Best Campgrounds near Carnation, WA

The camping areas around Carnation in Washington state combine Pacific Northwest forests with convenient access to water. Dash Point State Park Campground draws many families who appreciate its hiking trail network and well-maintained bathrooms. Campers looking for water activities head to Kachess Campground, where the quiet lake works well for swimming during warmer months. Both places have basic needs covered with toilets and drinking water sources throughout the grounds. Summer weekends fill up fast at these campgrounds, so planning ahead by booking a few months early makes sense. The woods surrounding Carnation's camping spots create good chances to see local wildlife and catch fish in nearby waters. Campers find spots that work for quick trips or longer stays, depending on what they're looking for in the Carnation area.

Best Camping Sites Near Carnation, Washington (229)

    1. Tolt MacDonald Park, WA

    22 Reviews
    Carnation, WA
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (206) 205-5434

    "This place is great if you plan to spend most of your time on the river, or trails, but not so much on at your site. "

    "The campground is next to a classy laundromat, and I say classy because it’s probably one of the nicest laundromats in the area that even has a dumpsite for RVs."

    2. Tall Chief Campground

    15 Reviews
    Fall City, WA
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "This is a big park that is part of Thousand Trails.  No sales pitch to join, which was nice.  Rangers were super nice.  Bathrooms very new and clean.  Lots of trees between sites. "

    "We love Tall Chief because it is super close to a lot of great spots around the Seattle region.

    It’s super close (like 7 min drive) from one of my favorite coffee shops, Aroma Coffee Co. Try it!"

    3. Middle Fork Campground

    23 Reviews
    North Bend, WA
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 804-1103

    $32 - $96 / night

    "The river is only a five minute walk away, and we spent most of one day there. I was very surprised by how quiet it was for only being an hour outside of Seattle."

    "The campground was quiet, not too crowded (Sunday - Tuesday) and so close to many trails. A quick walk to the river was a nice way to finish the day."

    4. Tinkham Campground

    45 Reviews
    Snoqualmie Pass, WA
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 804-1103

    $30 - $36 / night

    "Although the Camp Ground and facilities are great at Tinkham, my advice would be to get into your lifted Off-Roader and hit the mountain roads for this camping trip of a lifetime!"

    "It is a small Forest Service campground next to the south fork of the Snoqualmie river. The site well shaded and fairly privet for the most part."

    5. Blue Sky RV Park

    5 Reviews
    Preston, WA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (425) 222-7910

    "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."

    "It’s a very nice location, exceptionally clean and safe.

    In site 11 you can hear the highway when outside of rv but couldn’t inside. Neighbors were very friendly."

    6. Kanaskat-Palmer State Park

    30 Reviews
    Ravensdale, WA
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 226-7688

    $20 / night

    "There is good system of trails, tons of picnic tables along the river, and good river access to the Green rivers.

    Campground is well maintained, clean bathrooms and showers available."

    "It's close proximity to our house allows us to hook up the trailer after work and include a Friday night in our camping weekend!"

    7. Vasa Park Resort

    6 Reviews
    Bellevue, WA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (425) 746-3260

    $65 - $125 / night

    "This is in the shore of Lake Samammish, giving access to swim, paddle, picnic. The facilities and grounds are kept clean and well maintained."

    "Cute campground very close to Seattle and Bellevue right on the lake. Beautiful beach area, basketball courts, playground, and volleyball right at the site. Spots are a little tight."

    8. Lake Pleasant RV Park

    14 Reviews
    Bothell, WA
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (425) 487-1785

    $62 - $750 / night

    "This is the nicest park with the best rates close to the Seattle area. It’s north of Lake Washington so you can skip bridge traffic and tolls. It has easy access to UW Bothell."

    "The roadways are easy to navigate and lots of folks walk around the park roads."

    9. Issaquah Village RV Park

    5 Reviews
    Issaquah, WA
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (425) 392-9233

    "It’s in the heart of Issaquah and close to every kind of service, shopping and even nature you could want."

    10. Dash Point State Park Campground

    72 Reviews
    Federal Way, WA
    33 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 226-7688

    $20 / night

    ""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."

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Recent Reviews near Carnation, WA

1195 Reviews of 229 Carnation Campgrounds


  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 9, 2025

    Salmon La Sac

    Salmon La Sac

    Very busy campground on the weekend, but found one of the last first come, first serve sites on Friday around noon. Pit toilets were clean but stronger than normal smell. Good family oriented campground with swimming hole at bottom of loop.

  • Elena M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Kachess Lake Lakebed

    Beautiful but dirty

    Beautiful view, but very dirty, dusty and noisy, dirt bikes are everywhere.

  • andrew The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Lewis North Travel Camp - Joint Base Lewis McChord

    Easy

    If you have access, use it. $50 for FHU. The laundry is fine. The bathhouse is big and well maintained. There are two separate buildings with these facilities. I observed Commons#2. The park is kid of tight for my tastes. But the sites are big and separated from your neighbors. Very comfortable and woodsy. Great place.

  • L
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Vasa Park Resort

    Vasa Park Resort

    We have enjoyed our 3 week stay at this little water front event and RV campground. This is in the shore of Lake Samammish, giving access to swim, paddle, picnic. The facilities and grounds are kept clean and well maintained. It been fun watching the buffet groups come in and have their celebrations. Everyone is friendly and kind.

  • F O.
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Tinkham Campground

    One night

    Road getting into the campground was horrendous their was alot of road noise but the camp sites were big and clean. And at $32.00 a night with no electric was kind of pricey. The camp host was nice.

  • J
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Kayak Point County Park

    Small woodsy campground with beach access

    All campsites are surrounded by trees so choose carefully if you need a pull through or if you have a large rig that you’re trying to back up. We had a small camper van and it fit perfectly. Campsite is on a bluff above the beach, but you can’t see the sunset from the campground you would have to go down to the beach. Bathroom/shower is typical for a state or county campground - functional, but zero elegance. This one is a county campground and state or federal passes do not apply. Water and 30 amp electric at all sites except one tent site. Douglas squirrels are common and shy. Pets are welcome on leash.

  • Angelo V.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 27, 2025

    Ranger Creek Airstrip Dispersed

    Beautiful campground

    Multiple spots surrounding the airstrip. Im working remote so having enough of a clearing that I can access the internet was important. Starlink gets the job done but my t mobile service was basically non-existent.

    I stayed on the east side of the strip and there is plenty of space and locations to settle. I explored the loop to the south west of the strip and there were some large campgrounds that looked made for groups. Plenty of trails to explore as well. This section had rocks blocking vehicles from driving into the campground, so tents only. There is also an incredibly steep hill near the end of the loop that is absolutely not safe in winter.

    There are two vault toilets on ends of the east side. The southern one was out of tp, so bring your own septic safe stuff just in case.

  • Johnny/Lisa M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 24, 2025

    Dash Point State Park Campground

    Ok spot

    It’s ok. Again. A little catfished. Was here for two nights. Quiet at night Campground full of kids if that’s your thing! Bathrooms clean and everyone is friendly! It’s beautiful

  • mThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 19, 2025

    Kitsap Memorial State Park Campground

    Very nice place

    Stayed at Kitsap Memorial Park past few days. Very quiet area, lots of room on site 9, walked to beach area. Bathrooms for camping have code, cleaned frequently. 5G service was fast. Very nice place.


Guide to Carnation

Camping near Carnation offers diverse woodland experiences with elevations ranging from 150 to 500 feet throughout the Snoqualmie Valley. Winter temperatures typically drop to the high 30s while summer averages reach the mid-70s, creating distinct seasonal camping conditions. Fall visitors often encounter morning fog that burns off by mid-day in most camping areas.

What to do

River activities: At Tolt MacDonald Park, campers can access both the Snoqualmie and Tolt Rivers for fishing, particularly steelhead and salmon. "Great spot for steelhead + salmon fishing. We've fished steelhead and pinks out of the snoqualmie river in the past," notes Mercedes D., who mentions the park's convenient location "right smack in the middle of carnation."

Trail exploration: Middle Fork Campground provides access to numerous hiking trails within 10-15 minutes of camp. One visitor praised how "the roads leading in from I90 were passable but confusing with 'Road Closed' signage when the road wasn't actually closed." Brianna H. describes it as a "great secluded campsite. Easy access via a nice new paved road put in!"

Wildlife viewing: Campers at Lake Pleasant RV Park can observe local waterfowl around the property's ponds. "Lots of geese, ducks, and bunnies are around the property," reports Terri, while Kristin S. mentions "the many geese that call the lake in the center of the property their home."

What campers like

Privacy between sites: Kanaskat-Palmer State Park receives high marks for its site spacing. Kelly P. notes, "The sites are large with lots of trees," while Rachel mentions, "Quiet campground with decent privacy between sites. We stayed just one night at site 42, which was on a corner and offered a good amount of privacy."

Cleanliness: Tall Chief Campground maintains exceptionally clean facilities. Brodie D. says, "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." Another camper mentioned, "They offer the typical primitive campsites with fire pits and picnic tables, as well as yurts and shipping container conversions."

Water features: Many Carnation area campgrounds provide water access. At Tinkham Campground, Jessica N. found "a lovely little river that runs through the campgrounds," while Brandy D. enjoyed "the sound of the river rushing behind us the entire time."

What you should know

Seasonal planning: Campground availability varies significantly by season. As Gemma A. notes about Middle Fork Campground, "None of the sites are reservable, so it's great for last minute trips when everything else has been booked out. Just over an hour from the city."

Dump stations: RV campers should note that not all campgrounds offer sewer hookups. At Tall Chief Campground, "No sites have sewer hookups," according to one reviewer who explained, "This is fairly understandable though as it appeared that a service needs to pump the septic tank by the dump station for the entire park."

Rangers and rules: Some campgrounds maintain strict quiet hours enforcement. Kelly P. reports at Kanaskat-Palmer State Park, "This campground is heavily patrolled by the park rangers. I usually have contact with them in my campsite at least twice a day. I have been asked by the park rangers at 10:01 p.m. to be quiet."

Tips for camping with families

Playground access: Look for campgrounds with play areas. Vasa Park Resort receives praise for its family amenities. Erin A. noted, "Beautiful beach area, basketball courts, playground, and volleyball right at the site."

Swimming options: Kanaskat-Palmer State Park provides swimming options, though not directly at the campground. Kelly P. explains, "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."

Safe hiking trails: Dash Point State Park features family-friendly trails. Ingrid M. shared, "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."

Tips from RVers

Power limitations: Some of the best places to camp near Carnation, Washington have electrical restrictions. Derek & Alex W. reported at Tall Chief Campground, "The majority of the sites are only 30 amp with antiquated posts. There are a few 50 amp sites but from what I saw they were all taken by RVers that are there on a more permanent basis."

Pull-through accessibility: Check for sites that accommodate larger rigs. At Tolt MacDonald Park, Russ H. noted, "The only campground we've been to where we didn't need to level the trailer. RV sites are all pull through its fairly quiet."

Site selection: Cell service can vary widely within the same campground. Brodie D. advises, "Another thing that can be annoying is trying to find a site with good cell reception due to all the trees. They definitely have a few, but 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."

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there camping available near Remlinger Farms in Carnation?

Yes, there are camping options near Remlinger Farms in Carnation. The closest is Tall Chief Campground, a Thousand Trails property featuring spacious sites separated by trees, clean modern bathrooms, and a quiet atmosphere. It's particularly suitable for RVs. Another nearby option is Middle Fork Campground, which offers drive-in access with amenities including water and toilets. Both campgrounds are within a short drive of Remlinger Farms, making them convenient bases for visiting the popular attraction while enjoying the surrounding natural beauty of the Snoqualmie Valley.

What amenities are available at Carnation campgrounds?

Campgrounds around Carnation offer varying levels of amenities. Dash Point State Park Campground provides clean facilities with a beautifully laid-out campground and friendly staff. At Kachess Campground, you'll find vault toilets (recently replacing flush toilets), lake access, and both standard and walk-in sites. Many area campgrounds offer basic amenities including picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets. Some feature river or lake access, hiking trails, and day-use areas. Cellular service varies significantly by location - some campgrounds have limited or no coverage, particularly those further from town. RV-specific amenities are most abundant at private campgrounds like Tall Chief, which offers hookups and larger sites.

Where are the best campgrounds near Carnation, WA?

The Carnation area offers several excellent camping options. Tolt MacDonald Park, WA is right in Carnation with riverside campsites, hiking trails, and unique accommodation options including yurts and shipping container conversions. For those seeking a peaceful forest setting, Silver Springs Campground is a top choice with well-spaced sites and beautiful river access. Within a reasonable drive, you'll also find Kachess Campground, The Dalles Campground, and Blue Sky RV Park. Most campgrounds in the area are open spring through fall, with some offering year-round access depending on weather conditions.