Washington's Gifford Pinchot National Forest surrounds Heisson, providing diverse glamping opportunities within 30 miles. The area features volcanic soil from Mount St. Helens, creating unique terrain for camping. Winter temperatures often drop below freezing, so year-round glamping accommodations typically include heating systems and insulation.
What to do
Visit Mount St. Helens: From Lone Fir Resort, visitors have convenient access to key attractions. "Easy access to Mt. St. Hellens, Ape cave and Yale lake. Very beautiful area!" notes Michael K. The resort offers a central location for exploring the south side of the mountain.
Explore water activities: Silver Lake near Seaquest State Park provides swimming and fishing during summer months. At Lake Merwin Camper's Hideaway, members enjoy exclusive lake access. "This campground does not have public access. You must be a member or a guest of a member to enter. There is lake access and a boat ramp," explains Amy Z.
Try disc golf: Paradise Point State Park features a 9-hole course suitable for beginners. "The selling point for this camp ground was the disc golf course," writes Fatima H. The course utilizes the park's natural features and provides a casual recreational option between hiking sessions.
What campers like
Private forest settings: Glamping sites around Heisson frequently feature secluded wooded locations. At Merrill Lake Campground, visitors appreciate the natural surroundings. "Great for paddle boarding or kayaking. There's a boat launch. Best of all, it's free!" remarks Kathy B., highlighting the value and access to water activities.
Proximity to Portland: Many glamping options near Heisson serve as convenient escapes from urban areas. "Oxbow feels like it is in the middle of nowhere but it's easy to get to and practically within the city limits of Portland. Accessibility and quiet is why I chose it," shares Stephanie Z. about Oxbow Regional Park.
Unique accommodations: Beyond standard yurts, the area offers diverse glamping structures. "Fantastic little campground with unique cabins, pristine RV spots and a fantastic staff! You can see the love and pride the owner has in this property!" writes Regina R. about Lone Fir Resort, pointing to the distinctive lodging options available.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Many popular glamping sites fill quickly, especially during summer. "The first thing I noticed when I put the socks on was that they were tight, but they didn't cut off my circulation as so many pairs of compression socks do," writes Stephanie Z., who tested gear while camping at Oxbow Regional Park.
Highway noise: Some glamping locations experience road noise despite forest settings. At Paradise Point State Park, "Freeway is really really close to the whole camp site. You can hear vehicles at night. If you're a light sleeper or need nature noises when camping - this is not the site for you," warns Susan P.
Variable cell service: Connectivity varies dramatically across glamping sites near Heisson. "Clean bathrooms, one women's shower. Very shaded and dense forest. No cell (occasionally 1 bar LTE AT&T). Too heavily forested for Starlink," reports Kim G. about her stay at Seaquest State Park, highlighting potential communication challenges.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Seaquest State Park offers dedicated children's facilities. "My kids loved the addition of a playground. Many parks don't have this and it kept them entertained for hours," notes Mary C., adding that "They also host junior ranger programs during the summer."
Educational opportunities: Mount St. Helens visitor centers provide learning experiences. "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," explains Ashley B. about Seaquest State Park.
Swimming options: Identify safe water access points for children. "Great access to the river to keep cool in summer. Nice sandy beaches. Park also has a lot of sheltered picnic areas and playground," shares marcus K. about Oxbow Regional Park, highlighting family-friendly features.
Tips from RVers
Site selection challenges: Paradise Point presents specific limitations for larger vehicles. "We put the size of our RV in the state website and it gave us site 50. 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," cautions Alex W.
Hookup availability: Cougar RV Park provides full utilities for extended stays. "Full hookup spots did seem close together and it was a tad busy being summer and all! We happened to be tucked away in a corner closer to the road (which didnt bother us at all)," notes Noelle about her experience at Cougar RV Park.
Dump station access: Seaquest State Park offers convenient waste disposal. "Electric and water, dump station included in fee which was $40/night. If not camping here, it is $5 to dump," explains Carol, providing specific cost information for RVers planning glamping trips near Heisson.
