Trout Lake Creek Campground. Beautiful really, but more than your typical rustic campground this one is primitive. No water. Self-pay station, so get there early to snag your choice spot... and bring a toilet. Seriously. The vault toilet was the worst I've ever used. Clean and maintained, but by mid-day there were so many flies inside that Steven King would've been inspired. And it smelled. It smelled bad. One day I could smell it at our site and we were about 4 camp sites away. Long story short, none of the kids would even go in there! The toilet is really the only downfall so if you just bring one with you, you'll be fine. (I bought one at the local outdoor store immediately after this trip)

The sites are all fairly nice size. We snagged a double site along the creek which was so nice to have but if you have small children like we do, the noise from the water made it difficult to hear them. We had difficulty hearing them while they were playing nearby and sometimes even just talking to one another. If you take children, I would suggest brightly colored clothing as it is a heavily wooded campground. That will help you keep an eye on them even if you can't hear them.

Favorite sites.

17 double site, on the water

6 large, central, private

7 not on the water, nice space

There is a secret picnic table and day use spot if you follow the River Trail and it's really cool back there! Definitely worth packing a picnic for.

We took an impromptu trip up the road (a horrible road at that) to hike the Sleeping Beauty Trail... impromptu, isn't that how we do everything? My husband remembered hiking it when he was a kid and that it was really cool. Unfortunately, he didn't remember that 4 and 6 year old kids don't like to carry themselves that far. This trail is steep. It's only a little over a mile long but it's hard if you aren't used to hiking or if you're carrying children. You know how the saying goes, "don't give up because you never know how close you are when you stop"? Well, we knew because we could see the end but we stopped and turned back anyway. My husband was now either carrying both small children or alternating which one he was carrying with our teenager who was carrying the other one. I'm not really sure, I was too busy complaining about my life choices. If you make it to the top send me a pic! I'll be having a glass of wine back at camp!

In all seriousness, if your kids are school age I think this is totally do-able if you're prepared. Bring snacks and water and plan to stop along the trail to catch your breath and take pictures. The trail is narrow but there were a few places with logs along the side where you could stop. It's really beautiful. Oh, also bring mosquito spray. 

There are some caves in the area too if you're not claustrophobic. The cave we found was in the ground. Like an actual hole in the ground. I stayed outside and kept on bear watch... (aka) prayed I wasn't bear bait.  The kids loved it down there! The littlest ended up with a split forehead and a goose egg from walking into the low stone ceiling or wall or something, who knows, he couldn't see. But he still enjoyed himself enough to stay down there so I guess it was super magical and cool and I missed out. 

If you are planning to explore caves, bring a sweatshirt and a flash light for everyone. A first aid kit is also a good idea. I was so glad we had one in the car. Also, there has been a case confirmed in Washington state of a fungus that kills bats called, white nose syndrome. It can be spread from your clothes when you go from cave to cave so... cave hopping is OUT unless you can clean all your clothes including your shoes in between cave visits. Please check out the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife website for more info. They do request you report any sick bats or groups of bats you see. And for the love of common sense leave any bats you do see alone and do not attempt to handle them. I'm not worried about you contracting the fungus from the bats, that has not shown to be a problem for humans, but there is a solid threat. One word. Rabies. 

Go, explore, and have fun with your family in this beautiful place we live. See you at the campground! I'll bring the coffee, if I remember to pack it.