Campgrounds around Black Diamond, Washington exist within Puget Sound's mixed forest ecosystems at elevations between 500-1,000 feet. Most camping spots near Black Diamond, Washington feature second-growth forest with western hemlock and Douglas fir dominating the landscape. Rainfall averages 45 inches annually, with summer being the driest camping season from late June through September.
What to Do
River activities: At Kanaskat-Palmer State Park, the Green River offers unique water recreation opportunities. "Beautiful, clean campground. Short hike to river spots that are perfect for wading or fishing. 10 minute drive from Deep Lake which is beautiful and great for swimming and paddle boarding," notes Ashlie M.
Hiking trails: Several camping areas connect to trail systems suitable for day hikes. "Quiet campground with decent privacy between sites. We stayed just one night at site 42, which was on a corner and offered a good amount of privacy and easy access to the clean bathrooms. It's a short walk to the river where we watched the kayakers and did a very easy hike," explains Rachel from Kanaskat-Palmer.
Mountain viewing: Netties Mountain View Retreat offers scenic mountain views that change with the seasons. "We drive up nearly dark. The lights were magical. It wasn't until morning that our surprise was revealed by the mountain range and Mt. Rainier. The grounds were quite, the town quaint, and the host hospitable & kind," reports Marci W.
What Campers Like
Well-maintained facilities: Campers consistently praise the bathroom facilities at several parks. At Dash Point State Park, "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. The washroom and shower is kept clean, as is the rest of the campground," reports Brittany D.
Child-friendly environments: Family groups appreciate dedicated play areas. Julie M. notes about Kanaskat-Palmer, "Loved Kanaskat Palmer. Stayed in spot 13 - each site seems to have a trail connecting to the outer trail that runs along the river. Big entertainment for three boys who explored the woods and played on the rocks and in the eddy pools at the public river take-out."
Ranger presence: Several campgrounds maintain active ranger monitoring. "This campground is heavily patrolled by the park rangers. I usually have contact with them in my campsite at least twice a day. My point with this is, if you are a large group, like to stay up late and listen to music and/or party it might not be the campground for you," explains Kelly P. about Kanaskat-Palmer State Park.
What You Should Know
Reservation windows: Most campgrounds have specific reservation timeframes. At Game Farm Wilderness Campground, "Game Farm Wilderness Campground sounds like a perfect escape! Nestled in Auburn, WA, it offers year-round camping with RV hookups, riverside views, and group-friendly spaces. Pro tip: Book early—reservations open January 1st!" advises Dale B.
Airport noise: Certain campgrounds experience airplane traffic. At Saltwater State Park, "Commercial jets landing at Sea-Tac fly directly above us at a low altitude and are VERY loud and VERY frequent (every 3-5 minutes), so if you don't mind the noise, or LOVE airplanes (like we do), this is an Awesome campground!!!" explains Travis P.
Train activity: Some camping areas have railroad noise. Jay F. notes about Kanaskat-Palmer, "We heard a couple trains while there, but the noise wasn't too loud. Never heard the fire siren that they warned us about. Overall, it was a good camping experience for a quick trip."
Tips for Camping with Families
Creek access: Shallow water features provide safe play areas for children. "Easy to find, great access to the sound & creek, sites had plenty of tent space. Well forested, potable water & fire rings, bathrooms were clean," explains Lee C. about Dash Point State Park.
Playground locations: Some campgrounds offer dedicated play equipment. "Staying two nights in the 'preferred' #17 campsite. Parking was wide enough to fit my RV and my son's big Panel Truck. 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," shares Travis P. about Saltwater State Park.
Corner sites: Request corner campsites for additional space and privacy when camping with children. Shay F. reports about Kanaskat-Palmer, "The sites are large and pretty private. We have stayed in site 42 which is a back in spot with fire pit and table above the back of the pad. Also, we have enjoyed site 38, a pull through that gave us nice wooded views and privacy."
Tips from RVers
Electrical considerations: Tall Chief Campground has specific electrical limitations to plan for. "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. If you want/need one, you cannot get one," warns Derek & Alex W.
Alternative dump options: When sewer connections aren't available, plan for alternatives. "We don't have room for one so we used a pumping service halfway through our time there. The park provided the information for the service. It was $60 though," shares Derek & Alex W. about Tall Chief Campground.
Leveling requirements: Some sites require substantial leveling equipment. Cody F. notes about Kanaskat-Palmer, "I only took away a star because it was advertised as ok for a Motorhome but the gravel pull through was so not level the jacks pushed the front tires 6 inches off the ground. But there was lots of private space and the trails were beautiful as they wrapped around the river."
