Searching for the perfect place to pitch your tent near Des Moines? The Dyrt can help you find the best tent campsites for your next trip. Whether you're looking for a quiet, dispersed site or an established camgpround with amenities, The Dyrt makes it easy to find the perfect place to pitch your tent.
$12 - $45 / night
The campground at Mowich Lake is the smallest of the four camping areas within the boundaries of Mount Rainier National Park. The road is unpaved after the first three miles and may be rough. Also, this is a walk-in campground only and fires are not allowed. With all that said, however, it just may be the most pristine and beautiful place to pitch a tent you’ll ever come across, with one of the most magnificent views of the mountain that you’ll find anywhere.
Tents only. Backcountry camping permits are available from the Carbon River Ranger Station (360) 829-9639.
The historic Mather Memorial Parkway (State Route 410) is the gateway to a recreational haven. On a clear day, enjoy spectacular views of Mt. Rainier. For more excitement, take a spin in the off-road vehicle area at Evans Creek, or zip down the slopes of Crystal Mountain Ski Area. Or if you prefer solitude, escape into the solace of the forest and leave the world behind.
Mather Memorial Parkway Created in 1931, this paved two-lane classic Cascades drive along Highway 410 from Enumclaw to the eastern edge of Mount Rainier National Park presents majestic views of Mount Rainier and surrounding peaks. More than 200 miles of trails accommodate hikers, horses and mountain bikes. Drive, hike or ride to the Suntop Lookout Cabin at the top of Forest Road 7315. Choose a primitive campsite along forest roads east and west of the parkway. In November buy a permit at the Enumclaw office and take the family out to the woods to cut your own Christmas tree. Most forest roads are unpaved and minimally maintained. Cell phones have limited coverage in the mountains.
Dispersed camping is the term used for camping in the National Forest OUTSIDE of a designated campground. Typically, it refers to roadside car camping, but also refers to backpacking in undeveloped sites. Dispersed camping means there are no services like trash removal, and amenities such as toilets, tables and fire pits, are not usually available.
It is your responsibility to plan ahead and learn the extra skills necessary for dispersed camping. Camping rules and regulations apply to make your experience safe, and to keep the natural resources scenic and unspoiled for other campers.
Dispersed camping along Forest Service roads is allowed where there is adequate space to safely park completely off the roadway and not on any vegetation. Whether car camping or backpacking, choose an existing campsite on bare or compacted soil. Unless signed as an area where a fee is required, dispersed camping is free. Dispersed camping is prohibited in developed campgrounds and areas posted closed or no camping. Some designated Wilderness areas have additional restrictions.
A Beautiful quarter acre residence on Carr Inlet.. backed by Penrose pointe State Park...
There are three spacious campsites below this beautiful quarter acre property in which to camp.
Macie's Brook has tenting only.. as you will park your vehicle at the top of the property and hike a short distance down to the tent sites.
This minimal amenity camp experience... Will prepare you for a little survival off grid..
These campsites are 100 ft above the beach line on high Bank waterfront property.
There is one trail currently down to the beach ask the owner for details..
$15 - $45 / night
This heavily used walk-in campground is accessed by hiking 3.5 miles on Lena Lake Trail #810. This backcountry primitive camping area is located along the west-shore of Lena Lake a large 55 acre lake in the Hamma Hamma drainage at 1,800 feet elevation. There are two pit toilets available on the west and north shores. Camp in designated sites located on either side of the lake. This area is heavily impacted by high visitor use! Campers must be familiar with Leave No Trace principles. Pack out all trash, camp within developed sites, and respect other visitors. From the campground there is access to The Brothers Wilderness via The Brothers Trail #821 which ends at The Brothers Base Camp. Wilderness regulations apply within The Brothers Wilderness. View a Lena Lake Campground vicinity map (.pdf)
$5 / night
Hollyhock Farm is a diverse family farm on the hills of the Snoqualmie Valley. We raise a variety of animals using ethical methods that work with nature for the health of our farm and surrounding forest lands. We offer two campsites, as well as a tiny cabin.
All of our listings have a toilet available for use, trash disposal on site, potable water, and campfires are permitted (outside of burn bans.
**Please note that pets are not permitted.**
We have created an additional 1/3 mile nature trail loop for campers to explore our forest. Blackberry picking in season! Those interested in the farm itself can contact the hosts for additional info.
There is an old railroad grade walking/biking trail nearby that runs up and down the length of the Snoqualmie valley. The Snoqualmie river also offers boating, floating, and swimming opportunities. The town of Duvall is 5min away and has restaurants, shopping, and a micro brewery.
Guests love staying with us: "I would give it 6 stars if I could! This stay was magical! A little oasis in the woods, just minutes from civilization :) Phil was an excellent host, the cabin was cozy and so cute, and I will 100% be coming back! I'd love to try out the bigger campsites sometime too! But the tiny cabin and cute little downtown Duvall might just be my new favorite getaway."
$35 - $65 / night
$12 / night
White: Single-track trail Yellow: Two-track trail Purple: 4x4 trail
Remember camping in your parents back yard? or staying the night at your freinds house pitching a tent under the stars? Relive this memory by booking this private residential yard camp site under the trees in this private setting.,yet open to the stars above.
Pitch a tent under the walnut grove. Set up your own picnic table, BBQ grill, electricity, and wifi is available..Enjoy camping outside 200 ft from the Lakeshore of Lake Stickney Public acess where fisherman can fish till thier hearts content. Swimming, fishing, boating, kayaking, canoeing, or bicycling are available. Electricity is available for both Rv parkers and tent campers alike. BBQ grills and smokers are available to cook the days catch.
You will have complete privacy away from it all, yet this site is a 3 minute walk to Lake Stickney for boating, fishing or both. A mile walk to restaurants, grocery stores, and modern amenities. And 10 min drive from paine feild PAE.
Each site with its own nestling among the natural foliage of their property. Choose to be off to yourself among the trees or near the open yard where other campers are.
Please bring your own camping table. Electricity is available to charge phones, laptops, and devices on the property but not at each camp site, wifi, on the property.
Please bring your own camp toilet for your stay and pack your wast out with you. There is also a public Outhouse at the public access is available 200 ft away. Commercial kitchen for large groups is available for an extra charge at the lake Stickney community Club. 3/4 mile away from the public access. Ask me for details..
Meal delivery services are also available through door dash and other delivery services. All meal accommodations are with in 1 mile from the property should you want to bike or walk to such.
This suburban area is quiet off the beaten track to the busy hussle and busle of regular life, yet close to busses,
There are 7 camp sites available which can accommodate 2 persons each. Parking is along the street.
restaurants, grocery store and many other amenities available
$60 - $68 / night
Guide
Lovely treed campground. Large sites!
Traveler
Glad they reopened this campground - it’s a nice quick escape from the city with plenty of accessible / semi accessible trails nearby. Sites are pretty basic, but have a bear locker.
Scout
Game Farm Wilderness Campground is like a real-life Minecraft experience. Just like building and exploring in Minecraft for PC, you can craft your perfect outdoor adventure here, surrounded by nature, and enjoy endless fun and exploration. For More Info: https://www.minecraftapks.com/minecraft-for-pc/
Traveler
Close to lots of hikes and views. A little bit of road noise but not much. Very busy but that’s to be expected at mt rainier. Clean bathrooms and easy check in.
Traveler
Nice area by a creek, very peaceful and quiet during the day, a ton of people around and lots of passerby’s. As soon as it got dark, someone decided to sneak around my campsite with a flashlight and stand outside my tent for some time. Packed up quick and zoomed out of there, very uncomfortable and would not recommend for solo campers.
Traveler
I just can’t say enough about this campsite. I wound up staying here 4 to 5 days at a time over the course of two months because I loved it so much. It’s private. The spaces allow you to have a certain level of intimacy. They have bathrooms, water, and gray water dump, the host Marissa is just a complete awesome doll. It’s convenient to drive into because it’s right off the highway and about five minutes or so is the town of Skykomish with an incredible deli library a laundromat and a coffee shop I hope to visit here many more times, but I absolutely love it. Oh and cell reception is pretty good. Best we stayed at. For both Google Fi and, Verizon.
Guide
Not a bad find that doesn't require any permit of any kind which was great! Would stay here again I pitched a tent which was nice and found a spot right by the river.
Guide
You are supposed to have a Washington State Discovery pass to stay here, also they want you to fill out self registration once you arrive, fyi there are no pens onsite to do so.
This was a nice spot to stay the night, clean, nice picnic tables and fire pits, one pit toilet.
Guide
Good place for families that looks to be kept really clean. The spaces are packed in fairly tight with no dividing barriers of trees. Campsite 10 looks to be the best as it has a little canopy tree and is in the corner without obstruction for a view of the Puget Sound. Water and electric hookup, picnic table, fire pit at each site with additional bathroom with a shower for the grounds. There is a ship playground for the kids and beach volleyball court. It is nestled back through an area of homes that back up to sites 1-8.
Traveler
Really liked the park. Everything was good about it. The only thing for me was that we have a rv, and there is electrical hookups but no water hookups.
Ranger
Our daughter told us about this place. You have to climb up a narrow gravel road to get here. A drive leads out to a flat area with a fire pit It was raining when we pulled in, so views were limited. In the clear morning, we got a beautiful view of Mount Rainier. We got decent Starlink signal with a bar of Verizon. Spot would be perfect except prior campers left toilet paper around a bush.
Traveler
Discover pass required. Host on site. Paved pads. Some pull thru.
GuideVery cool spot with new generation trees growing out of old generation stumps, close to river for water, very popular spot so found a lot of trash but loved the sites and hiking trails nearby
Guide
Went here for a social event and had a blast. Big sites with lovely paths between, wonderful shop with firewood available at any hour (just square up when the place is actually open), clean plumbed bathrooms and a coin operated shower at $0.50/minute. There’s a beautiful meadow, a creek, huge trees. The owners are incredibly friendly and the place is very dog friendly.
Traveler
We intended to stay a week, left after 4 days. Could be a beautiful place if not for people.
Pros:
Open space, plenty of room
Beautiful View
Near the park
Cons:
Crowded, even mid week we had close neighbors
Party spot, loud people with loud music
Dirty, we picked up an entire garbage bag of trash just in the spot we were at. Much more in the rest of the area.
Road noise, you're literally right off the road
River is nice, but it's a glacial run off so it's definitely not a swimming area (dirty)
Road in is super rough
Again, overall it could be a nice place. We stayed Wednesday through Saturday after labor day. So not "peak" season and the place was absolutely trashed. Feces, TP, beer cans and bottles, food trash, even car parts litter the area. We did a clean up but barely made a dent.
The first night was quiet and then some locals came and you could tell it was a party area. Loud music, dogs off leash, close neighbors.
We ended up leaving Saturday because it just wasn't enjoyable.
TravelerRight off the main road, but several sweet camping spots more tucked away and along the river. I’d definitely recommend a higher clearance vehicle if you want to camp deeper near the river due to rocks and tree roots. People need to clean up after themselves though. We pulled up to a spot that was thrashed. That is how free things get shut down.
ScoutThis looked like a pretty good campground. I could see open tenting spots from the road, even! But I was unable to get in early in the evening with nowhere else to go. Too strict!
ScoutUnfortunately this campground is permanently closed.
TravelerThis place was gorgeous. Right off a busy road but with being right by the water it tunes out the noise of the traffic. Plenty of spots and can drive in further to be more secluded if needed.
TravelerWe had a bit of trouble finding it at first (came from the south of white river), but the little shop down the street has WiFi and we weren’t too far from the entrance. Lots of places to camp, friendly visitors, and overall pretty quiet even with the road right there. The river is so peaceful! Bring a ground sheet for your tents, lots of twigs and foliage.
Scout
I came on a Friday so i could get up early to go hiking. I put up my hammock around 7pm, nobody's else there. Around 9-11pm a few people including a 5th wheel arrived and spent a bunch of time moving that around. They ran their generator, lights and music until 2:30am. My bad for coming on a Friday. Woke up to a beautiful sunrise and spent time on the bridge taking photos before riding up the gravel road up to the Summit Lake hike.
Lots of spots along the road which I'll utilize next time to avoid the party :)
Guide
Langley is a great little town. I don’t know why they haven’t done more to develop the campground- all sites are first-come-first served. They did repair the electrical system this year and just reopened. It’s at the fairgrounds on the edge of town, there’s a largely unlandscaped grass field with electrical boxes & (some) water connections. There is a dump out on site and potable water. There are accessible bathrooms and showers nearby. The campground is on a hill above the horse barn and arena, very convenient to the town of Langley, which is delightful. No camp host available, nobody you can call for assistance. Because the campground just reopened, we were the only ones camped most of the 6 days we were here. I love Langley but they are not as tourist-driven as many towns which have campgrounds like this.
ScoutThere are plenty of space and camping areas. Nice view of the river. A bot crowed around the weekend
Scout
A lot of space, it’s near the road but there is almost no traffic in the evening. Quite a lot of mosquitoes but nice for a short stay
Scout
I came for my birthday and had a great time. Staff was so friendly and helpful, and the place was clean. They have a little store in case you forget something and firewood that’s way cheaper than buying elsewhere. People were fishing, paddle boarding and swimming. I would absolutely go stay there again!
Scout
I spent three nights (arrived Monday, departed Thursday) at this lovely campground about an hour from my house. The grounds are well-maintained with easy access to some hiking trails that are easy to moderate in difficulty. (If I were in better shape without 50+ years of knee problems, I'd rate all the trails as easy.)
The campsites are a short walk to the Dosewallips River, which is shallow and not very fast this time of year. It's a longer walk to the Hood Canal itself.
You're not going to have a private, quiet, pristine wilderness experience here. US 101 runs through the park next to the campground, and the logging trucks can be quite loud. There are lots of families -- meaning, kids running around and riding bikes -- and the campsites are close to one another without any privacy. But, highway traffic is pretty much nonexistent in the evening and night and the entire camp was pretty quiet by 9 pm every evening.
The camp is arranged in a bunch of loops. The first and last sites in each loop are preferable because of all the open space between the site and the road. The last site -- in my case, No. 20 -- is the best with an RV because the trailer will provide privacy from the adjacent campsite and there's a big space to other sites. (See the attached photo.)
T-Mobile was 2 bars of 4G LTE reception. I have a Pepwave cellular modem in my trailer and had virtually no problem streaming shows.
Scout
Mike and the ladies in the office just great people, very helpful and friendly
Small park, a little road noise but nothing that bothered us, will stay here again.
Had full hook up, everything worked as it should.
The store has a good stock of stuff.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Des Moines, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Des Moines, WA is Blake Island Marine State Park Campground with a 5-star rating from 3 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Des Moines, WA?
TheDyrt.com has all 82 tent camping locations near Des Moines, WA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
