Camping spots near Centralia, Washington offer diverse terrain from forested settings to waterfront locations in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains. The region sits at elevations ranging from 150 to 900 feet, creating varied microclimates for campers. Several campgrounds remain open year-round despite the area's average annual rainfall of 46 inches, with summer highs typically reaching 75-80°F during peak camping season.
What to do
Swimming opportunities: Deep Lake at Millersylvania State Park provides a designated swimming area with multiple zones. "The beach is the main attraction and it is hopping. We went early in the morning and staked a claim and were happy all day. There is a nice shallow area and two large swimming areas as well as a fishing dock," notes Ellen T. about Millersylvania State Park Campground.
Hiking old-growth forests: Lewis & Clark State Park offers trails through rare preserved ancient forest stands. A reviewer mentioned, "In the morning, we hiked the old growth loop prior to resuming our journey," and another camper shared that the park has "easily accessible trails, one through one of the last standing groves of old growth forest."
Biking and ATV trails: Capitol Forest near Olympia has extensive trail networks for various vehicles. One visitor to Middle Waddell Campground said, "Had great biking and atv trails right by the campground," while another noted the area has "tons of trails for hiking, horses and dirt bikes!"
Fishing access: Several lakes and rivers provide fishing opportunities throughout the season. At Ike Kinswa State Park, campers can fish from designated areas on Mayfield Lake or the Cowlitz River. One visitor mentioned, "This campground is on Mayfield Lake where the Cowlitz River flows into the lake," providing multiple fishing locations within walking distance.
What campers like
Lake views: Waterfront sites at Ike Kinswa State Park Campground consistently receive positive mentions. A camper stated, "Our site had a beautiful water view, but there was a trail that went by right next to the site limiting privacy." Another reviewer appreciated "the beauty and peace of the lake in the morning hour, the woods in the day, or just sitting by the campfire."
Well-spaced sites: American Heritage Campground offers privacy between camping spots. A reviewer noted, "I really appreciated the ease of getting to the campground off of I-5 and the privacy of the heavily wooded individual sites," while another mentioned, "Lovely and secluded sites 30 amp, dump station, playground, great well stocked store, laundry, and helpful staff."
Historical features: Lewis & Clark State Park contains structures built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps. A camper observed, "Many of the structures were built in the 1930's by the CCC and it has an iconic feel. Add the easily accessible trails, one through one of the last standing groves of old growth forest."
Amenities for extended stays: Thousand Trails Chehalis offers numerous recreational facilities. "This is a very quiet campground, activities we found at the campground to keep busy was billiards, two lodges, and two pools, Bingo was being played in one of the lodges," shared a visitor, while another mentioned "activities we found at the campground to keep busy was billiards, two lodges, and two pools."
What you should know
Water quality concerns: Always check for current water advisories before arrival. A visitor to Lewis & Clark State Park noted, "When I was there I did encounter a slight concern with using this bathhouse because there was a current e coli water warning which was displayed throughout camp on all water spigots."
Power fluctuations: Some RV parks experience electrical issues during peak season. At Thousand Trails Chehalis, one camper reported, "The worst part for us, however, was that the power was really variable. Sometimes it would spike to 130 volts and then drop suddenly to 110. Luckily we have a great EMS and it alerted us to the problem."
Off-season limitations: During winter months, some campgrounds operate at reduced capacity. A camper at Millersylvania State Park Campground explained, "The park is on their winter schedule so only sites 1-7 and 226-248 were open. It made for a nice, quiet weekend even though the open sites were 80% full."
Road noise variations: Campgrounds near highways may experience traffic sounds. At Rainbow Falls State Park, a reviewer observed, "The street in front of the campground was a main road that cars and tractors drove up and down all day," while at Lewis & Clark, someone mentioned, "The RV section had six spots. 3 of those spots back up to a busy paved road with traffic."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Rainbow Falls State Park Campground features a playground and large field for activities. A visitor shared, "There is a large field with a playground, pavilion, and playground. The river had a lot of great swimming holes for all ages," and another noted it had a "big open field for playing, horseshoe pits, small playground, river trail, and fishing."
Kid-friendly programming: Some campgrounds offer organized activities for children. At Thousand Trails Chehalis, a parent reported, "Kids are helping review campgrounds we visited this summer. They loved that there was scavenger hunts for pigs in morning, tractor rides in afternoon, face painting, slushees, movie in lodge, crafts."
Swimming safety: Look for designated swimming areas with varied depths. A visitor to Millersylvania State Park mentioned, "There is a nice shallow area and two large swimming areas as well as a fishing dock. The lake is small and great for letting kids go out in kayaks or other boats."
Bike-friendly loops: Several campgrounds have paved or hard-packed roads suitable for children's bikes. According to a review, "We absolutely love this campground. We usually reserve the 3 sites that are closest to the swimming area. Our kids love walking the trails and riding their bikes around the loops."
Tips from RVers
Site selection for slide-outs: Heavily wooded campgrounds require careful navigation. A reviewer at Ike Kinswa State Park noted, "The campground is heavily wooded which is really nice for shade, though it can make it tricky to get into a spot if you have slide outs."
Electrical management: Carry surge protectors when camping at older facilities. One camper at Thousand Trails Chehalis warned, "We ended up running on our battery and generator for the last two days we were there because it was so dangerous to plug in."
Dump station availability: Stan Hedwall Park and several other campgrounds offer dump stations, often for a small fee. A visitor mentioned, "Near the campground host and just beyond the bathrooms was a dump station ($3)."
Seasonal rate changes: Many parks have increased fees during peak summer months. A Millersylvania State Park visitor noted it was "A bit pricey ($37 peak season) but very convenient if you're in Olympia and need a campsite late/on the fly."
