Cabin camping near Covington, Washington provides access to diverse landscapes within a 30-mile radius, ranging from riverside retreats to lakeside accommodations. The region sits at the foothills of the Cascade Mountains with elevations from 300-1,000 feet, creating mild camping conditions year-round with temperatures typically between 40-80°F depending on season. Winter cabin camping requires preparation for frequent rainfall averaging 4-6 inches monthly from November through February.
What to do
River activities at Kanaskat-Palmer: During summer months, visitors can wade in the Green River or watch kayakers navigate the rapids. "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 one camper at Kanaskat-Palmer State Park.
Hiking trail access: Many cabin locations offer direct access to hiking trails of varying difficulty. At Tolt MacDonald Park, "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 at the public river take-out," according to a visitor at Tolt MacDonald Park.
Wildlife viewing: Cabins at Dosewallips State Park offer prime locations for wildlife spotting. A camper explains, "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."
What campers like
Private, spacious sites: Cabins at Kanaskat-Palmer provide good separation from other campers. "The sites are large with lots of trees. One loop has electricity (no water or sewer hookups but has a dump station) and the other does not. It has 6 very clean individual bathrooms with a shower in each," says a frequent visitor.
Clean shower facilities: Most cabin facilities maintain well-kept bathroom amenities. "Bathrooms in that loop were pretty nice... heated and very clean," reports a reviewer at Tolt MacDonald about the facilities near their cabin accommodations.
Family-friendly playgrounds: Several cabin locations include recreational areas for children. Fay Bainbridge Park features "Amazing kids area pirate ship. Great beach walk and good camp sites," according to one visitor at Fay Bainbridge Park.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most cabin facilities require advance booking, especially during summer months. At Lake Sawyer Resort, "We got lucky and snagged the very last spot here on a Saturday in late September. It's a beautiful campground, very peaceful, other campers were quiet and respectful," notes a visitor at Lake Sawyer Resort.
Cabin types and amenities: Cabin styles range from rustic to modern across different locations. For the shipping container cabins at Tolt MacDonald, one visitor shares they are "super cute park and campground! They offer the typical primitive campsites with fire pits and picnic tables, as well as yurts and shipping container conversions for those who want more of a 'GLAMping' outdoor experience."
Parking situations: Some cabin locations require walking from parking areas. "We stayed 1 night here for the maiden voyage of our recently purchased travel trailer, which was nice since it's only about an hour away from our place near Seattle. Arrived Friday early evening and it wasn't busy at all," mentions a camper about their experience.
Tips for camping with families
Safety considerations: Ranger presence varies by location. At Kanaskat-Palmer, "This campground is heavily patrolled by the park rangers. I usually have contact with them in my campsite at least twice a day. I have been asked by the park rangers at 10:01 p.m. to be quiet as myself and three 9-year-old girls were talking too loud."
Water play options: Multiple cabin locations offer swimming opportunities. "We usually take the kids to the lake at Nolte state park (approx. 3 miles away) for water play," suggests a parent from Dosewallips State Park Campground.
Kid-friendly hiking: Look for shorter trails suitable for children. "Lots of group tent sites as well as regular RV and tent sites. Each site comes with fire pit, hook ups, and a picnic table. Showers and bathrooms are clean and only costs quarters for a shower with hot water. Great way to bring the whole family together," shares a regular visitor.
Tips from RVers
Hookup limitations: Many cabin and RV sites have partial hookups only. At Tall Chief Campground, "No sewer connections which can be a bummer, but the nice bathrooms make up for it. The staff are always super nice and helpful," mentions a regular visitor.
Site selection: Choose carefully based on your needs. "We love coming here. 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! The availability seems pretty good too, especially in Spring when some campgrounds are not quite open yet."
Cell reception: Coverage varies significantly between sites. "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."