Tolt MacDonald Park and Campground sits at the confluence of the Snoqualmie and Tolt Rivers just outside Carnation, Washington at an elevation of approximately 80 feet. The area experiences moderate rainfall averaging 45 inches annually with summer temperatures reaching the mid-70s to low 80s. Camping options range from standard campsites to glamping close to Carnation, Washington within a mixed forest environment that provides natural shade throughout much of the year.
What to do
Hiking river trails: Multiple trails connect directly to Middle Fork Campground where campers can explore the surrounding forest and river. "The roads leading into the campground are superb, Pratt river is pristine, and the other nature users friendly," notes one visitor who enjoyed the accessible trail system.
Beach access: Take a short walk from your campsite to enjoy waterfront activities at Saltwater State Park, which offers a clean beach area. "The beach is clean and the amenities are okay," reports a camper who appreciated the coastal access despite the urban setting.
Wildlife viewing: The rivers and surrounding forests support diverse wildlife including elk, salmon, and various bird species. "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 a visitor at Dosewallips State Park.
What campers like
Private forested sites: Many campers value the natural separation between sites at Kanaskat-Palmer State Park. "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 and easy access to the clean bathrooms," reports a satisfied guest.
Water recreation: The river access at multiple campgrounds provides opportunities for wading, swimming, and fishing. "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," explains a regular visitor to Kanaskat-Palmer State Park.
Clean facilities: Maintained bathrooms and shower facilities receive consistent praise. "The washroom and shower is kept clean, as is the rest of the campground," notes a visitor to Dash Point State Park Campground who appreciated the well-maintained amenities.
What you should know
Campground popularity: Reserve early for summer weekends at all campgrounds in the area. "Non of the sites are reservable, so it's great for last minute trips when everything else has been booked out. Just over an hr from the city," explains a visitor about Middle Fork Campground.
Seasonal operations: Some facilities operate limited schedules. "The campground operates year-round but is particularly popular from spring through fall, with advance reservations highly recommended during peak season," states a review of Middle Fork, which specifically notes a season from "May 24 to September 16."
Site selection matters: Not all sites offer the same experience or amenities. "If you are looking for a more tame, less encroached camping experience, the loop that runs along the river is where you want to go," advises a camper at Dosewallips State Park Campground who found river access directly from their site.
Tips for camping with families
Beach play areas: Family-friendly water access points offer safe recreation options. "The day use area on the water is really nice," shares a visitor to Saltwater State Park about the designated swimming areas.
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play equipment for children. "Amazing kids area pirate ship. Great beach walk and good camp sites," reports a visitor to Fay Bainbridge Park describing the specialized play structure.
Wildlife viewing with kids: Structured viewing areas provide safe observation points for families. "We enjoyed our stay at the middle fork camp ground... There were so many berries around the camp and we could literally sit in camp and pick blue berries," shares a camper who visited with children.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: RV sites with electrical connections are limited at some campgrounds. "We loved Tall Chief because it is super close to a lot of great spots around the Seattle region... Most sites are pretty big too. We can easily fit our trailer, tow vehicle, and extra vehicle and still have space!" reports an RVer at Tall Chief Campground.
Level sites: Many campgrounds offer paved, level parking for RVs. "RV sites are blacktop and level. Some sites have partial hookups w/o septic. Dump station is on site," notes a visitor to Dosewallips State Park.
Cell reception considerations: Coverage varies significantly between and within campgrounds. "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," advises a Tall Chief Campground visitor about the spotty coverage.
