Iron Creek Campground
Iron Creek Campground sits near the confluence of Iron Creek and the Cispus River. This large campground winds through a forest of old-growth Douglas firs, cedars and hemlock. Lush vegetation and ample space between sites offers excellent privacy.
Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
More like this: first-come in Washington · reservable in Washington · big rigs in Washington · pets allowed in Washington
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 98 |
| Host/management | 1 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 40 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
98 sites in 4 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Entry | Fits, ft | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | A | Back-in | 35 | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 004 | A | Back-in | 30 | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 005 | A | Back-in | 35 | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 006 | A | Back-in | 30 | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 007 | A | Back-in | 35 | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 008 | A | Back-in | 40 | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 009 | A | Back-in | 20 | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 010 | A | Back-in | 30 | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 011 | A | Back-in | 35 | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 012 | A | Back-in | 40 | 8 / 1 | Yes |
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 | 40 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Fees | Extra Vehicle Fee $8.00 |
There are 99 single and double family sites that are back-in and paved. Level spurs provide easy RV parking. Picnic tables, campfire rings and drinking water are provided.
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 | Gifford Pinchot National Forest |
| Booking | Make reservations at Recreation.gov, or by calling 1-877-444-6777, up to 6 months in advance. |
| Fees | Camping: Reservations open on 5/24/2024 Single Site/$27. Double Site/$50. Extra Vehicle: $8 |
| Rules | Maximum vehicle length is 24-40 feet. |
Weather by month
Getting there
Take Highway 12 from I-5 and proceed 40 miles to Randle, turn south on Forest Road 25 and continue for 12 miles to the campground.
| Nearest town | Randle, Washington |
| Coordinates | 46.4297° N, 121.9869° W · Directions ↗ |
Charges and 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 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.
Fire nearby
- WildfireHigh Lava
38 mi from the campground · 2,899 acres · 95% contained
- WildfireWest Fork
38 mi from the campground · 310 acres · 16% contained
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 5.3 mi |
| Outdoor gear | RMI Expeditions - Mountaineering Guide Service ↗ | 22.9 mi |
| RV sales & service | Baydo's RV Sales ↗ | 47.7 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Iron Creek Campground review
Worth a stop
The Woods Creek Watchable Wildlife Interpretive Site is just up Forest Road 25 toward the town of Randle. Forest Road 25 is a popular scenic drive and provides excellent views of Mount St. Helens. The Windy Ridge Viewpoint at Mount St. Helens is approximately 20 miles away.
- 7.2 miSite: Wakepish Picnic Area ↗Day use
- 13.7 mi
- 14.2 miTrailhead: Jackpot Lake ↗Trailhead
Trails nearby
- 0.2 miIron Creek Old Growth0.3 mi trail
- 0.2 miIron Creek Cg Loop1.2 mi trail
- 2 miStrawberry Mountain ↗9 mi trail
- 2.3 miKraus Ridge3.1 mi trail
- 2.5 miWoods Cr Watchable Wildlife ↗0.8 mi trail
- 2.9 miOld Growth Loop0.7 mi trail
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 Gifford Pinchot National Forest.
- inGifford Pinchot National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,496,308 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
On the National Register nearby
- Randle Ranger Station–Work CenterBuilding · Randle · 7.4 mi
- North Fork Guard Station No. 1142Building · Randle · 9.7 mi
Natural features
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. Iron Creek is part of the Cowlitz Valley Ranger District, which is located in the northernmost portion of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. This District is roughly located among three volcanic peaks: Mt. Rainier to the north, Mt. Adams to the east, and Mount St. Helens to the west.
Recreation
Iron Creek provides great fishing for cutthroat trout, whitefish and rainbow trout. Visitors can stroll along the.3-mile Iron Creek Old Growth Trail and weave through the forest and along the Cispus River, or continue on a longer walk down the Iron Creek Campground Trail. This trail is barrier-free and designed to accommodate any age or skill level, with benches and plenty of places to stop along the way.
Guidebooks for Washington
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Iron Creek Campground?
For some sites. Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Iron Creek Campground?
Extra Vehicle Fee $8.00
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Iron Creek Campground?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
What does it cost to cancel a reservation at Iron Creek Campground?
Cancellations Individual Campsites: Cancellations up to 2 days before a reservation start date incur a $10.00 cancellation fee.
Source: Charges and cancellations
Is Iron Creek Campground open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Iron Creek Campground have?
99 sites, including 98 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Iron Creek Campground?
The longest site here provides 40 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 Iron Creek Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Iron Creek Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Iron Creek Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there are 2 active fires within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one. Maximum vehicle length is 24-40 feet.
Source: Fire nearby
What is there to do at Iron Creek Campground?
Iron Creek provides great fishing for cutthroat trout, whitefish and rainbow trout. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Iron Creek Campground?
Randle, Washington. The Woods Creek Watchable Wildlife Interpretive Site is just up Forest Road 25 toward the town of Randle.
Source: Getting there
What if Iron Creek Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Tower Rock Campground (5.8 mi, partly first-come), Horse Camp: Green River (7.2 mi, first-come), and North Fork Elk Group Camp (9.6 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby