Trail (Upper) Facility
Provides access to: Upper Middle Trail #26.
Parking for 2 vehicles.
Trailhead: Monte Carlo-Upper Facility
Provides access to: Monte Carlo #52 and Monte Cristo #53 trail system.
Limited parking.
Trailhead: Monte Cristo-Lower Facility
Provides access to: Monte Cristo Trail #53 which links up to Monte Carlo Trail #52.
Limited parking.
Trailhead: Monte Cristo-Upper Facility
Provides access to: Monte Christo Trail #53 from the north.
Limited parking down a rough rock road.
Trailhead: Sand Lake Facility
Provides access to: Sand Lake Trail #60 which enters William O. Douglas Wilderness from the south. Sand Lake Trail climbs to meet the Pacific Crest Trail #2000 at Sand Lake.
Trailhead: Stagman Ridge Facility
Provides access to: Stagman Ridge Trail #12 which enters Mt. Adams Wilderness.
Gravel parking area with space for 10 vehicles.
Road can be narrow.
Trailhead: Thomas Lake Facility
Provides access to: Thomas Lake Trail #111 which enters Indian Heaven Wilderness from the west.
Gravel parking area for 10 vehicles.
Site: Walupt Lake Day Use Picnic Area Facility
Within Walupt Lake Campground.
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 Wilderness.
Forest Road 51 /Curly Creek Cut-off Facility
This short road is very popular, connecting Forest Road 90 along the Lewis River with Forest Road 30 along the Wind River. A scenic drive from Carson or Cougar will bring you through the center of the southern end of the forest accessing all the Lewis and Wind river attractions, Government Mineral Springs, Trapper Creek and Indian Heaven Wildernesses, and many other destinations.
Rivers and Streams Facility
The Gifford Pinchot National Forest area is home to numerous streams and rivers, many of which are popular for fishing.
Forest Road 85 Facility
FR 85 travels south from FR 52 near Big Creek Campground, to FR 47. The road is paved from FR 52 for approximately 6 miles to the FR 8440 jct., then becomes gravel.
The road provides access to FR 8440 that goes to Highrock Lookout TH.
The road also takes you to areas of Huckleberry picking.
Forest Road 75 Facility
FR 75 travels north from Silverbrook Road in Randle and enters into private timber company lands. The road accesses Watch Mountain and Watch Lake.
Forest Road 41 Facility
Road to Bluff Mountain Trail #172 and Starway Trail #175. Access Forest Road 4109 to Silver Star Trailhead.
Forest Road 52/Skate Creek Road Facility
Forest Road 52, also known as Skate Creek Road, travels east to west, between Packwood and Elbe. FR 52 is a paved road that has had low maintenance for a number of years. Please watch your speed. There are a number of slumps and potholes in the road.
FR 52 travels through low elevation forest following beautiful Skate Creek. The forest contains evergreen and deciduous trees. And offers beautiful fall colors and plenty of cooler temperatures in the summer. The area offers several dispersed camping sites and fishing in the creek.
In the winter months, FR52 is often gated closed when the snow gets too deep to drive safely.
Tacoma Power and the WDFW will NOT be stocking Skate Creek with catchable trout in the future. This is in order to comply with new State regulations prohibiting stocking catchable trout species in anadromous waters. Skate Creek qualifies as “anadromous waters” because of the ongoing salmon/steelhead reintroduction program for the upper Cowlitz River.
Forest Road 88 Facility
Forest Road 88 Starts at Hwy 141 west of Trout Lake and heads north ending at Forest Road 90. Places of interest along this road are Trout Lake Creek Campground, Sleeping Beauty Trailhead, Flattop Sno-Park, Basket Tree Interpretive Site, and access to the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trailhead #2000.
Forest Road 2750 Facility
FR 2750 begins on Port Blakely Timber Company land and travels in and out of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Port Blakely has a gate on the road leading to the 2750rd, which they close and lock once fire danger becomes high in the summer months and it remains locked until late spring. Gate is closed from 8/13/2014 until the end of fire season.
Forest Road 66 Facility
Starts at the Town of Willard and heads north ending at the intersection with Forest Road 60. This road follows the Big Lava Bed and access to Little Huckleberry Trailhead is along this road. Access to South Prairie is also along this road.
Forest Road 42 Facility
Forest Service Road in the southeast portion of the forest near Department of Natural Resources Land.
Forest Road 5701 Facility
Access road to Siouxon Area
Forest Road 65 Facility
Forest Road 65 / Panther Creek Rd starts off from the 30 Rd between Carson and Stabler, it continues north crossing the 60 Rd at the Four Corners area and then continues along the west side of Indian Heaven Wilderness. The road ends south of Lone Butte where it again meets the 30 Rd. Popular attractions along this road are Panther Creek Horse Camp, Panther Creek Campground, Panther Creek Falls, Falls Creek Horse Camp, and Thomas Lake Trailhead.
Forest Road 80 and 8040 Facility
FR 80 is a paved road leading to FR 8040 which is gravel. Popular recreation areas along this route include South Climb Trailhead, Mt. Adams Horse Camp, Morrison Creek Campground and the Cold Springs burn.
Forest Road 93 Facility
Road Access to the Spencer Butte, Cussed Hollow and Craggy Peak Trails.
Forest Road 21 Facility
FR 21 leaves Hwy 12 approximately 3 miles west of Packwood and travels south approximately 25 miles until it intersects with FR 23.
The road is gravel except for approximately 6 miles beginning at Cat Creek Campground and continuing to the FR 23 jct. The gravel section is often full of washboards.
The road provides access to the Snowgrass Flats and Berry Patch Trailheads, Walupt Lake Campground, and Adams Fork Campground.
Forest Road 76 Facility
FR 76 travels east to west between FR 23 and FR 25. The road is paved and opened year round.
This road provides access to the Cispus Learning Center, Tower Rock Campground, and roads leading toward Burley Mountain, Yellow Jacket Creek and McCoy Creek.
Forest Road 26 Facility
FR26 travels north to south, from FR 25 to FR 99 near Mt. St. Helens. It is a paved road that has not been well maintained. There are some gravel sections, slumps, and potholes. Please be careful!
The road is very scenic leading into the blast zone near Mt. St. Helens. Along the road, you will see blown down trees from the eruption and new trees and plants that have grown back.
The road accesses Goat Mountain Trail, Norway Pass, and the Mt. Margaret Backcountry.
Forest Road 84 Facility
FR 84 travels south from FR 52 to FR 47. It is a gravel road. Watch for potholes.
The road provides access to Cora Lake, Pothole Lakes, Silver Creek Pass, and Fr 8440 to Highrock Lookout TH.
The road has great views of Mt. Rainier. It also leads to areas of Huckleberry picking.
Forest Road 20 Facility
Forest Road 20 travels south from Hwy 12. It is a gravel road that accesses the Dry Creek Trail #125 and the South Point Trail #123.
Forest Road 2150 Facility
FR 2150 turns of FR 21 and leads to the Chambers Lake, Berry Patch TH, and Snowgrass Flats TH. There is dispersed camping at the Chambers Lake area. You will find pit toilets at the Berry Patch TH. A Northwest Forest Pass is required at the Berry Patch TH.
Forest Road 48 Facility
FR 48 leaves Hwy 12 approximately 1.5 miles west of Packwood. The road travels east to past the Lily Basin TH. The Lily Basin TH leads into the Goat Rocks Wilderness Area.
Forest Road 4109 Facility
Forest Road connection off Forest Road 41 to Silver Star Trailhead.
Forest Road 54/ Canyon Creek Facility
Forest Road 54 access to the Siouxon Area and Canyon Creek
Forest Road 59 Facility
Forest Road 59 travels north from Hwy 706 along the west side of Mount Rainier National Park.
The road provides access to the Glacier View Wilderness Trails including Lake Christine and Mt. Beljica.
Forest Road 63 Facility
FR 63 travels north to south, from Davis Creek Road to FR 47. It is a gravel road.
The road is used to access Purcell Mountain and FR 47 from the Randle area.
Forest Road 60 Facility
Forest Road 60 begins at Forest Road 24, near Peterson Prairie Cabin and ends at The Wind River Hwy / Forest Road 30. Popular attractions along this road are Goose Lake and Goose Lake Campground, Trailhead access to the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail, and Crest Horse Camp.
Forest Road 28 Facility
FR 28 is paved for approximately 1 1/2 miles until the 76jct. then becomes gravel. The road is not well maintained, high clearance recommended.
This road accesses Fr 76 to Cispus Learning Center, Langille Peak Trailhead, Pinto Rock, and Mosquito Meadows. The road connects with FR 25 near Elk Pass.
Forest Road 56 Facility
Forest Road 56 connects Forest Road 21, at Adams Fork Campground, to Forest Road 2160, near Walupt Lake Campground. This road provides access to the Orr Creek Sno-Park and Cody Horsecamp. It is a gravel road.
Wilderness areas Facility
One of our nation's greatest treasures is the National Wilderness Preservation System established by the Wilderness Act of 1964. Wildernesses are lands designated by Congress to be protected and preserved in their natural condition, without permanent improvements or habitation.
Please view the special regulations associated with Wilderness and accept the Leave No Trace challenge. Help our wildlands remain wild, clean, and pristine!
Maps are available for these areas.
- Glacier View Wilderness
- Goat Rocks Wilderness
- Indian Heaven Wilderness
- Mount Adams Wilderness
- Tatoosh Wilderness
- Trapper Creek Wilderness
- William O. Douglas Wilderness
Mount Margaret Backcountry Permit
Overview:
Sapphire lakes, pinnacle-studded ridges and flowered mountain slopes; this is the Mount Margaret Backcountry. Part of the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, this rugged and spectacular area offers hikers an opportunity to explore and discover the dramatic effects of the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens. The lateral blast, a hot stone-filled wind, shattered trees and swirled around peaks and basins as it toppled thousands of acres of pristine forest.LOWER FALLS CAMPGROUND Campground
List of CampsitesOverview
Lower Falls Campground is located in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Visitors enjoy several waterfalls in the area and access to the Lewis River Trail. The campground is open from May through October.Recreation
Near the campground are several trailheads that provide visitors with a variety of recreational opportunities. There are hiking trails, mountain bike trails, horse trails, and motorcycle trails within 10 miles of the campground.The Lewis River contains rainbow, cutthroat, and bull trout as well as whitefish. The area is catch and release only.
Facilities
Lower Falls Campground offers 43 standard sites that accommodate both tents and RVs (36 feet), but no hookups are available. Picnic tables and campfire rings with grills are provided, as are composting toilets and drinking water.
Natural Features
The campground is just off the Lewis River at an elevation of 1,300 feet. The campground road is paved and shaded by large evergreen trees. There are trails down to the Lewis River and falls area.Nearby Attractions
There are falls viewing opportunities at Lower Lewis River Falls, Curly Creek Falls, Big Creek Falls, and Middle Falls, all within 15 minutes of the campground.Hiking trails within 10 miles include trail #31 Lewis River, Trail #5 Quartz Creek, and trail #80 Wright Meadows.
Forest Road 2801 Facility
Forest Road 2801 travels southeast from Forest Road 28 on the southwest side of Cispus River. It also junctions with Forest Road 23.
Forest Road 43 Facility
Forest Road 43
