Q: What is your cancellation policy?

CANCELLATION POLICY -- If you cancel 21 days or more before your stay, you will receive a full refund of your deposit. -- If you cancel 11-20 days before your stay, your deposit will become a Camp Credit which may be used for a future reservation. -- If you cancel 10 days or less before your stay, your deposit will be forfeited.

Question 1

How do I book, and what are some tips to make it easier?

Accepted Answer

You can book directly through our website by clicking "Check Availability" on any page.  The only filter that you need to use to begin with is the date.  This will give you a more clear picture of what is available.  
You have the choice to book through Hipcamp or CampLife.  Each has its pros and cons.  The easiest availability map is through CampLife.   If you are interested in insurance and a weather guaranty, you can find that through Hipcamp.

If you are on CampLife, do not put in equipment or vehicle unless you want to fill out a bunch of information that we don't need anyway.  We cannot delete that part from the filter section yet.

The maximum number of adults will differ from the total amount of people for each site.  This is to allow some leeway for groups with more kids.  There are warning banners that will tell you when you have exceeded the maximum allowed.  You do not have to count kids aged 5 and under.  If you have only one or two more adults than the allowable, just add them as kids... it will probably be fine.... just please don't take advantage of this.

The large group sites have an automatic charge for an extra porta potty when your group is over 20 people.  This extra potty will be placed at your site, for your group exclusively. This is for the benefit of your group, as well as the nearby groups sharing the main porta potties.

In CampLife, the available sites will show green. Clicking on a site, whether grey or green, will show you site information and allow you to choose "Show available dates" for that site.

Question 2

What is the best way to contact you?

Accepted Answer

Text or a phone call will be the fastest way to receive an answer.  Contact Hazelanna @ 360-496-1903
You may also email to cowlitzriverrentals@gmail.com, but email is often only checked once per day.

Question 3

How is the maximum number of people and group cost determined?

Accepted Answer

The maximum number of adults will differ from the total amount of people for each site. This is to allow some leeway for groups with more kids. On CampLife, there are warning banners  in the search section that will tell you when you have exceeded the maximum allowed.

We have found that, while a site may have room for more people, there is usually a big difference between 8 adults  in a site, compared to 2 adults with 6 kids..... scale that up for larger groups.  We wanted  to recognize that many times a small number of adults will end up with a camp full of kids because the kids' friends came too.  This has allowed us to increase the maximum total number allowed across all of the sites.

We have also tried to adjust the rate scale to be more fair to smaller groups.  Last year there were only two choices... Individual or Group.

Individuals 16 and older have been counted as adults because they may be driving.
You do not have to count kids aged 5 and under.

Question 4

How private are the campsites?

Accepted Answer

We have only 20 campsites across 70 acres.  We have tried hard to keep most of the sites visually separated for privacy.   All of them are much farther apart than any traditional campground and are somewhat insulated as far as sound.  
We do ask that  you use consideration for your neighbors, and check to see if your music or other sounds are reaching the surrounding camps.
We also have four very large beach areas on approximately 1.5 miles of river front.  There is plenty of room to spread out, even when we are at capacity.

Question 5

Do I need to list all the vehicles for my group?

Accepted Answer

Nooooo!!
You do not need to list ANY vehicle on CampLife, although I believe Hipcamp may require it.  We have plenty of room and do not need that information.  Just leave your vehicle number to zero, and it will save you a lot of time.

Question 6

How many vehicles can our group bring?

Accepted Answer

Each site is a different size, so there are infinite possibilities for what can "fit" in each site.  That being said, there is so much room on the fringes of each site area, that you really don't need to worry about extra vehicles.  There will be space to park them. :)

You do NOT need to list ANY vehicles, nor equipment types, to make your reservation.  We do not need that info, and it will just cause you a lot of work for nothing.

Question 7

Why does the cost of the larger group sites jump so much at 21 people?

Accepted Answer

The large group sites have an automatic charge for an extra porta potty when your group is over 20 people. This extra potty will be placed at your site, for your group exclusively. This is for the benefit of your group, as well as the nearby groups sharing the main porta potties.

Question 8

What is your cancellation policy?

Accepted Answer

​CANCELLATION POLICY
​-- If you cancel 21 days or more before your stay, you will receive a full refund of your deposit.
-- If you cancel 11-20 days before your stay, your deposit will become a Camp Credit which may be used for a future reservation.
-- If you cancel 10 days or less before your stay, your deposit will be forfeited.

Question 9

Why does your information say not to use waypoints or drop pins from your site?

Accepted Answer

Our access road is not a recognized "road" for any of the map systems.... it simply provides access from the highway to the fields.  If you use site waypoints, the map systems will take you to other "recognized" roads.  These roads may be closer to the waypoint or pin, but they give you no possible way of reaching our property.
Please follow the directions that are provided, and only share the directions that are provided.

Question 10

Are there any sites available during events?  It seems that they are all listed as unavailable.

Accepted Answer

Right now some of the sites are blocked for track prep between event weekends.  This does not mean that I cannot override the availability for certain weekdays between events. Please contact Hazelanna for info on what is actually available. 360-496-1903

Flivvers at the River weekend (Gambler 500 & Dirt Track Racing) and Cascadia Rennaisance Faire weekend have specific camping rules that apply to all campers on the property for that weekend.  Payment for camping can be made online or onsite to those entities.

Look for more information on each individual event page.

Question 11

Do you have a speed limit?

Accepted Answer

YES!  Our speed limit is 10 mph on the graveled road and 5 mph where there is dust potential.  This is one rule that does not have any leniency.
While there is a lot of open space where a vehicle could go faster, we are still battling dust and wind.  Out of consideration for other campsites, we would ask that you keep your speed down and also keep the dust down. Please feel free to drive on the grass where the dust is bad.

There are also other campers with kids and dogs.  You never know when someone will pop out from the trees or a path.  Driving slowly helps ensure more awareness and stopping ability.

Remember, you are camping...relax...take it easy.  If you can't slow down and take it easy on the drive to and from your site, you may want to find a different place to stay.  Please share this with your group as well.

Question 12

What is available at the Camp Store?

Accepted Answer

Planned items:
Ice, bug spray, sunscreen, toothbrush kit, smores kit, fire starter, canned drinks, snacks, Keurig coffees, Tshirts, and sweatshirts.

However, the Camp Store is not functioning at this time due to many factors. :)
If you need any of the above items, we may still be able to help you, though.

Question 13

Is there potable water available?

Accepted Answer

We do have a water spigot, with a hose, that is connected to the Randle Water System.

It is located near the entrance to the property.  Camp vehicles should get their water BEFORE continuing to their camp site.

Question 14

Is there a dumpster available?

Accepted Answer

We will have a dumpster available.  We ask $10 per bag for that convenience.  Payment can be made at the store, or through Venmo, Zelle, Cash App, or PayPal.

You are also welcome to pack your garbage home if you like.

Question 15

What is "Float the Loop"..... Do I need a float tube?

Accepted Answer

We are blessed with a "panhandle" piece of property.  The river flows around our peninsula.  You can get in the water on the upstream side and use a float tube, kayak, paddle board, or other flotation device to take you around to the other side.  Once there, you can get out, walk across the meadow, and float again.  The average float time from the upper end of The Fort Beach to South Beach is 20-30 minutes.

We do have a number of float tubes available for rent for $5 per day.  These are on a first come, first served basis.

The water is glacial melt and can be quite chilly.  The river tends to run much higher in May and early June as the snow is melting off of the mountains.  You can expect river height variations during this time, especially after a very hot day.
River levels tend to stay fairly low and consistent through July, August, & September.  In these later months, most of the river is shallow enough to touch bottom.  There are areas that are very slow and some that are a bit swift.  Please use common sense, consideration, and respect for the water.

Question 16

Are there longer floats or kayak trips available?

Accepted Answer

Yes!
You can put in at the Randle Bridge on SR 131 and float to any of the beaches.  Float time from the  bridge to South Beach is about an hour, depending on how much the wind has picked up in the afternoon.

You can also plan a 4 hour kayak trip from our property to Cowlitz Falls Campground and take out at their boat launch/day area.  This trip should begin no later than 8am as the wind picks up about 12:30 every day.  If you get caught in the wind, you will have to paddle hard to get to the take out point.

If your group would like to do something like this, please contact us, and we will do what we can to help out.

Question 17

What amenities are available for the campsite area?

Accepted Answer

We have potable water at the entrance gate with a spigot and hose.
There are fire rings for each site.Each site has a picnic table. Large groups should plan to bring extra tables and seating.Porta potties are located fairly close to each site.Firewood is available on-site for purchase. It can be delivered to your site.Float tubes are available to rent for $5/day.

Question 18

What is your noise policy?

Accepted Answer

We have very few "RULES", but this one is solid.  If the camp/group next to you can hear your music, then you need to turn it down.  This also goes for the beaches.  People come to camp for their own reasons. Most of the time, it is for peaceful relaxation, and not to listen to someone else's choice of music.
We have large group sites that will hold many friends and family, but that does NOT give free rein to party hard and disrupt the peacefulness of the those next to you, especially after dark.
Our sites have quite a distance between them, but just because you can't see your neighbors, doesn't mean that they can't hear you.

It is your responsibility to check whether or not your music/voices can be heard by another camp.  If you choose to ignore this, you may be asked to leave, so consider what type of camping experience you are looking for before booking.  
Karaoke and blaring music should be taken elsewhere.  
Obscenities that can be heard by other campers are not welcome.   
If you feel that you or your group members cannot follow the simple rule of "Respect and Consideration" for the campers around them, then please choose a different place to stay.

Question 19

Is there cell service at my site?

Accepted Answer

There are two cell towers within a mile of the camp areas.  There is great service for almost all carriers.

Question 20

What pets are allowed, and can they be off leash?

Accepted Answer

We mainly have had dogs.  There have been a few cats, a few turtles, and a lizard as well.
Pets can be off leash, but please be aware of any quirks or glitches your pet may have toward "protecting camp" and sensitivity toward other campers and dogs walking past camp.

If you have a barky dog, or one that runs out at people passing by, you will need to keep them leashed within your camp.  All campers deserve to be able to feel safe, and have the expectation that a barking dog will not run out at them as they are walking by.

You are solely responsible for any damage your animal causes to human, animal, or property.
We also ask that you put the doggy poop bags in your own trash to throw in the dumpster, rather than in the porta potty garbage cans for someone else to clean up.

Question 21

Will more FAQ's be added here soon?

Accepted Answer

YES!!!
We will try to address questions here as they come in.

Cowlitz River Rentals

Randle, Washington

Private Riverside Campsites in the Pacific Northwest

FAQ's

Frequently asked questions