C
Chandler K.
Guide
GuideGrandy Lake Campground
Clean but very dense camping
This site is clean and there are good level sites available. However, it’s quite dense and you will have no privacy if you have neighbors.
Camping near Darrington, WA
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
Campgrounds near Darrington, Washington include a mix of established campgrounds and dispersed camping areas within the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Clear Creek Campground, just ten minutes from Darrington, provides 13 tent and RV sites with tent pads, picnic tables, and fire rings along the Sauk River. Squire Creek Park & Campground offers year-round camping options with flush toilets and picnic areas, while campgrounds like Bedal and Buck Creek operate seasonally from late spring through early fall. Many developed campgrounds in the region accommodate both tent and RV camping, with some sites featuring electrical hookups, drinking water, and sanitary dump stations.
The Mountain Loop Highway serves as the primary access route to many campgrounds, with most sites opening from May through September or October due to seasonal weather conditions. Several campgrounds require reservations, particularly during summer weekends and holidays when sites fill quickly. One camper shared that "firewood is not available on site, but local residents have firewood for sale at the roadside" near Clear Creek Campground. Primitive vault toilets are common at forest service campgrounds, while county and state parks typically offer more developed facilities. Cell service remains limited throughout much of the area, especially at campgrounds farther from town along forest roads. Winter access becomes challenging as snow accumulates at higher elevations, with many forest service roads closing seasonally.
Waterfront camping locations receive consistently positive reviews from visitors exploring the North Cascades region. The Sauk River provides a scenic backdrop for several campgrounds, with one reviewer noting that "the creek and the Sauk river are absolutely beautiful" at Clear Creek Campground. Most developed campgrounds feature well-maintained tent pads and fire rings, though privacy between sites varies considerably. Campers appreciate the relative solitude of smaller forest service campgrounds compared to larger state parks. Wildlife viewing opportunities abound, with visitors reporting sightings of deer, eagles, and occasionally larger mammals. Sites along rivers tend to mask highway noise with the sound of flowing water, creating a more immersive outdoor experience despite proximity to roads. The densely forested landscape provides ample shade at most campgrounds, with towering evergreens creating a classic Pacific Northwest camping atmosphere.
Best Campgrounds near Darrington (349)
1. Squire Creek Park & Campground
"This Snohomish County Park is close to Darrington, WA which makes it perfect for exploring the North Cascades and the Mountain Loop Hwy."
"We had a site away from the road so minimal road noise. Good connectivity on verizon"
from $33 / night
Check Availability2. Clear Creek Campground
"Clear Creek is only ten minutes or so from Darrington WA. Only 13 campsites with tent pads, picnic tables, and fire rings. Vault toilets were also available."
"It's a beautiful drive. The campground is nestled in some great trees. Only 13 campsites with tent pads, picnic tables, and fire rings."
from $32 - $36 / night
Check Availability3. Verlot Campground
"Stopped through here on a trip around the mountain loop. This is in a great location being accessible from the city but near all the great trails in the area."
"This amazing little campground on mountain loop highway has it all."
from $32 - $72 / night
Check Availability4. Howard Miller Steelhead County Park
"These camp sites are located so close to the river that it drowns out any nosy neighbors and it also makes for a nice convenient place to go fishing and camping."
"There’s trash bins located throughout the campground as well as restrooms and shower houses (quarters needed). Dump station is $5. Several free options to pick from based on your setup."
5. Boulder Creek Trail Dispersed
"RWD drive car friendly—smooth, gravel road. Pullout spots are on this dirt road. There is a small river thirty feet from the campsite. Yes, you can receive Internet in the tall, dense trees here."
"Very nice dispersed location. We stayed for one night on the way to another place. Good locations, many large pull in spots. Shade is excellent and you can walk in to water spots."
6. Bedal Campground
"The Bedal Campground is off the mountain loop highway in the Mount Baker- Snoqualmie National Forest. Settled in some old Growth forest it provides a good amount of shade to most sites."
"We stayed at this campground two nights as a base camp for some mountain loop highway hiking."
from $27 - $58 / night
Check Availability7. Buck Creek Campground
"The road in is EXTREMELY bumpy, you have to drive really really slow, at least down the right side of the airstrip."
"This campground is easy to find but a long drive into the woods on a bumpy gravel road. I made it in a Camery but it was a bumpy ride."
from $27 - $54 / night
Check Availability8. Rasar State Park Campground
"Great trails in and near this park we enjoy walking the dogs and riding bikes and watching birds if you like any of these activities this is the place and fairly quiet as well."
"The water hookups were shut off during the time, but we were able to fill up our water tank near the entrance without any trouble."
from $12 - $327 / night
Check Availability9. Red Bridge Campground
"Me and my boyfriend had a lovely weekend camping here at site #9…this site in particular has a little trail leading to a quiet creek behind where the fire ring is at."
"Great access to many Tails along this Rd. 4 Big Mountains is a Must to see , only 1 mile Hike to the Glacier.Next to the Road but very little Traffic. $ 25 a Night with Pass 50 % Off"
from $27 - $58 / night
Check Availability10. Gold Basin Campground
"This campground is close to the river and has amazing views. The natural qualities of the alpine river are on full display here."
"Gold Basin Campground is on the Mt Loop highway, in the Mount Baker- Snoqualmie National Forest. It is stunning. I really love this area!"
from $37 - $78 / night
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Drive Time
- 51 min from Mount Vernon, WA
- 1 hr 15 min from Seattle, WA
- 1 hr 15 min from Bellingham, WA
- 2 hrs 12 min from Bremerton, WA
Recent Camping Photos near Darrington, WA
313 Photos of 349 Darrington Campgrounds
Kimmy G.
Clear Creek Campground
Jakob M.
Squire Creek Park & Campground
theresa A.
Sauk Park Campground
Christina W.
Buck Creek Campground
Sarah P.
Red Bridge Campground
Dene H.
Gold Basin Campground
Courtney P.
Verlot Campground
Olivia
Bedal Campground
Melisande M.
South Fork Sauk River
Tatiana G.
Jim Creek Wilderness Recreation Area
Christina F.
Military Park Jim Creek Naval Radio Station Jim Creek Wilderness Recreation Area
Ansgar D.
Howard Miller Steelhead County Park
Recent Reviews near Darrington, WA
1158 Reviews of 349 Darrington Campgrounds
Lee D.
LegendLake Pleasant RV Park
A lake, but geese, ducks, and birds!
General: 230-site RV park. Some sites are back-in, some pull-through. Some are lakefront. All are FHU. There is also one yurt.
Site Quality: Paved camper pad on level sites. Unlike most other RV parks, there is some foliage separating the sites, providing a modicum of privacy. We chose a lakefront site, but I think the pull-thru sites in the far rear of the park might have been a better choice (less geese traffic!).
Bath/Shower: There is a large main bathroom with showers near the office. At the rear of the property, there are five bathrooms, each with a toilet, sink, and shower; one of these is ADA accessible. When we arrived late Saturday afternoon, two of these had no toilet paper, and one had no soap. I did see they were being attended to in the evening. Also, no hooks or shelves to put toiletries on. There was often water on the floor in these units, I’m guessing from the showers. The main bathrooms at the front are MUCH nicer, but about a third of a mile walk from the rear sites.
Activities/Amenities: Catch and release fishing. A couple of miles of hiking trails around the perimeter of the campground. These are paved, gravel, or grass, and hilly! The road around the campground is just about a mile and flat, so it was good to run laps if that is your thing (good for me!). Amenities include: a playground, laundry ($2 each for washer and dryer), recycling, a library (I was happy to pick up a book on my to-read list), a dog run, and propane. The lake is nice, but there is a lot of algae, and swimming is not allowed. There are about two dozen geese that roam freely around, leaving goose poop wherever they go! I did see someone watering down the goose by-product on Monday morning, so the staff does work to mitigate this situation. Also ducks, birds, and even bunnies and snails.
As far as RV parks go, this is one of the nicer ones we have stayed at (and less expensive than some). It is convenient to the Seattle area. It is well-tended to; there are flower baskets throughout the property. One star deducted for the bathrooms at the rear of the property.
Ruth S.
ScoutBeckler River Campground
Quiet campground on the river
It's beautiful here. Some of the sites are quite close, but I'm enjoying the stop over.
Jacquie B.GuideLake Pleasant RV Park
Quiet and clean, d
This is a nice park, clean and quiet. But the draw back is the sites are small, there are bushes between the sites to give some privacy. It is camping in a parking lot. I don't believe you can have campfires. Kids have no place on their site to play so play in the street. More than once I had to honk at them to get them out of the way.
Great location for me, I was visiting my daughter who lives in Seattle.
The park was clean, they wash the goose poop off the sites, but still watch where you step. It is very high priced but they are the only game in town.
d
DahliaGuideBaker Lake Road Dispersed Campsite
Toad Moon Lake
We stayed here 2 nights on our road trip, tent camping. The road is a bit of a far drive from the highway, but there seems to be many spots to camp along the way. There are also a few paid for campgrounds in the area. But the free dispersed spots are the furthest down the road. The view of the lake and mountains in the distance are beautiful. The water is so clear and blue, fishing, and boating is common. No amenities near the free camping, but there are toilets and dumpsters along Baker Lake road. Not too many mosquitoes when we were there, but be aware of the mice. It rained the first night, but on the second, we had a wonderful view of the moonrise. We also spotted some toads by the lake at night. Signs say there are bears in the area, but we didn't have a problem with that. My only complaints are we could not park our car right next to camp, but it wasn't far, campfires were not allowed, and people cannot seem to clean up after themselves. There were areas that were clearly used as bathrooms; toilet paper scattered around, and piles of poop. Please have the decency to bury your feces. But overall, I would definitely recommend this campsite!
Kim B.ScoutNF 33 Dispersed Camping
Nf33
Not a ton of great spots but not crazy busy on a friday night. Had to drive kind of far to find something that would work for me. The better spots were all taken.
JamieScoutAngel of the Winds RV Resort
Has it all!!
This rv resort was way better than we were expecting, as a last minute add on. Massive dog park, indoor pool and fire areas, putt putt, pickleball, nature walking trails, kids outdoor play area, sun deck, and I’m sure there is more we haven’t gotten to see! Big spacious spots. About 25 mins from skagit speedway. Hope to come stay here again in the future!
- IIoana Z.Scout
Cascade Wagon Road Campground
Quick & convenient
Got here on a Saturday night and got a spot no problem. First come first serve. Very close to North Cascades NP.
- jjune G.Guide
Deception Pass State Park Campground
High use, well cared for
This is a busy campground and day use area, but it’s awesome. You can kayak and swim in cranberry lake, watch the sunset from either north beach or west beach, and hike many different trails all from the campground.
Guide to Darrington
Dispersed camping opportunities near Darrington, Washington complement the established campgrounds in the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. The region sits at elevations ranging from 550 to 5,000 feet, with many sites experiencing temperature fluctuations of 30-40°F between day and night. Most dispersed sites require visitors to pack out all trash and provide their own water supply, as services are minimal throughout the forest.
What to do
River activities: Clear Creek Campground allows direct access to the Sauk River for summer recreation. A camper noted, "The river is gorgeous, so get a site along the river obviously! Wildlife viewing abound." Visitors can wade, fish, or simply enjoy riverside relaxation, though water remains cold even in summer months.
Hiking trails: Bedal Campground serves as a gateway to numerous hiking opportunities. One reviewer mentioned, "You're definitely deep in the forest and at the door step to some of wester WA best hiking." Popular trails include Goat Lake, Perry Creek, and Mt. Dickerman.
Wildlife observation: Dawn and dusk provide the best opportunities to spot local wildlife. At Squire Creek Park & Campground, a camper saw "two bald eagles were eating dinner on the shore of the Skagit River across from us." Deer, small mammals, and various bird species are common throughout the forest.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campgrounds feature natural separation between camping areas. At Howard Miller Steelhead County Park, "The sites along the water are particularly special" and provide more seclusion than inland options.
River sounds: The ambient noise from nearby rivers masks road noise at many campgrounds. One camper at Red Bridge noted, "We rarely heard passing cars over the constant and soothing dull roar of the river, also located on the other side of the trees!"
Off-season tranquility: Visiting during spring or fall reduces crowds significantly. A visitor to Squire Creek found, "Quiet and private during the offseason weekdays. Had the whole park to our selves. Beautiful old growth forest with a river."
What you should know
Limited services: Many campgrounds lack drinking water sources. At Clear Creek Campground, "BE AWARE THERE IS NO WATER HERE. Repeat, there is no water spouts here, so you'll have to bring all you need."
Road conditions: Access roads to remote sites can be challenging. A visitor to Buck Creek Campground warned, "The road in is EXTREMELY bumpy, you have to drive really really slow, at least down the right side of the airstrip."
Bear awareness: Active wildlife requires proper food storage. One camper reported, "There is an active 'problem bear' around this campground. A cooler got raided the morning of August 1."
Reservation timing: Popular sites fill quickly during peak season. One camper was surprised to find Squire Creek Park "not full on Labor Day weekend! I didn't know that existed" but this is uncommon during summer months.
Tips for camping with families
Beach access: Sites with river beaches provide natural play areas for children. At Verlot Campground, "There was also a cute sandy beach just at the edge of the campgrounds" perfect for supervised water play.
Playground availability: Some county parks offer developed play structures. Rasar State Park features "playground equipment and horseshoe pits" plus "open fields and walking trails with possibility of seeing elk."
Protected swim areas: Safer water access points exist at select locations. Gold Basin Campground has areas where "if you go downstream on the far side of the river there's a clay patch" where water moves more slowly.
Weather preparation: Temperature swings affect children more significantly. A camper at Squire Creek noted the area "gets pretty chilly as the campground is well shaded" requiring additional warm clothing even in summer.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Not all sites accommodate larger vehicles. At Squire Creek, "take special note of accessibility of the site by checking out the campground map. I would recommend the sites 1-11 area as most accessible for trailers."
Limited hookups: Most forest service campgrounds lack electrical connections. For those requiring power, Howard Miller Steelhead County Park offers "RV sites equipped with water & electric hookup. Nice clean gravel sites with fire ring & picnic tables."
Turn radius challenges: Some sites require careful maneuvering. One RVer at Squire Creek noted their site had "some tricky turns to get to it" despite being listed as RV-compatible.
Leveling issues: Uneven terrain affects comfort in hard-sided units. At Rasar State Park, "the rv spaces are a little challenging to level in some back in sights" requiring leveling blocks or hydraulic systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do visitors say about Squire Creek Campground near Darrington?
What do visitors say about Squire Creek Campground near Darrington?
Squire Creek Park & Campground is praised as a hidden gem in the Darrington area. This Snohomish County Park has been described by campers as an excellent alternative to busier state and federal parks, especially during peak periods like holidays. Visitors appreciate that the campground still had availability even during busy times like the 4th of July weekend. The campground's proximity to Darrington provides convenient access to town amenities while maintaining a natural setting. The park makes a great base camp for exploring the surrounding mountains and offers a more peaceful alternative to some of the more crowded destinations in the region.
What campgrounds are available in and around Darrington, WA?
What campgrounds are available in and around Darrington, WA?
The Darrington area offers several excellent camping options within the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Clear Creek Campground is just 10 minutes from Darrington along the scenic Mountain Loop Road, featuring 13 sites with tent pads, picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets in a beautiful forested setting along the Sauk River. Swift Creek Campground provides great access to Northern Cascades trails with stunning scenery. Other nearby options include Bedal Campground, Buck Creek Campground, and Gold Basin Campground, all offering drive-in access with basic amenities like toilets and some with water availability.
Are there RV rental options available in Darrington, Washington?
Are there RV rental options available in Darrington, Washington?
While Darrington itself has limited RV rental services, visitors have options in the surrounding region. Chom's RV Campground provides RV accommodations near the area. For those seeking alternatives, consider cabin rentals like Mt. Baker Lodging, which offers fully-equipped accommodations with amenities like fireplaces, WiFi, and even EV chargers. Most RV rentals will need to be arranged from larger nearby cities and driven to Darrington. Several campgrounds in the area accommodate RVs, including Howard Miller Steelhead County Park which is big-rig friendly.
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