Paradise Creek Campground
Paradise Creek sits at the confluence of Paradise Creek and the Wind River, nestled under an old-growth forest of cedars, firs, alder and maples. The sites by the river enjoy privacy from an abundance of lush undergrowth, while the other sites have a more open and spacious feel. The campground's remote location is ideal for campers seeking a quiet and relaxed environment.
More like this: reservable in Washington · big rigs in Washington · pets allowed in Washington
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 41 |
| Host/management | 1 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 40 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
41 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Back-in | 30 | Paved | Full | 6 / 1 | Yes |
| 002 | Back-in | 40 | Paved | Full | 6 / 1 | Yes |
| 003 | Back-in | 30 | Paved | Full | 6 / 1 | Yes |
| 004 | Back-in | 40 | Paved | Full | 6 / 1 | Yes |
| 005 | Back-in | 40 | Paved | Full | 6 / 1 | Yes |
| 006 | Back-in | 40 | Paved | Full | 6 / 1 | Yes |
| 007 | Back-in | 40 | Paved | Full | 6 / 1 | Yes |
| 008 | Back-in | 40 | Paved | Full | 6 / 1 | Yes |
| 009 | Back-in | 40 | Paved | Full | 6 / 1 | Yes |
| 010 | Back-in | 40 | Paved | Full | 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 | 40 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Fees | Extra Vehicle Fee $8.00 |
The campground consists of 42 back-in sites with paved parking spurs that vary from 20 to 40 feet in length. The Premium Sites are adjacent to the Wind River. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring. An on-site hand pump offers drinking water, and vault toilets are available.
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 | Reservations may be made at www.recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. |
| Fees | Camping: Reservations stasrt on May 24th, 2024 Single Site/$25. Multi-Site/$45. Extra Vehicle:$8 |
| Rules | Maximum vehicle length is 25 feet. |
Weather by month
Getting there
Take Highway 14 to Carson. From Carson, travel about 19 miles northwest on Wind River Highway. The campground is between mile post 20 and 21.
| Nearest town | Carson, Washington |
| Coordinates | 45.9500° N, 121.9367° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- Fishing is not permitted in the campground.
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
10 mi from the campground · 2,899 acres · 95% contained
- PrescribedTracy Hill Rx
30 mi from the campground · 28 acres
- PrescribedTop Of The World Rx
30 mi from the campground
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Stevenson Trailer Sewage Dump Station ↗ | 17.9 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Sportsman's Warehouse ↗ | 35.8 mi |
| RV sales & service | Camping World ↗ | 39 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
(4K UHD) REVIEWING EACH CAMPSITE @ Paradise Creek Campground! | Gifford Pinchot NF | Washi
Worth a stop
Paradise Creek is an ideal base for exploring the different viewpoints around Mount St. Helens and Mt Adams. The nearest town is Carson, WA.
- 6.1 miTrailhead: Thomas Lake ↗Trailhead
Trails nearby
- 0.2 miLava Butte0.9 mi trail
- 2.5 miParadise ↗7.1 mi trail
- 2.7 miFalls Creek Tie0.2 mi trail
- 2.7 miBig Hollow3.2 mi trail
- 2.9 miLower Falls Creek1.7 mi trail
- 3 miValley Ski3.2 mi trail
Trailheads within three miles
- 2.6 miTrailhead: Big Hollow ↗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
- 3.9 miTrapper Creek Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 5,963 acres
- 4.7 miIndian Heaven Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 20,784 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
Historic landmarks nearby
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. Paradise Creek Campground is located in the Mt. Adams Ranger District. Elevations here range between 1,200 feet at the Wind River Work Center, 12 miles north of Carson, WA and 12,276 feet at the summit of Mt. Adams. The Mount Adams Ranger District offers a large variety of habitats and natural features, from old growth to second growth forest, wetland areas, low and high elevation meadows, glaciers, and low and high elevation lakes.
Recreation
The Wind River provides excellent fishing, with a population of steelhead and Chinook salmon. Check state regulations for open season and boundries. Wading is permitted in Paradise Creek. Seasonal berry picking is a popular pastime and for visitors interested in hiking, there is access to the Lava Butte Trail 200 from the campground.
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 Paradise Creek Campground?
Sites at Paradise Creek Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. Reservations may be made at www.recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Paradise Creek Campground?
Extra Vehicle Fee $8.00
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Paradise Creek Campground?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
What does it cost to cancel a reservation at Paradise 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 Paradise Creek Campground open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Paradise Creek Campground have?
42 sites, including 41 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Paradise 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 Paradise Creek Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Paradise Creek Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Paradise Creek Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there are 3 active fires within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one. Maximum vehicle length is 25 feet.
Source: Fire nearby
What is there to do at Paradise Creek Campground?
The Wind River provides excellent fishing, with a population of steelhead and Chinook salmon. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Paradise Creek Campground?
Carson, Washington. Paradise Creek is an ideal base for exploring the different viewpoints around Mount St.
Source: Getting there
What if Paradise Creek Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Horse Camp: Falls Creek (4.6 mi, first-come), Government Mineral Springs Campground (5.5 mi, first-come), and Beaver Campground (6.6 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby