Cowlitz Falls Campground
Utility Owned Recreation Facility
Write a Review 889 Peters Rd. Randle, WA 98377 360-497-7175 Official WebsiteGPS: 46.5048, -122.0149
Overview of Cowlitz Falls Campground
Last Price Paid: $38
Reported by RoamSchoolingAdventures on 8/8/2022
Longest RV Reported: 40 feet (Fifth Wheel)
Reported by RoamSchoolingAdventures on 8/8/2022
Number of Sites 100
Reservations yes
Open Seasonally mid-May - mid-Sept.
Elevation 918 ft / 279 m
Tent Camping Yes
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Q&A - Ask the Community about Cowlitz Falls Campground
To ask questions of the owner or manager please contact the campground directly. 360-497-7175
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Reviews of Cowlitz Falls Campground 7 people have reviewed this location.
“Major Power Problems”
Reviewed 8/8/2022
Nightly rate: | $38 |
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Days stayed: | 21 |
Site Number: | 19 |
RV Length: | 40' (Fifth Wheel) |
There is so much to love about this campground. Its very well taken care of, its right at the river, and there are great facilities. However, there is a fatal flaw. Some of the sites which are rated for 5th wheels are really a problem to get into because of the angle, narrow road, and ditches. However, most are pretty good. The pull... more
There is so much to love about this campground. Its very well taken care of, its right at the river, and there are great facilities. However, there is a fatal flaw.
Some of the sites which are rated for 5th wheels are really a problem to get into because of the angle, narrow road, and ditches. However, most are pretty good. The pull-thru sites on the south side of the campground are really tiny - so if you have a larger rig don't reserve those.
For those needing data connection info:
Verizon - struggle to get 1 Mbps (horrible)
AT&T - between 30 to 60 Mbps (solid, reliable)
Starlink - when in open field I can get 70 Mbps reliably on my RV plan (most sites are blocked by trees)
Now, the fatal flaw - the POWER. We've been here twice, for a total of 21 days. We've been in a couple of sites and seen the behavior in both. MASSIVE VOLTAGE DROPS (down to 103 volts almost constant), and this morning a VOLTAGE SURGE (over 130 volts).
My Hughes Bulldog shuts off my power multiple times each day. I'm connected to 30 AMP and can only run one AC, and both have soft starters. This morning though, my power went out - and I checked the app and saw that it was a voltage surge.
To try to get by, I ran a drop cord off the 20AMP to my 120V-to-12V converter to power the 12V side of the rig. I also have an inverter off my batteries to run my fridge, tv, and computer. Even with ONLY running 1 AC and NOTHING else, the voltage drops to brownout levels and my Bulldog cuts it off. I would say this happens at least 5 times a day.
If you're going to stay here - just be aware. For much of the time this likely isn't a major issue. However, we've stayed here twice during two heat waves - and in turn had to use the AC to make the rig bearable at night for us and the kids.
And be careful with your equipment and appliances. Voltage drops like this can result in your equipment burning up. Remember, Amps * Voltage = Wattage.
If an appliance needs 1800 watts (some AC's need this much) to operate then here is an example of the math:
15 AMPS * 120 Volts = 1800 Watts
However, on a voltage drop:
1800 Watts / 104 Volts = 17.3 Amps
This increase in amperage results in increased heat, which can result in burning up appliances, or catching something on fire.
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Highly Recommend!!”
Reviewed 7/24/2022
Nightly rate: | $35 |
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Days stayed: | 2 |
Site Number: | 9 |
RV Length: | 22' (Class B) |
Loved this campground!! One of the best I’ve ever stayed at, and I’m full time in our camper van. Private, secluded, and spacious sites, very clean and really cheap showers ($0.25 for 3 minutes), and friendly staff upon checkin. There’s lots to do around the camp such as nature trails, volleyball net, baseball diamond, frisbee golf, h... more
Loved this campground!! One of the best I’ve ever stayed at, and I’m full time in our camper van. Private, secluded, and spacious sites, very clean and really cheap showers ($0.25 for 3 minutes), and friendly staff upon checkin. There’s lots to do around the camp such as nature trails, volleyball net, baseball diamond, frisbee golf, horseshoes, and spacious grassy fields for even more activities. Dump station is very clean and easy access on your way out- free for campers or $10 for non campers. Cell signal is about 2 bars for Verizon… we couldn’t stream Netflix or anything, but still could text and use internet on my phone. Great location, only about 45min-1hr from Mt. Rainier NP. could not see either Mt. Rainier or St. Helen from here due to thick forests but we caught a glimpse of mt. St. Helen on the drive in from the south. Beautiful!
Lauren would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Quiet Jewel in the Forest”
Reviewed 7/16/2022
Nightly rate: | $35 |
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Days stayed: | 7 |
Site Number: | A16 |
RV Length: | 30' (Travel Trailer) |
We camped in the A loop on site 16. The interior roads were a little narrow but doable. We were very pleased to discover that we had picked a site that was covered with large trees that kept us out of the sun, since the temps got warm during our stay. Our site backed up to a large open space with playground equipment and the clean b... more
We camped in the A loop on site 16. The interior roads were a little narrow but doable. We were very pleased to discover that we had picked a site that was covered with large trees that kept us out of the sun, since the temps got warm during our stay. Our site backed up to a large open space with playground equipment and the clean bath house across from us but we were far enough away to keep us isolated from the noise. The site is long but large trees make it narrow so we had to reposition it to leave room for the slide. We chose this place because it was a great location between Mt. Rainier and Mt. St. Helens but we loved the privacy, quiet and beauty of this campground in the woods. We had a few issues with the electric though. We didn’t seem to draw as much power here as we have at other campgrounds and the current would cut out briefly each time the ac came on. (It wasn’t a big enough issue to move since the power didn’t fail.) No issues with the water and the we had really good connection with AT&T but Verizon was poor. (see pics).
A Life After Trauma would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Nice clean well maintained ”
Reviewed 6/13/2021
Nightly rate: | $35 |
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Days stayed: | 2 |
Site Number: | A-27 |
RV Length: | 30' (Class C) |
Park was clean and well maintained, most sites were spacious and spread out. Our site was right out in the open, no privacy or shade. Many other sites had privacy though. Good campground for kids. Not really any river access from the campground though. The boat ramp is just mud and the dock was not in the water.
Lisa would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Cowlitz valley surprise”
Reviewed 8/25/2019
Nightly rate: | $32 |
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Days stayed: | 2 |
RV Length: | 28' (Travel Trailer) |
This county run park is far enough off Hwy 12 to avoid any noise. Sites are generously spaced and afford a lot of privacy. Water and electric in three of the loops and an on-site dump station. Loop A is much more open and has playground equipment. Back in sites allow much more room than the pull-throughs. Some of the PTs were pretty... more
This county run park is far enough off Hwy 12 to avoid any noise. Sites are generously spaced and afford a lot of privacy. Water and electric in three of the loops and an on-site dump station. Loop A is much more open and has playground equipment. Back in sites allow much more room than the pull-throughs. Some of the PTs were pretty tight radius and we moved to a back-in when we found it open for the weekend. Noticed no bugs the weekend we were there, early August. Several sites went vacant for the weekend. CG is close enough to St. Helens to allow day trips to the area.
shoulder season campers would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Absolutley LOVE this campground!! ”
Reviewed 12/3/2018
Nightly rate: | $32 |
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Days stayed: | 3 |
I truly wish the campground was open year round - we would camp so much more here!!
Dan&Wanda would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Beautiful, friendly park”
Reviewed 5/23/2018
Nightly rate: | $32 |
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Days stayed: | 3 |
Site Number: | D10 |
RV Length: | 25' |
This is a beautiful park along the Cowlitz River. The RV sites are roomy and private... though, no sewer hookups, which I believe is the greatest downside to the park. We stayed here early in the season... mid-week... so there were very few other campers. Though, the mosquitoes were out in full force! Be prepared for them if camp... more
This is a beautiful park along the Cowlitz River. The RV sites are roomy and private... though, no sewer hookups, which I believe is the greatest downside to the park.
We stayed here early in the season... mid-week... so there were very few other campers. Though, the mosquitoes were out in full force! Be prepared for them if camping here early in the season. The forest has a healthy, damp, undergrowth that is a great habitat for them.
The RV spots out in the grassy A-Loop would probably be less buggy, but they are not quite as private and seem suited more for families with the playground equipment and all. We stayed in the D loop. D-10 seems to be the best... at the end of the loop, long site parking and most private. All D Loop sites are back-in. There are both back-in and pull-through sites on the A Loop.
The park hosts were very friendly and accommodating. The park features 2 RV loops, a tent loop, and several group spots. Coming in to the park, there are large, open grassy fields with great views of the mountains across the river.
No AT&T service in the park... or anywhere between Morton and the White Pass Summit... unless you can find a hike that will get you high enough to get to either of those towers.
Firewood is available on-site. 2 RV dump stations help alleviate the no-sewer hookup issue. Another thing that would bring this campground up to 5 stars would be a better reservation system rather than the archaic paper mail-in system that they utilize.
BD22 would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
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Amenities
Hookups
- 30 Amp
- 20 Amp
- water
- dry camping
- Partial Hookups
Recreation
- boat ramp
- fishing
- horseshoes
- picnic area
- playground
- recreation trail
- volleyball
- water access
Site Amenities
- big rig
- pull thru
Facilities
- group sites
- restrooms: flush
- showers
- trash
- water available
Pets
- pets
Nearby
Woods Creek Wildlife Dispersed Camping
Adjacent to Woods Creek Picnic Area & Trailhead
- LivingOurDreamNow
Shady Firs RV Park
Greeted By A Wonderful Woman, Escorted Us To Site. Provided Helpful Info About Mt Rainier.
- camper-707938
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