Panther Creek Campground
The Campground sits along Panther Creek at the intersection of the Pacific Crest Trail. Driving on FR65, 4.7 miles upstream from the campground, visitors can enjoy an easy hike to Panther Falls. Campers can enjoy the privacy provided by a variety of shade-loving plants and a thick forest of cedars, ash, firs and alder.
More like this: reservable in Washington · big rigs in Washington · pets allowed in Washington
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 33 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 40 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
33 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Full | 6 / 1 | Yes | |
| 02 | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Full | 6 / 1 | Yes | |
| 03 | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | Full | 6 / 1 | Yes | |
| 04 | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | Full | 6 / 1 | Yes | |
| 05 | Back-in | 35 | Gravel | Full | 12 / 2 | Yes | |
| 06 | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | Full | 6 / 1 | Yes | |
| 07 | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Full | 6 / 1 | Yes | |
| 08 | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | Full | 6 / 1 | Yes | |
| 09 | Back-in | 35 | Gravel | Full | 12 / 2 | Yes | |
| 10 | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | 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 |
| Accessibility | Site 19 is listed accessible |
The campground consists of 33 back-in sites with parking spurs that vary from 20 to 40 feet in length. The campground's Premium Sites are adjacent to the creek and each site comes with a picnic table and grill. Potable water and vault toilets are also 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 start on May 24th, 2024 Single Site/$25. Double Site/$45. Extra Vehicle:$8 |
| Rules | Maximum vehicle length is 25 feet. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Carson, WA: Travel 6 miles north to Old State Highway, (follow signs) turn right and then take your first left on Panther Creek Road. Proceed on Panther Creek Road for 4 miles to the campground.
| Nearest town | Carson, Washington |
| Coordinates | 45.8197° N, 121.8797° 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
12 mi from the campground · 2,899 acres · 95% contained
- PrescribedTracy Hill Rx
24 mi from the campground · 28 acres
- PrescribedTop Of The World Rx
24 mi from the campground
- WildfireGrasshopper
43 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 | Stevenson Trailer Sewage Dump Station ↗ | 8.7 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Camping World ↗ | 32.2 mi |
| RV sales & service | Look No Further RV's ↗ | 39.3 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
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Worth a stop
Panther Creek Campground makes a great base to explore Mount Adams and the Columbia River Gorge. The town of Carson is nearby, which is known for its hot springs. It also has a golf course, restaurants and shopping.
- 9.6 miHerman Creek Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 12.6 miEagle Creek Day Use Area ↗Day use
- 13 miTrailhead: Thomas Lake ↗Trailhead
Trails nearby
- 2.5 miBunker Hill1 mi trail
- 3.1 miWhistle Punk ↗1.5 mi trail
- 3.4 miNatural Area1.5 mi trail
- 3.8 miWeigle Hill/ Cedar Creek0.7 mi trail
- 4.1 miPanther Creek Falls0.08 mi trail
- 4.8 miGrassy Knoll ↗5.5 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
Gifford Pinchot National Forest begins about 3.6 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 3.6 miGifford Pinchot National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,496,308 acres
- 7.5 miTrapper Creek Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 5,963 acres
- 8.9 miMark O. Hatfield Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 65,435 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. Panther 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 diverse array 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
Hikers have close access to the Pacific Crest Trail, which spans 2,663 miles from Mexico to Canada. Outstanding scenic views are available all along this trail.
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 Panther Creek Campground?
Sites at Panther 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 Panther Creek Campground?
Extra Vehicle Fee $8.00
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Panther Creek Campground?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
What does it cost to cancel a reservation at Panther 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 Panther Creek Campground open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Panther Creek Campground have?
33 sites, including 33 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Panther 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 Panther Creek Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Panther Creek Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Panther 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. Maximum vehicle length is 25 feet.
Source: Fire nearby
Are there accessible sites at Panther Creek Campground?
Site 19 is listed accessible on Recreation.gov. 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 Panther Creek Campground?
Hikers have close access to the Pacific Crest Trail, which spans 2,663 miles from Mexico to Canada. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Panther Creek Campground?
Carson, Washington. Panther Creek Campground makes a great base to explore Mount Adams and the Columbia River Gorge.
Source: Getting there