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.
