Camping spots near Burien, Washington range from state park campgrounds to private RV resorts within a 45-mile radius. The region sits at low elevations between 0-400 feet with a maritime climate featuring mild, wet winters and dry summers. Summer temperatures typically average 70-75°F while winter lows rarely drop below freezing, creating a year-round camping environment with seasonal variations in campground accessibility.
What to do
Beach exploration: Dash Point State Park offers camping with beach access along Puget Sound. "Beautiful weather and close escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. Clean facilities as well!" mentions Braden T. The park includes both day-use lake areas and beach exploration opportunities.
Waterfront activities: Fay Bainbridge Park provides waterfront camping with views across Puget Sound. "Great campground right on the beach. Clean facilities," reports Brook M. The park includes volleyball courts and a covered recreation area for group activities.
Historical exploration: Manchester State Park Campground features military history from former naval installations. "Like many sites on the Puget Sound this was first used as a military base for the US Navy to guard the Bremerton ship yards during the Spanish American war and WW2. There are many remnants of the fort located in the park," explains Tom N., highlighting the historical significance of the area.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Kanaskat-Palmer State Park receives praise for site spacing. "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," notes Brittany D. from a different campground. Many campers appreciate the natural separation between sites.
Clean facilities: Most campgrounds maintain good bathroom and shower facilities. At Kanaskat-Palmer, "Bathrooms in that loop were pretty nice... heated and very clean," shares Jay F. The washrooms typically include hot showers, though some parks require tokens or quarters.
Urban proximity: Vasa Park Resort offers lakefront camping with city access. "Close to the city, gorgeous lake," mentions Yulieth R. Many campers appreciate being able to enjoy natural settings while maintaining access to urban amenities within a short drive.
What you should know
Airport noise impact: Several campgrounds near Burien experience aircraft noise due to proximity to Sea-Tac airport flight paths. "It was a party site and there were some scary people. Had I been alone with my girls, I would've stayed in the car," warns Kirsten about one location, highlighting safety considerations at some urban-adjacent sites.
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds fill quickly, especially during summer weekends. "We have enjoyed our 3 week stay at this little water front event and RV campground," says Libby at Vasa Park Resort, suggesting longer stays are possible with advance planning.
Seasonal closures: Game Farm Wilderness Campground and others have specific seasonal operations. "This looked like a pretty good campground. I could see open tenting spots from the road, even! But I was unable to get in early in the evening with nowhere else to go. Too strict!" shares Jonathan H., highlighting the importance of checking current operating hours and policies.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Several campgrounds offer dedicated children's areas. "Amazing kids area pirate ship. Great beach walk and good camp sites," says Tanya B. about Fay Bainbridge Park, highlighting the playground facilities that entertain younger campers.
Swimming access: Vasa Park Resort provides lake swimming for families. "We loved the Vasa Park Resort. We stayed here while visiting my brother in Seattle and had so much fun. We roasted hotdogs and s'mores over the camp fire and our dog loved swimming in the lake," shares Amy H., noting the combination of swimming opportunities and traditional camping activities.
Security considerations: Park rangers maintain different levels of supervision. At Kanaskat-Palmer, "This campground is heavily patrolled by the park rangers. I usually have contact with them in my campsite at least twice a day," explains Kelly P., adding "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."
Tips from RVers
Hookup limitations: Water and electricity options vary significantly between campgrounds. At Tall Chief Campground, "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," warns Derek & Alex W.
Site size considerations: Maneuvering larger RVs requires planning at some locations. "We stayed in spot 8 with our 20' camper. Electric and water only. Plenty of vegetation to separate campers," shares Brennon about Manchester State Park, indicating mid-size rigs can access many campgrounds.
Dump station access: Not all campgrounds offer full sewer hookups. "I do have to knock a star for the fact no sites have sewer hookups... 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," notes Derek & Alex W. about Tall Chief Campground.
