RV camping near Carbonado, Washington offers travelers easy access to Mount Rainier National Park while staying at developed campgrounds with varied amenity levels. Located at approximately 1,000 feet elevation in the western foothills of the Cascade Mountains, the area experiences moderate rainfall even during summer months with overnight temperatures that can drop into the 40s. Campgrounds in this region typically operate year-round with peak season running May through September.
What to do
Hiking trails nearby: The area around Sun Outdoors Gig Harbor provides excellent access to local outdoor activities. "Waterfront is right down the street. Costco, Home Depot, Albertsons and other shopping close by," notes Jacob P., making this location practical for both recreation and resupplying.
Lake activities: Families enjoy water recreation at nearby lakes during summer months. At Angle Lake RV Park, you'll find "Beautiful lake" access according to Jennifer H., who mentions it's also "Close to the airport if you need to leave your RV for a bit and fly out."
Mountain exploration: From Enumclaw, visitors can reach Mount Rainier's northwest entrance within 45 minutes. A camper at Enumclaw Expo Center RV Park describes it as a "Nice older park at the base of Mt. Rainier," making it a strategic basecamp for national park visits.
What campers like
Quiet, wooded settings: The Tall Chief Campground creates a peaceful environment despite being relatively close to urban areas. "Tall Chief's biggest perk is probably how nice they keep the park. Bathrooms are usually found to be immaculate. The main bathrooms have a great 'spa' feeling to their design and make you feel like you are glamping," writes Brodie D.
Spacious sites: Several campgrounds offer roomier spots than typically found in the region. Richard D. notes that at Tall Chief, you can "enjoy a little distance between sites without sacrificing camp size," which contrasts with the tighter arrangements at other nearby facilities.
Clean facilities: Many campers highlight well-maintained bathrooms and shower facilities at parks like Blue Sky RV Park. Todd B. describes it as "A Quiet oasis tucked into the forest. The new and clean bathrooms and showers were a real treat after a 2100 mile journey from Texas."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Advance booking is essential, particularly during peak season. For Issaquah Village RV Park, Wendy R. explains, "Most residents live her full time but there are always people coming in for overnights or weekly."
Pet policies: Dog owners should check specific pet areas and restrictions. At Issaquah Village, "You must walk your dogs off site across the street to relieve themselves... it's the Burke Gilman trail and it's not like you are having to cross a busy street or pass a crosswalk. They even provide a poo poop can at the driveway with baggies."
Long-term vs. short-term options: Some parks primarily serve long-term residents. At Angle Lake RV Park, "Staff were friendly and welcoming to book guests from out of town for a short stay," while Jennifer reports that Midway Village RV Park is "a long term only location with 6 months or more as the minimum stay."
Cell reception challenges: Coverage varies significantly at some campgrounds. At Tall Chief, Brodie D. advises: "Another thing that can be annoying is trying to find a site with good cell reception due to all the trees... I would say arrive early so you can drive by all the sites while checking to make sure you have good reception if you need it."
Tips for camping with families
Playground availability: Not all parks cater to children with recreational facilities. At Sun Outdoors Gig Harbor, Joseph I. notes it's "Pet friendly, but not many attractions for children (no playground, no pool)."
Laundry facilities: For extended stays with children, on-site laundry becomes important. Sunflower E. appreciated that Sun Outdoors Gig Harbor had "everything we needed and more! They even had a dog wash," while other reviewers note the "new gym is awesome" and it has "one of the best I've ever seen for laundry."
Space considerations: Some sites offer more room for outdoor play. Adele W. describes Tall Chief as having "Large private sites. It feels like you are deep in the PNW rainforest but you close to amenities and shopping."
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Be prepared with adequate leveling equipment at certain sites. The terrain at some parks requires careful setup, with some RVers reporting significant leveling requirements.
Site selection strategy: Research specific site numbers when possible. At Blue Sky RV Park, Mark O. shares: "In site 11 you can hear the highway when outside of rv but couldn't inside. Neighbors were very friendly. Pad was paved, level and long enough for Super C and toad."
Maneuverability considerations: Some parks have tight access roads and narrow sites. Savannah H. found at Majestic Mobile Manor & RV Park that "It took a long time to get set up because of the ridiculously small amount of space I had to maneuver my 33ft RV and my 8ft extended cab truck."
