Camping near DuPont, Washington offers year-round access with rainfall averaging 50 inches annually and typical summer temperatures between 65-80°F. The nearby campgrounds range from sea level sites along Puget Sound to forested retreats at elevations up to 900 feet. Sites in this region typically feature second-growth Douglas fir and western red cedar forests with understories of sword ferns and salal.
What to Do
Swimming at Deep Lake: Dash Point State Park provides beach access for swimming with a designated swimming area. "Beautiful weather and close escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. Clean facilities as well!" notes Braden T.
Hiking forest trails: Elkamp Eastcreek offers easy access to nearby trails leading through old-growth forests. A visitor mentioned, "The meadow over the bridge is a hidden delight. Constant attention to the grounds regularly. Exquisite!"
Fishing from docks: Camp Lakeview provides dedicated fishing docks apart from swimming areas. "Great playground for kids, allows pets, has a small store in the office with some essentials if you forget something," reports Molly N.
Tidepooling at low tide: Belfair State Park offers Hood Canal beach access for exploring marine life during low tides. "As the tide comes and goes, so does the water fowl. Nice campground, open sites, full hook ups," shares Kari R.
What Campers Like
Privacy between sites: Dash Point State Park Campground offers well-spaced sites. "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.
Proximity to Mt. Rainier: Several glamping options near DuPont provide quick access to Mount Rainier National Park. Shannon H. notes about Elkamp Eastcreek: "We spent 1 night at Elkamp and were sad to have to move on so quickly. It would be a great base for exploring the south side of Mt. Rainier as it is within minutes of the Nisqually entrance."
Clean facilities: Campgrounds in this region maintain high cleanliness standards. According to Sarah Claire B. at Elkamp Eastcreek, "The bathrooms were always clean. There's designated dish washing station (though there's no spout right now) and potable water station."
Waterfront access: Riverbend Campground provides sites along water edges. J mentions, "We stayed there on a Thursday right on the river. Super peaceful, great fire pit location, water at the site entrance, portable restrooms away (but close), and best of all right at the river's edge."
What You Should Know
Limited cell service: Many campsites lack reliable mobile coverage. A camper noted at Dash Point State Park: "I spent a weekend tent camping at Dash Point State Park, and honestly, it was a great time even though I completely failed to plan any meals. Thankfully, civilization is only about 15 minutes away."
Seasonal flooding: Alder Lake Park water levels fluctuate significantly. "Usually when water is at normal level the beach is all sand and water is clean and clear. Some camping sites have a steep walkway to them," explains Natashinka C.
Airport noise: Certain campgrounds experience flight path noise, especially those near Sea-Tac. Travis P. advises: "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), so if you don't mind the noise, or LOVE airplanes (like we do), this is an Awesome campground!"
Reservation requirements: Most sites require advance booking, especially May through September. Christina F. shares about Millersylvania: "After months of trying to get reservations for this popular campground, we finally got one for Thanksgiving weekend!"
Tips for Camping with Families
Look for swimming beaches: Several glamping options near DuPont include lake access with shallow areas for children. "The beach is the main attraction and it is hopping. We went early in the morning and staked a claim and were happy all day. There is a nice shallow area and two large swimming areas," recommends Ellen T. at Millersylvania.
Choose sites with playgrounds: Millersylvania State Park Campground offers family-friendly amenities. According to Calvin K., "We come here often as we live in Olympia. Pros: close to the city in case you forget something or a little one has a meltdown, lots of varied activities: biking, light mtb, trail running, hiking, paddling & fishing."
Consider proximity to services: Campgrounds near towns allow quick supply runs. Geanna R. shares about Millersylvania: "It was raining for nearly our entire time here, but we still enjoyed the close/easy access to bathrooms, showers, potable water, and hiking trails, not to mention the numerous activities available near the lake."
Pack for varied weather: Rain gear is essential even in summer months. "The only reason for 4 stars instead of 5 is because our site had a huge mud puddle from the road going to the power and water hook-up," notes Christina F. about camping during Thanksgiving weekend.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability varies: Not all campgrounds offer full hookups year-round. Curtis B. mentions about Camp Lakeview: "Quiet and beautiful, the dump site is out of commission but was told I could empty tanks at one of the full hookup sites, roads coming in are narrow."
Site angles matter: Some parks have unusual configurations for larger vehicles. One visitor at Riverbend notes: "This site does is a back in, but the slab is at a 90 degree angle from the drive. So you will have to back your trailer around a corner if you plan to park it on the slab."
Check electric capacity: Winter camping may strain electrical systems. At some campgrounds, breakers trip frequently in colder months when campers use electric heat. Sites with 30-amp service may require propane heating as backup.
