Facility Details - North Fork Bear Group Camp, WA

Overview

Shaded by a dense canopy of pine, fir and cedar trees, North Fork Bear Group sits alongside the Cispus River in the North Fork Campground. Typically open from mid-May to late September, North Fork Bear Group is one of three popular group sites within the campground.

North Fork is situated between three of Washington's most impressive mountains; Mount St. Helens, Mt. Adams and Mt. Rainier. The variety of recreational activities and the diverse natural beauty draws many visitors to this area.

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.

North Fork is part of the Cowlitz Valley Ranger District, which is located in the northernmost portion of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.

This Ranger District manages four Wilderness Areas including the Goat Rocks, Glacier View, Tatoosh and William O. Douglass Wilderness. Nearby rivers include the Cowlitz River, Clear Fork of the Cowlitz and the Cispus River.

A variety of wildlife may be spotted in this area, including elk, deer and bears.

Recreation:

North Fork Bear Group makes a great base camp for a variety of activities. Hikers, mountain bikers and off-road vehicle riders can access the nearby multi-use Valley Trail. From this trail, riders can enjoy a network of over 50 miles of additional off-road vehicle trails.

The North Fork Loop trail is open to foot traffic and can also be accessed in this area.

Anglers can fish the Cispus River for brook trout, steelhead and salmon.

Facilities:

The group site will accommodate up to 25 people with tents and RVs. It's secluded with gated access.

Picnic tables, grills and drinking water are provided. There is a host on-site and firewood is available for sale.

Nearby Attractions:

Randle is the closest town to North Fork, and it offers access to the Windy Ridge Lookout at Mount St. Helens. Adventurous hikers who want to enjoy some spectacular views may be interested in the Tongue Mountain Trail, which reaches an elevation of 4,838 feet.

Activities and Amenities

Within Facility
Drinking Water Firewood Vendor Fishing Grills Group Camping Hiking Host	Mountain Biking Off-Road Vehicle Trails Pets Allowed Picnic Area Trash Collection Vault Toilets Visitor Center
Greater Than 10 Miles
Golf Hunting	Restaurant Shopping

Know Before You Go

Store food in bear-proof containers
Off-road vehicles not permitted within the campground
Click here for more information about Gifford Pinchot National Forest

Due to the spread of invasive insects, firewood from outside the area is not permitted. Help protect our forests by purchasing or collecting firewood at or near your camping destination and burning it on-site. Click here for more information.

Getting There:

GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude):
46.45083, -121.78778
46°27'3"N, 121°47'16"W

Take I-5 to Highway 12 east and continue for 50 miles to Randle. Turn south on Highway 25, then bear left at the Y onto Highway 23 and continue for 23 miles to campground.