How much does camping cost at Panther Creek Campground?

Camping fees at Panther Creek Campground range from $25-$45/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

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

Panther Creek Campground accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

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

Yes! Panther 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.

What is the best time to visit Panther Creek Campground?

Panther Creek Campground is open May 23rd, 2025 to September 20th, 2025.. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Panther Creek Campground?

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

Can I have a campfire at Panther Creek Campground?

Fire policies at Panther Creek Campground: Fires are restricted to designated pits and may be banned during droughts.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

How many campsites does Panther Creek Campground have?

Panther Creek Campground has 33 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Panther Creek Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Panther Creek Campground. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Panther Creek Campground?

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

What activities can I do at Panther Creek Campground?

Popular activities at Panther Creek Campground include Hiking, Fishing, Swimming, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Panther Creek Campground

4.47

244 reviews

Gifford Pinchot NF Mt Adams Ranger District, CARSON, WA 98610, USA

Great HikingSwimmingSummer Destination

Featured in:Primitive Camping Washington#2 Best Campgrounds Washington

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

April 2026

Compare availability across multiple campgrounds

Quick Facts

1,200 ft

Price

$25 - $45/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

33 campsites

Season

Open from May 23rd, ...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Book on Gifford Pinchot National Forest - Mt 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

1,200 ft

Price

$25 - $45/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

33 campsites

Season

Open from May 23rd, ...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Book on Gifford Pinchot National Forest - Mt Adams Ranger District Official Website

Get Directions

Panther Creek Campground

$25.00 - $45.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Standard Nonelectric sites range from $25.00 to $45.00 per night during peak season. There is an $8.00 extra vehicle fee per night and a firewood...

Standard Site Fee$25.00

Hookup Site Fee$0.00

Premium Site Fee$45.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00

Group Site Fee$0.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

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150,000+ sites monitored · Email, SMS, or in-app notifications

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

509-427-3677

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See something outdated or incorrect? Let us know!

What Campers Say

4.47

Recommended

Based on 244 reviews

76 Google reviews

Most mentioned

cleanspacioushikingwell-maintained

"Overall, Panther Creek Campground receives highly positive reviews, with an average sentiment of 4.53 across all reviews. Common praises include the lush natural environment, privacy between sites, and proximity to hiking trails and waterfalls. Issues raised by users include occasional maintenance lapses in restrooms and accessibility challenges for larger trailers."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

Gifford Pinchot NF Mt Adams Ranger District, CARSON, WA 98610, USA

Panther Creek Campground

Gifford Pinchot NF Mt Adams Ranger District, CARSON, WA 98610, USA

Nearby places

Carson (12 miles north, approximately 15 minutes), Hood River (approximately 30 minutes southwest).

Nearby supplies

Carson, WA offers groceries, fuel, restaurants, and supplies such as camping equipment. "Wind River Market has camping supplies and Dollar General provides basic necessities." Hood River also includes laundromats and specialized stores.

Driving directionsFrom 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.

Access is via a narrow one-lane road for approximately 2 miles before reaching the campground. "There are small areas on that road where one can pull to the side but the space is very limited." User reviews mention difficulty for trailers over 15 feet, with tight corners and limited passing space.

Best Time to Camp at Panther Creek Campground

May through September brings the most reliable conditions. July and August hit 70-83°F during the day with mornings around 55-60°F, ideal for hiking and creek access. Late summer can bring wildfire smoke or restrictions depending on the year. Winter access varies, but snow typically closes trails and limits facilities outside the main season. Reviews mention the comfortable lack of humidity, even on warm afternoons.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

5.0 / 5

Top 23% in WA

Peak season May–Sep; summer highly praised for creek access, swimming holes and hiking.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: May 23rd, 2025 to September 20th, 2025.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open from May 23rd, 2025 to September 20th, 2025. First-come, first-served period from June 20th, 2025 to June 24th, 2025.
Current Alerts: Seasonal fire bans or road closures may affect usability.

About Panther Creek Campground

Panther Creek Campground sits at 1,200 feet in Gifford Pinchot National Forest's Mount Adams Ranger District, offering 33 back-in sites where the Pacific Crest Trail crosses through camp. Sites run $25-45 per night and include vault toilets, potable water, fire rings, and picnic tables. Higher-numbered sites sit closer to Panther Creek itself.

Panther Creek Campground offers various camping options including tent camping, RV camping, and group sites. Premium sites close to the creek provide added amenities such as picnic tables and grill-equipped fire pits.

Weather and SeasonsMay through September brings the most reliable conditions. July and August hit 70-83°F during the day with mornings around 55-60°F, ideal for hiking and creek access. Late summer can bring wildfire smoke or restrictions depending on the year. Winter access varies, but snow typically closes trails and limits facilities outside the main season. Reviews mention the comfortable lack of humidity, even on warm afternoons.

ElevationPerched at 1,200 feet above sea level, Panther Creek Campground occupies a sweet spot in the Cascade foothills. This goldilocks elevation creates an enchanting microclimate where mild temperatures nurture a verdant paradise of ferns, mosses, and wildflowers. It's high enough to escape the valley heat, yet low enough to maintain the lush, rainforest-like atmosphere that makes the Pacific Northwest so magical.

Natural Features and SceneryMature cedars, Douglas firs, alders, and ash create a layered canopy over the campground, with ferns, huckleberries, and moss-draped maples forming natural privacy screens between sites. Panther Creek runs alongside the upper-numbered sites, popular for swimming and cooling off in summer. Beyond camp, the Mount Adams Ranger District delivers old-growth forest, alpine lakes, and meadows that shift from lowland green to wildflower displays at higher elevations. The understory stays lush year-round, though fall brings color to the maple groves.

Geological RegionPanther Creek Campground sits within the spectacular Gifford Pinchot National Forest in southwest Washington's Mount Adams Ranger District—a geological wonderland where fire and ice have sculpted the landscape for millennia. This remarkable region showcases nature's full portfolio: ancient old-growth forests that predate European settlement, crystalline lakes born from glacial tears, wetlands that serve as nurseries for countless species, and meadows that transform with elevation from verdant lowland gardens to alpine wildflower galleries. It's a living museum of Pacific Northwest geology and ecology.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Check-in

Check-in time is 2 PM.

Check-out

Check-out time is 12 PM.

Stay Limit

Maximum stay limit is 14 nights.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Maximum 8 guests permitted per site.

Groups

Group sites are spacious and can accommodate multiple tents and vehicles. One user mentioned a double site fitting five vehicles, five tents, and having two picnic tables.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Site layoutThirty-three back-in sites with parking spurs from 20 to 40 feet. Double sites accommodate larger groups or trailers. Spacing between sites is generous, buffered by mature vegetation. Some reviewers noted trash left in fire pits and occasional maintenance lapses in vault toilets, though hosts generally keep things clean.

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made through Recreation.gov.

Walk-in AvailabilityAvailable during the first-come, first-served period from June 20th to June 24th annually. Walk-up sites generally fill quickly during holiday weekends.

Cancellation PolicyCancellations incur a $10.00 fee if made at least 2 days prior to the reservation start date. Late cancellations will forfeit the first night's fees. No-shows are assessed a $20.00 fee and forfeit the first night's fees. Refund requests must be submitted within 7 days after the reservation end date.

AccessibilityAccessible campsites are available, as noted in the authoritative sources.

Site SizeThe campground has 33 back-in sites, with parking spurs varying from 20 to 40 feet in length. Double sites are spacious and can accommodate larger groups or trailers.

PrivacySites are generally well-spaced and private, buffered by mature vegetation including cedars, ash, firs, and alders.

Total Campsites33 campsites

Recommended SitesAvoid site 10 due to no shade; site 25 highly recommended for proximity to creek and spacious layout.

Need help booking Panther Creek Campground?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

Recreation.gov Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

Free alerts for this campground

Amenities available

Potable water

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Firewood available

Vault toilets

Group Sites

Activities you can enjoy

Panther Creek Campground provides a wide range of recreational opportunities for nature enthusiasts and families. Highlights include access to the Pacific Crest Trail, proximity to Panther Creek Falls, and opportunities for creek wading and wildlife observation.

Hiking

Fishing

Swimming

Wildlife viewing

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Policies & Safety

Hazards & Alerts"Bear prints near trails" were reported by a visitor. The narrow gravel road poses driving challenges, especially for trailers above 15 feet in length.

Active AlertsSeasonal fire bans or road closures may affect usability.

Fire PolicyFires are restricted to designated pits and may be banned during droughts.

Quiet HoursQuiet hours are Nighttime quiet hours are enforced.

Emergency ServicesClosest emergency services are located in Carson, WA, including police stations and medical facilities.

Trash & RecyclingTrash cans are provided but are limited to the entrance area. Recycling facilities are not mentioned. User reviews suggest more bins near bathrooms or campsites would be ideal.

Water FeaturesPanther Creek runs adjacent to several campsites. Panther Creek Falls is located 4.7 miles upstream, accessible via FR65.

Camp HostHosts are described as "friendly and helpful," with some going "extra miles" for cleanliness and service.

Weather at Panther 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

4.5

244 reviews

Recommended

Panther Creek Campground is recommended, placing it in the top 40% of campgrounds based on reviews

Overall, Panther Creek Campground receives highly positive reviews, with an average sentiment of 4.53 across all reviews. Common praises include the lush natural environment, privacy between sites, and proximity to hiking trails and waterfalls. Issues raised by users include occasional maintenance lapses in restrooms and accessibility challenges for larger trailers.

Review Summaries

Based on 244 reviews

What Campers Love

Clean and spacious sites, access to Panther Creek and hiking trails, helpful hosts, and well-maintained vault toilets.

Based on 244 reviews

Common Concerns

Maintenance issues such as dirty bathrooms and silty water from pumps. Narrow and challenging roads for trailers, and some users reported noisy neighbors.

Based on 244 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

"Bring earplugs for weekend stays to avoid disturbance from noisy campers." "Select higher-numbered sites closer to the creek for more privacy." "Plan ahead for large trailers to avoid difficulties...

Based on 244 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Summer months are highly praised for creek access and hiking opportunities. Early fall offers fewer bugs and vibrant foliage. Winters and early spring are not ideal due to campground closure.

Based on 244 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Great campground with large sites—quiet, private, and scenic." "The camp host was accommodating, and the vault toilets were clean." "Panther Creek provides swimming holes that are cold but...

Based on 244 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Site 23: Ideal for large groups; fits five vehicles and five tents. Site 24: Highly recommended for proximity to the creek and privacy. Site 10: Avoid due to lack of shade unless you bring canopies.

Based on 244 reviews