Paradise Point State Park offers year-round glamping accommodations located 15 miles south of Yacolt, Washington, along the Lewis River. The area sits at approximately 500 feet elevation with dense forest cover that creates natural shaded camping spots even during summer months when temperatures can reach the high 80s. Highway noise can be noticeable at some campsites due to proximity to I-5, but interior sites provide better sound insulation.
What to do
River activities accessible year-round: Paradise Point's Lewis River access provides swimming and wading options during summer months. "The walk along the river is very nice," with shallow sections ideal for children that "dropped to the deep end" on the opposite shore as noted by a visitor.
Disc golf course exploration: Several campgrounds feature disc golf courses, including Paradise Point with its unique 9-hole course. One camper mentioned that "Hole one is a fun one that plays under a freeway overpass," providing a distinctive playing experience through clever course design.
Mountain exploration day trips: Lone Fir Resort serves as an excellent base for Mount St. Helens exploration. "Very beautiful area" with "easy access to Mt. St. Helens, Ape cave and Yale lake" according to a visitor who stayed there with their trailer.
Winter lake activities: Lake Merwin Camper's Hideaway maintains year-round access for members, with a visitor noting that the campground "has a wonderful lake and is huge." The lake remains accessible during cooler months for fishing and shoreline activities.
What campers like
Private glamping experience: The members-only Lake Merwin Camper's Hideaway provides exclusive accommodations. A visitor described it as a "great, private members only getaway" with amenities including "lake access and a boat ramp, camp office, seasonal restaurant, indoor pool, bathhouses with showers, laundry facilities, and a dump station for RVs."
Kid-friendly amenities: Seaquest State Park Campground receives high marks for family accommodations. "The recent upgrades to playgrounds are awesome for the kids and the new welcome center makes check in a breeze," one visitor reported after staying in the outer loop sites.
Clean facilities despite high use: Most campgrounds maintain clean bathrooms even during peak seasons. At Cougar RV Park, a camper noted they "happened to be tucked away in a corner closer to the road (which didnt bother us at all). No real bathrooms close to us, just portables which were very clean so again no problem for us!"
Proximity to small towns: The convenience of nearby services enhances the glamping experience. Cougar RV Park's location means "two mini marts/gas stations close by too," providing easy access to supplies without long drives.
What you should know
Highway noise levels vary by site: Paradise Point sites near I-5 experience significant traffic noise. "Freeway is really really close to the whole camp site. You can hear vehicles at night. If you're a light sleeper or need nature noises when camping - this is not the site for you," warned one visitor.
Varying site privacy across campgrounds: Merrill Lake Campground offers more secluded options. "There are 8 walk in sites and one drive up site, all first come first serve discovery pass required. Some sites are larger than others, but in ours we were able to fit two 6p tents and one 2p tent... You'll still see and hear your fellow campers, but it does seem semi private."
Limited cell coverage: Connectivity varies significantly between locations. At Oxbow Regional Park, a camper reported "Barely got 1 bar of 4g at the welcome center. There's a guest wifi in the parking lot there too but it's 2 miles further to the camp ground and texts hardly go through."
Reservation requirements vary: Many campgrounds fill quickly during summer months. For Merrill Lake, a visitor advised it's "a great little campsite for last minute adventures" since sites are first-come, first-served with a Discovery Pass required.
Tips for camping with families
Yurt village options: Seaquest State Park features specialized family accommodations. "The yurt village was my favorite part about this campground. If you are camping with a large family this would be a perfect spot to try and rent all the spaces. you would essentially have your own bathroom, outdoor play area and there is a camp host dedicated solely to the yurts."
Junior Ranger programs: Educational opportunities enhance family camping experiences. "At night the campground had a great Junior Ranger program with a very enthusiastic park ranger that kept the almost 50 people/kids entertained. She was great at engaging all the kids and teaching them about the park," reported a visitor to Seaquest State Park.
Insect protection needed: Be prepared for mosquitoes in forested areas. A Seaquest visitor advised, "Bring bug spray, they werent too bad, but I am prone to mosquito bites and got hit."
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas. A visitor to Mt. Hood Village Resort mentioned "There is a playground, swimming pool, small store, cafe, bathrooms with showers (and warm water) and activities during the day for kids," making it ideal for families seeking structured activities.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for larger rigs: Paradise Point has limited space for larger vehicles. A frustrated RVer reported: "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."
Full hookup availability: Mt Hood Village Resort provides comprehensive RV services. A visitor noted "Easy to access, even for larger rigs. We stayed in 39 foot 5th wheel. Plenty of pull thru spots, full hookups, regularly spaced bathroom/showers."
Reservation importance: During peak seasons, securing spots in advance is critical. At Cougar RV Park, a visitor observed "Full hookup spots did seem close together and it was a tad busy being summer and all!" suggesting advance planning for summer visits.
Winter accessibility: Year-round RV accommodations are available at select locations. An RVer at Mt. Hood Village Resort appreciated that "The full hook up sites are in old growth timber giving each site a feeling is seclusion" and that the facilities remain accessible throughout winter months.
