Watch MTN (FR 7500000) in WA -- Camping Rules & Access
Watch MTN (FR 7500000) in WA
Road corridorGifford Pinchot NF, Cowlitz Valley Ranger District
16 mi from Morton
Maps 1,886 ft
Camping permission not confirmed
Miles 3.7–5.1 cross land the Forest Service doesn't manage; camping there needs the landowner's permission.
Gifford Pinchot National Forest ↗
Motor-vehicle season 4/1–11/30Stay limit: 14 consecutive days · 28 days total per calendar year
VerizonMARGINAL
AT&TNONE
T-MobileNONE
StarlinkPOOR
Road Access
Rough
- All 9.1 miles of this road are maintained for high-clearance vehicles, gravel the whole way.
- Near Kehoe Mountain.
- Estimated climb: 2,000 ft over 9.1 miles through 8 switchbacks, with sustained grades near 14% and pitches to 28%.
- Terrain estimates show roadside drops of up to ~230 ft on the downhill side.
Setting
Some privacy
- Moderately separated here.
- Watch Mountain stands 2,874 ft above the map pin, 2.0 miles northwest.
- Cowlitz River runs 1.1 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: Access: Closed. (Forest Road 75 closed at MP 4.5 (washout)) At MP 4.5.
- On part of this corridor: Camping: Allowed. (FR 7500000 MP 0.0-0.8 (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).
- On part of this corridor: Camping: Allowed. (FR 7500000 MP 1.1-5.8 (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
Climate averages
October normals 44–58°F, 7.8″ precipitation. Monthly averages, PRISM 1991–2020.