Best Tent Camping near Benton City, WA

Tent campsites near Benton City, Washington are primarily found in the surrounding rural areas with several established options within driving distance. Juniper Sand Dunes OHV near Pasco offers free tent camping in a wilderness setting, while Warden Lake North provides more developed tent sites with basic amenities. These campgrounds are situated in the arid eastern Washington landscape characterized by open terrain and limited shade coverage.

Most tent camping areas feature minimal amenities, with toilets available at select locations like Warden Lake North, Nunnally Lake, and Canal Lake North. Sites are typically set on gravel surfaces with little natural padding. One camper noted that at Nunnally Lake there is "no tent camping unless you like sleeping on gravel." Water is not provided at most locations, requiring campers to bring sufficient supplies for their stay. Fire restrictions vary by season and location, with some areas like Juniper Sand Dunes prohibiting fires entirely.

The tent camping experience in this region offers unique desert landscapes and excellent stargazing opportunities. Areas near Juniper Dunes provide more secluded primitive tent setups away from developed facilities. A visitor to the area shared that it's a "beautiful place to see the stars" but advised to "track your hikes, as it's easy to lose your way." Summer temperatures can be extreme, with little natural shade available at most sites. Spring and fall offer more moderate conditions for tent campers. Many locations provide access to fishing lakes, hiking trails, and in the case of Juniper Sand Dunes, off-highway vehicle recreation areas. Noise levels vary by location, with sites closer to highways or recreation areas experiencing more disruption than remote backcountry options.

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Best Tent Sites Near Benton City, Washington (13)

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Tent Camping Reviews near Benton City, WA

173 Reviews of 13 Benton City Campgrounds


  • Shay F.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 18, 2019

    Potholes State Park Campground

    Ranger Review: RovR RollR 60 at Potholes State Park, Othello, WA

    Campground Review:

    Potholes State Park is located in Central Washington, a bit south of Moses Lake. The climate is arid desert so expect hot days, cool nights, and occasional gusty winds. The park itself has some fun features and if you are into fishing or wildlife watching, I found it to be a great spot for both. The campground is divided into RV or hookup sites, a separate area for tent sites with some cabins mixed in, and a large day use section with a boat launch, restrooms with showers, a huge tree filled lawn with picnic tables, and a pretty fun little play ground. You can reserve ahead on the Washington State Parks reservation website. We did not make a reservation and there were a lot of open sites when we arrived on Saturday, even with the beautiful weather. I strongly doubt that will be the case as the summer continues. I would check ahead to see what you can get before heading out.  

    The RV sites have power, water, and sewer. They are arranged like a wheel, you drive around the small center and the other trailers are the spokes in the wheel. There is no barrier between you and your neighbor, but all the sites are grassy and the loops are surrounded by a ring of poplar trees. There is a bathroom with flush toilets and token operated showers centrally for all to share. There are 6 wheels like this, a total of 60 RV sites just opposite of the boat launch and day use area. 

    We stayed in the primitive or tent sites in the lower area of the campground. The sites along the water are in full sun most of the day, so be aware if that's not your thing. The sites along the inner part of the loop have a mix of poplars and other trees. That provides some shade and tress for a hammock.  No designated tent pad, but plenty of flat spots. All have a picnic table and fire ring. Not a ton of privacy, but it's much more secluded than the RV sites. Also, the bathrooms down here are vaults. No hand washing or showers for us, at least without a walk. There is a loop towards the group tent site and another towards the boat launch, for a total of 61 sites. Mixed into the primitive sites are cute cabins with air conditioning, if you really want to get away from the heat!

    When we arrived, the Ranger at the park office offered to let us drive down and choose what site we wanted. I was sure from looking online, that I wanted one by the water. Once we got to the site I chose, we realized that we would be baking in the hot sun all day with no relief. It was at the beginning of the loop so we got the traffic and dust from everyone driving by and we were right on top of neighbors on either side. My husband went up to see if we could move and the Ranger was so nice! It was no problem to move across the road to a shaded site with trees so we could hang out and put up our hammocks. We had no neighbors the entire time. It got a little noisy on Saturday night with the sounds of other campers having fun, but by Sunday night we were alone and when we left on Monday, there was one other camper in our end of the tent loop with us.  

    We encountered lots of animals in the park. The bird sounds are incredible. I wish I would have made a recording. Mourning doves, quail, robins, and red wing blackbirds among the many. Deer walked through the campground and beavers and otters were swimming in the reservoir while we did some fishing from the group camping area. We did not encounter too many bugs, but the season is still early. We did see two snakes. One swimming towards us while we were fishing on the boat, the other in our camp site. This was a baby rattlesnake, not a gopher snake. My husband noticed it as he walked by our picnic table because it hissed at him. It was curled up underneath. Very angry with us and ready for a fight when we got a stick to move him. It put up a good fight. I am just glad we noticed it before we stepped too close in shorts and sandals! I want to be clear, this is not anything against the park. You are in snake country and this is that animals home. Just be aware especially if you have little kids running around. 

    We went to Potholes to go fishing with some friends on the reservoir for Walleye and Bass. If fishing is your thing, this park is great. You don't need a boat either. There are plenty of shore fishing spots and hiking trails to pass the time. The businesses right beyond the park have good food, a bar, gas, a golf course, and really good ice cream! I love this area of Washington and I can't wait to go back.  

    Product Review:

    As a Ranger for the Dyrt, from time to time I get awesome products to put to the test while camping. On this trip, I got to test the RovR RollR 60 Cooler. Check out the product website here: https://rovrproducts.com/product/505229344820/6841244385332

    First, the basic stats on this RovR RollR 60. This is a 60 quart capacity, rotomolded body cooler. It has foam insulation and an airtight gasket. It has a fast flow drain plug and is certified bear resistant. It sports all terrain, puncture resistant tires and has an aluminum dual sided padded handle so you can pull it from either side and not clip your heels. The color offering is green, orange, white, or pink at least for this size. The fun features that really set it apart are the inside dry bin, the top mount soft wagon bin for extra gear hauling , and all the extra attachments you can purchase to make your RovR perfect for you. You can add on, for an extra cost, a fishing rod/umbrella holder, dual cup holder, cutting board, stash bag, or bike hitch. Yes, you can attach it to your bike and tow it around! You can also get the wagon bin in other colors /designs. This cooler according to the website promises to compare to the other “high end” pricey coolers out there, if not outperform. RovR even promises to keep ice for 11 days under proper use and conditions!

    I was excited to take it to sunny, warm Eastern Washington and test it on a fishing trip with friends. I knew it would spend a full day out in the direct sun, be opened and closed countless times, get banged around at speed, and have to be drug to the boat and back by hand. Also, my friend is a fishing guide and a Yeti fan, so I was looking forward to his opinion.

    RovR’s instructions are to pre-chill the cooler 24 hours prior to loading with a sacrifice bag of ice and only add cold items to the cooler when ready. When it was time to load, none of my “sacrifice” ice had melted at all from the prior day. We were able to fit most everything we needed for food into the cooler for the whole long weekend. It is large but fit in the back of the SUV without an issue. When we arrived at Potholes, we set it out in out campsite and got to work with dinner and beverages. Everything was icy cold with no melt. Our fishing guide friend came over and fully checked out the RovR. He was pretty impressed! He thought it was cool looking and loved the wheels and handle, a feature his large Yeti does not have. That and his Yeti is poo brown not beautiful green like my RovR. The next day, we drug the RovR across two campground loops over to the boat launch. The mini monster truck tires handled all the dirt and gravel with ease. It was easy to pull and maneuver. We loaded it on the boat and had a full 9 hour day of fishing for Walleye and Bass in full sun. Even at speed, the RovR did not bounce or wander around on the bow. Overall, it did a great job and I am very happy with its performance!

    My favorite feature has to be the dry bin inside. It keeps items cold but dry. I can’t tell you how many wet egg cartons and soggy zip lock bags I’ve dealt with over the years. If you camp for any length of time, at some point you inevitably have a chilly swimming pool of food. Not with the dry bin! I was able to load my salsa, meat and cheese, eggs, but it will also hold liquor or wine upright and cold. The bin is held down with a screw in disk so it’s removable if you have a need for more room. While my ice was fairly melted by Monday, everything was still icy cold. I am also sure that if it was not left out in the 80 plus degree sun ALL day, it would have performed admirably. But again, all my food and drinks were still as cold as before the day of sun, so that’s really saying something about performance potential. Also, when we arrived home, the wagon bin was great for throwing the headlamps, shoes, hammocks, and all the other loose items into it and hauling them down to be put away in one trip. It never leaked or showed condensation. It was also easy to open and close, unlike some of the other fancy coolers, even though it has similar rubber gasket type latches.

    The only issue I have with my RovR RollR 60 is that it’s heavy! Fully loaded, my husband and I had to team lift it into the back of the SUV. My kitchen is also downstairs so to load it and get it to the garage I have to maneuver it up and down our stairs. It’s not an easy task. The other super minor, picky complaints are the handle, which is really comfortable to pull and hold in your hand, hangs centimeters from the ground. In our dusty campsite, the handle got really dirty which makes your hands really dirty. If you are trying to prep food out of your cooler that might be an issue. Finally, the wagon bin that the RovR comes with is white in color, initially. I don’t know about you, but I get pretty dirty while camping. White is an unfortunate color choice for the outdoors. We left it behind completely for fishing even though when flat it makes a nice cushion to sit on. You can get other super cool prints, but you have to buy them separately. Once my white bin becomes super gross I will definitely upgrade.

    It doesn’t matter if you have an RV or prefer the tent, a good cooler is an absolute must. And, if you are going to invest the money in a cooler, why not buy one that not only performs at an outstanding level but has some neat features and a little spunk as well?

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 26, 2021

    Nunnally Lake

    Pretty okay for an overnight rest

    Short jaunt to the lake which is a popular fishing spot for those willing to carry a boat. Ample room for RVs; no tent camping unless you like sleeping on gravel. Toilet is clean and maintained. Some noise from the off-road vehicle recreation area across the road, but quieter at night. No tree cover for shade but I visited in the springtime and the weather was pleasantly cool.

  • Daniel S.
    Oct. 14, 2017

    Potholes State Park Campground

    Welcome to washington..welcome to windy

    We were driving around aimlessly and stumbled upon this place. Its basically a giant offroad recreation area. We travel in a mini van and it was really difficult to find level ground because we do not have 4 wheel drive.

    It was better than paying to camp. There are NO amenities where we were and the place seemed HUGE. Just sand dunes and wind..sand dunes and wind. We saw other people camping with legit off road set ups and easy ups and they seemed to be doing pretty good. Not so much for us in our mini van. haha

  • S
    Jul. 8, 2021

    Hood Park

    Hood Park

    Do not try to check in before 2 pm!!!! No alcohol allowed in park!

    Typical Park campground outside of urban area. Decent swim beach area a lot of algae outside of swim area. Town is close by so you can do other things ( Groceries, laundromat etc…..) while waiting for check in. Spider issue others write about appears to be controlled. However every picnic table has lots of spider webs underneath!!!!

  • K
    Sep. 18, 2020

    Plymouth Park Campground

    Clean campground

    $12 a night for water and electricity. Clean area with grass and playground. Some areas appear to be under construction or upgrade. Dumpster and restroom available. Showers closed because of covid-19. Sights are on paved roadway with firepits and picnic tables. Easy in and out for our 32' Class A. Hermiston Oregon is 6 miles away.

  • Bud S.
    Aug. 18, 2019

    Beach RV Park

    Way above and beyond

    Park was full and office closed when we pulled in and manager Katie saw us drive through and flagged us down. She made space for us and even loaned a 30 to 50 amp adapter so we could hook up our 30 amp plug. Showers were nicer than any other on our 2800 mile trip from Arkansas (11 days on road so far) and park is quiet and shaded right by the water. We would recommend this park to anyone passing through Benton City Washington

  • Marisa R.
    Aug. 4, 2018

    Potholes State Park Campground

    Group Camp

    Pros: river runs behind the group Camp - fun to ride rafts (if it’s not too high/fast) all the way to the lake outlet, big group camp site, many good fishing areas around, group camp feels secluded from the rest of the campground, private bathroom, cabins very close that have air conditioners for those who don’t like tent camping, beautiful lightning lights uo the sky when bad weather comes, good easy hIkes Cons: Weather is very unpredictable - in a week, had sand storm, rain storm, and hot muggy heat

  • Alissa K.
    Sep. 3, 2020

    Beach RV Park

    Great tent site with WiFi

    Great site off the freeway- but because it’s close, you’ll hear cars all night. We were the only tent campers so we had a bunch of space. Fire rings and picnic tables at every site as well as a bunch of firewood. There are 2 bathrooms and showers that look pretty new. WiFi works closer to the RVs.

  • Nathan B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 29, 2021

    Hood Park

    Very Comfortable with Manicured Lawn and tons of space

    Lots of options in this campground from drive through big trailer spots to back in spots to tent only areas. 

    Tons of wide green lawns with lots of space, camp sites end up pretty well spaced apart so you might only have 2 or 3 neighbors then a ton of lawn before another neighbor.

    It's right on the snake river, so you can practically fish from your camp site if you want. There is a connected wildlife preserve that you can walk around in and also fish in that is a sperate area. Lots of birds to watch. 

    There is also a connected park that is only open during the day with a beach. 

    Fully facilities including water and power hookups, a central dumping station. Flush toilets and showers included. A playground for the kids. 

    River barges keep things along the river interesting. Maybe road noise from the nearby highway was a bit louder than we'd like.


Guide to Benton City

Tent campsites near Benton City, Washington offer diverse terrain options beyond the immediate desert environment. While daytime temperatures can reach over 100°F in summer months, nighttime temperatures often drop by 30-40 degrees, creating challenging camping conditions for unprepared visitors. The Columbia Basin region surrounding Benton City sits at relatively low elevations between 500-1,000 feet, with camping locations primarily situated near irrigation lakes or public lands.

What to do

Fishing opportunities: At Warden Lake North, campers can access quality fishing with amenities to support a day at the lake. One visitor noted it has a "pier, kayak rentals" and is a "great area to sit and eat" while enjoying time by the water.

Explore military history: Historical sites complement the outdoor experience near certain camping areas. According to a camper at Warden Lake North, the area features "military bunkers you can walk through" providing an unexpected educational component to a camping trip.

Off-road adventures: The recreation areas near Nunnally Lake provide vehicle enthusiasts with designated riding areas. A camper mentioned "some noise from the off-road vehicle recreation area across the road" indicating proximity to established OHV trails while still maintaining reasonable quiet at the campsite.

What campers like

Night sky viewing: The minimal light pollution in this rural area creates exceptional stargazing conditions. Away from urban centers, the desert environment offers unobstructed views of the night sky.

Beach access: Several lakes in the region feature sandy beaches that provide relief from summer heat. A visitor to Warden Lake North described it as having a "wonderful" beach with "beautiful sand" making it suitable for swimming and water play.

Overnight rest stops: The campgrounds serve practical purposes for travelers crossing eastern Washington. One camper called Warden Lake North a "clean and excellent place to rest between long drives in eastern/central Washington," highlighting its convenience for those traveling through the region.

What you should know

Limited tent pads: Many campgrounds in the area lack suitable tent spots despite being listed as tent-friendly. One camper at Nunnally Lake reported "no tent camping unless you like sleeping on gravel," indicating the surfaces are primarily designed for RVs and trailers.

Seasonal operation: Check opening dates before planning trips to the area. Most campgrounds operate from spring through fall, with sites like Lyle Lake typically open "early May to late October" while Canal Lake North and Sand Station remain open year-round.

Noise factors: Proximity to transportation corridors affects several campgrounds. At Sand Station Recreation Area, a visitor reported the "site is right next to the freeway and train tracks, so is noisy" and recommended using earplugs.

Tips for camping with families

Day use opportunities: Some sites prioritize day activities over overnight stays. A visitor to Sand Station Recreation Area observed "lots of families with kids using the beach and swimming area" but noted "all the day users were gone by 9pm," making it potentially suitable for quieter evening camping.

Carry-in boat access: Several fishing lakes require portable watercraft. The lakes have limited shoreline fishing access, with some like Juniper Sand Dunes OHV requiring off-road capabilities to reach the best spots for family fishing and water activities.

Track your routes: The undeveloped nature of some camping areas creates navigation challenges. One visitor to Juniper Sand Dunes advised to "track your hikes, as it's easy to lose your way" when exploring the surrounding terrain with children.

Tips from RVers

Gravel surfaces: Most camping areas feature unimproved parking areas rather than developed sites. While this accommodates RVs physically, the experience remains rustic, with one camper at Nunnally Lake noting "ample room for RVs" despite the primitive conditions.

Limited amenities: RVers must be self-contained when staying at most sites in the region. There are no hookups available at any of the campgrounds within reasonable driving distance of Benton City, and restroom facilities typically consist of vault toilets only.

Spring season preference: The moderate temperatures of spring make for more comfortable RV camping. Before summer heat intensifies, spring offers a balance of warm days and cool nights without the extreme conditions that challenge air conditioning and cooling systems.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Benton City, WA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Benton City, WA is West Park (OR) with a 4-star rating from 1 review.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Benton City, WA?

TheDyrt.com has all 13 tent camping locations near Benton City, WA, with real photos and reviews from campers.