The camping sites near Chehalis, Washington offer diverse terrain with elevations ranging from 150 to 450 feet above sea level. Most campgrounds in the region are situated within mixed conifer forests where Douglas fir and western red cedar predominate. Winter camping is available year-round at several locations, though many visitors report better experiences in spring and fall when temperatures typically range between 45-75°F.
What to do
River activities: At Rainbow Falls State Park Campground, the Chehalis River provides swimming opportunities during summer months. One visitor mentioned, "The river had a lot of great swimming holes for all ages," while another noted you should "Bring bug spray, they werent too bad, but I am prone to mosquito bites and got hit."
Lake recreation: Ike Kinswa State Park Campground offers extensive water activities on Mayfield Lake. "The park is right near the water and you can walk to little beaches, kayak off of them or go to the big swimming area/park which is lovely. Big protected swim area and there's even a protected kayaking area that goes up the river," explains one camper.
Hiking trails: At Millersylvania State Park Campground, you'll find miles of forest paths. A visitor commented, "There are ample trails throughout the park including a lovely trail along the lake, which is not far from the campground." Trail difficulty ranges from beginner to intermediate, with most routes under 3 miles.
Educational programs: Seaquest State Park offers interpretive programs near Mount St. Helens. "At night the campground had a great Junior Ranger program with a very enthusiastic park ranger that kept the almost 50 people/kids entertained. She was great at engaging all the kids and teaching them about the park," one camper reported.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Campers at Lewis & Clark State Park Campground appreciate the secluded feel. "Sitting in our peaceful and private campsite amid a grove of trees, I felt I must share kudos for this state park. Many of the structures were built in the 1930's by the CCC and it has an iconic feel," a visitor shared.
Waterfront access: Many visitors praise the lakeside locations at Ike Kinswa State Park. One camper noted, "We had a pull-through site right across from the dumpster, bathrooms, and camp host. We had decent service for Verizon."
Year-round availability: Several campgrounds remain open during winter months. At Millersylvania State Park, one camper reported, "After months of trying to get reservations for this popular campground, we finally got one for Thanksgiving weekend! 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."
Playground facilities: Family-friendly amenities score high ratings. Rainbow Falls State Park features "a large field with a playground, pavilion, and playground," according to one review.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most popular campgrounds fill quickly, particularly waterfront sites. For Millersylvania State Park, a visitor advised, "We come here often as we live in Olympia. Pros: close to the city in case you forget something or a little one has a meltdown... Cons: can get crowded and the campsites are pushed up pretty close together so you'll likely get to know your neighbor."
Seasonal facilities: Off-season camping offers quieter experiences but limited amenities. At Rainbow Falls State Park, a winter camper observed, "Stayed here for 2 nights at the end of December and had almost the whole place to ourselves - there were only 2 other campers. It was lovely and quiet, but expect to hear road noise from the nearby highway."
Cell service variations: Connectivity varies significantly between campgrounds. One camper at Millersylvania noted, "Beautiful campsite, amazing trails just no cell service," while others report stronger signals near town.
Water quality notices: Occasionally campgrounds issue water advisories. At Lewis & Clark State Park, a camper encountered "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."
Tips for camping with families
Pool access: Thousand Trails Chehalis offers swimming facilities approximately 5 miles from downtown. A family 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, slushees, a great store, basketball court, pools and overall, the experience was phenomenal!"
Child-friendly activities: Several campgrounds provide organized programs. One visitor to Seaquest State Park noted, "My kids loved the addition of a playground. Many parks dont have this and it kept them entertained for hours. There is a bathroom and extra parking right next to the playground. They also host junior ranger programs during the summer."
Location convenience: Proximity to services matters for families. A Millersylvania camper explained, "We come here often as we live in Olympia. Pros: close to the city in case you forget something or a little one has a meltdown, lots of varied activities: biking, light mtb, trail running, hiking, paddling & fishing (there's a small lake)."
Cabin options: For families not ready for tent camping, several parks offer alternative accommodations. At Millersylvania, a visitor shared, "They have glamping! Or as the campground calls it: pampered camping. The canvas tent option was one I didn't know about until I got there. The tents are cabin shaped and have a few chairs and BBQ grill outside it. Great option for families."
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: American Heritage Campground near Olympia provides full services for larger vehicles. A camper noted, "Lovely and secluded sites 30 amp, dump station, playground, great well stocked store, laundry, and helpful staff. Trails in area."
Power quality considerations: Be aware of electrical system variations. At Thousand Trails Chehalis, one RVer warned, "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."
Site leveling challenges: Some campgrounds require additional preparation. A camper at Millersylvania mentioned, "The only reason for 4 stars instead of 5 is because our site had a huge mud puddle from the road going to the power and water hook-up. The thin layer of mud on the pavement made things quite slick as I was trying to get leveling blocks down."
Spacing between sites: Privacy levels vary significantly between campgrounds. At Lewis & Clark State Park, an RVer explained, "The RV section had six spots. 3 of those spots back up to a busy paved road with traffic. The road is mere feet from the camper. Dangerous for dogs and kids."
