Reservations are available at Goose Lake Campground, which makes planning easier given how quickly sites fill on summer weekends. The campground sits within Gifford Pinchot National Forest on a hillside above the lake, with most sites oriented to give campers open sightlines toward the water and, on clear days, distant snow-capped peaks. The access road has potholes and can be rough, so drivers with low-clearance vehicles should approach with care. No drinking water is available on-site, so bring your own supply.
Fishing draws the most repeat visitors here. Motorized boats are not permitted on the lake, keeping it accessible to kayaks, canoes, and paddle boards, and anglers tend to find the early morning and late evening hours most productive. Natalie B. recalls that she and her group "brought our paddle boards and had a great time on the water." The day-use area includes a boat launch and draws non-camping visitors starting around 7 or 8 in the morning, so the campground is not isolated from daytime foot traffic. Nearby, Forlorn Lakes and Crest Camp Trailhead Campground provide additional base camps for those exploring the area, including sections of the Pacific Crest Trail.
The layout is worth understanding before you arrive. Sites are set along a hill, but individual pads are flat. Site 2 sits lower on the loop and closer to the lake, reducing the haul for heavy gear. The upper portion of the loop involves a steeper climb but still maintains lake views. Wind picks up most afternoons around 9 or 10 a.m. and tends to persist through sundown, so layers are useful even in July.
Trash management has been inconsistent at the shoreline, with at least one reviewer documenting significant litter along the lake's edge despite nearby trash cans. Megan A. found the campground itself "clean and well maintained" during a midweek July visit, suggesting conditions vary by crowd level. Late summer brings yellow jackets, and campers in September have specifically recommended bringing traps. The campground is open from early June through mid-September. It works best for anglers, paddlers, and those who want lake access without motorized boat traffic.
Description
Goose Lake Campground is situated among a mix of mature cedars and Douglas firs within the Mount Adams Ranger District of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. This spot becomes popular in late summer and early autumn, when the weather is warmer and dryer, and bald eagles and osprey can be observed hunting for fish on Goose Lake. The 58-acre lake is characterized by the somewhat haunting presence of old trees rising from its cool, clear waters. Formed abruptly when a lava flow from Big Lava Bed dammed a nearby stream, this curious sight is all that remains of the trees that were consumed by what is now Goose Lake. Natural Features: Located in southwest Washington State, the Gifford Pinchot National Forest encompasses over 1.3 million acres and includes the 110,000-acre Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, established by Congress in 1982. Mount Adams, a potentially active stratovolcano and the second-highest mountain in Washington state, is a prominent landmark in the District. Elevations in the area range between 1,200 ft. at the Wind River Work Center (12 miles north of Carson, WA), to 12,276 ft. at the summit of Mount Adams. The Mount Adams Ranger District features a great diversity of habitats, from old growth to second growth forest, wetland areas, low and high elevation meadows and lakes, as well as glaciers. Recreation: At a 3,200 foot elevation, Goose Lake is a popular spot for brook, brown and cutthroat trout fishing and offers a concrete boat ramp for launching small boats, kayaks and canoes. Big Lava Bed is located just south of the campground and offers a trail that takes hikers through a landscape marked by both pine forest and basalt lava formations. Huckleberry picking is a popular pastime through the late summer and early fall. Facilities: The campsite is accessed via 8 miles of narrow gravel road. Roadside parking is available. This facility is a tent campers dream, with 18 primitive walk-in tent sites dotting the eastern bank of the lake. These hillside sites are on level ground with immediate trail access to Goose Lake. Campsites have vault toilets, picnic tables and fire rings. Campers must bring their own drinking water and may purchase firewood on-site. Nearby Attractions: The 2,663-mile Pacific Crest Trail runs for 16.4 miles in a north-south direction through the nearby Indian Heaven Wilderness, just north of Goose Lake. Indian Heaven Wilderness is known for its abundant lakes, meadowlands and pine forests, as well as its variety of wildlife. ACTIVITIES Fishing Hiking
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsGoose Lake Campground is located in Washington near Trout Lake
Directions
From the East, take SR 141 north from SR 14, to the town of Trout Lake. Continue through town on SR 141 to till it ends and and FS 24 begins. Follow FS 24 to the junction with FS 60 and follow FS 60 for 1 mile to the entrance of Goose Lake. From the West (Carson, WA), take Wind River Rd. north to Old State Highway. Following the signs for Panther Creek Campground, continue past Panther Creek Campground on FS 65 to the 4 corners, junction of FS 65 and 60. Turn right on FS 60, and continue 7 miles to the entrance of Goose Lake.
Coordinates
45.93927313 N
121.75699467 W
Connectivity
T-MobileNo Coverage- VerizonNo Coverage
AT&TLTESome Coverage
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TLTESome Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Hike-InBackcountry sites.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Reservable
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
Drive Time
- 1 hr 55 min from Portland, OR
- 2 hrs 34 min from Longview, WA
- 2 hrs 41 min from Salem, OR
- 3 hrs 3 min from Yakima, WA
