Killen Creek Campground - Mt. Adams, Washington

Killen Creek Campground is nestled deep within the Gifford Pinchot National Forest near the Mt. Adams Wilderness area in Washington.  It is located well past the popular Takhlakh Lake area and is a high elevation campground with virtually zero services.  The campground operates primarily as a sort of base camp for hikers and backpackers setting off on the Killen Creek to High Camp trail which rises up the north side of Mt. Adams.  In the fall the campground is popular with hunters as there is no gate and while officially “closed” camping is permitted in a primitive manner.

Camping at Killen Creek Campground will cost you twelve dollars a night and be sure to bring a checkbook or the exact amount of cash as this is a self-serve pay station.  Each of the nine campsites are spread out well and you will find a fire ring and picnic table within.  The campground does not have potable water but does have two vault outhouse toilets for campers to use.

The road through Killen Creek Campground is rough with many washouts beginning to form and the furthest sites in the back of the campground (8 and 9) requiring high clearance vehicles.  Trailers and RVs are not advised, though the adventurous type could most likely get a smaller rig into the campground without much drama.

Pros

• Isolated campground deep within the Gifford Pinchot National Forest
• Great access to hiking trails
• Close proximity to popular lakes like Takhlak Lake, Olallie Lake and Horseshoe Lake

Cons

• Difficult to get to with rough gravel/dirt roads
• Road through the campground is fairly beat-up
• Toilets are ancient
• No potable water

Nearby Attractions/Things to Do

If you are camping at Killen Creek campground you most likely already have an idea of what you are here for – it is not easy to get to and you most likely sought this area out.  In the event that you are still looking for some nearby attractions consider the following:

• Takhlakh Lake – This beautiful lake offers up majestic views of Mt. Adams and has an excellent day use area.
• Killen Creek to High Camp Hike – A 10 mile round trip hike that rises up the slopes of Mt. Adams and delivers adventurers to the base of massive glaciers.
• Horseshoe Lake – Another mountain lake great for floating around in a canoe or fishing