Woodland's camping areas sit in the shadow of Mount St. Helens and along the Lewis River watershed, approximately 20 miles north of Portland. Located at elevations between 300-600 feet, the region features dense Douglas fir forests interspersed with lowland meadows and riverfront access points. Several tent-only areas feature creek-side sites with moderate privacy despite their proximity to Interstate 5.
What to do
Disc golf near water features: Paradise Point State Park offers a 9-hole course that incorporates natural elements into play. "Hole one is a fun one that plays under a freeway overpass," notes Steve C., who appreciates the designers' creative use of limited space due to archaeological considerations.
Horseback riding trails: Camp Wilkerson maintains trails specifically for equestrians with a dedicated horse camp area. "Stayed the night in one of their small cabins, very nice sat outside by the fire and just watched the stars, this is a primary horse camp and is surrounded by trails, seen a heard of elk on one of my hikes," shares Guy S.
River access for kayaking: Camp Kalama provides direct access to the Kalama River for water sports enthusiasts. "Access to the kalama river. We kayaked around it was nice," reports Zachary S., highlighting the camp's proximity to paddling routes.
What campers like
Natural seclusion near cities: Dairy Creek West at L.L. Stub Stewart Memorial State Park offers tent camping with good separation between sites. "The atmosphere is very green and lush. Outhouses are present but no showers and fire pits are communal and conveniently placed between the site subgroups," explains Jenny R., who enjoys the park's accessibility despite feeling remote.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Many sites provide chances to spot local fauna. "Seen a heard of elk on one of my hikes," mentions one Camp Wilkerson visitor, while other campgrounds throughout the Woodland area support diverse bird watching opportunities.
Off-leash dog areas: Some campgrounds have designated spaces for pets. "Since we were here last time, they now have an off-leash fenced dog area," notes MickandKarla W. about their stay at L.L. Stub Stewart, providing a welcome amenity for travelers with four-legged companions.
What you should know
Highway noise varies by site selection: Seaquest State Park Campground and other area campgrounds experience varying levels of interstate noise. "Peaceful yet can still hear the highway," observes Jess W., though many campgrounds offer quieter loops further from main roads.
Limited connectivity: Most glamping locations have minimal cell coverage or internet access. "No cell (occasionally 1 bar LTE AT&T). Too heavily forested for Starlink. Had to leave early Monday morning since we were working and needed internet," shares Kim G. about her Seaquest State Park stay.
Reservation requirements vary seasonally: Reservations become essential during summer months, while shoulder seasons offer more walk-up availability. "Showed up in the dark & rain, no reservations in February. Lots of room at each site," reports Debra L. about her off-season experience at L.L. Stub Stewart.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Oxbow Regional Park offers recently updated play areas. "The recent upgrades to playgrounds are awesome for the kids and the new welcome center makes check in a breeze," shares Finn M., noting the family-friendly amenities that enhance stays for younger campers.
Junior Ranger programs: Seaquest State Park runs educational activities during summer months. "At night the campground had a great Junior Ranger program with a very enthusiastic park ranger that kept the almost 50 people/kids entertained," explains Ashley B., recommending this for families with children.
Swimming access points: Several glamping locations near Woodland offer water recreation areas. "The river was shallow and dropped to the deep end. It was ideal for children because the shallow end stretched a bit," notes one parent about the river access points.
Tips from RVers
Site size limitations: Paradise Point State Park Campground has narrow access roads with tree obstructions in some loops. "We arrived and it was IMPOSSIBLE to get our rig in that site due to the trees. We couldn't even continue out the secondary loop because it was so narrow and had trees on the inside of turns," warns Alex W., suggesting careful research before booking.
Full hookup locations: Camp Kalama RV Park offers riverside sites with comprehensive amenities. "Water, Cable, power available at each site. Two dumpsites in the park. Gravel and dirt roads to riverside sites," reports D.L.D., noting these amenities for self-contained camping experiences.
Site selection priorities: When glamping in Woodland, Washington with RVs, choose sites with adequate space for your specific vehicle. "The Dairy Creek West loop has more shaded and privacy for most of the sites if thats what you are seeking," advises Shane B., highlighting the importance of researching specific loop characteristics before making reservations.
