Reservations possible?
Yes
RV Hookups
No
Potable water
Yes
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The North Fork Campground in Gifford Pinchot National Forest is situated alongside the North Fork of the Cispus River at it's confluence with the main Cispus River. This large campground has well spaced sites, access to hiking and recreation trails, a guard station that is still in use by Forest Service staff, and three large and secluded group campground sites. There are also 10 potable water stations that are evenly spaced throughout the campground, which is especially nice compared to most other campgrounds in the area that have no provisions for potable water whatsoever.

Separating the main campground from the group sites is a small bridge over the North Fork of the Cispus River. The three group campsites, Bear, Beaver, and Elk are available by reservation only and must be booked in advance. These sites are spaced far from one another under the canopy of old-growth. The road to access these sites is just down NF-23 from the entry to the main campground.

Note: North Fork Campground is open May 23 through September 15.  Click on the following links for group site reservations: Bear, Beaver, and Elk Group Camp.

Logistics + Planning

Preferable season(s)

Summer

Parking Pass

Not Required

Pros

Spacious campsites. Group Campground. Access to North Fork and Cispus Rivers.

Cons

Heavily shaded and often damp campsites.

Pets allowed

Allowed

Managed by

Hoodoo Recreation Services

Reservation phone number

1 (877) 444-6777

Features

Historically significant
Vault toilet
Potable water

Recommended Campsites Without Photos

2, 3, 7, 8, 10, 12, 26

Location

Nearby Adventures

Washington, Mt. Adams/Indian Heaven Wilderness/Goat Rocks
Mt. Adams/Indian Heaven Wilderness/Goat Rocks, Washington
Mt. Adams/Indian Heaven Wilderness/Goat Rocks, Washington

Nearby Lodging + Camping

Washington, Mt. Adams/Indian Heaven Wilderness/Goat Rocks
Mt. Adams/Indian Heaven Wilderness/Goat Rocks, Washington

Comments

08/29/2017
We stayed here over August 25-28 2017 in site number 7. It's a weird site since it's super small on top. However there's a path that goes down to the river and down there is another fire ring with lots of room for tents and trees for hammocks. It was great as we were right on the river!

Also if you go down to the river and look down into the water right by the tree there's a little treat we left for the next visitor!
09/05/2016
We stayed here over Labor Day weekend 2016. Overall the area is really nice. This is our second trip to the Randle, WA area. Our first stay was at Iron Creek Campground earlier this summer. There are many hiking trails nearby.

The campground is on FS Road 23 which was washed out in many areas and is closed at MP 12. The entrance to North Fork is at MP 11.5 so you are fine if you're coming from the north. About half of the 32 tent/car sites are closed. Of those that remain open, there are a few that are barely large enough for a tent and others that are very spacious and would accommodate large trailers.

We stayed in site 11. It is directly across from the restrooms and right along the corner. The site is very narrow, our 24' trailer fit with about a foot on either side of the paved pad. The slide out was unobstructed, however, the awning could not be fully extended due to a tree about 4' from the trailer. There is no place at this site for a tent unless it is set up on the paved pad. There is a picnic table and fire pit behind the pad with plenty of room for 4-6 camp chairs.

Being directly across from the restrooms, there is a lot of activity around you. There is little privacy at site 11.
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