Peterson Prairie Campground campground
National Park ~3 hr from Seattle

Peterson Prairie Campground

Gifford Pinchot National Forest campground near Trout Lake with 30 sites in a scenic meadow-edge setting, popular for berry picking and Bigfoot Country exploration.

RV Sites
30
total sites
Max Length
32 ft
dry camping
Hookups
None
dry camping
Surface
Gravel
site surface
Dump Station
Not available
Nearest dump in town
Reservation
6 mo.
books out fast
Why Visit

Peterson Prairie Campground

Peterson Prairie Campground sits at 2,900 feet near Trout Lake in the southern Gifford Pinchot National Forest, in an area famously called "Bigfoot Country" by locals. The 30 sites accommodate RVs up to 32 feet in a forested meadow-edge setting. Huckleberry picking in late summer is legendary here, and the area offers hiking to nearby lava tubes and the Indian Heaven Wilderness. Vault toilets and potable water are on site.

FR 24, Trout Lake, WA 98650
~3 hr from Seattle (180 mi)
Recreation.gov · Reserving 6 months in advance
NPS America the Beautiful pass accepted
Washington state map showing Peterson Prairie Campground location
Open in Google Maps Trout Lake, WA
Campground Specs

Details that matter for your rig

Maneuverability
Moderate
Some tight turns — manageable
Cell Coverage
Spotty
Generators
Restricted
Designated hours only
Site Surface
Gravel
Check conditions at check-in
Dump Station
Not available
Nearest dump station in town
Hookups
None
Bring full tanks
Things to Do

Activities at Peterson Prairie Campground

🥾 Hiking 🎣 Fishing 🏊 Swimming 🚣 Kayaking 🏖️ Beach ⛵ Boating 🛝 Playground

On-site & nearby activities

  • Huckleberry picking (late August–September)
  • Ice Cave lava tube exploration
  • Indian Heaven Wilderness hiking
  • Mount Adams and Mount Hood views
  • Wildlife watching (elk, deer, black bear)
  • Trail of the Guardians scenic drive
National Park

One of Washington's crown jewels

Peterson Prairie sits in a high meadow of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest with commanding views of Mount Adams — Washington's second-highest peak at 12,281 feet — and access to the Indian Heaven Wilderness, a high-altitude plateau studded with over 150 huckleberry-ringed lakes. The Indian Heaven area is one of the most significant traditional gathering sites for tribal nations of the Columbia Plateau, who gathered annually to harvest huckleberries that still grow in extraordinary abundance across the volcanic meadows. Ice Cave, just 3 miles from camp, is a lava tube where year-round ice persists in the upper chambers — a remnant of a volcanic eruption that created an underground cave system insulated from summer heat by the thick basalt walls.

Facilities

What's on-site

🚻
Toilets
Vaulted toilets
🚿
Showers
Not available
💧
Drinking Water
Available
🔥
Fire Pits
Every site
Vault toilets and drinking water are available, but no showers on site. Every site includes a fire pit.
Insider Knowledge

Site recommendations from the field

Sourced from first-hand visits, park ranger notes, and RV community reports. Updated when conditions change.

🗺️

The Guler Ice Cave (1 mile from camp) is the main draw — lava tube ice cave accessible June through September when ice forms naturally. Loop B has pull-through sites for equestrian campers. The meadow setting is beautiful and the huckleberry fields in late summer are exceptional. Book early when the Ice Caves are open. Bring warm layers — the high elevation meadow is cooler than the Columbia River corridor below.

Logistics

Nearest services

📍 Nearest TownTrout Lake, WA
⛽ Gas Station8 mi
🛒 Grocery Store8 mi
🏪 Costco65 mi
☕ Starbucks55 mi
🏕️ Nearest State Park50 mi

Stock up in Trout Lake, WA before heading out — services get limited near the campground.

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Ready to book?

Ready to book Peterson Prairie Campground?

Check availability online. Reserving 6 months in advance.

Reserve a Site
Information sourced from official park agencies and publicly available data. Conditions, fees, and availability change — verify details directly with the campground before your visit.