A small forested loop beside a lake in the hills above Montesano, Lake Sylvia State Park Campground runs quiet on weekdays and fills fast on summer weekends, particularly the waterfront sites. The campground is compact enough that one reviewer noted walking laps with a toddler on a bike without any worry of getting turned around, which gives a sense of the scale. Tall trees shade most of the loop, and the forested terrain keeps temperatures manageable even in warmer months.
Site quality varies considerably depending on where you land in the loop. Sites along the water, such as site 9, sit directly at the lake's edge and give anglers immediate access, but they tend to run uneven and are better suited to car campers or RVs than tent setups. Site 20 comes up in reviews as flat and spacious, with partial water views from the interior of the loop. Annie B. notes that "many campsites are right on the small lake," and those spots go first. Site 33, near the bathroom building, drew complaints about odor from outside the structure, though reviewers consistently found the interiors clean with hot showers available.
Fishing draws a steady crowd. The lake also supports kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding, and Sharon J. notes it's "great for our SUPs and the kids to swim," though the designated swim beach can get crowded in peak season. State park trails connect with City of Montesano trails, giving hikers and mountain bikers a solid range of routes for a full day out. Cell service is essentially nonexistent across major carriers, but the park provides free Wi-Fi.
Hookups are limited. Only four sites have electric and water, with no sewer connections, so RV campers relying on full hookups should confirm availability before booking. The campground accepts reservations, and waterfront sites in particular fill well in advance for summer weekends. Early March walk-ups have found the campground nearly empty. Rates run $12 to $70 per night depending on site type and residency status, with non-residents paying around $41 for standard sites. Friends Landing and MonteSquare RV Park & Lodge are nearby alternatives if Lake Sylvia is booked out. Book waterfront sites as early as the reservation window opens if lake access is a priority.
Description
Lake Sylvia State Park is a wooded 252-acre camping park with 15,000 feet of freshwater shoreline. Set in a former logging camp above the historic town of Montesano, park life revolves around a large swimming and fishing lake that draws families to its shores all summer long, and the rustic charm of the park makes for excellent day and group camping trips.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsLake Sylvia State Park Campground is located in Washington near Montesano
Directions
From Olympia: Drive west on Hwy. 101 to SR 8, and west on SR 8 to SR 12. Follow signs to Montesano. Lake Sylvia is 1 mile north of the SR 12/Lake Sylvia exit.
Address
1812 Lake Sylvia Road
Montesano, WA 98563
Coordinates
46.9916 N
123.6012 W
Connectivity
- T-MobileLTESome CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 8/18/26
- Verizon5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 4 usersLast on 8/18/26
- AT&TLTESome CoverageVerified by 6 usersLast on 8/18/26
Connectivity
- T-MobileLTESome CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 8/18/26
- Verizon5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 4 usersLast on 8/18/26
- AT&TLTESome CoverageVerified by 6 usersLast on 8/18/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
Features
For Campers
- ADA Access
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Showers
- Drinking Water
- Electric Hookups
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Sewer Hookups
- Water Hookups
- Pull-Through Sites
- 50 Amp Hookups
- Big Rig Friendly
Contact
General Info
Reservations
Drive Time
- 35 min from Olympia, WA
- 1 hr 24 min from Bremerton, WA
- 1 hr 28 min from Longview, WA
- 1 hr 30 min from Seattle, WA













































