Camping options around Cougar, Washington provide convenient access to Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument and surrounding wilderness areas. The town sits at approximately 512 feet elevation at the base of the Cascade Range near Yale Lake and the Lewis River. Winter camping in this region requires preparation for temperatures that frequently drop below freezing from November through February.
What to do
Hiking near Mount St. Helens: Cougar serves as an ideal base camp for exploring the southern approach to Mount St. Helens. "Only a few minutes away are the Cougar and Beaver recreation areas in the Lewis River. It only takes 10 minutes to get to Mt St Helens Ape Cave, Trail of Two Forests and Lava Canyon area," notes a visitor at Cougar RV Park and Campground.
Fishing and water activities: Access to Yale Lake and Lewis River provides excellent fishing opportunities. "There is a path that leads to the Wildwood recreation area and within the RV park itself there is access to the Salmon River for fishing/swimming," according to a camper who stayed at Mt Hood Village Resort.
Wildlife viewing: The meadows and forests around Cougar attract diverse wildlife. At Elk Meadows RV Park, visitors report: "Saw elk splashing through the meadow at night while we watched stars and satellites."
What campers like
Waterfront camping options: Several rv parks near Cougar, Washington offer sites with water access. "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," reports a camper at Silver Cove RV Resort.
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain well-kept bathrooms and showers. "The bathrooms are exceptional. Stayed in site 50. Beautiful view of mountain and meadow!!!" shares a guest at Elk Meadows RV Park.
Proximity to services: Local amenities remain accessible despite the rural setting. "Two blocks away there are two gas stations with mini-markets," notes a Cougar RV Park and Campground visitor, making supply runs convenient for extended stays.
What you should know
Variable site spacing: Site layouts and privacy differ significantly between campgrounds. "Spaces are close together but because of the mature Forrest you couldn't see your neighbors! it was beautiful," explains a camper at Big Fir Campground & RV Park.
Shower availability and costs: Shower facilities vary widely in rv parks around Cougar, WA. "The shower is coin operated so unless you plan ahead with quarters you are out of luck. It has a card option but does not work," warns a camper about Cougar RV Park.
Reservation importance: Most campgrounds fill quickly during summer months. At Columbia Riverfront RV Park, a visitor observed that "we stopped here on overnight up to Olympic national park. So glad we did," suggesting advance booking is essential during peak times.
Tips for camping with families
Look for campgrounds with playground facilities: Some rv parks feature dedicated children's areas. "There is a playground, swimming pool, small store, cafe, bathrooms with showers (and warm water) and activities during the day for kids," reports a visitor at Mt Hood Village Resort.
Consider noise factors: Traffic noise affects some campgrounds more than others. "The campground is next to the busy road, so you get some loud traffic from time to time," notes a Cougar RV Park camper, suggesting selecting sites farther from main roads when traveling with light sleepers.
Check bathroom proximity for tent campers: Walking distance to facilities matters for families. "If you're tent camping the bathrooms are quite the hike, the tent sites are crammed together," warns a Mt Hood Village visitor about facility planning.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling considerations: Not all sites are equally level. "Paved spots, WiFi, lovely walking trails and bathroom and showers are clean and maintained!" reports a visitor at Bayport RV Park, indicating paved sites typically offer better leveling.
Size accommodation varies: RV length restrictions differ between parks. "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," explains an Mt Hood Village Resort guest.
Off-peak advantages: Shoulder season visits offer better availability. "We hadn't made reservations but called earlier in the day and they got us in no problem!" shares a Big Fir Campground visitor, indicating greater flexibility outside summer peak periods.
