Kelso camping offers diverse terrain between Mount St. Helens and the Columbia River. Located in Cowlitz County, this area experiences mild but wet winters and warm summers, with camping opportunities year-round. Most campgrounds sit at elevations between 200-500 feet, providing access to both mountainous terrain and riverside camping within a 30-minute drive.
What to do
Water activities on Silver Lake: At Silver Lake Resort, visitors can enjoy fishing in what one camper describes as "one of the best Large-mouth Bass fishing lakes in Washington State. We also have a lot of Crappie, Trout, Perch, Bluegill, Catfish, Warmouth, Pumpkin Seed, and two kinds of Carp." The resort offers boat rentals including paddle boards and peddle boats.
Disc golf courses: Paradise Point State Park features a 9-hole disc golf course built on just 10 acres. A camper notes that "the disc golf course is entertaining, but not super challenging. Located on barely 10 acres the designers have done a good job using every bit of land here." The first hole plays under a freeway overpass for a unique experience.
Mount St. Helens exploration: Many campgrounds serve as base camps for exploring Mount St. Helens. One camper staying at Toutle River RV Resort shared, "We used this campground as our base camp for exploring the area. Walk down to the river, play on the field, drive up to Mt St Helens visitor's center."
What campers like
Private sites with natural separation: At Seaquest State Park, campers appreciate the natural privacy: "The campground is split into three loops; an RV loop, Mixed loop, and a predominantly tent loop. The spot itself was very spacious with plenty of room for multiple tents and space to sit around the fire pit."
Clean facilities: Multiple campgrounds maintain well-kept bathrooms. A camper at Brookhollow RV Park noted: "Rest Rooms with showers are very clean all the time. Maintenance workers are busy about the park weekdays. Ice machine use is included."
Dog friendly campgrounds near Kelso: Most campgrounds in the area welcome pets. At Camp Wilkerson, pet owners can bring their dogs while enjoying the trails. The campground features "tent sites, RV sites and even a horse camp area! Hiking and horse trails meander through the forest along a creek or two as well!"
Cost-effective options: Campers appreciate affordable stays. Hudson-Parcher Park offers competitive rates: "Full hookups $33, Water and Electric $30 a night" according to one reviewer, making it one of the more budget-friendly pet-friendly campgrounds in the Kelso area.
What you should know
Highway and railroad noise: Several campgrounds have noise considerations. A camper at Paradise Point warns: "This is RIGHT off a busy interstate highway, the anti-nature. The orchard sites are 50-100 feet further away from the noise than the other half of the grounds."
Legend
