Glamping accommodations near Cowiche, Washington range from RV resorts to waterfront sites along the Naches and Yakima rivers. Most camping options sit at elevations between 1,500 and 3,000 feet, with typical summer temperatures reaching 85-95°F during day and dropping to 50-60°F at night. Winter camping requires preparation for snow conditions and temperatures that can drop well below freezing from November through March.
What to do
Whitewater adventures on Tieton River: During late summer months, guided rafting trips navigate class III rapids near Windy Point Campground. "Spot 4 is very spacious, with a more private beach area. Bathrooms were clean and stocked. This campground is right off the highway, so you do hear occasional road noise," notes camper Cassandra C.
Winter activities: When snow blankets the Cascade foothills, Squaw Rock RV Resort and Campground serves as a base camp for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Terra D. reports, "Well-maintained campground with nice river sites, pool, restaurant, and store. Close to area fishing and hiking."
Mushroom hunting: Spring brings morel mushrooms to forest areas surrounding Whispering Pines RV Campground. "We stayed here for just over two weeks back in May. Enjoyed a lot of relaxing, hiking and mushroom hunting. The staff was friendly and very accommodating with our changing plans," writes Julie F.
What campers like
Waterfront camping: Sites directly on rivers or lakes rank among campers' favorites. At Hause Creek Campground, "Sites 9-12 are reservable, walk in and right against the river. The river was running high while we were there, so it drowned out most of the road noise," according to Stephanie S.
Swimming holes: Natural swimming areas provide relief during hot summer days. "We stayed for three nights. Our campsite was right on the water side which made swimming and playing in the water so easy," writes Becky R. about Bumping Lake Campground.
Stargazing opportunities: Clear nights offer excellent stargazing conditions with minimal light pollution. "This is a great place to camp and ride ORVs they have a beginners loop trailhead attached to this site as well as a trail head to a larger trail system," notes Bruce S. about Riders Camp.
What you should know
Road noise: Several campgrounds sit near highways. "This campground sits right off of hwy 12. The sites were a little over grown when we were there. The pit toilets were clean," explains Chad K. about Hause Creek Campground.
Limited cell service: Many camping areas have minimal or no cellular reception. "There is no cable, internet or cell service. But it's absolutely a little piece of heaven," reports Roxanna L. about Rimrock Lake Resort.
Seasonal closures: Most forest service campgrounds close from late September through May. Windy Point Campground operates from "May 19 to September 27," while Bumping Lake Campground runs "May 20 to September 27."
Shower availability: Limited shower facilities exist among wilderness camping options. At Bethel Ridge OHV Camping, Jessica C. notes it's "Very quiet sprawling camp area," but no showers exist at this free dispersed camping area.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas for children. At Whispering Pines RV Campground, Nick C. shares, "The campground was very clean, the spots were spacious and tons of things for the kids to do. Highly recommend!"
Kid-friendly beaches: Look for gradual lake entry points for safer swimming. At Squaw Rock RV Resort, Chuck B. notes, "Many sites are on the river and are close together, but wasn't too busy when I was there."
Wildlife viewing with children: Early mornings offer opportunities to spot wildlife near water. "We walked the whole campground and found many sites push up against the road, the ones on the river are decent," reports Cheyenne B. about her experience at Hause Creek Campground.
Tips from RVers
Hookup limitations: Many campgrounds offer partial hookups only. At Whispering Pines RV Campground, Kimberly E. advises, "We stayed at one of the 'dry' sites and were pleasantly surprised that we had water. Looks like they are finishing up installing the electric hook ups for the now currently dry sites."
Limited dump stations: Plan waste tank management carefully. At Bumping Lake Campground, "The campground is clean and well maintained by the folks at Hoodoo Recreation. They checked the vault toilets several times per day and also have fire wood for sale at their host site," according to Shay F.
Winter access considerations: Not all campgrounds remain accessible during winter months. "Nice for camping in the snow," reports Jennifer M. about Lake Easton State Park, one of the few year-round camping options in the area.
