Trout Lake is an ideal place for camping adventures of all kinds. Aside from great camping spots, you'll find hiking and many more outdoor experiences. Thinking of traveling with kids? You're in luck—Trout Lake is surrounded by family-friendly activities. Find the best campgrounds near Trout Lake, WA. Read reviews from campers like you and find your perfect campsite.
"Goose Lake is one of my favorite places to camp. It is a smaller campground and pretty secluded, so it's nice and quiet/private."
"The day use area was clean and had a handful of different people fishing every day starting around 7-8."
"Enter Trout Lake Creek campground. Quiet, unassuming and, miraculously, with 3 campsites left."
"The Sleeping Beauty trail is a short drive and well worth the effort. This is truly a hidden local gem and only about 20-25 minutes from the tiny community of Trout Lake, at the base of Mt. Adams."
$15 - $30 / night
"I discovered these lakes about a year ago and OMG I am obsessed. The campsites are unparalleled. All are lakeside on "private lakes"."
"bring what you'll need as there are no stores around, Trout lake is the closest facility. A little dusty at times, a bale of hay will keep the dust down."
"If I remember right, there were about 5 walk in sites. Small parking lot with 1 vault toilet. Each site has it's own picnic table and fire ring! Very peaceful!"
"It's another of the smaller campgrounds with only 5 walk in sites. I usually stay in smaller places or go dispersed style when possible.
It's a bumpy windy road down to the campground."
"A Lake or a pond is your front view, the back is cliffs, prairie, and wildlife. Spent the day with a Fishing Guide (1-509-860-7233). I hope the pictures show how great this place is."
"These are walking distance to the waterfall which is awesome, but there are about 10 additional spots with existing fire pits on the road up there."
"To access it, as you are driving on NF 65 you will see a small road to the right just a bit before you see the parking for Panther Creek Falls also on the right."
"Beautiful free campground, vault toilets and great fishing! if you go to the far end of the lake and follow the sound of a waterfall, you'll find one!"
"Just got back from a quick overnight trip up to Council Lake."
"The lake was warm and great for swimming!"
LegendCampground Review
This campground is at the base of Mt Rainier National Park in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. To get to the campsite, you have to drive down into the ravine of where the Cowlitz River cuts through the campsite. There are many sites on the river, with the rest in the trees covering the expanse of the grounds. Large RV/ trailers can only be in the upper Loop H.
The road is a one way and for the most part, campers respect the speed limit, though there are some idiots who drive fast through.
There are no hookups, so you will be dry camping if you bring an RV. This is very close to Packwood and a great place to stay during Memorial Weekend for their annual Flea Market. There is no cell service at this site. Site claims to have flushing toilets, but those were removed a few years ago, there are only vault toilets and no showers. Depending on how the snow melt is during the spring, will dictate fishing and camping opening.
Product Review
I had the opportunity to review a GCI Outdoor Backpack Event Chair. This product is amazing for lugging around from campground to fishing and back. The chair has four different positions for reclining and hard arm supports for getting up and down. There is a large pocket on the back allowing for easy toting of items from car to wherever. The backpack straps make toting a breeze and the clip to close keeps the chair in place. It is very light and easy to transport and has a weight limit of 250, but my very large cousin (300+) was able to sit with no problem.
https://www.gcioutdoor.com/camping-chairs/backpack-event-chair/
LegendWe stayed here 2 nights and will definitely be coming back. Tons of open sites to choose from right along the river. Designated fire rings but currently there's a burn ban. No vault toilets or picnic tables. Pack it in, pack it out! When we first arrived we spent about 20 minutes cleaning the site we chose after the people whom were here before us. Not such a big deal just a little saddening. #1 rule is to leave no trace. Extremely grateful we get to explore and camp on land that is free. We should all do our part and take care of it.
A little surprising that we had cell phone reception with sprint!
Near this area there are a lot or activities. Biking, hiking, swimming, fishing, kayaking.. to name a few!
ScoutThe tent sites are very large however they have minimal grass or shade. RV sites are very close to each other. There are two bathrooms of one toilet, shower area combined. The shower is coin operated so unless you plan ahead with quarters you are out of luck. It has a card option but does not work. The bathrooms are also not clean. There are 2 portable toilets that were very clean. They advertise quiet hours after 10 pm but it is not in-forced. There was a group partying until 1am next to us. Neighboring property was also blasting music into the morning. There are many other options in the area I would look into one of those.
LegendThis review is for the main campground, there is another group/horse campground across the highway that I did not stay in. The small campground is right off Highway 97. The first part of the campground is where the hook ups, large RV's, small trailers and tent campers are located. The spaces are very close together with very few trees separating spaces. Some spots looked barely big enough for a 2 person tent. In this same area is the only flush toilets/showers (Coin operated). Continuing past this main area and over a small hill is where the tent camping/sheep herders tents are located. Since it was located away from the main camping area it was quiet with regards to hearing fellow campers, the downside is the spaces are closer to the Highway. Day and night, semis speed past the state park on either a downhill straight away or an uphill straight away, regardless it sounds like a freight train or military landing pad all night/day long. It was so loud you had to stop talking until the semi passed. The space I was in was so small my 3 person tent only fit if one side was touching the fire ring. Luckily there was a fire ban so no fire to melt my tent. The space also had full view of the pit toilet, since it was the only toilet on that side, I saw everyone come and go. It was also super close to one of the sheep herders tent site. There were 2 sheep herder tents sites. The spots looked large and the tents looked like they would sleep at least 4-5 people. The other tent sites where much larger, but still all the sites could hear the highway. Note, be careful about leaving food out, zipping your tent up, leaving car doors open. The mice were pretty bad and came out at night driving my dog crazy. There were a bunch of trails that ran through out the park that provided a nice alternative to get to the other side of the park or climb to the top of the hill near the power lines. The camp host was also a very nice gentleman who suggested activities in the near by area. I was exploring the area cause it's new to me, but I wont return cause it's not my type of camping.
ScoutI camped there in my RV several times and always tried to get slot A13. It’s all the way at the end and has a nice amount of space and only a potential neighbor on one side. I also tent camped and, after scouting the sites, chose C6. That site is a bit small but is away from the rest and above them on the slope so you don’t need your rain fly for privacy.
ScoutAlthough there is no potable water here, the magical lake makes up for having to haul in your own water. No motors allowed on the lake, so you can spend hours just floating around the peaceful lake, with Mt Adams watching over you. Just under 30 minute drive from Trout Lake, but feels like you are in the middle of nowhere.
Legendanother 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.
LegendRead up on this location with some good info. Flat paved sites for dry camping.
Lost Creek Campground has 10 single-family campsites and is located on one of the largest pyroclastic volcanic mudflows from Mt. Hood’s “Old Maid” eruption in the 1700s. Fortunately all of the mudflows have cooled. Campsites can accommodate tents, trailers and RVs. Two yurts are also available. Campground amenities include a picnic area, drinking water and vault toilets. Firewood is also available for sale from the camp host.
Lost Creek / Mt. Hood Area Recreation
Outdoor recreation includes fishing. Visitors also enjoy fishing, hiking, mountain biking and wildlife viewing. The Wild and Scenic Sandy River is also not far from the popular Ramona Falls Trailhead. Mt. Hood is just southeast of the campground offers visitors the opportunity for a nice a day trip.
AMENITIES
BBQ Grills
Campsite Tables
Comfort Station
Drinking Water
Fire Pit
Fire Rings
Firewood Available
Golden Age & Access Passports accepted
Grills
Pets OK
Picnic Tables
Restrooms (Vault Toilets)
ACTIVITIES
Biking
Bird Watching
Creek
Fishing
Hiking
Mountain Biking
Nature Trails
Photography
Picnicking
River
Walking Trails
Wildlife Viewing
GuideConnected to a rest area. $19 camping no hookups. Water, pad, picnic table, and fire ring in site. Free showers. Clean bathrooms. Freeway noise not bad.
Nestled in the stunning landscapes of Washington, Trout Lake offers a variety of tent camping options that cater to nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts alike. With its serene environment and proximity to beautiful lakes, it's an ideal spot for a memorable camping experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Trout Lake, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Trout Lake, WA is Goose Lake Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 11 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Trout Lake, WA?
TheDyrt.com has all 79 tent camping locations near Trout Lake, WA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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