Tent campers visiting Kalama, Washington can find several primitive camping options in the surrounding area, including the Merrill Lake Campground in the State Forest and Gifford Pinchot National Forest dispersed camping sites near Canyon Creek. These locations offer walk-in tent sites with varying levels of amenities and accessibility, with the Merrill Lake area featuring old-growth cedar groves along the lakeshore.
Most tent campgrounds near Kalama provide basic amenities like fire rings and picnic tables, though facilities are generally primitive. The Canyon Creek dispersed camping area in Gifford Pinchot National Forest is free but requires a permit and operates seasonally from May to October. Merrill Lake Campground features eight walk-in sites with pit toilets, but campers should bring toilet paper as bathrooms are rarely stocked. A Washington State Discover Pass is required for Merrill Lake, while sites are first-come, first-served with no reservations available at most primitive locations.
Merrill Lake Campground offers a particularly secluded tent camping experience with sites nestled among old-growth cedar trees. The campground prohibits motorized boats and only allows fly fishing, creating a quieter atmosphere than many other camping areas. Walk-in sites vary in size and privacy, with some accommodating multiple tents. The surrounding area provides access to hiking trails, including a one-mile nature path adjacent to the day-use area, plus proximity to Mount St. Helens activities. According to one visitor, "This is a great little campground on the lakeshore amidst a grove of Old Growth Cedar. Only 8 spaces for tents, and I camped here for 3 nights midweek and had the place to myself."
"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
Available next weekend
from $30 - $300 / 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."
"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."
"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
"Discover Pass or Discover Day Pass is required to stay there. Would recommend!"
"No cell service or Starlink, but if you drive to a clearing nearby you can find a satellite ."
"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
"Found this campsite when driving up to the south side of Mount St. Helens Hikes - it is situated between Ape Caves (farther away) and pretty close to Lava Canyon and Ape Canyon."
"This is a dispersed campsite near the south side of Mount St. Helens. It's free, which is always great. The drive in is just off the highway and up a little hill, but my car had no problems with it."
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 .
Primitive camping sites near Kalama, Washington dot the surrounding forest areas with established sites within 30 miles. The region sits along the western edge of the Cascade Range, offering a mix of lake-oriented and forest camping between 400-2,000 feet elevation. Most dispersed camping areas operate seasonally from May through October due to winter conditions and road access limitations.
Paddle sports on motorless lakes: Merrill Lake Campground features a boat launch ideal for kayaks and canoes, as no motorized boats are allowed. According to one visitor, "Great for paddle boarding or kayaking. There's a boat launch. Best of all, it's free!"
Hiking accessible trails: Many tent camping sites near Kalama connect to hiking networks. At Brooke Creek Walk-In Campground, "This area is beautiful and there are many trails around to go hiking and horseback riding on." The campground offers a short quarter-mile walk to reach tent sites.
Wildlife observation: Several camping areas feature ponds and wetlands with viewing opportunities. At Healing Ponds Farm Retreat, campers report "enjoying having our coffee by the pond, watching the ducks, and the resident turtle!" Other visitors mention seeing "baby bunnies, cows, goats, chickens, and turkeys."
Creek exploration: Many dispersed camping spots provide creek access. In the Gifford Pinchot National Forest-Canyon Creek area, one camper found "a spot right near the riverbank, you felt like you were deep in it. Really relaxing next to the sound of the river."
Secluded waterfront sites: Tent campsites near water features get consistent praise. At Merrill Lake Campground, "The lake is the real attraction here" and "mountain top lake campground" descriptions highlight its appeal.
Old-growth forests: Several camping areas feature mature forest settings. Merrill Lake includes "a grove of Old Growth Cedar" with a "Short and beautiful nature trail through the Cedars."
Remote feeling but accessible locations: Many campers value spots that feel isolated without requiring long journeys. About Canyon Creek Dispersed Camping, one reviewer notes: "once we found a spot right near the riverbank, you felt like you were deep in it... 'Spaces' were far enough apart that you couldn't even tell anyone else was out there."
Uncrowded weekday camping: For those seeking solitude when tent camping near Kalama, timing matters. One Merrill Lake camper reports: "I camped here for 3 nights midweek in early May and had the place to myself. Fisherman come and go during the day, but I never saw more than 3 vehicles at the boat launch."
Primitive facilities require preparation: Most dispersed sites have minimal amenities. At Merrill Lake, "Bring your own toilet paper, the bathroom seems to never be stocked" and "Make sure to haul out all trash."
Access roads can be challenging: Several camping areas require navigating rough roads. Canyon Creek involves "about 5 miles of rough rough gravel road" and another camper warns they "ended up lost on the mountain for 3 hours."
Permit requirements vary by site: Different management agencies oversee camping areas with specific requirements. For Merrill Lake, "Discover pass required" is noted by multiple reviewers.
Hard ground for tent camping: Some sites have compacted surfaces. At Sand Island Marine Park, campsites are "back from the water" and one Canyon Creek camper suggests "sleeping mats if you're in a tent as the ground's rather hard."
Limited camping season: Most primitive sites operate seasonally. Canyon Creek Dispersed Camping is open "May 1 to Oct," closing during wet winter months when access becomes difficult or unsafe.
Choose sites with clear water access: For family camping near Kalama, waterfront sites offer natural entertainment. At Cougar Park & Campground, "The campground is right on a lake, which means I went for a swim at dusk - it was spectacular."
Pack light for walk-in sites: Several family-friendly camping areas require short walks to reach sites. Brooke Creek offers carts: "We got there late at night and didn't notice the carts available for hauling all your stuff. But the hike isn't long or difficult."
Consider weekday visits for space: Popular sites fill quickly on weekends. One Cougar Park camper notes, "We booked this camp site 6 months before arrival, very popular site."
Look for communal gathering spaces: Some camps facilitate family interactions. Brooke Creek Walk-In Campground has a shared fire area: "The sites don't have fire pits but there is a communal fire pit, which is great for meeting your fellow campers!"
Check site limitations carefully: Many primitive camping areas near Kalama restrict vehicle types. Cougar Park campers warn: "Be forewarned that this is a tent only campground. We showed up with our VW Eurovan (smaller than half the pickup trucks parked there) and were immediately lectured on not having a tent."
Consider boat-in camping alternatives: For RVers with boats, water access sites offer unique options. Sand Island Marine Park is "Accessible by boat or kayak" with one visitor noting "Lots of dock space."
Look for level parking surfaces: Where RV parking is allowed, site preparation matters. One camper at Canyon Creek mentions "nice flat pads for tents, plenty of room for a trailer if you're brave enough to bring it down" the rough access road.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Kalama, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Kalama, WA is Sand Island Marine Park Campground with a 3.2-star rating from 5 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Kalama, WA?
TheDyrt.com has all 43 tent camping locations near Kalama, WA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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