Burien sits on the eastern shore of Puget Sound, with elevations ranging from sea level to about 500 feet, creating diverse camping microclimates. Many local campgrounds are open year-round despite western Washington's rainy season from October to April. Winter temperatures typically remain above freezing, allowing for extended camping seasons at sites near Burien.
What to do
Water activities at nearby beaches: Fay Bainbridge Park offers swimming in shallow, relatively warm water along the shoreline. "The beach was great, water is rather warm for in the sound, it's also pretty shallow which is great for the kids to play in," notes Leah H. of Belfair State Park Campground.
Fishing opportunities: Green River access points provide steelhead and salmon fishing at Tolt MacDonald Park. "Great spot for steelhead + salmon fishing. We've fished steelhead and pinks out of the snoqualmie river in the past," reports Mercedes D. The season typically runs from November through January.
Birdwatching: Tidal flats attract diverse waterfowl. "As the tide comes and goes, so does the water fowl," writes Kari R. at Belfair State Park. Bald eagles are frequently spotted along riverbanks, especially during salmon runs.
What campers like
Proximity to Seattle with forest feel: Most campgrounds within 45 minutes of Burien maintain forested settings despite urban proximity. "It feels like you are deep in the PNW rainforest but you close to amenities and shopping," notes Adele W. about Tall Chief Campground.
Private sites at specific campgrounds: Kanaskat-Palmer offers secluded spots. "The spaces are very private and spread out," writes Jeff O. "We were able to grab a last minute reservation thanks to a FT resident leaving for service," explains Mark O. about Blue Sky RV Park.
Lake access near glamping options: Several glamping sites near Burien include lake options. "Cute campground very close to Seattle and Bellevue right on the lake. Beautiful beach area, basketball courts, playground, and volleyball right at the site," reports Erin A. about Vasa Park Resort.
What you should know
Airport noise affects some sites: Des Moines campgrounds sit under Sea-Tac flight paths. "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 Travis P. at Saltwater State Park Campground.
Park ranger enforcement varies: Some campgrounds maintain strict quiet hours. "The park rangers are no joke...I have been asked by the park rangers at 10:01 p.m. to be quite at as myself and three 9-year-old girls were talking (no music etc) too loud," explains Kelly P. about Kanaskat-Palmer State Park.
Reservations essential: Many campgrounds fill months in advance, especially during summer. "You must make reservations online on the website a few weeks before you plan to come," advises Robert G. about Saltwater State Park. Winter weekends often have more availability.
Tips for camping with families
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Regular elk sightings occur at some parks. "The campground is right next to a state park. It's also very close to a river and lots of woods... 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," shares Amy & Stu B. about Dosewallips State Park Campground.
Beach playground access: Several glamping sites near Burien include child-friendly beach amenities. "Amazing kids area pirate ship. Great beach walk and good camp sites," notes Tanya B. about Fay Bainbridge Park.
Water safety considerations: River access points vary in safety. "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 Kelly P. about Kanaskat-Palmer.
Tips from RVers
Hookup limitations: Many glamping sites close to Burien offer partial hookups only. "We had full hookups available but the normal rate is $25 (least preferred site) and $32 (average preference) and the only difference in the sites appears to be where in the campground they are located," explains Travis P. about Saltwater State Park.
Site sizing for larger vehicles: Limited spaces accommodate larger RVs. "Larger RVs should be in the lower site numbers. Ours is mid-size and we barely fit in #26, though it was nicely shaded," warns Judy J. about Fay Bainbridge Park.
Dump station availability: Not all campgrounds provide on-site dump facilities. "Only downfall was no sewer and honeybucket needed to be reserved at $25.00; however, there is an RV dump onsite," notes Isabel G. about Tall Chief Campground.
