Panther Creek Campground

Panther Creek Campground is in a beautiful setting - tall pines and right next to Panther Creek. The campsites are all far apart and spacious. This is a "primitive" campground - the pit toilets are a bit of a hike depending where your campsite is. There is a water pump and no other water source other than the creek. We loved camping here.

Panther Creek Campground
Pros: Most campsites aren't directly adjascent to each other. Vault toilets are clean and stocked w/TP. Many miles of hiking direct from the campground. Panther Creek itself is awesome. It's a direct connect to the PCT. Campground is not too far from civilization but just out of cell range. Nice moderate hike to Wind river from the campground via the PCT.
Cons: *Many sites have logs embedded around the tent sites. Many are too small for even a medium sized tent and the logs make it extremely difficult to use if your tent doesn't fit insite. *Vault toilets. *No cell service. *Biggest complaint, LACK OF FOREST MAINTENANCE! Way too much underbrush and fuel for wildfire especially in the dry summer months. Don't know who's in charge of this, but they need to be fired. *1 of 2 water pumps has been non-functional for at least the last 3 years.
Conclusion: Panther Creek is a great campground for what it is. Federal. It could be so much better if the forest was maintained better and small things like the water pump being fixed and working. I just hope it doesn't burn down in a preventable wildfire like so many other great forested areas in the northwest have suffered. Most preventable by responsible forest management which is sadly missing.

Peaceful

Beautiful old growth forest campground with lots of room (and understory) between campsites. Bathrooms were very clean and well maintained. Panther creek is a small, crystal clear stream with lots of small paths leading to sandy or rocky beaches, perfect for a cool respite on hot afternoons.

Beautiful, clean, private (far enough from neighboring sites). Access to the creek is such a treat on a hot summer weekend.

The campsite, grounds and latrines were clean and well tended. While many sites were marked as Reserved, it seemed many did not come so it was very quiet for the most part. The Camp Kitty, a Siamese, frequented out site looking for handouts. She appeared to have young ones but only one person in our group caught a glimpse of two others. The host was uninterested in helping catch the cats when Carson locals stepped up to help. I guess it wasn't in his job description.

Only problem was that our site was closed due to a fallen tree. We were relocated to an equally suitable site, but not next to our friends that we had reserved to be next to.

nice and quiet except for the logging truck at 2 in the morning heading up the hill.

The water pump at the campground entrance was out of order. Signage indicating the closest working pump would have been appreciated. I had assumed there was no water available, only to discover another source further inside campground.

It was very nice to be per payed. Just drove in and stayed the night