Kid Valley Campground: Your Mt. St. Helens Basecamp in Washington

Kid Valley Campground Introduce

For Washingtonians, the majestic presence of Mount St. Helens is more than just a landmark; it's a testament to the raw power of nature and a beckoning call for adventure. If you're looking for a comfortable and convenient basecamp to explore this iconic region, Kid Valley Campground in Toutle offers an ideal solution. This family-owned campground provides a serene escape with excellent amenities, perfectly positioning you for all the wonders that the Mount St. Helens area has to offer.

This article is specifically crafted for residents of Washington State, offering a clear, engaging, and factual overview of Kid Valley Campground. We'll delve into its strategic location, the comprehensive services it provides, and the standout features that make it a top choice for those looking to immerse themselves in the unique landscape surrounding Mount St. Helens. From the moment you arrive, you'll appreciate the welcoming atmosphere and the thoughtful touches that make Kid Valley Campground a truly suitable and enjoyable destination for your next Pacific Northwest outdoor adventure. Get ready to discover why this spot is a local favorite for exploring one of Washington's most fascinating natural wonders.

Location and Accessibility

Kid Valley Campground is conveniently located at 9360 Spirit Lake Hwy, Toutle, WA 98649, USA. This prime address places it directly on State Route 504 (Spirit Lake Highway), the main arterial road leading directly to the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. This strategic positioning makes it one of the closest private campgrounds to the Monument's visitor centers and recreational areas.

The campground's accessibility is excellent for all types of vehicles, including RVs of various sizes. If you're coming from the south (e.g., Portland/Vancouver), you'll typically take I-5 North to Exit 49 at Castle Rock, then turn right (east) onto SR 504 and travel approximately 19 miles. From the north, you would take I-5 South to Exit 63, turn left (east) on SR 505, follow it through Toledo, across the Cowlitz River, to the 505/504 intersection, then turn left and follow SR 504 for approximately 4 miles. This straightforward access makes it a hassle-free journey for many Washington residents.

While the town of Toutle itself has seen some changes (with notes of the gas station and cafe being closed), the campground's proximity to SR 504 means you are on the direct route to the visitor attractions. The setting is described as a "quiet forest setting, in an old homestead," offering plenty of shade and a peaceful environment despite being on a main route. It's nestled next to the Toutle River and a few miles from the Green River, both of which have recovered from the volcanic mud flows and now offer excellent fishing. The elevation is approximately 510 feet, providing a comfortable climate for camping through much of the year, although cell service is noted as being non-existent, requiring reliance on satellite communication if needed. This blend of direct access, tranquil setting, and proximity to major attractions defines Kid Valley's prime location.

Services Offered

Varied Campsites: Kid Valley Campground offers a diverse range of campsites to suit different needs, including 18 full hookup sites (water, sewer, electric), 2 partial hookup sites (water and electric, no sewer), and 10 dedicated tent sites. This variety ensures accommodation for both RVers and traditional tent campers.
Electrical Hookups: Many sites are equipped with 30-amp and even 50-amp electrical service, providing ample power for RVs and other camping necessities. Customer reviews note "decent water pressure and 30A service," which are crucial amenities for a comfortable stay.
Water Hookups: Sites with water hookups provide convenient access to fresh water directly at your campsite. For tenters or those on non-hookup sites, potable water is available within the campground, likely at the bathhouse.
Bathhouse with Hot Showers and Flush Toilets: A significant comfort for campers, Kid Valley features a bathhouse with hot showers and flush toilets. This amenity is highly valued, providing a refreshing end to a day of hiking and exploring.
Camp Host: The campground benefits from an active and "very pleasant and accommodating" camp host (Susan, as noted in reviews). The presence of a host ensures good management, assistance with site changes, and a welcoming atmosphere, contributing to an overall positive experience.
Covered Picnic Areas: In addition to individual picnic tables at sites, there are covered picnic areas available, providing communal space for groups or shelter during inclement weather.
Ice and Firewood Sales: For added convenience, ice and firewood are available for sale directly from the camp host, minimizing the need to leave the campground for these essentials.
Generous Site Policy: A past review highlighted that the host was accommodating regarding an "extra car despite what the web/sign saids," suggesting flexibility and a customer-first approach.
Trash Disposal: Designated areas for trash disposal are typically available, and staff are noted to be "constantly clearing out garbage bins," ensuring a clean environment.

Features / Highlights

Closest Private Campground to Mt. St. Helens: Kid Valley Campground holds the distinction of being one of the closest private campgrounds to the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument visitor centers (specifically, the Spirit Lake Highway entrance). This unparalleled proximity is a major highlight, placing you within a 30-minute drive to the main monument visitor center, allowing more time for exploration and less time commuting.
Spacious and Shady Campsites: Customer reviews frequently praise the "spacious camping" and "plenty of room on my flat site," along with "plenty of shade." The forested setting, described as a "serene forest setting, in an old homestead," ensures a comfortable and private experience, enhancing relaxation.
Exceptional Hospitality: The "best service ever" and mentions of "Susan is very pleasant and accommodating" highlight the outstanding customer service. Friendly and helpful hosts significantly elevate the camping experience, making guests feel truly welcomed and cared for.
Quiet and Peaceful Environment: The campground is noted for being "real quiet" and offering a "quiet forest area." This tranquil ambiance is perfect for those seeking a peaceful escape from the noise of urban life, allowing for genuine relaxation and immersion in nature.
Excellent Fishing Opportunities: Located adjacent to the Toutle River and a few miles from the Green River, both known for salmon and steelhead fishing, Kid Valley is a haven for anglers. Nearby Coldwater Lake offers fly-fishing, and Silver Lake is excellent for bass and trout, providing diverse fishing experiences.
Gateway to Diverse Outdoor Activities: Beyond sightseeing, the Mt. St. Helens area accessible from Kid Valley offers extensive opportunities for hiking, biking, hunting, ATVing, and wildlife viewing. Year-round elk viewing is popular on the road to Mount St. Helens, and the Toutle State Forest is open for snowmobiling in winter, ensuring activities for every season and interest.
Historical Connection (Buried A-Frame): The campground showcases a unique historical feature: a "buried A-Frame where a visitor can walk through a home inundated by mud flows." This provides a tangible connection to the 1980 eruption, adding an educational and fascinating element to your stay.

Contact Information

To learn more or to make reservations for your stay at Kid Valley Campground, please use the following contact details:

Address: 9360 Spirit Lake Hwy, Toutle, WA 98649, USA

Phone: (360) 274-9060

Mobile Phone: +1 360-274-9060

Email: kidvalley@kalama.com

Website: kidvalley.com (It is highly recommended to visit their website or call directly for the most current information on site availability, rates, and any seasonal changes to services or operating hours.)

Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals

For Washingtonians, Kid Valley Campground represents an ideal blend of convenience, comfort, and direct access to one of our state's most profound natural wonders, making it a perfectly suited local escape. Its unique position as the closest private campground to the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument is a standout feature for residents eager to explore the eruption's impact and the area's ongoing recovery.

The campground's comprehensive amenities, including full hookups, a bathhouse with hot showers, and generous, shady sites, cater directly to the desires of local campers who appreciate both convenience and a comfortable outdoor experience. The "decent water pressure and 30A service" are practical comforts that make a big difference, especially for RV owners. The "best service ever" provided by accommodating hosts like Susan further enhances the appeal, creating a welcoming atmosphere that resonates with our state's friendly spirit.

Furthermore, Kid Valley Campground serves as an excellent basecamp for the myriad of outdoor activities that Washington locals cherish. From exceptional fishing in the Toutle and Green Rivers to extensive hiking and biking trails around Mount St. Helens, the opportunities for adventure are endless. The historical "buried A-Frame" offers a unique educational component, allowing residents to deepen their connection to this significant geological event. Even the "quiet forest setting" provides the perfect antidote to urban life, offering a truly peaceful retreat.

While the lack of cell service is a point to note, it also serves as an invitation to truly disconnect and immerse oneself in the natural surroundings – a growing desire for many seeking respite. Kid Valley Campground isn't just a place to park your RV or pitch your tent; it's a gateway to understanding and appreciating the enduring power and beauty of the Pacific Northwest, making it an ideal choice for any Washingtonian's next outdoor adventure.

Kid Valley Campground Photos

Kid Valley Campground Location

Kid Valley Campground

Washington Cowlitz County Toutle Spirit Lake Highway

9360 Spirit Lake Hwy, Toutle, WA 98649, USA

Kid Valley Campground Reviews

Completely adequate campground. Plenty of room on my flat site, decent water pressure and 30A service. Had a bathhouse. Unfortunately there is nothing in the town (gas station and cafe both closed) but not the campgrounds fault. Host allowed me to change to a cheaper site as I didn’t need sewer for my short stay, and they didn’t charge for my extra car despite what the web/sign saids. Plenty of shade and quiet. About 30 minutes to the national monument park visitor center (not the state one that charges). You can’t get much closer.
Jul 08, 2025 · Laird Forrest
Best service ever and spacious camping. To bad the gas station shut down and there is NO cell service only satellite. Susan is very pleasant and accommodating when booking your sites.
Jul 03, 2025 · Robert Cgraggen
Camp host was so kind and helpful! Sites are clean and easy to access. Great campsite overall
Jul 02, 2025 · Laurel
Small wooded campground in a great location to see the westside of Mount St. Helens.Sites/setting:Sites 1-20 are RV sites. Most have full hook-ups. I believe sites 17-20 are just water/electric. Sites 1-6 are currently occupied with long-term residents. Sites A-J are smaller tent sites.Sites are in a wooded setting; however, the woods are in the back of the sites and there is nothing in between each site, so there isn’t much privacy. It wasn’t too bad because it was pretty empty (aside from the residents), so we only had other campers on one side of us.All sites are easy to get in and out, dirt, and pretty level.All sites have a picnic table and a fire pit (you can purchase wood there for $10 a wheelbarrow).Amenities/Utilities:Cell service was nonexistent. There was no wi-fi available. From the campground to the westside of Mount St. Helens (trails and observation areas) we were never able to get internet, so we had to rely on maps/brochures to plan our days. I wish I would have know this so I could have been more prepared in planning our activities during our stay ahead of time.The campground doesn't have a store(the gas station across the street is permanently closed), so aside from firewood, the closest store is Drew’s Grocery which is about 8 miles away.There is no laundry facility. Bathroom was fairly clean and maintained.No dog park, but they do provide doggie bags.Activities:The westside area of Mount St. Helens was about 30-40 minutes away (Mount St. Helens Visitor Center at Silver Lake, Johnston Ridge Observatory, and Coldwater Lake Recreation Area).You can take a short trail to the restaurant Fire Mountain Grill (used to be called Patty’s Place at 19 Mile House). The food/service wasn’t the greatest, but you get a nice view of Toutle River.Access to swim/fish the Toutle River is 1/4 mile down the road. Turn right out of the campground and take a right on the first road. My little ones enjoyed swimming in the river and swinging on the rope swings into the water hung under the bridge.The center of the campground had a nice large grassy area to run around, a small plastic toddler slide, tether ball, horse shoes, a rundown basketball hoop, a balance beam, and a sandbox.No military discount offered. Current rate was $28 per night for full hook-ups. Must have cash or check! No credit cards accepted.Overall, it was a nice little campground; however, the long-term residents were very off-putting. Some of their trailers were old and unkept some people looked to be living in cargo type trailers even. This is the main reason for the lower rating.We didn’t realize when booking that it was so far from some of the trails we were interested in doing during our visit. For example, Ape Cave was over two hours away. Next time I would choose to stay at a campground more centrally located (maybe near Kalama), but if you just want to see the mountain and do a few hikes nearby than this is your place.#tencatestravel
Jan 04, 2019 · Marisa TenCate
The park was easy to find. It is located right off of Spirit Lake Highway It is the closest park to Mount St. Helen’s. There is pavement all the way until you arrive at the park. Signage is adequate. Check in this early in the season was self serve. Find a site, fill out the envelope and pay CASH only.. The rules are fairly basic.Our site, 20, was a back in that was just long enough for our Coach and Towed. Services (30 amp and water) were to the left side. Distancing is somewhat close for a rural park. Most sites do not have a vegetation barrier. Each site has a table and most have a fire pit. Our site was flat but sloped to the rear. Overall the park was pretty and well manicured. There is a big grassy field, Basket Ball hoop. Ping Pong Table and a Sand Box for the younger set. On a very hot day, one might want to venture a short distance up the logging road behind the park to find, under the bridge, a pair of rope swings over the water.We could not obtain any Verizon cell service thus had NO internet. We did not find a few OTA TV. Satellite might be difficult because of the trees if you don’t have a portable dish. We did not use the washrooms or pay showers (25 cents for 2 minutes) but we checked and found them dated but clean.There is a pathway that starts between sites 7 and 8 that runs alongside a steep bank that leads to a restaurant a short distance away. The restaurant was closed while we here but it looks like the views from the deck would be amazing.We found this park to be a well run rural RV park. We paid $30.00 per night and we feel we received very good value. We will be back if in the area again.
Apr 10, 2022 · Darrell & Jeredene Ollenberger