A gray 4x4 Sprinter with a roof rack on a two-track through a wildflower meadow, cloud sitting on the mountains behind.

Forest Service campground

Paradise Creek campground

Forest Service campground in Gifford Pinchot National Forest, Skamania County, Washington. 1,553 feet. 17.7 miles from Stevenson.

Managed by
Forest Service Gifford Pinchot National Forest
Elevation
1,553 ft USGS elevation model, at the mapped point
Sites
41 41 standard non-electric
Longest rig
40 ft The longest vehicle any site is listed for
Hookups
None listed
Reservations
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.

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.

The description, directions and fees are the Forest Service’s own words, from its record on Recreation.gov.

What people do here

  • camping
  • fishing
  • hiking
  • hunting

The land around Paradise Creek campground

The ringed pin is this campground; the others are its nearest neighbours. Switch on forest roads or BLM routes to see the way in.

Interactive map. Drag to pan, scroll or pinch to zoom, and select any point to see which agency manages the land. Arrow keys pan and the plus and minus keys zoom when the map has focus. A list of every state with its share of federal land is on the Explore page.

Map layers

Layers
Base map
Legend

Federal land, by managing agency

  • Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
  • US Forest Service (USFS)
  • National Park Service (NPS)
  • US Fish and Wildlife (USFW)
  • Bureau of Reclamation (USBR)
  • Department Of Defense (DOD)
  • Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
  • Other Federal
  • State
  • Local
  • Alaska Native Lands (Patented or Interim Conveyed)
  • Alaska Native Allotment

Federal campgrounds, by agency

  • Forest Service
  • Bureau of Land Management
  • National Park Service
  • Army Corps of Engineers
  • Reclamation, Fish and Wildlife and others

State and local land (USGS PAD-US)

  • State land
  • County and city land
  • Regional agency or district
  • Land trust or conservancy

Gaps with no tint inside public land are private parcels, often old mining claims and homesteads. They are not open to the public.

Dashed clay lines on the base map are unpaved tracks from OpenStreetMap. They show what exists on the ground, not what is legal to drive.

Select any point to see who manages the land.

Boundaries are approximate and land status changes. This map is a planning aid, not a survey or a statement of access. Confirm routes, closures and camping rules with the managing office.

Source: Recreation Information Database (Recreation.gov), record updated February 25, 2026. Elevation from the USGS 3D Elevation Program. Seasons, fees, water and fire rules change; the managing office has the final word.