Paradise Creek campground

Campground · Washington · 41 bookable sites ·

Managed by the USDA Forest Service

Gifford Pinchot National Forest (NF) · Open Access

41
Bookable sites
40 ft
Max rig length
up to 12
People per site
1,553 ft
Elevation
Paradise Creek campground
Photo: USFS · Recreation.gov

Overview


Paradise Creek sits at the confluence of Paradise Creek and the Wind River, nestled under an old-growth forest of cedars, firs, alder and maples. The sites by the river enjoy privacy from an abundance of lush undergrowth, while the other sites have a more open and spacious feel. The campground's remote location is ideal for campers seeking a quiet and relaxed environment.

Recreation

The Wind River provides excellent fishing, with a population of steelhead and Chinook salmon. Check state regulations for open season and boundries. Wading is permitted in Paradise Creek. Fishing is not permitted in the campground.


Seasonal berry picking is a popular pastime and for visitors interested in hiking, there is access to the Lava Butte Trail 200 from the campground.

Facilities

The campground consists of 42 back-in sites with paved parking spurs that vary from 20 to 40 feet in length. The Premium Sites are adjacent to the Wind River.

Each site has a picnic table and fire ring. An on-site hand pump offers drinking water, and vault toilets are 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.

Paradise 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 large variety 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 (360) 729-0018 for general information.

Nearby Attractions

Paradise Creek is an ideal base for exploring the different viewpoints around Mount St. Helens and Mt Adams. The nearest town is Carson, WA.

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
  • 41 bookable sites
  • 42 sites in total, including non-bookable
  • Vehicles up to 40 ft
  • Up to 12 people per site
  • Loops: AREA PARADISE CREEK

Site types

  • 41 Standard Nonelectric
  • 1 Management

Amenities

  • Campfires allowed
  • Fire pits
  • Picnic tables
  • Shade
  • Pets allowed
  • Water hookups — not available
  • Sewer hookups — not available

Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, grills.

Book on Recreation.gov

42 campsites at Paradise Creek campground

Check-in 2:00 PM · Check-out 12:00 PM

SiteLoopTypeEntrySurfaceGradeMax rigPeople
001AREA PARADISE CREEKStandard NonelectricBack InPaved—30 ft6 🐾
002AREA PARADISE CREEKStandard NonelectricBack InPaved—40 ft6 🐾
003AREA PARADISE CREEKStandard NonelectricBack InPaved—30 ft6 🐾
004AREA PARADISE CREEKStandard NonelectricBack InPaved—40 ft6 🐾
005AREA PARADISE CREEKStandard NonelectricBack InPaved—40 ft6 🐾
006AREA PARADISE CREEKStandard NonelectricBack InPaved—40 ft6 🐾
007AREA PARADISE CREEKStandard NonelectricBack InPaved—40 ft6 🐾
008AREA PARADISE CREEKStandard NonelectricBack InPaved—40 ft6 🐾
009AREA PARADISE CREEKStandard NonelectricBack InPaved—40 ft6 🐾
010AREA PARADISE CREEKStandard NonelectricBack InPaved—40 ft6 🐾
011AREA PARADISE CREEKStandard NonelectricBack InPaved—30 ft6 🐾
012AREA PARADISE CREEKStandard NonelectricBack InPaved—30 ft6 🐾
013AREA PARADISE CREEKStandard NonelectricBack InPaved—40 ft6 🐾
014AREA PARADISE CREEKStandard NonelectricBack InPaved—40 ft12 🐾
015AREA PARADISE CREEKStandard NonelectricBack InPaved—40 ft6 🐾
016AREA PARADISE CREEKStandard NonelectricBack InPaved—40 ft6 🐾
017AREA PARADISE CREEKStandard NonelectricBack InPavedSlight15 ft6 🐾
018AREA PARADISE CREEKStandard NonelectricBack InPaved—40 ft6 🐾
019AREA PARADISE CREEKStandard NonelectricBack InPaved—40 ft6 🐾
020AREA PARADISE CREEKStandard NonelectricBack InPaved—40 ft12 🐾
021AREA PARADISE CREEKStandard NonelectricBack InPaved—40 ft6 🐾
022AREA PARADISE CREEKStandard NonelectricBack InPaved—20 ft6 🐾
023AREA PARADISE CREEKStandard NonelectricBack InPaved—40 ft6 🐾
024AREA PARADISE CREEKStandard NonelectricBack InPaved—40 ft6 🐾
025AREA PARADISE CREEKStandard NonelectricBack InPaved—40 ft6 🐾
026AREA PARADISE CREEKStandard NonelectricBack InPaved—40 ft6 🐾
027AREA PARADISE CREEKStandard NonelectricBack InPaved—40 ft12 🐾
028AREA PARADISE CREEKStandard NonelectricBack InPaved—40 ft12 🐾
029AREA PARADISE CREEKStandard NonelectricBack InPaved—40 ft6 🐾
030AREA PARADISE CREEKStandard NonelectricBack InPaved—40 ft12 🐾
031AREA PARADISE CREEKStandard NonelectricBack InPaved—30 ft6 🐾
032AREA PARADISE CREEKStandard NonelectricBack InPaved—40 ft6 🐾
033AREA PARADISE CREEKStandard NonelectricBack InPaved—30 ft6 🐾
034AREA PARADISE CREEKStandard NonelectricBack InPaved—40 ft6 🐾
035AREA PARADISE CREEKStandard NonelectricBack InPaved—40 ft12 🐾
036AREA PARADISE CREEKStandard NonelectricBack InPaved—40 ft6 🐾
037AREA PARADISE CREEKStandard NonelectricBack InPaved—40 ft6 🐾
038AREA PARADISE CREEKStandard NonelectricBack InPaved—30 ft6 🐾
039AREA PARADISE CREEKStandard NonelectricBack InPaved—40 ft6 🐾
040AREA PARADISE CREEKStandard NonelectricBack InPaved—40 ft6 🐾
041AREA PARADISE CREEKManagementBack InPaved—30 ft6 🐾
042AREA PARADISE CREEKStandard NonelectricBack InPaved—40 ft6 🐾

Getting there

Take Highway 14 to Carson. From Carson, travel about 19 miles northwest on Wind River Highway. The campground is between mile post 20 and 21.

45.95000, -121.93667 · 45°57'0.0"N 121°56'12.0"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, 5.9 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 Paradise Creek campground

Can you reserve a site at Paradise Creek campground?
Yes, Paradise Creek campground is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Paradise Creek campground have?
42 sites in total, of which 41 can be booked.
What is the maximum RV length at Paradise 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 Paradise Creek campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Paradise Creek campground.
Does Paradise Creek campground have hookups?
No hookups are recorded here.
Are campfires allowed at Paradise Creek campground?
Campfires are allowed at Paradise Creek campground. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Also listed by

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

USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026

  • Camping : Reservations stasrt on May 24th, 2024 Single Site/$25
  • Multi-Site/$45
  • Extra Vehicle :$8

Restrictions:

  • Maximum vehicle length is 25 feet.

USDA Forest Service's own page

Camping near Paradise 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.