Tent camping opportunities near Chehalis, Washington expand beyond established campgrounds to include primitive forest sites and dispersed options. Located in Lewis County at approximately 400 feet elevation, the area serves as a gateway to both Capitol State Forest and Mount Rainier National Park. Campsites range from basic forest clearings with no amenities to small campgrounds with vault toilets, picnic tables, and occasionally showers.
What to do
Interact with farm animals: The Healing Farm offers a unique camping experience where visitors can participate in farm activities. As one camper noted, "We gathered eggs, milked goats, fed a porcupine and capybaras, cuddled baby bunnies, met a joey in a pouch, hung out with emus, and even snuggled with goats." Another visitor mentioned, "The goats were awesome, they would spend all day out at our camp and they would pose for pictures with us."
Explore mountain trails: Near Rock Candy Mountain Trailhead, several hiking paths offer views of the surrounding valleys. The trailhead serves as both a camping area and recreation point. One visitor remarked, "There is a trail next to it I don't know how far but, it's cool." The area requires a Washington Discovery Pass for parking and camping.
Fish for your dinner: Several camping areas provide access to local fishing spots. Gnat Creek Campground campers can walk along a trail that leads to a fish hatchery. A visitor mentioned, "The trails are nice going along Gnat Creek and you can visit the fish hatchery at the end of the trail." This provides both recreational opportunities and educational experiences about local conservation efforts.
What campers like
Secluded camping spots: The Road to Snag Lake - Dispersed area offers privacy and isolation. A camper shared, "There are several spots off the road around these radio tower stations and it is quite secluded. We didn't see any other person the whole time we were there." Another noted, "We stayed on a Friday night in August and were the only ones here."
Views of natural landscapes: Several camping areas provide scenic views. At Road to Snag Lake, one camper described, "The spot we chose was the best as it is away from the towers and buildings, plus has a great view overlooking the valley and bay, and you can see the ocean between the peaks in the distance." These elevated sites offer perspectives not available at lower-elevation campgrounds.
Accessible pit toilets: For those seeking basic amenities, Rock Candy Mountain Trailhead provides toilet facilities. A camper noted, "The bathrooms are located in the trailhead parking lot. They could use cleaning, but they are open 24 hours." This accessibility contrasts with fully dispersed sites that lack any facilities.
What you should know
Discovery Pass requirements: Many camping areas require a Washington State Discovery Pass. As one camper at Clatsop State Forest Gnat Creek Campground explained, "$15 in pay envelopes provided though no one came to check. First come first serve." At Road to Snag Lake, a visitor mentioned, "This site is listed as free, but there is a sign at the entrance for needing a discovery pass to use the site."
Road conditions: Access to remote camping areas often involves challenging driving conditions. Regarding Road to Snag Lake, a camper advised, "The road getting here is a bit rough with lots of washboard, steep grades and rocks. But it's fun." Another camper mentioned, "In my little Nissan Versa, I struggled on the roads up and down. I eventually kept it around 5-10mph to avoid damaging my car."
Camping restrictions: Some areas have specific limitations. At Sherman Valley State Forest, one camper warned, "The coordinates take you to a private property. This location is not for dispersed camping." Always verify camping permissions before setting up, particularly in areas transitioning between public and private lands.
Tips for camping with families
Animal interaction opportunities: Coffee Creek Community & Gardens provides family-friendly experiences with animals. A family that visited The Healing Farm shared, "This was one of the best camping experiences I have ever had. I always go 1 time a year camping with my adult kids and grandkids. It is hard to find a place to be fun for younger children, but the healing farm was awesome."
Supervised swimming access: Some campgrounds provide water access for cooling off during summer months. Camp Thunderbird has facilities for water recreation as noted by a visitor: "It is located at the base of Summit Lake, with a dock and great swimming spot." This provides a safer alternative to unsupervised swimming in rivers or creeks.
Clear site boundaries: Look for camping areas with defined spaces. A visitor to The Healing Farm mentioned, "The campsite itself was private, peaceful, and perfectly set up—complete with a fire pit and a hammock that our son loved." Established boundaries help keep children within safe zones.
Tips from RVers
Limited RV access at dispersed sites: Many of the best tent camping near Chehalis, Washington locations have restrictions for larger vehicles. At Camp Thunderbird, RV camping is possible but limited. One camper observed, "There are tent sites, adirondacks, and cabins" with RV spaces being more restricted.
Road width constraints: Roads to dispersed camping often have size limitations. A camper at Rock Candy Mountain noted, "It gets pretty steep going up the road. They wrote it on barely white enough for two vehicles to safely pass each other. Not suitable for anything wider than a class B." These constraints make advance planning essential for RV campers.
Generator restrictions: Many camping areas near Chehalis prohibit generator use. Instead, smaller campgrounds like Coffee Creek Community Gardens offer electric hookups and thirty-amp service for RVs, making them better options for those needing power access without disturbing the natural setting.
