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Free Camping Collection

Dispersed Camping

Cora Lake Back Country

3 Reviews

About

National Forest

Gifford Pinchot National Forest

This trail is open to hiker, motorcycle, horse and bicycle use. No motorized use from March 1 to June 30.

This begins on Forest Road 8420 and climbs steeply to Big Creek and Cora Falls before reaching Cora Lake. Skirting the lake, it passes a junction with Teeley Creek Trail #251, enters a dense forest and climbs to its terminus on Forest Road 8440. Features include Cora Falls, Cora Lake, and High Rock.

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Location

Cora Lake Back Country is located in Washington

Directions

From Packwood, WA. Follow Forest Road 52 (Skate Creek) north for 18.2 miles and turn left on Forest Road 84. Follow Forest Road 84 for 4.2 miles and turn right on Forest Road 8420. Follow Forest Road 8420 for 1.6 miles and arrive at the trail on your left.

Coordinates

46.6904620776456 N
121.89154565078049 W

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Access

Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.
Hike-In
Backcountry sites.

Stay Connected

WiFi
Unknown
Verizon
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AT&T
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T-Mobile
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Site Types

Dispersed

Features

For Campers

Pets
Fires

Enjoy dispersed camping on government land and leave no trace. Pack in and pack out. No (or limited) services at this camping area. Permit may be required.

PERMIT might be REQUIRED

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Contact

General Info

Robert M.

Scout

Reviewed Jun. 4, 2021

Accessible and quiet

Walked up for a night. Youngest was 11. Told the kids it was a 2 hour walk. Did it in under an hour. Camped on the right hand shore as it basked in the morning sun. Snow patches at end of May, but enough soggy ground to camp on. Bring a tarp or plastic sheeting for under the tent.

SiteWest Shore

Month of VisitJune

Ethan H.

Ranger

Reviewed Oct. 14, 2020

cozy lakeside camp

secluded lakeside camping underneath high rock. 3 mile hike to the lake, 6 round trip. Tons and tons of frogs and tadpoles which meant no bugs! beautiful area

(4) View All

Dawnielle C.

Ranger

Reviewed Oct. 3, 2017

Ranger Review: COLDPRUF Women's premium performance crew and Women's premium performance pant at Cora Lake.

Campground Review:

There are a ton of amazing places to camp around Mt. Rainier and Cora Lake did not disappoint. Though it was raining on the day that we headed up we were mostly covered by a shelter of trees on the short hike in. Once you get to the lake you can walk around until you find a spot, though there are some fire pits throughout, it was a pretty fire-filled summer so there were no fires on our trip. We stayed at one of the first spots we came to because after taking a look at the other nearby spots this had the best trees for hanging our hammocks. We didn't have a ton of daylight left by the time we got there, but we also never saw another person during our trip (except a couple of forest fire fighters). Waking up the next morning directly in front of the lake in a hammock is amazing and breathtaking, I highly recommend it! If you have good hiking weather there's also a fire lookout nearby with great views.

Product Review:

As a Ranger for The Dyrt I get to review some great and often very practical products. This trip I was lucky enough to review two products from COLDPRUF.

Women's premium performance crew and Women's premium performance pant in cranberry. Camping in the late summer months is always an adventure with the threat of cold weather and rain. These base layers from Coldpruf definitely did their job of keeping me warm. I wore the top and bottoms to bed under my sweats snuggled into my sleeping bag and they were perfect. They are super breathable and soft so you never feel itchy or too warm. I left the top on the next morning for my hike back to the car, paired with my puffy vest it was just enough to keep me warm, and breathable enough that I wasn't covered in sweat when I got back to my car. The base layer is also a snug fit, so it's easy to add more layers on top in colder nights. I'd definitely recommend Coldpruf if you're looking for new, very affordable layering. They look great too and the color is perfect!

Month of VisitNovember

(14) View All