Camping near Toutle, Washington offers proximity to Mount St. Helens while providing varying degrees of privacy between sites. Most campgrounds in this area sit at elevations between 125-150 feet, with summer temperatures typically ranging from 60°F nights to 80°F days. The camping season generally extends from April through October, though some RV parks remain open year-round with limited winter services.
What to do
Fishing access: Several campgrounds offer direct water access for fishing. At Silver Cove RV Resort, most sites back up to water. "We had a good site that backed up to water where we could do some fishing and had good space for the dogs," notes a camper who recommends "looking into which site you have" for the best fishing spots.
Disc golf: The disc golf course at Toutle provides an alternative recreation option. "There's a frisbee golf course that we didn't use but looks fun," mentions one visitor about the activities available beyond the typical camping experience.
Swimming opportunities: Multiple pools provide swimming options at Thousand Trails Paradise RV Campground. "This campgrounds has an awesome swimming area with three pools, one 8ft deep, on 6ft, and one wading pool. Also has a large spa," according to a recent visitor. These swimming facilities offer relief during warmer summer months.
What campers like
Family recreation areas: Larger campgrounds feature dedicated spaces for family activities. At Thousand Trails Chehalis, one family reported, "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!"
Wooded camping areas: Shaded sites under tall trees appeal to many visitors. "The campground is very large and you can walk around and explore back in the wooded areas," writes one camper about their experience. These areas provide natural cooling during summer heat.
Stocked fishing ponds: Dedicated fishing areas stocked with fish attract anglers of all skill levels. A camper mentions, "My grandson loves coming here with us the two ponds they stock with fish," when describing their return visits to the area's RV campgrounds. These ponds make fishing accessible without needing a boat.
What you should know
Varying site conditions: Site quality varies significantly within individual campgrounds. "Sites are extremely close together though. We have a back in site and my cable and sewer won't reach due to where they are positioned," noted one camper about Mount St. Helens RV Park.
Noise considerations: RV campgrounds near Toutle often experience noise from nearby transportation corridors. "Was hard for us to get a good nights sleep in between a highway and train tracks. Spots were fine, bathrooms good, pool good (when not too busy). Good access to Mt St Helens," reports one camper describing the trade-off between location and quiet.
Water system issues: Some facilities experience periodic water system problems. One visitor to Paradise RV Campground mentioned, "Additionally there is a water issue that asks you to boil water. The pads are grass and gravel that are not level. Your neighbor's are close so it has limited privacy."
Tips for camping with families
Playground options: Evaluate playground equipment before booking for families with children. "This is the kind of RV park that I like. Nice spots surrounded by grass, decent space between sites (not much, but enough), and most importantly, lots and lots of things for kiddos to explore. There's random trails, a playground, big green fields, volleyball court, etc. Plenty to keep them busy and felt completely comfortable letting them run around," writes one parent.
Pool access considerations: During busy periods, pool areas can become crowded. "The pool was very nice and so were the surrounding bathrooms and showers. They were extremely busy so had a few hiccups at check in but no big deal," explains a visitor to a Toutle area RV campground.
Activity programs: Check for scheduled activities when camping with children. At Jantzen Beach RV Park, approximately an hour from Toutle, a visitor noted, "While I thought the odd location in such a commercial area as well as the combination of trailer park and RV park was a little strange, my kiddos absolutely loved the three pools, playground, and basketball hoops. Plenty to check out and explore for them even if this was not your typical 'campground' experience."
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Request specific site information when reserving at RV campgrounds near Toutle. "Only about 7 minutes to the visitors center for mt St. Helens. There's about 200 rv spots but they do have a couple tent spots. Free showers and a pool and games. They even have laundry. We couldn't get a hold of anyone on the phone so we just stopped in and got a spot for one night while we were driving through. If you want to be in more of a tree vibe, ask for the back spots."
Power stability challenges: Some RV campgrounds experience electrical issues during peak usage. "Power issues with high demand. Pool closed due to power problem. Boat rentals not available. Just nothing to write home about!" warns one RVer about service limitations they encountered.
Weekday arrival benefits: Arriving midweek improves site selection opportunities. "Since we arrived on a Friday school day, the campgrounds were not full, there was no waiting for showers," writes a visitor who appreciated the timing advantage at Brookhollow RV Park, noting its "spaces are well space, lots of concret pull through level pads."
