RV campgrounds in Bothell, Washington provide convenient access to the Puget Sound region while offering tree-covered sites and full hookup amenities. Many parks are situated near the Sammamish River Trail system, which connects to the 27-mile Burke-Gilman Trail. Winter temperatures typically range from 35-45°F with frequent rain, while summer brings 70-80°F temperatures and significantly drier conditions.
What to do
Hiking nearby trails: The Sammamish River Trail is accessible from Lake Pleasant RV Park, making it easy to explore on foot or bicycle. "We did not use the bathrooms, but enjoyed the walking trails, playground for the kids, and watching the resident ducks in the pond," notes one visitor about the easily accessible recreation options.
Visit local coffee shops: When staying at Tall Chief Campground, many campers appreciate the proximity to local businesses. "It's super close (like 7 min drive) from one of my favorite coffee shops, Aroma Coffee Co. Try it! You won't be disappointed!" suggests one regular visitor who enjoys exploring the surrounding area.
Day trips to Seattle: Campgrounds near Bothell serve as excellent base camps for exploring Seattle without city prices. "This is a perfect place for dropping your mobile hotel room and explore Seattle and the surrounding areas," explains one family who stayed at Trailer Inns RV Park with their five children, appreciating the short 35-minute drive to downtown.
What campers like
Clean, well-maintained facilities: Many RV parks in the area prioritize cleanliness. "The facilities and grounds are clean and well cared for," notes a guest at Gig Harbor RV Resort, adding "New gym is awesome. One of the best I've ever seen for laundry."
Affordable laundry amenities: Several parks offer reasonably priced laundry facilities. "The laundry is the hidden gem. At half the cost of the local laundromats, and with twice the machines I'm used to at a campground this size, I always have clean towels," explains a long-term visitor at Eagle Tree RV Park.
Natural settings with urban convenience: Despite being near urban centers, many parks maintain natural surroundings. "It feels like you are deep in the PNW rainforest but you close to amenities and shopping," remarks a visitor about Tall Chief Campground, highlighting the balance between accessibility and natural atmosphere.
What you should know
Variable cell reception: Tree cover affects connectivity at some campgrounds. "Another thing that can be annoying is trying to find a site with good cell reception due to all the trees. They definitely have a few, but 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," advises a Tall Chief visitor who measured "120+ mbs download on AT&T in my site right now, but several sites down from me, it can dwindle down to 5mbs!"
Limited sewer hookups: Some parks lack sewer connections at individual sites. "No sewer connections which can be a bummer, but the nice bathrooms make up for it imo," notes a regular at Tall Chief. Another visitor explains: "We had to take showers at the facilities which are kept up fairly well."
Reservation requirements: Parks fill quickly, especially in summer months. "Office staff is friendly, bathrooms are clean, laundry is cheap ($1 wash), maintenance staff is constantly tending to the grounds," says a visitor to Lake Pleasant RV Park, though they mention it's consistently busy, making advance bookings essential.
Tips for camping with families
Look for parks with playgrounds: Cove RV Park & Country Store provides amenities suitable for families. "This is our first trailer camping trip ever so we wanted to start small and close to home," shares a visitor, adding "The park is small but not crowded and had all the hook ups needed for our first camping trip!"
Consider noise levels: Highway proximity affects some parks. "I'll start with the thing to be aware of: you'll be camping 200' from I-90. But we found our ear plugs did a good job of quieting that noise enough for us to get a good sleep," advises a visitor to Issaquah Village RV Park, important information for families with light sleepers.
Check for family-oriented activities: Some parks provide recreational amenities. "The pool, miniature golf, playground and basketball were great," shares a visitor about Thousand Trails Thunderbird, noting these features kept their family entertained enough to extend their stay.
Tips from RVers
Power limitations: During peak usage, electrical systems can be strained. "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," cautions a visitor to Thousand Trails Thunderbird who experienced power outages during a heat wave.
Site sizes vary significantly: Some parks offer more spacious sites than others. "Most sites are pretty big too. We can easily fit our trailer, tow vehicle, and extra vehicle and still have space!" shares a Tall Chief visitor, while another camper at a different park describes their experience as "Roomy Finally. Great camp site for all sizes... if you enjoy a little distance between sites without sacrificing camp size line up here."
Ask about pumping services: For extended stays at parks without sewer hookups, plan for waste management. "Stayed 3 months for work, perfect beautiful, CHEEP CHEEP, not too good to be true, just right. All Hook ups included. (Bring your dump tote!) easy easy easy dump station," suggests a long-term visitor to Tall Chief who made alternative arrangements for waste disposal.
