National Forest
~5 hr from Seattle
Lower Falls Campground
Premier Lewis River campground in Gifford Pinchot with 43 sites and direct access to three stunning waterfalls on a short trail.
Premier Lewis River campground in Gifford Pinchot with 43 sites and direct access to three stunning waterfalls on a short trail.
Lower Falls Campground on the Lewis River is one of Gifford Pinchot National Forest's most scenic campgrounds, sitting steps from Lower Lewis River Falls. Pull-through sites accommodate rigs up to 60 feet on paved pads. A short 3-mile trail connects three major waterfalls — Lower Falls, Middle Falls, and Upper Falls — making this a spectacular base for waterfall exploration. Flush toilets and drinking water are available. The Lewis River offers steelhead and trout fishing, and the area is close to Mount St. Helens for day trips.
Lower Falls Campground sits at the base of a spectacular series of Lewis River waterfalls in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest — Lower, Middle, and Upper Falls cascade through ancient basalt canyon walls within a 3-mile trail connecting all three drops. The Lewis River watershed drains the southern flanks of Mount St. Helens and the northern approaches to Mount Adams, and the river corridor supports wild steelhead and coho salmon runs that still draw tribal and sport fishermen to the canyon's deep pools. The surrounding Gifford Pinchot National Forest encompasses over one million acres of Cascade landscape between Mount Rainier and the Columbia River, including remarkable post-eruption recovery forest and intact old-growth stands in the Dark Divide roadless area.
Practical guidance assembled from current operator maps, park pages, and clearly identified community observations.
The namesake Lower Lewis River Falls is a short walk from camp — one of WA's most accessible beautiful waterfalls. Sites near the river (1–20) are the most popular. Loop B has fuller hookup sites for longer stays. Base camp for all three Lewis River Falls hikes (Lower, Middle, Upper) — doable in a single day. Book early for summer as this fills fast with waterfall seekers.
| 📍 Nearest Town | Cougar, WA |
| ⛽ Gas Station | 20 mi |
| 🛒 Grocery Store | 20 mi |
| 🏪 Costco | 65 mi |
| ☕ Starbucks | 50 mi |
| 🏕️ Nearest State Park | 35 mi |
Stock up in Cougar, WA before heading out — services get limited near the campground.
Ready to book?
Reserving 6 months in advance. Confirm current rules, site dimensions, and conditions with the operator. Booking and availability are handled externally.