Peterson Prairie Campground
Peterson Prairie Campground offers shaded and secluded campsites nestled in a forest of large pine, spruce and fir trees. The campground tends is popular among huckleberry pickers. At an elevation of 2,800 ft. Peterson Prairie offers a cool summertime climate during the hottest part of the season. Several kid-friendly attractions are a short distance away, making this campground a great choice for families.
More like this: reservable in Washington · big rigs in Washington · pets allowed in Washington · group sites in Washington
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 29 |
| Group sites | 1 |
| Host/management | 1 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 40 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
30 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Shade | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | |
| 002 | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Partial | Riverfront | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 003 | Standard | Pull-through | 40 | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | |
| 004 | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Partial | Riverfront | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 006 | Standard | Pull-through | 40 | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | |
| 007 | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Partial | Riverfront | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 008 | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Partial | Riverfront | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 009 | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | |
| 010 | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Partial | Riverfront | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 011 | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Partial | 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 |
Drinking water and vault toilets are available. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring. The sites are spacious with gravel parking spurs.
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 start on June 14th, 2024 Single Site: $25/night. Multi-site: $45/night. Extra Vehicle: $8/vehicle |
| Rules | Maximum vehicle length is 32 feet. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From SR 14 follow SR 141 North to the town of Trout Lake, continue through town on SR 141 till the road ends and FS 24 begins(approximately 5 miles WSW of town). Continue west on FS 24 for another 2.25 miles to the entrance of Peterson Prairie.
| Nearest town | Carson, Washington |
| Coordinates | 45.9694° N, 121.6608° 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. Group Sites Group Facility (including Cabins and Lookouts): A visitor who cancels a group overnight facility reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use 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.
Fire nearby
- PrescribedTracy Hill Rx
20 mi from the campground · 28 acres
- PrescribedTop Of The World Rx
21 mi from the campground
- WildfireHigh Lava
23 mi from the campground · 2,899 acres · 95% contained
- WildfireGrasshopper
50 mi from the campground · 93,972 acres · 98% 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 ↗ | 6.4 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Outer Limits Sports ↗ | 44.1 mi |
| RV sales & service | Camping World ↗ | 52.3 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Family Camping 2017 - Peterson Prairie Campground, Washington State
Worth a stop
This campground is near Bird Creek Meadows, a trail that offers spectacular wildflower displays and opportunities to observe numerous birds. Goose Lake is 8 miles west of the campground and offers excellent trout fishing.
- 4.9 miTrailhead: Monte Cristo-Upper ↗Trailhead
- 6.3 miTrailhead: Monte Cristo-Lower ↗Trailhead
Trails nearby
- under 0.1 miCoyote Sm Loop3.5 mi trail
- 0.6 miNatural Bridges XC Loop2.5 mi trail
- 1.3 miPeterson Ridge3.3 mi trail
- 1.5 mi6020 Sled ↗5.7 mi trail
- 2 miBerryfield Sm Loop ↗18 mi trail
- 2.1 miIce Caves XC Loop3.8 mi trail
Trailheads within three miles
- 0.6 miTrailhead: Natural Bridges ↗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
- 3.5 miIndian Heaven Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 20,784 acres
- 13 miMount Adams Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 47,123 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
- Trout Lake Tourist ClubBuilding · Trout Lake · 6.2 mi
- Gothen Creek Ranger StationBuilding · Gifford Pinchot National Forest · 11.8 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. Peterson Prairie is located in the Mt. Adams Ranger District. Nearest town is Trout Lake, WA. 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
Seasonal harvesting of huckleberries and mushrooms is a popular pastime. Natural Bridges and Ice Cave are scenic, family-friendly nature trails near Peterson Prairie Campground. A stairway leading into the Ice Cave allows convenient access to the cave's incredible ice formations. Please be prepared when visiting the caves. Information is avaialble at the campground and the Mt Adams Ranger Station.
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 Peterson Prairie Campground?
Sites at Peterson Prairie 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 Peterson Prairie Campground?
Extra Vehicle Fee $8.00
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Peterson Prairie Campground?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
What does it cost to cancel a reservation at Peterson Prairie 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 Peterson Prairie Campground open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Peterson Prairie Campground have?
31 sites, including 29 standard sites without power and 1 group site.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Peterson Prairie 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 Peterson Prairie Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Peterson Prairie Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Peterson Prairie 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 32 feet.
Source: Fire nearby
What is there to do at Peterson Prairie Campground?
Seasonal harvesting of huckleberries and mushrooms is a popular pastime. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Peterson Prairie Campground?
Carson, Washington. This campground is near Bird Creek Meadows, a trail that offers spectacular wildflower displays and opportunities to observe numerous birds.
Source: Getting there
What if Peterson Prairie Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Atkisson Group Camp (2.5 mi), Forlorn Lakes CG Gifford Pinchot NF (4.7 mi, first-come), and Goose Lake Campground (5 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby