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.
