Best Campgrounds near Black Diamond, WA

Kanaskat-Palmer State Park and Lake Sawyer Resort are the primary established campgrounds near Black Diamond, Washington, providing a mix of camping experiences within an hour's drive of Seattle. The Black Diamond area features both public and private camping facilities, with accommodation types ranging from tent sites to RV hookups and cabin rentals. Most campgrounds in this region are situated amid tall evergreens with access to water features, particularly Lake Sawyer and the Green River, making them popular destinations for water recreation during warmer months.

Road access to most camping areas is well-maintained throughout the year, with many sites offering year-round availability. The region experiences typical Pacific Northwest weather patterns with rainy conditions from late fall through spring. "Campground is well maintained, clean bathrooms and showers available. Although walking distance to bathrooms is a little far away," noted one camper about Kanaskat-Palmer State Park. Visitors should anticipate train noise at night in some areas, particularly at Kanaskat-Palmer, where the tracks run relatively close to the campground. Most sites require reservations, especially during summer weekends when local campgrounds fill quickly due to their proximity to Seattle.

Campers consistently mention the wooded settings and water access as highlights of the camping experience near Black Diamond. Kanaskat-Palmer State Park receives particularly strong reviews for its river access, hiking trails, and clean facilities. A visitor commented, "I've stayed here many times. I love how quiet and woodsy it is here. Lots of fun spots along the river to enjoy." Many tent and RV sites throughout the region offer electrical hookups, though water hookups are less common. Public bathrooms with showers are available at most established campgrounds, but amenity quality varies between public and private facilities. Lake Sawyer Resort has mixed reviews regarding management practices and site quality, while state park campgrounds generally receive higher ratings for cleanliness and natural settings.

Best Camping Sites Near Black Diamond, Washington (276)

    1. Kanaskat-Palmer State Park

    30 Reviews
    Ravensdale, WA
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 226-7688

    $20 / night

    "There is good system of trails, tons of picnic tables along the river, and good river access to the Green rivers. Campground is well maintained, clean bathrooms and showers available."

    "It's close proximity to our house allows us to hook up the trailer after work and include a Friday night in our camping weekend!"

    2. Dash Point State Park Campground

    72 Reviews
    Federal Way, WA
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 226-7688

    $20 / 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."

    3. Game Farm Wilderness Campground

    15 Reviews
    Auburn, WA
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (253) 931-3043

    $40 / night

    "Just like building and exploring in Minecraft for PC, you can craft your perfect outdoor adventure here, surrounded by nature, and enjoy endless fun and exploration."

    4. Tinkham Campground

    45 Reviews
    Snoqualmie Pass, WA
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 804-1103

    $32 - $36 / night

    "Although the Camp Ground and facilities are great at Tinkham, my advice would be to get into your lifted Off-Roader and hit the mountain roads for this camping trip of a lifetime!"

    "It is a small Forest Service campground next to the south fork of the Snoqualmie river. The site well shaded and fairly privet for the most part."

    5. Saltwater State Park Campground

    16 Reviews
    Des Moines, WA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (253) 661-4956

    $60 / night

    "My family stayed here for a night when we went out to Washington a few months ago. It was a nice little place."

    "Pay showers ($1 for 3 minutes) and clean restroom with air dryer, pet friendly, lots of trails to hike and a beautiful beach area with a playground, seasonal/weekend snack shop, outdoor shower by the beach"

    6. Enumclaw Expo Center RV Park

    4 Reviews
    Enumclaw, WA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 226-3493

    $35 - $45 / night

    "There are several dump stations nearby. Very quiet and low key. It is situated next to a H.S. stadium so the game nights get a little bit loud but really not that bad. Showers are available too."

    "All with picnic tables but you will be sitting right next to your neighbors if you choose the sites in middle section of park. No view of Rainier but views r very nearby."

    7. Netties Mountain View Retreat

    4 Reviews
    Buckley, WA
    10 miles
    +1 (253) 831-3900

    $40 - $60 / night

    "Convenient drive to Mt Rainier and Summit lake trail as well. Definitely worth every penny! "

    "Convenient location near Mt. Rainier."

    8. Lake Sawyer Resort

    4 Reviews
    Black Diamond, WA
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 886-2244

    "If you can look past the rundown bathrooms and strict rules about dogs and everything else you’re doing then you can appreciate the beauty of Lake Sawyer every morning."

    9. Tall Chief Campground

    15 Reviews
    Fall City, WA
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "This is a big park that is part of Thousand Trails.  No sales pitch to join, which was nice.  Rangers were super nice.  Bathrooms very new and clean.  Lots of trees between sites. "

    "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. Try it!"

    10. Blue Sky RV Park

    5 Reviews
    Preston, WA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (425) 222-7910

    "A Quiet oasis tucked into the forest. The new and clean bathrooms and showers were a real treat after a 2100 mile journey from Texas."

    "It’s a very nice location, exceptionally clean and safe. In site 11 you can hear the highway when outside of rv but couldn’t inside. Neighbors were very friendly."

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Recent Reviews near Black Diamond, WA

1433 Reviews of 276 Black Diamond Campgrounds


  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 13, 2025

    White River Campground — Mount Rainier National Park

    Beautiful

    Best campground! I was in loop D which is right by the river. Amazing views from my roof tent. Sites are close to each other, but the roaring river drowns out any noise. I believe I had the best site in the whole campground… D29. Pretty big site and best views.

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 9, 2025

    Cascades RV Resort

    Cascades RV Resort

    We are long term RV campers here at Cascades. It is a lovely RV resort with large concrete pads with astroturf lawn and picnic table. Everyone is friendly. Nightly noise is never excessive. Gracie’s place is an onsite cafe that serves food, alcohol, deserts, coffees, and other drinks. You can get package delivery just no USPS. They do offer monthly discounts. Would highly recommend for anyone in an RV.

  • Nicole L.
    Oct. 3, 2025

    Woodlands at Lake Stickney

    BEAUTIFUL LOCATION

    I myself have never parked my RV at the campsite. However, I've been to the public Access area and have to say that it's very peaceful and has a restroom which is nice. I'm a local. I live inside my RV and it has been a major adjustment but having places like this has been extremely helpful.

  • Chris H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 3, 2025

    Mounthaven Resort

    Nice spot

    Very clean and quiet. Close to park entrance

  • Michelle R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 28, 2025

    Forest Road 7300 Pull-Off

    Large open pull off

    Lots of pull offs spots on FS Rd 73 but this spot is very open and it’s the one the GPS guided me to from The Dyrt site.

  • Michelle R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 28, 2025

    White River Dispersed Camping

    Couldn’t find it

    The GPS coordinates told me I arrived and there was nothing around me.

  • Adi Z.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 27, 2025

    Silver Springs Sno Park

    Great spot near sunrise entrance

    Basically it's an empty lot, a lot of space. Great for one night if you want to be close to sunrise entrance. It's a bit close to the road but in the evening it's very quite. We parked with our RV. It's not perfectly leveled, but will do the trick. There is a sign saying pack out your trash, and that you cannot stay here more than 14 days, meaning it's a legitimate site.

  • alexandrea L.
    Sep. 24, 2025

    Penrose Point State Park Campground

    Beautiful

    The beach is beautiful here! And the campsites are very secluded! There are tons of trees and bushes in between everybody’s campsite

  • yThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 19, 2025

    American Heritage Campground

    Hidden Gem - Peaceful, family owned

    I’m always weary before I arrive. You never know what you’re gonna drive up to. I’d stay here any time. I feel safe, comfortable, spacious sites (only back in), fire pits, old school playground which we love and friendly owners who also staff it. Apparently it’s been in the fam for over 40 years. Lovely. Not new and fancy but quaint and classic.


Guide to Black Diamond

Camping near Black Diamond, Washington, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a family-friendly spot or a quiet getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the trails at Dash Point State Park Campground. One reviewer mentioned, "Several miles of hiking trails and chances to see wildlife or catch frogs." It's a great way to enjoy nature and get some exercise.
  • Fishing: Head to Kachess Campground for fishing opportunities. A camper shared, "We caught a bunch of little trout (catch and release) with the kids and kayaked around while ospreys dove."
  • Beach Activities: At Penrose Point State Park Campground, you can enjoy tide pooling and beach walks. One visitor noted, "Trails for hiking and beach walks are clean and easy to navigate."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms. A review for Middle Fork Campground stated, "The bathrooms were spotless." Clean facilities make for a more enjoyable stay.
  • Spacious Campsites: Many campgrounds offer decent spacing between sites. A visitor at Kanaskat-Palmer State Park mentioned, "The sites are decently spaced with tall trees and ground cover between."
  • Family-Friendly Atmosphere: Campgrounds like Fay Bainbridge Park are great for families. One reviewer said, "The camp host is friendly and helpful. The spots are spacious and shaded."

What you should know:

  • Noise Levels: Some campgrounds can get noisy, especially on weekends. A camper at Denny Creek Campground noted, "It's crowded but it's so close to the city that you can't expect much else."
  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have full amenities. For example, Tinkham Campground lacks drinking water and electric hookups, which some campers found inconvenient.
  • Wildlife Encounters: Be prepared for wildlife. A camper at Middle Fork Campground shared, "There was a small black bear in my campsite one morning, but he was gathering berries and did not bother me."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places like Kanaskat-Palmer State Park that offer activities for kids. One family mentioned, "Our kids were only one of many groups of roving kids, so it's a very family-friendly setting."
  • Plan for Activities: Bring games and outdoor toys. A reviewer at Dash Point State Park Campground highlighted, "It manages to make you feel like you're deep in the forest, very cozy feel at each campsite."
  • Pack Snacks and Drinks: Keep everyone happy with snacks. A camper at Kachess Campground noted, "The hosts are always nice and helpful," which can be a bonus if you need anything.

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Hookup Availability: Make sure to confirm if your chosen campground has electric and water hookups. A camper at Tinkham Campground mentioned, "The road was my only issue. It’s full of deep dips and bumps throughout."
  • Reserve Early: Popular spots fill up fast. A visitor at Kanaskat-Palmer State Park shared, "We found an opening online and it was still available when we arrived."
  • Be Prepared for Tight Spaces: Some campgrounds have limited space for larger RVs. A review for Denny Creek Campground noted, "The campground itself is kind of crowded usually and the spots are close to each other."

Camping near Black Diamond, Washington, has something for everyone, whether you're a family looking for fun or an RVer seeking adventure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Black Diamond Campground located and how do I get there?

Black Diamond Campground is located near the town of Black Diamond in western Washington, approximately 30 miles southeast of Seattle. The campground sits close to the Green River in King County. To get there from Seattle, take I-5 south to Highway 18, then connect to SR-169 toward Black Diamond. Similar to how you'd reach Lake Sawyer Resort, which is in the same area, follow local signs to the campground. The access roads are well-maintained, making it accessible for most vehicles similar to nearby Kanaskat-Palmer State Park, which features drive-in access just a short distance away.

What amenities are available at Black Diamond Campground?

Black Diamond Campground offers standard amenities including potable water, vault toilets, picnic tables, and fire rings at each site. Similar to nearby Dash Point State Park Campground, the campground is clean and well-maintained with friendly staff. The campground provides access to hiking trails and the Green River for fishing and water activities. While not as extensive as Tolt MacDonald Park, which offers a laundromat nearby, Black Diamond still provides the essential facilities for a comfortable camping experience, including trash collection and parking for each site.

When is the best time to visit Black Diamond Campground and are reservations required?

The best time to visit Black Diamond Campground is during the late spring through early fall (May-September) when western Washington typically experiences drier, warmer weather. Similar to Silver Springs Campground, which is praised for its beautiful river setting, Black Diamond is most enjoyable during summer months. As Kachess Campground campers note about similar Washington sites, reservations are highly recommended, especially for weekend stays during peak season. The campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis for any unreserved sites, but availability can be limited, particularly on summer weekends and holidays.