Troublesome Creek Campground
This campground is located approximately 20 miles east of Index, Washington in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. It offers guests a wonderful spot to take in the scenery and enjoy a multitude of recreational activities in the Northern Cascade Range. Sites are nestled in a mixed conifer forest on the banks of the scenic North Fork Skykomish River and its tributary, Troublesome Creek. Water is abundant in this area, offering visitors easy access to fishing, kayaking, and swimming. Guests will be lulled to sleep by its subtle, but ever-present gurgle. This campground is ideal for escaping the hustle of everyday life to enjoy time with friends and family.
Some sites take reservations. Others are first-come, first-served.
More like this: first-come in Washington · reservable in Washington · pets allowed in Washington
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 18 |
| Tent-only | 7 |
Site guide
25 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Standard | Back-in | 25 | Gravel | Partial | Riverfront | 6 / 1 | Yes | Yes | Standard |
| 002 | Standard | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | Riverfront | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard | ||
| 003 | Standard | Back-in | 25 | Gravel | Partial | Riverfront | 6 / 1 | Yes | Yes | Standard |
| 004 | Standard | Back-in | 25 | Gravel | Partial | Riverfront | 12 / 2 | Yes | Yes | Standard |
| 005 | Standard | Back-in | 25 | Gravel | Partial | Riverfront | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard | |
| 006 | Standard | Back-in | 25 | Gravel | Partial | Riverfront | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard | |
| 007 | Tent only | Gravel | Partial | Riverfront | 6 / 1 | Yes | Yes | Standard | ||
| 008 | Tent only | Gravel | Partial | Riverfront | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard | |||
| 009 | Tent only | Gravel | Partial | Riverfront | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard | |||
| 010 | Tent only | Gravel | Partial | Riverfront | 12 / 2 | Yes | Standard |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 30 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Accessibility | Sites 001, 003, 004, 007 and 1 more are listed accessible |
Troublesome Creek Campground offers standard sites, accommodating both tent and RV camping. Tent-only sites are available as well. The campground is equipped with picnic tables and vault toilets. No electrical hook-ups are available. Access to the Skykomish River is available from the campground, and several sites are near the river's edge.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Closed for the season. Forest Service sites close for the season; check the official page for the reopening date. |
| Forest | Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest |
| Fees | View Recreation.gov for Fee Information and for open season dates. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Everett travel east on US-2. Pass through Monroe and continue another 21 miles then turn north (left) on Index – Galena Road. Continue for 11 Miles, arriving at Troublesome Creek Campground on the right.
| Coordinates | 47.8982° N, 121.4027° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- WildfireLittle Giant
27 mi from the campground · 172,912 acres · 95% contained
- WildfireKing
30 mi from the campground · 3,427 acres · 36% contained
- WildfireThree Queens
34 mi from the campground · 9,575 acres · 33% contained
- WildfireSisi
41 mi from the campground · 4,615 acres · 34% contained
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Stevens Pass Snowboard Shop ↗ | 13.9 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 27.1 mi |
| RV sales & service | Open Road RV ↗ | 27.2 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Troublesome Creek - Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, WA
Worth a stop
- 6.2 miNorth Fork Skykomish Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 10.7 miElliot Creek/Goat Lake Trailhead ↗Trailhead
Trails nearby
- under 0.1 miTroublesome Creek Nature0.5 mi trail · hiking
- 3.8 miBlanca Lake3.5 mi trail · hiking
- 3.9 miFrog Mountain ↗7.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
- 4.2 miTwin Lakes2.7 mi trail · hiking
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside Wild Sky Wilderness, which overlaps Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest.
- inWild Sky Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 105,543 acres
- inMt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 2,025,595 acres
- inOkanogan-Wenatchee National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 3,858,129 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Evergreen Mountain LookoutStructure · Skykomish · 7.7 mi
- Red Men HallBuilding · Index · 8.8 mi
- Bush HouseBuilding · Index · 8.9 mi
Natural features
The Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest showcases rugged peaks, sparkling alpine lakes, and old-growth forests, providing visitors with unique and surprising landscapes. Mt. Baker, the most prominent feature of the Mt. Baker Wilderness Area, dominates the landscape on a clear day. Rising to an elevation of 10,781 feet, the active volcano from which the forest takes its name is perpetually snow-capped and mantled with an extensive network of creeping glaciers. Mt. Baker's summit, Grant Peak, is actually a mound of ice 1,300 feet deep, which hides a massive volcanic crater. Wildlife in the area includes mountain goats traversing the higher elevations, to coyotes and pine marten in the forests. Migratory birds and native fish find ample habitat in the varied ecosystems as well. These species, along with many others, depend on surrounding undeveloped wilderness, clean streams, and diverse forests to live.
Recreation
At the campground, Troublesome Creek is a delight for exploring. A footbridge crosses the bubbling creek beneath towering pine and fir trees. For guests wanting to relax at the water's edge, or children searching for newness in nature, this is an ideal spot without even leaving the campground. The adjacent North Fork Skykomish River offers fishing for steelhead and salmon. For those wanting to venture further, the Beckler Peak Trail may be included on the agenda. Located 10 miles from the town of Skykomish, this trail is challenging, but worth the effort, offering hikers the opportunity to view the diverse landscapes of the area from a variety of perspectives. At the Jennifer Dunn Trailhead, the trail starts out on a decommissioned logging road, and climbs through young alder and vine maple to an expansive vista of the Skykomish Valley. The trail continues to switchback through huge trees and by the remains of a trapper's cabin. Climbing higher, and upon reaching the final ridge top through steep alpine forest, hikers will be in awe of the panoramic view of near and distant peaks.
Guidebooks for Washington
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Troublesome Creek Campground?
For some sites. Some sites take reservations. Others are first-come, first-served.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Troublesome Creek Campground?
View Recreation.gov for Fee Information and for open season dates.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Troublesome Creek Campground?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Troublesome Creek Campground open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Troublesome Creek Campground have?
25 sites, including 18 standard sites without power and 7 tent-only sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Troublesome Creek Campground?
The longest site here provides 30 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are pets allowed at Troublesome Creek Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Troublesome Creek Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Troublesome Creek Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there are 4 active fires within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one.
Source: Fire nearby
Are there accessible sites at Troublesome Creek Campground?
Sites 001, 003, 004, and 007 are listed accessible on Recreation.gov, 5 sites in all. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Troublesome Creek Campground?
At the campground, Troublesome Creek is a delight for exploring. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What if Troublesome Creek Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Money Creek Campground (11.7 mi), Beckler River Campground (11.9 mi), and Bedal Campground (13.7 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby