RV parks near Cowiche, Washington range from small, family-operated facilities to larger resorts with varied amenities. Located in the eastern foothills of the Cascade Mountains at approximately 1,600 feet elevation, this region experiences hot, dry summers and cold winters. Campgrounds in the area are typically situated along river corridors, providing water access but also creating seasonal noise considerations from both nearby highways and waterways.
What to do
Fishing access: At Squaw Rock RV Resort and Campground, campers can enjoy direct river access for fishing. "Well-Maintained campground with nice river sites, pool, restaurant, and store. Close to area fishing and hiking," notes reviewer Terra D.
Mountain biking: The Packwood area, about 90 minutes from Cowiche, offers excellent trails. A visitor to Packwood RV Park & Campground shared, "We rode our mountain bikes up to Packwood lake one morning, which is 10 miles round trip. It's a great biking trail, but can also be used as a hiking trail."
Mushroom hunting: Spring and fall provide opportunities for foraging in the forests surrounding the RV parks. "We stayed here for just over two weeks back in May. Enjoyed a lot of relaxing, hiking and mushroom hunting," reports Julie F. about her stay at Whispering Pines.
What campers like
River proximity: Many campsites feature water frontage on local rivers. Chuck B. mentioned about his experience at Squaw Rock: "Many sites are on the river and are close together, but wasn't too busy when I was there."
Clean facilities: Whispering Pines RV Campground receives consistent praise for maintenance. "Bathrooms are amazingly clean," reports Angie, while another camper noted, "Showers were AMAZING! Huge lots for our ambo conversion and plenty of room to relax and unwind."
Local exploration: The Yakima Valley and surrounding areas offer many day trip options. A visitor at Corral Pass Campground shared, "We camped off Mather memorial parkway for just a few hours during a Questival and found it to be quiet, easy to access and plenty of firewood. Loved sleeping by the creek!"
What you should know
Limited connectivity: Cell service and WiFi can be problematic at most RV parks around Cowiche. Thomas M. warned about Squaw Rock: "Bring an extra hose because your connection may be at the front right of your camper. Oh, no service either. WiFi is only available at the office."
Environmental factors: The region's geography creates unique camping conditions. Sue G. described E & J RV Park: "If you like hot dry weather, tall pine trees and not much grass this is a great spot. It is between a river and the freeway, so you get a lot of freeway noise."
Seasonal variations: Weather conditions affect camping experiences significantly throughout the year. Campers should prepare for temperature extremes, especially in transition seasons. "We visited here in mid-July so it was very warm during the day and got cold at night so make sure to bring warm clothes for after gorgeous sunset," advised one camper at Stagecoach RV Park.
Tips for camping with families
Recreational amenities: Look for campgrounds with activities for children. A visitor to Whispering Pines noted, "Great trails along the Yakima River and a fun little playground for the kiddos (I believe there is another playground being built as well)."
Safety considerations: Some campgrounds have better family setups than others. Nick C. shared, "The campground was very clean, the spots were spacious and tons of things for the kids to do. Highly recommend!"
Easy access sites: For family camping in RVs, prioritize campgrounds with level, easily accessible sites. At Packwood RV Park & Campground, one camper mentioned, "Great quiet place. There's a lot of things around walking distance (all within a couple min walk). Also has great showers bathrooms and laundry."
Tips from RVers
Site layout challenges: Several RV parks near Cowiche have unique hookup arrangements. About Squaw Rock Resort, one RVer noted, "Single utility service serves two sites. The water spigot has a Y splitter to share a single water connection. Power has one 30 Amp and one 50 Amp socket."
Hose requirements: Water connections sometimes require extra equipment. One camper advised bringing "an extra hose because your connection may be at the front right of your camper."
Access limitations: Some campgrounds have restrictions on arrival times. A reviewer at Whispering Pines shared, "The camp host turned our anxieties around, as he came whipping cheerfully through the gate in his golf cart to let us in at 9:55, exclaiming 'You just barely made it!'" The campground rules state arrivals must be before 9:30 PM.
