Troublesome Creek Campground, Gold Bar, WA

Troublesome Creek Campground is located in the Skykomish Ranger District, Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest (1 hr 13 min east of Everett, WA) with an elevation of 1,296 feet. There are a total of 25 campsites. The campground is normally open from mid May to mid September. 18 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 20 and 30 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Fees range from $28.00 to $56.00. Activities include fishing, hiking trails.

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Campsite Reviews (62)

4.3 out of 5

5 star		61%
4 star		24%
3 star		6%
2 star		3%
1 star		5%

@DavidS3927304 · Camped on Sep 9, 2024 at Campsite #6

Well cared for and in moderately good shape. You can tell that host takes pride in taking care of one of the Cascades best camps

@RegenW91430FAA · Camped on Aug 28, 2024 at Campsite #14

amazing campground, right by the creek. private area and very serene and well kept.

@RonaldS5698545 · Camped on Aug 19, 2024 at Campsite #6

The Campground is located miles from the main highway and it is a very nice place to be away from traffic. The troublesome creek is very beautiful. The campsite we selected was very good for our outing.

@SharonW8755039 · Camped on Jul 26, 2024 at Campsite #6

The sites are small; only fit up to 4 person tents comfortably. Many sites do not have tent platforms. Most of the sites are also quite close together (not much privacy). The creek/river is beautiful as well as the trail. Bathrooms were clean, but smelly. No campfires were allowed while we were there, but a group camping on the beach beyond site #10 had a fire (we smelled it, then spotted it down river). It was very windy and flames could have easily spread to the nearby trees/shrubs with the strong wind. Camp host was no where to be found to report it.

@AliceAC21997B9 · Camped on Jul 26, 2024 at Campsite #24

Beautiful campground with some sites close to the river and others higher up in the trees. There's an easy 1-mile loop to hike along the river with two bridge crossings. Knocked down to 3 stars because 1) mosquitos (we were the furthest from the river, and still a big problem) and 2) our campsite was meant to fit 6 people, but barely fit 1 tent and had no other flat space for chairs. Plus, this campsite has pit toilets and no water supply (would have been fine without the other two issues).

@ValeriaT287405 · Camped on Jul 4, 2024 at Campsite #1

Very beautiful place to stay. Our spot was number 1 right next to the river. Very nice trail 5 min ago. Easy access to the river.No water onsite to do dishes or drinking but very clean restrooms.The site said they didn't have wood for sale on the site so we drove 30 minutes to the next camping site to our surprise when we came back they in fact had a lot of sale $10 usd each

@AnthonyR794985 · Camped on Jun 18, 2024 at Campsite #10

This campground in general and this site in particular are both great. I give this 4 stars out of 5 only because this site is a walk-in and you cannot access it directly with a vehicle. I booked it because myself and the others in my group sleep in our cars at campgrounds like this an we chose this site specifically because the site details said it allowed more than one car. However, nowhere in the site details does it say that it is a walk-in site. The parking lot isn't far and we still had a great time but be aware that this site and the other 3 or 4 immediately next to it are all walk-ins.

@Anastasiy02857 · Camped on Sep 15, 2023 at Campsite #4

Beautiful destination. Enjoyed hiking around and fishing in the river. 100% recommend.

@RobertL7452920 · Camped on Sep 12, 2023 at Campsite #18

This is a nice remote campground along a beautiful scenic river. Close access to many popular trails. Its main drawback is that since the main road to it is washed out and under reconstruction, one must go the long way around on bumpy dirt logging roads.Due to its remoteness, maintenance at the camp is minimal. The toilet paper gets restocked and the garbage collected, but nonessential things are neglected. My reserved sign at the camp never showed my name. It was updated for the weekend visitors. The roof is damaged on one corner of one restroom, it does not affect the interior.Camps 01-04 are sunny riverside camps. 18,19, and 20 are more forested, on the riverside, but have a steeper access to the river. We could stand on large boulders and watch the salmon swimming in the river. We saw a number of dippers as well.

@JeanetteD86E58 · Camped on Sep 1, 2023 at Campsite #3

This campsite was great! We really like campsites like this off the grid to relax and this was beautiful and calm. There are a few thing, that might help you prepare for this campground. 1) There are mice and they get into the cars despite doors being closed, so keep all the dry foods and toilet paper (apparently they eats that too) in a mouse proof container. 2) River side is just lots of rocks, so if your going with kids, prepare yourself that it may not be as relaxing by the river with all the climbing. 3) The names and dates on the campsites did not match the actual bookings. Our name was also on a campground, we didn't book and other guests arrived to see their spot with a different name.

@Francisco490CE · Camped on Aug 14, 2023 at Campsite #23

Very Nice spot for a family camping trip. The creek is very close to the campsite and there is a nice little loop to walk around with a lovely view.

@RedmondJ6EDE8A · Camped on Aug 7, 2023 at Campsite #9

Had thePlace to ourselves! Very quiet. Beautiful walk up Troublesome Creek

@RebeccaF466555 · Camped on Aug 1, 2023 at Campsite #8

Our campsites (8,9,10) are perfect especially if you have small children. Its far enough away from the river to be safe, but close enough for fun! The sites and toilets were clean, and the trash receptacles were emptied regularly. There was no water, but I was notified in advance of the no water situation. The forest ranger should be given kudos for doing a great job maintaining these campsites. There was even bundles of firewood for use at the beginning of the campsite loop. We will continue our family reunion camping tradition here. Thanks so much.

@AdamK4471606 · Camped on Jul 26, 2023 at Campsite #18

The outhouse near site #18 has a collapsing roof and should be repaired. There was no campground host. Our site did not have our name displayed, nor was it marked as reserved. This also happened to a camper near us. They went on a hike and came back to find all of their camping gear had been removed from their site and the site marked as open. This is unacceptable!

@RachelM2671399 · Camped on Jul 14, 2023 at Campsite #5

Beautiful spot

@DanielA4184025 · Camped on Jul 9, 2023 at Campsite #20

The campground website fails to mention that the paved road, Index Galena Rd., into the campground is washed out. If you are familiar with the area, as I am, you would know that there is an alternative route over gravel Forest Service roads that adds 45 minutes or so to the trip. I was unhappy to discover the need to detour without any warnings from Recreation.gov. When I reserved my spot, there were only a couple of spots available. When I arrived at the campground there was only one other camper there who figured out the alternative route to get there. The main road, Index-Galena Rd, is washed out. You need to take the Beckler River road and then follow maps to take a circuitous detour to the campground.

@LucyPD7C315346 · Camped on Jun 30, 2023 at Campsite #8

This is a wonderful campground! It is as removed and backwoods as you could possibly get and still have pit toilets, fire ring and a picnic table! (No drinking water or firewood- bring your own). I thought the road there (the long way since the wash out) would be way worse than it was. A good chunk of the road is paved, just a small/medium section is gravel. We brought our three year old for the first time and he had the time of his life running through the campground and throwing rocks in the river. The place was fully booked our weekend and it was still super quiet and relaxing. Can’t wait to come back!

@DavidS3927304 · Camped on Jun 26, 2023 at Campsite #18

Beautiful camp in the Cascades

@MaureenS904301 · Camped on Jun 11, 2023 at Campsite #18

For fourteen years I have been bringing my dog to camp. This summer was probably his last. This campground is my favorite for car camping. When the river is lower, you can hang in the shallows and in late Spring, everything is fresh and raw from the winter. The camp host these past few years has been excellent: everything is always clean and ready to go. I really appreciate his efforts! When the bridge opens after all this time I know everything will change. I never once worried about leaving stuff at camp. Now that access will be so simple, I fear the sense of isolation will be gone forever. My dog and I have had a good run at Troublesome Creek. We are so fortunate in the Northwest.

@DavidS3927304 · Camped on Jun 9, 2023 at Campsite #12

Stayed for a short weekend recently. The campground is pretty isolated and requires about a 10 mi drive on a dirt road before reaching the campground. I drove in with an AWD Rav4 and had no issues; though I did encounter many fallen rocks and trees (which had been partially cleared for through traffic). The drive is well worth it though with wonderful scenery and amazing views. The only sound to be heard is the roaring river nearby, did not hear any cars or planes the entire weekend. Couple of notes: No cell service for last ~30 mins of the drive, no stores within 45+ mins. No camp host was on duty, no place to buy firewood (that I saw). Also Apple Maps has the campground about two miles from its actual location, Google maps places it accurately (thankfully I downloaded an offline copy of the area in Google maps before I headed out).

@CaseyC3543400 · Camped on Aug 29, 2022 at Campsite #18

Stayed for a couple weeknights at the end of summer. Campground was very secluded and maybe half full (ideal, if you ask me). Site is large with peek-a-boo views of the river, but has its own access to the water down a short trail at the far end of the site. The river is very rocky; but was totally empty, and perfect for a camp chair and a book. I didn't get a good look at the other sites, but I'm fairly certain this is the only one that has this kind of access to the river, therefore making it the best one. Unfortunately, I imagine the surrounding area has since been affected by wildfires, so I'm not sure how this review will hold up.

@TedP1391629 · Camped on Aug 17, 2022 at Campsite #6

Great place to camp. We had the campground all to ourselves on the first night. You will need a 4 by to get in

@DavidS3927304 · Camped on Aug 16, 2022 at Campsite #17

Excellent CG & great host

@oliverw6280781 · Camped on Aug 14, 2022 at Campsite #14

Loved this campground. The sound of the creek was bliss and the campsite (14) was picture perfect. My kids 3, 5 had a great time on the loop hike.

@DavidS3927304 · Camped on Aug 10, 2022 at Campsite #14

Excellent camp off the beaten path in a beautiful part of the Cascades. Camp host is great and the campground really reflects his hard work.

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