Winston Creek Campground

SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile

The unpaved loop through Winston Creek Campground gives away the experience early: narrow, muddy in spots, and lined closely with trees that lean toward the path. Set within a forested section of the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (WADNR) State Resource Management Area outside Mossyrock, this free, reservable campground sits alongside Winston Creek and draws campers who are comfortable trading amenities for seclusion and shade.

Sites vary considerably in size and layout. Site 4 has a wide, open pad with room for multiple tents and an easier backing angle, while tighter sites like Site 5 can challenge smaller rigs. Reviewers recommend keeping RVs to around 20 feet, though the posted limit is 25. Tree cover is dense enough that solar charging gets only a few hours of useful exposure per day. The creek provides a natural draw in the evenings, and the shaded stream is especially welcome during hot summer weather. Cell service is essentially absent on Verizon; other carriers may vary.

One detail campers consistently notice is how quiet the surrounding woods feel. "We heard birds, but never saw any squirrels, chipmunks, nothing," notes Doug, pointing to an unusual stillness in the wildlife. Amenities are minimal: outhouses are available, but the hand pump water is marked non-potable, so bring your own drinking water. Trash service is provided.

Reservations are required and a Discover Pass is needed for entry. Nearby alternatives include WADNR Dispersed near Winston — Old Logging Roads for those who prefer a less structured setup. Winston Creek works well for campers who want a free, forested site with creek access and do not mind a rough road in.

Reservation Info

Camping at Winston Creek Campground is by reservation only and is open from mid-May through mid-December. Reservations are free of charge and a Discover Pass is required for camping. There is one group site, which can accommodate four to eight people, and nine individual sites available for groups of six or less. Stay limit is seven consecutive days and no more than 10 days in 365 day period. Reservations can be made up to 30 days in advance.

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RV Road Trip Guides

Map & DirectionsWinston Creek Campground is located in Washington near Mossyrock

Detail location of campground
Public Campground

Directions

Directions: Start on Highway 12 southeast of Chehalis (between mileposts 82-83). Go south on Winston Creek Road for 3.6 miles. Turn left on Longbell Road for 1 mile. The site is on the right.

Address

Longbell Road
Mossyrock, WA

Coordinates

46.47945 N
122.50488 W

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Connectivity

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  • signal strength bars
    T-MobileLTE
    Some Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T
    No Coverage
    Verified by 2 users
    Last on 8/19/26

Connectivity

Presented byT-MobileT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
  • signal strength bars
    T-MobileLTE
    Some Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T
    No Coverage
    Verified by 2 users
    Last on 8/19/26

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site

Site Types

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

Features

For Campers

  • Trash
  • Firewood Available
  • Reservable
  • Drinking Water
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

FREE established camping

Enjoy camping on government land. Limited or no services at this camping area.


PERMIT might be REQUIRED

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Reviews7 Camper Reviews - Winston Creek Campground

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4.5

out of 5

7 Reviews

Many campers appreciated the large, private sites and peaceful atmosphere at this free DNR campground. Facilities are primitive with only outhouses and non-potable water, but the secluded creek setting provides excellent value for those seeking quiet camping.

SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile
Reviewed Aug. 21, 2024

Reservation Required

It’s a great, fairly secluded spot, large sites, beautiful to be in. Don’t forget to reserve your site in advance and get your Discover Pass!

Site2
Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Winston Creek Campground by Mouni , August 21, 2024
Reviewed May. 1, 2024

Amazing

Beautiful spot to camp no well keep nice and quite

Sitethe group site
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Winston Creek Campground by Shamra S., May 1, 2024
Reviewed Jun. 30, 2021

Very relaxing

Just got done spending a 3 day weekend camping here.  It was very relaxing and the extremely hot weather we had it was nice to have the shaded stream to cool off in.  And it was a good place to find a bunch of petried wood and agates.

SiteCampsite #5
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Winston Creek Campground by Allen D., June 30, 2021
  • Review photo of Winston Creek Campground by Allen D., June 30, 2021
  • Review photo of Winston Creek Campground by Allen D., June 30, 2021
  • (8) View All
Reviewed Jun. 2, 2021

Nice basic campground.

Stayed here over Memorial weekend.  It was free to stay, you just have to have a reservation to stay.  

THis is a DNR campground, so it has nothing but outhouses.  There is a hand pump for water, but it has a sign that says the water is not potable.  

We were in site #5, it was a bit tight to get our Jayco 174BH backed in due to the angle of the site and the path around the campground is very narrow.  I would not want to come in here with anything much bigger than our little 20 footer.  There were other sites that would easily fit bigger rigs, but the trees were pretty close on each side and some were leaning over the path.  I call it a path because it was not paved, and was mud in several places.  We did walk around and got a look at all the other sites, Site #4 was the best we saw, it was right at a bend in the path so backing in would have been a breeze, and it has a huge area where the table and fire pit was that you could have easily had 4-5 tents if you wanted to put the kids out in those.  We had a nice path down to the creek which was a nice distraction in the evenings.  

There was pretty much no cell service there from Verizon.  I would occasionally get an alert of a new email, but was never able to refresh and get anything but the spinning wheel.  Even as we drove to/from the campground, Verizon just doesn't have much service out here.  Maybe other providers are better.

Our site was rather private, we could hear others in other sites, but there was trees and bushes between us so it really did feel like we were all alone!  Best nights sleep I have gotten in YEARS!  The trees do a great job of covering the site, so solar would be very limited here.  Maybe only a couple hours each day at best.

Something we found odd since this was so far away from people, there didn't seem to be any animals around.  We heard birds, but never saw any squirrels, chipmunks, nothing.  We even left some bread in our dogs bowl outside overnight and the next day while we drove to Mt St Helens(about 1.5 hours away) and it did not get eaten.  

If you are looking for a quiet place to camp, this is a great place!  Just know, now Verizon services and there is no services offered other than several sets of outhouses.  Not even a dump station.

While the camp sites are free, I did knock off 1 star for the poor condition of the road.  There was lots of mud and huge pot holes.  I really wished I had a rack with me to carry around the loop to fill them in!

Site5
Month of VisitMay

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities are available at Winston Creek Campground?

Winston Creek Campground is a primitive camping area with basic amenities. The campground features outhouses for restroom facilities and a hand pump for water, though the water is marked as non-potable. The campsites are spacious and situated in a shaded area, making them comfortable even during hot weather. This is a DNR (Department of Natural Resources) campground that offers free camping, but requires reservations in advance. You'll also need to obtain a Discover Pass for your vehicle. The peaceful setting includes access to a stream nearby, perfect for cooling off during summer months.

Is Winston Creek Campground near the Winston Creek Quarry?

Yes, Winston Creek Campground is located in the vicinity of Winston Creek Quarry. The area is known for its geological interest, with campers mentioning finding petrified wood and agates nearby, suggesting the quarry's mineral-rich environment extends to the camping area. The stream running by the campground is part of the same watershed system as the quarry. This proximity makes the campground a convenient base for those interested in exploring the quarry area or engaging in amateur geology activities. The natural features of both locations are connected through the same ecological zone.

How can I see photos of Winston Creek Campground before visiting?

To view photos of Winston Creek Campground before your visit, check the campground's listing on The Dyrt, which features user-submitted photos showing the campsites, surroundings, and stream. You can also search social media platforms using the hashtag #WinstonCreekCampground or browse Washington State DNR's official website for their photo gallery of managed campgrounds. For the most current visual information, consider joining camping forums or Facebook groups focused on Washington camping where members often share recent photos and experiences.