Looking for the best campgrounds near Gifford Pinchot National Forest, WA? Aside from great camping spots, you'll find hiking and many more outdoor experiences. Thinking of traveling with kids? You're in luck—Gifford Pinchot National Forest is surrounded by family-friendly activities. Ready to plan your adventure? Check out our campgrounds near Gifford Pinchot National Forest and user-submitted reviews.
$25 - $45 / night
"The campground sits right on a lake northwest of Mt. Adams.
Our site was set up with a single tent pad up a little hill from the driveway and fire pit. It might not have worked for multiple tents."
"Beautiful views Quiet and secluded campground with plenty of campsites available in the Fall. The trail around the lake is peaceful and easy-going, with views of Mt Adams at the day-use parking lot."
"With the road coming to a dead end, you simply find a place to park and carry your stuff to one of numerous sites (I think there were 8-10), with other spots where you could easily pitch a tent."
"It's another of the smaller campgrounds with only 5 walk in sites. I usually stay in smaller places or go dispersed style when possible.
It's a bumpy windy road down to the campground."
$27 - $50 / night
"Iron Creek is a great camp site in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. The river runs near the camp was a great spot for the kids and dogs to play. Camp sites were large spacious and private."
"Picnic table, fire pit, clean toilet structure. Site managers nice enough to help us with our drive to view St. Helens, which was a personal highlight, to see St."
"Which works out well because it’s extremely quiet, as most people are in bed early."
"A Lake or a pond is your front view, the back is cliffs, prairie, and wildlife. Spent the day with a Fishing Guide (1-509-860-7233). I hope the pictures show how great this place is."
$25 - $45 / night
"Pit toilets, running water, and trail access to majorly awesome backcountry hiking the Walupt Lake is the place for you and your next adventure."
"nice tall shade trees and beautiful access to the lake. trails are around and a large beach to relax on. sites are large and trees are close enough to hang a hammock. note: road to get here is entirely"
$10 - $70 / night
"The campground was busy over the weekend, but was nearly empty and quiet by the time Sunday night rolled around."
"Nice flat camping area, picnic bench fire pit, a bit of a mosquito challenge but not too bad. Lots of families, and maybe even groups. Has showers, which is what we mainly booked for."
"Cute little creek and access to a swimming hole. Porta potties are nearby to our camp site."
"We look forward to our annual camping trip to Trout Lake every year. The view of Mt Adams is amazing and the park is a great place to have family gatherings. We love it there!"
"This is a great base camp for exploring the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.
The campground and facilities is very clean and well maintained."
"Arrived just before dark and left in the morning. Very spacious sites in the forest. Not much light and forest kept camp smoke nearby (not to my liking). Bathrooms clean. Paid shower."
$25 - $60 / night
"The location is on a tucked away bend of the Hood River and feels rather secluded."
"It’s first come first serve so I would get there early, especially in the heat of the summer. Open May-November I believe. Bring cash for payment."
$45 - $125 / night
"The only thing missing from this amazing camping spot is electricity and running water. Otherwise, it’s perfect! Absolutely gorgeous view of Mt."
"Tent sites are large and spaced out so your not right next to your neighbors. It’s a little bit of a walk to the lake but enjoyable."
LegendThe only thing missing from this amazing camping spot is electricity and running water. Otherwise, it’s perfect! Absolutely gorgeous view of Mt. Hood, tons of hiking, a beautiful lake and camping spots for everyone. They have walk-in spots, yurts, a-frames, RV spots, a horse camp and even a few rooms at the lodge. Make sure to spend at least 3-4 days!
TravelerTent sites are large and spaced out so your not right next to your neighbors. It’s a little bit of a walk to the lake but enjoyable. We stayed in the A-frame cabin which is right off the parking lot so can be busy but is a generous size lot and has some shrubbery and trees for privacy. there’s a trail out right out the back of the lot. The cabin is small and rustic. Non motorized lake. Canoe, paddle board and boat rentals available and I highly recommend.
GuideIron Creek is a great camp site in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. The river runs near the camp was a great spot for the kids and dogs to play. Camp sites were large spacious and private. I would highly recommend this campground!
GuideThis is a great base camp for exploring the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.
The campground and facilities is very clean and well maintained. Most sites are in a wooded area with good shade.
The day use area is along the river with boat ramp and dock. However, THERE ARE NO FALLS. The other reviewer's photos are not from here. There is a damn downstream which creates a slow moving river good for boating. The river is very cloudy murky green a result of ash and sediment runoff from the Mt St Helens eruption.
Loops:
A-Loop: water & electric. A mix of shaded and open grassy sites. Outer are pull through, inner are back in. You will find the most private sites in this loop.
B-Loop: no utilities, possibly tents only. These are the only sites which are not paved. Many are right next each other. It's like they had it laid out well but then jammed in a few more as an afterthought.
C-Loop: Group RV water & electric. This loop is interesting. It’s a paved circle with a treed center with group tables and firepit. Circle your RVs like a wagon train.
D-Loop: water & electric. This is an RV neighborhood where everyone has a "Welcome to our campsite" sign and there's a common covered area with tables. Sites have the table to rear of site.
TravelerThere 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. All campsites have a fire ring and picnic table. You’ll still see and hear your fellow campers, but it does seem semi private. Make sure to bring toilet paper, the bathroom seems to never be stocked. Make sure to haul out all trash.
You can’t use motorized boats and can only fly fish in the lake, but a very nice 1 mile hike is adjacent to the day use area. Also very close to Cougar for gas and supplies for emergencies. Driving distance to popular day hikes. No cell service.
LegendThis campground is under very new ownership and the owners are some of the friendliest we’ve met to date. They are also in the process of renovating the property to make improvements. So as I review this it is with the anticipation of all the great changes to come.
Most of the tent sites had a decent amount of space, and the perimeter ones were a little more private too. We did see some campers set up on the roadside—not sure if they knew what they were getting at the time (I wouldn’t want to be right on the road).
There were some decently sized RV spots, but the pull through spaces looked a little crowded.
There are only two bathrooms, each having a toilet and shower in a self contained unit. Naturally, if two people are showering this means that all flush toilets are also occupied. There are two porta-potties to accommodate for this. The owners did keep the bathrooms as clean as possible—but the bathrooms could use some renovating themselves and have a musty smell. There is laundry on site. It’s not the quietest campground we’ve stayed at (not the noisiest either) and it might benefits from clearly defined quiet hours.
Two blocks away there are two gas stations with mini-markets.
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.
GuideOn our way to Alaska for the SF Bay Area we stopped at several different camping locations along lakes and mountains. The only one we went out of our way to stay at when coming back was Lost Lake Campground. The sites are plenty big, have tables and fire pits. The entire area is amply wooded to provide privacy and the sense of seclusion. The bathrooms were clean and always had TP. There is running water spigots dispersed throughout the camping areas. If I'm ever in the area it will be the 1st place I go.
ScoutOur family has had the privilege of enjoying Columbia Gorge Getaways on three separate occasions and each time was a joyous and exceptional experience. Our first time staying was for a friend's wedding. Everything was perfect from start to finish and hands down one of the best weddings we have been to from the stunning Ceremony site overlooking the luscious forest to the fun event space perfect for any gathering. We stayed in a Bell tent and I have never slept so soundly as I did for this cozy glamping weekend. The bathrooms have everything you need and being amongst friends and family in such a gorgeous space was pure bliss.
We gathered again for a lovely baby shower on a perfect Spring day! Again, the event space was such a great spot and our kids loved play area and fun lawn games!
The last time we stayed we brought our tent and loved it. We were amazed at how comfortable and spacious our site was along with a lovely picnic table to enjoy our meals. The kids loved running around the safe and friendly campsite and playing in the play space. They have been hounding us to return and we cannot wait! We will be recommending Columbia Gorge Getaways to everyone as the perfect gathering spot! Thank you for the wonderful experiences each and every time.
ScoutWe camped on site #42 and it was perfect location. We didn't want to be right on the water as our dogs would be in it 24/7. This site you could still see the water and hear it. We found many paths down to the water, even some places to soak if we wanted. The bathrooms (glorified outhouse) were always clean and had toilet paper. There is no running water, so we brought our own. Everyone was pretty quiet and the hosts were wonderful. We will definitely come back again. We drove into Yakima to check out WilRidge winery and go pick cherries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Gifford Pinchot National Forest?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Gifford Pinchot National Forest is Takhlakh Lake Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 22 reviews.
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