Camping spots near Morton, Washington sit between 800-1,200 feet elevation in the shadow of the Cascade Mountains. The region experiences mild summers with daytime temperatures typically ranging from 70-85°F, though nights can drop into the 40s even in summer months. Cell service varies throughout the forested areas, with stronger reception at developed campgrounds and limited to no service at more remote locations.
What to do
River access exploration: At Cowlitz Falls Campground, campers can enjoy the Cowlitz River with a short walk from camp. "The day use area is along the river with boat ramp and dock," notes one reviewer. Be aware that "the river is very cloudy murky green a result of ash and sediment runoff from the Mt St Helens eruption."
Old growth forest hiking: The lush forest ecosystem around Morton provides unique hiking opportunities. At Iron Creek Campground, visitors describe "a lush campground carpeted with ferns and dripping with moss. It feels like stepping back to prehistoric times." Another camper notes, "Trees here are 600 years old. Huge."
Star viewing: Minimal light pollution makes several campgrounds ideal for astronomy. "Evening star viewing" is mentioned as a highlight at Elkamp Eastcreek, while Taidnapam Park offers "tall trees, & ferns. Feels like you are in Boreal forests" creating natural frames for night sky viewing.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Elkamp Eastcreek consistently receives praise for exceptional maintenance. One visitor shared, "Elkamp was very clean with the nicest campground bathrooms we have ever experienced. The shower is coin-operated so bring quarters if you wish to use." Another noted it has "exquisite" grounds with "constant attention."
Spacious sites: Ike Kinswa State Park Campground offers generous campsites. "The sites are large, shaded and quiet. Many are pull through," reports one camper. Another mentioned, "As we were on the outer part of the loop in a pull-through site, we had a view of the woods and quite a bit of space between neighboring sites."
Water recreation options: Several campgrounds provide direct water access. "Ike Kinswa is right near the water and you can walk to little beaches, kayak off of them or go to the big swimming area/park which is lovely," states one review. Another camper adds, "Big protected swim area and there's even a protected kayaking area that goes up the river."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Summer weekends fill quickly at most campgrounds. Alder Lake Park is popular but can be accessed in shoulder seasons without reservation. "We lucked out with it being their opening weekend, the campground was maybe 50% full and FCFS, we ended up staying in the upper loop site 13."
Water level fluctuations: Riffe Lake experiences significant water level changes. "The water levels have been permanently lowered by 30-ish feet. This is bad news for people who only went there for boating and fishing and swimming in the swim area," notes a Taidnapam Park visitor.
Weather considerations: The region can experience significant temperature swings. At Iron Creek Campground, "the campground is like fairy wonderland with so much moss and greenery" but stays cooler than surrounding areas due to dense tree cover.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Mossyrock Park provides extensive children's facilities. "Nice play area for children and grassy areas for dogs on leash," reports one camper. The park also offers "a small playground" and "lots of room for kids to ride bikes."
Family-friendly activities: Taidnapam Park caters specifically to families. "This campground is a strange hidden gem. We love this campground to go to with kids - the walk-in tent sites are great and the water is so shallow now for quite a ways out so the kids can play in the water and the sand/mud along the edge of the lake."
Safety considerations: Parents should note that water temperatures remain cold year-round. At Cougar Rock Campground, families should "be sure to bring bug spray" and prepare for cooler evenings, even in summer.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategies: Riffe Lake Campground offers several options for RVs. "They have several back-in spots, some with partial hookups and some with full hookups. Most of the spots are well-shaded from the trees," notes a visitor. Another mentions that "RV spots are gravel pads and had water and electric, some had full hook up too."
Dump station availability: Several campgrounds lack sewer hookups at sites. A visitor to Elkamp Eastcreek noted: "What would improve Elkamp? It would be great to have a dump station. Sewer hookups would be even better."
Campground navigation: Large rigs should research site dimensions before booking. At Iron Creek Campground, "our 30 ft TT filled the parking pad but we never unhooked the truck. I think a 40ft would be maximum length."
