The Chehalis area offers camping options at elevations ranging from 125 to 150 feet above sea level, with summer temperatures typically reaching the mid-70s during day and cooling to the low 50s at night. Lewis County experiences moderate rainfall even in summer months, with occasional overnight showers common at campgrounds like Thousand Trails Paradise where campers reported "high overcast in the mid 60's, the nights low 50s. It did rain hard on Sunday morning from 2am to 10am."
What to do
Fishing at stocked ponds: Silver Cove RV Resort provides direct lake access with sites backing to the water. One camper noted, "The spots I've stayed in are huge. Room for a fifth wheel (awning and slide out), two vehicles and two large dogs without feeling packed in at all. The sites almost all back up to the water and fishing is pretty easy here. Mostly crappie and bass though I've seen a couple trout or perch pulled out."
Play disc golf: Toutle River RV Resort offers a complete disc golf course among many recreational amenities. A visitor mentioned, "Nice spots surrounded by grass, decent space between sites (not much, but enough), and most importantly, lots and lots of things for kiddos to explore. There's random trails, a playground, big green fields, volleyball court, etc."
Explore Mt. St. Helens: Several campgrounds serve as convenient base camps for Mt. St. Helens excursions. One camper at Reiki Ranch in Lewis County Campground appreciated that "The area is well watered and green even in hot heat," making it comfortable during summer exploration.
What campers like
Pool facilities: Thousand Trails Paradise RV Campground receives praise for its swimming amenities with one camper highlighting, "This campground has an awesome swimming area with three pools, one 8ft deep, on 6ft, and one wading pool. Also has a large spa."
Game facilities: Indoor activities enhance camping experiences during cooler weather. A visitor to Thousand Trails Chehalis noted, "The campground has free showers, plenty of hot water and not more than a minute walk from our campsite. This is a very quiet campground, activities we found at the campground to keep busy was billiards, two lodges, and two pools."
Blackberry picking: Seasonal fruit adds natural enjoyment to summer camping. A Thousand Trails Chehalis camper mentioned, "Our site has electricity and water hook up. The site was level and has plenty of ripe blackberries for picking."
What you should know
Leveling challenges: RV sites near Chehalis, Washington often present leveling difficulties. A camper at Thousand Trails Paradise warned, "The pads are grass and gravel that are not level. Your neighbor's are close so it has limited privacy. We got lucky and found a site under some trees."
Variable power quality: Electricity reliability varies considerably between parks. One visitor noted, "We ended up running on our battery and generator for the last two days we were there because it was so dangerous to plug in."
Water advisories: Some campgrounds may have water quality notices. A camper reported, "Additionally there is a water issue that asks you to boil water."
Tips for camping with families
Children's activities: Midway RV Park offers clean facilities important for family stays. A visitor noted, "We stayed here 2 years in a row for the Seattle to Portland bicycle ride. Nice and clean with great showers. Staff very friendly and helpful. They allowed us to set up a small tent at our RV site for extra sleeping quarters."
Organized recreation: Thousand Trails Chehalis offers scheduled activities for children. A parent shared, "Kids are helping review campgrounds we visited this summer. They loved that there was scavenger hunts for pigs in morning, tractor rides in afternoon, face painting, slushees, movie in lodge, crafts, slushees, a great store, basketball court, pools and overall, the experience was phenomenal!"
Fishing opportunities: Stocked ponds provide reliable fishing for younger anglers. A grandparent at Thousand Trails Paradise commented, "My grandson loves coming here with us the two ponds they stock with fish."
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: For RV sites near Chehalis, Washington, position matters significantly. At Harmony Lakeside RV Park, a camper advised, "Sites are close together but if you know that going in, it's a great place. Slips for your boat is a huge plus."
Limited maneuvering space: Some parks require experienced parking skills. At Majestic Mobile Manor & RV Park, one RVer explained, "It took a long time to get set up because of the ridiculously small amount of space I had to maneuver my 33ft RV and my 8ft extended cab truck."
Water and electric without sewer: Many campsites offer partial hookups only. A visitor to Thousand Trails Chehalis noted, "Our site has electricity and water hook up," requiring use of dump stations for longer stays.
