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marty R.
Scout
ScoutDairy Creek West — L.L. Stub Stewart Memorial State Park
Maintained resort
The sites are huge, screened, and level. The grounds are forest and grassy. PNW vibes for days.
Camping near Cougar, WA
297 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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Camping spots around Cougar, Washington range from waterside settings to mountain views. Lower Falls Campground puts you right next to waterfalls with good hiking trails nearby. Battle Ground Lake State Park Campground has a small lake where you can fish or take a kayak out for the day. Takhlakh Lake Campground sits farther from town with Mount Adams visible across the water. Roads to these spots can get rough depending on recent weather, so calling ahead about conditions makes sense. Trees cover most campsites, which helps when temperatures climb in summer. Paradise Point State Park Campground lies closer to La Center and works for both tents and RVs. Many campers use Cougar as a base for visiting Mount St. Helens, which sits just a short drive away. Bring bags for your garbage since you'll need to take it with you when you leave. Cougar has camping that works for quick trips or longer stays, with enough different spots to match what most people want.
Best Campgrounds near Cougar (297)
1. Beaver Bay Campground
"Beaver Bay Campground is a well-run private campground in Washington about 45 mintues east of I-5."
"Right next to Beaver Bay and about a 10-15 minute drive from the Lava Flows and Mt. St. Helen's, we totally lucked out finding a spot here."
from $5 - $21 / night
Check Availability2. Battle Ground Lake State Park Campground
"The lake is small but awesome. Bald eagles flying overhead. Close to Battleground Washington."
"Battleground is a nice and well loved state park not far from Portland, Oregon and Vancouver, Washington."
3. Cougar Park & Campground - Tent Only
"Ranger Review: Nature’s Coffee Kettle at Cougar Campground."
"Cougar is at the base of Mt St Helens on Yale Reservoir on the Lewis River. Tent only sites so keeps the big guys out. Every time we have been there it has been quiet and beautiful."
4. Sunset Falls Campground
"Tucked right on the banks of the East Fork of the Lewis River and on the edge of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, this is a great get away for anyone in the Vancouver / Portland area."
"11 is a walk I’m site that offers the most seclusion in the campground. You are away from all other campers and surrounded by river and trees."
from $20 / night
Check Availability5. Lone Fir Resort
"Easy access to Mt. St. Hellens, Ape cave and Yale lake. Very beautiful area!"
"The best things about Lone Fir Resort are the location and the restaurant. "
6. Merrill Lake Campground
"Pit toilets, lake access, close to Mt. St. Helens activities. Four miles from Cougar."
"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 6ptents and one 2p tent."
7. Kalama Horse Camp — Gifford Pinchot National Forest
"Short trailed from the campsite, very close to the Mt. St Helens trails! Very nice area, we will be back!!"
"There are several awesome trails you can take right from the campground and there is a campground trail that guides you around the whole campground area."
from $23 / night
Check Availability8. Swift Forest Camp
"Nearest store was about 45 minutes away in Cougar. Downers: It was hot! We visited during a heat wave and it got very hot, especially in the direct sunlight. Made the tent a little unbearable. "
"It has access to Swift Reservoir and has a boat ramp as well as a swimming area. The roads are paved and perfect for the kids to ride bikes and scooters around camp."
9. Mount St. Helens Dispersed Camping
"I was pleasantly surprised when I arrived to see only one other person camping nearby. I was able to find a spot next to a couple others. One was kind of hidden back behind the main spot."
"Found this campsite when driving up to the south side of Mount St. Helens Hikes - it is situated between Ape Caves (farther away) and pretty close to Lava Canyon and Ape Canyon."
10. Lower Falls Campground
"Our campsite (#6) was right next to the trailhead down to lower falls and the bathrooms so it was not the most private but we never thought it was an issue."
"This campground is located along what is possibly the best waterfalls in Washington state."
from $20 - $40 / night
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Drive Time
- 55 min from Longview, WA
- 59 min from Portland, OR
- 1 hr 45 min from Olympia, WA
- 1 hr 47 min from Salem, OR
Recent Camping Photos near Cougar, WA
483 Photos of 297 Cougar Campgrounds
Celina M.
Cougar RV Park and Campground
Dan P.
Lone Fir Resort
Scotty M.
Beaver Bay Campground
Charyl B.
Cougar Park & Campground - Tent Only
Brooke S.
Merrill Lake Campground
Kelcie T.
Kalama Horse Camp — Gifford Pinchot National Forest
Derek B.
Cresap Bay Campground
Stephanie Z.
Climber's Bivouac Campground
Melissa B.
Gifford Pinchot National Forest-Canyon Creek Dispersed Camping
Patsy P.
Mount St. Helens Dispersed Camping
Melody H.
Swift Forest Camp
Stephanie Z.
Eagle Cliff Campground
Recent Reviews near Cougar, WA
1591 Reviews of 297 Cougar Campgrounds
Marie D.
GuideBig Fir Campground & RV Park
Convenient to the city
The reviews on this place were sketchy at best but I'm really not sure why. We had a great experience here. The hosts in the office were more than accommodating and helpful, the site was awesome, one of the better sewer connections I've encountered and we are full-timers. You feel like you are in a state park type setting on a small scale but only minutes from downtown Vancouver/Portland. Tons of recreation opportunities in the area. Decent rates for staying near the city.
- SSimone S.
TravelerElk Meadows RV Park
Nestled in the trees below Mt. Adams
My kind of camping. Amenities plus space between campsites. Everything is clean as well
Michael B.ScoutTaidnapam Park
Peaceful during the week
The first time going was amazing! It was fall, and with the crowds gone, it was heaven on earth. The next time was the weekend and a summer getaway, with EVERYONE else, so it was noisy, crazy noisy. Now we only go during the week to avoid all the noise! Great, clean restrooms, and friendly staff. The lake and river offer plenty to do and see. We visit every year or two for the peace and quiet.
- MMelissa C.Scout
Kosmos Recreation Area (Tacoma Public Utilities)
pretty great
The lake is lovely! Portos and fire rings. Medium-full on a June weeknight. Minor road noise. A little trash, a little local-party-spot vibe at times, but not bad. Would stay again as a solo female.
- KKelli R.Traveler
Tucker Park Campground
Memorial weekend stay
Camp host was very engaged and helpful. The campsites are relatively close but not so much that you’re walking over each other we camped in our RV and secured a second spot so we could have the space between the campground is very close to the Hood river which is incredibly beautiful and cold this time of year. The campground is about 10 minutes outside of the Hood River. Beautiful drives very scenic.
The campgrounds showers and restrooms were very clean and they have a great kids playground near the campsite that we were at.
Lee-RoyScoutGee Creek Rest Area I-5
Nicer than I was expecting, lots of parking
Its a rest stop but has lots of parking. People didnt seem to care about the posted time limits (15 minutes, 2 hours etc)
Kayla F.ScoutIke Kinswa State Park Campground
Family friendly!
Beautiful and clean campgrounds! Everyone was very respectful and the nights are very nice and quiet. No loud music was heard during our stay! Just real traditional camping. Very clean bathrooms that were cleaned twice a day! There are three facilities to buy firewood if needed around the campgrounds, and lake access was very close by!
- CClark V.Traveler
Dairy Creek West — L.L. Stub Stewart Memorial State Park
Nice park in the State system
The “West “ camping spaces seem much more private than the east. The main attraction of this park is proximity to the Banks-Vernonia Bike trail. Although not directly accessible from the campground, it’s a short ride or drive to the trailheads. I recommend the Buxton trailhead for first timers and then just ride 5 mins south to a spectacular old rail trellis, maybe the largest on this trail system. Campground has all the amenities you’d expect for a state camp, including the price ($85/night) which rivals a hotel room pricing in some places but you could definitely do worse at that price point if heading to the coast. For that reason if coming/going from the coast with bikes this is a great alternative stop on the way
Guide to Cougar
Dispersed camping near Cougar, Washington provides an economical base for exploring Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. The area sits at approximately 700 feet elevation but climbs rapidly into forested mountainous terrain with temperatures typically ranging 50-80°F in summer and 30-50°F in winter. While established campgrounds offer amenities like showers and picnic tables, numerous free dispersed sites require self-sufficient preparation but reward with greater solitude.
What to do
Volcanic exploration: 45 minutes from town. The south side of Mount St. Helens offers unique volcanic features accessible from camping areas. Cougar Park & Campground provides convenient access to volcanic attractions. "Up the road is Lava Canyon, where there are toilets if you need," notes camper Danielle S., who used the area as a staging point for exploring the mountain.
Fly fishing: Technical challenge. Merrill Lake restricts fishing to fly fishing only, creating a peaceful angling experience without motorized boats. "Boats and boat ramps are right there... View is gorgeous of the lake and fishing is great. Fly fish only," reports Shannon B. about the technical fishing opportunities.
Night sky viewing: Far from light pollution. The remote location offers excellent stargazing opportunities. "Very peaceful. Far enough out of town to be peaceful, and see the stars," says Jessie S. about camping in the area. Bring warm layers as temperatures drop significantly after sunset even in summer.
What campers like
Proximity to Mt. St. Helens: Under 30 minutes. Beaver Bay Campground serves as an excellent basecamp for volcano exploration. "Excellent location, close to lots of great hiking!!! Nice clean flushing toilets, showers. Well maintained," reports Kris B. The campground balances access to attractions with camping comfort.
Waterfront locations: Multiple lakes. Lakeside campsites offer water recreation opportunities throughout the area. "This campground is a hidden gem. My husband and I climbed Mt St Helens this month, and this campground was perfect! It was close to the trailhead, gorgeous and affordable!" shares Ashley B. about her experience at Beaver Bay.
Free camping options: Budget-friendly. Mount St. Helens Dispersed Camping provides no-cost options for self-sufficient campers. "This dispersed camping is free, huge bonus in my book... There were dozens of open sites that we had our pick of," reports Madison D. These sites lack amenities but compensate with privacy and cost savings.
What you should know
Limited cell service: Plan ahead. Most campgrounds around Cougar have minimal or no cell reception. Come prepared with offline maps and information. "No cell service," notes Brooke S. about camping in the area, making advance planning essential.
Weather variability: Pack layers. Mountain weather changes rapidly throughout the day. "The weather does change very fast in the park so bring extra layers," advises Kevin T. from his experience at Cougar Park. Morning temperatures can be 40°F colder than afternoon highs.
Fire restrictions: Check before arrival. Seasonal fire restrictions vary. "At this time. There isnt any camp fires allowed," reports S. Renae M. about Sunset Falls Campground. Contact local ranger stations for current fire regulations, particularly during late summer.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming areas: Kid-friendly spots. Several campgrounds offer designated swimming areas for families. Battle Ground Lake State Park Campground features "a swim area roped off, and a small sand area for the kids to play," according to Wendy C. The lake water warms enough for comfortable swimming by mid-summer.
Playground access: Energy outlets. Some campgrounds provide playground equipment for children. "There's fishing, swimming, a playground, showers and great camp sites!" shares DawnMarie T. about Beaver Bay Campground. These facilities help keep children engaged between hiking adventures.
Camp store conveniences: Last-minute supplies. Certain campgrounds maintain stores with essential items. "They have a camp store open for snacks and they have flushable bathrooms!" mentions Tiffany M. about Battle Ground Lake State Park, saving families from long supply runs when necessities run low.
Tips from RVers
Limited hookups: Plan for self-sufficiency. Many campgrounds offer partial hookups only. Lone Fir Resort provides more complete services. "We camped in an rv spot with our trailer. They are very strict about quiet hours. There is a pool, gameroom, restaurant and store," reports Michael K. These amenities make it suitable for less self-contained RVs.
Dump station locations: Know before you go. Not all campgrounds provide dump stations. "This campground is an amazing dry campground, extremely clean, great clean bathrooms, easy access to the reservoir to swim. With an RV dump and potable water," explains Cherie C. about Swift Forest Camp. Plan your waste management accordingly.
Site size considerations: Length restrictions apply. Many forested campgrounds have limited turning radius and overhead clearance. "There are several awesome trails you can take right from the campground and there is a campground trail that guides you around the whole campground area," notes Kelcie T. about Kalama Horse Camp, which accommodates smaller RVs despite its primary purpose for equestrian camping.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there camping available at Yale Lake near Cougar, WA?
Is there camping available at Yale Lake near Cougar, WA?
Yes, camping is available at Yale Lake near Cougar. Swift Forest Camp is located on Yale Lake and offers drive-in, walk-in, and even boat-in access to campsites. This campground features reservable sites with water, toilets, and is big-rig friendly for RVers. For a more rustic experience, McBride Lake NF-81 Dispersed offers dispersed camping options near Yale Lake. This area can accommodate smaller trailers (up to 17' pop-up style), though larger RVs may find access challenging due to narrow roads. The Yale Lake area provides a great base for exploring both the lake and nearby Mount St. Helens attractions.
Where are the best campgrounds near Cougar, Washington?
Where are the best campgrounds near Cougar, Washington?
The Cougar area offers excellent camping options for all preferences. Merrill Lake Campground stands out with eight walk-in sites and one drive-up site (all first-come, first-served), featuring fire rings and picnic tables at each site. Located just four miles from Cougar, it's perfect for tent camping in a serene setting. For those seeking more amenities, Seaquest State Park Campground provides beautiful forested campsites for tents and a separate area for RVs, though the RV section offers less privacy. Other notable options include Gifford Pinchot National Forest for dispersed camping and Swift Forest Camp near Yale Lake. A Discover Pass is required for many public campgrounds in the area.
What camping options are available near Mount St. Helens from Cougar?
What camping options are available near Mount St. Helens from Cougar?
Cougar serves as an excellent gateway to Mount St. Helens with diverse camping options. Cougar RV Park and Campground offers a relaxed setting ideal as a base camp for exploring the south side of Mount St. Helens, providing adequate space and privacy for both RVs and van campers. For those seeking free, primitive camping, Gifford Pinchot National Forest Dispersed Site provides multiple sites along forest roads near Cougar, with some areas large enough for RVs. Horse enthusiasts can utilize Horse Camp: Cody, which features outhouses, watering troughs, picnic tables, fire pits with grates, and picket lines for horses in each site.
Are there park facilities at Cougar Campground in Washington?
Are there park facilities at Cougar Campground in Washington?
Cougar Park & Campground - Tent Only offers basic facilities for tent campers. While specific amenities aren't extensively documented, the campground provides the essentials for a comfortable outdoor experience. For those seeking more developed facilities, Lone Fir Resort near Cougar offers drive-in access with reservable sites, water, toilets, and is big-rig friendly for RVers who need more amenities. The Cougar area campgrounds generally provide varying levels of facilities, from primitive dispersed sites with minimal amenities to more developed campgrounds with standard facilities like pit toilets, picnic tables, and fire rings, making it suitable for different camping preferences.
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