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Iron Creek Campground

Warning 4 Alerts are In Effect

There are 4 alerts for this campground. Camp safely!

Campsites in the Burn Area of Loop A will be closed for the 2025 Camping Season to allow the ground to continue to heal from the Fires in 2023. The campsites affected are #A14, A16, A18, A20 & A21. We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your understanding.

Beginning May 5th, 2025, the Huffaker Bridge located on Forest Road 25 at mile 7.66 within the Cowlitz Valley Ranger District, will be closed to all traffic to facilitate a full bridge replacement. The road will be closed until November 24th, 2025, however if any changes to the schedule occur the Forest Service will communicate those changes. For more information please see the link below. https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/giffordpinchot/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD1232695

Beginning May 5th, 2025, the Huffaker Bridge located on Forest Road 25 at mile 7.66, will be closed to all traffic to facilitate a full bridge replacement. The road will be closed until November 24th, 2025. With this closure, the only way to get to Iron Creek CG and Forest Road 99 (Windy Ridge) is to travel south on FR 23, then take FR 28 to FR 76. Travel west on FR 76. Be advised that FR 76 is of a different maintenance level than FR 25. This means that for FR 76, user comfort and convenience are not considered priorities. It is a single lane with turnouts, typically has potholes and must be driven at low speeds. Also, be aware that there will be logging traffic on FR 76. For more information and a map, please see this link: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/giffordpinchot/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD1232695.

ALERT: STAGE 2 FIRE BAN NOW IN EFFECT! Due to increased risk of wildfires, the Gifford Pinchot National Forest fire managers have issued restrictions on campfires, smoking, and other activities within the forest. These restrictions will begin July 17, 2025.Restrictions include:

  • Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire, including a charcoal fire and pellet fire on all National Forest System lands. Portable cooking stoves, lanterns, and heating devices using liquefied or bottled fuel, such as propane, are allowed as they can be switched off instantly.
  • Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a designated campground, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material.
  • Possessing, discharging, or using any kind of firework or other pyrotechnic device is prohibited year-round on national forest lands.
  • Operating or using any internal or external combustion engine without a spark arresting device properly installed, maintained, and in effective working order.
CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Iron Creek Campground, near Randle, Washington, is a peaceful retreat tucked away in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. This spot is all about the beauty of nature, surrounded by towering old-growth trees and lush greenery that creates a serene atmosphere for campers.

The campground offers a variety of sites that provide a good amount of privacy, making it easy to unwind and enjoy the sounds of nature. Visitors rave about the clean vault toilets and the availability of drinking water, which adds to the convenience of your stay. As one camper noted, “The sites are quite private, and the campground was quiet,” making it a great escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

For those looking to explore, the nearby Cispus River is a highlight, with trails that allow you to soak in the stunning scenery. Many campers appreciate the access to the river for fishing and relaxing by the water. The area is also a fantastic base for adventures around Mount St. Helens, just a short drive away, where you can find hiking trails and breathtaking viewpoints.

While the campground is family-friendly, some campers noted that it can get lively, especially during peak times. However, the overall vibe remains respectful, with many visitors enjoying the natural beauty and tranquility that Iron Creek Campground has to offer. Whether you're camping with family or seeking a solo retreat, this spot is worth checking out.

Fee Info

Extra Vehicle Fee $8.00

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Location

Iron Creek Campground is located in Washington

Detail location of campground

Directions

Take Highway 12 from I-5 and proceed 40 miles to Randle, turn south on Forest Road 25 and continue for 12 miles to the campground.

Address

Gifford Pinchot NF Cowlitz Valley Ranger District
Randle, WA 98377

Coordinates

46.4297222 N
121.9869444 W

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  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.
  • Hike-In
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Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Tent Cabin

Features

For Campers

  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Firewood Available
  • Phone Service
  • Reservable
  • Drinking Water
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Pull-Through Sites
  • Big Rig Friendly

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Reviews

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out of 5

19 Reviews

Reviewed Sep. 9, 2024

Beautiful and private

Beautiful and private campground, we'll be back for sure. Honey hole type toilets and lots of water spigots around. We didn't hike but there seemed to be lots of hiking trails, plus the beautiful river! Despite there being a total burn ban (propane stoves only) there were SEVERAL fires happening all weekend which was disappointing.

Most sites are really private which we loved. We walked through the three loops that were open and made note of the sites that looked most private/flat-ish for a tent/good location. In our opinion these were the best sites we could see: Loop B 24, 52, 47, 44, 39, 38, 36, 31. Loop C 56, 57, 60, 69. Loop D 78, 80, 84 (this one seemed to have an awesome trail leading right down the river!). No cell service so plan accordingly!

SiteB27
Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Iron Creek Campground by B K., September 9, 2024
Reviewed Jun. 4, 2024

Beautiful Old growth forest campground

The sites are quite private, and the campground was quiet. Our site was a nice size, but we got a double site, and it said it could fit 12 peeps. It had room for 1, maybe 2 tents. So We had 1 small RV and a tent. Other tent campers were going to join, and they would not have fit on this site 34 B. We could have fit a second small RV. The campground is like fairy wonderland with so much moss and greenery. All of the vualt toilets were spotless and smelled fine. It was quiet, and everyone was respectful and leashed their dogs, and managed their kiddos. The river is amazing, and there is a trail loop that is not fully open now, but you can walk along the river. The river was moving very fast in early June, and we would not have felt safe being beginning kayakers. The river was moving quite fast and seemed turbulent. We have At & T cell service. We had no service at all. It Was nice to be unplugged. We did bring two dogs, and it seemed dog friendly. We loved it and can not wait to go back!

Site34 B
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Iron Creek Campground by Gayle K., June 4, 2024
  • Review photo of Iron Creek Campground by Gayle K., June 4, 2024
  • Review photo of Iron Creek Campground by Gayle K., June 4, 2024
  • (6) View All
Reviewed Sep. 3, 2022

Old growth forest

We spent 2 nights here. So peaceful. The forest is so thick couldn't hear other campers. Vault toilet kept very clean and stocked. Had water a short walk away. Trees here are 600 years old. Huge. We use a solar panel to run out refrigerator. The trees were so thick we were on battery the whole time. It's 9 miles south of Randle on FS 25. Rough in spots. Our 30 ft TT filled the parking pad but we never unhooked the truck. I think a 40ft would be maximum length.

SiteD 89
Month of VisitAugust
Reviewed Jul. 31, 2022

Beautiful old forest

Real winner of a site, 98 spots but still very peaceful and private. We were in loop C and just about able to see a few other sites from ours. Restrooms, water pumps and lovely camp hosts selling firewood if you’ve forgotten! The river is beautiful and lots of trails around the site. Arrived late on a Sunday (7pm) and a fair number of free spots to choice. Loops C and D are closest to the river

SiteC-61
Month of VisitJuly
Reviewed Dec. 24, 2021

Beautiful old wooded campground

Almost every camping spot is private with ferns and tree's surrounding you. Wonderful old growth feeling. Ample trails surrounding the campground and along the Cispus river.

Site16, 17, 22, 43, 60, 85. I don't recommend 75 & 77.
Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Iron Creek Campground by Denise M., December 24, 2021
  • Review photo of Iron Creek Campground by Denise M., December 24, 2021
Reviewed Aug. 31, 2021

Iron Creek Campground

The campground is super quiet and allows you to get away from it all. There are no services and no cell phone reception so come expecting that. The roads are rough as you cross into the National Park so watch your speed especially with a trailer. The site has a great trail that provides access to Iron Creek from anywhere on the grounds, although B Loop seamed to be the closest to the water. The sites are not too close together and you have some privacy. This is an excelled location

SiteA2
Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Iron Creek Campground by Robert K., August 31, 2021
  • Review photo of Iron Creek Campground by Robert K., August 31, 2021
  • Review photo of Iron Creek Campground by Robert K., August 31, 2021
  • (10) View All
Reviewed Jul. 16, 2021

Beautiful base camp for Mt St Helens visit

A beautiful campground with clean vault toilet and potable water. There is a path from our campsite that join the bigger walking loop around the campground and access to the river. We were there after the July 4th holiday so it was quiet. We chose this campground as a base to explore the east side of Mt St Helens. It takes about an hour to reach the hiking trails and viewpoints for St Helens. Highly recommended.

SiteB39
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Iron Creek Campground by Irene , July 16, 2021
  • Review photo of Iron Creek Campground by Irene , July 16, 2021
  • Review photo of Iron Creek Campground by Irene , July 16, 2021
Reviewed Dec. 24, 2020

Family of 4

2nd stop on our camping trip for Summer 2020. Large camping area with tons of family and group camping, which we don’t mind, as we got our own kid party going at our site. Picnic table, fire pit, clean toilet structure. Site managers nice enough to help us with our drive to view St. Helens, which was a personal highlight, to see St. Helen’s, Rainer, Adams and Hood, all from one spot! Firewood for sale, easy paved loops, and big river with kid friendly soaking areas, and fishing! Had a good mix of everyone.

  • Review photo of Iron Creek Campground by Marcus M., December 24, 2020
  • Review photo of Iron Creek Campground by Marcus M., December 24, 2020
  • Review photo of Iron Creek Campground by Marcus M., December 24, 2020
Reviewed Aug. 19, 2020

MOSS AND FERN WONDERLAND

This lush campground is carpeted with ferns and dripping with moss. It feels like stepping back to prehistoric times. Serene and breathtaking. En route to Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument.

  • Review photo of Iron Creek Campground by Kathleen D., August 19, 2020
  • Review photo of Iron Creek Campground by Kathleen D., August 19, 2020
  • Review photo of Iron Creek Campground by Kathleen D., August 19, 2020
  • (5) View All
Reviewed Jul. 30, 2020

Absolutely beautiful!

The camp sites were large, and absolutely beautiful. I would love to go back again. Lots to do in the area.

Reviewed Jul. 13, 2020

Deep NW Woods Riverside Camp

Nice enough site. Pretty large, I think it’s about 100 sites across 4 loops. It’s private in terms of visual space but definitely not private enough to keep barking dogs and yelling kids from dampening the wilderness experience. 2 bathrooms per loop, no sinks. Bathrooms were clean and well maintained. 

It just wasn’t really our kind of campsite, seemed more family friendly than remote or peaceful. I’d recommend the sites closest to the river as you’d fall asleep to the sound or water instead of children. 

Great for large groups and families, not so much for solace seekers.

Site22b
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Iron Creek Campground by Bozena B., July 13, 2020
  • Review photo of Iron Creek Campground by Bozena B., July 13, 2020
  • Review photo of Iron Creek Campground by Bozena B., July 13, 2020
  • (5) View All
Reviewed Jun. 7, 2019

Very nice place and even nicer hosts.

The hosts were very kind and helpful. I rode in on my bicycle. There are lots of sites. The sites are spaced apart from each other allowing for plenty of privacy. It is in a beautiful forest with big trees. There is a nice, short loop trail leading to the river. The washrooms are pit toilets, a little dark inside, but we'll maintained and has air fresheners so it doesn't stink. One of my favourite campgrounds I've been to.

  • Review photo of Iron Creek Campground by Tyler D., June 7, 2019
  • Review photo of Iron Creek Campground by Tyler D., June 7, 2019
  • Review photo of Iron Creek Campground by Tyler D., June 7, 2019
Reviewed May. 14, 2019

This place was amazing

We camped here in July 2018. It was hot but thankfully the Cispus River was a short hike away and we cooled off in that. It is close to the Ape Caves at Mount St. Helens. The sites are pretty secluded. My only complaint would be the bathrooms. We don’t use the bathroom in our tent trailer so we had to use the bathrooms at the campground. They had a pretty strong ammonia smell and people didn’t put the toilet lids back down so there were flies. Great place for kids.

  • Review photo of Iron Creek Campground by Sharla H., May 14, 2019
  • Review photo of Iron Creek Campground by Sharla H., May 14, 2019
  • Review photo of Iron Creek Campground by Sharla H., May 14, 2019
  • (9) View All
Reviewed Sep. 21, 2018

Large, secluded, private

This is an off the beaten path campground, large and secluded. Campsites seem very private due to lots of large trees separating campsites No cell service.

Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Iron Creek Campground by Dan M., September 21, 2018
  • Review photo of Iron Creek Campground by Dan M., September 21, 2018
  • Cispus River
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  • (5) View All
Reviewed Aug. 26, 2018

Large Sites

Beautiful sites and large. Heavily wooded and private. No hookups. Close to Randle and Mt. St. Helens

  • Review photo of Iron Creek Campground by Michael S., August 26, 2018
  • Review photo of Iron Creek Campground by Michael S., August 26, 2018
  • Review photo of Iron Creek Campground by Michael S., August 26, 2018
Reviewed Jul. 7, 2018

Lush and Beautiful

There are so many trees and plants here! I haven't been camping for very long but this has become one of my favorites. The camp sites are pretty secluded so you don't feel like everyone is watch you and the camp site that I stayed in (39 I believe) had a little trail to get to the creek nearby.

Site39
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Iron Creek Campground by Katie O., July 7, 2018
Reviewed Jun. 26, 2018

Beautiful River front

This is a larger campground great for RV, trailers and tents. There are a total of 99 sites enclosed in a circle, making a nice walk or bike ride. The campground does not have electric hook ups, though it is very camper friendly otherwise.

Sites are pretty enclosed not offering a good amount of privacy, though most are along the Cispus River. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring, with bbq grate. The site does not have showers and the toilets are the pit style.

This is a perfect getaway for people looking to unplug as no cell service (tested on sprint, verizon, and google fi) is available. There is tons of wildlife and lots of trails and riverbank to explore.

  • Review photo of Iron Creek Campground by Mary C., June 26, 2018
  • Review photo of Iron Creek Campground by Mary C., June 26, 2018
Reviewed May. 4, 2018

Perfect calm and peaceful

This is a great campground. It feels perfectly removed and is filled with huge old trees. Light streams throgh in morning and evening. You can hear the creek in the distance. Wonderful hiking at both Mt Adams and Mt st helens. Easy to find sites here.

SiteMany
Month of VisitMay
Reviewed Jul. 19, 2017

Great spot with plenty of camping spots!

Iron Creek is a great camp site in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. The river runs near the camp was a great spot for the kids and dogs to play. Camp sites were large spacious and private. I would highly recommend this campground!

Month of VisitJuly

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a map of Iron Creek Campground showing campsites and trails?

The campground has a circular layout with approximately 99 sites arranged across four loops, making it easy to navigate. There's a walking loop trail that connects throughout the campground, plus smaller paths leading to the river from some campsites. While specific detailed maps may not be available at the entrance, the campground hosts can provide guidance on site locations and nearby trails. For the most current maps, check with the Gifford Pinchot National Forest office or website before your visit.

What amenities and facilities are available at Iron Creek Campground?

Iron Creek Campground offers primitive camping with basic amenities. The facility features clean vault toilets (no flush toilets) and potable water available on-site. Each campsite comes equipped with a picnic table and fire pit. The campground is spread across multiple loops with approximately 99 sites total. While there are no electric hookups or shower facilities, the campground is still RV and trailer-friendly. A beautiful feature is the short trail access to the Cispus River, perfect for cooling off during hot summer days. The heavily wooded setting provides excellent privacy between most sites.

How do I make reservations at Iron Creek Campground?

Iron Creek Campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis. There is no advance reservation system, so arriving early is recommended, especially during peak summer months and weekends. The campground is fairly large with approximately 99 sites, increasing your chances of finding availability. Campground hosts are on-site to assist with check-in procedures. Since cell service is nonexistent in the area, plan accordingly before arriving. For the most current information on reservation policies, contact the Gifford Pinchot National Forest office.

Where is Iron Creek Campground located in Washington?

Iron Creek Campground is located in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest in southwestern Washington. It's situated near Forest Road 25 in the vicinity of Randle, WA. The campground serves as an excellent base for exploring nearby attractions including Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument and Mount Adams. The secluded forest setting places you in a prehistoric-feeling environment with ancient trees, moss, and fern-covered grounds. The campground sits close enough to the Cispus River that you can hear it from some sites.