How much does camping cost at Blue Lake Creek Campground - Gifford Pinchot Nf?

Camping fees at Blue Lake Creek Campground - Gifford Pinchot Nf range from $20/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Blue Lake Creek Campground - Gifford Pinchot Nf first-come first-served or reservation?

Blue Lake Creek Campground - Gifford Pinchot Nf accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Blue Lake Creek Campground - Gifford Pinchot Nf before I book?

Yes! Blue Lake Creek Campground - Gifford Pinchot Nf has 7 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Blue Lake Creek Campground - Gifford Pinchot Nf?

Blue Lake Creek Campground - Gifford Pinchot Nf is open May 15 to September 18. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Blue Lake Creek Campground - Gifford Pinchot Nf?

Blue Lake Creek Campground - Gifford Pinchot Nf does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

How many campsites does Blue Lake Creek Campground - Gifford Pinchot Nf have?

Blue Lake Creek Campground - Gifford Pinchot Nf has 11 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Blue Lake Creek Campground - Gifford Pinchot Nf?

Pets are not allowed at Blue Lake Creek Campground - Gifford Pinchot Nf. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

What amenities are available at Blue Lake Creek Campground - Gifford Pinchot Nf?

Blue Lake Creek Campground - Gifford Pinchot Nf offers: Restrooms. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Blue Lake Creek Campground - Gifford Pinchot Nf?

Popular activities at Blue Lake Creek Campground - Gifford Pinchot Nf include Hiking, Fishing, Biking. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Blue Lake Creek Campground - Gifford Pinchot Nf (Wa)

3.97

34 reviews

Gifford Pinchot NF Cowlitz Valley Ranger District, Randle, WA 98377, USA

Featured in:Tent Camping Washington

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

1,906 ft

Price

$20/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

11 campsites

Season

Open May 16 to Septe...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Book on Gifford Pinchot National Forest Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

1,906 ft

Price

$20/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

11 campsites

Season

Open May 16 to Septe...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Book on Gifford Pinchot National Forest Official Website

Get Directions

Blue Lake Creek Campground - Gifford Pinchot Nf (Wa)

$20.00 - $20.00 / night

Campsite Fees

STANDARD NONELECTRIC: $20.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee ($8 online / $9 phone / $3 in person).

Standard Site Fee$20.00

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

541-338-7869

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

Gifford Pinchot NF Cowlitz Valley Ranger District, Randle, WA 98377, USA

Blue Lake Creek Campground - Gifford Pinchot Nf (Wa)

Gifford Pinchot NF Cowlitz Valley Ranger District, Randle, WA 98377, USA

Nearby places

Randle (approx. 9 miles, 15 minutes)

Weather at Blue Lake Creek Campground - Gifford Pinchot Nf (Wa)

Best Time to Camp at Blue Lake Creek Campground - Gifford Pinchot Nf (Wa)

Best season: summer. Summer offers the most reliable weather for exploring the high-country trails around Blue Lake Creek, with long, sunny days and daytime highs typically in the mid-60s to upper-70s°F and nights cooling into the low 40s–50s°F. Trailheads into Goat Rocks, Glacier View, and nearby wilderness areas are fully accessible, making hiking, mountain biking, OHV runs, and creek fishing all at their peak. Campground services are fully open (reservable May 16–Sept 20, with FCFS starting June 20), so expect a活 Peak months: July, August, June, September Avoid: October, November, December, January

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

3.5 / 5

Open May–Sep with mild days and trail access; busy season with OHV noise noted in summer reviews.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: May 15 to September 18. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open May 16 to September 20 (reservable). First Come, First Served from June 20 to September 20.

About Blue Lake Creek Campground - Gifford Pinchot Nf (Wa)

Blue Lake Creek Campground sits in the foothills of Gifford Pinchot National Forest near Randle, Washington, operated by the U.S. Forest Service. This small campground serves as a trailhead gateway to Goat Rocks and nearby wilderness areas, drawing hikers, mountain bikers, and OHV riders during summer months. Tent and RV sites feature vault toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables, with creek sounds and shaded, grassy areas creating a secluded feel despite some upkeep inconsistencies.

Blue Lake Creek Campground accommodates both tents and RVs. The sites are back-in with paved parking spurs, ranging from 20 to 30 feet. It is a first-come, first-served facility during specific seasons.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: summer. Summer offers the most reliable weather for exploring the high-country trails around Blue Lake Creek, with long, sunny days and daytime highs typically in the mid-60s to upper-70s°F and nights cooling into the low 40s–50s°F. Trailheads into Goat Rocks, Glacier View, and nearby wilderness areas are fully accessible, making hiking, mountain biking, OHV runs, and creek fishing all at their peak. Campground services are fully open (reservable May 16–Sept 20, with FCFS starting June 20), so expect a活 Peak months: July, August, June, September Avoid: October, November, December, January

Elevation1906 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground sits under a canopy of big-leaf maples with ferns covering the forest floor. Blue Lake Creek runs through the property, audible from most sites. Grassy clearings break up the shade. Trails from the campground lead to Blue Lake and the Cispus River, both popular fishing spots. The surrounding Gifford Pinchot forest is classic Pacific Northwest: dense, green, wet. Elevation here is 1,906 feet, low enough that the understory stays thick through summer.

Lodging & AccommodationsThere are no lodge-style accommodations or cabins available at this campground.

Programs & ActivitiesCultural and educational programs are not mentioned in authoritative sources or user reviews.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

You may stay up to 14 nights during a visit at this campground.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Covers first two vehicles
extra vehicle fee $8.

Groups

Group camping is not explicitly mentioned.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsReservations available through Recreation.gov.

AccessibilityNo specific accessibility features were highlighted in authoritative sources or reviews.

Site SizeSites are paved with parking spurs ranging from 20 to 30 feet in length. Some campers described sites as large and spacious, while others mentioned small and uneven sites.

PrivacyMinimal privacy is provided between sites, as noted in authoritative sources and echoed by users. One user stated, "The campsites themselves are not private. Very open and exposed.

Total Campsites11 campsites

Recommended SitesFor creek access, site #6 is recommended; however, it lacks a picnic table. Sites #7 and #3 have tables and more upkeep. Users note a mix of positives and negatives regarding privacy and upkeep.

Best CampsitesSite #6 has private creek access, though it lacks a picnic table. One camper walked straight from the site to the river. Check before booking if a picnic table matters to you, as at least one other site also lacks one.

Need help booking Blue Lake Creek Campground - Gifford Pinchot Nf (Wa)?

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Recreation.gov Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

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Cancellation Alerts

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Amenities available

Hookups and drinking water are not available at this facility, however there are picnic tables, grills and vault toilets available on site.

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Firewood available

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

Activities at Blue Lake Creek Campground include hiking, OHV riding, mountain biking, horseback riding, and fishing. The Valley Trail offers over 50 miles of OHV trails, while the High Log Trail leads to the Cispus River for fishing and water activities. The Blue Lake Trail provides access to Blue Lake with moderate hiking difficulty.

Hiking

Fishing

Biking

Winter Activities

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

No Electric HookupsElectric hookups are not available at this campground. RV campers should arrive with a full battery and plan for off-grid power (generator hours/quiet rules permitting).

No Water HookupsSite-level water hookups are not available. RV campers should fill freshwater tanks before arrival; check the No Potable Water note above if applicable for drinking water.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

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Reviews

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From Booking Sources

4.0

34 reviews

Mixed Reviews

Blue Lake Creek Campground - Gifford Pinchot Nf (Wa) has mixed reviews, placing it in the bottom 85% of campgrounds based on reviews

User reviews highlight the campground's cleanliness, scenery, and access to trails. However, issues include lack of amenities at some sites, uneven ground, minimal privacy, and noise from OHVs.

Review Summaries

Based on 34 reviews

Best sites at a glance

Pulled from per-site mentions in 34 reviews.

Site 003Loved
Positive reviews for Site 003 and Site 005 highlight cleanliness and quietness.
Site 006Issues noted
Site-specific insights include: Site 006 lacks a picnic table, Site 010 has no shade, Site 002 is open and exposed.

What Campers Love

Positive aspects mentioned by users include cleanliness of bathrooms, spacious camp sites, access to trails, and scenic surroundings. One user described it as "a more secluded experience." Another...

Based on 34 reviews

Common Concerns

Complaints include uneven ground, lack of picnic tables at certain sites, minimal privacy, noisy OHV traffic, and road closures that made accessibility challenging.

Based on 34 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Users recommend bringing water as it is not available on-site, choosing weekdays for a quieter experience, and being prepared for uneven ground at certain campsites. One user emphasized the...

Based on 34 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Summer reviews highlight noise from OHVs and popular trails. Winter reviews are unavailable, but one user noted abundant mushrooms during August hikes. Spring and fall experiences are not explicitly...

Based on 34 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Shockingly clean for a campground." "Grassy, clean areas, lots of shade, and the sound of a creek running by to lull you to sleep." "The campsites themselves are not private. Very open and exposed."...

Based on 34 reviews

Accessibility Features

Accessibility features and reviews for disabled users are not explicitly mentioned.

Based on 34 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pet policies and features are not explicitly mentioned in authoritative sources or user reviews.

Based on 34 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

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Go if

You want affordable access to Goat Rocks trails and don't mind OHV traffic or basic amenities.

Skip if

You need guaranteed picnic tables at every site or prefer manicured, quiet campgrounds.

Nearby Campgrounds

Less Visited

3.9

(15)

North Fork Beaver Group Camp

Gifford Pinchot National Forest

North Fork Beaver Group Camp sits in the foothills of Gifford Pinchot National Forest near Randle, offering secluded group camping along the Cispus River. Operated by the national forest, this small site accommodates tent and RV groups seeking a forested base for hiking, fishing, and mountain biking. Reviewers highlight the natural setting and river views, though restroom maintenance can be inconsistent.

Blue Lake Creek Campground - Gifford Pinchot Nf (Wa)

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Real-Time Availability

Quick Facts

Get Notified When Available

Plan a trip to Blue Lake Creek Campground - Gifford Pinchot Nf (Wa)

Campground Map

Weather at Blue Lake Creek Campground - Gifford Pinchot Nf (Wa)

Best Time to Camp at Blue Lake Creek Campground - Gifford Pinchot Nf (Wa)

Planning Tips

About Blue Lake Creek Campground - Gifford Pinchot Nf (Wa)

Best Campsites

Reserving a campsite

Need help booking Blue Lake Creek Campground - Gifford Pinchot Nf (Wa)?

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Trip Planning Tools

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What Campers Love

Common Concerns

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Overview

About the campground

Seasons & access

RV information

Directions

Plan a trip to Blue Lake Creek Campground - Gifford Pinchot Nf (Wa)

Best Time to Camp at Blue Lake Creek Campground - Gifford Pinchot Nf (Wa)

Planning Tips

Best Campsites

Reserving a campsite

Need help booking Blue Lake Creek Campground - Gifford Pinchot Nf (Wa)?

Amenities available

Activities you can enjoy

Policies & Safety

Trip Planning Tools

Reviews

What Campers Love

Common Concerns