If you’re thinking of visiting the pristine wilderness of Washington State, the emerald waters of Yale Lake and the surrounding St. Helens wilderness area will surpass your expectations. Beaver Bay Campground is a 65 site recreation area located along Yale Lake, in Cougar, WA. The campground consists of standard amenities including running water, showers, a boat launch, roped off swimming beach, and fire pits. There is also a day-use picnic area for those wanting to recreate here. While there are no RV hookups, there is a vehicle dump station for those who need it. Crowds can get tough here as this is one of the most popular campgrounds on Yale Lake. Subsequently, getting a good campsite can often require going during the off season (Spring/Fall) when crowds are not as common. Otherwise, smaller campsites can get cramped.

 Thankfully, you don’t need to hide out in your tent as local activities are plentiful. To start, just 15 minutes North-East, the “Ape Caves” of Mount St. Helens provide visitors a completely unique opportunity to tour the volcanic tunnels left behind by the infamous volcanic eruption of 1980. In addition, those willing to drive can travel through I-5N, east on HWY 504, to check out the Mount St. Helens visitor center. If you’re really adventurous, check out the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument for amazing insight into to eruption, and panoramic views of the dome. 

 On the lake itself, most forms of boating are common, as well as water skiing and wakeboarding during morning hours. Additionally, the lake is also a premier fishing spot known for its abundance of Kokanee and Cutthroat Coastal Trout. You’ll need a fishing license, which can be purchased on the way in the town of Woodland. 

 If you have an interest in beautiful scenery, you’re going to feel right at home here. If your thing is fishing and boating, you’re still in luck! Whatever your intentions, Beaver Bay is a great option for those looking for a place to stay and recreate among Washington’s wild terrain.



Beaver Bay Campground

We had a great stay at Beaver Bay! Located at the base of Mt St Helens, there is so much to do in this area, you’ll never get bored!

We enjoyed the amenities the campground had to offer including restroom and shower facilities, firewood for sale and a dishwashing station. There were some noisy children nearby, but overall our spot was fairly quiet and shaded. We look forward to going back again soon!

Great Campground with Amenities and Trails

This amazing little campground is fantastic. Right next to Beaver Bay and about a 10-15 minute drive from the Lava Flows and Mt. St. Helen's, we totally lucked out finding a spot here. 

We were a little nervous at first by the huge "NO DRINKING NO SMOKING" sign, but the campground hosts were easy going. This is not a party campground by any means but we kept beers on the down low and no one minded. 

We were in Campground  "A" which is reservation only while Campground "B" is first come, first served. My friend booked it but I think for 2 nights it was $40 or so. Not bad for 4 people. Firewood bundles were $5

There are incredibly beautiful, tall trees that surround you here. It rained a bit so I would advise putting up that rain fly! 

The bathrooms are basic but decent!

Excellent Quiet Beautiful

We have been camping here each summer since I was a kid and now I bring my kids to camp here! There's fishing, swimming, a playground, showers and great camp sites! 

Great Family Camping

Beaver Bay Campground is a well-run private campground in Washington about 45 mintues east of I-5\. It's kept clean and has easy access to Yale Lake for boating, kayaking, paddle boarding and inflatables. Ape Caves are nearby as are a number of hikes that are worth considering while you are there.

Camping with a lake side view!

We had been coming here for the past several years just to play in the water, this year we decided to stay an evening to really check it out. Campground is nice, bathrooms are clean but the spaces are way to close together especially if you are in a tent; you can hear everything. Not too many lights so we were able to see the comet that was going over us in late July.

  

No alcohol allowed but the town of Cougar is minutes away...

  

Returned in late august and the water in the lake was green with algae (gross! gross! gross!)

This location was perfect for playing out in the water. We took our boat out to the campground and enjoyed a week of comfortable “off-grid” type camping. No reception with plenty of inspiration to hit the wakeboard every morning on the glass lake. Very enjoyable with plenty of space for a group of 5.

Lake access

Our spot was huge! Didn't have enough stuff or people to fill it up and we had 3 families at our spot daily. Lots of shade here. Some privacy between spots thanks to vine maples and such. Sadly the park is slated for remodel, hopefully they are just improving facilities, we fear they have figured out that a lot of spots could become 2 easily.