Govt. Mineral Springs Campground
Open — Open year-round on a first-come, first-served basis. No advance reservations accepted. Maximum 18-foot vehicle length. Campers must bring their own water.
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
Govt. Mineral Springs Campground occupies a unique historic site in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, where an old-growth conifer forest now surrounds the foundation of a once-popular mineral springs resort. Built in 1910 by S.D. Fox and the Star Brewing Company, the Government Mineral Springs resort featured bath houses, the Iron Mike Bubbling Springs, a dance pavilion, and elaborate gardens before burning down in 1935. The Civilian Conservation Corps developed the present campground in 1937, creating an unusual layout with tent sites arranged around the perimeter of the old hotel foundation. The campground provides a peaceful base for exploring the surrounding wilderness. Trapper Creek Wilderness is within walking distance, offering 6,050 acres of diverse habitat with cascading streams, waterfalls, and huckleberry fields. The nearby Falls Creek Falls Trail is a family-friendly 3.5-mile round-trip hike to a three-tiered waterfall. Wildlife viewing opportunities include black-tailed deer, Roosevelt elk, black bear, and various bird species including spotted owls and pileated woodpeckers. The area also offers fishing on the Wind River and seasonal opportunities for mushroom and huckleberry picking.
Directions
From Carson, Washington, travel north on Wind River Highway/Forest Road to the Carson National Fish Hatchery. Just past the hatchery (about 13.5 miles), Forest Road 30 forms a V with Forest Road 3065. Take the left fork onto FR 3065 and continue for about 1 mile to the campground.
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | — |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | No |
| Water Hookups | No |
| Sewer Hookups | No |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $100 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | 18ft |
| Max Trailer Length | 18ft |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (509) 395-3400 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
Availability
Photos
Community Posts
No posts yet. Be the first to share your experience!