Campsites around Bonney Lake, Washington are scattered across forests and along waterways at elevations between 500-1,200 feet. Most camping options within 30 minutes of Bonney Lake remain open from April through October, with limited winter availability. The region combines lowland forest camping with riverside sites that offer direct water access and hiking trails connecting to larger wilderness areas.
What to do
Explore underwater parks: Dash Point State Park Campground offers unique scuba diving opportunities with easy beach access. "The day use area on the water is really nice," notes a visitor to nearby Saltwater State Park Campground, which features similar underwater exploration options.
Kayak the Green River: The Green River near Kanaskat-Palmer State Park provides scenic paddling routes. According to one camper at Kanaskat-Palmer State Park, "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."
Winter camping options: While many campgrounds close seasonally, some remain open year-round. "We love coming here. 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! The availability seems pretty good too, especially in Spring when some campgrounds are not quite open yet," shares a Kanaskat-Palmer visitor.
What campers like
Large, private sites: Site spacing receives high marks at several campgrounds. A visitor to Dash Point State Park Campground mentioned, "I was impressed by how spread apart the sites were, I think they could have fit another in between each of them!" Another camper noted, "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."
Clean facilities: Bathroom and shower quality matters to campers. "This campground has great clean and heated bathrooms. Sites and roads are paved," writes a reviewer at Kanaskat-Palmer State Park. Another camper at Game Farm Wilderness Campground appreciated the "diverse landscape with wooded areas, meadows, and riverside views along the Stuck River."
Proximity to city amenities: Location convenience is frequently mentioned. "I spent a weekend tent camping at Dash Point State Park, and honestly, it was a great time even though I completely failed to plan any meals. Thankfully, civilization is only about 15 minutes away. There's a grocery store, takeout options, and even coffee if you're feeling soft."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds require advance booking. For Enumclaw Expo Center RV Park, "They don't allow drop-ins or vehicles older than 20 yrs," notes one visitor. Game Farm Wilderness Campground takes reservations for its 18 sites but has strict check-in rules, with one camper reporting, "I was unable to get in early in the evening with nowhere else to go. Too strict!"
Aircraft noise: Campgrounds near Seattle-Tacoma Airport experience frequent overhead flights. "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)," reports a camper at Saltwater State Park.
Ranger presence: Security varies by location. At Kanaskat-Palmer State Park, "This campground is heavily patrolled by the park rangers. I usually have contact with them in my campsite at least twice a day. I have been asked by the park rangers at 10:01 p.m. to be quite as myself and three 9 year old girls were talking (no music etc) too loud."
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Look for campgrounds with safe water access. "10 minute drive from Deep Lake which is beautiful and great for swimming and paddle boarding," notes a camper at Kanaskat-Palmer. Another visitor to Dash Point mentioned, "There's a day use lake and we had a wonderful time camping here!"
Alternative lake access: When river conditions aren't suitable for children, nearby lakes offer safer options. "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," advises a regular at Kanaskat-Palmer.
Evening quiet hours: Rangers strictly enforce noise restrictions at some campgrounds. At Netties Mountain View Retreat, families appreciate the "quiet, peaceful" setting with "gorgeous scenery" and strong hospitality. One visitor mentioned the host "treated us like family! Clean and spacious community kitchen and clean bathroom."
Tips from RVers
Hookup variations: Electric-only sites are common at state parks. At Kanaskat-Palmer, "Hook ups are electric only, bring your water. The first time we went we did not know and our Basecamp's heat runs via the hot water heater. It was cold!"
Leveling challenges: Some sites require significant leveling. A camper with a 30-foot motorhome at Kanaskat-Palmer reported, "The gravel pull through was so not level the jacks pushed the front tires 6 inches off the ground."
Full-service options: For longer stays, RV parks offer more amenities. At South Prairie Creek RV Park, "Grounds are very nice" according to a visitor, though another noted, "Almost everyone at this campground just stayed in their campers all day. I was a little disappointed in the bathrooms and service."
