Best Tent Camping near Silverlake, WA

Public lands surrounding Silverlake, Washington offer several tent-only camping options with Mount St. Helens providing a dramatic backdrop. Merrill Lake Campground, located near Cougar, features eight walk-in tent sites and one drive-up site, all requiring a Washington Discover Pass. Cougar Park & Campground provides tent-only sites on Yale Reservoir at the base of Mt. St. Helens, with strict enforcement of the no-RV policy. For those seeking more primitive tent camping experiences, Mount St. Helens Dispersed Camping areas offer free sites with minimal amenities but maximum seclusion.

Most tent campsites in the Silverlake region feature crushed rock or forest duff surfaces, requiring careful tent placement. Merrill Lake sites have leveled areas with crushed rock, making a ground tarp essential for tent protection. Vault toilets are available at established campgrounds but often lack toilet paper, so bringing your own is necessary. Dispersed camping areas typically have no facilities, requiring proper waste disposal practices. Weather conditions can change rapidly near Mount St. Helens, with campers advised to bring extra layers regardless of season. Fire restrictions vary seasonally, with some areas permitting fires in established rings while others prohibit them entirely.

Walk-in tent sites provide a level of privacy not found at standard drive-up campgrounds. According to reviews, Merrill Lake Campground offers semi-private sites where "you'll still see and hear your fellow campers, but it does seem semi-private." One camper noted that Merrill Lake "feels very remote, despite its relatively close proximity to the Portland/Vancouver area." The tent-only designation at Cougar Park keeps crowds manageable, with sites spaced far enough apart to maintain some privacy. Backcountry tent camping areas near Mount St. Helens provide flat spots for tents sheltered by large trees, creating natural privacy screens. Most primitive tent camping areas remain uncrowded even during peak season, with visitors often reporting they were the only ones at their chosen site.

Best Tent Sites Near Silverlake, Washington (30)

    1. Four Directions Retreat

    2 Reviews
    Rainier, OR
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (503) 957-3287

    $30 - $300 / night

    2. Rapid Ride Adventure

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    Toutle, WA
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 463-3830

    $37 - $42 / night

    3. Merrill Lake Campground

    6 Reviews
    Cougar, WA
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 577-2025

    "another site where you park and walk in! 8 sites, some are more private than others. 2 vault toilets, fire rings and picnic tables! great lake to kayak on."

    "There are 8 walk in sites and one drive up site, all first come first serve discovery pass required. Some sites are larger than others, but in ours we were able to fit two 6ptents and one 2p tent."

    4. Cougar Park & Campground - Tent Only

    9 Reviews
    Cougar, WA
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (503) 813-6666

    "I was on a 4 day backpacking trip and stayed at this campsite with a group of people. The weather does change very fast in the park so bring extra layers. There is fire rings tables and restrooms"

    "We got site #36 site with some trees, no real noise of the road, felt fairly private. The sites are somewhat far apart though I could see into my neighbor's campground."

    5. Sand Island Marine Park Campground

    6 Reviews
    St. Helens, OR
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (503) 310-0235

    $30 / night

    "Sites are primitive, no tables. This is on the columbia river water kayak trail."

    "Island is lovely to walk around, our site had beach access. Site to reserve has pictures. Will definitely return!"

    6. Mount St. Helens Dispersed Camping

    10 Reviews
    Cougar, WA
    35 miles

    "Found this campsite when driving up to the south side of Mount St. Helens Hikes - it is situated between Ape Caves (farther away) and pretty close to Lava Canyon and Ape Canyon."

    "This is a dispersed campsite near the south side of Mount St. Helens. It's free, which is always great. The drive in is just off the highway and up a little hill, but my car had no problems with it."

    7. Base Camp Mt St Helen’s

    1 Review
    Glenoma, WA
    26 miles
    Website

    $270 / night

    "You can camp at a beautiful campsite in Mt St Helen’s close to the science learning center."

    8. Clatsop State Forest Gnat Creek Campground

    8 Reviews
    Cathlamet, OR
    34 miles
    Website
    +1 (503) 325-5451

    $10 - $15 / night

    "There was free firewood stacked nearby because of all the logging in the area. Each site has a picnic table and fire pit. Walk in tent camping only, or you could park your van in the parking lot."

    "Drove past the paid camping and found many available areas to set up for the night. Couple areas had excessive amounts of trash."

    9. Lake Merrill- State Forest

    1 Review
    Cougar, WA
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 577-2025

    "9 campsites available, but when we got there they were all taken so we took a spot right beside the lake. Fly fishing allowed. Has a bathroom and access to non-potable water."

    10. Leisure Time Resorts

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    Mossyrock, WA
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 985-7567
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Tent Camping Reviews near Silverlake, WA

897 Reviews of 30 Silverlake Campgrounds



Guide to Silverlake

Tent camping near Silverlake, Washington offers a blend of natural beauty and outdoor adventure, making it a perfect getaway for nature enthusiasts.

Tent campers appreciate these amenities

Some prices for tent camping range from $20 to $0

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Silverlake, WA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Silverlake, WA is Four Directions Retreat with a 4-star rating from 2 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Silverlake, WA?

TheDyrt.com has all 30 tent camping locations near Silverlake, WA, with real photos and reviews from campers.