Tee P.
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GuideFalls View Campground
Falls View Campground
Nice campground. Road noise by 101. $10 a day fee for camping or $5 with annual pass . I paid with the QR code at site.
Camping near Wauna, WA
261 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
Puget Sound waterfront camping dominates the landscape around Wauna, Washington, with multiple state parks offering shoreline access. Notable options include Penrose Point State Park and Dash Point State Park, both providing a mix of tent and RV camping in forested settings near saltwater beaches. Sun Outdoors Gig Harbor represents one of the few private RV resorts in the region, offering full hookups and amenities like laundry facilities. Most campgrounds in the Wauna area accommodate both tent and RV camping, with several also offering cabin or glamping options for those seeking additional comfort.
Campground access generally remains consistent year-round, though seasonal considerations affect amenities and availability. Most state parks in the region operate throughout the year, but some amenities may be limited during winter months. "The campground is quiet, except for the nearby construction. The staff is super friendly and accommodating," noted one visitor to Sun Outdoors Gig Harbor. Reservation requirements vary by location, with most established campgrounds requiring advance booking, especially during summer weekends. Joemma Beach State Park represents one of the few dispersed camping options in the area but is only open from March through October. Weather in the Puget Sound region can bring significant rainfall during fall and winter, making spring and summer the most comfortable camping seasons.
Waterfront views and beach access constitute the primary attractions for campers in the Wauna area. Several visitors highlighted the importance of tide schedules when planning activities. "We had a great time exploring the beaches. Sites were reasonably private and quiet at night," reported one camper at Penrose Point State Park. The tall trees provide ample shade at most campgrounds, with many sites featuring enough coverage to protect from both sun and light rain. Wildlife sightings include seals, various shorebirds, and occasionally raccoons visiting campsites. Campground noise levels generally remain moderate, though holiday weekends can bring increased activity. Tight spacing between sites is common at Sun Outdoors Gig Harbor, while state parks typically offer more separation between camping areas. Most locations provide clean restroom facilities, though shower availability and water pressure can vary by campground.
Best Campgrounds near Wauna (261)
1. Dash Point State Park Campground
"Firstly, I just have to say what a positive and amazing experience I had at this campground. The volunteers were friendly, kind and absolutely awesome to interact with."
"The campground itself is tucked into a beautiful, forested area with plenty of trees and privacy between sites. Ours had a tent pad, fire ring, and picnic table."
from $23 - $80 / night
Check Availability2. Penrose Point State Park Campground
"Pros: group camp is very close to beach front area, GREAT CLAMMING AND OYSTERING!"
"Penrose Point State Park is a great place close to Seattle to go camping in a small or large group. It's tent or camper friendly with plenty of spots for busier seasons."
from $12 - $72 / night
Check Availability3. Belfair State Park Campground
"Often our first or last trip of the year, due to its proximity to the greater Seattle area. Most of the folks we meet are from western Washington. "
"On the water of the Hood Canal, it offered more family activities than many of the parks around. The campground itself is situated close to the water with several loops, tightly packed together."
from $12 - $65 / night
Check Availability4. Sun Outdoors Gig Harbor
"Close by stores, trails, parks, harbor. Tacoma across bridge (10 minutes - $6.25 toll)."
"Costco, Home Depot, Albertsons and other shopping close by."
from $57 - $104 / night
Check Availability5. Manchester State Park Campground
"Nice wooded campground with access to the water. Plenty of opportunities for day hikes and not far from port orchard Washington. Some sites have hookups and others are dry camping."
"Trails, views, and history in walking distance. Coin operated showers and clean restrooms."
from $12 - $250 / night
Check Availability6. Twanoh State Park Campground
"Location was clean, easy to access and feels like a world away from the busy cities close by."
"This is clean and well-maintained state campground that offers nice access to the southern tip of Hood Canal, although you have to cross Rt. 106 to get to the waterside picnic area and docks, and that"
from $12 - $46 / night
Check Availability7. Dosewallips State Park Campground
"The grounds are well-maintained with easy access to some hiking trails that are easy to moderate in difficulty."
"Dump station close by worked great on exit. Wooded with ferns. Rain was nice to enjoy through the windows."
from $12 - $77 / night
Check Availability8. Joemma Beach State Park Campground
"We arrived little later around 6 p.m. And being such a nice day there were only few sites left."
"Conveniently located right next to the bathroom with an area for parking two vehicles. I have AT&T and had good service in this spot."
from $12 / night
Check Availability9. Jarrell Cove State Park Campground
"Tucked away remote campsite in a forest next to estuary. Two sites have hookups. Clean restrooms with shower."
"Site 8 is a pull through and is very large, but not so private as everyone walking to the main dock walks right past your site."
from $12 - $70 / night
Check Availability10. Lakebay Getaway
"The location is great, so close to the water, Penrose and other peninsula activities."
"Great location if you want to relax and take long walks at nearby state parks and beaches. Robyn is a spectacular host who was great to communicate with. We will be coming back."
from $50 / night
Check Availability
Drive Time
- 16 min from Bremerton, WA
- 42 min from Olympia, WA
- 48 min from Seattle, WA
- 1 hr 42 min from Mount Vernon, WA
Recent Camping Photos near Wauna, WA
304 Photos of 261 Wauna Campgrounds
John K.
Sun Outdoors Gig Harbor
Cari L.
Macie's Brook
Sarah H.
Penrose Point State Park Campground
Robyn F.
Lakebay Getaway
Sarah B.
Belfair State Park Campground
Nicole L.
Jarrell Cove State Park Campground
Dana R.
Joemma Beach State Park Campground
Sierra M.
Dash Point State Park Campground
Heather M.
Manchester State Park Campground
JP C.
Twanoh State Park Campground
Joe K.
Christmas Tree Ridge
Ray D.
Tahuya River Campground
Recent Reviews near Wauna, WA
1245 Reviews of 261 Wauna Campgrounds
Liz D.
TravelerPotlatch State Park Campground
Meh: Crowded, noisy, good for families, under repair
Camped on a busy Saturday night and less busy Sunday night. Lots of kids and dogs, sites close together. We were in a middle section for campers w/o hookups — kind of like a parking lot. On the other hand, tent sites were nestled into the very dark, dense tree canopy. Our site was 1 away from the bathroom, which was lit up inside and out with the power of a dozen suns all night. Well, it was bright, anyway. Showers looked good, though we ran out of time to use them. Dump station was under repair, which we were not told, nor was there signage, making for a difficult turnaround.
Jordan K.TravelerSeal Rock Campground
Nice primitive campground
Spots are in rows up a hill and most have stairs to actually framed tent pads for tent set up. Lowest row of spots are right across the 5mph street from the puget sound. Its one of the first primitive campgrounds going into the Olympic national forest. There are many campsites that allow for most every type of rv or trailer like pull through and class a
- mmason G.Traveler
Belfair State Park Campground
Beautiful, easy to get to campground
This is a beautiful state park with plenty of bathrooms, showers, and water points. There are plenty of full hookup RV spots, non-hookup TV spots, and tenet camping sites. There is a playground for kids, easy access beach area for swimming and paddle boarding, and pathways for pleasant walks.
I stayed on the beach loop at site 142. It was sunny during the day with nice shade in the evening. A blackberry patch right behind me was just beginning to ripen.
Great place for families with a loop for the kids to cruise on their bikes.
Nikki A.
ScoutThousand Trails Thunderbird
Summer Vibes
Love this park! The staff is wonderful and the pools are great. Yes, I said pools. Lol. Thunderbird has 3 pools for all age groups (one especially designed for little toddlers) and a hot tub plus other great activities around the park. My kids would live at the playground if they could. Lol. Last time we stayed here it was on the riverside near the boat launch and the sunset was amazing over the river.
- BBarbara E.Scout
Fort Townsend Historical State Park Campground
Didn’t find tranquility…
I was planning to stay two nights, but jets were practicing night maneuvers from Coupeville and even my earplugs didn’t help, very loud. They stopped around 11 pm. Also-people clean up after your dogs in the fields and meadows! Site 25 was close to garbage collection and people walking by to trails and beach. And sites were close together. No fires when I was there due to dryness.
Michael B.TravelerStraddleline Park
Calm weekend
I’m a tent camper, and messed up and reserved a RV spot. I paid for another spot more suited for tent camping and moved over. When talking to the campsite manager the following day, she offered to refund the 2nights at the wrong site. We declined the refund just because it goes to keeping the area put together and she was doing a fantastic job keeping everything clean and restocked over the short stay we were there.
Men’s restroom had 2 urinals three stalls and a shower, women’s restroom had three stalls and a shower. One larger stall in both.
- JJen B.Traveler
The Waterfront at Potlatch
We’ll come back again and again
It’s so interesting to read past reviews before getting here and contrasting that with my experience. To be on the water, and be able to watch the tide move in and out every day on the beautiful and peaceful Hood Canal, is an absolute treasure. Yes, highway 101 is loud. There’s no doubt about that. But this small well-maintained RV park of only 16 sites, including full hook ups, is an absolute gem. We stayed here two weeks on site 16 and 11. (Much prefer 16 because it’s on the edge, how the sun is angled this time of the year, we quickly had loads of shade from our RV to sit in, and it’s by a little creek. But side 11 is also nice because there’s more opportunities to chitchat with people as you are in the middle of the campground.) We have met so many incredible people here and exchanged information so we can stay in touch. I will put this on my favorites list and absolutely intend return. In fact, many of the people we met here are people who come year after year after year. The only real downside in my opinion is the fact that there is nowhere that you can hike reachable by foot from the campground. So my husband, dog, and I did our daily walks at the marina parking lot nextdoor, where we would do loops, talk to the fisherman, and eat whatever blackberries ripened overnight. As we are full timers, I was absolutely content to sit outside our rig overlooking the water and work. If you are someone who needs a lot “to do “this may not be the campground for you. But if you are someone who loves to just be by the water and enjoy the tranquility and friendliness of fellow campers, this spot is for you.
- LLori R.Scout
Graves Creek Campground — Olympic National Park
Nice spot by the River
Getting to Graves Creek took a little longer than expected. We had to detour onto the North Shore Loop after a section of the South Loop washed out. The final stretch of road is narrow and steep in places, so the drive in was a bit tricky. Once we arrived, we found a lovely site right on the river. We spent the weekend there and were fortunate to have no campers next to us. Sites & Fees: 30 sites total, $20 per night RVs: Not allowed due to road conditions Facilities: Pit toilets only; no running water
Overall a great experience
Guide to Wauna
Camping near Wauna, Washington offers direct access to sheltered inlets of southern Puget Sound with tidal fluctuations of 12-14 feet in many locations. The area sits at the base of the Kitsap Peninsula where dense Douglas fir forests meet saltwater shorelines, creating distinct microclimates that shelter campers from prevailing winds. Winter temperatures rarely drop below freezing while summer highs typically stay below 85°F, making three-season camping viable at most established sites.
What to do
Wildlife viewing: Dosewallips State Park on Hood Canal provides excellent elk spotting opportunities. "Campground has elk that walk through it and is right on the river. There are several hiking trails that start from the campground," notes Dean from Dosewallips State Park Campground.
Beachcombing: Best at low tide. The tidal changes expose rocky shorelines perfect for exploring. "As the tide comes and goes, so does the water fowl. Nice campground, open sites, full hook ups," explains Kari R. at Belfair State Park. Plan activities around tide charts posted at most waterfront campgrounds.
Hiking: Forest trails vary in difficulty. Manchester State Park offers military history alongside nature trails. "Took a quick trip out to this local spot. Pleasantly surprised how private the sites are. Very well maintained! A quick walk to the beach, old torpedo building, trails. We had a great time taking a little hike along the water," shares Heather M.
Clamming and oyster harvesting: Seasonal availability. Several beaches permit shellfish collection with proper licensing. "We loved this spot! A quick walk from camp and your picking oysters from Hood Canal. Amazing! The swimming was great too. We also hiked the trail out of camp which was a pretty, wooded trail," explains Blaine B. at Twanoh State Park.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Penrose Point State Park receives praise for well-spaced campsites. "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. Sites nestled among native vegetation create natural barriers between neighbors.
Clean facilities: Important for longer stays. Manchester State Park maintains high standards. "Shady in a lot of areas. Facilities were good and trails around are fun and easy enough for me and 2 kids. The beach and its tides are why we came," shares Ingrid M. Most state parks provide token-operated hot showers.
Beach access: Quality varies by location. Dash Point offers both forest and shore experience. "Easy to find, great access to the sound & creek, sites had plenty of tent space. Well forested, potable water & fire rings, bathrooms were clean," reports Lee C. Sites closest to water typically book months in advance during summer.
Wildlife encounters: Morning and evening activity. Jarrell Cove State Park provides ample viewing opportunities. "Recently we spent the 4th of July weekend at Jarrell Cove and we had a great time. The campground is very family friendly (we have a toddler) and quiet... I read previous reviews and they do have deer that roam and when we pulled up there was one at our site to greet us," mentions Nicole L.
What you should know
Seasonal closures affect some sites. Joemma Beach State Park operates March through October only. "Small and Beautiful Campground. Joemma State Park campground is no longer all first come first serve only. It is now reservable online, but if you get there and there is an available spot it is $12 a night that you pay at site," reports Diamond A.
Site spacing varies dramatically. Campgrounds with less buffer space can feel crowded during peak periods. At Twanoh State Park, "The campsites are all cramped together right next to the roadway. There's no vegetation so you can see just about every site/camper from any site you choose," warns Justin L.
Airport noise affects some locations. Campgrounds closer to Seattle experience flight path disturbances. "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), so if you don't mind the noise, or LOVE airplanes (like we do), this is an Awesome campground!!!" explains Travis P. about Saltwater State Park.
Cell service fluctuates by location. Coverage improves closer to urban areas but diminishes in more remote settings. At Jarrell Cove, one camper noted "zero Verizon cell service" while at Joemma Beach State Park, another mentioned, "I have AT&T and had good service in this spot."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly beaches: Dash Point State Park offers gentle shorelines suitable for younger children. "Beautiful weather and close escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. Clean facilities as well!" shares Braden T. The park features day-use lake access and multiple play areas.
Cabin options: Available at select parks. Several locations offer alternatives to tent camping. "We are squeaky new to RVing. This place was great! Clean, friendly staff, everything we needed and more! They even had a dog wash," mentions Sunflower E. about Sun Outdoors Gig Harbor. State parks like Belfair and Dosewallips also offer cabins or platform tents.
Junior ranger programs: Educational activities. Programs run seasonally at larger parks. "Our family of four tent camped for three nights in this happy go lucky campground. The grounds, including bathrooms, were well maintained and the kids enjoyed taking part in the junior ranger program," notes Sarah H. at Penrose Point.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Schedule accordingly. "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 their stay at Dosewallips State Park.
Tips from RVers
Full hookup availability: Belfair State Park Campground offers comprehensive services. "Nice pull throughs but waterfront. No sewer hookup and only 2 sites with electric and water. Great kayaking too," says Mike K. about nearby Jarrell Cove. Site reservation systems typically allow filtering by hookup type.
Site size considerations: Length restrictions vary. Larger RVs fit best at designated parks. "We camped here in a early September last year. We enjoyed being so close to the water for swimming and floating. It's also just a short drive into town to get supplies," shares Becky R. at Belfair State Park.
Dump station locations: Not universal. "Only had 2 night here, but it was quiet and very enjoyable. Spacious lots. No sewer at our site, but we did have electrical and water. Dump station close by worked great on exit," notes Lauren M. about Dosewallips State Park. Some smaller parks like Jarrell Cove lack onsite dump facilities.
Year-round accessibility: Manchester State Park remains open through winter months. "We came here a year or two ago and decided to return. Great place as always! We stayed in spot 8 with our 20' camper. Electric and water only. Plenty of vegetation to separate campers," says Brennon.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Wauna, WA?
What camping is available near Wauna, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Wauna, WA offers a wide range of camping options, with 261 campgrounds and RV parks near Wauna, WA and 14 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Wauna, WA?
Which is the most popular campground near Wauna, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Wauna, WA is Dash Point State Park Campground with a 3.9-star rating from 77 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Wauna, WA?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Wauna, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 14 free dispersed camping spots near Wauna, WA.
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