Cougar (FR 4710000) in WA -- Camping Rules & Access
Cougar (FR 4710000) in WA
Road corridorGifford Pinchot NF, Cowlitz Valley Ranger District
27 mi from Morton
Maps 1,890 ft
No overnight camping
Gifford Pinchot National Forest ↗
Stay limit: 14 consecutive days · 28 days total per calendar year
VerizonWEAK
AT&TUSABLE
T-MobileWEAK
StarlinkPOOR
Road Access
Difficult
- All 8.5 miles of this road are maintained for high-clearance vehicles, mostly gravel with 2.4 miles of dirt.
- Near Cougar Rocks.
- Estimated climb: 1,600 ft over 8.5 miles through 9 switchbacks, with sustained grades near 16% and pitches to 41%.
- Terrain estimates show roadside drops of up to ~160 ft on the downhill side.
Setting
Fairly secluded
- Well separated here, with the nearest through road 1.1 miles off.
- Point Success stands 12,252 ft above the map pin, 17 miles north.
Rules
- Motor vehicle use off a forest road or trail for purposes of dispersed camping should be at least 100 feet from a stream, wetland, or other body of water. (Motor vehicle use off the road for dispersed camping: 100 ft from water (all MVUM corridors))
- Camping outside campgrounds, or dispersed camping, is legal throughout most of the forest. ... Visitors may not drive beyond 150 feet from the main road. (Dispersed camping allowed across most of the forest; drive no more than 150 ft from the road) Driving off the road is limited to roads carrying the MVUM dispersed-camping symbol (MVUM insert).
- Store all food and scented items in bear-proof containers or in vehicle, covered and out of sight. (Food storage (bear safety), forest-wide visitor guide)
- Always pack out what you bring in and leave your site cleaner than you found it! (Pack out trash, forest-wide visitor guide (no human-waste rule found))
- On part of this corridor: Camping: Allowed. (FR 4710000 MP 0.1-4.8 (MVUM dispersed-camping symbol detected, both sides)) Motor vehicle use off the road for dispersed camping is permitted within 150 feet of the road. Highway-legal motor vehicles only, on existing routes, only when it will not cause damage (MVUM insert); Vehicle type and dates allowed: same as permitted on road (MVUM Dispersed Camping Designations table); Motor vehicle use off the road for dispersed camping should be at least 100 feet from a stream, wetland, or other body of water (MVUM insert).
- Camping rules (Skyo Fire road closure, Forest Order 06-03-05-26-03) Officers and rescue/firefighting forces on duty; Persons with Forest Service Permit FS-7700-48; Persons traveling for evacuation.
- Camping rules
Climate averages
October normals 38–58°F, 6.0″ precipitation. Monthly averages, PRISM 1991–2020.