Panther Creek campground

Campground · Washington · 33 bookable sites ·

Managed by the USDA Forest Service

Gifford Pinchot National Forest (NF) · Open Access

33
Bookable sites
40 ft
Max rig length
up to 12
People per site
1
Accessible site
940 ft
Elevation
Panther Creek
Photo: Gifford Pinchot National Forest · Recreation.gov

Overview

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.

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.


Facilities

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.

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.

Contact Info

This location has limited staffing. Please call (509) 427-3677 for general information.

Nearby Attractions

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.

Charges & 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

Visitors may submit a refund request through their Recreation.gov profile within 7 days of the end date of their reservation. 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.

For check or cash purchases, Recreation.gov will mail a Treasury check for refunds of cash, check, or money order payments to the address associated with the reservation. Treasury check refunds may take up to 6-8 weeks to arrive. 

In the event of an emergency closure, the Recreation.gov team or facility manager will refund all fees and will attempt to notify you using the contact information within the Recreation.gov visitor profile.

The facts

  • Season: 05/17/2024 – 09/22/2024 — USDA Forest Service, Aug 24, 2026
  • 33 bookable sites
  • 1 accessible site
  • Vehicles up to 40 ft
  • Up to 12 people per site
  • Loops: AREA PANTHER CREEK

Site types

  • 33 Standard Nonelectric

Amenities

  • Campfires allowed
  • Fire pits
  • Picnic tables
  • Shade
  • Pets allowed

Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups, grills.

Book on Recreation.gov

33 campsites at Panther Creek campground

Check-in 2:00 PM · Check-out 12:00 PM

SiteLoopTypeEntrySurfaceGradeMax rigPeople
01AREA PANTHER CREEKStandard NonelectricBack InGravel—30 ft6 🐾
02AREA PANTHER CREEKStandard NonelectricBack InGravel—30 ft6 🐾
03AREA PANTHER CREEKStandard NonelectricBack InGravel—40 ft6 🐾
04AREA PANTHER CREEKStandard NonelectricBack InGravel—40 ft6 🐾
05AREA PANTHER CREEKStandard NonelectricBack InGravel—35 ft12 🐾
06AREA PANTHER CREEKStandard NonelectricBack InGravel—40 ft6 🐾
07AREA PANTHER CREEKStandard NonelectricBack InGravel—30 ft6 🐾
08AREA PANTHER CREEKStandard NonelectricBack InGravel—40 ft6 🐾
09AREA PANTHER CREEKStandard NonelectricBack InGravel—35 ft12 🐾
10AREA PANTHER CREEKStandard NonelectricBack InGravelSlight30 ft6 🐾
11AREA PANTHER CREEKStandard NonelectricBack InGravel—30 ft6 🐾
12AREA PANTHER CREEKStandard NonelectricBack InGravel—20 ft6 🐾
13AREA PANTHER CREEKStandard NonelectricBack InGravel—20 ft6 🐾
14AREA PANTHER CREEKStandard NonelectricBack InGravel—20 ft6 🐾
15AREA PANTHER CREEKStandard NonelectricBack InGravel—40 ft6 🐾
16AREA PANTHER CREEKStandard NonelectricBack InGravelSlight30 ft6 🐾
17AREA PANTHER CREEKStandard NonelectricBack InGravel—20 ft6 🐾
18AREA PANTHER CREEKStandard NonelectricBack InGravel—35 ft12 🐾
19AREA PANTHER CREEKStandard NonelectricBack InGravel—30 ft6♿ 🐾
20AREA PANTHER CREEKStandard NonelectricBack InGravel—30 ft6 🐾
21AREA PANTHER CREEKStandard NonelectricBack InGravel—30 ft6 🐾
22AREA PANTHER CREEKStandard NonelectricBack InGravel—30 ft6 🐾
23AREA PANTHER CREEKStandard NonelectricBack InGravel—35 ft12 🐾
24AREA PANTHER CREEKStandard NonelectricBack InGravel—30 ft6 🐾
25AREA PANTHER CREEKStandard NonelectricBack InGravel—30 ft6 🐾
26AREA PANTHER CREEKStandard NonelectricBack InGravel—35 ft12 🐾
27AREA PANTHER CREEKStandard NonelectricBack InGravel—35 ft12 🐾
28AREA PANTHER CREEKStandard NonelectricBack InGravel—30 ft6 🐾
29AREA PANTHER CREEKStandard NonelectricBack InGravel—30 ft6 🐾
30AREA PANTHER CREEKStandard NonelectricBack InGravel—30 ft6 🐾
31AREA PANTHER CREEKStandard NonelectricBack InGravel—20 ft6 🐾
32AREA PANTHER CREEKStandard NonelectricBack InGravel—30 ft6 🐾
33AREA PANTHER CREEKStandard NonelectricBack InGravel—20 ft6 🐾

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.

45.81972, -121.87972 · 45°49'11.0"N 121°52'47.0"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 82°F in Aug, down to 38°F in Dec.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F384350576672818274604638
Low °F292931354146494944383329
Precip in14.511.39.86.13.32.20.50.82.88.113.815.8

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 5.6 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Fees and stay limits

Extra Vehicle Fee $8.00

From Recreation.gov, which is not always current. The operator's own page is the authority on what you will be charged.

More photos

Member photos

Common questions about Panther Creek campground

Can you reserve a site at Panther Creek campground?
Yes, Panther Creek campground is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Panther Creek campground have?
33 sites.
What is the maximum RV length at Panther Creek campground?
40 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
Are pets allowed at Panther Creek campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Panther Creek campground.
Are campfires allowed at Panther Creek campground?
Campfires are allowed at Panther Creek campground. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Also listed by

Panther Creek campground also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Panther Creek campground's operator.

USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026

  • Camping : Reservations start on May 24th, 2024 Single Site/$25
  • Double Site/$45
  • Extra Vehicle :$8

Restrictions:

  • Maximum vehicle length is 25 feet.

USDA Forest Service's own page

Camping near Panther Creek campground

Comments

Contact

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.

Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.