Takhlakh Lake Campground
Takhlakh Lake Campground sits at an elevation of 4,400 feet in a well-shaded location next to its namesake lake. The campground sits at the base of Mt. Adams, providing visitors with incredible views in every direction. The campground has a short season, but it's a particularly popular destination for hikers exploring the trails around Mt. Adams.
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 | 44 |
| Tent-only | 10 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 99 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
54 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes |
| 002 | Standard | Back-in | 34 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes |
| 003 | Standard | Back-in | 35 | Gravel | Partial | 12 / 2 | Yes |
| 004 | Standard | Back-in | 33 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes |
| 005 | Standard | Back-in | 17 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes |
| 006 | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes |
| 007 | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | Partial | 12 / 2 | Yes |
| 008 | Standard | Back-in | 39 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes |
| 009 | Standard | Back-in | 31 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes |
| 010 | Standard | Back-in | 31 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 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 | 99 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Fees | Extra Vehicle Fee $8.00 |
The campground consists of 54 back-in sites with unpaved parking spurs that vary in length from 15 to 40 feet. Some sites are tent only. No drinking water is provided at this campground, but other amenities include vault toilets, picnic tables and campfire rings. Takhlakh Lake Campground offers accessible sites and activities and amenities that support current accessibility standards.
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 available approximately July, 2024. Single Site/$25. Double Site/$45. Extra Vehicle: $8 Day Use: $5/vehicle/day |
| Rules | Maximum vehicle length is 22 feet. Snow depth will make area inaccessible by vehicle from December to Mid to late June. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From I-5: Take exit 68 and head east on US Highway 12 to Randle, Washington. Turn south onto State Highway 131 and travel 1 mile, stay left at the Y and continue southeast on Forest Road 23 for 30 miles to Forest Road 2329. Turn left onto Forest Road 2329 and follow it through the junction with Forest Road 5601.
| Nearest town | Randle, Washington |
| Coordinates | 46.2808° N, 121.5986° 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
37 mi from the campground · 2,899 acres · 95% contained
- PrescribedTracy Hill Rx
38 mi from the campground · 28 acres
- PrescribedTop Of The World Rx
39 mi from the campground
- WildfireWest Fork
46 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 ↗ | 19.5 mi |
| Outdoor gear | RMI Expeditions - Mountaineering Guide Service ↗ | 39.1 mi |
| RV sales & service | RV sales & service ↗ | 50.7 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Takhlakh Lake Campground
Worth a stop
Near the campground, hikers can access trailheads for the 2,663-mile Pacific Crest Trail. This leads to the Highline Trail, which attracts experienced hikers and backpackers for its views of Mt. Rainier, Mount St. Helens and Oregon's Mt. Hood.
- 0.9 miTrailhead: Chain-Of-Lakes ↗Trailhead
- 9.7 miTrailhead: Stagman Ridge ↗Trailhead
- 11.6 mi
Trails nearby
- 0.1 miTakhlakh Loop0.8 mi trail
- 0.4 miTak Tak Meadow1.2 mi trail
- 0.5 mi2329 Snowmobile ↗15.3 mi trail
- 0.5 mi2300 Sled4.3 mi trail
- 0.6 mi5601 Snowmobile ↗6.3 mi trail
- 0.7 miHigh Lakes ↗9 mi trail
Trailheads within three miles
- 0.9 miTrailhead: Chain-of-Lakes ↗Gifford Pinchot National Forest
- 1.2 miTrailhead: Divide Camp ↗Gifford Pinchot National Forest
- 2.3 miTrailhead: Killen Creek ↗Gifford Pinchot National Forest
- 2.3 miTrailhead: Lily Basin Stock ↗Gifford Pinchot National Forest
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
- 0.6 miMount Adams Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 47,123 acres
- 11.8 miGoat Rocks Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 108,020 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
- Gothen Creek Ranger StationBuilding · Gifford Pinchot National Forest · 14.3 mi
- North Fork Guard Station No. 1142Building · Randle · 14.9 mi
Natural features
Takhlakh Lake is part of the Cowlitz Valley Ranger District, which is located in the northernmost portion of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. This location offers breathtaking views of not only Mt. Adams, but also Mt. Rainier, and Mt. Saint Helens.
Recreation
The campsite offers access to the Takhlakh Loop, an accessible trail suitable for all ages and skill levels and the Takhlakh Meadow Trail. The lake provides an ideal spot for anglers to cast for rainbow trout and for boaters looking to kayak or canoe. The lake is reserved for non-motorized use only.
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 Takhlakh Lake 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 Takhlakh Lake Campground?
Extra Vehicle Fee $8.00
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Takhlakh Lake Campground?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
What does it cost to cancel a reservation at Takhlakh Lake 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 Takhlakh Lake Campground open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Takhlakh Lake Campground have?
54 sites, including 44 standard sites without power and 10 tent-only sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Takhlakh Lake Campground?
Recreation.gov lists no practical vehicle capacity limit for the largest site here, which usually means pull-through or open parking. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are pets allowed at Takhlakh Lake Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Takhlakh Lake Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Takhlakh Lake 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. Maximum vehicle length is 22 feet.
Source: Fire nearby
What is there to do at Takhlakh Lake Campground?
The campsite offers access to the Takhlakh Loop, an accessible trail suitable for all ages and skill levels and the Takhlakh Meadow Trail. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Takhlakh Lake Campground?
Randle, Washington. Near the campground, hikers can access trailheads for the 2,663-mile Pacific Crest Trail.
Source: Getting there
What if Takhlakh Lake Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Olallie Lake Campground (1.3 mi, first-come), Horseshoe Lake Campground (2.5 mi, first-come), and Killen Creek Campground (2.6 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby