Is Moss Creek Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Moss Creek Campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Arrive early, especially on weekends and holidays, to secure a spot.

Can I see photos of campsites at Moss Creek Campground before I book?

Yes! Moss Creek Campground has 7 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

Are there showers at Moss Creek Campground?

Moss Creek Campground does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

Can I have a campfire at Moss Creek Campground?

Fire policies at Moss Creek Campground: Fire rings are provided at sites and firewood can be purchased on-site. No additional fire restriction details are provided in the source material.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

How many campsites does Moss Creek Campground have?

Moss Creek Campground has 16 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Arrive early for the best site selection.

Are dogs allowed at Moss Creek Campground?

Pets are not allowed at Moss Creek Campground. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

What amenities are available at Moss Creek Campground?

Moss Creek Campground offers: Restrooms, Potable Water. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Moss Creek Campground?

Popular activities at Moss Creek Campground include Fishing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Moss Creek Campground

4.04

129 reviews

Family FriendlyScenic ViewsPeace & Quiet

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

April 2026

Compare availability across multiple campgrounds

Quick Facts

1,400 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Check Site

Sites

16 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Book on Gifford-Pinchot National Forest (Mount Adams Ranger District)Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

April 2026

Compare availability across multiple campgrounds

Quick Facts

1,400 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Check Site

Sites

16 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Book on Gifford-Pinchot National Forest (Mount Adams Ranger District)Official Website

Get Directions

Moss Creek Campground

No fees available

Campsite Fees

Cancellation and refund policies: Individual campsite cancellations up to 2 days before a reservation start date incur a $10.00 cancellation fee....

Standard Site Fee$0.00

Hookup Site Fee$0.00

Premium Site Fee$0.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00

Group Site Fee$0.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

(509) 538-2060

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What Campers Say

4.04

Satisfactory

Based on 129 reviews

82 Google reviews

Most mentioned

quietpeacefulcleanfriendly

"Reviews for Moss Creek are overwhelmingly positive, emphasizing a quiet, peaceful, and well‑maintained forest campground with spacious, widely separated sites along a creek/river. Campers consistently praise the friendly, helpful hosts, clean toilets, and the fun, safe atmosphere, with many saying they plan to return or already have. Several note it’s a great base for nearby recreation and a favorite spot in the Gifford Pinchot area."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

Moss Creek Campground

45.7978, -121.6392

Nearby places

Cook (reached after 56 miles east on Highway 14 from I-5 at Vancouver, WA).

Nearby supplies

Firewood can be purchased on-site.

Driving directionsFrom I-5 at Vancouver, WA, turn east on Highway 14 for 56 miles to Cook. Turn north on Cook-Underwood Rd, drive 5 miles then turn left onto Willard Road, drive 2+ miles continue onto Oklahoma Rd, drive under 1 mile. Campground is on your right.

Accessible from I-5 at Vancouver, WA via Highway 14 east for 56 miles to Cook, then north on Cook-Underwood Rd and local roads (Willard Road, Oklahoma Rd) to the campground.

Best Time to Camp at Moss Creek Campground

Summer is the time to visit. The forest canopy keeps daytime temperatures in the mid-60s to mid-70s°F even when the valleys heat up, and nights drop into the 40s–50s°F. This is when the river is accessible for wading, the vault toilets and water are reliably available, and the sites stay comfortable without feeling stifling. Opening and closing dates shift with snowmelt and weather, so check with the Mount Adams Ranger District before planning a trip. Weekends bring small crowds because the campground is intimate. Weekday stays or early Friday arrivals are a better bet.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.5 / 5

Top 12% in WA

Dense canopy creates natural air conditioning; popular refuge when valley temps soar.

Planning Tips

About Moss Creek Campground

Moss Creek sits along the Little White Salmon River at 1,400 feet in the Mount Adams Ranger District, a small campground beneath a thick canopy of hemlock, cedar, fir, and maple. The 16 sites are widely spaced and mostly shaded, with many directly next to the creek. The campground includes drinking water, vault toilets, picnic tables, and fire rings.

Small developed campground with 16 sites designed primarily for tent camping but usable by smaller RVs and trailers.

Historical Significance

The campground sits within the 1.3 million acres of Gifford-Pinchot National Forest, a landscape shaped by volcanic forces and protected by modern conservation efforts. The Mount Adams Ranger District takes its name from the volcano to the east. The broader forest includes the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, established by Congress in 1982 to preserve the aftermath of the 1980 eruption.

Weather and SeasonsSummer is the time to visit. The forest canopy keeps daytime temperatures in the mid-60s to mid-70s°F even when the valleys heat up, and nights drop into the 40s–50s°F. This is when the river is accessible for wading, the vault toilets and water are reliably available, and the sites stay comfortable without feeling stifling. Opening and closing dates shift with snowmelt and weather, so check with the Mount Adams Ranger District before planning a trip. Weekends bring small crowds because the campground is intimate. Weekday stays or early Friday arrivals are a better bet.

ElevationPerched at approximately 1,400 feet above sea level, the campground nestles in the cool embrace of a mixed conifer forest where hemlock and cedar mingle with fir and the seasonal color of bigleaf maples.

Natural Features and SceneryThe Little White Salmon River runs through the campground, shallow enough for wading and a short float but not deep enough for full swimming. The forest is dense. A mix of old-growth and second-growth stands. Creating a layered canopy that keeps the sites cool even when valley temperatures spike. This corner of the Gifford-Pinchot National Forest is part of the same volcanic landscape that includes Mount St. Helens to the northwest and sits beneath the shadow of Mount Adams to the east. The campground feels quiet and uncrowded, with enough separation between sites to maintain privacy.

Geological RegionSituated in the southeast corner of Gifford-Pinchot National Forest within the Mount Adams Ranger District, Moss Creek occupies a distinctive corner of southwest Washington where the Cascade Range's volcanic legacy remains written in stone, ash, and living forest—part of the same geological theater that includes the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Site layoutThe campground has 16 sites spread out along the river, widely separated and mostly shaded. Sites are designed for tents but usable by smaller RVs and trailers. The spacing and forest buffer make it feel uncrowded even when full.

Reservation PlatformsRecreation.gov

Cancellation PolicyIndividual campsite cancellations up to 2 days before start date incur a $10.00 cancellation fee. Cancelling the day before or on arrival incurs a $10.00 service fee and forfeiture of the first night's use fee. One-night reservation cancellations forfeit the entire amount paid. No-shows assessed $20.00 service fee and forfeit first night's rate, taxes and add-ons. Refund requests must be submitted via Recreation.gov within 7 days of reservation end date.

Site Size16 sites ideal for tents but usable by smaller RVs and trailers.

Total Campsites16 campsites

Recommended SitesSites are small and ideal for tents but usable by smaller RVs and trailers. Picnic tables and fire rings are provided at sites; drinking water and vault toilets are available.

Amenities available

Potable water

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Firewood available

Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Located alongside the Little White Salmon River and positioned as a base for exploring Mount Adams and the Columbia River Gorge. The river and surrounding forested district offer outdoor recreation opportunities.

Fishing

Policies & Safety

Weather at Moss Creek Campground

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Reviews

From Booking Sources

4.0

129 reviews

Satisfactory

Moss Creek Campground is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

Reviews for Moss Creek are overwhelmingly positive, emphasizing a quiet, peaceful, and well‑maintained forest campground with spacious, widely separated sites along a creek/river. Campers consistently praise the friendly, helpful hosts, clean toilets, and the fun, safe atmosphere, with many saying they plan to return or already have. Several note it’s a great base for nearby recreation and a favorite spot in the Gifford Pinchot area.

Review Summaries

Based on 129 reviews

What Campers Love

Campers love the quiet, peaceful setting with large, well‑spaced sites, many right next to the creek/river, making it feel uncrowded and scenic. The campground is described as clean, tidy, and well...

Based on 129 reviews

Common Concerns

There are almost no actual complaints in these reviews. A couple of reviewers clarify that the creek is not deep enough for real swimming, and one notes that a riverside campsite was closed due to...

Based on 129 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Several reviewers recommend reading and following the posted rules and the fine print on Forest Service passes and working with, not arguing with, the hosts. One warns that the road in includes a...

Based on 129 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Most awesome place I've ever been in my life and I camp a lot. If you camp here, you'll never want to leave. The only place better was my mother's womb." "Quiet, peaceful campground. Right next to...

Based on 129 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Site 10 is called out as “best for kids,” with easy access to the creek and good swimming opportunities when warm. Site 8 is described as quiet, peaceful, and right next to the stream. Site 14 is...

Based on 129 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

One reviewer notes explicitly that the campground is dog friendly, and mentions that the creek was “so much fun,” implying pets can enjoy the water and surroundings as well. No restrictions or issues...

Based on 129 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

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