Camping options near Bellevue extend beyond the upscale glamping experiences found at Vasa Park Resort and Blue Sky RV Park. The region sits at the convergence of Lake Sammamish, Lake Washington, and the Cascade foothills, with elevations ranging from 85 to 500 feet above sea level. Rainfall averages 37 inches annually, creating lush, dense forests that provide natural windbreaks at many campsites.
What to do
Riverside trails: Tolt MacDonald Park, located in Carnation, offers extensive trail systems along the Snoqualmie River. "The campground, park and trails are very well maintained and they even provide you with garden carts to help you get your stuff across the bridge. Great spot for steelhead + salmon fishing," notes Mercedes D., who appreciates the park's accessibility.
Water recreation: Dash Point State Park Campground provides beach access with areas for exploring marine environments. "The beach and its tides are why we came," writes Ingrid M., who visited with two children. "Facilities were good and trails around are fun and easy enough for me and 2 kids."
Forest hiking: Middle Fork Campground sits amid dense forest with berry-picking opportunities. "We stayed there to be close to the mailbox trail head. There were so many berries around the camp and we could literally sit in camp and pick blue berries," shares Dan P., highlighting the natural abundance in the area during summer months.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Camping areas with natural separation receive high marks from visitors. "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," reports Brittany D. about Dash Point State Park, noting its natural surroundings.
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain well-kept bathrooms and shower areas. At Kanaskat-Palmer State Park, Julie M. found that "bathrooms are super nice - each is private with a shower. Camp staff were pleasant and helpful," making the experience more comfortable for her family.
Proximity to urban areas: Campers appreciate locations that balance nature with convenience. At Tall Chief Campground, Brodie D. notes, "We love Tall Chief because it is super close to a lot of great spots around the Seattle region. It's super close (like 7 min drive) from one of my favorite coffee shops, Aroma Coffee Co."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds near Bellevue require advance booking, especially during peak season. "We were able to grab a last minute reservation thanks to a FT resident leaving for service," mentions Mark O. about Blue Sky RV Park, indicating the typical difficulty of finding last-minute availability.
Power limitations: Some campgrounds offer limited electrical hookups. At Tall Chief Campground, Derek & Alex W. experienced challenges: "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."
Seasonal conditions: Weather patterns affect campground accessibility and comfort. When camping at Middle Fork Campground, Dan P. reported, "We did get a bit of rain and had to put tarps up. The trees close to camp made it very easy to do so."
Tips for camping with families
Beach activities: Fay Bainbridge Park offers family-friendly beach access with play areas. "Best things: Beautiful beach, great views of Mt. Rainier & Baker on a clear day, cruise ships going by, pirate ship playground for children," reports Judy J., highlighting multiple attractions for different age groups.
Alternative swimming spots: Some river locations may be unsuitable for children. Kelly P. suggests, "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."
On-site recreation: Many campgrounds provide facilities beyond natural features. At Tolt MacDonald Park, Dawnielle C. mentions, "If you venture across the Shakey bridge there are hiking trails, access to the water, and plenty of trees to hang your hammock in."
Tips from RVers
Hookup variations: Dosewallips State Park Campground offers varying levels of utility connections. James and Susan K. explain, "Plenty of FHU sites and loads of camping sites... Some sites have partial hookups w/o septic. Dump station is on site."
Site leveling: Look for campgrounds with level pads to reduce setup time. Russ H. appreciated Tolt MacDonald Park, noting, "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."
Cell reception considerations: Tree coverage affects connectivity. At Tall Chief Campground, Brodie D. advises, "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."
