Peterson Prairie Campground

Star4.53
130 reviews
Gifford Pinchot NF Mt Adams Ranger District, Carson, WA 98610, USA
Family Friendly

Quick Facts

2,800 ft

Price

$25 - $115/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

36 campsites

Season

Open from June 13 to...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Opens US Forest Service - Mt Adams Ranger District site

Official Website
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Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026
Peterson Prairie Campground
$25.00 - $115.00 / night
Campsite Fees
Facility rates range from $25.00 to $115.00 per night, depending on site type. Extra Vehicle Fee of $8.00 per night. Firewood available for $10.00...
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Standard Site Fee$25.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$45.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$115.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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Provider
509-427-3677
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What Campers Say

4.53

Top-Rated

Based on 130 reviews

28 Google reviews

Most mentioned

cleanrestroomsspaciousfriendly

Some mention

dusty

"The campground is frequently praised for its cleanliness, spacious sites, and friendly hosts. Many campers return regularly, with one stating, 'We’ll continue to come to this campground every year as long as Cathy is the host.' Complaints include occasional noise from nearby groups and temporary logging operations. Hosts are consistently described as helpful and welcoming."

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Campground Map

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

Peterson Prairie Campground

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

Driving directionsFrom SR 14 follow SR 141 North to the town of Trout Lake, continue through town on SR 141 till the road ends and FS 24 begins (approximately 5 miles WSW of town). Continue west on FS 24 for another 2.25 miles to the entrance of Peterson Prairie.
The campground is accessible via FS 24, which is a forest service road. There is no mention of seasonal closures or challenging terrain.
Nearby places
Trout Lake (5 miles WSW, approximately 10 minutes drive)
Carson (approximately 45 miles, 1 hour drive).
Nearby supplies
Groceries and camping supplies are available in Trout Lake, which also features a well-equipped hardware store south of town. Fuel stations are also accessible in Trout Lake.

Best Time to Camp at Peterson Prairie Campground

At 2,800 feet elevation, Peterson Prairie enjoys a delightfully temperate climate that provides welcome relief from summer heat. The mountain air stays crisp and cool even on the warmest days, with gentle afternoon breezes rustling through the evergreens. While the region typically experiences dry summer conditions, occasional refreshing rain showers keep the forest lush and release the intoxicating scent of pine and earth.

Best
Summer(Jun-Aug)
4.0 / 5

Peak season June 13–Sept 20; cool summer days and huckleberry season highlighted.

Fall(Sep-Nov)
3.0 / 5

Late-season visits described as quieter and less crowded; some dry/dusty conditions noted.

Spring(Mar-May)
Not recommended

Season opens June 13 for reservable sites; spring not in official season.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
Not recommended

Reservable sites are closed outside June 13–Sept 20 per seasonal info.

Planning Tips
  • Peak Season: June 13, 2025 - September 20, 2025.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
  • Operating Season: Open from June 13 to September 20 for reservable sites.

About Peterson Prairie Campground

Escape to Peterson Prairie Campground, where towering pines, spruce, and fir trees create a natural cathedral of shade and tranquility. Perched at 2,800 feet elevation, this hidden gem offers refreshingly cool summer days and serves as a beloved basecamp for families seeking outdoor adventures and foragers hunting for wild huckleberries. Each generously-sized campsite features level gravel parking, welcoming picnic tables for memorable meals, and fire rings perfect for evening storytelling under the stars.
Peterson Prairie Campground caters primarily to tent and RV campers, with spacious sites suitable for families and groups. Primitive camping is available by default as the campground lacks hookups.
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Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers
Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Check-in
2PM
Check-out
12 PM
Stay Limit
You may stay up to 14 nights during a visit at this campground.

Amenities available

Potable water
Fire rings
Picnic tables
Firewood available
Vault toilets
Group Sites

Activities you can enjoy

Peterson Prairie offers a mix of nature-focused and family-friendly activities. Seasonal huckleberry and mushroom picking are popular pastimes. Nearby attractions such as the Natural Bridges and Ice Cave provide scenic trails and unique geological features. Bird Creek Meadows offers opportunities for birdwatching and wildflower observation. Goose Lake, located 8 miles west, is noted for excellent trout fishing.
HikingThe campground is close to Natural Bridges and Ice Cave, which feature scenic, family-friendly trails. The Ice Cave includes a stairway for access to its unique ice formations. Other nearby trails offer varying difficulty levels, with some users describing the area as 'a good base camp location for accessing nearby trails.'
FishingGoose Lake, 8 miles away, is a notable fishing destination with excellent trout fishing opportunities.
Wildlife viewingBird Creek Meadows, near the campground, is praised for its spectacular wildflower displays and birdwatching opportunities.
Winter Activities
Water Sports
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Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsSound travels well at night, and wildlife like bees may be present. Temporary logging operations nearby may cause early noise.

Weather at Peterson Prairie Campground

Reviews

4.5
130 reviews
Top-Rated
Top-Rated
Peterson Prairie Campground is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews
The campground is frequently praised for its cleanliness, spacious sites, and friendly hosts. Many campers return regularly, with one stating, 'We’ll continue to come to this campground every year as long as Cathy is the host.' Complaints include occasional noise from nearby groups and temporary logging operations. Hosts are consistently described as helpful and welcoming.
Review Summaries
Based on 130 reviews

What Campers Love

Reviewers frequently highlight 'super clean restrooms,' 'friendly and helpful camp hosts,' and 'spacious campsites.' The area is also noted for its proximity to popular attractions like Natural...
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Based on 130 reviews

Common Concerns

Some users have noted issues such as noise from adjacent campers or nearby logging operations starting early in the morning. One camper mentioned, 'Sound travels well at night.'
Based on 130 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Campers suggest booking sites toward the back for flatter ground and more privacy. One user recommended visiting Trout Lake for supplies and exploring Indian Viewpoint for a scenic photo spot.
Based on 130 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Many users emphasize the campground's popularity during huckleberry season in late summer. Late-season visits are described as quieter and less crowded. Dry and dusty conditions are commonly noted in...
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Based on 130 reviews

Camper Quotes

'The restrooms here were no doubt the cleanest of any campgrounds I've been to.' 'The spacious sites and tall trees make it a great place to escape.' 'It’s a very, very dusty campground but close to...
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Based on 130 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Site 4 is described as 'private and lovely,' while Sites 7 and 8 lack natural barriers between them. Group sites are highly rated for accommodating large gatherings. Site 10 is noted as secluded with...
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Based on 130 reviews

Accessibility Features

No specific reviews on accessibility features, but many users comment on the spacious nature of the campsites.
Based on 130 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

No specific reviews mention pets or pet-related experiences.
Based on 130 reviews

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Last updated January 13, 2026
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