Camping options near Sammamish, Washington range from forested sites to lakefront locations within a 30-minute drive. The area sits at approximately 500 feet elevation with typical Pacific Northwest temperatures that remain mild year-round, averaging 40-75°F depending on season. Rain is common between October and April, often resulting in muddy conditions at some campgrounds without paved sites.
What to do
Hiking trails access: Tolt MacDonald Park offers excellent trail connections right from the campsite near Sammamish, Washington. "We've fished steelhead and pinks out of the Snoqualmie River in the past. It's located right smack in the middle of Carnation so on a nice sunny day you could walk out of the park to get pizza, ice cream or even Mexican food," notes one visitor who appreciated the trails and proximity to town.
River recreation: Kanaskat-Palmer State Park provides access to the Green River with designated areas for wading and fishing. "Short hike to river spots that are perfect for wading or fishing. 10 minute drive from Deep Lake which is beautiful and great for swimming and paddle boarding," explains a camper who found water activities accessible despite the sometimes challenging river conditions.
Mini-golf and activities: Blue Sky RV Park offers recreational facilities on-site. "Mini golf basket ball court, lakes, bingo, free donuts and coffee showers are bug and clean price is fairly cheap," writes one camper who enjoyed the varied amenities at this smaller park.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Tall Chief Campground receives high marks for spacious sites. "Great camp site for all sizes. Mostly no sewer. But if you enjoy a little distance between sites without sacrificing camp size line up here," notes a camper who appreciated the layout. Another visitor mentioned, "Most sites are pretty big too. We can easily fit our trailer, tow vehicle, and extra vehicle and still have space!"
Clean facilities: Vasa Park Resort maintains well-kept grounds and restrooms. "The facilities and grounds are kept clean and well maintained. It been fun watching the buffet groups come in and have their celebrations," reports a recent visitor. Another camper noted, "Cute campground very close to Seattle and Bellevue right on the lake. Beautiful beach area, basketball courts, playground, and volleyball right at the site... Exceptionally clean. Showers and laundry were perfect."
Natural setting: Dash Point State Park Campground provides a forest experience despite urban proximity. "This campground is remarkable in the privacy between each of the camping spots, the bird life, the wild and deep forest vibes, and the walking trails," mentions a camper who appreciated the natural setting just outside Federal Way.
What you should know
Limited sewer hookups: Many campgrounds near Sammamish offer water and electric but lack sewer connections. At Tall Chief, one camper notes, "No sewer connections which can be a bummer, but the nice bathrooms make up for it imo." Solutions include utilizing campground facilities or planning ahead: "We used a pumping service halfway through our time there. The park provided the information for the service. It was $60 though."
Power limitations: Some campgrounds have electrical limitations. A Tall Chief visitor reported, "Knocking another star as the majority of the sites are only 30 amp with antiquated posts. There are a few 50 amp sites but from what I saw they were all taken by RVers that are there on a more permanent basis." During hot weather, this can cause issues: "We ended up here during a heat wave and an entire section of the park blew after having several days of power issues."
Cell reception variability: Forest coverage affects connectivity even at developed campgrounds. "Another thing that can be annoying is trying to find a site with good cell reception due to all the trees. They definitely have a few, but I would say arrive early so you can drive by all the sites while checking to make sure you have good reception if you need it," advises one Tall Chief camper who experienced significant differences between sites.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Tinkham Campground provides water access right from camp. "We found a walk-on campsite on a busy weekend and we're so happy to find this spot. There is a lovely little river that runs through the campgrounds," shares a visitor. Another notes, "Most of the sites are on the water and it is GORGEOUS!" Just be aware that river conditions vary seasonally.
Playground and recreation areas: Several campgrounds feature designated play spaces. At Kanaskat-Palmer, one camper noted the high level of park ranger presence: "I usually have contact with them in my campsite at least twice a day. My point with this is, if you are a large group, like to stay up late and listen to music and/or party it might not be the campground for you." This oversight means a safer environment for families.
Bathroom considerations: Facility quality varies significantly between campgrounds. At Tinkham, one camper warned, "Only thing, the bathrooms were unbearable! I'd definitely go again there tho!" Contrast this with Dash Point State Park where "the washroom and shower is kept clean, as is the rest of the campground."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Finding level sites can be challenging in this region. One camper at Tinkham noted, "A little mossy and uneven but hey, that's camping!" In contrast, at Tolt MacDonald Park, an RVer mentioned, "The only campground we've been to where we didn't need to level the trailer. RV sites are all pull through its fairly quiet."
Parking configuration: Lake Pleasant RV Park offers good site organization. "The roadways are easy to navigate and lots of folks walk around the park roads. Many tenants are monthly, if not longer, and they seem to have an overflow area for folks waiting for a spot to open up," writes a visitor who appreciated the layout. Another notes, "The areas were paved and level. A great place to walk around and enjoy during your stay."
Urban access trade-offs: Some RV parks prioritize location over ambiance. Regarding Trailer Inns RV Park, one camper reported, "It's a parking spot. If you're after a concrete spot by the road, this'll work. It's not camping. It is not peaceful." However, another visitor found it "perfect for dropping your mobile hotel room and explore Seattle and the surrounding areas."
