Glamping near Bothell, Washington presents opportunities for outdoor experiences within the Puget Sound region, where elevation ranges from sea level to approximately 500 feet. The area receives about 42 inches of rainfall annually, creating lush forested campgrounds with thick undergrowth. Winter camping options remain available year-round, with temperatures rarely dropping below freezing even in January.
What to do
Water activities at Deception Pass: Only 90 minutes north of Bothell, Deception Pass State Park offers beach access and swimming options. "Cranberry Lake has a designated swimming area where the water is super shallow and just perfect for the kiddos," notes a visitor who backpacked with their three-year-old.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Dosewallips State Park features platforms specifically for observing local fauna. According to one camper, "Every night, my husband and I would walk to the wildlife viewing platform to see lots of birds, or walk down by the river and see lots of elk and bald eagles."
Miniature golf and court sports: Blue Sky RV Park includes recreational facilities beyond the typical campground amenities. A visitor highlights, "Mini golf basket ball court, lakes, bingo, free donuts and coffee showers are bug and clean price is fairly cheap."
Beach exploration: Dash Point State Park provides coastal exploration opportunities 45 minutes from Bothell. "The beach is a short walk from camp, just long enough to make you feel like you earned your sunset view, but not so long that you regret your life choices," explains a camper who visited in 2025.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campgrounds offer good separation between camping spaces. A visitor to Dash Point State Park remarked, "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 restroom facilities: Numerous campgrounds maintain well-kept bathroom facilities. A Blue Sky RV Park visitor noted, "The new and clean bathrooms and showers were a real treat after a 2100 mile journey from Texas."
Group camping options: Some parks accommodate larger gatherings with dedicated areas. A visitor at Camano Island State Park shared, "Stayed in the group site with my daughter's American Heritage Girls troop. We had 22 girls and there was plenty of room. This is a huge group site."
Cell reception considerations: Coverage varies significantly between campsites at Tall Chief Campground, with one reviewer advising, "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. I'm getting 120+ mbs download on AT&T in my site right now, but several sites down from me, it can dwindle down to 5mbs!"
What you should know
Naval base noise: Some parks experience jet noise from nearby military facilities. A Deception Pass State Park visitor warned, "Crazy crowded and crazy loud with the military jets overhead (Naval Air Base nearby) – but beautiful none the less. It's good to note that the jets do shut off around 5 pm and there is plenty of quite time from that point on."
Limited sewer hookups: Not all parks offer full hookup services. A reviewer at Tall Chief Campground explained, "I do have to knock a star for the fact no sites have sewer hookups. This is fairly understandable though as it appeared that a service needs to pump the septic tank by the dump station for the entire park."
Proximity to urban amenities: Some campgrounds provide a wilderness feel while maintaining accessibility to services. A camper at Tolt MacDonald Park noted, "It's located right smack in the middle of carnation so on a nice sunny day you could walk out of the park to get pizza, ice cream or even mexican food."
Reservation requirements: Popular sites fill quickly, especially during peak seasons. A Tolt MacDonald visitor advised, "We hiked in for the adventure, but also because all the drive-in sites were reserved. They have several secluded campsites set aside for hikers and bikers, and they were totally worth the work."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several parks feature play structures for children. A visitor to Fay Bainbridge Park shared, "Best things: Beautiful beach, great views of Mt. Rainier & Baker on a clear day, cruise ships going by, pirate ship playground for children."
Shallow swimming areas: Look for designated swimming locations with gradual entry points. As one Deception Pass camper noted about Cranberry Lake: "The water is super shallow and just perfect for the kiddos."
Indoor activities for rainy days: Parks with covered facilities provide weather alternatives. A Kitsap Memorial State Park visitor mentioned, "A short trail brings you to a beautiful ampitheater amongst the trees."
Family-sized campsites: Some parks offer larger spaces for groups with children. A Kitsap Memorial visitor observed, "There's a playground and a couple large open fields for kids to play. Also really close to the water which is cool."
Tips from RVers
Electrical limitations: Some parks have outdated power infrastructure. A Tall Chief Campground reviewer cautioned, "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."
Site leveling convenience: Certain parks feature pre-leveled pads. A Tolt MacDonald Park visitor noted, "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."
Length restrictions: Site specifications may limit larger vehicles. A reviewer at Dash Point State Park advised, "See website for length of level pad. We stayed in RV in site without hook-ups."
Dump station access: Not all parks offer on-site dumping facilities. A Tolt MacDonald camper mentioned, "There's a charge dump station at the ministorage at the turn off."
