Gifford Pinchot National Forest

Recreation

Camping in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest

Takhlakh Lake, (pronounced Taklak) with Mt. Adams in the background.

There is nothing quite like spending an evening away from home in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Whether you seek the solitude of a backcountry camping site or a convenient place for you and your family to pitch a tent or park an RV, there are plenty of places to camp.

Campsite fees, visitation fees and seasonal restrictions vary from site to site. In some cases, campsites can be reserved in advance.

Practice Good Stewardship of Your National Forest

2008 Gifford Pinchot National Forest Campground guide (Adobe Acrobat PDF format - 663 kb)

A general map of the Gifford Pinchot campgrounds is available as a downloadable file.  (Adobe Acrobat PDF format - 597kb)

You can help to take good care of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest so that others may enjoy it for years to come by practicing some of the following actions:

• Don't Litter... take along a trash bag or other receptacle for collecting your trash so that you can deposit it in the proper trash receptacle.
• Make sure that you are using the correct type of camping equipment permitted in that area. Check with your destination ahead of time for seasonal fire or campstove restrictions that may be in place.
• Don't camp in areas where you are not permitted. These areas have been declared "off limits" to campers to protect wildlife, vegetation, or for your safety.
• Check with a local Forest District office to see what precautions need to be taken in regard to storing food away from wildlife.
• Do not feed the local wildlife.
• Take precautions against camping in an area that may be dangerous in the case of sudden flash floods.
• Check with local Forest Rangers to find a safe and legal camping area.
• Remember to take along non-perishable food that won't make you ill if it spoils.
• Be courteous and remember that you are sharing the Gifford Pinchot National Forest with other campers and recreationists.
• Do not camp on unauthorized areas.
• Bring along extra safety items such as water, flashlights, maps, and a cellphone or radio.

A general map of Horsecamp locations is available as a downloadable file.  (Adobe Acrobat PDF format - 334kb)