How much does camping cost at Panther Creek Campground?

Camping fees at Panther Creek Campground range from $25-$45/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Panther Creek Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Panther Creek Campground 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 Panther Creek Campground before I book?

Yes! Panther Creek Campground 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 Panther Creek Campground?

Panther Creek Campground 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 Panther Creek Campground?

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

How many campsites does Panther Creek Campground have?

Panther Creek Campground has 33 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Panther Creek Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Panther Creek Campground. 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 Panther Creek Campground?

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

What activities can I do at Panther Creek Campground?

Popular activities at Panther Creek Campground include Hiking, Fishing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Panther Creek Campground

4.43

244 reviews

Gifford Pinchot NF Mt Adams Ranger District, CARSON, WA 98610, USA

SwimmingSummer Destination

Featured in:Primitive Camping Washington#2 Best Campgrounds Washington

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

1,200 ft

Price

$25 - $45/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

33 campsites

Season

Open from May 23rd, ...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Book on Gifford Pinchot National Forest - Mt Adams Ranger District Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

1,200 ft

Price

$25 - $45/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

33 campsites

Season

Open from May 23rd, ...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Book on Gifford Pinchot National Forest - Mt Adams Ranger District Official Website

Get Directions

Panther Creek Campground

$25.00 - $45.00 / night

Campsite Fees

STANDARD NONELECTRIC-DOUBLE: $45.00; STANDARD NONELECTRIC: $25.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee ($8 online / $9 phone / $3 in...

Standard Site Fee$25.00

Premium Site Fee$45.00

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

541-338-7869

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

Gifford Pinchot NF Mt Adams Ranger District, CARSON, WA 98610, USA

Panther Creek Campground

Gifford Pinchot NF Mt Adams Ranger District, CARSON, WA 98610, USA

Nearby places

Carson (12 miles north, approximately 15 minutes), Hood River (approximately 30 minutes southwest).

Weather at Panther Creek Campground

Best Time to Camp at Panther Creek Campground

Best season: summer. Summer offers the best combination of reliable, comfortable weather (daytime highs generally 70–83°F, mornings around 55–60°F) and full access to Panther Creek's facilities and trails. This is when the Pacific Crest Trail and nearby day hikes are fully snow-free, creekside sites are ideal for swimming and cooling off, and fishing and wildlife viewing are at their peak. Expect the busiest conditions in July–August and plan accordingly; be aware that late-summer wildfire smoke or restrictions can, Peak months: July, August, September, June Avoid: October, November, December, January

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Peak season May–Sep; summer praised for hiking and creek swimming, temps 70–83°F.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: May 15 to September 18. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open from May 23rd, 2025 to September 20th, 2025. First-come, first-served period from June 20th, 2025 to June 24th, 2025.

About Panther Creek Campground

Panther Creek Campground sits in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest foothills near Carson, operated by the Mt Adams Ranger District. This mid-sized seasonal campground offers tent, RV, primitive, and group sites along Panther Creek, with vault toilets, potable water, fire rings, and picnic tables. Visitors hike nearby trails including the Pacific Crest Trail and fish the creek during summer months when facilities are fully open.

Panther Creek Campground offers various camping options including tent camping, RV camping, and group sites. Premium sites close to the creek provide added amenities such as picnic tables and grill-equipped fire pits.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: summer. Summer offers the best combination of reliable, comfortable weather (daytime highs generally 70–83°F, mornings around 55–60°F) and full access to Panther Creek's facilities and trails. This is when the Pacific Crest Trail and nearby day hikes are fully snow-free, creekside sites are ideal for swimming and cooling off, and fishing and wildlife viewing are at their peak. Expect the busiest conditions in July–August and plan accordingly; be aware that late-summer wildfire smoke or restrictions can, Peak months: July, August, September, June Avoid: October, November, December, January

Elevation1200 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryMature cedars, Douglas firs, alders, and ash create a layered canopy over the campground, with ferns, huckleberries, and moss-draped maples forming natural privacy screens between sites. Panther Creek runs alongside the upper-numbered sites, popular for swimming and cooling off in summer. Beyond camp, the Mount Adams Ranger District delivers old-growth forest, alpine lakes, and meadows that shift from lowland green to wildflower displays at higher elevations. The understory stays lush year-round, though fall brings color to the maple groves.

Lodging & AccommodationsNo hotel-style lodges or accommodations are available within Panther Creek Campground. The campground is strictly for tent, RV, and group camping.

Programs & ActivitiesNo cultural or educational programs were mentioned either in authoritative sources or user reviews.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

Maximum stay limit is 14 nights.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Maximum 8 guests permitted per site.

Groups

Group sites are spacious and can accommodate multiple tents and vehicles. One user mentioned a double site fitting five vehicles, five tents, and having two picnic tables.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made through Recreation.gov.

AccessibilityAccessible campsites are available, as noted in the authoritative sources.

Site SizeThe campground has 33 back-in sites, with parking spurs varying from 20 to 40 feet in length. Double sites are spacious and can accommodate larger groups or trailers.

PrivacySites are generally well-spaced and private, buffered by mature vegetation including cedars, ash, firs, and alders.

Total Campsites33 campsites

Recommended SitesAvoid site 10 due to no shade; site 25 highly recommended for proximity to creek and spacious layout.

Best CampsitesSite 24 sits directly across the road from the creek. Sites 23, 25, and 26 also sit closer to Panther Creek with more shade and natural privacy. Reviewers recommend higher-numbered sites for creek access and quieter conditions. Larger trailers should plan ahead. Maneuvering in the back-in spurs can be tight.

Need help booking Panther Creek Campground?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

Recreation.gov Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

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Cancellation Alerts

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Amenities available

Panther Creek Campground offers a variety of amenities catering to different types of campers. According to authoritative sources, vault toilets are provided and are generally clean and well-maintained, as noted by several user reviews. The campground has potable water available through hand-crank pumps, although some users remarked that the water was silty and tinged brown. Premium sites by the creek come equipped with picnic tables and fire pits with grill grates, enhancing the camping experience for groups or families. Firewood is available for purchase at the host site at $10 per bundle, as noted by user reviews. Trash and recycling facilities are limited to bins near the entrance, and there could be more scattered trash bins, according to some reviews.

Potable water

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Firewood available

Vault toilets

Group Sites

I manage this campground

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

Panther Creek Campground provides a wide range of recreational opportunities for nature enthusiasts and families. Highlights include access to the Pacific Crest Trail, proximity to Panther Creek Falls, and opportunities for creek wading and wildlife observation.

Hiking

Fishing

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

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.

Trash & RecyclingTrash cans are provided but are limited to the entrance area. Recycling facilities are not mentioned. User reviews suggest more bins near bathrooms or campsites would be ideal.

Cell CoverageUser reviews consistently noted poor cell phone service across major networks like Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T. Campers mentioned this as an expected feature for remote camping but found it inconvenient for work or connectivity needs.

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

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

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From Booking Sources

4.4

244 reviews

Recommended

Panther Creek Campground is recommended, placing it in the top 40% of campgrounds based on reviews

Overall, Panther Creek Campground receives highly positive reviews, with an average sentiment of 4.53 across all reviews. Common praises include the lush natural environment, privacy between sites, and proximity to hiking trails and waterfalls. Issues raised by users include occasional maintenance lapses in restrooms and accessibility challenges for larger trailers.

Review Summaries

Based on 244 reviews

Best sites at a glance

Pulled from per-site mentions in 244 reviews.

Site 24Loved
Site 24: Highly recommended for proximity to the creek and privacy.
Site 23Mentioned
Site 23: Ideal for large groups; fits five vehicles and five tents.
Site 10Issues noted
Site 10: Avoid due to lack of shade unless you bring canopies.

What Campers Love

Clean and spacious sites, access to Panther Creek and hiking trails, helpful hosts, and well-maintained vault toilets.

Based on 244 reviews

Common Concerns

Maintenance issues such as dirty bathrooms and silty water from pumps. Narrow and challenging roads for trailers, and some users reported noisy neighbors.

Based on 244 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

"Bring earplugs for weekend stays to avoid disturbance from noisy campers." "Select higher-numbered sites closer to the creek for more privacy." "Plan ahead for large trailers to avoid difficulties...

Based on 244 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Summer months are highly praised for creek access and hiking opportunities. Early fall offers fewer bugs and vibrant foliage. Winters and early spring are not ideal due to campground closure.

Based on 244 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Great campground with large sites—quiet, private, and scenic." "The camp host was accommodating, and the vault toilets were clean." "Panther Creek provides swimming holes that are cold but...

Based on 244 reviews

Accessibility Features

Accessible campsites are noted but detailed accessibility features are not explicitly mentioned in either authoritative sources or user reviews.

Based on 244 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Most sites are pet-friendly, with ample room for multiple tents and dogs. Several users specifically praised the campground for accommodating pets.

Based on 244 reviews

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Go if

You want a forest base camp for hiking and fishing with creek access during peak summer season.

Skip if

You need consistently clean facilities or guaranteed clear pump water throughout your stay.

Nearby Campgrounds

Gifford Pinchot NF Mt Adams Ranger District, Carson, WA 98610, USA

Beaver Campground sits along the Wind River in Gifford Pinchot National Forest, a small foothills site managed by the Forest Service near Carson. The campground offers tent, RV, and group camping with flush and vault toilets, potable water, and river access for boating and fishing. Trails lead into surrounding forest, and the river draws families during the warm-weather season.