Best Campgrounds near Vaughn, WA

Campgrounds near Vaughn, Washington span from waterfront state parks to forested retreats along the Hood Canal and Puget Sound. The area includes established facilities like Penrose Point State Park and Joemma Beach State Park, both offering shoreline access within 15 miles of Vaughn. These mixed-use campgrounds accommodate various camping styles, with most state parks providing tent and RV sites with standard amenities like picnic tables, fire rings, and access to potable water. Several locations also feature cabin accommodations, particularly at Belfair State Park, where both primitive and developed camping areas cater to different outdoor preferences.

Road conditions and campground accessibility remain consistent year-round at most locations, though seasonal considerations affect site availability. Many campgrounds in the region require advance reservations, especially for summer weekends when waterfront sites fill quickly. "This campground is one our favorites close by spots. It has plenty of spots and right near a running creek east of lake quinault. No trailers and RVs are allowed out here due to the narrow gravel roads and small spaces," notes one reviewer about a nearby Olympic Peninsula option. Cell service varies significantly throughout the area, with stronger coverage at campgrounds closer to urban areas like Federal Way and weaker signals in more remote locations along the Hood Canal.

The camping experience near Vaughn features notable waterfront access, with Hood Canal and Puget Sound providing scenic backdrops at multiple state parks. Campers consistently mention the contrast between the busier waterfront campgrounds and the more secluded forested sites. As one visitor described Dash Point State Park: "This campground is hidden in the middle of a major Western Washington city. Once in the campground, you would have no idea that you are surrounded by a sprawling metropolitan area." Privacy between sites varies considerably, with tent-only areas typically offering more seclusion than the RV sections. Most camping areas maintain moderate noise levels during weekdays, though weekend traffic increases substantially during summer months, particularly at popular destinations like Penrose Point and Belfair State Park.

Best Camping Sites Near Vaughn, Washington (254)

    1. Dash Point State Park Campground

    72 Reviews
    Federal Way, WA
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 226-7688

    $20 / night

    "Firstly, I just have to say what a positive and amazing experience I had at this campground. The volunteers were friendly, kind and absolutely awesome to interact with."

    "The campground itself is tucked into a beautiful, forested area with plenty of trees and privacy between sites. Ours had a tent pad, fire ring, and picnic table."

    2. Penrose Point State Park Campground

    20 Reviews
    Lakebay, WA
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 226-7688

    $32 / night

    "Pros: group camp is very close to beach front area, GREAT CLAMMING AND OYSTERING!"

    "Penrose Point State Park is a great place close to Seattle to go camping in a small or large group. It's tent or camper friendly with plenty of spots for busier seasons."

    3. Belfair State Park Campground

    18 Reviews
    Belfair, WA
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 275-0668

    $12 - $50 / night

    "Often our first or last trip of the year, due to its proximity to the greater Seattle area.  Most of the folks we meet are from western Washington. "

    "On the water of the Hood Canal, it offered more family activities than many of the parks around. The campground itself is situated close to the water with several loops, tightly packed together."

    4. Twanoh State Park Campground

    18 Reviews
    Tahuya, WA
    9 miles
    Website

    $12 - $50 / night

    "Location was clean, easy to access and feels like a world away from the busy cities close by."

    "This is clean and well-maintained state campground that offers nice access to the southern tip of Hood Canal, although you have to cross Rt. 106 to get to the waterside picnic area and docks, and that"

    5. Sun Outdoors Gig Harbor

    10 Reviews
    Gig Harbor, WA
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (253) 858-8138

    $57 - $104 / night

    "Close by stores, trails, parks, harbor. Tacoma across bridge (10 minutes - $6.25 toll)."

    "Costco, Home Depot, Albertsons and other shopping close by."

    6. Joemma Beach State Park Campground

    10 Reviews
    Lakebay, WA
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (253) 884-1944

    $12 / night

    "We arrived little later around 6 p.m. And being such a nice day there were only few sites left."

    "Conveniently located right next to the bathroom with an area for parking two vehicles. I have AT&T and had good service in this spot."

    7. Jarrell Cove State Park Campground

    8 Reviews
    Lakebay, WA
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 426-9226

    $12 - $50 / night

    "Tucked away remote campsite in a forest next to estuary. Two sites have hookups. Clean restrooms with shower."

    "Site 8 is a pull through and is very large, but not so private as everyone walking to the main dock walks right past your site."

    8. Dosewallips State Park Campground

    45 Reviews
    Brinnon, WA
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 796-4415

    $12 - $50 / night

    "The grounds are well-maintained with easy access to some hiking trails that are easy to moderate in difficulty."

    "Dump station close by worked great on exit. Wooded with ferns. Rain was nice to enjoy through the windows."

    9. Potlatch State Park Campground

    19 Reviews
    Hoodsport, WA
    17 miles
    Website

    "The sites closer to the back of the campground (where we were) are far away from the road so you can't really hear highway noise at all."

    "We had a beautiful site tucked in the woods that was very quiet. The beach across the street was really fun for kids and adults and there was loads of lovely hikes nearby."

    10. Lakebay Getaway

    4 Reviews
    Lakebay, WA
    7 miles
    +1 (253) 225-6248

    $50 / night

    "The location is great, so close to the water, Penrose and other peninsula activities."

    "Great location if you want to relax and take long walks at nearby state parks and beaches. Robyn is a spectacular host who was great to communicate with. We will be coming back."

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Recent Reviews near Vaughn, WA

1105 Reviews of 254 Vaughn Campgrounds


  • Nicole L.
    Oct. 3, 2025

    Woodlands at Lake Stickney

    BEAUTIFUL LOCATION

    I myself have never parked my RV at the campsite. However, I've been to the public Access area and have to say that it's very peaceful and has a restroom which is nice. I'm a local. I live inside my RV and it has been a major adjustment but having places like this has been extremely helpful.

  • Sarah S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 30, 2025

    Top of the Hill camping

    Top of the hill camping

    This is actually a really secluded, pivate location with a beautiful view! The road is fairly easy to get up to this spot but really just room for one vehicle. I guess the last people used it as the dumb spot when they were leaving because there’s a grill and a TV screen there… we did not stay and camp here, but we did check it out and if we didn’t have a trailer, I would definitely have claimed the spot!

  • Sarah S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 30, 2025

    FR27 Landing

    fr27 landing

    Great large flat spot for camping. Could easily fit about 5 cars here. About 4 fire rings set up and the road is pretty easy getting here.

  • Sarah S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 30, 2025

    NF-27 Tunnel Creek

    Pull through site

    This is a great spot to stay for a bit if you’re looking to do that OR just stay for a night. It’s like, a big circle that you pull in and out of. There’s a trail from this site that leads to a great tint site as well. Plenty of space if you have a decent sized group. Easily accommodating 3 cars. We have plenty of space with our rig. Star link works great here!

  • Eun Ji L.
    Sep. 27, 2025

    Big Creek Campground

    I'm an avid camper - this was THE WORST experience ever.

    I'm an avid camper, and the experience I had at this campground with the host was ABSOLUTELY THE WORST ever. We arrived at the campground early to find the best spot as we were planning to take some outdoor wedding photos at the campsite the day after. It was not a busy season, so there were only a couple of sites occupied. We carefully selected a spot, paid for it, and posted the receipt on the site clip. I took a photo of both the envelope and the receipt clipped at the site. 

    After exploring the national park, we arrived at the campground at around 9pm. Most of the campsites were still unoccupied. To our surprise, when we arrived at our reserved spot, there was a group of people who took our campsite! They already put up their tent and a canopy as well. When I checked the pole where I clipped the receipt, it was GONE & REPLACED by someone else's!! When I talked to those people who took our campsite, there were already drunk and were at the verge of becoming hostile. But they did tell us that the host "allowed" them to take the spot. 

    Right then and there, we went to the host and explained the situation, and the host said (1) we never paid and that (2) there was no receipt clipped at the site. When I told him that that wasn't true, he proceeded to tell me that the information I wrote on the clip let him know that we were checking out today. So, for a second, I thought maybe I wrote either the# of nights spent or check-out date incorrectly. But then, I remembered I took pictures of both the envelope and the receipt!! I showed the photos to him, then, of course, he could not lie his way out of this. 

    There was no apology, and he simply proceeded to tell us to sleep at one of the other available campsites. We were super furious because we had NEVER experienced this kind of rudeness, lies, and brazen behavior. As anyone can imagine, we did not want to spend another second there, so we demanded a refund, and "MIRACULOUSLY", the envelope (still glued) with our payment was found in his RV. 

    I'm reporting the host to the US Forest Service.

  • Sarah S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 26, 2025

    Lake Sylvia State Park Campground

    Lake Sylvia camping

    This little park ended up being cute. $41 a night for non residents (which is on the higher end for us) but 30 for residents. We needed a quick place to stay while waiting to get our truck fixed in the morning. It’s small, quiet and the host were great. Apparently they charged for showers but had a sign up stating they longer charge for that. Restrooms were clean and showered were hot! Would stay here again if I were in a pinch this way again.

  • alexandrea L.
    Sep. 24, 2025

    Penrose Point State Park Campground

    Beautiful

    The beach is beautiful here! And the campsites are very secluded! There are tons of trees and bushes in between everybody’s campsite

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 24, 2025

    Falls Creek — Olympic National Park

    Quinalt

    Extremely serene and clean. Seasonal campground on lake. Mediocre toilets. Lodge and store nearby. Right on water

  • TheFoxphire F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 23, 2025

    Schafer State Park Campground

    Great

    There was a huge spider at the women’s restroom door that my wife says was asking her for snacks. Other than that this place was very nice and had a ton of lush vegetation and ferns. Beautiful. Also, we watched Harry and the Hendersons here.


Guide to Vaughn

Camping near Vaughn, Washington, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and family-friendly activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a fun-filled adventure, there are plenty of campgrounds to explore.

What to do:

  • Hiking and Wildlife Watching: Many campgrounds, like Dash Point State Park Campground, have miles of hiking trails. One visitor mentioned, "Love coming here to hike with the dogs and kids," highlighting the area's family-friendly trails and wildlife opportunities.
  • 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," making it a great spot for a day of sun and sand.
  • Fishing and Water Sports: If you enjoy fishing, Seal Rock Campground is right on the Hood Canal. One camper shared, "It’s the best of the best!" for beach combing and water activities.

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A visitor at Millersylvania State Park Campground said, "Super clean bathrooms and showers," which is a big plus for families.
  • Spacious Campsites: Many campgrounds offer decent spacing between sites. A reviewer at Penrose Point State Park Campground mentioned, "The sites are decently spaced with tall trees," providing a sense of privacy.
  • Family-Friendly Atmosphere: Campgrounds like Belfair State Park Campground are great for families. One camper noted, "The kids spent most days playing in the river or at the beach," making it a fun spot for children.

What you should know:

  • Noise Levels: Some campgrounds can be noisy due to nearby roads or other campers. A visitor at Dosewallips State Park Campground mentioned, "The logging trucks can be quite loud," so be prepared for some background noise.
  • Reservations Recommended: Popular spots fill up quickly, especially during peak season. A camper at Millersylvania State Park Campground advised, "Probably need to reserve far in advance," to secure a good site.
  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds may not have all the amenities you expect. A reviewer at Potlatch State Park Campground noted, "The bathrooms were just ok," so manage your expectations.

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Kid-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places with activities for kids. One parent at Fay Bainbridge Park said, "The camp host is friendly and helpful," which can make a big difference for families.
  • Plan for Activities: Bring games and outdoor toys. A camper at Twanoh State Park Campground mentioned, "There is also access to the water across the street," perfect for family fun.
  • Pack Snacks and Drinks: Having food on hand can keep everyone happy. A visitor at Belfair State Park Campground appreciated the nearby town for supplies, saying, "Town is 5 minutes down the road if you need something."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Potlatch State Park Campground noted, "The spots are a bit close together and a bit difficult backing in to," so be cautious when choosing a site.
  • Look for Full Hookups: If you need them, check for campgrounds with full hookups. A camper at Millersylvania State Park Campground mentioned, "We had access to water and electricity," which can make your stay more comfortable.
  • Be Prepared for Weather: Bring gear for rain or shine. A visitor at Seal Rock Campground said, "The campground and bathrooms are clean and well maintained," which is essential for a good experience, especially in unpredictable weather.

Camping near Vaughn, Washington, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. With a little planning and the right campground, you're sure to have a great time!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Vaughn, WA?

According to TheDyrt.com, Vaughn, WA offers a wide range of camping options, with 254 campgrounds and RV parks near Vaughn, WA and 16 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Vaughn, WA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Vaughn, WA is Dash Point State Park Campground with a 3.9-star rating from 72 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Vaughn, WA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 16 free dispersed camping spots near Vaughn, WA.