Camping spots near Longview, Washington include several riverside locations with access to the Cowlitz and Columbia Rivers. The region sits at elevations between 10-150 feet above sea level and receives approximately 45-50 inches of annual rainfall. Camping options range from primitive sites with no amenities to full-service RV parks, with peak season running from late May through September.
What to do
River fishing opportunities: Camp Wilkerson, located about 25 miles west of Longview, offers access to streams and trails. "We stayed at the tent site T9 and pretty much had the place to ourselves on Sunday. The solitude and creek nearby made the experience quite tranquil," notes camper Annie T.
Hiking trails: At Beaver Falls Trailhead - Overnight, campers can access a waterfall via a short hike. "The hike to the falls is to the far left of the pullout. Do NOT go down the super steep trails to the right. Beautiful waterfall after a short hike," advises Mike S. This dispersed camping area is located approximately 25 miles from Longview.
Lake activities: Silver Lake Resort provides water-based recreation including fishing and boating. "Silver Lake is one of the best Large-mouth Bass fishing lakes in Washington State. We also have a lot of Crappie, Trout, Perch, Bluegill, Catfish, Warmouth, Pumpkin Seed, and two kinds of Carp," states reviewer Alicia F.
Disc golf course: Paradise Point State Park Campground features a 9-hole disc golf course about 20 miles from Longview. "The disc golf course is entertaining, but not super challenging. Located on barely 10 acres the designers have done a good job using every bit of the land here," explains Steve C.
What campers like
Quick river access: The River bank camping area provides immediate water access. "This place is just off the interstate a couple minutes but you feel like you're out in the country. Hostess very accommodating. Riverfrontage is delightful," shares Mike E. The site requires self-contained camping without hookups.
Family-friendly playgrounds: Toutle River RV Resort offers numerous recreational facilities. "This is the kind of RV park that I like. Nice spots surrounded by grass, decent space between sites, and most importantly, lots and lots of things for kiddos to explore. There's random trails, a playground, big green fields, volleyball court," notes Corinna B.
Cell service variability: Cell reception differs significantly between campgrounds. At Beaver Falls Trailhead, one camper noted: "1 bar of Verizon LTE. The dirt was solid -- I wasn't worried at all about getting stuck in the mud (and I'm here in the middle of winter with tons of recent rain)." Meanwhile, at Silver Lake Resort, another camper reported: "No service. Too heavily forested for Starlink."
Affordable primitive camping: Several camping areas near Longview offer low-cost options. Camp Wilkerson provides Adirondack shelters for group camping. "The group camping areas have lean tos that can accommodate many people in the bunks. We brought a pop up camper and was able to get it set up nicely," reports Don H.
What you should know
Winter camping considerations: Many campgrounds remain open year-round but have weather-related challenges. Jeremy B. shares about Beaver Falls: "The dirt was solid -- I wasn't worried at all about getting stuck in the mud (and I'm here in the middle of winter with tons of recent rain)."
Safety awareness: Some dispersed camping areas have reported security concerns. At Beaver Falls Trailhead, Ryan D. notes: "Cops came around about 930pm to inform me there is a high level of criminal activity around. To stay at my own risk. He was very friendly and left me his card. Lock up, don't leave anything outside and be aware."
Noise levels: Campgrounds near highways experience traffic noise. Paradise Point State Park Campground has sites with varying noise exposure. "Down at the day use area the sound was so loud it was hard to hear people talking just a few feet away," writes Brian C., adding that "there's the sites more out in the open that are closer to the freeway. Then there's a bunch further away in both a meadow and the woods."
Non-reserved camping fees: Some parks charge extra for walk-in camping. At Hudson-Parcher Park, "There is a $5 extra charge for not reserving so be prepared for that," advises Tyler D.
Tips for camping with families
Multiple playground options: Hudson-Parcher Park features several playground areas for children. "It's a big campground. The sites are decently spaced apart. There is not much for wilderness here. It is in the trees, but a lot of it is lawn. Has a field and playground," notes Tyler D.
Junior Ranger programs: Seaquest State Park Campground offers educational activities for children. A reviewer shared: "At night the campground had a great Junior Ranger program with a very enthusiastic park ranger that kept the almost 50 people/kids entertained. She was great at engaging all the kids and teaching them about the park."
Group camping setup: For families traveling together, Camp Wilkerson offers specialized arrangements. "Great camping if you go in groups. The tent camping area actually leaves a lot to be desired. The group camping areas have lean tos that can accommodate many people in the bunks," explains Don H.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Several campgrounds offer chances to observe local wildlife. At Camp Wilkerson, one camper mentioned: "Seen a heard of elk on one of my hikes," while Silver Lake Resort provides views of "bald eagles everywhere" according to another reviewer.
Tips from RVers
Site size considerations: RV sites vary significantly in size constraints. At Paradise Point State Park, Alex W. cautions: "We arrived and it was IMPOSSIBLE to get our rig in that site due to the trees. We couldn't even continue out the secondary loop because it was so narrow and had trees on the inside of turns."
Level pads available: Brookhollow RV Park offers concrete slabs for easy setup. "Spaces are well space, lots of concrete pull through level pads. I have stayed here a couple of times now and will be back," notes Stevan.
Monthly stay options: Some RV parks offer extended-stay discounts. Brookhollow RV Park was described by Cheryl as having "monthly rates [that] are spectacular," making it economical for longer visits.
Bathroom accessibility: When selecting an RV site, consider proximity to facilities. At Hudson-Parcher Park, Rich G. observed: "Quite a hike to go to the bathrooms, just to find them a bit dirty and constantly out of essentials. But all in all, a decent stay."
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