Best Campgrounds near Cougar, WA

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 Camping Sites Near Cougar, Washington (283)

    1. Beaver Bay Campground

    15 Reviews
    Cougar, WA
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (801) 280-3233

    $5 - $21 / night

    "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."

    2. Battle Ground Lake State Park Campground

    40 Reviews
    Heisson, WA
    19 miles
    Website

    "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

    9 Reviews
    Cougar, WA
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (503) 813-6666

    "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

    22 Reviews
    Yacolt, WA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 338-7869

    $20 / night

    "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."

    5. Lone Fir Resort

    6 Reviews
    Cougar, WA
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (360) 238-5210

    "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

    6 Reviews
    Cougar, WA
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 577-2025

    "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 Campground

    7 Reviews
    Cougar, WA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 449-7800

    "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."

    8. Swift Forest Camp

    12 Reviews
    Cougar, WA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (801) 280-3233

    "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

    10 Reviews
    Cougar, WA
    12 miles

    "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. Cougar RV Park and Campground

    5 Reviews
    Cougar, WA
    0 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 238-5224

    $25 - $125 / night

    "Cougar is a relaxed campground worthwhile as a base camp for the south side of Mt St Helens and its great lava tubes and forest hikes, so we ended up staying a second night as it had good hot showers,"

    "We 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!"

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Recent Reviews near Cougar, WA

1561 Reviews of 283 Cougar Campgrounds


  • Richard H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 23, 2025

    Elk Meadows RV Park

    Nice campground and facilities.

    Great view of Mt Adams if you can get one of the premium sites. Saw elk and heard elk bugling every morning in the meadow. Very quiet and relaxed.

  • Sarah S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 23, 2025

    Ainsworth State Park Campground

    Easy access to waterfalls

    We stayed at this campground because we were wanting to do the 12 mile hike in and out of Tunnel Falls. This is a very popular yet clean facility. There are very active trains nearby that will wake you if you’re a light sleeper very early in the morning. If they run at night, I don’t know because I didn’t hear them. But that’s kind of the only downfall about this site. Well maintained and close to plenty of falls and hiking trails…. Would definitely stay here again. A lot of the larger RV sites are reservation, but we were able to get a site on first come first serve mid September.

  • Fondofo D.
    Sep. 22, 2025

    Columbia River RV Park

    Great location

    Great location—right by the river. We arrived late in the evening, and the staff met us and showed us to our room, which was especially helpful in the dark. The downside is that the plots are very close to each other, so it feels cramped. In addition, the bright street lights were distracting at night— perhaps they are necessary for safety, but we found them excessive. On the other hand, there are excellent amenities and a long promenade for walking. The owners are very friendly. Overall, we were satisfied.

  • Sarah S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 21, 2025

    Lost Lake Resort And Campground — Mt. Hood National Forest

    Just OK

    Pulled into here thinking it would be an easy spot to get to Tunnel Falls in the morning but it wasn’t. Maps takes you a back way on the forest roads past a lake (don’t go farther) the roads are trash and small car would definitely not make it!

    We did get one of the last 2 spots available when we drove up which was nice however they are very close to your fellow campers. As the previous reviews mention it is family friendly so there will be plenty of kids crying, yelling and just screaming for whatever reason…as kids do. For the price it’s just not worth it without having water or electricity hookups at $50 a night. Restrooms are just long drop toilets. So FOR ME this isn’t going to be a great spot for return.

  • Traci O.
    Sep. 20, 2025

    Maple Grove RV Resort (Randle) - KM Resorts

    Stayed Sept 2025

    Enjoyed the large sites and peaceful atmosphere. The staff were friendly and even allowed us to have an Amazon purchase delivered to the campground. Complaints would be the pool was ice cold- unusable. Hot tub jets did not work, and the excessive amount of rabbit poop (not good for dogs) made us keep our pups indoors. Not sure I would come again.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 20, 2025

    Seaquest State Park Campground

    Beautiful forest, hot showers!

    Limited cell service with T-Mobile but it still works! Free WiFi in the day use area. Adequate bathrooms with mirrors, flushing toilets, hot shower! Peaceful yet can still hear the highway. Tent sites are $23-34 during the shoulder season currently. Sites marked with an “E” are $23, “B” $30, “P” $34. I’m not sure about the RV sites.

  • Jeff A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 20, 2025

    Home Valley Campground

    Good fit for us

    New to the area on the road exploring biking and hiking from far away. Quiet place with kind knowledgeable hosts. Could only book on line. Felt mislead somewhat with GSAgent on phone. Wish had pic’s. Pricing very palatable and amenities good as we are self contained. We are not a big RV but small van & seasoned campers. Spacious sites and nice high up view of the River. We liked this unique CG. Must be advised lots of trains and highway noises on either side of CG but didn’t bother us. We would return.

  • Kathy C.
    Sep. 17, 2025

    Clackamette RV Park

    Great location

    Close to the river, and all the amenities of town.

  • S. Renae M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 15, 2025

    Wind Mountain RV Park

    Rustic, clean and safe! Wonderful getaway !

    Got here and loved the place. Some camp spot are pretty close but you have amazing views! Not far from the city.
    I love this place!!

    The camp host Chris is awesome ! Straight forward kinda guy and takes great care of this place!! Will definitely be back!!


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?

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?

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?

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?

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.