Brandon P.
Scout
ScoutDispersed Camping FS-025
Spooky
A spider crawled on me so I got tf outta there even tho it twas midnight. Drove all the way to Tacoma. Spooky. (I’m not a boomer trust)
Camping near Eatonville, WA
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Eatonville, Washington provides access to a range of camping environments from lakeside developed campgrounds to national park sites near Mount Rainier. The area features established campgrounds like Alder Lake Park in Eatonville and Elkamp Eastcreek in nearby Mineral, both offering year-round camping options with amenities for tent and RV campers. Several sites accommodate various styles of overnight stays, including traditional camping, cabin rentals, and glamping options. The region's proximity to Mount Rainier National Park makes it a strategic base camp for exploring alpine terrain while maintaining access to local services.
Seasonal considerations affect camping experiences, with Mount Rainier area campgrounds like Cougar Rock operating only from late May through early October. Campgrounds at lower elevations, such as Alder Lake and Rocky Point, remain open year-round but may have reduced services during winter months. Most established campgrounds in the area offer some combination of drinking water, toilets, and fire rings, though amenities vary significantly between locations. Reservation requirements differ between sites, with national park campgrounds typically filling months in advance during summer. A camper noted that "Great lake for canoeing and Mt. Rainier is right there for a gorgeous view," highlighting the dual appeal of lakeside recreation and mountain scenery.
Lakeside camping represents a significant draw in the Eatonville region, with multiple campgrounds offering water access for swimming, fishing, and boating. Camp Lakeview provides access to fishing docks and a designated swimming area that appeals to families. Tent campers find both primitive sites and developed options, with several campgrounds offering walk-in tent sites separate from RV areas. Reviews indicate that while some campgrounds feature level, shaded sites, others may present challenges with uneven terrain. One visitor mentioned that "Roads are a touch narrow in places" and "Few of the sites are level," pointing to potential difficulties for larger RVs. Most campgrounds in the region permit pets, though Cougar Rock in Mount Rainier National Park does not allow animals in camping areas.
Best Campgrounds near Eatonville (283)
1. Alder Lake Campground
"Labor Day weekend was nearly packed full, plus visiting friends and family. It was almost too busy. But after everyone left, it was a lot more peaceful and quiet."
"It's about an hours drive from Paradise, which makes it less ideal than Cougar Rock if that's your destination, but the reservations do not fill up nearly as quickly."
from $35 - $265 / night
Check Availability2. Elkamp Eastcreek
"Eatonville is reasonably close, and the Mill Haus Cider Co. is worth the drive."
"Rainier as it is within minutes of the Nisquilly entrance. The majority of the campsites were amid tall trees. "
from $25 - $40 / night
Check Availability3. Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park
"If you are looking for an volunteer opportunity while in the park, check out the Washington Train Association also know as the WTA."
"Large campground located near the Paradise area of Mt. Rainier. Many sites tucked into large trees. Some loops close to main toad so the noise can be an issue, but overall beautiful!"
from $20 / night
Check Availability4. Camp Lakeview
"This campground has super friendly staff, decent bathrooms and showers, laundry facility, access to a lake, fishing is welcome, swimming allowed, great playground for kids, allows pets, has a small store"
"It was a larger site that sits next to the small creek. It was very pleasant and quiet. The bath house isn’t too far and was usually well stocked and clean."
5. Sahara Creek DNR Horse Camp
"Washington Pass required. Plenty of room for RVs at many of the sites - it was mostly empty when we came."
"An ADA trail is level for walking the dog.
Shooting range is close by, doesn’t bother me but it’s pretty noisy."from $30 / night
Check Availability6. Rocky Point Campground — Alder Lake
"Drove in with no expectations, but the view of the lake is beautiful. Only one other person in the whole camp at this time of the year so it was quiet."
"Small campground with around 25 spots. Highly recommend if going to mount Rainier"
from $51 / night
Check Availability7. Ike Kinswa State Park Campground
"One of my favorite campgrounds in Washington! Lots of camping spots right on Lake Mayfield with tons of trails in and around the campground."
"Let me start off by saying - if there are so many campsites in Washington, why would you want to stay at the same place multiple times??? Ike Kinswa is the place I would stay at repeatedly."
8. Private and quiet RV parking
"The patios are paved but very small and not in a great location for our class A motorhome (better suited for towables with their doors farther back)."
"Great location just a couple of miles from beach. Very clean and friendly staff. Clean pool, laundry, and club house. Nice paved lots with cable and wifi. Nice place."
from $10 - $30 / night
9. Dash Point State Park Campground
"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 $23 - $74 / night
Check Availability10. Big Creek Campground
"I chose to stayed here because of its location. It’s close to the entrance into Rainier NP and there’s plenty of Amazing hikes nearby. I camped alone (I’m a female) and I felt safe."
"Located a short distance from Mt Rainier NP, this is the perfect springboard for any NP adventure or chillax getaway."
from $25 - $45 / night
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Drive Time
- 50 min from Olympia, WA
- 1 hr 3 min from Bremerton, WA
- 1 hr 4 min from Seattle, WA
- 1 hr 38 min from Longview, WA
Recent Camping Photos near Eatonville, WA
430 Photos of 283 Eatonville Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Alder Lake Campground
Elkamp EastcreekB
Sahara Creek DNR Horse Camp
Big Creek CampgroundL
Eagles Roost Camp — Mount Rainier National Park
Golden Lakes Backcountry Campsites — Mount Rainier National Park
Deschutes Acres RVsM
The Healing FarmJ
Ipsut Creek Camp — Mount Rainier National Park
Carbon River
Mowich Lake Campground — Mount Rainier National Park
Grove GetawaysP
Recent Reviews near Eatonville, WA
1424 Reviews of 283 Eatonville Campgrounds
- SSteve M.
TravelerSmall Site but Million $ View!
Slow Climb
Bumpy road all the way to the top but worth every minute of the climb. Nice and peaceful and hardly saw any traffic up there. Sadly I didn’t get to see Rainer until the morning for like 15 minutes until clouds rolled in lol
Ryan M.ScoutDash Point State Park Campground
Pretty but deceiving
I wanted to like this campground, but I wouldn’t stay here again for more than maybe one night.
There are signs EVERYWHERE warning about theft, which immediately tells you something about the area. I didn’t have anything stolen, but I was extremely careful about what I left out.
The biggest problem is that you’re basically on your own after hours. There is no campground host, no posted after-hours ranger number, and no non-emergency number at the campground or through the park’s phone system. The staff hours also seem very limited and inconsistent. I arrived around 6:30 PM and nobody was there, and staff didn’t seem to return until around 9–10 AM.
The bathrooms were dirty, out of toilet paper, and the showers were cold. One morning there was a large unleashed dog in the women’s bathroom that growled at me while its owner was showering. I believe she may have been homeless and using the facilities. Again, there was nobody around to contact about it.
Another night, people were extremely loud until almost midnight. Same problem: no host, no ranger and no non-emergency number. Unless something is serious enough for 911, you’re left to deal with it yourself.
There are also a lot of homeless people and visible drug addicts/drug activity around Federal Way. I had been warned about the area before coming here, and I understand why.
The park itself is pretty and might be fine for a quick overnight stay, but for multiple nights, I wouldn’t recommend it. Between the theft warnings, lack of after-hours staff, weird staffing hours, and no way to report non-emergency problems, I never really felt comfortable settling into my campsite.
- MMike E.Scout
Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park
Excellent Place Near Mt Rainier
My wife and I came to this campground recently (9/26 - 9/29) and overall it was a great trip. The staff (Rangers) were so friendly and helpful. The site we had for our 20 ft trailer was a pull-through site which was quite level. It was pretty shady and use of our solar panel was minimal. The proximity to Paradise was great. It was incredibly crowded at Paradise despite being so late in September. The campground filled up to full within a couple of hours of our arrival around 2:30 pm. Bathrooms are very basic (flush toilets and only cold water sinks). There was a water bottle filler right outside the bathroom and tasted great. There is no option to fill trailer tanks with water. Their water filler and dump station has been out of order for a couple of years per the ranger, so I don't expect it to be fixed anytime soon. We were told that there was a water filling station in Alder Lake Park but it is a ways from this campground. We brought our own water so didn't need it. Our site itself was great but there is a reasonable amount of debris around other sites. Overall, we would come again.
- Betsy W.
RangerSahara Creek DNR Horse Camp
Very nice!! All you need for great campiing
Very nice! Horse camp but sites 21-30 are for non equestrian campers. Sites are wooded between and large with table, firepits/grill combo, and level wooded spaces. 2 clean, well stocked pit toilets are available. Water faucets available at several locations. WA discover pass but free otherwise. It is patrolled regularly.
- JJ M.Traveler
Porter Creek
Perfect beginner and family spot
I went here with my fiance in September. Went on a Friday and there was only 1 other group. Theres about 16 sites from what I saw. Its free as well but first come first served. Getting to it is pretty easy and straight forward aswell, heads up the road turns to gravel and it can get narrow. Most of the sites are along the creek which was very beautiful. Theres also 2 trails in walking distance aswell. Most sites also have a table, and metal fab firepit. Theres also a few out houses for restrooms.
Ryan S.
GuideCarlton Creek Crossing
Great spot out of the way
Its not 5 stars because of its beauty, its because its buried deep in the woods but still on a drivable road, and its free. On a busy weekend I only saw one other sprinter van on the entire road. There are lots of areas to pull off along the road and a few good spots just away from the road if you only have a tent or 4x4 vehicle. This spot has lots of space to turn your rig around but I don't know about farther down the road. No cell service but this spot also had enough clearing to be able to set up our starlink and get decent enough service with that. The road has some pretty big potholes so make sure you've got enough clearance on your rig. I'd say most would be just fine.
Dustin W.GuideAmerican Heritage Campground
Nostalgic Americana
We had such a wonderful stay at American Heritage Campground! The campground has a peaceful, welcoming atmosphere, and you can really feel the history and care that has gone into the property over the years.
We stayed at site 6 which was right by the playground, laundry, pool (closed for the season), and 2 individual bathrooms. There’s more bathrooms in the main bath house with showers! Our site was also able to use the WiFi since it was close to the front of the campground
A huge part of what made our stay so special was our host, Rita. She was incredibly kind, welcoming, and made us feel right at home from the moment we arrived. Learning that the campground has been in her family for over 40 years makes the experience even more meaningful. You can tell how much pride and love she has for the campground and the people who visit.
If you’re looking for a beautiful, relaxing place to stay in Olympia with a personal touch that you just don’t get at the big commercial campgrounds, we highly recommend American Heritage Campground. We’re grateful we got to meet Rita and experience a little piece of her family’s history. We’ll definitely be back!
Edit: we walked around in the morning and found the farm (sheep and chickens), frisbee golf, horse shoes, volleyball and a pavilion. This would be such a fun spot in the summer!
- Charlie Y.Guide
Toutle River RV Resort
Cross country travelers
Decent campground....Ideal location for visiting Mt St Helens....clean, safe, secure.....only issue is locating shower house etc...we ended up using the RV for our needs....full hookups...reasonably priced....easy late evening check in however they should do an upgrade to their campground maps they hand out with check in package...Super tiny print...difficult to read....Checked in after dark which was also challenging due to the tiny print on the map....All in all a decent campground
Guide to Eatonville
Camping opportunities near Eatonville, Washington provide access to elevations ranging from 1,500 to 5,400 feet, creating varied camping conditions throughout the year. The area sits at the transition zone between lowland forests and subalpine terrain, with campgrounds receiving an average of 70-100 inches of precipitation annually. Most established campgrounds in the region remain snow-free from May through October.
What to do
Fishing at multiple lakes: The area offers diverse fishing opportunities at several campgrounds within 30 minutes of Eatonville. At Camp Lakeview, "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," according to Kira M.
Hiking from forest campgrounds: Trails adjacent to camping areas provide hiking options without driving to Mount Rainier. Sahara Creek DNR Horse Camp offers "an ADA trail is level for walking the dog. Shooting range is close by, doesn't bother me but it's pretty noisy," as noted by Fern, who adds the campground is "free WITH your Discover Pass, 7 day limit in a 30 day period."
Wildlife viewing: Many campsites offer opportunities to see deer and other wildlife in natural settings. Dash Point State Park Campground has "beautiful, forested area with plenty of trees and privacy between sites... It was quiet at night and bathrooms were clean... The beach is a short walk from camp, just long enough to make you feel like you earned your sunset view," as Saraj B. describes.
What campers like
Private campsites: Several campgrounds offer sites with good separation from neighbors. At Ike Kinswa State Park Campground, "Large sites that are pretty private. Lots of shade and trees. The bathrooms work well and were clean. Our site had a beautiful water view, but there was a trail that went by right next to the site limiting privacy," reports Caitlyn R.
Creek access: Sites along creeks are highly sought after. Big Creek Campground has sites that provide direct water access, as Audrey E. explains: "Camp sites are very spacious and much more private than Cougar Rock. Site#6 was right on the creek(it looked like 1-6 were). Pit toilets were smelly but very clean for what they are(but bring hand sanitizer!)."
Well-maintained facilities: Campers appreciate clean bathrooms and showers. Elkamp Eastcreek gets high marks for "very clean with the nicest campground bathrooms we have ever experienced. The shower is coin-operated so bring quarters if you wish to use," notes Shannon H., who adds it's "within minutes of the Nisquilly entrance" to Mount Rainier.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Different campgrounds have varied reservation policies. Rocky Point Campground is "great for everyone who is looking for a decent, no-frills campground. Located a short distance from Mt Rainier NP, this is the perfect springboard for any NP adventure or chillax getaway," according to Kristyn E.
Campsite terrain: Not all sites are level, which affects tent placement and RV parking. Eugene C. at Alder Lake Campground notes, "Our site had a slope so the table and tent was on a tilt. Water nearby, bathrooms clean, trash picked up regularly, water was hot!"
Seasonal differences: Many campgrounds change significantly with water levels throughout the year. Natashinka C. describes how at Alder Lake Campground "the dam in Tacoma was partially drained causing a 'low tide' which exposed the dirt and poor beach area... usually when water is at normal level the beach is all sand and water is clean and clear."
Tips for camping with families
Play areas: Several campsites near Eatonville offer dedicated spaces for children. According to Nicole P. at Alder Lake Park, "There are trails to explore, a sandy beach area that is also for public access, a boat launch and boat dock. The water is that beautiful blue/green glacier water."
Kid-friendly swimming: Designated swimming areas provide safer water recreation. Ashley Y. notes Alder Lake Park is "close to Northwest Trek and Mt. Rainer. Excellent location to do both! However there's enough scenery and wildlife to enjoy yourself just at Alder lake. The park is large with a play ground and beach area."
Creek exploration: Small children enjoy shallow creek access at several sites. Marcus M. describes Big Creek Campground as a "Great place to camp for our summer trips to Mt. Rainer! We have 2 little ones, so the close proximity to a small creek was great for the kids. Manager of camp was friendly and even entertained my kids Bigfoot questions!"
Tips from RVers
Site access challenges: Some campgrounds have narrow roads that make maneuvering difficult. At Alder Lake Campground, Cande D. notes "Roads are a touch narrow in places. The 1-to-40 sites campground is laid out in a loop. The turn at the end is very tight for 35-foot motor home towing."
Site leveling: Many RVers report needing to level their vehicles. Cande D. continues, "Our site#10 dropped 13 inches between the rear and front axle. A few Lego blocks and jack pads addressed the problem. The campground is on a small hill. Few of the sites are level."
Solar considerations: Shade affects solar panel effectiveness at many campsites near Eatonville. At Sahara Creek DNR Horse Camp, Fern explains, "I depend 100% on solar. There is deep shade in all camp spots, I chose a fairly sunny spot, but it wasn't enough to charge my batteries. Just a heads up."
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time of year to go camping in Eatonville, Washington?
What is the best time of year to go camping in Eatonville, Washington?
The best time for camping in Eatonville is June through September when weather is most reliable. Seaquest State Park Campground and other nearby campgrounds experience optimal conditions during this period with comfortable temperatures and less rainfall. However, early summer in western Washington can sometimes be cool and wet, as noted by campers visiting Hells Crossing Campground near Mount Rainier National Park. July and August typically offer the warmest, driest conditions with temperatures in the 70-80°F range. September brings beautiful fall colors but cooler temperatures. May and early October can be pleasant but expect more precipitation and cooler nights.
Where are the best campgrounds near Eatonville, WA?
Where are the best campgrounds near Eatonville, WA?
The Eatonville area offers excellent camping options with stunning natural settings. Alder Lake Campground provides quiet sites with trees throughout, clean bathrooms, and a loop layout accommodating RVs up to 35 feet. For riverside camping, Silver Springs Campground is highly recommended, with well-spaced sites and beautiful riverside locations (sites 2-10 are closest to the water). Other notable options include Alder Lake Park for boat access and Rocky Point Campground for those seeking water activities. Most campgrounds in the area provide access to Mount Rainier National Park's spectacular hiking trails and outdoor recreation opportunities.
What amenities are available at Rocky Point Campground in Eatonville?
What amenities are available at Rocky Point Campground in Eatonville?
Rocky Point Campground offers boat-in and drive-in access, making it ideal for water recreation enthusiasts. The campground provides basic but essential amenities including potable water and toilet facilities. Sites are reservable, which is recommended during peak season to secure your spot. The campground is big-rig friendly, accommodating larger RVs and trailers. For those seeking additional amenities nearby, Dash Point State Park Campground offers clean, beautifully laid-out sites with friendly staff and is worth considering as an alternative. Rocky Point's location provides good access to outdoor activities in the Eatonville area and serves as a convenient base for exploring the region.
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