Glamping near Auburn, Washington offers a range of accommodations from shoreline settings to forest retreats. Located in the western foothills of the Cascade Mountains, the area averages 39 inches of rainfall annually, creating lush forests and vibrant waterways throughout the camping season. Most glamping sites operate year-round with electrical hookups that maintain comfort during the region's typically mild but wet winter months.
What to do
Water activities at multiple rivers: Dash Point State Park provides excellent water access for fishing and wading. According to a visitor, "There's a day use lake and we had a wonderful time camping here!" Another camper noted, "The beach and its tides are why we came."
Forest hiking opportunities: Kanaskat-Palmer State Park features riverside trails and fishing spots. A camper shared, "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."
Beach exploration: Fay Bainbridge Park offers waterfront access with views of mountains. One visitor mentioned, "The view of the sound is stunning," while another noted, "Great beach walk and good camp sites."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many glamping locations near Auburn provide good separation between accommodations. A visitor to Dash Point State Park remarked, "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."
Clean facilities: Washrooms and amenities at glamping sites maintain high standards. A camper at Kanaskat-Palmer stated, "It has 6 very clean individual (one person) bathrooms with a shower in each," while another mentioned, "Everything is clean including the bathrooms."
Proximity to Seattle: Vasa Park Resort offers glamping with urban convenience. A visitor commented, "Cute campground very close to Seattle and Bellevue right on the lake. Beautiful beach area, basketball courts, playground, and volleyball right at the site."
What you should know
Ranger presence: Parks enforce rules consistently for safety. At Kanaskat-Palmer, a camper observed, "This campground is heavily patrolled by the park rangers. I usually have contact with them in my campsite at least twice a day. I have been asked by the park rangers at 10:01 p.m. to be quite."
Airplane noise: Some glamping sites experience air traffic. At Saltwater State Park, a visitor warned, "No joke- ALL day and night the planes felt like they were in our tent/heads. Every 3-30 seconds it was LOUD."
Site availability varies: Reservations are essential during peak seasons. A camper at Dash Point noted, "We got lucky and snagged the very last spot here on a Saturday in late September," while another mentioned, "It's a beautiful campground, especially if you don't want to be too far from the city."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several glamping sites include child-friendly amenities. A visitor to Fay Bainbridge Park mentioned, "Great things: Beautiful beach, great views of Mt. Rainier & Baker on a clear day, cruise ships going by, pirate ship playground for children."
Water safety considerations: Rivers near glamping sites require supervision. A Kanaskat-Palmer camper advised, "The riverfront accessed from the campground tends to be a bit too raging for my taste with children. We usually take the kids to the lake at Nolte state park (approx. 3 miles away) for water play."
Alternative water activities: Tolt MacDonald Park offers safer water options. A visitor shared, "Great spot for steelhead + salmon fishing. We've fished steelhead and pinks out of the snoqualmie river in the past."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Terrain varies at glamping locations. At Kanaskat-Palmer, an RVer noted, "I only took away a star because it was advertised as ok for a Motorhome but the gravel pull through was so not level the jacks pushed the front tires 6 inches off the ground."
Electrical hookups: Most glamping sites offer power but with limitations. At Tall Chief Campground, a camper mentioned, "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."
Dump station availability: Not all glamping sites offer full hookups. A Fay Bainbridge visitor warned, "The downside is there is no sewage dumping site at the park," while a Tall Chief camper explained, "No sewer connections which can be a bummer, but the nice bathrooms make up for it."
