How much does camping cost at Campground: Cat Creek?

Camping fees at Campground: Cat Creek range from $20/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Fees are typically paid at the campground entrance.

Is Campground: Cat Creek first-come first-served or reservation?

Campground: Cat Creek operates on a first-come, first-served basis. All sites are first-come, first-serve; no reservation system. Reviews indicate sites fill quickly.

What is the best time to visit Campground: Cat Creek?

Campground: Cat Creek is open Mid-May to mid-September.. 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 Campground: Cat Creek?

Campground: Cat Creek does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

How many campsites does Campground: Cat Creek have?

Campground: Cat Creek has 5 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Arrive early for the best site selection.

Are dogs allowed at Campground: Cat Creek?

Yes, pets are allowed at Campground: Cat Creek. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Campground: Cat Creek?

Campground: Cat Creek offers: Restrooms, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

Campground: Cat Creek

Q: Can I have a campfire at Campground: Cat Creek?

Fire policies at Campground: Cat Creek: Campfires are allowed in established eight fire pits despite dry conditions during fire bans, as mentioned in user reviews.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

3.93

14 reviews

Cat Creek Campground, Gifford Pinchot National Forest, WA

Featured in:Camping Near Mount Rainier National Park

Quick Facts

2,759 ft

Price

$20/night

Booking

First-Come

Sites

5 campsites

Season

Open from mid-May to...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Check Availability Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

2,759 ft

Price

$20/night

Booking

First-Come

Sites

5 campsites

Season

Open from mid-May to...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Check Availability Official Website

Get Directions

Campground: Cat Creek

$20.00 - $20.00 / night

Campsite Fees

The overnight camping fee is $20 per single site and $8 per additional vehicle per night. Discounts are available for holders of certain passes, such...

Standard Site Fee$20.00

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USFS

Provider

661-702-1420

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

Cat Creek Campground, Gifford Pinchot National Forest, WA

Campground: Cat Creek

Cat Creek Campground, Gifford Pinchot National Forest, WA

Nearby places

Randle: 25 miles (35 minutes)

Nearby supplies

Supplies, including groceries and fuel, are likely available in Randle, WA, approximately 25 miles away. Specific camping supply stores are null.

Driving directionsFrom Randle, Washington travel south on State Highway 131 (Forest Roads 23 and 25). Veer left in 1 mile at the Y of Forest Road 23 and Forest Road 25. Continue to follow Forest Service Road 23 for 18.5 miles then turn left onto Forest Road 21. Follow Forest Road 21 for about 6 miles to Cat Creek Campground on the right.

The campground is accessed via Forest Service Roads, which are paved but remote. Seasonal closures may occur. Users have commented on its 'way out of the way' location but found it worthwhile.

Weather at Campground: Cat Creek

Best Time to Camp at Campground: Cat Creek

Summer brings highs in the upper 60s to mid-70s°F with mornings around 48°F. This stretch from mid-May to mid-September is the only time the campground opens. Weekdays stay quiet, but summer weekends fill up fast with OHV crowds drawn by the long daylight and reliable weather. Winter closes the road and drops temperatures hard, burying the area in snow.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Campground open mid-May to mid-September; summer is the peak season with mild temps and access.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: Mid-May to mid-September.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open from mid-May to mid-September. Specific dates for 2025 are May 19 to September 21.

About Campground: Cat Creek

Cat Creek Campground sits at 2,759 feet in Gifford Pinchot National Forest, offering five primitive sites near Randle. The $20/night sites nestle in dense Douglas fir and hemlock at the confluence of Cat Creek and the Cispus River. Open mid-May through mid-September, it draws OHV riders who use it as a basecamp for nearby Forest Service routes.

Cat Creek Campground offers primitive camping options, primarily appealing to visitors looking for a minimalistic camping experience.

Historical Significance

A memorial near the campground's waterfall marks where a young person died. Visitors stop there to reflect.

Weather and SeasonsSummer brings highs in the upper 60s to mid-70s°F with mornings around 48°F. This stretch from mid-May to mid-September is the only time the campground opens. Weekdays stay quiet, but summer weekends fill up fast with OHV crowds drawn by the long daylight and reliable weather. Winter closes the road and drops temperatures hard, burying the area in snow.

ElevationNestled within the mountainous terrain of the majestic Gifford Pinchot National Forest, Cat Creek Campground perches at an elevation that delivers cool mountain air and that quintessential Pacific Northwest forest atmosphere. The surrounding peaks and valleys create a natural amphitheater that captures both morning mist and evening alpenglow.

Natural Features and SceneryCat Creek meets the Cispus River here, creating a constant water soundtrack. Douglas fir, western hemlock, and cedar grow thick in volcanic soils left by centuries of Cascade eruptions and glacial carving. The creek runs gentle enough for wading while the river pushes harder. A waterfall sits about 300 yards from camp. Reviewers call the setting "extremely beautiful" and "Christine and beautiful," though the second phrase's meaning isn't clear.

Geological RegionCat Creek Campground sits at the confluence of two waterways within the vast Gifford Pinchot National Forest, where volcanic soils have nurtured dense stands of Douglas fir, western hemlock, and cedar. This rich ecosystem, shaped by centuries of volcanic activity and glacial carving, offers campers a front-row seat to the raw geological forces that continue to shape the Cascade Range.

Scenic ViewsSome sites offer views of Cat Creek and the Cispus River. A waterfall is reported to be 300 yards from the campground.

Lodging & AccommodationsNo information about lodging facilities is available from any source material.

Programs & ActivitiesNo cultural or educational programs are mentioned.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

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Reserving a campsite

Check-in

2:00 PM

Check-out

12:00 Noon

Stay Limit

14-day stay limit

Guests Allowed Per Site

Exact guest limits per site are unspecified
inferred as standard capacity for a single site.

Groups

No group camping sites are mentioned in any source material.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Site layoutFive sites spread through the woods close to where Cat Creek and the Cispus River meet. The trees provide some privacy between spots, but the small count means neighbors aren't far. No potable water or flush restrooms, just vault toilets.

Reservation PlatformsReservations cannot be made; first-come, first-serve camping only.

Walk-in AvailabilityAll sites are first-come, first-serve; no reservation system. Reviews indicate sites fill quickly.

Cancellation PolicyCancellation policy specifics are null; sites are first-come, first-serve only.

AccessibilityNot mentioned in any source materials.

Site SizeThe campground has 5 campsites, but detailed measurements or descriptions of site size are not provided.

PrivacyThe wooded setting offers some privacy, according to official sources.

Total Campsites5 campsites

Recommended SitesUsers recommend walking 300 yards downstream to see the waterfall and memorial.

Best CampsitesReviews mention sites near the creek but don't call out specific numbers. With only five total, your odds of landing creekside are decent if you arrive early.

Amenities available

Cat Creek Campground offers very limited amenities, reflecting its rustic nature. According to official sources, there are no restrooms other than a single vault toilet available, and potable water is not provided on-site. User reviews generally praise the vault toilet; Cody White describes it as 'good vaulted toilet,' highlighting its quality. However, the lack of potable water and flush toilets might deter some campers who prefer more facilities. Picnic tables, fire rings, Wi-Fi, and other common amenities are not explicitly mentioned in any source material, leaving their availability unclear.

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

Activities you can enjoy

Cat Creek Campground primarily caters to OHV (Off-Highway Vehicle) enthusiasts, with nearby multi-use trails accessible. Recreational opportunities are otherwise limited, as noted in official descriptions and user reviews. Eric Bricker mentions, 'There is not a whole lot to do in the area unless you are a hunter or motorcycle sport Rider.' Other activities such as hiking, swimming, or biking are not explicitly mentioned.

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsPotential hazards include cold weather conditions in non-summer months and risks associated with the nearby creek and waterfall (as indicated by the memorial).

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

No Flush ToiletsFlush toilets are not available, as stated in official descriptions. A vault toilet is provided instead.

Fire PolicyCampfires are allowed in established eight fire pits despite dry conditions during fire bans, as mentioned in user reviews.

Emergency ServicesNearest emergency services are likely in Randle, WA, approximately 25 miles away. Specific hospital and police information is null.

Trash & RecyclingNo explicit details about trash and recycling facilities are provided.

Water FeaturesAdjacent to Cat Creek and the Cispus River; a waterfall is reported nearby.

Camp HostHost information is null.

Cell CoverageNo information about cell phone service is available from any source material.

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

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Tips from campers

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Reviews

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From Booking Sources

3.9

14 reviews

Mixed Reviews

Campground: Cat Creek has mixed reviews, placing it in the bottom 85% of campgrounds based on reviews

User reviews generally highlight the beautiful, rustic nature of Cat Creek Campground and its suitability for OHV riders. However, the lack of extensive activities or facilities is a recurring theme.

Review Summaries

Based on 14 reviews

What Campers Love

Many users describe the campground as 'beautiful' and 'Christine and beautiful,' emphasizing its scenic appeal. Eric Bricker speaks highly of the fire pits, suggesting they provide a unique advantage...

Based on 14 reviews

Common Concerns

Complaints focus on the lack of amenities such as potable water and flush toilets. Some users also highlight that activities are limited unless you are a hunter or OHV rider.

Based on 14 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Site-specific reviews do not mention exact site numbers or preferences for best/worst sites.

Based on 14 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Eric Bricker advises visitors to keep the campground clean by picking up trash. He also mentions a nearby waterfall about 300 yards away and suggests taking a walk along the creek.

Based on 14 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Summer appears to be the peak season for camping at Cat Creek, as official sources confirm its open period from mid-May to mid-September. No user reviews address seasonal variations explicitly.

Based on 14 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. 'Extremely beautiful place, good vaulted toilet, next to Cispus river and Cat creek.' - Cody White 2. 'This is a wonderful Campground...It is a wonderful place to just go and set up a tent and do...

Based on 14 reviews

Accessibility Features

No user reviews specifically address accessibility features.

Based on 14 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are allowed as long as they are on a leash, but no further details or reviews are provided about pet-specific experiences.

Based on 14 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

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Go if

OHV riders using nearby Forest Service routes will find this ideal as a basecamp. The constant creek-and-river soundtrack and a waterfall 300 yards from camp make it worthwhile for tenters who pack their own water and don't mind vault-toilet-only conditions.

Skip if

No potable water on-site and supplies are 25 miles back in Randle, so car campers expecting any conveniences will be disappointed. The 18-foot vehicle limit also rules out most trailers, and weekends fill fast with no reservations possible.

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