Ariel, WA is a great camping destination for adventurers of all types. There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in. Experience some of the most stunning views that Washington camping has to offer. Find the best campgrounds near Ariel, WA. Read reviews from campers like you and find your perfect campsite.
Far in the Northwestern corner of the United States lies a world of magic, splendor, and mystical beauty. Perched atop the historical Mount St. Helens, Seaquest State Park is the home-base for thousands of volcanic visitors year round. Most notable for its proximity to the Mount St. Helens Visitors Center, this park is the home base for hikers, explorers, tourists, and adventures alike. It’s not just the volcanic aftermath that makes this area so special. Even before the eruption, Gifford-Pinchot National Forest has always been known for its dense foliage, as well as its beautiful lakes, tributaries, and waterfalls.
When it comes to nearby attractions, the area is packed with them. Miles and miles of trails fork and wind throughout the park. Beyond the confines of the park’s boundaries are numerous additional trailheads, all offering something unique to those seeking it. Perhaps the most popular trail nearby is the Monitor Ridge trail. This 10 miles round trip excursion will have you climbing 2,000 vertical ft. through grassy meadows and winding forest paths. The last 1,000 feet are especially difficult due to the volcanic debris and soot that cakes your clothes. However when you finally reach the domed summit, you’ll be pleased with your efforts. Massive and expansive, the St. Helens dome is unlike any other scenic viewpoint in the US. Nowhere else can you see the true force and impact of Mother Nature’s wrath.
Nearby, the Mount St. Helens Ape Caves give visitors a chance to traverse through the labyrinth of volcanic caves left behind by magma runs during the the eruption. Today, the caves are a popular attraction for families and explorers. There’s two separate options, one which is well-lit and suited for families. The other option will send you through a pitch black adventure trekking the depths of the craggy, drippy tunnels. If planning to visit, be sure to bring a strong flashlight or kerosene lantern, as you’ll be unable to enter otherwise.
Camping in Seaquest State Park is relatively painless thanks to the 52 standard campsites, 18 partial-hookup sites, and 15 full-service sites. RVers, tent campers, van travelers, and anyone else with a form of shelter should have no issues finding somewhere to stay here. Aside from standard camping accommodations, there are also full-service Yurts available for rental, complete with heaters to stay warm if you’re visiting in the chilly months.
Lost Lake Campground is nestled between beautiful Lost Lake and Mount Hood. From Lost Lake Butte, the valley view is breathtaking, and from the viewpoint, guests can revel in the most majestic view of Mt. Hood, its glaciers and Lost Lake. Another one of the many attractions at Lost Lake Campground is the old growth boardwalk, an interpretive trail that meanders through one of Oregon's large old growth stands.
Lost Lake Campground offers an abundance of activities. Campers have access to a general store, which offers: canoe, kayak, historic wooden row boats, metal fishing boats and stand-up paddleboard rentals. Whether you are a professional angler looking to catch that prized German Brown or a first-timer, there is something for everyone. Additionally, there are a number of hiking trails near the campground ranging in length from 1/4 mile to over 100 miles resulting in numerous hiking and biking opportunities. Other activities include bird watching, berry picking, swimming, waterfall finding and more.
Lost Lake Campground offers an abundance of activities. Campers have access to a general store, which offers: canoe, kayak, historic wooden row boats, metal fishing boats and stand-up paddleboard rentals. Whether you are a professional angler looking to catch that prized German Brown or a first-timer, there is something for everyone. Additionally, there are a number of hiking trails near the campground ranging in length from 1/4 mile to over 100 miles resulting in numerous hiking and biking opportunities. Other activities include bird watching, berry picking, swimming, waterfall finding and more.
Mother Nature went the extra mile when it came to Lost Lake. The surrounding topography is rugged, mountainous and magical. The flora and fauna is abundant and easily accessible. These attributes culminate in making Lost Lake Campground one of the most popular in Oregon.
Nearby Wahtum Lake offers a great daily excursion or hike to one of the four surrounding waterfalls. On the way up to Lost Lake or on the way down, try stopping at one of the many fruit stands that blanket the Hood River Valley.
$49 - $109 / night
This 280-acre secluded, forested site is a favorite among youth organizations and other groups. It's easy to get back to nature at this beautiful park, with 24 Adirondacks (3-sided camp shelters), numerous tent sites, and a rustic day lodge complete with cooking facilities to accommodate groups of up to 250 people. Take a big step up from a tent and check out our rustic two-room cabins. Bring your horse, ride the trails and camp in a horse corral tent site. Camp Wilkerson is located 16 miles northwest of Scappoose, Oregon.
Reaching an elevation of 11,240 feet, and capped with several large glaciers, Mount Hood is Oregon’s tallest peak. It lies just an hour’s drive east of Portland, and beckons locals and visitors alike to enjoy its extensive outdoor recreation opportunities. With more than 1,000 miles of hiking trails on and around the mountain, there’s a path for every ability and interest. Several lakes and rivers around the mountain offer swimming, fishing and paddling. For the adventurous, there’s walls for rock climbing, and guided ascents to the mountain’s summit. In winter, the mountain offers four ski areas and numerous Sno-Parks for shushing, sliding and riding down its snowy slopes. Unique to Mount Hood, there’s even summer skiing on the Palmer Snowfield, which is located above the historic Timberline Lodge. Located on the doorstep of the mountain, Mt. Hood Village RV Resort offers a wide selection of year-round camping and lodging options. The resort offers 300 full- and partial-hookup RV sites, as well as a tent camping area, cottages, cabins, yurts and tiny houses. All sites are equipped with picnic tables and cooking grills, and have access to water faucets, flush restrooms, and shower and laundry facilities. Most sites are shady and wooded; some are situated near small ponds, others are located near the Wild and Scenic Salmon River. The resort also has a small store that sells firewood, treats and essentials, and cafe that offers breakfast, lunch and snack items. Tent and RV sites range from $35–$62/night; yurts, cabins and other accommodations start at $65/night; reservations accepted. For relaxing and recreating in the resort, there’s a wide variety of amenities and activities available, including a kids’ playground, indoor and outdoor pools, a fitness center, and game room. There are also picnic areas, volleyball courts, horseshoe pits, and hiking and biking trails nearby. Guests can also participate in hosted arts and crafts classes, games, karaoke, line dancing and family activities, and meet fellow campers at the community campfire circle. Near the resort are several restaurants, a grocery store and an outdoor gear shop in the town of Rhododendron. Timberline lodge, with its many hiking trails and ski slopes is a 30-minute drive east, just past the village of Government Camp and Mount Hood Skibowl. The popular Mirror Lake hiking trail starts on the west end of Skibowl. Swimming, fishing, hiking, biking and paddling at Trillium Lake is another 15 minutes east.
$25 - $125 / night
First time here, not particularly enamored with the campground for several reasons.
Nestled in the trees and between Hwy 84 and the Union Pacific Railroad, both are busy and can be heard all day and night.
No dump station anywhere in this campground, you can dump and either campground to the west or the east but not convenient.
Spaces are tight and we would not have been able to get into our spot if the person across from us did not kindly move her vehicle. Our rig is not that large, at 26'.
The good is the river which is an easy walk or e-bike ride. Lots of trails to ride but they say no e-scooters but okay for e-bikes. This was not enforced since my brother and sister in law rode their scooters all over the place.
RV camping is separated from the tent camping which would make it nice for tent campers.
Fun to ride the paved trails, go to the Columbia River and watch the sail boarders doing their thing.
This is a nice campground with lots of trees and shade but it sits between I-84 and the Columbia River which has a major train line so it's not necessarily a quiet campground (trains run all night). No dump station available but we had electric and water. Not much grass anywhere and things were really dusty due to dryness and heat of the summer. You can't see the river from the campground but you can walk to it (or drive to it) and there are several picnic tables near the river. There is a nature trail but it is not marked well at all to find the beginning of it. Convenient to Hood River though and an easy drive to Cascade Locks for ice cream at the local dairy dine.
Beautiful and private campground, we'll be back for sure. Honey hole type toilets and lots of water spigots around. We didn't hike but there seemed to be lots of hiking trails, plus the beautiful river! Despite there being a total burn ban (propane stoves only) there were SEVERAL fires happening all weekend which was disappointing.
Most sites are really private which we loved. We walked through the three loops that were open and made note of the sites that looked most private/flat-ish for a tent/good location. In our opinion these were the best sites we could see: Loop B 24, 52, 47, 44, 39, 38, 36, 31. Loop C 56, 57, 60, 69. Loop D 78, 80, 84 (this one seemed to have an awesome trail leading right down the river!). No cell service so plan accordingly!
It’s a great, fairly secluded spot, large sites, beautiful to be in. Don’t forget to reserve your site in advance and get your Discover Pass!
We look forward to our annual camping trip to Trout Lake every year. The view of Mt Adams is amazing and the park is a great place to have family gatherings. We love it there!
Primitive campsites. Free campsites. Quiet.
I gave this park a high rating primarily because of its location. It is a great place to launch your Mount Saint Helens exploration, with a Washington State Visitor Center you can walk to from the campground. We had hookups but our site was very close to the site next to us and we had no privacy there. If you don’t need hookups, I would recommend the loop that has 32 - 54. These were much more private and actually had better Wi-Fi than our location. Bathrooms are convenient and have free showers. There was better hot water at the bathroom on the loop with sites 32 - 54.
I had high hopes for my visit to Lost Lake, Oregon, but unfortunately, it turned out to be a major letdown. Despite its reputation, this location is far from being accessible for handicapped visitors. The handicapped parking is inconveniently located nowhere near an ADA-accessible lakeside spot. We were forced to camp in the parking lot near a bathroom, which was hardly the experience we were hoping for.
The only positive aspect of our trip was the stunning view of the lake and Mt. Hood, but even that couldn't make up for the numerous shortcomings. The drive and entry cost were simply not worth it, especially considering that most day-use sites are first-come, first-served. By the time we arrived, all the sites that were accessible for someone with disabilities were occupied by individuals who clearly did not require the access.
To make matters worse, the overall organization and management of the site were severely lacking. There was no effort to ensure that handicapped visitors had fair access to the lakeside areas. It felt incredibly unfair and frustrating to see those who didn't need the accessible spots taking them up, leaving us with no options. In summary, if you or someone in your party requires accessible facilities, I strongly advise you to avoid Lost Lake, Oregon. The beautiful scenery cannot compensate for the lack of accessibility and consideration for handicapped visitors. This was a thoroughly disappointing experience that I wouldn't recommend to anyone in need of accessible amenities.
On our way to Alaska for the SF Bay Area we stopped at several different camping locations along lakes and mountains. The only one we went out of our way to stay at when coming back was Lost Lake Campground. The sites are plenty big, have tables and fire pits. The entire area is amply wooded to provide privacy and the sense of seclusion. The bathrooms were clean and always had TP. There is running water spigots dispersed throughout the camping areas. If I'm ever in the area it will be the 1st place I go.
Seaquest has something for everyone. My campsite was not close to the road , but I stayed when Johnston Ridge was closed, so maybe road noise would be a factor at other times.
Some pluses here include: some private sites, lots of trees, bathroom / showers, playground, open areas, close to other points of interest. And for those who can’t live without it: WiFi.
Although bathrooms were clean, I believe they could use an upgrade. Showers in particular.
A very nice campground, close to Portland. Well maintained, bathrooms were the cleanest I’ve seen at a campground.
Had an amazing time as always. Bring your kayak, paddle board or boat. The water is awesome. Fishing is good for trout out on the water. All camp sites are clean and ready when you arrive.showers are clean if needed
My grandson loves coming here with us the two ponds they stock with fish. The second time here the only drawback is some of the vegetation is overgrown and could use some trimming
We put the size of our RV in the state website and it gave us site 50. We arrived and it was IMPOSSIBLE to get our rig in that site due to the trees. We couldn't even continue out the secondary loop because it was so narrow and had trees on the inside of turns. Not to mention cars sticking out into the roads. The site map is not accurate at all! Luckily the sites before 50 were unoccupied so I was able to back into those and turn around and go out back to the main loop. What a disappointment. NOWHERE on the parks website has a maximum RV length. What a disaster to bring the whole family out only have to turn around and go back home. Oh, and also the water access was completely closed off.
This is a campground works with reservations but they have a few spots first come first serve so we decided to check it out. Arrived at 3pm and there were still about 5 spots left for that night. There are large spots and tiny spots with firepit and picknick table. There is camphost. There is Toilet building with 3 vault toilets and water points. A few hiking trails nearby. Its a nice campground with a lot of trees. Keep in mind the noise from the road and train nearby.
Quiet with beautiful views. Best camp playground I’ve ever seen!
Fantastic place. Long trailers might have trouble
Mossyrock Park is one of 4 day use/campground parks run by Tacoma Power. This one sits on the southwest side of Riffe Lake just above the Mossyrock Dam. It's a really lovely park. Lots of open space, playground, disc golf, dog park, beach area, concession stand, boat ramp, and several camping loops. The campground varied greatly in types of spaces and could accommodate tents up to fairly large RVs. We had a space in the Main campground that had 30 amp and water. The spot was paved with a picnic table and fire ring with a BBQ grate and a view of the lake through the trees. It was not very level though. We have an older 5th wheel that doesn't have a fancy auto leveling system so it took quite a bit of time to get everything level side to side and front to back. At one point, we had to hook back up to our truck to raise the front landing gear and add some blocks because we couldn't get the trailer low enough in the front. The spot really was nice though with plenty of space between spots. I do think we lucked out though because this was not the case in some of the other loops. Their spaces were a bit closer together. All in all, we did enjoy our time there. Our kiddo really liked the playground and getting ice cream at the concession stand after dinner. This park is family, dog, and fishing friendly. Many folks brought their boats right along with their trailers. We would camp here again sometime.
Not my normal camping scene, but decided to for an early summer ski session with the kids, we didn't want to completely rough it, but also didn't want to pay hotel prices. So, one of the standard cabins here was the perfect compromise. Roof over our heads, actual beds, room for three of us to be able to gear up for the day. But still had a fire pit outside, and picnic table for outdoor cooking. (Also the standard cabins don't have bathrooms, so you still need to go to the shared restrooms.)
The property overall was really nice, lots of amenities. We also took a walk through the RV/Tent camp sites. Its very similar to a KOA style of resort. We enjoyed it for what it was.
Very nice campground. Large, clean sites. Lots of hiking and mountain biking trails within the park and a regional rail to trail runs through it.
I really appreciated other Dyrt reviews that said the shadier, more private sites are numbered below 40. We were in 38.
The walk in sites in Dairy Loop surround a meadow, so less private. The other walk in sites on the other side of the visitor center are very sweet. Just little sites carved out of the woods. They are a longer walk from the car and have a pit toilet instead of flush. But very sweet.
I very much liked the facilities, camp host, campsite.
I’m a light sleeper though, and could hear cars and trucks driving till 1am. I was in a tent though, if you have a camper I’m sure it is far less noticeable.
The sites are quite private, and the campground was quiet. Our site was a nice size, but we got a double site, and it said it could fit 12 peeps. It had room for 1, maybe 2 tents. So We had 1 small RV and a tent. Other tent campers were going to join, and they would not have fit on this site 34 B. We could have fit a second small RV. The campground is like fairy wonderland with so much moss and greenery. All of the vualt toilets were spotless and smelled fine. It was quiet, and everyone was respectful and leashed their dogs, and managed their kiddos. The river is amazing, and there is a trail loop that is not fully open now, but you can walk along the river. The river was moving very fast in early June, and we would not have felt safe being beginning kayakers. The river was moving quite fast and seemed turbulent. We have At & T cell service. We had no service at all. It Was nice to be unplugged. We did bring two dogs, and it seemed dog friendly. We loved it and can not wait to go back!
this was so awesome.. we used the walk-in camp sites that had been closed till the moment we asked after closing due to a tree falling in one of the bathrooms.. so me and my friend were the only ones out there.. but the walk in and out is nothing but a hill. but that was a small price for the beautiful seclusion. I doubt it will ever be the same when I go back..
The campground is pretty nice. Clean showers and restrooms. Spaces are small and you will see your neighbors. It is a good place to establish a base if you want to do hikes in the eastern half of the gorge. You can hike / walk to Starvation Creek SP and Lindsey Creek SP. This CG also has river access for activities like wind surfing or kite boarding. No boat launch that I saw. WA side is also accessible via the bridge in Hood River. Hood River is close for resupply or a meal.
Beautiful spot to camp no well keep nice and quite
I love bringing my family out here to camp every summer. This camping spot has easy water access and I never find that it is too busy. The camping is on gravel so make sure to bring THICK pads if sleeping on the ground. This is definitely the place to use a cot or car camp. Bathrooms were clean and the hosts were always sweet.
Boy Howdy!
What a treat! This is a great campground for young kids. Lots of trees to tie up a hammock and a great shallow river for wading and playing. Additionally, the airport next store is a lovely field for frisbee or soccer. Watch out for the planes! There were plenty of sites on a busy holiday weekend when there was nothing else available. Proximity to Vernonia was great as the town is lovely. There are good parks, a swimming hole and a rails to trails trail.
Camping near Ariel, Washington, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking to hike, fish, or just relax by the campfire, there are plenty of options to choose from.
Camping near Ariel, Washington, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. Just remember to check the specifics of each campground to make the most of your outdoor experience!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Ariel, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Ariel, WA is Paradise Point State Park Campground with a 3.1-star rating from 31 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 45 glamping camping locations near Ariel, WA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
