Camping options near Morton, Washington range from primitive forest sites to full-service lakeside campgrounds. The region sits in the Cascade foothills at approximately 950 feet elevation, with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during peak season. Most campgrounds remain open from April through October, with limited winter access at lower elevations due to snowfall that can exceed 40 inches annually.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Mayfield Lake Park provides excellent fishing access with boat launches adjacent to campsites. "The lake was gorgeous," notes one camper at Mossyrock Park, where bank fishing and boat access are plentiful throughout the 13-mile reservoir.
Hiking trails: Elkamp Eastcreek features a short trail to a peaceful creek. According to a visitor: "The meadow over the bridge is a hidden delight. Constant attention to the grounds regularly. Exquisite!"
Water recreation: Ike Kinswa State Park Campground offers multiple water access points. One camper explains: "A lovely beach area with boat landing and playground in a separate part of the park," while another mentions "a protected kayaking area that goes up the river. We found a lovely beach up there to explore."
Stargazing: Several campgrounds around Morton provide excellent night sky viewing due to minimal light pollution. A reviewer at Elkamp Eastcreek mentioned the "gorgeous meadow and evening star viewing" available at the property.
What campers like
Private, spacious sites: Iron Creek Campground receives praise for site layout: "The sites are quite private, and the campground was quiet. The campground is like fairy wonderland with so much moss and greenery."
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention well-maintained bathrooms and showers. At Cowlitz Falls Campground, visitors note: "Very nice campground, well taken care of. Camp hosts were very friendly. Very clean with level sites."
Lake views: Harmony Lakeside RV Park offers premium waterfront sites with boat slips. "Wonderful sites by the lake," mentions one reviewer, while another notes that "most of the sites have large trees around them" providing shade during summer months.
Yurt camping options: For those interested in yurt camping near Morton, Washington, Thousand Trails Paradise RV Campground offers yurt rentals with amenities. One visitor highlighted additional recreation options: "This campgrounds has an awesome swimming area with three pools, one 8ft deep, on 6ft, and one wading pool."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Many campgrounds fill quickly during summer months. At Winston Creek Campground, a visitor warns: "Don't forget to reserve your site in advance and get your Discover Pass!"
Limited cell service: Connectivity varies widely between campgrounds. At Cowlitz Falls, "I had no problem with cell service with Verizon, but my husband who has T mobile didn't get reception," while another campground reported: "There was pretty much no cell service there from Verizon."
Seasonal water levels: Lake conditions fluctuate throughout the year. One camper at Alder Lake Park noted: "Only damper to this year was the dam in Tacoma was partially drained causing a 'low tide' which exposed the dirt and poor beach area."
Water temperatures: Despite summer heat, lake water remains cool. At Iron Creek, visitors observed: "The river was moving very fast in early June, and we would not have felt safe being beginning kayakers."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Cowlitz Falls Campground offers family-friendly amenities: "With small kids in our group, it was convenient to have the path to the playground right between sites A6 and A8."
Swimming areas: Designated swimming zones provide safer water recreation. One camper at Mossyrock Park mentioned: "Very family friendly they have a (very) small playground. Lots of room for kids to ride bikes."
Lakeside camping: Waterfront sites allow easy supervision. "For Car/Family camping this is THE place! Water sites are magical," shares a Mayfield Lake visitor.
Proximity to attractions: Several campgrounds serve as bases for regional exploration. A camper at Alder Lake explained: "We stayed here because we wanted to be close to Northwest Trek and Mt. Rainer. Excellent location to do both!"
Tips from RVers
Site accessibility: Alder Lake Park offers variable site configurations. "There are multiple camp sites for tents and RV hook ups. Each site has a fire grate and picnic tables," notes one RVer.
Hookup availability: Electric and water connections vary between campgrounds and loops. At Mossyrock Park, "Full hook-ups are in loop A. The campground is heavily wooded which is really nice for shade, though it can make it tricky to get into a spot if you have slide outs."
Size restrictions: Consider vehicle length when booking. At Iron Creek, a camper warns: "I would not want to come in here with anything much bigger than our little 20 footer. There were other sites that would easily fit bigger rigs, but the trees were pretty close on each side."
Dump station locations: Not all campgrounds offer on-site dumping. An Elkamp Eastcreek visitor mentioned: "What would improve Elkamp? It would be great to have a dump station. Sewer hookups would be even better."
