1 campground with availability this weekend
Tent camping near Longview, Washington provides access to diverse forest and lakeside sites within the Gifford Pinchot National Forest and surrounding areas. Notable tent-only options include Merrill Lake Campground near Cougar, which features eight walk-in tent sites and one drive-up site, all requiring a Washington Discover Pass. Cougar Park & Campground offers a strictly tent-only experience with amenities including drinking water, picnic tables, and toilets. For those seeking more primitive tent camping experiences, Mount St. Helens dispersed camping areas provide free backcountry sites with minimal facilities.
Most tent campgrounds in the region operate on a first-come, first-served basis, particularly at Merrill Lake where no reservations are accepted. Walk-in tent sites typically include fire rings and picnic tables, though campers should bring tarps for tent placement as many sites feature crushed rock surfaces. Vault toilets are common but often unstocked with toilet paper. Weather conditions change rapidly near Mount St. Helens, requiring extra layers and rain protection. During summer months, mosquitoes can be problematic in forested areas, making proper tent setup essential. Pack-in, pack-out principles apply at all sites, with limited or no trash facilities available.
The tent camping experience around Longview offers exceptional access to natural features and recreation. According to reviews, Merrill Lake provides "incredible, private tent sites with a short hike in from the parking lot," making it ideal for backcountry tent camping enthusiasts who appreciate solitude. The lake permits non-motorized boating and fly fishing only. Mount St. Helens dispersed camping areas offer primitive tent sites with views of the mountain and access to hiking trails including Ape Canyon and Lava Canyon. One visitor noted that "the site is sheltered by large trees which gave it a nice feel of privacy." Sites near water features provide natural white noise that helps mask occasional road sounds, creating a more immersive wilderness experience.
Available this weekend
from $30 - $300 / night
"Sites are primitive, no tables. This is on the columbia river water kayak trail."
"Island is lovely to walk around, our site had beach access. Site to reserve has pictures. Will definitely return!"
from $30 / night
"There was free firewood stacked nearby because of all the logging in the area. Each site has a picnic table and fire pit. Walk in tent camping only, or you could park your van in the parking lot."
"Drove past the paid camping and found many available areas to set up for the night. Couple areas had excessive amounts of trash."
from $10 - $15 / night
"I was on a 4 day backpacking trip and stayed at this campsite with a group of people. The weather does change very fast in the park so bring extra layers. There is fire rings tables and restrooms"
"We got site #36 site with some trees, no real noise of the road, felt fairly private. The sites are somewhat far apart though I could see into my neighbor's campground."
"It was a concrete pad so set up for the teardrop was easy. We were the only campers that we are aware of; very quiet night. No trash on site."
"We tent camped at the very end of the road at the top. Unfortunately we could see nothing but clouds this visit, but I would still come back! No photos since it was so foggy and misty."
"The RV toilet, hammock, fire pit, and picnic table were well maintained."
"Our site was secluded and we had privacy. The pond area is beautiful with all the statues found around it. Highly recommend and we plan to visit again :)"
from $45 / night
"another site where you park and walk in! 8 sites, some are more private than others. 2 vault toilets, fire rings and picnic tables! great lake to kayak on."
"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."
"We reserved a spot in the Brooke Creek walk-in tent site. It is a 1/4 mile walk to the sites starting from the visitors center."
"this was so awesome.. we used the walk-in camp sites that had been closed till the moment we asked after closing due to a tree falling in one of the bathrooms.. so me and my friend were the only ones out"
from $17 / night
RangerThis place was one of the busier sites and the most difficult to find a private spot. Tons of people were just in pull offs - which I tend to try and avoid as a solo traveler. Found a spot by the creek that was pretty private, but getting in and out was a bit challenging. Definitely needed my 4WD. However, the road leading in was totally fine.
ScoutOwners were a great help in selecting an RV site. The higher the RV site number, the closer you are to the water
ScoutGreat staff. Clean campground restrooms. Great views of Silver Lake and Mount St Helens
ScoutI tent camped and had half the campground to myself. Water and toilets in good condition. Nice and quiet. I booked on their website beforehand, was about $26 after fees.
ScoutBeautiful sites and camping.
TravelerSpacious spots by a scenic lake. Can accommodate just about any size rig, plenty of sites for both tents and rvs.
TravelerBeautiful spot, lots of great spots for tents, rvs and travel trailers. Loved that there was plenty of space between campsites. Would spend multiple nights here!
TravelerWe camped here for 4 days, rangers were nice we hauled in our wood since we didn’t want to buy a lot, and can’t gather wood there. Plenty of trees between campsites, The Bathroom and showers were really nice and clean!! lake was also nice but small. Enjoyed our stay!!
RangerThis site is great! Lots of rules listed but not enforced, would recommend having the discovery pass though as signs are prevalent. If you can avoid going the route alongside the correctional facility, you’ll have much less dirt roads and pot holes. There isn’t room in the non horse sites for a rig more than say 25 feet long. No cell service or Starlink, but if you drive to a clearing nearby you can find a satellite .
Several established tent campgrounds surround the Longview, Washington area, primarily across the Columbia River in Oregon or in Washington's national forests. Tent campers can find walk-in sites at Merrill Lake Campground near Cougar, which offers primitive tent campsites in an old-growth cedar forest setting along the lakeshore. The Clatsop State Forest's Gnat Creek Campground provides small, secluded tent sites near a creek with hiking trails leading to a fish hatchery. Some dispersed camping options exist along forest service roads outside established campgrounds.
Most tent sites in the region have basic amenities with picnic tables and fire rings, though seasonal fire restrictions may apply during dry months. Vault toilets are common at established campgrounds, but many lack running water or trash service. A review from The Dyrt notes, "The paid camping is small and close to the road. But if you drive a little ways passed the paid camp site there is a surplus of free dispersed camping spots that are much more private and beautiful." Campers should bring their own water and pack out all trash. Sites are typically first-come, first-served, with some locations requiring a state parks discovery pass or forest permit for overnight stays.
Tent camping near Longview offers varying degrees of seclusion depending on the chosen location. Merrill Lake provides a quieter experience with only eight walk-in tent sites and one drive-up site, creating a more intimate camping experience. Sand Island Marine Park offers boat-accessible tent camping on an island across from St. Helens, providing a unique riverside camping experience, though reviews mention sometimes lengthy waits for transportation to the island. According to a visitor, "The sites don't have fire pits but there is a communal fire pit, which is great for meeting your fellow campers." Most tent campgrounds in the region remain relatively uncrowded during weekdays, though summer weekends see higher visitation rates, particularly at locations closer to Portland and Vancouver.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Longview, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Longview, WA is Four Directions Retreat with a 4-star rating from 2 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Longview, WA?
TheDyrt.com has all 39 tent camping locations near Longview, WA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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