Tent camping near Toutle, Washington offers access to the diverse landscapes surrounding Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument at elevations ranging from 1,000 to 4,000 feet. Summer temperatures typically range from 50-80°F, while spring and fall bring cooler conditions with frequent rainfall. Several campgrounds in this region don't accept reservations, requiring early arrival during peak summer weekends.
What to do
Boat on Yale Lake: Yale Lake at Cougar Park & Campground offers swimming and boating opportunities. A camper mentioned, "The camp is very nice, shady and walking distance from big lake. There are a lot of activities around: hiking and biking St. Helens mountain area; all kind of water activities on Yale lake."
Fly fish at mountain lakes: Merrill Lake restricts watercraft to non-motorized boats and limits fishing to fly fishing only. One visitor noted, "This is a great little campground, on the lake shore amidst a grove of Old Growth Cedar. Only 8 spaces for tents. Fisherman come and go during the day, but I never saw more than 3 vehicles at the boat launch."
Explore lava formations: The south side of Mount St. Helens features unique volcanic features accessible from Mount St. Helens Dispersed Camping areas. A camper shared, "There are many spots to choose from for cars, trucks, and vans. The spot I took was within the last 5 miles of the marked location, on the left hand side, up a rugged dirt road."
Kayak in serene waters: Non-motorized lakes provide peaceful paddling experiences. According to one camper, "The lake is the real attraction here. Great for paddle boarding or kayaking. There's a boat launch. Best of all, it's free!"
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the spacing at tent sites. At Base Camp Mt St Helen's, you can "camp at a beautiful campsite in Mt St Helen's close to the science learning center," offering educational opportunities alongside camping.
Free camping options: Several dispersed camping areas charge no fees. One camper at Mount St. Helens Dispersed Camping mentioned, "This dispersed camping is free, huge bonus in my book. There were dozens of open sites that we had our pick of."
Established fire rings: Most dispersed sites come with pre-made fire pits. A visitor noted, "A bit of a drive up, but easy to find sites all along the road with already made campfire pits."
Walk-in tent sites: Merrill Lake Campground offers dedicated tent camping. A camper explained, "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 6p tents and one 2p tent."
What you should know
Facilities vary widely: Toilet availability differs between sites. At Clatsop State Forest Gnat Creek Campground, "Each site has a picnic table and fire pit. Walk in tent camping only, or you could park your van in the parking lot. No RVs in the paid area but there are spots along the road past the paid area."
Discovery Passes required: Many Washington State campgrounds require these passes. One visitor observed, "Discover pass required. Merrill Lake, just outside of Cougar, WA feels very remote, despite its relatively close proximity to the Portland/Vancouver area."
Tent pad surfaces: Some sites have specific tent pad materials. A camper reported, "This is a tents only campground. All sights are walk in. They are leveled out in a crushed rock space so be sure to bring a tarp for under your tent."
Limited cell service: Most camping areas have poor or no reception. One camper mentioned, "No cell service" as an important consideration when planning your stay.
Tips for camping with families
Bring children's water gear: Lakes offer family-friendly swimming areas. A visitor to Cougar Park & Campground noted, "There are flushing toilets, showers and a playground for kids. Lots of parking, day use areas and a decent boat ramp."
Pack extra supplies: Remote locations mean limited access to stores. One camper advised, "Make sure to bring toilet paper, the bathroom seems to never be stocked. Make sure to haul out all trash."
Choose sites away from road noise: Some campgrounds experience traffic. At Four Directions Retreat, campers can enjoy "tons of outdoor activities to partake in and you can even hang out with the goats on the property!"
Consider weather variability: Mountain weather changes quickly. One camper at Cougar Park & Campground observed, "The weather does change very fast in the park so bring extra layers."
Tips from RVers
Limited RV access: Most tent camping areas restrict larger vehicles. A reviewer noted, "Be forewarned that this is a tent only campground. We showed up with our VW Eurovan (smaller than half the pickup trucks parked there) and were immediately lectured on not having a tent."
Road conditions: Forest service roads may be challenging. One visitor cautioned, "The road coming in the last 10 miles is rough in many spots. It's hard to see the bumps and dips in the road in the early evening."
Parking limitations: Many campgrounds separate parking from tent sites. A camper explained, "Tent sites only, short hike in from parking lot, bring your own everything. Pit toilets, lake access, close to Mt. St. Helens activities."
