RV camping near Bellevue, Washington offers convenient access to both urban amenities and natural surroundings within a 35-minute radius. The area sits at the eastern edge of Lake Washington with elevations ranging from 85 to 450 feet, creating varied camping terrain. Winter temperatures average 33-47°F while summer ranges from 58-77°F, making late spring through early fall the optimal camping season.
What to do
Hiking trails access: Near Tall Chief Campground, campers can explore nearby hiking options. "We love Tall Chief because it is super close to a lot of great spots around the Seattle region," notes one camper who particularly recommends stopping at Aroma Coffee Co. just 7 minutes away before hitting the trails.
Fishing opportunities: The Thousand Trails Thunderbird campground offers river access for anglers. "Along the river you see fly fishing its amazing," reports one visitor who appreciated the scenic setting for catching local fish species.
Urban exploration: From Lake Pleasant RV Park, Seattle's attractions are easily accessible. "We stayed at this park on a trip to Seattle. It was only about 30 minutes to downtown, but almost felt like you were out in the country," shares a camper who enjoyed the balance of city access and natural surroundings.
What campers like
Privacy features: Campsites at Tall Chief Campground offer more spacious layouts than many urban parks. "Most sites are pretty big too. We can easily fit our trailer, tow vehicle, and extra vehicle and still have space!" notes a frequent visitor who appreciates the roomier camping experience.
Clean facilities: Sun Outdoors Gig Harbor maintains high standards for its amenities. One camper reports, "The laundry machines ($2 washer/$2 dryer) get the job done, with no need to keep feeding the machine," highlighting the practical, well-maintained facilities.
Pond wildlife viewing: Many campers enjoy the water features at area campgrounds. A Lake Pleasant visitor shares: "We did not use the bathrooms, but enjoyed the walking trails, playground for the kids, and watching the resident ducks in the pond," describing the simple pleasures available without leaving the campground.
What you should know
Cell reception variability: Coverage at Tall Chief can change dramatically between sites. "I'm getting 120+ mbs download on AT&T in my site right now, but several sites down from me, it can dwindle down to 5mbs!" warns one tech-dependent camper who recommends checking reception when selecting your site.
Sewer hookup limitations: Not all campgrounds offer full hookups. "No sewer connections which can be a bummer, but the nice bathrooms make up for it imo," mentions a Tall Chief camper, while another notes that "we used a pumping service halfway through our time there. The park provided the information for the service. It was $60."
Noise considerations: Some parks are located near highways. At Issaquah Village RV Park, "you'll be camping 200' from I-90. But we found our ear plugs did a good job of quieting that noise enough for us to get a good sleep," reports a camper who still found the stay worthwhile despite the road noise.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several parks offer recreational facilities for children. "The pool, miniature golf, playground and basketball were great," shares a camper at Tall Chief, mentioning multiple activities to keep kids entertained.
Nature observation opportunities: Some parks incorporate natural features that appeal to children. "We enjoyed the walking trails, playground for the kids, and watching the resident ducks in the pond," notes a family that stayed at Lake Pleasant RV Park, highlighting simple activities that kept their children engaged.
Pet restrictions: For families bringing dogs, be aware of pet areas. A visitor to Issaquah Village notes, "This camp ground is not ideal if you have dogs. There is not much grass, in fact you have to go outside the park and across the street to [be a] compliant pet owner."
Tips from RVers
Reservation timing: For Bellevue-area camping, book well ahead for prime months. "We were able to grab a last minute reservation thanks to a FT resident leaving for service," mentions a lucky Blue Sky RV Park camper, but such opportunities are rare in this popular region.
Site leveling: RV campers should check site grading before setting up. "The pad was paved, level and long enough for Super C and toad," reports a Blue Sky visitor, appreciating the properly prepared parking surface.
Storage options: Some parks offer temporary storage solutions. "On site storage if you need to leave your rig for a few days," explains a Lake Pleasant camper who notes, "I camped, stored my camper while I went on a cruise, camped and then headed out for the remainder of an around the country journey."
