Community Forums

WheelingOn · 07-22-2016, 04:10 PM

We're taking our first trip with our new Winnebago View (26ft) next month and are heading to Mount Saint Helens from the north. We're looking for a nice campsite/campground with a view. Full hookups would be nice so we ops check new rig but we'd consider a site with little to no hookups if the view was not to be missed.

Planning to overnight north of Spirit Lake Highway and drive to Mt. Saint Helens the next day. What campsites should we consider?

Thanks.

BRex45 · 07-22-2016, 04:57 PM

Mt. St. Helens, aka Loowit.

I live within an hours drive of the mountain. I am not aware of any campground that has a view of the mountain. There might be a campground or two on SR 504, Spirit Lake Highway, that have a view. It's funny but we haven't camped that close to home.

What's tough about visiting the mountain is the main road, WA SR 504, dead ends at the mountain between Coldwater Lake and Johnston Ridge, meaning it's 60 miles or so east of Interstate 5 and 60 or so miles back out. I would definitely recommend a visit though.

WheelingOn · 07-22-2016, 05:24 PM

Any kind of nice view / location is what we're looking for in the campsite, not expecting a view of Mount Saint Helens from camp.

Thanks.

Mr_D · 07-22-2016, 05:29 PM

We like Silver Cove RV Resort. Just off 504 about 9 miles from I-5. Have stayed there dozens of times.

BRex45 · 07-23-2016, 12:46 AM

Mr D has it right. If you have a toad you can drive East on 504 (the campground is on 504)
for another 50 miles or so. There are several visitor centers along
the way. Johnston Ridge VC was my
favorite.

beaverfever · 07-23-2016, 01:15 PM

since you said north side i am assuming you will probably be on wash 12.
it been a long time but you might check out shady firs in randle. it was fine for a overnight-er to visit the mountain.

twogypsies · 07-23-2016, 06:31 PM

Maple Grove Resort seems to be the best for the Hwy 12 area. It's a membership park - RPI/Coast to Coast but if not a member you'd just pay a higher price.

If you do any searching for this name, there are two named the same in Washington so make sure you're reading about the one near St. Helens/Mt. Rainier.

https://kmresorts.com/maple-grove/

We stayed at Iron Creek national forest campground down the road.

Both are an easy drive to Mt. St. Helen's Viewpoint on the east side of the volcano off Hwy 12. It's a beautiful view.

The other viewpoint from the west side is accessed via I-5.

WheelingOn · 07-23-2016, 10:35 PM

Thanks.

Day one we're driving down through Olympia on I-5. First stop will be camp. Next stop on the same day will be the nearby visitor centers.

Day two up to the north side overlook (Johnston Ridge), late afternoon down to another CG for some variety.

Day 3 back home.

Should give us a great idea of what we want to do or what needs to be addressed with our new coach. Some interstate, lots of varied driving, and a couple of campsites.