Best Cabin Camping near Kalama, WA

We picked this campsite as our last stop on a week long camping trip round Rainer and St. Helens area. 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. Small general store, basketball hoop, pizza shop, and some cabin rentals. Luckily the dance party ended just after dark, so we got plenty of sleep. Stayed only 1 night. Plus is ranger station 5 minutes from site, with maps, stickers, fridge magnets, etc. Ranger gave us detail on ape caves, and other are hikes for kids, AND ranger was cool enough to tell us all about his Bigfoot experience in the area, complete with mobile phone picture of footprint! Lots of kids and teens, but some fisherman too, who didn’t seem to mind the dance music and footballs flying around!

The park just added two nature playgrounds that are pretty fantastic. One of the new playgrounds, right before the boat launch, features a trail with a mud kitchen, two a-frame tents and a big area where you can use fallen logs and branches to build shelters.

The other nature playground is right across from the old playground (still in use) and has a wooden water course with a hand pump and an elevated wooden plank course.

Camping can be a little loud since it's a popular spot and there are no pets allowed, but it's barely 30 minutes away from Portland and right on the Sandy River.

Lucked out with a last minute Father's Day weekend reservation at this great little campground located just at the junction of Mt St Helens and Gifford Pinchot. The campground is bookable online for only $15 a night which felt like a bargain for a private campground in the area. 

There are only 10 camping sites - some are suitable for RVs. There are also very small cabins that can be rented. There is a well stocked camp store on the property which is staffed from 7am to 7pm. There is also a pizza place on the property which is visited by a lot of area day hikers, so if you want an all day quiet woodsy feel you might want a different location, but if you've been camping or hiking for days on end without any amenities, this place will feel like an oasis.

The campground was busy over the weekend, but was nearly empty and quiet by the time Sunday night rolled around. We were at campsite #9 which was right next to a basketball hoop which got plenty of use while people were waiting for pizza (and was a bit noisy). The Pizza Place is not open everyday.

Each site had a firepit with grill and a picnic table. The toilet in the camping area had cold running water and a flush toilet. The toilets closer to the camp store had hot water and an outlet. Showers are available for an additional $3 charge, and laundry facilities are available for $5 a load on certain days.

The Camp Store had lots of knowledge about local hikes and what roads were open around MSH.  We used this campground as a base to hike Ape Caves, June Lake and Ape Canyon. It was about 30 minutes of forest road driving to the trail heads.

BGLSP is a really lovely park not too far from Portland with camping and rustin cabins. Most of the campsites are large enough for 2 tents, and there were many RVs and popups - good size driveways/parking areas. Cabins C17 and C21 were the most private, though C13 and C15 had a partial view of the lake. Campsites 19 and 20 were really tucked back and adjoined such that two groups could spread out. There is only one bathroom for the entire camping/cabin area, and it got pretty dirty/crowded at times, so that wasn't ideal. I would also recommend checking out the water quality information before going if you plan to do water sports or swimming. There was a high bacteria advisory when we went, so swimming was discouraged. We ended up going to nearby Klineline Pond to swim instead. There is a nice little concession stand, though, and they offer SUP and kayak rentals that looked nice.

Battleground is a nice and well loved state park not far from Portland, Oregon and Vancouver, Washington. The part itself centers around a clear caldera lake with tent camping, RV camping, cabins, trails, group sites, and the like. The lake is also frequently stocked, and fishing is popular. Not motorized boats, but plenty of kayaks and rafts. There is a small camp store with snacks and fishing supplies on-site. Campground is well appointment with showers, water, etc.

Hiking around the lake is fun. And well a crowded park, it is easy to sneak away to a quiet spot. Some cabins and campsites have nice views overlooking the lake. The town of battleground is nearby with restaurants, grocery stores, and any you might have forgotten.

General: Medium-sized park (100 sites plus several cabins) located on Mayfield Lake with three loops: two with hookups and one without. We stayed in the loop without hookups.

Site Quality/Facilities: The sites are very generous in size with LONG paved driveway pads. The sites on the outer side of the loops are pull-throughs and the ones on the interior are back-in. Large wooden picnic table and a fire ring complete the site (although as with the entire state, there was a burn ban in effect). The sites are all heavily wooded, providing good separation between the sites. 

Bathhouse: Small – two stalls plus two showers – and dated. No hooks or other options to store toiletries and no garbage receptacle. 50 cents for every three minutes of shower time. Didn’t use the shower so cannot comment on the quality but I have definitely seen better showers. 

Activities: Water sports. There were plenty of motorboats out on the lake (not my thing but if it is yours, this looked like a good lake for watercraft). The loops are paved and I saw many riding their bikes. There is a trail that skirts the lake– a little over a mile point to point but with many paths leading from the campground loops. Rocky with lots of tree roots but very scenic. 

Very pleasant stay here and would return.

CAMPGROUND REVIEW

The Rose Creek Retreat is located about 2 hours northwest of Portland in Washington across from Astoria. This private campground resides on the rocky shores of the mouth of the mighty Columbia River. Nestled into the lush hillside between 2 river ghost towns, Altoona and Cottardi Station, the campground features 3 separate campsites that each offer privacy with their own unique features.

The owner, Sol, and his wife have been rehabilitating the forest on the property for several years. They have have worked tirelessly to repair the impact of logging and dumping. The couple is on a mission to create the premier boutique-style camping experience in a wilderness sanctuary and agro-forestry project. The property features lush greenery, native edible vegetation, and beautiful rose gardens all designed with permaculture in mind.

I arrived prior to the guests staying in the Rose Garden campsite and was able to get a full tour of the property. On the edge of the Columbia River, the Rose Garden site has a large mowed grassy area tucked into the hillside bordered by beautiful flower gardens with roses, fuchsias, and hellebore. The Rose Garden also features a beautiful small rustic cabin that sits next to the small babbling creek. The cabin has a phone charger, binoculars, identification books for bird watching, a full size memory foam mattress on frame, and is decorated with amazing photographs taken by Sol. As the only site that allows wood campfires, sit around the fire pit overlooking the Columbia and watch eagles dive for fish,ships sail inland, and the sun set over the mouth of the mighty river. This site also includes a picnic table and THE CLEANEST porta potty I have ever seen!

After touring the Rose Garden, we head up the road to the parking area for the Creekside Gardens and the Orchid Garden. A second very clean porta potty can be found here as well. From the parking area, head down into an enchanting forest soaking up the ambiance of sun rays peeking through the trees, the soothing chatter of the creek, and fragrance of the berry bushes and roses. Set your tent up on a bed of moss next to the creek or head up a small hill to a grassy area and picnic table that overlook the Columbia. When in season you’ll find no shortage of wild berries to forage for in the Creekside Gardens.

From the Creekside Gardens, keep heading up the hillside for a moderately steep 5-minute climb to access the most secluded campsite -- the Orchid Garden. This campsite is hidden in a forest of alders, maples, and massive ferns. Here you will find a hand-built wickiup tucked in the hillside. The wickiup even has solar lights to add to the enchanting ambiance of the forest.

The Orchid Garden is a true forest sanctuary. I enjoyed the solitude and the silence other than the leaves rustling in the light breeze. I loved being able to sit and just soak up Mother Nature’s good tidings.

In the morning, I took a short walk down the hill to sit and journal on the shores of the mouth of the Columbia River. It was the perfect nature retreat that I was looking for.

RANGER REVIEW

As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I am fortunate enough to try out new gear from time to time. On this trip, I tried out a pair of Midland X-Talker T61VP3 walkie talkies. Although I was heading out on a solo camping trip, I thought the NOAA weather alert feature would come in handy.

I was planning on sleeping in the wickiup but the mosquitoes in the lush forest in June were insane and very hungry! I quickly realized I would not be able to sleep in the wickiup without being eaten alive. Thankfully I had brought my tent and set it up as a makeshift mosquito net. Since the wickiup is tucked into the hillside there wasn’t a spot for my tent except partially shoved in the wickiup which in turn prevented me from putting my rainfly on. This is when my Midland radio came in handy.

I used the NOAA weather feature to check the forecast. I was relieved to hear there was a clear night without rain in the forecast. I was able to avoid being feasted on by skeeters and slept without my rainfly and without worry inclement weather.

I was very impressed with the ease of use of the radio. The weather broadcast came in crisp and clear even in the dense forest. I have used these radios on every camping and backpacking trip since. I love having access to NOAA weather broadcasts while in the backcountry. These radios also came in handy when backpacking with friends and trying to find a campsite around a crowded alpine lake. I will never go into the wilderness without these radios - whether I’m by myself or with a group these radios come in handy.

These small but mighty walkie talkies are packed with powerful features. Check out their website for all the specs and features - they have lots of radios to choose from. I know you’ll find one that fits your needs and you’ll love having these walkie talkies in your gear kit as I love mine!