How much does camping cost at Tower Rock Campground?

Camping fees at Tower Rock Campground are $25/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Tower Rock Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Tower Rock 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 Tower Rock Campground before I book?

Yes! Tower Rock 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 Tower Rock Campground?

Tower Rock 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 Tower Rock Campground?

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

How many campsites does Tower Rock Campground have?

Tower Rock Campground has 20 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Tower Rock Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Tower Rock 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 Tower Rock Campground?

Tower Rock 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 Tower Rock Campground?

Popular activities at Tower Rock Campground include Fishing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Tower Rock Campground

Q: Can I have a campfire at Tower Rock Campground?

Fire policies at Tower Rock Campground: Don't Move Firewood: Please protect Pacific Northwest forests by preventing the spread of invasive species. Firewood can carry insects and diseases that can threaten the health of our western forests. You can make a difference by obtaining and burning your firewood near your camping destination. Visit Dontmovefirewood.org for further information.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

4.16

89 reviews

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

Top 23% in WASummer

B-Report Card

Featured in:Tent Camping Washington

Quick Facts

1,266 ft

Price

$25/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

20 campsites

Season

Open May 23 through ...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Book on Gifford Pinchot National Forest Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

1,266 ft

Price

$25/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

20 campsites

Season

Open May 23 through ...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Book on Gifford Pinchot National Forest Official Website

Get Directions

Tower Rock Campground

$25.00 / night

Campsite Fees

STANDARD NONELECTRIC: $25.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee ($8 online / $9 phone / $3 in person).

Standard Site Fee$25.00

Get Notified When Available

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Provider

541-338-7869

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Campground Map

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

Tower Rock Campground

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

Weather at Tower Rock Campground

Current alerts(7)

Certain sites are non-reservable and are available onsite on a first-come, first-served basis.
Check in: 2 pm, Check out: 12 pm (noon)
Click here for more information about Gifford Pinchot National Forest
Firewood is available for sale at host site for $10.00/bundle.

Best Time to Camp at Tower Rock Campground

Best season: summer. Summer offers the best combination of reliable weather, full campground services, and access to the area's trails and fisheries — expect dry, sunny days with highs typically in the mid-60s to upper-70s °F and cool nights in the mid-40s to mid-50s °F. This is prime time for hiking the Mount St. Helens flanks, exploring meadow viewpoints around Tower Rock, and easy access to nearby day hikes and fishing spots; wildlife viewing and wildflower displays are also at their peak. Expect busier weekends, Peak months: July, August, June, September Avoid: January, February, March, April

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.5 / 5

Top 23% in WA

Best season per notes: reliable weather, full services, busiest and most accessible trails/fishing.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: May 15 to September 18. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open May 23 through September 20, 2025. Out-of-season reservations are not available.

About Tower Rock Campground

Tower Rock Campground sits in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest foothills near Randle, offering tent and RV sites managed by the U.S. Forest Service. The small campground serves as a base for exploring Mount St. Helens trails and nearby Layser Cave, with vault toilets, potable water, and fire rings. Reviewers praise the clean facilities and friendly hosts, though some note aging infrastructure and rusty water.

Tower Rock Campground accommodates a mix of campers, offering options suitable for tent camping and small RVs or trailers.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: summer. Summer offers the best combination of reliable weather, full campground services, and access to the area's trails and fisheries — expect dry, sunny days with highs typically in the mid-60s to upper-70s °F and cool nights in the mid-40s to mid-50s °F. This is prime time for hiking the Mount St. Helens flanks, exploring meadow viewpoints around Tower Rock, and easy access to nearby day hikes and fishing spots; wildlife viewing and wildflower displays are also at their peak. Expect busier weekends, Peak months: July, August, June, September Avoid: January, February, March, April

Elevation1266 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryDense cedar and fir forests surround the campground, with mountain peaks visible on most horizons. Meadows open between the trees in places. The setting feels enclosed by old-growth forest rather than open to water. Despite proximity to waterways, there's no direct river access from camp. The forest canopy filters sunlight during the day, creating a shadier, cooler environment than exposed campgrounds at similar elevations.

Lodging & AccommodationsThe campground does not offer hotel-style lodging, but it features traditional campsites.

Programs & ActivitiesNo cultural or educational programs are mentioned.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

Maximum stay of 14 nights

Groups

No dedicated group sites are described.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made on Recreation.gov via website or mobile app.

Site SizeCampsites can accommodate vehicles between 20 and 30 feet. Some sites are noted as spacious, while others are described as small or uneven.

PrivacyPrivacy varies among campsites. Some are described as semi-private, while others are noted for their lack of seclusion.

Total Campsites20 campsites

Recommended SitesSite 005 offers quiet camping but lacks river access. Site 016 is ideal for privacy and clean restrooms. Avoid Site 012 for lack of privacy and overgrown vegetation.

Best CampsitesSite 010 gets mentioned for cleanliness and privacy. Site 016 sits in a well-spaced area with spotless pit toilets nearby.

Need help booking Tower Rock 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

Tower Rock Campground offers a mix of amenities designed to provide a comfortable camping experience while maintaining a natural environment. Highlights include paved parking spurs accommodating vehicles between 20 to 30 feet, vault toilets, potable water (though reviews indicate the water is rusty and may not be drinkable), picnic tables, and fire rings. Facilities are well-maintained, with clean restrooms being a frequent highlight in reviews. "The vault toilets were the cleanest I’ve ever experienced," noted one user.

Potable water

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Firewood available

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

RV details

Things to do at Tower Rock Campground

Tower Rock Campground offers a variety of recreational opportunities, including fishing, hiking, and exploring nearby attractions such as Mt. St. Helens and Layser Cave. However, some limitations include no direct river access from the campground.

Hiking4.0/5

Close to Burley Mountain trailhead (~4 miles) and Mt. St. Helens trails; waterfalls nearby.

The Burley Mountain trailhead, located approximately 4 miles away, provides access to multiple waterfalls, including Angel Falls. Several users noted the abundance of nearby hikes, with one stating, "There were a couple of groups that were up late and talking and laughing, but it was never loud and it didn't bother us. The Layser Cave was interesting, and the hike to Angel Falls—Curtain Falls?—was nice."

Fishing3.5/5

Fishing available nearby: private trout pond and Cispus River (brook trout), but no direct river access.

Water Sports2.0/5

Winter Activities

Signature experiences

Photography4.0/5Old-growth forest, meadows and visible mountain peaks offer good photo opportunities.

Not sure what to pack?Our complete camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

No Flush ToiletsFlush toilets are not available; only vault toilets are provided.

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.

No Dump StationThere is no dump station at this campground. Plan to use a dump station along your route or at a nearby facility before or after your stay.

Fire PolicyDon't Move Firewood: Please protect Pacific Northwest forests by preventing the spread of invasive species. Firewood can carry insects and diseases that can threaten the health of our western forests. You can make a difference by obtaining and burning your firewood near your camping destination. Visit Dontmovefirewood.org for further information.

Trash & RecyclingA dumpster is available for trash disposal. Recycling facilities are not mentioned.

Cell CoverageCell phone service is unreliable, as one user mentioned both Verizon and AT&T lost signal during their stay.

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

4.2

89 reviews

Satisfactory

Tower Rock Campground is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

Tower Rock Campground is generally well-regarded, with a focus on its quiet environment, cleanliness, and accessibility to outdoor activities. The average sentiment score for campground-specific reviews is 4.1/5.

Review Summaries

Based on 89 reviews

Best sites at a glance

Pulled from per-site mentions in 89 reviews.

Site 2Loved
Site-specific reviews vary: Site 2 is spacious and quiet, while Site 12 is described as lacking privacy and being overgrown.
Site 5Loved
Site 5 is noted for cleanliness, and Site 16 is praised for its privacy.
Site 12Mentioned
A user commented, "Site 12 was by far the worst spot in the campground!"

What Campers Love

Positive reviews emphasize the cleanliness of the vault toilets, the friendliness of the hosts, and the quiet, serene environment. The proximity to hikes and attractions like Layser Cave is also...

Based on 89 reviews

Common Concerns

Complaints include the lack of running water or undrinkable water due to rust, no direct river access, and some sites being small or in need of repair. One user stated, "The drinking water is no...

Based on 89 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Campers recommend bringing their own drinking water, double-checking directions to avoid confusion with a similarly named RV campground, and being prepared for the lack of cell service. "Bring your...

Based on 89 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Reviews indicate the campground is busiest during summer. Mosquitos are mentioned in mid-July, while the Cispus River was reported as dry in early September. Winter use is not discussed, suggesting...

Based on 89 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Vault toilet was kept spotless, hosts monitored the campground frequently." "Hosts were great, and it was clean and very beautiful." "The vault toilets were the cleanest I've ever experienced."

Based on 89 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Dogs are allowed, and users generally appreciated the pet-friendly policy. However, no detailed reviews are specifically about pets.

Based on 89 reviews

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Tower Rock Campground

$25.00 / night

Campsite Fees

STANDARD NONELECTRIC: $25.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee ($8 online / $9 phone / $3 in person).

Standard Site Fee$25.00

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free to start · paid plans add 2-min scans

263,000+ sites monitored · Email alerts to start; SMS and in-app with an account

Learn more about alerts →

Share this campground

Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

541-338-7869

Go if

You want a peaceful base camp for hiking Mount St. Helens and exploring Layser Cave without crowds.

Skip if

You need direct river access or modern facilities with reliable water quality.

Nearby Campgrounds

Less Visited

3.3

(7)

North Fork Elk Group Camp

Gifford Pinchot National Forest

North Fork Elk Group Camp sits in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest foothills near Randle, managed by the Forest Service for seasonal group reservations. The site offers primitive group camping with vault toilets, potable water, and fire rings alongside the Cispus River, with access to hiking, fishing, and mountain biking trails. Summer brings warm, dry weather and views of Mount St. Helens, Rainier, and Adams.

Tower Rock Campground

Quick Facts

Quick Facts

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Campground Map

Weather at Tower Rock Campground

Current alerts(7)

Best Time to Camp at Tower Rock Campground

Planning Tips

About Tower Rock Campground

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Amenities available

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Common Concerns

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Current alerts(7)

Best Time to Camp at Tower Rock Campground

Planning Tips

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Amenities available

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Policies & Safety

Trip Planning Tools

Reviews

What Campers Love

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