Kelly H.
Scout
ScoutCascade Wagon Road Campground
Loved coming here!
If in the area must stop by even if for the day! Hidden gem for sure!
Explore the Best Campgrounds in Washington
SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
Washington's diverse camping landscape encompasses everything from coastal campsites at Cape Disappointment State Park to mountain retreats near Mount Rainier. The state boasts a variety of accommodation options including tent sites, RV camping with full hookups, and cabin rentals at locations like Lake Wenatchee State Park. Dispersed camping opportunities exist throughout national forests and on public lands, providing alternatives to established campgrounds for those seeking more remote experiences. Washington offers some of the most scenic camping destinations in the Pacific Northwest, with options ranging from rainforests to alpine meadows.
Seasonal considerations significantly impact camping accessibility in Washington. Many campgrounds in national parks such as Olympic National Park operate seasonally, with sites like Cougar Rock Campground available only from May through October due to mountain weather conditions. Winter camping remains possible at lower elevations, particularly at state parks like Deception Pass and Cape Disappointment which operate year-round. Road conditions can deteriorate quickly during rainy seasons, especially on forest service roads leading to dispersed sites. "The godson's mom told me she went to this area when she was young and then I saw it here on The Dyrt. Make sure you follow the written directions - just follow Sand Canyon all the way out," notes one camper describing access to a North Fork Chewelah Creek site.
Campers consistently rate waterfront locations among their favorites, with Salt Creek Recreation Area receiving particularly high ratings for its coastal views. State parks tend to offer more amenities including showers, flush toilets, and electrical hookups, while national park campgrounds like Kalaloch and Mora provide more rustic experiences with the benefit of exceptional natural surroundings. According to a visitor to Bear Creek Campground, "Mossy green trees, ferns, and lots of other vegetation all over the area. Definitely mosquitoes out and about but, to be expected in such a wet climate." Reservations are essential during summer months, especially at popular destinations near Olympic National Park and Mount Rainier. Some dispersed camping areas require high-clearance vehicles to access, with several reviewers noting challenging road conditions leading to the most scenic backcountry sites.
Campground Showdown in Washington
Compare 2 top campgrounds at a time to find your favorite!
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Round 1 of 5
Best Camping Sites in Washington (2,111)
1. Kalaloch Campground - group — Olympic National Park
110 ReviewsTaholah, WAWebsite+1 (360) 565-3130$24 - $48 / night
"Proximity to the beach makes this a necessary stop while exploring the Washington coast."
"Nestled between the highway and the ocean, this park is five stars for location, but three stars for the disparity in sites and limited bathroom facilities."
2. Deception Pass State Park Campground
110 ReviewsAnacortes, WAWebsite+1 (360) 675-2417$12 - $167 / night
"Some trails walking distance from the campsite to gorgeous beaches while others we drove to get to other trails and scenic lookouts. I loved every minute staying there."
"This is one of the most popular locations in Washington State and easy to see why. Both fresh and salt water experiences are within a few steps away with amazing sunsets and breathtaking views."
3. Cape Disappointment State Park Campground
92 ReviewsIlwaco, WAWebsite+1 (360) 642-3078$12 - $492 / night
"This state park on the edge of Washington is absolutely beautiful and wild. It’s best to visit in the summer of course as the weather can be very unpredictable the rest of the year."
"This campground is all about location. The sites are not huge or fancy, but the view and the hiking make up for any complaints."
4. Dash Point State Park Campground
74 ReviewsFederal Way, WAWebsite+1 (888) 226-7688$31 - $91 / 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."
5. Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort Campground — Olympic National Park
70 ReviewsSol Duc Hot Springs, WAWebsite+1 (888) 896-3818$40 - $65 / night
"This site is listed as being a 35’ back-in, but it really is just a shared parking lot between this and the site next to it (37) across from the central restrooms."
"March 23 - October 28, 2018 Located along the Sol Duc River in magnificent Olympic National Park, Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort is on the “edge of the backcountry in the heart of the Olympic National Park"
6. Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park
60 ReviewsLongmire, WAWebsite+1 (360) 569-6626$20 / night
"If you are looking for an volunteer opportunity while in the park, check out the Washington Train Association also know as the WTA."
"Large campground located near the Paradise area of Mt. Rainier. Many sites tucked into large trees. Some loops close to main toad so the noise can be an issue, but overall beautiful!"
7. Hoh Campground — Olympic National Park
56 ReviewsSol Duc Hot Springs, WAWebsite+1 (360) 565-3130$24 - $48 / night
"Steps away from the rainforest trailhead, so a great one night stay to hike the trails. It's a rainy place as you can imagine. Washington State itself sure is."
"We are Washington residents and camped in early October of 2024. Our dogs loved the area and access to the river. The campsite had a lot of room and the facilities were clean."
8. Mora Campground — Olympic National Park
55 ReviewsLa Push, WAWebsite+1 (360) 565-3130$18 / night
"This campground is close to forks Washington. We were able to get a spot at 5:30 in the afternoon."
"Campsites were easy to locate, in an accessible loop, and the cleanest facilities I've seen - plus, each site is surrounded by a good deal of treeline to give you a bit of privacy."
9. Fairholme Campground — Olympic National Park
54 ReviewsSol Duc Hot Springs, WAWebsite+1 (360) 565-3130$24 / night
"Pros: beautiful lake view and access -free food storage containers, no need for bear canisters -plenty of trees at campsites for hammocking -walk in and drive in sites -choose your own site -proximity"
"This dense verdant rainforest is dripping with moss, lichen, Goliath trees, flowers, fungus, fauna, cloudy light beams straining to reach the forest floor, trails and oxygen; all adjacent the mysterious"
10. Salt Creek Recreation Area
52 ReviewsJoyce, WAWebsite+1 (360) 928-3441$45 / night
"Like a number of Washington State Parks, the plug-in sites are in a large field, with very few trees around and kind of look like a lot of other standard RV parks with three or so levels of close parking"
"We live on the nearby Kitsap Peninsula and this campground is our favorite Washington campground. The views are amazing and the crashing waves are the perfect soundtrack."
Recent Camping Photos in Washington
2555 Photos of 2111 Washington Campgrounds
Danny C.
Spencers Camp — Ross Lake National Recreation Area
Hubbard G.
Panther Camp — Ross Lake National Recreation Area
Shari G.
Pelton Basin — North Cascades National Park
Niki A.
Gothic Basin
Megan D.
Park Butte Trailhead
Dani H.
Ahtanum Meadows Campground
Brynn P.
Clear Lake Campgrounds
Julie S.
Whistlin' Jack's Outpost & Lodge
Luke B.
Chelan Lookout - NF 8410 Dispersed
Brooks H.
NF-65 National Forest Dispersed Site
theresa A.
Sauk Park Campground
Eric O.
Forest Road Dispersed Site
Recent Reviews in Washington
8373 Reviews of 2111 Washington Campgrounds
- Kelly H.Scout
Kayak Point County Park
Campground review
Had everything for camping especially a quick walk to the water!
Martin S.
TravelerDry Creek Campground
Amazing spot
I’d consider this one of my top 3 free camping spots ever, right next to a lake and surrounded by the Cascade Mountains. Spectacular setting and lots of space for folks to set up in this mostly dispersed campsite.
Sierra R.TravelerSwift Creek Campground
Beautiful Group site. Great day use area
Our first visit. We had a beautiful group site near center. Lots of room and fairly private. Fire pits, tent boxes clean and picnoc tables in good shape. Easy access Pit bathrooms, trails and day ise lake area. We did have a bear wonder by.. but didnt stay long. The trees have larve enough canopy thelat they shelter a bit from the rain.
Eliot P.TravelerBeachside RV Park
I count myself incredibly lucky to have found this park
I travel for a living and spend multiple months—or even years—at different parks. This one was amazing. The staff and the people were incredibly friendly, which actually made it hard to leave when it came time to move to another park in a different state. I would definitely consider moving back here when I reach retirement.
Chris J.
GuideBeaver Bay Campground
Fresh and clean
After a full face left, we believe the campground is even better than before. The whole layout as been redesigned, providing camping right on the lake now.
Lyz F.GuideFR74 dispersed
This could be a perfect camping spot
You park your car at an upper level and then there’s a small trail that takes you down to a quiet and private river. The lower level hang out spot is right next to the river and would be way cooler if people stopped putting their toilet paper and used up poo powder in the fire circle. I would’ve liked to be able to use the fire circle on the upper level instead, but there was a mound of trash in there as well.
There is a small memorial right next to the upper fire circle that had some offerings left at the base.
John S.ScoutBald Knob Campground — Mount Spokane State Park
slightly pricey, TOTALLY WORTH IT! attention senior citizens!
If you'd like an alpine campground with easy access, unbelievable views, and excellent facilities, this is it.
in the TLDR department,
(*) paved road to within the last few hundred feet of your campsite.
(*) potable water
(*) restrooms with flush toilets and hot water (!)
(*) 8 campsites --- kind of cramped, but nice.
(*) 20 minutes drive to summit of Mt. Spokane with "unbelievably spectacular view"
(*) if you're there in mid- late- July, huckleberries are right there. I had them on waffles this morning.
Depending upon where you start, this campsite is about 45 minutes from Spokane WA. You'll have to have some patience with the last 15 miles or so of the (paved) road, as it is pretty curvaceous.
This campsite is at about 5100 ft on a shoulder of Mt. Spokane, whose summit is 5800 ft. Let's just say, if you go to the trouble to get to this campground, and *don't* take a side trip to the summit, there's not much I can do for you. If you're not familiar with the geography in this region, Mt. Spokane stands about 3800 ft above the valley floors in the Spokane Valley and adjacent valley floors. In other words, you'll have a stunning views on clear days. From the summit of Mt. Spokane, you can see two nations and three states.
The campground itself is small: 8 sites --- so prefer to reserve online.
At each site:
(*) a bear-proof garbage bin
(*) a bear-proof food bin
(*) a potable water source (shared)
(*) a surprisingly nice, clean restroom with (omg) flush toilets and (omg) hot water.
(*) they don't have showers, but gurl: you know what you can achieve with a sink and hot water and some wash cloths.
(*) it's a small thing, but there is some cell-phone coverage there. This means that if you're a smart phone and computer nerd, you can watch Netflix at night.
The thing is, as stupendous as this site is, it's a "one night" site.
However, I will be back next summer, because Bald Knob is just so amazing.
Shawna M.GuideThe Lamp Camp
Nice Quiet Beach Access
Upon coming in we were confused by entry point but once past the gate, very well kept and very nice bathrooms.
It is a bit of a walk over to the beach but super nice walk and so quiet.
Guide to Washington
Camping in Washington offers a mix of stunning landscapes and diverse campgrounds. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a family-friendly spot, there's something for everyone.
What to do
- Explore the lakes: Many campgrounds, like Lake Wenatchee State Park Campground, provide access to beautiful lakes. One camper mentioned, “The only sounds that could be heard were the wrestling of leaves, the gentle lapping of waves, and the nightly screaming of elk in the distance.”
- Hiking and biking: Trails abound in places like Pearrygin Lake State Park Campground. A visitor noted, “This is a good basecamp for exploring the North Cascades.”
- Water activities: Kayaking and paddleboarding are popular. At Lake Chelan State Park Campground, one reviewer said, “We did a lot of kayaking early and later in the day and had a wonderful time.”
What campers like
- Scenic views: Campers rave about the beautiful surroundings. One said, “The scenery is amazing with lots of river and mountain views” at Johnny Creek Campground.
- Clean facilities: Many campgrounds, like Lincoln Rock State Park Campground, are noted for their cleanliness. A camper remarked, “Bathrooms are clean and showers are hot.”
- Family-friendly amenities: Campgrounds like Leavenworth-Pine Village KOA offer playgrounds and activities. One family shared, “There was a great shallow area for the kids and Dog to swim around.”
What you should know
- Mosquitoes can be a nuisance: At Lake Wenatchee State Park Campground, one camper warned, “The amount of mosquitoes were off the chart.”
- Crowded during peak season: Some campgrounds, especially KOAs, can get packed. A visitor at Leavenworth-Pine Village KOA noted, “If you were looking for a quiet experience, this place is not for you.”
- Limited privacy in some areas: Campers at Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park mentioned, “The camping itself is the standard state park experience, sites close together, not much for privacy.”
Tips for camping with families
- Choose campgrounds with activities: Look for places like Lake Chelan State Park Campground, which has a playground and swimming area. One parent said, “Great for families. Everyone around seemed very respectful of the quiet times.”
- Pack for the weather: Be prepared for changing conditions. A camper at Alta Lake State Park Campground advised, “Bring a lot of water and finish hiking before 10:00 am in the summer!”
- Look for spacious sites: Some campgrounds offer more room for kids to play. A visitor at Klipchuck Campground noted, “Most sites are relatively private.”
Tips from RVers
- Book early for the best spots: Popular campgrounds fill up fast. A reviewer at Beckler River Campground said, “Get there early or it will be hard to find a spot for an RV.”
- Check site dimensions: Some sites may not accommodate larger RVs. A camper at Leavenworth-Pine Village KOA mentioned, “The sites were so tight that we could barely fit the provided picnic table next to our trailer.”
- Utilize amenities: Many campgrounds have electric hookups and dump stations. A visitor at Lincoln Rock State Park Campground appreciated, “Full hookups and all the opportunities and drawbacks that come with such a place.”
Camping in Washington state is a fantastic way to enjoy the great outdoors, but being prepared can make all the difference!
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any good private campgrounds in Washington State?
Are there any good private campgrounds in Washington State?
Washington offers several quality private campgrounds that provide amenities not typically found at public sites. Mistequa Casino Hotel RV Park offers spacious sites positioned in an open field next to the casino, with convenient access from the highway and an international car museum across the path. Private campgrounds in Washington typically provide full hookups, Wi-Fi, cable TV, and often feature additional amenities like swimming pools, game rooms, and organized activities. Many private campgrounds are open year-round, unlike seasonal public options. Look for private campgrounds near popular destinations like Mount Rainier, the Olympic Peninsula, and the Columbia River Gorge. Prices generally range from $30-60 per night depending on location and amenities, with discounts often available for extended stays.
Where can I find the best tent camping sites in Washington State?
Where can I find the best tent camping sites in Washington State?
Washington's diverse landscapes create exceptional tent camping opportunities. Colonial Creek South Campground in the Ross Lake National Recreation Area offers spacious tent sites with excellent fishing access and beautiful forest surroundings. The sites are well-spaced, providing privacy rarely found in Western Washington campgrounds. For dispersed camping enthusiasts, Chumstick Mountain Dispersed Camping in the Okanogan Wenatchee National Forest provides a more primitive experience with fewer crowds. This area offers countless locations for tent camping with minimal traffic. Additional excellent tent camping can be found in the Olympic National Park, Mount Rainier regions, and along the dramatic Pacific coastline. Most tent sites have access to basic amenities like pit toilets and water sources.
What are the best campgrounds in Washington State for families?
What are the best campgrounds in Washington State for families?
Washington offers excellent family-friendly campgrounds with activities for all ages. Deception Pass State Park Campground stands out with its beautiful beaches, hiking trails, and swimming areas that keep children entertained. The park's diverse landscape provides endless exploration opportunities while maintaining well-maintained facilities. Silver Springs Campground is another top choice, featuring spacious sites along a river where kids can splash and play. The well-distributed campsites provide privacy, and the riverside locations offer natural entertainment. Both campgrounds provide clean facilities and are easily accessible by car, making them perfect for families with young children. Look for sites that offer Junior Ranger programs, interpretive activities, and easy hiking trails to maximize the family camping experience.
What are the most beautiful Washington State Park campgrounds?
What are the most beautiful Washington State Park campgrounds?
Washington State Parks offer some of the most scenic camping experiences in the Pacific Northwest. Beacon Rock State Park Campground in the Columbia River Gorge features incredible views and a well-built trail leading to the summit of the iconic rock formation. The panoramic vistas of the gorge make this a photographer's paradise. Seaquest State Park Campground is known for its beautiful forested campsites that provide a peaceful setting for forest bathing and nature immersion. The traditional tent sites are surrounded by trees, offering a genuine woodland experience. Other notable state parks include Cape Disappointment with its dramatic coastal scenery and lighthouses, and Dosewallips with its unique blend of mountain and saltwater shoreline landscapes. Most state parks require reservations during peak season.
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