Mossyrock sits at 666 feet elevation in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains, creating varied camping conditions across seasons. Temperatures can drop significantly at night, even in summer, making layered clothing essential for campers. Water levels at both Riffe Lake and Mayfield Lake fluctuate seasonally, affecting beach access and boat launching at camping spots near Mossyrock, Washington.
What to do
**Fishing opportunities: fishing is productive at Riffe Lake Campground where anglers can access multiple fishing spots during summer months. "The water is that beautiful blue/green glacier water. The campground we stayed at did not have designated fire rings, but did have a metal BBQ that we used for the kids to make s'mores on," notes Nicole P. at Alder Lake Park.
**Hiking trails: explore interconnected trails at Elkamp Eastcreek, with options ranging from 0.5 to 3 miles in length. "The meadow over the bridge is a hidden delight. Constant attention to the grounds regularly. Exquisite!" shares Amanda M. who appreciated the maintained trail system.
**Day trips: Mount St. Helens is accessible from Seaquest State Park Campground for educational outings. "About 40 miles from campsite to main visitor center for Mt St Helens. If you want to see Spirit Lake etc, you will want to camp closer to the mountain. From Sequest State Park, it was a 10 hour day to do the loop in order to see the east side, with only one short hike thrown in," advises Carol.
**Boating options: boat rentals are sometimes available during peak season at Mossyrock's larger campgrounds. "We stayed in the north side of the Main campground which was great because we had tons of extra space and were backed up right to beach access. The beach itself is pretty rocky, not ideal for just playing in, but great for SUP or boat access," reports Perla H. at Mossyrock Park.
What campers like
**Bathroom facilities: clean, well-maintained facilities are frequently mentioned in reviews. At Elkamp Eastcreek, Shannon H. states: "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."
**Lakefront camping: direct water access is prized for convenience and views. "We were able to reserve a lakefront spot. We were able to beach our boat right in front of our spot. Our spot was very quiet, some of the upper level spots seem close to highway," notes Russ H. at Mayfield Lake Park.
**Privacy between sites: site separation varies significantly between campgrounds. "The sites are large, shaded and quiet. Many are pull through. If you want a water view you will find full hook up does inn loop A, or no hook up sites on loop C," explains Lisa K. about site options.
**Free camping options: Winston Creek Campground offers no-cost sites. "Primitive campsites. Free campsites. Quiet," states Brian S. Simply put about Winston Creek Campground.
What you should know
**Seasonal closures: operating dates vary widely among Mossyrock campgrounds. Thousand Trails Paradise RV Campground has a short season from April 25 to September 22, while others remain open year-round.
**Cell service: connectivity is unreliable throughout the region. "I have Verizon and was able to call and text my husband and occasionally use messenger. I had one or two bars. Probably would have been better with a cell booster," reports Christina F. at Mossyrock Park.
**Water level fluctuations: lake levels can change dramatically, affecting swimming and boating access. "We've been coming back again and 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... usually when water is at normal level the beach is all sand and water is clean and clear," explains Natashinka C.
**Shower costs: many campgrounds charge for showers. "Campground has free showers, plenty of hot water and not more than a minute walk from our campsite," Jeff C. notes about Thousand Trails Chehalis, though this is an exception as most charge $0.50-$1.00 per 3-5 minute shower.
Tips for camping with families
**Playground access: several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas. At Thousand Trails Chehalis, one parent notes, "Kids are helping review campgrounds we visited this summer. They loved that there was scavenger hunts for pigs in morning, tractor rides in afternoon, face painting, slushees, movie in lodge, crafts, slushees, a great store, basketball court, pools and overall, the experience was phenomenal!"
**Junior Ranger programs: educational activities for kids are offered seasonally. "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," shares Ashley B.
**Protected swimming areas: designated swimming zones provide safer water play for children. "This park is huge! Lots of space to hand out and swim. There's always kids running around so it is great for young ones. Bathrooms were clean and big," reports Bree G. about Riffe Lake Campground.
**Campsite selection: book sites away from busy roads for family safety. "We absolutely love this campground. We usually reserve the 3 sites that are closest to the swimming area (no guard). Our kids love walking the trails and riding their bikes around the loops," says a satisfied visitor.
Tips from RVers
**Site leveling: many campgrounds have uneven pads requiring leveling blocks. "We were in site #5, it was a bit tight to get our Jayco 174BH backed in due to the angle of the site and the path around the campground is very narrow. I would not want to come in here with anything much bigger than our little 20 footer," cautions Doug about Winston Creek Campground.
**Power variability: electricity supply can be inconsistent at some campgrounds. "The worst part for us, however, was that the power was really variable. Sometimes it would spike to 130 volts and then drop suddenly to 110. Luckily we have a great EMS and it alerted us to the problem," warns Marnie G.
**Seasonal openings: check campground schedules as some close completely in winter. "We winter camped here in February and were pleasantly surprised! Nice level paved spots, some drive thru even. Clean bathrooms and hot showers!" shares a camper about one of the few year-round options.
**Site accessibility: large RVs may struggle at smaller campgrounds. "I believe this campground is under new ownership. You can see they've been putting a lot of work into it. Paving roads, landscaping, etc. Looks great and well maintained. RV spots are gravel pads and had water and electric, some had full hook up too," reports Erin A. about improvements at Riffe Lake Campground.
