Big Creek
Closed — Closed for the season. The campground operates mid-May through mid-September. Facilities are closed but walk-in use is allowed. Reservations available through Recreation.gov.
Alcohol Prohibitions
This Order describes acts that are prohibited upon lands, roads and trails within the National Forest System administered by the Forest Service Pacific Northwest Region in regards to alcoholic beverages.
Aquatic Invasive Species
This Order prohibits 1) possessing, storing, or transporting any aquatic invasive animal species AND 2) prohibits possessing, storing, or transporting any aquatic or riparian invasive plant species - on National Forest System lands in the Pacific Northwest Region as specified in the Order.
Restrictions on Use of Forage and Mulch Products
This Order prohibits unloading, storing, or using any straw, hay, grain, seed, or other forage or mulch products that are not state-certified weed free on the National Forest System lands, roads or trails in any Closure Area as specific in the Order.
Forest Roads Closed Due to Rain Event
The past few days has shown heavy rainfall as an atmospheric river moved into the Northern Cascade Region bringing 16+ inches of rain to the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.
Forest Service Road 6808 Emergency Closure
The Gifford Pinchot National Forest issued an emergency closure of Forest Service Road 6808 from mile marker 3.9 to mile marker 4.2 due to a sinkhole that has developed in the travel way. Closure timeframe is currently unknown, and travel will resume when roads are repaired.
Rd 2810-041 Yellowjacket Bridge Road Closure
Rd 2810-041 will close Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025, and will remain closed until mid-November for redriving piles at Yellowjacket.
Winter Road Closures
Due to large amounts of snowfall the gates along the fallowing roads will be closed for the winter season. This routine seasonal gate closure is important for public safety as these roads are not maintained and become hazardous in the winter.
Washout on Forest Road 93
Forest Road 93 is closed at milepost 6.95 due to a severe washout. Road signs are posted at the beginning of each side of FR 93 to alert drivers of the inability to drive the entire length of road.
Upper State Route 504 closed at milepost 45.2 due to large slide
Closure: Upper State Route 504/Spirit Lake Memorial Highway is closed between mileposts (MP) 45.2 and 51 until further notice with a possible re-opening date sometime in 2026. Johnston Ridge Observatory and Loowit Viewpoint is inaccessible by vehicle
Adams Fork Bridge Closed (FR 5601)
The Adams Fork Bridge on FR 5601 at MP 2.0 on the Cowlitz Valley Ranger District is CLOSED.
Forest Road 2801 Closure
Forest Road 2801 is closed on both ends of the road due to a washout at milepost 0.25 and a large slide at milepost 7.
About
Situated in the vicinity of majestic Mount Rainier, Big Creek is a family campground nestled among Douglas firs, hemlock, alders and maples in the Cowlitz Valley Ranger District of Gifford Pinchot National Forest. The campground features a single-loop design with 26 single sites and 3 double sites, with a handful of sites sitting along the banks of Big Creek where anglers can try their luck catching brook trout. The lush vegetation offers plenty of privacy between sites, creating an intimate camping experience. Located just 6 miles from the Nisqually entrance of Mount Rainier National Park, Big Creek provides an excellent alternative to the often-crowded campgrounds inside the park. The popular Henry M. Jackson Memorial Visitor Center at Paradise is 21 miles away. The Osborne Mountain Trail starts at the campground, offering a steep but scenic route that can be traversed by foot, horse, mountain bike or dirt bike. The campground is also close to Glacier View Wilderness and the Sawtooth Trail system, including the High Rock Lookout Trail. The nearby town of Ashford offers restaurants, art galleries and shops.
Directions
From Ashford, Washington travel east on State Highway 706 for approximately 2.5 miles and turn right onto Forest Road 52 (Kernahan Road). Follow Forest Road 52 for 1.9 miles and arrive at the campground on your right.
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | Yes |
| Fires Allowed | No |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $25 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | 20ft |
| Max Trailer Length | 20ft |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (661) 702-1420 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | Yes |
| T-Mobile | Yes |
Availability
Photos
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