Atkisson Group camp

Show on map541-338-7869
Gifford Pinchot NF Mt Adams Ranger District
CARSON, WA 98610

Overview

Sitting just west of Washington's second largest mountain, Mt. Adams, Atkisson Group Camp is open for campers between May and September and becomes a sno-park for a variety of activities in winter. The flat, forested terrain makes Atkisson a popular spot for hikers, mountain bikers and winter sports enthusiasts.

Recreation

The flat terrain surrounding Atkisson is ideal for biking and hiking during the warmer months. Huckleberry and mushroom picking is permitted, and Nordic skiing and and snowmobiling are popular during the winter.

Facilities

This group site is a large paved area with plenty of room for RVs. There is a covered, common picnic building in the center. Atkisson will accommodate up to 50 people and offers 99 feet of paved driveway.



In winter, this area serves as Atkisson sno-park, with a covered warming shed a large wood burning stove.



Campers must bring drinking water, but vault toilets, a fire ring & picnic table are available.

Natural Features

Located in southwest Washington State, the Gifford Pinchot National Forest encompasses over 1.3 million acres, including the 110,000-acre Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument established by Congress in 1982.

Atkisson is located in the Mount Adams Ranger District in the easternmost portion of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. This Ranger District comprises 367,000 acres and includes Mt Adams Wilderness, Indian Heaven Wilderness and Trapper Creek Wilderness.

Mt Adams, a potentially active stratovolcano and the second-tallest mountain in Washington state, is a prominent landmark of the 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 District also features a great diversity of habitats, from old growth to second growth forest, wetland areas, low and high elevation meadows and lakes, as well as glaciers.

Contact Info

This location has limited staffing. Please call (509) 427-3677 for general information.

Nearby Attractions

Atkisson is a great base for exploring the region further, including the abundance of activities and sights around Mount Adams. The nearby town of Trout Lake offers restaurants and shopping.

Charges & Cancellations

Group Sites

Group Facility (including Cabins and Lookouts): A visitor who cancels a group overnight facility reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee.

No-Shows

A no-show visitor is one who does not arrive at a campground and does not cancel the reservation by check-out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date. Staff will hold a campsite until check-out time on the day following the arrival date.

No-shows are assessed $20.00 service fee and forfeit the first night's rate, taxes and applicable add-on for a campsite.  

Refunds

Visitors may submit a refund request through their Recreation.gov profile within 7 days of the end date of their reservation. Refunds will not be issued after the 7 days has ended.

Refunds for debit or credit card payments will be issued as a credit to the original bank or credit card used to pay.

For check or cash purchases, Recreation.gov will mail a Treasury check for refunds of cash, check, or money order payments to the address associated with the reservation. Treasury check refunds may take up to 6-8 weeks to arrive. 

In the event of an emergency closure, the Recreation.gov team or facility manager will refund all fees and will attempt to notify you using the contact information within the Recreation.gov visitor profile.

Camp site features

Across 1 camp site:

  • Fire pit: all 1 sites
  • Picnic table: all 1 sites
  • Pets allowed: all 1 sites
  • Group sites: all 1 sites
  • Longest RV: 99 ft
  • Largest party: 50 people

Directions

From I-5 at Vancouver, take Highway 14 east for 66 miles and continue on Highway 141 north for 15 miles to Forest Service Road 2400 (5 miles south of the town of Trout Lake). Turn northwest and head 3.5 miles to the Group Camp.

Stay Limit

Check in from 2 PM, check out by 12 PM.

Reviews

12 reviews
5 stars
8
4 stars
2
1 stars
2
Jennifer O
Loop:Area Atkisson
Site:
Reviewed 2 months ago
We liked how there were trails leaving right from the campground and really enjoyed the ice cave and the natural bridges. The campground was very quiet and the shelter came in handy when it rained most of one day.
Mary M
Loop:Area Atkisson
Site:
Reviewed 3 months ago
Nice camp out the kids loved riding bikes and hiking to the ice caves. The only draw back is no water and we have a problem with strangers driving through our camp. All in all loads of fun.
Marc M
Loop:Area Atkisson
Site:
Reviewed a year ago
Ive never ever camped there, don't know why I'm being asked.
Katherine G
Loop:Area Atkisson
Site:
Reviewed a year ago
Our stay was perfect.
Denis H
Loop:Area Atkisson
Site:
Reviewed 3 years ago
Good campground for groups. No water at the campground though.
Mary M
Loop:Area Atkisson
Site:
Reviewed 4 years ago
Campground was clean. Lots of room for our big family.
Availability

See the Camp Sites section below to find detailed booking availability.

Reserve

Season dates

Peak season

May 28, 2027 – Sep 18, 2027

Reservable online

Peak season

May 28, 2028 – Sep 18, 2028

Reservable online

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