North Fork Elk Group Camp: Your Ideal Group Getaway in Washington's Gifford Pinchot National Forest

North Fork Elk Group Camp Introduce

For Washingtonians planning an unforgettable outdoor adventure with a large group of friends, family, or fellow enthusiasts, North Fork Elk Group Camp in Randle offers a nearly perfect setting. Nestled within the lush Gifford Pinchot National Forest, this dedicated tenting group campsite provides ample space, essential amenities, and a truly immersive natural experience. If you're a local resident seeking a well-maintained, private, and convenient base for your next collective escape into the Pacific Northwest wilderness, North Fork Elk Group Camp is a highly recommended choice, designed to accommodate significant gatherings comfortably.

This comprehensive guide aims to provide you with a detailed overview of what makes North Fork Elk Group Camp an exceptional destination for your group outing. We'll explore its specific location and how to easily access it, outline the practical services and facilities available, highlight the unique features that contribute to its appeal, and explain why it stands out as an ideal option for Washingtonians looking to create lasting memories in the great outdoors. From managing your tents and vehicles to enjoying the sounds of the nearby river, this overview will equip you with the knowledge to plan a seamless and enjoyable group camping trip.

Location and Accessibility

North Fork Elk Group Camp is conveniently located on NF-55, Randle, WA 98377, USA, deep within the scenic Gifford Pinchot National Forest. This prime location places it along the west side of the North Fork Cispus River, providing a serene and picturesque backdrop for your group's adventure. For residents across Washington, particularly those in the Puget Sound area or southwest Washington, Randle serves as an accessible gateway to this stunning forest, making the group camp a practical choice for a weekend or multi-day trip.

Finding the site is generally straightforward. From the main road, NF-23, there is a clearly marked sign at the entrance to the group sites. Visitors should continue following the road in until they reach the dumpsters and a small "ELK" sign, which designates the entrance to the specific group site. The overall road to the area is well-maintained, ensuring relatively easy access for a variety of vehicles, including those with multiple cars in a group. The campsite itself features a dedicated parking area that can comfortably accommodate several vehicles, with one review noting that even eight cars fit fairly easily, despite a suggested limit of six in some instances.

A significant highlight of the location is the nearby footbridge across the North Fork Cispus River, very close to the Elk group site. This bridge provides lovely and easy access to the regular campground on the east side of the river, where the camp host is typically located for purchasing firewood and other inquiries. The constant sound of the nearby river adds to the tranquil ambiance, enhancing the immersive natural experience. While the site is close to the main dumpsters used by all campsites, which can occasionally be a drawback on very warm days due to odor, the overall convenience and natural beauty of the location largely outweigh this minor issue.

Services Offered

Tenting Group Campsite: North Fork Elk Group Camp is specifically designed as a tenting-only group site. It does not offer electricity or RV hookups, catering to a traditional, back-to-nature camping experience. While it has 7 designated tent pads, groups have successfully fit more tents (e.g., 8 small tents).
Spacious Picnic Areas: The site boasts four large picnic tables, providing "plenty of space to spread out for cooking and card games" and other group activities, ensuring comfort for parties of up to 14 or more.
Fire Pit & BBQ: A large fire pit is available for campfires (firewood can be purchased from the camp host, subject to fire restrictions). There is also a BBQ grill that can be used for cooking.
Potable Water: A spigot near the tables provides convenient access to fresh, potable water, a crucial amenity for any camping trip.
Clean Pit Toilets: While there are no flush toilets, the pit toilet (vault toilet) located just beyond the parking area is consistently praised for being "clean with plenty of TP and hand sanitizer," which significantly enhances comfort at a rustic site.
On-Site Parking: The campsite features a designated parking area that can accommodate multiple vehicles, making it convenient for large groups arriving in separate cars.
Firewood for Purchase: Firewood is available for purchase from the camp host, located near the main entrance to the regular campground across the footbridge, adding convenience for campers.

Features / Highlights

Multi-Level Site for Privacy: A unique feature of North Fork Elk Group Camp is its "multi-level" design, with some tent pads uphill from the main table area. This provides more privacy for individual tents within the group setting, a rare and appreciated amenity in group campsites.
Abundant Large Trees: The site is adorned with "really big trees," offering ample shade during the day and contributing to a classic Pacific Northwest forest ambiance. This also helps with privacy and a sense of being deeply immersed in nature.
Proximity to North Fork Cispus River: The "everpresent" sound of the nearby North Fork Cispus River creates a soothing natural soundtrack for your stay. Direct access to the river is easy, allowing for wading, relaxation, and putting out chairs in the middle of the river on warm days.
Easy Access to Main Campground and Host: A charming footbridge connects the group camp to the regular campground, providing easy access to the camp host for purchasing firewood or seeking assistance, while still maintaining the group site's distinct feel.
Well-Maintained Facilities: Despite being a rustic group camp, the pit toilet is noted for being clean and well-stocked, and the overall site is described as "great," reflecting good maintenance.
Low Mosquito Count (during certain times): One review specifically noted "not many mosquitos compared to other sites I've rented," which is a significant plus for summer camping in the Pacific Northwest, though conditions can vary.
Wildlife Viewing Potential: While specific wildlife sightings were limited to elk on the main road in one review, the general area of Gifford Pinchot National Forest is rich in diverse wildlife, offering opportunities for observation.
Ample Space for Large Groups: The combination of multiple picnic tables, a large fire pit, and spacious tenting areas makes this site ideal for large gatherings, allowing everyone to spread out comfortably.

Contact Information

Address: NF-55, Randle, WA 98377, USA

Phone: While specific direct phone numbers for this particular group camp are often not provided, general inquiries for campgrounds within the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, including North Fork Elk Group Camp, can usually be directed to the Cowlitz Valley Ranger District. It's highly recommended to use the Recreation.gov website for booking and general information, as these are typically reservable group sites. A quick online search for "Gifford Pinchot National Forest Randle Ranger District" would provide their primary contact number.

Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals

For Washingtonians, North Fork Elk Group Camp offers an almost perfect solution for large group camping adventures, combining the rugged beauty of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest with thoughtful amenities designed for collective enjoyment. Its dedicated group site structure, complete with multiple picnic tables, a large fire pit, and ample parking, removes much of the logistical headache typically associated with organizing a large outdoor gathering.

The "multi-level" design of the tent pads is a significant advantage, providing a rare degree of privacy for individual tents within a group setting, enhancing comfort for everyone. The ever-present sound of the North Fork Cispus River and easy access to its refreshing waters further elevate the experience, offering opportunities for both relaxation and playful exploration. The convenience of a clean pit toilet and potable water on site, combined with the option to purchase firewood from a nearby, friendly camp host, speaks to a well-managed and considerate camping environment.

While the proximity to dumpsters is a minor drawback on very hot days, it is a small trade-off for the overall comfort, space, and natural beauty provided. This campground allows locals to fully immerse themselves in the stunning Pacific Northwest wilderness, providing a spacious and private haven for creating cherished group memories. Whether for a family reunion, a scout troop outing, or a gathering of friends, North Fork Elk Group Camp is an exceptional choice for those in Washington seeking a memorable and well-equipped large-group camping experience right in their expansive backyard.

North Fork Elk Group Camp Photos

North Fork Elk Group Camp Location

North Fork Elk Group Camp

Washington Lewis County Randle National Forest Development Road 55

NF-55, Randle, WA 98377, USA

North Fork Elk Group Camp Reviews

Party of 14 - we camped for two nights at the North Fork Elk Group Camp. it was very nearly perfect. As described, this is a tenting group camp site, without electricity or hookups. We had actually had 8 tents, but the 7 tent pads sufficed, since several of the tents were 1 person tents. The site is "multi-level" - meaning that some of the tent pads were uphill from the table area. This meant that our tents had more privacy that some group sites afford. There are really big trees on the site, and the sound of the nearby river was everpresent.There are 4 big picnic tables - plenty of space to spread out for cooking and card games. There is a fire pit that we were able to use (purchasing firewood from the camp host - more on that in a minute). There was also a BBQ that we didn't use. There is a spigot near the tables for fresh potable water. There are NOT flush toilets. But the pit toilet was just beyond the parking area and was clean with plenty of TP and hand sanitizer. We had six cars there and fit them into the site's parking area fairly easily.Finding the site was pretty easy too. On the main road (NF-23) the sign at the entrance to the group sites was clearly marked, then keep following the road in until you get to the dumpsters and the little "ELK" sign. There are 3 group sites along the west side of the North Fork Cispus River, and then the regular campground is along the east side of the river. There is a foot bridge across the river very close to the Elk group site that is lovely, and takes you into the campground. Near the main entrance to the regular campground is the camp host. There you can purchase firewood.The only drawback to the Elk site was that it is also located very close to the dumpsters that are used for all the camp sites and campground, and while we were there it was very warm (80-90 degrees) so whenever we walked to the river and the foot bridge we had to pass the smelly dumpsters.The website warns of bears, and to keep food in bear-proof containers. We saw no evidence of bears, and judging by the simple garbage cans and dumpsters, there must not be much of an issue with bears there. Still, we kept our food in our cars, just to be safe. Oddly enough, we didn't even see chipmunks or ground squirrels.Hope this is helpful. We would definitely choose this group site again in the future. Attaching photos of the group site, the tall trees, the pit toilet, the parking area, the picnic tables, and elk that we saw along NF-23 (about MP 6).
Aug 21, 2022 · Janet Barnes
This is a great campsite. We fit 8 tents on the site (most were smaller tents) although some weren't necessarily on a designated pad. The toilet was a vault toilet but was clean and well maintained, and there was convenient potable water onsite too. We had 8 cars (the limit is supposed to be 6) - I've seen on other reviews that the camp hosts can be strict on this but we didn't have any issues. There are three nice picnic tables surrounding the fire pit. They are all in the hot sun for the main part of the day but have shade in the morning and late afternoons.We walked to the river and put our chairs out in the middle for the afternoon. It was fantastic - not terribly hard to get out there if you use a stick to keep from slipping.The only negative comment was that the main dumpster is nearby and we were catching the smell occasionally (although it was also nearly 90 degrees when we were there). Not many mosquitos compared to other sites I've rented which was great! Would definitely stay here again.
Jul 17, 2023 · Jennifer Thrower
Super cool group campground nestled in the woods. Quite a few kid-friendly hikes in the area, and a freezing cold river to dip your feet in.
Aug 26, 2021 · Willie P
Aug 21, 2018 · ANDREA G