Map showing campground location near Cougar, Washington

Camper submitted image from Swift Forest Camp

Swift Forest Camp

SUMMARY PRESENTED BY

Managed by Washington State Department of Natural Resources, Swift Forest Camp sits along Swift Reservoir in the shadow of Mount St. Helens, within a state resource management area that also draws visitors to Eagle Cliff Campground and Eagle Cliff Store and Campground nearby. The 92-site campground is laid out across multiple loops with paved internal roads, a setup that reviewers consistently describe as well-organized, with enough tree cover between sites to provide some separation from neighbors, though sites in the lower loops are notably close together.

Water access is the campground's defining draw, and it comes with caveats. Swift Reservoir fluctuates significantly by season, and late-summer visits can reveal dramatically lower water levels. Greg E. noted in August 2021 that "the debris booms are laying on the ground instead of floating in the water," with the designated swimming area effectively gone. Earlier in the season, the reservoir supports a boat ramp, a marked swimming area, and kayaking, with reviewers noting that non-motorized boats are common on the water.

Facilities are a consistent strength. Bathrooms are cleaned regularly by on-site hosts, and Maggie L. notes that "drinking water available is very fresh." Firewood is available for purchase on-site, and a covered group picnic area sits near the lake. Showers are listed as an amenity, though some reviews indicate shower access may be located at a nearby facility a few miles up the road.

Campers should plan around a few firm rules. The entry gate closes at 8 p.m. (some older signage says 9 p.m., but recent reviews confirm the earlier time), and alcohol and marijuana are prohibited on the property. Reservations are available and recommended for summer weekends, as the campground fills quickly around holidays. AT&T cell coverage is reportedly adequate near the reservoir but drops off under tree canopy at individual sites. Weekday and off-season visits see far lighter crowds. Those exploring campsites near Cougar will find Swift Forest Camp well-suited to anglers, paddlers, and families with kids who can make use of the paved camp roads.

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Map & DirectionsSwift Forest Camp is located in Washington near Cougar

Public Campground

Coordinates

46.05366366 N
122.0407354 W

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Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.
Boat-In
Sites accessible by watercraft.

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)
Dispersed
Group

Features

For Campers

ADA Access
Trash
Picnic Table
Firewood Available
Phone Service
Reservable
Showers
Drinking Water
Toilets
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

For Vehicles

Sanitary Dump
Pull-Through Sites
Big Rig Friendly

Contact

General Info

Drive Time

1 hr 20 min from Longview, WA
1 hr 23 min from Portland, OR
2 hrs 10 min from Olympia, WA
2 hrs 59 min from Yakima, WA

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Reviews12 Camper Reviews - Swift Forest Camp

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5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

4.0

out of 5

12 Reviews

Campers regularly cited clean facilities, friendly hosts, and family-friendly paved roads as major strengths. Some feedback indicated noise issues from timber operations and limited site privacy, while strict rules drew occasional criticism.

SUMMARY PRESENTED BY

Caroline T.

Traveler

Reviewed Sep. 11, 2022

Too many rules!!

The campground would be much better if they didn't have so many rules! We printed out 4 pages of rules!! The worst was that they close the entry gate at 8 PM, not 9 PM as in the old photo on their website!! The rules said that they would cancel our ENTIRE RESERVATION if if we did not check in before 8 PM. And it emphasized that with the phrase NO EXCEPTIONS! Well, we tried to get there on time, but coming down from Mt. Rainier we encountered road closures and lots of road construction with one lane traffic & flaggers. So, we were late our first night!! Thankfully, we found another place to camp that night, but were very worried since we had reserved 2 campsites for 3 nights!! Fortunately, the camp staff let us in the next morning and did not cancel our reservations!! The other rules which are very unusual and unnecessary are the rules against using alcohol and marijuana at our campsite! Geez! We were on vacation!! Alcohol and pot are both legal in Washington! It shouldn't matter as long as we don't bother other people!... Also, access points to the lake are minimal because of a cliff alongside the campground, and the lake is divided by long barriers which are very limiting to kayakers!... We would never stay at this campground again!!!

Month of VisitSeptember

(4) View All

Chris J.

Guide

Reviewed Jan. 2, 2022

Thanksgiving weekend

We had the WHOLE campground to ourselves. Last weekend available for camping here for the year. First come and free! Were right on the lake. Big campground nestled in the trees. Certainly quiet.

SiteA10

Month of VisitNovember

Greg E.

Guide

Reviewed Aug. 14, 2021

Great Campground - but hot and a bit smokey

Great campground. The individual campsites are well laid out and provide some privacy from your neighboring campsites. Bathroom facilities are very good for camping. The reservoir is very low. We visited in August 2021 and it seems like the water level is down a good 25-30 feet. Consequently, the designated swimming area is non-existent. The debris booms are laying on the ground instead of floating in the water. Fewer boats on the water and many campsites were not being used (although when we booked it showed they were sold out).

AT&T cell coverage was great when you were in the open and by the reservoir, but poor when you were in your campsite and protected by trees.

Sign when we drove in said the park gates close at 9pm and alcohol was prohibited.

Nearest store was about 45 minutes away in Cougar.

Downers: It was hot! We visited during a heat wave and it got very hot, especially in the direct sunlight. Made the tent a little unbearable. Obviously not the campground's fault, but we were hoping to escape the heat and it provided less relief than we were hoping. It was also a bit smokey from forest fires. Not bad, but noticeable. Bugs were bad. Not so much mosquitos, but there were other smaller bugs that looked like gnats that ended up biting a bunch. Bug spray is a must and worked well. Last bit of a downer was that the campsites are for RVs and tents and several campers would run their generators all day. Given the heat and an RV's ability to generate AC, I don't blame them, but it's kind of a bummer to go "into nature" and have to listen to a gas generator run the entire day.

Overall, the campground is great. Well run and excellent location. Just a bummer that the reservoir is so low.

SiteA-3

Month of VisitAugust

(21) View All

Scotty M.

Guide

Reviewed Sep. 2, 2020

Swift Forest Camp

Awesome little spot up the street from Beaver Bay. The campground itself is clean and the hosts are really nice. Campsites are on the smaller side and there is a weird mix of cabins and campground.

Water was really low when we visited in late august so not too many boats on the water which made it very peaceful.

Month of VisitAugust

Mike M.

Scout

Reviewed Nov. 6, 2019

My go to campground

The campground is awesome. It's my go to camping spot when I need to get out of town. It has everything I need. It gets busy during or around holidays, but mid week or off season is perfect. The hosts are always friendly and it's always been clean.

Stephanie Z.

Legend

Reviewed Jun. 21, 2019

Large Campground with Reservoir Access

Swift Forest is a huge 92 site campground at the Junction of Mt St Helens and Gifford Pinchot Forest. We thought we might have luck here as a Father's Day weekend walk in since the campground is so huge, but it was completely booked on Saturday. Went back on Sunday and the campground was nearly empty by afternoon.

Sites here are $21 with an extra $5 fee per night for booking online (ouch).

The gated campground is very clean and the hosts are very attentive. No alcohol.

There is a large covered picnic area near the lake, a marked swimming area (f you like freezing cold water) and a boat ramp. Life jackets are available.

Month of VisitJune

(21) View All

Sabra G.

Traveler

Reviewed Jun. 17, 2019

Decent Camping

I don't typically camp in pay camp sites, as I prefer to be secluded and away from civilization, but I decided to reserve a site for the family for fathers day weekend. The spot I reserved had some ant issues, so my camp site was changed to a different one (from c01 to b32) before my arrival. I ended up being very thankful for this change, as I appreciated the closeness of the bathrooms as well as it seemed to be an overall better and more secluded area. I ran into some issues before arrival and was running late for check-in, I called and thankfully the host was accommodating.

Camp sites are very close together. Bathrooms were clean. Hosts were very kind. There is a swimming area, but it was very windy and a bit cold so we didn't do much of that. There is a covered area with severa picnic tables near the swimming area. Paved roads through the camp and kids riding bikes, scooters, etc. Wood was available for purchase for $6 a bundle or 4 for $20. I, surprisingly, was able to send and receive text messages with my Boost Mobile phone. I would recommend this spot for anyone that wants to go out on the lake or just needs a spot to camp in the area.

Cherie C.

Traveler

Reviewed Aug. 26, 2018

Great dry camping

This campground is an amazing dry campground, extremely clean, great clean bathrooms, easy access to the reservoir to swim. With an RV dump and potable water.

SiteA32

Month of VisitAugust

Melody H.

Traveler

Reviewed Jul. 4, 2018

Open between sites, good shade. On water.

Gates close at 9:00. No alcohol. Friendly camp host. Check out is earl (11am). Plentiful scavenge driftwood by boat ramp. Nice swimming area. Often early morning noise from wood reclamation work at boat ramp. Mostly non motorized boats on reservoir - great for kayaking. Showers available about 5 Miles up road at Northwoods.

SiteA11 & A29

Month of VisitJune

Maggie L.

Scout

Reviewed Jun. 28, 2018

Beautiful

Swift forest campground is a beautifully laid out camp. Sites along the river offer not only views but some larger areas for families or groups to have multiple tents. Bathrooms are clean and the drinking water available is very fresh. I camped at a site in the lower loop(lake loop I'll say) site nicely fit our 3 tents, next site over was a little close but worked out well. Only downside to this campground is the timber operation going on down by the water. Very loud if camping during the week.

SiteA15

Month of VisitJune

Katie B.

Traveler

Reviewed Aug. 29, 2016

Swift

Overall a great campground. The hosts were great, no electricity, bathrooms always clean!

Jill T.

Guide

Reviewed Jun. 30, 2016

Campground close to Ape Caves and Lava Lagoon

Swift Forest is a campground made for families and anglers. It has access to Swift Reservoir and has a boat ramp as well as a swimming area. The roads are paved and perfect for the kids to ride bikes and scooters around camp. The campground however, are not the most private. But, there are areas that are better then others. We were at site B-8. It was pretty large with 2 possible tent pads. We have a pop-up and it was pretty level for that. In Loop A, there are a row of sites that have water views. I am not sure if they have access directly to the water, I did not get that close when we were walking around. Lots of dumpsters for trash and the bathrooms are cleaned throughout the day by the camp hosts. They sell firewood there as well. If you really need a shower, there is one at a camp a few miles down the road. Overall, it was great and if we do go back to Mt. St. Helens, we will probably stay there again.

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities are available at Swift Forest Camp?

Swift Forest Camp offers clean bathroom facilities with showers, potable drinking water, and an RV dump station. The campground features paved roads ideal for kids to ride bikes and scooters. While there's no electricity available at the campsites, the grounds are extremely well-maintained with fresh drinking water. There are 92 sites in total, with some offering views of the water. The campground also provides access to Swift Reservoir with a boat ramp and swimming area, making it perfect for families and anglers.

Is there boat access at Swift Reservoir Campground?

Yes, Swift Forest Camp provides boat access to Swift Reservoir via a dedicated boat ramp. The reservoir is popular for non-motorized watercraft, making it especially great for kayaking. Visitors should be aware that water levels can fluctuate significantly by season, particularly dropping later in summer. In late August, water levels can be 25-30 feet below normal, which may affect boat launching conditions.

Is there a map of Swift Forest Campground?

While specific map details aren't mentioned, Swift Forest Camp is organized into multiple loops, including a lower lake loop with sites offering water views. The campground has 92 sites total with a mix of standard campsites and some cabin accommodations. For a detailed campground map, contact the campground host directly or check with the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, as Swift Forest Camp is located at the junction of Mt. St. Helens and the national forest.

How do I reserve a campsite at Swift Forest Camp?

Swift Forest Camp requires reservations during the main camping season, as it's a popular destination that frequently books completely, especially on weekends and holidays. The campground has 92 sites total, and reservations should be made well in advance for weekend stays. During the off-season (late fall), some sites may be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Note that there are strict check-in policies, including an entry gate that closes early in the evening, so plan your arrival accordingly.

Can you swim in Swift Reservoir near the campground?

Yes, Swift Forest Camp has a designated swimming area at Swift Reservoir that's easily accessible from the campground. The swimming area is well-maintained and offers a refreshing spot to cool off, particularly popular with families. Water levels can vary significantly throughout the season, with lower levels typically in late summer. The reservoir water is clean and clear, though swimmers should be mindful that the water level may drop considerably (up to 25-30 feet) by August, which can affect swimming conditions.

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