Lake Creek (FR 1266000) in WA -- Camping Rules & Access
Lake Creek (FR 1266000) in WA
Road corridorGifford Pinchot NF, Cowlitz Valley Ranger District
31 mi from Morton
Maps 1,158 ft
Camping permission not confirmed
Miles 0–0.3 cross land the Forest Service doesn't manage; camping there needs the landowner's permission.
Gifford Pinchot National Forest ↗
Stay limit: 14 consecutive days · 28 days total per calendar year
VerizonNONE
AT&TNONE
T-MobileNONE
StarlinkPOOR
Road Access
Rough
- All 10.6 miles of this road are maintained for high-clearance vehicles, gravel the whole way.
- Estimated climb: 3,900 ft over 10.6 miles through 12 switchbacks, with sustained grades near 14% and pitches to 22%.
- Terrain estimates show roadside drops of up to ~150 ft on the downhill side.
- Dead-end road; turnaround space is not mapped.
Setting
Some privacy
- Moderately separated here.
- Butter Peak stands 3,897 ft above the map pin, 2.5 miles northwest.
- Cowlitz River runs 0.3 mi off.
- Estimated night sky: Bortle 2, true dark-sky territory.
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 1266000 MP 0.3-7.7 (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
Climate averages
October normals 40–60°F, 6.4″ precipitation. Monthly averages, PRISM 1991–2020.