Big Creek (Gifford Pinchot National Forest, WA)

I'm an avid camper, and the experience I had at this campground with the host was ABSOLUTELY THE WORST ever. We arrived at the campground early to find the best spot as we were planning to take some outdoor wedding photos at the campsite the day after. It was not a busy season, so there were only a couple of sites occupied. We carefully selected a spot, paid for it, and posted the receipt on the s... I'm an avid camper, and the experience I had at this campground with the host was ABSOLUTELY THE WORST ever. We arrived at the campground early to find the best spot as we were planning to take some outdoor wedding photos at the campsite the day after. It was not a busy season, so there were only a couple of sites occupied. We carefully selected a spot, paid for it, and posted the receipt on the site clip. I took a photo of both the envelope and the receipt clipped at the site. After exploring the national park, we arrived at the campground at around 9pm. Most of the campsites were still unoccupied. To our surprise, when we arrived at our reserved spot, there was a group of people who took our campsite! They already put up their tent and a canopy as well. When I checked the pole where I clipped the receipt, it was GONE & REPLACED by someone else's!! When I talked to those people who took our campsite, there were already drunk and were at the verge of becoming hostile. But they did tell us that the host "allowed" them to take the spot. Right then and there, we went to the host and explained the situation, and the host said (1) we never paid and that (2) there was no receipt clipped at the site. When I told him that that wasn't true, he proceeded to tell me that the information I wrote on the clip let him know that we were checking out today. So, for a second, I thought maybe I wrote either the # of nights spent or check-out date incorrectly. But then, I remembered I took pictures of both the envelope and the receipt!! I showed the photos to him, then, of course, he could not lie his way out of this. There was no apology, and he simply proceeded to tell us to sleep at one of the other available campsites. We were super furious because we had NEVER experienced this kind of rudeness, lies, and brazen behavior. As anyone can imagine, we did not want to spend another second there, so we demanded a refund, and "MIRACULOUSLY", the envelope (still glued) with our payment was found in his RV. I'm reporting the host to the US Forest Service.

We spent two nights at Big Creek Campground, campsite #16. Our camp host, Annette, was fantastic. Besides being accommodating and super helpful, she added special touches to the maintenance of the toilets! Late in the afternoon, she would go around on her golf cart to check the vault toilets, ensure there was enough toilet paper, fold the edges of the toilet paper rolls, and spray air freshener to... We spent two nights at Big Creek Campground, campsite #16. Our camp host, Annette, was fantastic. Besides being accommodating and super helpful, she added special touches to the maintenance of the toilets! Late in the afternoon, she would go around on her golf cart to check the vault toilets, ensure there was enough toilet paper, fold the edges of the toilet paper rolls, and spray air freshener to make the experience more pleasant. Thank you, Annette. As for the campsite #16 itself, we were very happy with our spot. It was spacious, beautiful, and neither too dark nor too exposed. Its location was also ideal, being near the toilet and water. We noticed that campsite #7, if I remember correctly, is right next to the creek. When we drove around the loop, it looked very pretty. Vault toilets*: Permanent structures in areas without running water that store waste in a sealed underground tank. Vent pipes keep the toilets fresh and odor-free by allowing air to flow out through the ceiling.

This was a last minute stop so if you can’t get a camp spot in Mt. Ranier, this campground is very close and you can easily get into Mt. Ranier before the reserve timed entry requirement. Camp spots are on the small side close together, but you’re in peaceful lush forest, and there is potable water spigots. Highlight of our visit was camp host Annette was awesomely helpful, she went above and beyo... This was a last minute stop so if you can’t get a camp spot in Mt. Ranier, this campground is very close and you can easily get into Mt. Ranier before the reserve timed entry requirement. Camp spots are on the small side close together, but you’re in peaceful lush forest, and there is potable water spigots. Highlight of our visit was camp host Annette was awesomely helpful, she went above and beyond as she remembered us and followed up to help us secure a second night on short notice! I never thought it would be possible to come across a clean pit toilet!

This was a last minute stop so if you can’t get a camp spot in Mt. Ranier, this campground is very close and you can easily get into Mt. Ranier before the reserve timed entry requirement. Camp spots are on the small side close together, but you’re in peaceful lush forest, and there is potable water spigots. Highlight of our visit was camp host Annette was awesomely helpful, she went above and beyo... This was a last minute stop so if you can’t get a camp spot in Mt. Ranier, this campground is very close and you can easily get into Mt. Ranier before the reserve timed entry requirement. Camp spots are on the small side close together, but you’re in peaceful lush forest, and there is potable water spigots. Highlight of our visit was camp host Annette was awesomely helpful, she went above and beyond as she remembered us and followed up to help us secure a second night on short notice! I never thought it would be possible to come across a clean pit toilet!