Best Tent Camping near Burien, WA
The Puget Sound region surrounding Burien, Washington offers several tent-only camping options, with Blake Island Marine State Park providing boat-in tent sites just a short distance offshore. Green Mountain, located west of Burien near Bremerton, features primitive tent campsites with basic amenities and walk-in access. Tent campers seeking waterfront experiences can also consider ELKS Beach and Macie's Brook, both offering tent-specific sites with varying levels of accessibility. The Woodlands at Lake Stickney provides secluded tent camping north of Seattle with walk-in sites near the water.
Most tent campgrounds in the Burien area require campers to bring their own water and supplies. Green Mountain offers five tent sites with picnic tables and fire pits but lacks drinking water and showers. Vault toilets are common at established sites, though maintenance quality varies. Blake Island Marine State Park enforces strict quiet hours beginning at 10pm and typically implements summer fire bans. Sites are generally set on compacted dirt or forest duff with minimal grading. Summer temperatures can be hot in unshaded areas, though coastal sites benefit from evening breezes. Seasonal access varies, with some locations requiring permits or reservations.
Tent campers frequently report peaceful experiences despite proximity to urban areas. According to reviews, Blake Island sites offer a unique island camping experience about an hour by boat from Seattle, with temperatures dropping significantly at night despite summer heat. One visitor to Lena Lake Campground noted that weekday visits provide "plenty of room" compared to busy weekends. Walk-in tent sites generally offer more seclusion than drive-up options, with several campgrounds featuring level tent pads suitable for multiple tents. Backcountry tent camping options further from Burien provide deeper wilderness experiences, though they require longer travel times. Forest sites typically offer better shade coverage than field-based campsites, an important consideration during summer months when temperatures can rise significantly.
