HERE’S TO TRAILS, TALES, AND ADVENTURE!
From coast to coast, the National Wildlife Federation’s Great American Campout has attracted happy campers of all stripes for over twenty years! Whether it’s camping at a national park or in your own backyard, amazing things happen when we spend time in nature. It benefits our health, well-being, and makes us appreciate the need to preserve it for generations to come.
Different Ways to Camp:
Tent Camping: The traditional method, ranging from large family tents in designated spots to ultralight backpacking tents.
RV/Campervan Camping: Provides home-like comforts, including beds, kitchens, and electricity, making it ideal for longer trips.
Backcountry/Backpacking: Involves hiking into remote, undeveloped areas, carrying all necessary gear.
Glamping: "Glamorous camping" in fully furnished tents, yurts, or cabins, offering luxury in nature.
Hammock Camping: Uses a hammock with a tarp and bug net for a lightweight, off-the-ground, and immersive experience.
Car/Truck Bed Camping: Sleeping inside a vehicle or under a truck topper, offering quick setup and protection from elements.
Dispersed/Boondocking: Free, primitive camping on public lands (such as BLM land) outside of developed campgrounds.
Bivvy Sack Camping: Minimalist shelter, essentially a waterproof cover for a sleeping bag, perfect for fast, light alpine trips.
Treehouse/Cabin Camping: A fixed-structure, rustic experience that provides more security and comfort than a tent.
Bicycle/Kayak Touring: Camping while touring, where your transportation method carries your gear
Camp local with these ideas for camp sites. Most require and/or support reservations to ensure you have a spot:
Southwest Washington offers several Washington State Park campgrounds featuring forested sites, lake access, and proximity to Mount St. Helens. Key parks include Battle Ground Lake (hiking/equestrian), Seaquest (near Mt. St. Helens), Rainbow Falls (river access), and Beacon Rock in the Columbia River Gorge.
Key Southwest Washington State Park Campgrounds
Battle Ground Lake State Park (Battle Ground): Features50+ tent and utility sites in a forested setting near a spring-fed lake.
Seaquest State Park (Castle Rock): Located near Mt. St. Helens, offering 52 tent sites, full utility hookups, and yurts.
Beacon Rock State Park (Skamania): Offers over 4,000 acres of, featuring primitive and standard sites in the Columbia River Gorge.
Rainbow Falls State Park (Chehalis): Features over 40 campsites, offering fishing, hiking, and swimming along the Chehalis River.
Cape Disappointment State Park (Ilwaco): A popular coastal park with campsites, yurts, and cabins near the mouth of the Columbia River.
Other Camping Options
Kanaskat-Palmer State Park (Ravensdale): Offers camping along the Green River.
Lewis and Clark State Park (Winlock): Offers campsites in an old-growth forest setting.
