Best Glamping near Kelso, WA

Seaquest State Park Campground near Castle Rock features deluxe glamping accommodations in both yurts and canvas structures, perfect for travelers seeking comfort in nature without sacrificing amenities. The park offers multiple glamping options with comfortable sleeping arrangements, picnic tables, and fire rings in a wooded setting across from the Mount St. Helens Visitor Center. "The sites were large and well graded. They were also well separated from each other with lots of vegetation dividing them," noted one reviewer who appreciated the privacy. Additional glamping sites can be found at Toutle River RV Resort with their premium yurt accommodations and Camp Kalama, which provides a riverside glamping experience described by visitors as "beautiful" and "like a picture from a magazine."

Visitors exploring Mount St. Helens can use these glamping resorts as convenient base camps, with Seaquest State Park offering direct access to the visitor center via an underground tunnel. The park features seven miles of hiking trails through fern-covered forests, ideal for wildlife viewing and nature photography. Paradise Point State Park and Ike Kinswa State Park provide additional glamping options with waterfront locations for kayaking, swimming, and fishing. A recent visitor mentioned, "We kayaked around it was nice." Most glamping sites in the area remain open year-round, though winter visitors should check seasonal amenities as some water services may be limited. Reservations are recommended, especially during summer months when these boutique camping experiences are in highest demand.

Best Glamping Sites Near Kelso, Washington (40)

    1. Seaquest State Park Campground

    46 Reviews
    Silverlake, WA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 274-8633

    "Campsites were clear and a decent size with picnic table and a fire pit with a grill. The bathrooms have hot water and were clean. I was very impressed."

    "Went paddle boarding nearby in a great lake and took the time to drive up to Mt. St. Helens."

    2. Paradise Point State Park Campground

    35 Reviews
    La Center, WA
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 226-7688

    "Like others have said there is some noise from I-5. Inside our enclosed trailer that was converted we barely heard the noise, This was at night with complete silence in our camper."

    "Close to freeway for easy access. Nice walking paths. Typical state park yurt set up."

    3. Camp Kalama RV Park

    6 Reviews
    Kalama, WA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 673-2456

    "The staff are a added bonus.. helpful friendly & kind The place is right off the highway but you don't hear allot of the traffic noise, they keep the grounds clean well taken care of ."

    "Campground was clean, access to the river . Great fishing very chill quiet campground right off I-5 and close to shopping. I will stay again."

    4. Toutle River RV Resort

    11 Reviews
    Castle Rock, WA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 274-8373

    "Walk down to the river, play on the field, drive up to Mt St Helens visitor's center."

    "Well situated. Just off I-5, about 10 miles from the Mt. St. Helens Visitor Center and about an hour north of Portland, Oregon. Lots to do, especially for kids."

    5. Camp Wilkerson

    9 Reviews
    Vernonia, OR
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (503) 366-3984

    $45 / night

    "Bring your horses and ride the trails and stay at the horse camp. Tent and two RV sites are on the first right turn and there is even a stream to play at."

    "We brought a pop up camper and was able to get it set up nicely. Water and toilets are available."

    6. Four Directions Retreat

    2 Reviews
    Rainier, OR
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (503) 957-3287

    $30 - $300 / night

    "I'd like to give a warm welcome to your hosts, Nicole & Kris. This property is clearly loved and cared for."

    7. Dairy Creek West — L.L. Stub Stewart Memorial State Park

    39 Reviews
    Buxton, OR
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (503) 324-0606

    $24 - $39 / night

    "Quick drive from SE Portland (or bike out all the way on a lovely trail if you are so inclined). We drove up to meet up with friends who biked in so we could camp a few nights."

    "Outhouses are present but no showers and fire pits are communal and conveniently placed between the site subgroups."

    8. My Tiny Creekside Retreat

    1 Review
    Clatskanie, OR
    14 miles
    Website

    $75 - $82 / night

    9. Big Eddy Park

    3 Reviews
    Vernonia, OR
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (503) 366-3984

    $10 - $33 / night

    "They have fire wood for sale for 5 dollars a bundle, bathrooms and showers on site. There is a spot to load a very small boat into the water and very little and spotty cell service for me at least."

    "Might be ok for a stop in between for a night but if you are looking for an away from it all campground this isn’t it."

    10. Ike Kinswa State Park Campground

    30 Reviews
    Mossyrock, WA
    35 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 226-7688

    "When we arrived, the other spot was also taken. It’s an $8 fee to reserve online but it turned out to be worth it. We were there on a holiday weekend so keep that in mind."

    "This campground is on Mayfield Lake where the Cowlitz River flows into the lake. We were in loop D, which was the only open loop along with the cabins (cabins are loop C and attached to loop D)."

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Glamping Reviews near Kelso, WA

433 Reviews of 40 Kelso Campgrounds


  • B
    Jun. 4, 2023

    Merrill Lake Campground

    Great little campsite for last minute adventures

    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. 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.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 9, 2018

    Cougar RV Park and Campground

    Good Base Camp for Mt St Helens

    This 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.

  • Crystal C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 6, 2020

    Lewis & Clark State Park Campground

    Traditional Camping Option Within Short Drive Of Mount St Helens area

    When venturing to Mount St Helens area I wanted to find a campground relatively close by to stay before visiting the next day. I found Lewis and Clark State Park along the way and opted to give it a shot for an overnight. The site looked comfortable and quiet and was well shaded and welcoming. 

    Pulling into the campground I noticed several areas to enjoy recreationally alongside camping including public park areas with covered outdoor kitchen zones perfect for those enjoying the area for day use. Additionally there were several areas with play equipment and outdoor activities for singles or the family to enjoy. 

    Pulling into the camping loop area sites were well spaced and shaded by large vibrant trees. Soft mosses lined walkways and created a feeling of being deep into the forest without being far removed from actual civilization and it was a nice departure from many of the more commercial looking camps of the area which lacked the forest feel. 

    The camp site I chose was equipped with the standard amenities of a picnic table and fire ring and the pull in section was just large enough for my smaller car. Throughout camp I did notice some sites were designed specifically for tent campers while others would cater better to larger units. Something unique about this location was it offered bike in campers sites as well with much smaller pull in areas but just as much space to spread out and set up their tents. 

    The bath house was very nice as it was heated and had hot water, though when I was there I did encounter a slight concern with using this bathhouse because there was a current e coli water warning which was displayed throughout camp on all water spigots. This left me more than a little leary about using the water in the bathroom turning what could have been a warm amazing shower into a bit of a concerning experience. 

    Because of this concern I noticed they had hand sanitizer placed in the restrooms, which was a great concession considering the issue at hand. 

    While this was a campsite I did enjoy, I feel as though with the water concerns I could not fully embrace all the features of camp which did hinder me slightly from fully being able to embrace all of the options. Should I return to this area I would check in advance to see if the water was a concern before staying another night. 

    The campground, like many in the area, advocate recycling.  Not only will you find trash cans and dumpsters throughout camp but you will also find recycling barrels scattered throughout camp.    I truly enjoyed this feature of the park as it is making a difference in the bigger picture and you can commonly find items created from recycled items such as benches and tables located throughout various state parks as continued improvements occur.

    All in all, for someone just wanting to enjoy a night at a quiet campground this would be a great one to check out in the area. While it lacks some of the amenities of other campgrounds in the area which are more destination style camps it has a lot of charm for those wanting to enjoy fun with family or friends in a more traditional camping style. 

    TIPS:

    • Check in advance for water related issues not only at this campground but others in the area. 
    • Make a stop just before the entrance of the park at the Jackson House Historic Site. This site is a major portion of the area’s rich history and with several unique signs which walk you through the significance of the area you will be enriched by this short stop.
    • Make sure you have a Discover Pass!! Any stay in Washington you will want to make sure you have this pass.
  • Ashley B.
    Sep. 27, 2018

    Seaquest State Park Campground

    Campground near Mt. Saint Helen's

    This is a campground on one of the roads leading to Mt. Saint Helen's. It was a decent sized campground with RV spots, tent spots, group spots, and walk-in spots. It had a huge playground area as well as a day use site with covered shelters within the park. The visitor center was a short 1 mile walk from the campground that had an under road tunnel leading under the highway. From the visitor center here was an additional path through the marsh with views of Mt. Saint Helen's, or at least I think there are views the smoke was so thick we could not see the mountain. 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, highly recommend this for anyone bringing kids. For being completely full the nights we were there it was pretty quiet with only the occasional noise coming from the nearby highway.

    We stayed in the group site, spot 60/61. Since we booked the group site we were required to book both of the spots at the same time. It was the smallest group site I have ever seen. There was barely room for the 3 tents we set up and originally we would have had almost 6, which would not have fit in this spot. There were 2 large tables as well as 2 fire pits, however 1 fire pit was inches away from the bushes and would not have been good for people to sit around. Luckily the other fire pit was great and we were all able to sit around it. The bathrooms and water were close by.

    There were other sites that were much bigger and would be able to accommodate larger groups. I would not waste my money on the group site if you need more then 4 tents, honestly 3 was a squeeze. It's a great campground for those that are spending multiple days in Mt. Saint Helen's since it was a very short drive away.

  • Tanya B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 27, 2020

    Kampers West RV Park

    Enjoyed the rustic cabin!

    Wanting to avoid the wildfire smoke in September, we headed to the coast in search of fresher air.  With rain in the forecast, we opted to stay in one of the cute rustic cabins at Kampers West RV Park. The front desk staff were welcoming when we arrived.  The cabin was basic but comfortable the night. It had a full bed and bunk bed, table, chair and heater.  Kampers West is conveniently located near Fort Stevens State Park and Lewis and Clark National Historical Park / Fort Clatsop and the The Fort To Sea Trail hiking in Warrenton.

  • Cyndi A.
    Jan. 18, 2015

    Dairy Creek West — L.L. Stub Stewart Memorial State Park

    Bike and Camp...or drive up and walk up

    We LOVE this campground. Quick drive from SE Portland (or bike out all the way on a lovely trail if you are so inclined). We drove up to meet up with friends who biked in so we could camp a few nights. The sites are well situated so that there is enough distance that we could not see our neighbors. The communal fire pit was convenient and wood was provided. The campsite had gravel so we were glad we brought our moving blanket to place under our tent tarp. The trails were extensive and we could hear the brooke!

  • Eva W.
    Jun. 29, 2015

    Government Island State Recreation Area

    Accessible by boat only

    Fishing, boating, campfires.

    There aren't any hookups for electricity or running water, but really, it's a nice place to take a break from boating all day, maybe spending the night then getting back to the mainland. Put up a tent wherever you like and enjoy people watching on the river!

  • Stephanie Z.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 21, 2019

    Eagle Cliff Campground

    Mt St Helens Campground Oasis

    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.

  • j
    Jul. 25, 2021

    Cougar RV Park and Campground

    Tent sites are large, minimal grass and shade.

    The tent sites are very large however they have minimal grass or shade. RV sites are very close to each other. There are two bathrooms of one toilet, shower area combined. The shower is coin operated so unless you plan ahead with quarters you are out of luck. It has a card option but does not work. The bathrooms are also not clean. There are 2 portable toilets that were very clean. They advertise quiet hours after 10 pm but it is not in-forced. There was a group partying until 1am next to us. Neighboring property was also blasting music into the morning. There are many other options in the area I would look into one of those.


Guide to Kelso

Mount St. Helens and the surrounding area provide year-round yurt camping opportunities near Kelso, Washington, with accommodations available even during winter months when temperatures can drop below freezing. The region features dense forest areas with elevation changes from 10 feet above sea level at waterfront locations to over 1,000 feet at higher campgrounds. Both tent and RV campsites typically remain accessible throughout the year, though road conditions can become challenging after snowfall.

What to do

Kayaking on rivers and lakes: Camp Kalama offers direct river access to the Kalama River for paddlers. "We kayaked around it was nice," notes one visitor who appreciated the simple water access. This spot is particularly suitable for beginners due to the calmer waters.

Mountain biking on forest trails: At Dairy Creek West — L.L. Stub Stewart Memorial State Park, campers can access both hiking and mountain biking routes. A reviewer mentions the park has "many hiking trails of varying length, access to the Banks-Vernonia State Trail, several disc golf courses" making it a versatile destination for outdoor enthusiasts.

Disc golf courses: Several campgrounds feature disc golf, including Paradise Point State Park. One reviewer specifically noted, "The selling point for this camp ground was the disc golf course," making it worth considering for campers who enjoy the sport. The course offers a unique experience with hole one playing under a freeway overpass.

Wildlife viewing at dawn: Campsites near Silver Lake offer early morning wildlife spotting opportunities, particularly for birds and small mammals. Walking trails through marshy areas provide viewing platforms where campers can observe native species undisturbed.

Star gazing: The forested areas around Kelso limit light pollution. Astronomy events are sometimes hosted at campgrounds during meteor showers or other astronomical events, particularly at clearer viewing locations.

What campers like

Private, well-separated sites: Many campers appreciate the privacy at Seaquest State Park Campground. One camper detailed their experience with the tent accommodations: "The spot itself was very spacious with plenty of room for multiple tents and space to sit around the fire pit."

Proximity to Mount St. Helens: Toutle River RV Resort serves as a convenient base for exploring the volcanic landmark. A visitor explained, "We used this campground as our base camp for exploring the area... drive up to Mt St Helens visitor's center."

Family-friendly amenities: Ike Kinswa State Park Campground receives praise for its family orientation: "Our kids love walking the trails and riding their bikes around the loops. Everyone is courteous, there are bathrooms nearby, and the campsites are semi-private." The park also features a "large swimming area" and "plenty of hiking trails."

Hot showers: Several campgrounds offer hot shower facilities that campers consistently rate highly. One Seaquest visitor specifically mentioned "hot shower! Peaceful yet can still hear the highway" in their review, highlighting this valued amenity.

Waterfront locations: Campsites near lakes receive positive feedback for their water access. An Ike Kinswa visitor wrote, "Many of these sites back up directly on the lake. You'll love the sound of the water lapping on the rocks as you sleep here."

What you should know

Highway noise impacts: Several campgrounds sit close to major roadways. At Paradise Point State Park Campground, a camper warned: "Freeway is really really close to the whole camp site. You can hear vehicles at night. If you're a light sleeper or needs nature noises when camping - this is not the site for you."

Limited cell service: Many forested campgrounds have spotty connectivity. A Seaquest visitor reported, "Limited cell service with T-Mobile but it still works! Free WiFi in the day use area." Another noted they had "no cell (occasionally 1 bar LTE AT&T)" and found it "too heavily forested for Starlink."

Variable water access quality: Not all water access points are equally developed. Some campgrounds advertise waterfront locations but have limited beach areas or difficult shoreline access depending on seasonal water levels.

Reservation requirements: Most yurt camping near Kelso requires advance booking, especially during summer. Walk-in availability varies significantly by season, with some campgrounds only allowing single-night stays without reservations.

Transaction fees for on-site payments: Some county parks charge additional processing fees for campers who pay on arrival. A camper at Camp Wilkerson noted, "If you do not reserve your spots you can only stay one night and there is an additional $5 transaction fee to pay on site."

Tips for camping with families

Playground access: Camp Wilkerson provides family-friendly facilities that children enjoy. "A great place to camp with the family in tents or an RV, groups, rent a cabin or hold an event like a wedding," one reviewer noted. The campground includes cabin options with "a cute porch swing" that families particularly appreciate.

Junior Ranger programs: Several state parks offer educational activities for children. A Seaquest visitor mentioned, "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."

Mosquito preparation: Insect protection is essential, particularly in wooded areas near water. A reviewer cautioned, "Bring bug spray, they weren't too bad, but I am prone to mosquito bites and got hit," highlighting the importance of being prepared for local insects.

Stream access for play: Campgrounds with small water features provide safe exploration opportunities for children. A Camp Wilkerson visitor mentioned "there is even a stream to play at" near the tent and RV sites, offering natural entertainment without deep water concerns.

Bring sleeping pads: Many tent sites have natural ground cover that may be uncomfortable for children. A camper advised, "The tent pads are a typical woodsy mix of pine straw, leaves, and loose gravel. Sleeping pads are a blessing."

Tips from RVers

Site sizing awareness: Many wooded campgrounds have limitations for larger rigs. One Paradise Point visitor warned, "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 and had trees on the inside of turns."

Power options vary: Different campgrounds offer various hookup configurations. At Toutle River RV Resort, full hookups are available but a camper noted, "Sites at the back are not as nice and are near the train tracks. It's right off the freeway but feels nice and safe."

Uneven site surfaces: Some campgrounds have gravel and dirt roads leading to waterfront locations. A reviewer at Camp Kalama mentioned, "Gravel and dirt roads to riverside sites," which can present challenges for leveling larger rigs.

Wi-Fi additional costs: Not all campgrounds include internet access with site fees. A Toutle River visitor pointed out, "WiFi isn't free, must be purchased. We had spotty cell service with Verizon though we were directly off I5 corridor."

Dump station locations: Plan waste management carefully as dump facilities are sometimes located far from individual sites. A camper mentioned, "The trash compactor is probably a good 1/4 mile down this trail by the dump station" when describing Ike Kinswa State Park.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Kelso, WA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Kelso, WA is Seaquest State Park Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 46 reviews.

What is the best site to find glamping camping near Kelso, WA?

TheDyrt.com has all 40 glamping camping locations near Kelso, WA, with real photos and reviews from campers.