Summit at Snowqualmie
Quick Place to Camp for the Night
A bit noisy off the freeway, so tent camping not recommend. No hookups or amenities other than some Picnic tables and a Porta Potty, but a nice spacious lot in the summer time
283 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping areas surrounding Covington, Washington range from established state parks to RV resorts, with most options located within a 30-minute drive. Dash Point State Park Campground in Federal Way provides year-round camping with tent, RV, and glamping accommodations. Kanaskat-Palmer State Park near Ravensdale offers cabins and yurts alongside traditional camping options. Lake Sawyer Resort in Black Diamond features waterfront sites with cabin rentals. The region includes several campgrounds with river access, including Silver Springs Campground which sits along the White River with proximity to Mount Rainier National Park.
Many campgrounds in the area require advance reservations, particularly during summer months when sites fill quickly. Dash Point and Kanaskat-Palmer State Parks maintain reservable sites with amenities including showers, drinking water, and electric hookups. Several campgrounds remain open year-round, though services may be limited during winter months. Cell phone coverage varies significantly throughout the region, with better connectivity at developed campgrounds closer to urban areas. Visitors should check fire restrictions during summer months when wildfire risk increases. According to one visitor, "Silver Springs is my new favorite spot to camp in Washington. The spaces are well distributed, the location right next to the river is beautiful and the site staff were extremely gracious."
Waterfront access represents a significant draw for campers in the Covington area. Tolt MacDonald Park receives consistently positive reviews for its riverside sites and proximity to hiking trails, despite limited privacy between campsites. As one camper noted, "It's right in the floodplain, so it is only enjoyable when it is not rainy season." Campgrounds closer to Mount Rainier National Park offer more secluded experiences with mountain views and hiking access. Highway noise affects some campgrounds, particularly those along major routes like Highway 410. Developed campgrounds with hookups tend to be more exposed with less privacy between sites, while primitive camping areas offer more seclusion but fewer amenities. Mixed-use campgrounds supporting both tent and RV camping are common throughout the region, with most offering fire rings, picnic tables, and access to toilets.
"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."
from $31 - $91 / night
Check Availability"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!"
from $31 - $254 / night
Check Availability"My family stayed here for a night when we went out to Washington a few months ago. It was a nice little place."
"Pay showers ($1 for 3 minutes) and clean restroom with air dryer, pet friendly, lots of trails to hike and a beautiful beach area with a playground, seasonal/weekend snack shop, outdoor shower by the beach"
from $31 - $43 / night
Check Availability"Having gone mid week, there were very few other campers, and it was lovely walking around the campground and strolling along a short 1 mile long trail to a mossy and wooded swamp."
"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!"
from $32 - $36 / night
Check Availability"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!"
"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."
"The campground is in 500+ acre Tolt-McDonald Park, far enough away from any busy road so that there is no traffic noise, just the sound of the Tolt River rapids."
"If you can look past the rundown bathrooms and strict rules about dogs and everything else you’re doing then you can appreciate the beauty of Lake Sawyer every morning."
"Lots of nice campers stored and people who have made this their temporary home away from home. It’s old and right next to the highway. No fire pits and just a little grass but we couldn’t be happier!"
"It’s in the heart of Issaquah and close to every kind of service, shopping and even nature you could want."
"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."
from $65 - $125 / night
Check Availability"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."












A bit noisy off the freeway, so tent camping not recommend. No hookups or amenities other than some Picnic tables and a Porta Potty, but a nice spacious lot in the summer time
This is a great spot to camp! It has all the necessities you need. Picnic bench, fire pit with grate, clean bathroom with shower, running water, and dumpster. Beautiful beach front and trails within walking distance. My campsite was a bit closer to my neighbors than I cared for but there are some sites more enclosed. Overall it was a good experience.
This is a short road that dead ends in some private land, but with about four separate pull-offs for vehicles. Mine didn’t have a campfire ring. No water or outhouses available. Very quiet. I arrived at 6 pm on a Thursday and got a spot. Several vehicles from by later in the evening looking for a spot but the road was already full
I have Verizon 5G 2 bars but had trouble connecting so I pulled out the Starlink. Nice spread out sites, a few pit toilets on the pay station side of the air strip. Cool trails and the more wooded side seems to go on forever.
Peaceful and Beautiful! Staff is the Best! We Love Doug!!
Lots of potholes on the way up but we managed with a sienna minivan, only saw one other group of people who passed us trying to get the spot after we had set up tents. 10/10 view and truly a magnificent view of rainier
Loved this place, clean showers
Olallie Creek Campground was one of the absolute highlights of our trip through Mount Rainier. We came in via the Cowlitz Trail on the very first weekend the park opened to backpackers. It was a tough route, spotty markings, no cell service, and a pretty long dry stretch. Definitely bring enough water, a reliable map, and a satellite communicator. Bear spray is a must too. Once you're there though, it's magic. Crystal clear, ice cold creeks that converge around what feels like a little island. The group site is roomy. We set up 2 tents comfortably, and the bucket toilet is tucked away for privacy. Thunderstorms rolled through but only added to the atmosphere. We didn’t see another soul. Just pure quiet. We filtered water, soaked our feet in the creek, and played cards before bed. It’s not luxury, but if you want real backcountry solitude in a beautiful setting, it's hard to beat. It stuck with me, and I can't wait to go back.
Paradise River Camp was one of the most memorable campsites from our time on the Wonderland Trail. The camp was set beside a creek that provided convenient and reliable water access, making it easy to refill and filter water without having to travel far from the site. The sound of the creek also added to the peaceful atmosphere without being overwhelming. The campsite felt scenic, quiet, and immersed in the landscape. Its location along the Wonderland Trail made it a rewarding place to stop after a day of hiking, and the site layout offered a welcome sense of privacy and separation from other campers. We did not encounter any major drawbacks during our stay. Overall, Paradise River Camp was an excellent and memorable campsite, and it was one of the highlights of our trip. We would gladly stay there again.
Seasonal camping opportunities near Covington, Washington vary dramatically between summer drought conditions and fall's rainy periods. The region sits in a transitional zone between the Cascade foothills and Puget Sound lowlands, with elevations ranging from 350 to 1,500 feet within a 30-mile radius. Campgrounds closest to Covington typically operate on city water systems, while those in more remote areas utilize well water that can become limited during peak summer months.
River access trails: Kanaskat-Palmer State Park offers walking paths along the Green River with several access points perfect for viewing or fishing. "Short hike to river spots that are perfect for wading or fishing. 10 minute drive from Deep Lake which is beautiful and great for swimming and paddle boarding," notes Ashlie M. at Kanaskat-Palmer State Park.
Low-impact water sports: Lake access at Vasa Park Resort accommodates paddle boards and small watercraft with a dedicated swimming area. "We stayed here while visiting my brother in Seattle and had so much fun. We roasted hotdogs and s'mores over the camp fire and our dog loved swimming in the lake," reports Amy H. about her experience at Vasa Park Resort.
Playgrounds and courts: Several campgrounds feature sports courts and children's play areas. "The park is kept incredibly clean. Bathrooms in that loop were pretty nice... heated and very clean," writes Jay F. about Kanaskat-Palmer, adding, "Took a walk down to the day use area by the river, which was easy for us."
Proximity to Seattle with forest feel: The best places to camp near Covington include spots that feel remote while being convenient. "We love coming here. Its close proximity to our house allows us to hook up the trailer after work and include a Friday night in our camping weekend!" shares Shay F. about Tolt MacDonald Park, located under an hour from Covington.
Clean bathroom facilities: Many campgrounds maintain high standards for restroom facilities. "The bathrooms and shower is kept clean, as is the rest of the campground," notes Brittany D. about Dash Point State Park. This campground earns praise for "Cleanliness, peace and quiet, and ease of access" from Evan F., who adds "better signage for the restrooms would be helpful, but this place is pretty sweet overall!"
Private campsites: For those seeking space between neighbors, several options stand out. "This campground is remarkable in the privacy between each of the camping spots, the bird life, the wild and deep forest vibes, and the walking trails," writes Brittany D. about Dash Point State Park. Jeff O. similarly praises Kanaskat-Palmer: "The spaces are very private and spread out. Everything is clean including the bathrooms."
Campground security levels: Park ranger presence varies significantly between campgrounds. "This campground is heavily patrolled by the park rangers. I usually have contact with them in my campsite at least twice a day," explains Kelly P. about Kanaskat-Palmer State Park. "I have been asked by the park rangers at 10:01 p.m. to be quite as myself and three 9 year old girls were talking too loud. I have also seen the park rangers call in the King County Police."
Airplane noise concerns: Some campgrounds experience significant aircraft noise due to flight paths. About Saltwater State Park, Travis P. warns: "Commercial jets landing at Sea-Tac fly directly above us at a low altitude and are VERY loud and VERY frequent (every 3-5 minutes)." At the same location, Mark M. notes the noise can sometimes be helpful: "Planes fly by constantly but if you have noisy neighbors it's kind of nice."
Seasonal water hazards: Rivers can be dangerous during certain times of year. At Kanaskat-Palmer, Kelly P. cautions, "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."
Beach access options: Shoreline swimming varies widely between locations. "The beach is a short walk from camp, just long enough to make you feel like you earned your sunset view," shares Saraj B. about Dash Point. "It's more of a rocky, muddy beach than a sandy one, but it's still great for exploring, skipping rocks, or pretending you're in a moody PNW indie film."
Alternate water activities: When river conditions aren't suitable for children, nearby lakes offer alternatives. "There's a day use lake and we had a wonderful time camping here!" says Brittany L. about Dash Point State Park. For families at Kanaskat-Palmer, Kelly P. recommends, "We usually take the kids to the lake at Nolte state park (approx. 3 miles away) for water play."
Group-friendly areas: Several campgrounds accommodate larger family gatherings. "Loved Kanaskat Palmer. Stayed in spot 13 - each site seems to have a trail connecting to the outer trail that runs along the river. Big entertainment for three boys who explored the woods and played on the rocks and in the eddy pools," writes Julie M. about her family's experience at Kanaskat-Palmer State Park.
Hookup limitations: Most campgrounds offer partial rather than full hookups. "Hookups are easy but there is no cable tv hookups which we didn't need," reports Todd B. about Blue Sky RV Park. At Vasa Park Resort, Ralph D. shares, "The full hook up spaces seem a bit close together but I was willing to do partial and got a roomier spot."
Leveling considerations: Terrain varies significantly between campgrounds. Cody F. notes about Kanaskat-Palmer: "I only took away a star because it was advertised as ok for a Motorhome but the gravel pull through was so not level the jacks pushed the front tires 6 inches off the ground." In contrast, Russ H. praises Tolt MacDonald: "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."
Cell service variability: Connectivity ranges from excellent to none depending on location. Ashlie M. reports "Great cell service if you have TMobile" at Kanaskat-Palmer, while Laura M. found "Zero cell reception here for ATT and Verizon" at the same location. At Blue Sky RV Park, Mark O. noted his site was "paved, level and long enough for Super C and toad."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Covington, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Covington, WA offers a wide range of camping options, with 283 campgrounds and RV parks near Covington, WA and 43 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Covington, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Covington, WA is Dash Point State Park Campground with a 3.9-star rating from 76 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Covington, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 43 free dispersed camping spots near Covington, WA.
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