Camping near Castle Rock

·

The gateway to Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, Castle Rock is a small community offering basic amenities for road-tripping travelers, including a handful of gas stations, a supermarket, and a small smattering of restaurants. It's worthwhile stopping here if you want to get a feel for the area or ask local residents for insider tips about where to hike and what to see, but it's not the best place for camping. Instead, you'll want to head out to the Gifford Pinchot National Forest or the nearby Seaquest State Park, or check out one of the many private options along State Highway 504.

96% (9.8K)

Top-rated campgrounds near Castle Rock

1. HolisticLifeFarm Clatskanie OR

98%
(418)
15mi from Castle Rock · 7 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging
Welcome to Holistic Life Farm! We are a working homestead and delight in sharing our daily experience and offer visits with our sheep, cows and chickens. Holistic Life Farm offers a 1 dry tent site for up to 12 people, a quaint hideaway cabin, and a glamped out 16x20 canvas tent with a wood stove. We also offer 1 RV site in our parking area. Stop on your way to Astoria and the coast and make this your destination. Find us about 30 minutes off I-5 freeway across the Longview bridge or 45 minutes east of Astoria. Our farm sits about 5 miles off Highway 30 to the north. We can direct you to hiking and mountain biking trails in the area (Beaver Falls trailhead is 5 miles from our farm). There is a motor boat launch in the town of Clatskanie, with access to Columbia River. There is also a launch in the city park for kayaking. The Zen Monastery is just 5 miles away. Long Beach, WA is across the Columbia River via the Astoria Bridge. Lounging about the homestead works too.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$25
 / night

9. Hillside Vista RV / Creekside Camp

97%
(77)
31mi from Castle Rock · 9 sites · Tents, RVs
(This is a leave no trace site. You must take all of your garbage with you!) Just 1.5 hours from Seattle, Portland, Mt. Rainier, Mt. St. Helens, & Olympic National Park, just 3 minutes from Rainbow Falls State Park and 4 minutes from Willapa Biking Trail! We are located on top of Bunker Hill nestled between the Dunn creek and Chehalis river. Our property is 56 acres of mixed biomes including multi-generational forests, open meadows, and creek side trails. We are located right off Chandler Road, off of Highway 6. You turn onto Labri road (white sign) and you're on the property after going through a gate. Meander down the road past a red barn and several buildings on your right. Through the second gate, the dispersed camping site offers various sites for camping attached to a main trail that parallels the Dunn creek down to the Chehalis river. They are conveniently accessible off the logging roads which cross with Labri road after you've passed through the second gate. If you take the logging road to the left (look for a blue and white ribbon) you will come up to a tree line where you can park (another blue and white ribbon) and either take the trail to the left or right where you will find ample places to camp. You may camp along the trail or closer to the creek. The most ideal spot is right after you park near the blue and white ribbon if you walk North you'll see a site marked with an orange and white ribbon. This site has easy access to the creek but is still on a hill. There are four RV spots with full onsite hook-up. Two of the RV sites are paved and lit with ground lights and are prioritized for heavier rigs. The other two sites are on grass. We have two RV sites with no hook up (boondocking) but bathroom and shower access. We do not allow dumping of grey water or sewage at our property but there is a dump station just 1 minute away at Rainbow Falls State Park. The site is located on a hill so you get very nice view of sunsets and sunrises. For those who enjoy bird watching the nearby fruit trees bring in many birds. We are an ideal location for those who love the outdoors or just want to have private family events. 6 mi from Jones Creek Brewing, 7 mi from Evey's Cafe & Pe Ell, 20 mi from I-5, 69 mi Westport Quiet hours are from 11pm - 8am.
Pets
Toilets
Full hookups
from 
$40
 / night

14. Coffee Creek Community & Gardens

96%
(49)
33mi from Castle Rock · 4 sites · Lodging
Coffee Creek is an intentional community and working farm on the north side of Centralia, Washington. While our 11 acres feels very secluded, we are just 3 miles from historic downtown and 10 minutes from the freeway and shopping. An accessible oasis! There is a park with swimming, fishing and hiking along the Skookumchuck river within a mile of the farm, in addition to the natural beauty found right here at home. We enjoy bird watching, exploring our forest, and relaxing around a fire when we aren't working on the farm. Seasonal Strawberries and pastured poultry are our specialties, and we offer a wide variety of veggies and fruits. Farm fresh eggs are almost always available and we have organic meats to purchase and grill.
Pets
Toilets
Showers
from 
$110
 / night

15. Akitaaru Forest Camp

97%
(248)
46mi from Castle Rock · 1 site · Tent
***Akitaaru Homestead was named one of 2023's BEST PLACES TO PITCH A TENT. … and we just placed again for 2024! Thanks to all of our campers and to Mother Earth for sharing this beautiful place with us humans! *** We run a small active homestead with livestock, gardens, dogs, and free range children. We are happy to share our five acres of beautiful PNW forest with intrepid campers Learn more about this land: Have you ever wanted to have an entire campground to yourself? Planning a romantic getaway, private group trip, or getting your feet wet with your first trip of the year (or ever!?) We have got the perfect place for you! Camp on the edge of Forest Park and sleep underneath an evergreen canopy of Douglas fir and big leaf maple. We have one large forest glade with room for several tents. We book only one group at a time, so you are guaranteed the place to yourselves. We can accommodate up to 15 people, with a max of 5-6 vehicles (parking is tight). This is a hike-in only campground most suited to backpack style camping. The hike in has two short steep sections about 50 feet each. It takes 5-15 minutes depending on fitness level and load. This is not suitable for those with accessibility issues. The campground features: -Fairy lights strung among the tress to create the perfect magical ambiance -Large fire ring with seating for 7-10 and cooking grate -picnic table with seating for six - Composting latrine with a forest view (commune with nature!) -Photo worthy hammock, swinging loveseat , and sunset views - A huge clearing with multiple flat tent spots (5-7) -1/2 mile of trails with hidden surprises - A parking area suitable for car camping or van camping during the rainy season. -Only 20 minutes from downtown Portland, 15 from I5, and minutes from gas and Parking is separate from the campground! It is a brief but steep 1/4 mile hike to get to the main campground and latrine. Bring hiking shoes and pack light. It takes most people 5-15 minutes to hike up, depending on fitness level and load size . If you want to car camp, you will be next to a road and separate from the latrine and fire pit. Enjoy several short trails on the camp's property before heading to Forest Park's Wildwood Trail, which is just up the street, or check out all of the incredible natural and urban nearby attractions in Portland. We are about 20 minutes away Portland's International Rose Test Garden , The Oregon Zoo, and Pittock Mansion Or just swing lazily in a hammock under the trees and enjoy the sound of the forest coming to life. Inquire about a tour of the homestead and the chance to play with our tiny herd of goats who think they are dogs.
Pets
Campfires
Toilets
from 
$23
 / night

16. Oh-Deer-Me

95%
(82)
35mi from Castle Rock · 8 sites · Tents, RVs
Secluded private site centrally located just a mile from Interstate 5 off of exit #11, and 6 miles from the Interstate 5 / Hwy 205 intersection so most places in Clark County are less that 20 minutes away. Please Input 23102 NE 3rd Avenue into your GPS. Clicking the link on the Hipcamp map will bring you here with an Androuid device, but send you to a gated community West of us on an Apple device. Located 5 minutes from the Amphitheater,10 minutes from Ilani Casino, and less than 30 minutes from some of the nicest freshwater lakes around. This is a secluded, Park Like property with walking trails all the way around it, and some interesting things for kids to spot, especially up Fairy Lane. Walking access is permitted, but you must keep pets on leash and keep an eye on your kids. In the dry season, typically May through the end of September, fires are not allowed, and please USE EXTREME CAUTION IF YOU CHOOSE TO SMOKE ONSITE. If you are one of those who just tosses your butts in the underbrush, you will be asked to leave for the safety of our property and guests. There is no smoking allowed inside the cabin, bathroom, or anywhere near the sawmill, or any area North of it. There is a public bathroom in the middle of the property beside the tree fort. It's well lit and open 24 hours a day. It has a flush toilet and a hot water sink and a HOT shower. * PLEASE NOTE To keep from freezing, the instant hot water heater is disconnected, and hot water, and hot showers ARE NOT AVAILABLE FROM NOV 15TH TO MAR 1ST. Cold water to flush the toilets and wash your hands is available all year. You can use the discount code NOHOT To reduce your booking rate during those times We try to keep rules to a minimum, but people seem to find creative ways to cause issues. Please park outside the yellow gate in the parking areas noted on the map. Please park on gravel and DON'T DRIVE OFF THE GRAVEL ROADS ONTO THE GRASS. Anita hates it, as you can cause a fire in the summer, and leave muddy ruts in the wet seasons. If you're driving through the trees, you're doing something wrong. There is plenty of wildlife on the property especially in the couple hours before dark. Best place to spot deer, racoons, porcupines and beaver are down near the pond. Enjoy your stay. Stuart and Anita
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
from 
$34
 / night

19. Cowlitz River Rentals

99%
(484)
48mi from Castle Rock · 54 sites · Tents, RVs
If you make a reservation here, FOLLOW THE DRIVING DIRECTIONS GIVEN. SHARE THE DIRECTIONS WITH YOUR GROUP. DO NOT GIVE PINS OR WAYPOINTS FROM YOUR SITE. WELCOME to Cowlitz River Rentals! We offer some of the most beautiful scenery in western Washington. Here you will find the peaceful quiet of being "away from it all", yet in reality you are only a little over a mile from the local grocery store, restaurants, and gas stations along Hwy 12 in Randle. We have 20 spacious sites on 70 acres, bordered by the Cowlitz River in Randle, WA. We are centrally located between Mt. Rainier, Mt. St. Helens, and Mt. Adams. Since we are not open for public entry, you can feel safe leaving your camp set up while you take day excursions. We have dry camping ONLY. There is a spigot for water at the gate, but no water or electricity hookups at any of the sites. We welcome individual campers as well as groups. Many of our sites will hold 20-30 people, all in one site area. We can also accommodate much larger groups.... Let us know if you have a special group event.  We can discuss your needs and see if our property is a fit for you. Please call to discuss options if you are unsure, or if you would just like more info .... Hazelanna 360-496-1903 For an interactive map and dates of events that we host you can check out our webpage: CowlitzRiverRentals.com Feel free to reach out with questions BEFORE booking to make sure all of your needs can be accommodated. Things to be considered: Need for outside toilets, need for campfire wood, need for water, types of vehicles, your camping goal (group get together or total solitude with peace and quiet), quick easy access to the main road or camping way off the path, best pet areas, best kid friendly areas, ect. We welcome your questions. Our goal is to help you make great memories! Call or Text: Hazelanna 360-496-1903
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$78
 / night

20. The Healing Farm

98%
(245)
43mi from Castle Rock · 6 sites · Tents, RVs
Come enjoy your stay with farm animals!  When you get here you will get a tour of the farm and introduced to all the animals. After, you can spend as much time with them. We have chickens, turkeys, baby chicks, ducks, goats and baby goats, livestock guardian dogs, wallabies, two capybara's, a porcupine, guinea pigs, patagonian mara's, alpacas, a llama, ponies, cats, rabbits, and a tortoise. We love our animals and each one has a specific purpose they fulfill. Enjoy some quiet time in nature and with all the animals. We encourage to just sit and hang out with the animals and be in the present moment. Animals are very healing.  We are about an hour from Mount Rainier National Park, an hour and a half from Seattle and Portland and Olympia is only 30 minutes away. To see more of what we do and more of the animals, add us on Instagram@thehealingfarmwa or check out our website thehealingfarmwa.com We are happy to share our space with others!  -Jason and Kat
Toilets
Campfires
Showers
from 
$50
 / night

The gateway to Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, Castle Rock is a small community offering basic amenities for road-tripping travelers, including a handful of gas stations, a supermarket, and a small smattering of restaurants. It's worthwhile stopping here if you want to get a feel for the area or ask local residents for insider tips about where to hike and what to see, but it's not the best place for camping. Instead, you'll want to head out to the Gifford Pinchot National Forest or the nearby Seaquest State Park, or check out one of the many private options along State Highway 504.

96% (9.8K)

Top-rated campgrounds near Castle Rock

1. HolisticLifeFarm Clatskanie OR

98%
(418)
15mi from Castle Rock · 7 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging
Welcome to Holistic Life Farm! We are a working homestead and delight in sharing our daily experience and offer visits with our sheep, cows and chickens. Holistic Life Farm offers a 1 dry tent site for up to 12 people, a quaint hideaway cabin, and a glamped out 16x20 canvas tent with a wood stove. We also offer 1 RV site in our parking area. Stop on your way to Astoria and the coast and make this your destination. Find us about 30 minutes off I-5 freeway across the Longview bridge or 45 minutes east of Astoria. Our farm sits about 5 miles off Highway 30 to the north. We can direct you to hiking and mountain biking trails in the area (Beaver Falls trailhead is 5 miles from our farm). There is a motor boat launch in the town of Clatskanie, with access to Columbia River. There is also a launch in the city park for kayaking. The Zen Monastery is just 5 miles away. Long Beach, WA is across the Columbia River via the Astoria Bridge. Lounging about the homestead works too.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$25
 / night

9. Hillside Vista RV / Creekside Camp

97%
(77)
31mi from Castle Rock · 9 sites · Tents, RVs
(This is a leave no trace site. You must take all of your garbage with you!) Just 1.5 hours from Seattle, Portland, Mt. Rainier, Mt. St. Helens, & Olympic National Park, just 3 minutes from Rainbow Falls State Park and 4 minutes from Willapa Biking Trail! We are located on top of Bunker Hill nestled between the Dunn creek and Chehalis river. Our property is 56 acres of mixed biomes including multi-generational forests, open meadows, and creek side trails. We are located right off Chandler Road, off of Highway 6. You turn onto Labri road (white sign) and you're on the property after going through a gate. Meander down the road past a red barn and several buildings on your right. Through the second gate, the dispersed camping site offers various sites for camping attached to a main trail that parallels the Dunn creek down to the Chehalis river. They are conveniently accessible off the logging roads which cross with Labri road after you've passed through the second gate. If you take the logging road to the left (look for a blue and white ribbon) you will come up to a tree line where you can park (another blue and white ribbon) and either take the trail to the left or right where you will find ample places to camp. You may camp along the trail or closer to the creek. The most ideal spot is right after you park near the blue and white ribbon if you walk North you'll see a site marked with an orange and white ribbon. This site has easy access to the creek but is still on a hill. There are four RV spots with full onsite hook-up. Two of the RV sites are paved and lit with ground lights and are prioritized for heavier rigs. The other two sites are on grass. We have two RV sites with no hook up (boondocking) but bathroom and shower access. We do not allow dumping of grey water or sewage at our property but there is a dump station just 1 minute away at Rainbow Falls State Park. The site is located on a hill so you get very nice view of sunsets and sunrises. For those who enjoy bird watching the nearby fruit trees bring in many birds. We are an ideal location for those who love the outdoors or just want to have private family events. 6 mi from Jones Creek Brewing, 7 mi from Evey's Cafe & Pe Ell, 20 mi from I-5, 69 mi Westport Quiet hours are from 11pm - 8am.
Pets
Toilets
Full hookups
from 
$40
 / night

14. Coffee Creek Community & Gardens

96%
(49)
33mi from Castle Rock · 4 sites · Lodging
Coffee Creek is an intentional community and working farm on the north side of Centralia, Washington. While our 11 acres feels very secluded, we are just 3 miles from historic downtown and 10 minutes from the freeway and shopping. An accessible oasis! There is a park with swimming, fishing and hiking along the Skookumchuck river within a mile of the farm, in addition to the natural beauty found right here at home. We enjoy bird watching, exploring our forest, and relaxing around a fire when we aren't working on the farm. Seasonal Strawberries and pastured poultry are our specialties, and we offer a wide variety of veggies and fruits. Farm fresh eggs are almost always available and we have organic meats to purchase and grill.
Pets
Toilets
Showers
from 
$110
 / night

15. Akitaaru Forest Camp

97%
(248)
46mi from Castle Rock · 1 site · Tent
***Akitaaru Homestead was named one of 2023's BEST PLACES TO PITCH A TENT. … and we just placed again for 2024! Thanks to all of our campers and to Mother Earth for sharing this beautiful place with us humans! *** We run a small active homestead with livestock, gardens, dogs, and free range children. We are happy to share our five acres of beautiful PNW forest with intrepid campers Learn more about this land: Have you ever wanted to have an entire campground to yourself? Planning a romantic getaway, private group trip, or getting your feet wet with your first trip of the year (or ever!?) We have got the perfect place for you! Camp on the edge of Forest Park and sleep underneath an evergreen canopy of Douglas fir and big leaf maple. We have one large forest glade with room for several tents. We book only one group at a time, so you are guaranteed the place to yourselves. We can accommodate up to 15 people, with a max of 5-6 vehicles (parking is tight). This is a hike-in only campground most suited to backpack style camping. The hike in has two short steep sections about 50 feet each. It takes 5-15 minutes depending on fitness level and load. This is not suitable for those with accessibility issues. The campground features: -Fairy lights strung among the tress to create the perfect magical ambiance -Large fire ring with seating for 7-10 and cooking grate -picnic table with seating for six - Composting latrine with a forest view (commune with nature!) -Photo worthy hammock, swinging loveseat , and sunset views - A huge clearing with multiple flat tent spots (5-7) -1/2 mile of trails with hidden surprises - A parking area suitable for car camping or van camping during the rainy season. -Only 20 minutes from downtown Portland, 15 from I5, and minutes from gas and Parking is separate from the campground! It is a brief but steep 1/4 mile hike to get to the main campground and latrine. Bring hiking shoes and pack light. It takes most people 5-15 minutes to hike up, depending on fitness level and load size . If you want to car camp, you will be next to a road and separate from the latrine and fire pit. Enjoy several short trails on the camp's property before heading to Forest Park's Wildwood Trail, which is just up the street, or check out all of the incredible natural and urban nearby attractions in Portland. We are about 20 minutes away Portland's International Rose Test Garden , The Oregon Zoo, and Pittock Mansion Or just swing lazily in a hammock under the trees and enjoy the sound of the forest coming to life. Inquire about a tour of the homestead and the chance to play with our tiny herd of goats who think they are dogs.
Pets
Campfires
Toilets
from 
$23
 / night

16. Oh-Deer-Me

95%
(82)
35mi from Castle Rock · 8 sites · Tents, RVs
Secluded private site centrally located just a mile from Interstate 5 off of exit #11, and 6 miles from the Interstate 5 / Hwy 205 intersection so most places in Clark County are less that 20 minutes away. Please Input 23102 NE 3rd Avenue into your GPS. Clicking the link on the Hipcamp map will bring you here with an Androuid device, but send you to a gated community West of us on an Apple device. Located 5 minutes from the Amphitheater,10 minutes from Ilani Casino, and less than 30 minutes from some of the nicest freshwater lakes around. This is a secluded, Park Like property with walking trails all the way around it, and some interesting things for kids to spot, especially up Fairy Lane. Walking access is permitted, but you must keep pets on leash and keep an eye on your kids. In the dry season, typically May through the end of September, fires are not allowed, and please USE EXTREME CAUTION IF YOU CHOOSE TO SMOKE ONSITE. If you are one of those who just tosses your butts in the underbrush, you will be asked to leave for the safety of our property and guests. There is no smoking allowed inside the cabin, bathroom, or anywhere near the sawmill, or any area North of it. There is a public bathroom in the middle of the property beside the tree fort. It's well lit and open 24 hours a day. It has a flush toilet and a hot water sink and a HOT shower. * PLEASE NOTE To keep from freezing, the instant hot water heater is disconnected, and hot water, and hot showers ARE NOT AVAILABLE FROM NOV 15TH TO MAR 1ST. Cold water to flush the toilets and wash your hands is available all year. You can use the discount code NOHOT To reduce your booking rate during those times We try to keep rules to a minimum, but people seem to find creative ways to cause issues. Please park outside the yellow gate in the parking areas noted on the map. Please park on gravel and DON'T DRIVE OFF THE GRAVEL ROADS ONTO THE GRASS. Anita hates it, as you can cause a fire in the summer, and leave muddy ruts in the wet seasons. If you're driving through the trees, you're doing something wrong. There is plenty of wildlife on the property especially in the couple hours before dark. Best place to spot deer, racoons, porcupines and beaver are down near the pond. Enjoy your stay. Stuart and Anita
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
from 
$34
 / night

19. Cowlitz River Rentals

99%
(484)
48mi from Castle Rock · 54 sites · Tents, RVs
If you make a reservation here, FOLLOW THE DRIVING DIRECTIONS GIVEN. SHARE THE DIRECTIONS WITH YOUR GROUP. DO NOT GIVE PINS OR WAYPOINTS FROM YOUR SITE. WELCOME to Cowlitz River Rentals! We offer some of the most beautiful scenery in western Washington. Here you will find the peaceful quiet of being "away from it all", yet in reality you are only a little over a mile from the local grocery store, restaurants, and gas stations along Hwy 12 in Randle. We have 20 spacious sites on 70 acres, bordered by the Cowlitz River in Randle, WA. We are centrally located between Mt. Rainier, Mt. St. Helens, and Mt. Adams. Since we are not open for public entry, you can feel safe leaving your camp set up while you take day excursions. We have dry camping ONLY. There is a spigot for water at the gate, but no water or electricity hookups at any of the sites. We welcome individual campers as well as groups. Many of our sites will hold 20-30 people, all in one site area. We can also accommodate much larger groups.... Let us know if you have a special group event.  We can discuss your needs and see if our property is a fit for you. Please call to discuss options if you are unsure, or if you would just like more info .... Hazelanna 360-496-1903 For an interactive map and dates of events that we host you can check out our webpage: CowlitzRiverRentals.com Feel free to reach out with questions BEFORE booking to make sure all of your needs can be accommodated. Things to be considered: Need for outside toilets, need for campfire wood, need for water, types of vehicles, your camping goal (group get together or total solitude with peace and quiet), quick easy access to the main road or camping way off the path, best pet areas, best kid friendly areas, ect. We welcome your questions. Our goal is to help you make great memories! Call or Text: Hazelanna 360-496-1903
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$78
 / night

20. The Healing Farm

98%
(245)
43mi from Castle Rock · 6 sites · Tents, RVs
Come enjoy your stay with farm animals!  When you get here you will get a tour of the farm and introduced to all the animals. After, you can spend as much time with them. We have chickens, turkeys, baby chicks, ducks, goats and baby goats, livestock guardian dogs, wallabies, two capybara's, a porcupine, guinea pigs, patagonian mara's, alpacas, a llama, ponies, cats, rabbits, and a tortoise. We love our animals and each one has a specific purpose they fulfill. Enjoy some quiet time in nature and with all the animals. We encourage to just sit and hang out with the animals and be in the present moment. Animals are very healing.  We are about an hour from Mount Rainier National Park, an hour and a half from Seattle and Portland and Olympia is only 30 minutes away. To see more of what we do and more of the animals, add us on Instagram@thehealingfarmwa or check out our website thehealingfarmwa.com We are happy to share our space with others!  -Jason and Kat
Toilets
Campfires
Showers
from 
$50
 / night

Camper favorites near Castle Rock

Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

Public campgrounds near Castle Rock

Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community

More campsites near Castle Rock

Value Prop
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Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Helens in this compact Washington town.

Camping near Castle Rock guide

Where to go

Seaquest State Park

Just outside of Castle Rock, Seaquest State Park is a popular spot for summertime swimming, fishing, camping, and hiking, with seven miles of hiking trails, including a mile of ADA-accessible trails. It's a fantastic place for RV camping and tent camping alike, with a dump station, fire rings, and picnic tables.

Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument

If you're visiting Castle Rock, the chances are good that you also plan to spend a bit of time at Mount St. Helens nearby. There's a lot to do on the mountain, from learning about its famous 1980 eruption at the visitor center at Silver Lake to exploring the Ape Cave, a lava cave extending around 2.5 miles.

Gifford Pinchot National Forest

One of the oldest designated national forests in the United States, Gifford Pinchot National Forest offers no shortage of things to do and spots to camp. The forest stretches out over 1.32 million acres and has roughly 100 lakes and over 1,200 miles of trails and a mix of both campgrounds and backcountry camping opportunities.

When to go

Summer is the best time to visit Castle Rock. This season is usually hot and dry, and temperatures stay toasty well into September, making it an ideal month for camping without the summer vacation crowds.  If you plan to climb Mount St. Helens, you're best off visiting in the summer or in late spring or early fall, when the conditions are ideal. Just be aware that you'll need a permit if you're visiting between April and October.