Best Campgrounds near Tacoma, WA

Camping near Tacoma, WA, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a family-friendly spot or a peaceful retreat, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

• Hiking and Wildlife Watching: Many campgrounds, like Dash Point State Park Campground, have trails where you can hike and spot wildlife. One visitor mentioned, "Several miles of hiking trails and chances to see wildlife or catch frogs."
• Beach Access: Campgrounds such as Dosewallips State Park Campground provide access to beautiful beaches. A reviewer noted, "The beach itself is fairly large with plenty of space to stretch out."
• Fishing and Kayaking: At Penrose Point State Park Campground, you can enjoy fishing and kayaking. One camper shared, "We caught a bunch of little trout (catch and release) with the kids and kayaked around."

What campers like:

• Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A visitor at Alder Lake Park said, "The bathrooms are very nice. They charge a nominal fee for the showers but they have great water pressure and hot water."
• Friendly Staff: Many campgrounds have helpful hosts. A family at Belfair State Park Campground shared, "They got us into an emergency spot... they even checked on us each day to make sure everything was going well."
• Spacious Campsites: Campers enjoy having room to spread out. A reviewer at Kanaskat-Palmer State Park mentioned, "The campground is nice and clean... the sites afford good privacy between sites."

What you should know:

• Noise Levels: Some campgrounds can be noisy due to nearby roads or other campers. A visitor at Potlatch State Park Campground noted, "The sites are dramatically close, so there is little to no privacy if it was busy."
• Reservations Recommended: Popular spots fill up quickly, especially during weekends. A camper at Millersylvania State Park Campground advised, "Probably need to reserve far in advance."
• Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds may not have all the amenities you expect. A visitor at Fay Bainbridge Park mentioned, "The campground was loud... the toilet for the campground was out of order."

Tips for camping with families:

• Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and open spaces. A family at Dosewallips State Park Campground said, "There are lots of families -- meaning, kids running around and riding bikes."
• Safety First: Choose sites that are away from busy roads. A camper at Millersylvania State Park Campground warned about a site that was "downwind of the dump station and dumpsters."
• Pack for Rain: The weather can be unpredictable, so bring rain gear. A visitor at Alder Lake Park noted, "It rained a couple of nights but being surrounded by huge trees made it really cozy."

Tips from RVers:

• Check Site Size: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Kanaskat-Palmer State Park mentioned, "The campground is in two loops: one with electric hookups and one without."
• Use Full Hookups: Look for campgrounds with full hookups for convenience. A visitor at Potlatch State Park Campground appreciated having "water, power AND its own sewer hook up."
• Plan for Limited Cell Service: Some areas may have poor reception. A camper at Kanaskat-Palmer State Park noted, "Surprisingly we had zero cell coverage."

Camping near Tacoma, WA, has something for everyone, whether you're in a tent or an RV. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!