
18
Total Campsites
Campground
11
Reservable Sites
Mixed (reservable + first-come)
—
Accessible
ADA-compliant sites
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Organization
Managing agency
Overview
About North Fork Campground (WA)
Overview North Fork Campground sits along the North fork of the Cispus River, shaded by a canopy of trees that include hemlock, maple and Douglas fir. This popular campground is typically open from mid-May through late September and offers standard sites in addition to the Bear, Beaver and Elk group sites. North Fork is situated between three of Washington's most impressive mountains: Mount St. Helens, Mt. Adams and Mt. Rainier. The variety of recreational activities and the diverse natural beauty draws many visitors to this area. Recreation North Fork Campground makes a great base camp for a variety of activities. Hikers, mountain bikers and OHV riders can access the nearby multi-use Valley Trail. From this trail, OHV riders can enjoy a network of over 50 miles of OHV trails. The North Fork Loop and River trails are open to foot traffic and can also be accessed in this area. Anglers can fish the Cispus River for brook trout, steelhead and salmon. Facilities North Fork Campground makes a great base camp for a variety of activities. Hikers, mountain bikers and OHV riders can access the nearby multi-use Valley Trail. From this trail, OHV riders can enjoy a network of over 50 miles of OHV trails. The North Fork Loop and River trails are open to foot traffic and can also be accessed in this area. Anglers can fish the Cispus River for brook trout, steelhead and salmon. Natural Features North Fork is part of the Cowlitz Valley Ranger District, which is located in the northernmost portion of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Located in southwest Washington state, the Gifford Pinchot National Forest encompasses 1.3 million acres and includes the 110,000-acre Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument established by Congress in 1982. This Ranger District manages four Wilderness Areas including the Goat Rocks Wilderness, Glacier View Wilderness, Tatoosh Wilderness and William O. Douglass Wilderness. Major River drainage includes the Cowlitz River, Clear Fork of the Cowlitz, and the Cispus River. A variety of wildlife may be spotted in this area, including elk, deer and bears. Nearby Attractions Randle is the closest town to North Fork, and offers access to the Windy Ridge Lookout at Mount St. Helens. Adventurous hikers who want to enjoy some spectacular views may be interested in the Tongue Mountain Trail, which climbs to an elevation of 4,838 feet. contact_info This location has limited staffing. Please call (360) 686-3008 for general information. Charges & Cancellations Cancellations Individual Campsites: Cancellations up to 2 days before a reservation start date incur a $10.00 cancellation fee. A visitor who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee including tax and applicable add-on for a campsite. Cancellations for a one-night reservation will forfeit the entire amount paid and will not be subject to an additional service fee. No-Shows A no-show visitor is one who does not arrive at a campground and does not cancel the reservation by check-out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date. Staff will hold a campsite until check-out time on the day following the arrival date. No-shows are assessed $20.00 service fee and forfeit the first night's rate, taxes and applicable add-on for a campsite. Refunds Visitors may submit a refund request through their Recreation.gov profile within 7 days of the end date of their reservation. Refunds will not be issued after the 7 days has ended. Refunds for debit or credit card payments will be issued as a credit to the original bank or credit card used to pay. For check or cash purchases, Recreation.gov will mail a Treasury check for refunds of cash, check, or money order payments to the address associated with the reservation. Treasury check refunds may take up to 6-8 weeks to arrive. In the event of an emergency closure, the Recreation.gov team or facility manager will refund all fees and will attempt to notify you using the contact information within the Recreation.gov visitor profile.
- 18 total campsites listed.
- 11 reservable sites plus first-come options.
- Most common site type: standard nonelectric (17).
- Map coordinates are available for trip planning.


Our Take
What makes North Fork Campground (WA) special
North Fork Campground sits along the gentle banks of the North Fork of the Cispus River in Washington's Gifford Pinchot National Forest, just outside the small community of Randle. The setting is quintessential Pacific Northwest: towering western hemlock and Douglas fir rise above a midstory of bigleaf maple, while ferns and moss carpet the forest floor in every shade of green imaginable. The river here runs clear and cool, providing excellent opportunities for trout fishing, wading, and simply sitting streamside with a book while the water does all the talking. The campground's location in the southern Cascades puts it within reach of Mount St. Helens, where visitors can explore interpretive trails, lava flows, and viewpoints that tell the story of the 1980 eruption. Mount Adams and its surrounding wilderness are also accessible for more ambitious day hikes and backpacking trips. North Fork offers a comfortable number of sites shaded by the forest canopy, suitable for tents and moderately sized RVs. The camping season typically runs from late May through September, with the warmest and busiest period falling in July and August. Reserving a site ahead of time is a good idea for summer weekends, while midweek and shoulder-season visits offer a quieter experience. This is a campground that rewards those who appreciate deep forest immersion without sacrificing accessibility or basic comforts.
Campsite Inventory
18 sites to choose from
STANDARD NONELECTRIC
11
Reservable
0
Accessible
MANAGEMENT
0
Reservable
0
Accessible
Amenities & Details
Everything you need to know
Campfire Allowed
Yes
Site capacity
Single
Check-in time
4:00 PM
Check-out time
2:00 PM
Driveway entry
Back-In, Pull-Through
Driveway length (ft)
18, 20, 24, 27
Driveway surface
Gravel
Fire Pit
Yes
GRILLS
Yes
Grills/Fire Ring
Yes
Max guests
6
Max vehicle length (ft)
15, 16, 18, 20
Minimum guests
Yes
Pets allowed
Yes
Picnic Table
Yes
Proximity to Water
Riverfront
Shade
Yes
Tent Pad
Yes
Reservations & Contact
Plan your stay
Phone
541-338-7869
Getting There
From I-5, take Highway 12 east to Randle, and from there go south on Road 25 and continue until you reach a fork in the road. Take the left fork onto Road 23 and travel for about 10 miles to North Fork Campground & Group Camps.
FAQ
Common questions
Everything you need to know before your trip to North Fork Campground (WA).
How do reservations work for North Fork Campground (WA)?
Reservation availability for North Fork Campground (WA) can vary by season and campsite type. Check the contact and access section before booking.
What campsite types are available at North Fork Campground (WA)?
North Fork Campground (WA) currently lists STANDARD NONELECTRIC (17), MANAGEMENT (1).
Where is North Fork Campground (WA) located?
North Fork Campground (WA) is in Washington near Randle. Coordinates: 46.4508, -121.7878.
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