Blue Lake Creek Campground

We were lucky to arrive after lunch on a Tuesday. Here are new hours as of June 1st and list of recommended hikes they gave us dated 2024.

Pam was so helpful and answered my nonstop questions I had for 20 minutes. I finally get why the rangers are the best and most trusted resource!!!

This ranger station is one of the most helpful and friendly staffed places, we have been here many times the last few years for permits and maps, we are always pleased with them and there service.

We needed to get some information on a Saturday in October but it was closed. Sadly, Google Maps was driving us towards the US25 which has been closed since the summer!. I wish if someone could have updated this info in such a popular map for navigation. While I could find the reasons for the closing and where it was pinned in the exterior boards, there was no information about how to access Cougar (South) by car without going back one hour to the I-5. So far, what I could read from handmade signals is that you can have access to the Iron Creek area but not further (about 22 mi from the US 12). I mean, reporting this event in Google Maps is not complicated for any well known official, even locals can do it. So as a consequence we lost gas and about two hours of our time driving nowhere. This place have ample parking and restrooms at the back but it seems that has no external water fountain.

Great staff at this USFS Ranger Station.
I went in to purchase an Annual America the Beautiful pass and had a great conversation with the person behind the counter.
Lots of information from him on places to go and see. He was super helpful, and a great resource for the forest visitor.
This office is located in Randle WA and is a great jump-off point to Gifford Pinchot National Forest.
The office has a wide array of maps available, including free printed MVUMs and forest product harvest maps. If you're going in to harvest mushrooms or berries, etc., don't forget about getting your permit. They're free.
Overall, this is a great resource available to the public and is absolutely worth a stop on your way to explore the beautiful GPNF.