This campground is easily one of the most remote yet accessible and quiet that I have ever come across. Site staff on hand if needed but honestly the primitive sites are exactly what you are looking for: remote, spacious, quiet, fire and pet friendly and great views. The fact that this campsite is only 30 minutes from the 5, you couldn’t honestly tell. Open year around and on site water if needed, no amenities, but honestly, who cares? Perfectly spaced north of Portland and south of Tacoma/Seattle, easy access to both or in between but be warned, park access closes at dusk, and they do mean dusk. In the off season was one of maybe 10 groups in the whole park. Definitely will come again.

Great places for families. Traditional campground with great swimming area, spots for fishing, and a small loop trail around there lake. Hard core outdoor enthusiasts will not enjoy this campground, not a lot to explore or do.

Our favorite campground near Portland (normally a 45-minute drive). Not a ton of camping spots (20-30 drive in, a dozen or so walk-in), but I've had good luck booking mid-week spots the day before in the summer. There's also a couple of cabins with great lake views. Has pretty much everything you'd need: a small lake (caldera), a swimming beach, a camp-store with hot dogs, bait, etc., and a dock for fishing. Plus Battleground the town is maybe a 10 minute drive if you want to hit a restaurant or grocery store.

Nice campground, though busy during the summer months. You can walk around the lake, swim in the water, or fish from a non-motorized boat. Plentiful evergreen trees provide shade for around-the-lake walks.

This makes a nice weekend or day trip from Portland. They have a cool volcanic lake with a swimming area and great fishing. Its like a mini crater lake. I mean mini like pond size. I only rated what I did because it has one loop trail that goes around the lake so there really isn't much to explore. But if you're looking for a quick place for a picnic a swim or an overnight. This might be it. The campground is nice spacious and they have a few cabins.

Five springs feed this little volcanic anger management issue. There are tons o' fish - including a nine-foot sturgeon - and although it's officially 60 feet to the bottom in most parts of the lake, you'd sink a lot lower in the spongy ash. The lake's tumultuous past, however, has led to this serene, family-friendly wellspring. This site fills up with lots of kids (and lots of good parents), especially on the weekends, so party people can come by then. Those seeking more solitude and a fantastic swimming hole should consider weeknights. There are 10 miles of hiking trails as well, including maybe a mile version around the lake itself. The campsites go around too and the cabins look cool. The tall trees and abundant green overlays make this a wonderfully self-contained oasis five miles from the 16,000-strong town of Battle Ground and a few miles further from I-5.

Hiking around the lake is a great way to start and/or end you day while staying at Battle Ground Lake SP. Horses are welcome. There are cabins available also. Several sites overlook the lake.

Fishing and swimming are common here, but the lake often closes to swimming later summer season due to bacteria etc. in the water.

We opted for the walk-in sites which require you to hike about 1/4 mile in to get to them. There you will find some nice semi-private spots under a canopy of pine and maple trees. Picnic Table available at each site as well.

Battle Ground State park is a great park for floating and fishing in a lake. It will be packed on weekends with day trippers visiting.