Tent camping near Belfair, Washington provides access to the diverse ecological zones of the Kitsap and Olympic peninsulas. Elevation varies from sea level at marine state parks to over 3,000 feet at mountain destinations, with summer temperatures typically ranging 65-80°F. Winter camping remains possible at lower elevations, though Olympic mountain sites receive significant snowfall from November through June.
What to do
Hiking to alpine lakes: Trails near Upper Lena Lake — Olympic National Park offer challenging but rewarding backcountry experiences. "This was my first backpacking trip. It was brootal but way beyond worth the exhaustion. Watch out for bees! Be prepared to climb!" warns Jess G., who appreciates the bear wire system for food storage.
Wildlife viewing: During quieter periods at NF-2419 Dispersed Site, patient campers might encounter native wildlife. One visitor, Trevor M., shares, "Got to feed 3 Bluejays by hand with my oldest, one of our new favorite memories." Forest roads provide access to multiple unmarked sites with existing fire rings.
Island exploration: Marine state parks require boat access but reward visitors with unique camping environments. At marine parks, trails circumnavigate the islands with shoreline views. Rich M. notes about Hope Island, "It has 2 miles of hiking trails and 8 primitive campsites. If you plan on camping it is important to note that there are no fires allowed and no potable water."
What campers like
Secluded forest settings: Several campsites near Belfair provide private woodland camping experiences. Trevor M. of NF-2419 Dispersed Site notes, "Found a few great spots that we pinned for later that are unmarked with fire rings. Not many other campers' sites are well dispersed."
Water access: Blake Island Marine State Park Campground provides beachfront camping with excellent water access. Christi R. recalls, "We camped here when I was a kid and it was such a fond memory that I had to relive it. You do need a boat or a ticket on the Argosy to get here, but it's so worth it!"
Winter hiking options: Some areas remain accessible during colder months. Joseph from Elkhorn Campground shares, "Hiked out there in February and seemed to be the only ones to do it. It was a nice easy hike and the area was beautiful. Great glimpses of mountains along the trail."
What you should know
Limited amenities: Most tent sites near Belfair have minimal facilities. At Hope Island Marine State Park Campground, Emma A. advises, "Boat-in sites are first-come, first serve so we did not arrive early enough to snatch the few that are right on the water but nonetheless the ones tucked in the forest were still beautiful and only a few steps from the water."
Fire restrictions: Seasonal fire bans affect many camping areas. Julia S. from Blake Island notes, "In summer there is generally a burn ban and if you don't have a shaded spot, the heat can be pretty punishing but the temps go way down at night and you'll have a great breeze off of the water."
Road access challenges: Road quality varies significantly to dispersed sites. Spencer L. cautions about NF-2419, "NF-2419 is a very busy road at all hours. 2 or 3 cars drive by all day and all through the night. As far as we could find there aren't many spots that are more secluded they are mostly just turn outs."
Tips for camping with families
Short hikes for kids: Several campgrounds offer child-friendly hiking distances. Lance R. describes routes near Upper Lena Lake: "BEAUTIFUL views on the way up the hillside to the lake though. Looking forward to finishing out the hike later on in the summer."
Weather preparation: Mountain camping requires appropriate gear even in summer. "We went in mid June and hit snow about 1 mile past Lena Lake. We continued another mile crossing several downed trees and snow patches before deciding to turn back," reports Lance R. about the Upper Lena trail.
Weekday scheduling: Popular sites fill quickly on weekends. Caren M. from Green Mountain advises, "Very close to Bremerton, Silverdale, Kitsap county. Has about 5 tent spots with picnic tables and fire pit. Had a bathroom but no other amenities."
Tips from RVers
Parking limitations: Most tent sites near Belfair cannot accommodate large RVs. Ivy K. notes about Green Mountain, "Nice clean camping area with easy access to multiple trails and logging roads. Trails are open to hiking horseback riding and motorcycles. Camp ground has multiple horse stalls in a common area. Only open on weekends."
Alternative camping options: For RV campers seeking more amenities than the primitive tent sites offer, nearby established campgrounds provide better facilities. Brandon W. found NF-2419 adequate: "Not a bad find that doesn't require any permit of any kind which was great! Would stay here again I pitched a tent which was nice and found a spot right by the river."
Seasonal accessibility: Winter camping options are limited for larger vehicles. Jason C. from NF-2419 describes the area as a "Great avenue to get out into nature with various streams crossing the path of the service road. Truly magical place. It is frequented by others so low privacy unless you camp away from the vehicle path."
