RV camping options near Federal Way, Washington sit between the urban amenities of the Puget Sound region and natural attractions including Mount Rainier to the southeast. The area's moderate maritime climate allows for year-round camping with temperatures typically ranging from 40-75°F. Many campgrounds in this region feature a mix of old-growth trees and developed facilities while maintaining proximity to urban conveniences.
What to do
Hiking access: Lake Pleasant RV Park provides excellent access to regional trails. "Around the perimeter of the park are short hiking trails through the trees — somewhat steep gravel trails that give you an added level of workout over laps around the park. If you're looking for some extra miles, the walk/run to the Samammish River trail and/or Burke Gilman trail is less than 2 miles down the road," notes a visitor to Lake Pleasant RV Park.
Lake recreation: Several campgrounds offer water activities minutes from your site. "This is a very pleasant and nice place to stay, quiet and set up around a pond. Lots of geese, ducks, and bunnies are around the property," reports a camper about Lake Pleasant RV Park's on-site water features.
Mountain views: Campgrounds on the eastern side of Federal Way provide better access to Mount Rainier. One camper at Enumclaw Expo Center RV Park described it as a "nice older park at the base of Mt. Rainier" with access to nearby attractions.
Shopping convenience: Many RV sites near Federal Way offer proximity to shopping. "This RV park is across the street from a Safeway which was very convenient. Also very close to some excellent restaurants in Bothell," notes a Lake Pleasant visitor, highlighting the urban-adjacent camping that distinguishes this area.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Many campers highlight the well-maintained restrooms and showers. At Tall Chief Campground, reviewers specifically note, "Bathrooms are usually found to be immaculate. The main bathrooms have a great 'spa' feeling to their design and make you feel like you are glamping."
Spacious sites: Unlike some urban campgrounds, several parks near Federal Way offer generous spacing. "Great camp site for all sizes... if you enjoy a little distance between sites without sacrificing camp size line up here," mentioned one camper about Tall Chief Campground.
Staff assistance: First-time RVers often appreciate the helpful personnel. "Mike the grounds master was more than happy to help us park and hook up. He was super nice and answered all of our questions," said a new RVer staying at Cove RV Park & Country Store.
Pet accommodations: While policies vary, most campgrounds welcome pets with designated areas. A visitor to Lake Pleasant noted, "They also have a small storage lot that can accommodate short storage. I camped, stored my camper while I went on a cruise, camped and then headed out."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Many Federal Way area RV parks have shifted to longer-term requirements. At Midway Village RV Park, a caller reported "They're a long term only location with 6 months or more as the minimum stay." Contact campgrounds well ahead of time, especially for shorter visits.
Age restrictions: Some parks near Federal Way limit older vehicles. "It looks really nice but they don't allow drop-ins or vehicles older than 20 yrs," noted a visitor to Enumclaw Expo Center RV Park, a policy becoming more common at developed campgrounds in the region.
Noise considerations: Highway proximity affects several campgrounds. A reviewer at Issaquah Village RV Park stated, "I'll start with the thing to be aware of: you'll be camping 200' from I-90. But we found our ear plugs did a good job of quieting that noise enough for us to get a good sleep."
Cell reception variations: Connectivity can vary significantly even within the same campground. A Tall Chief Campground reviewer noted, "I'm getting 120+ mbs download on AT&T in my site right now, but several sites down from me, it can dwindle down to 5mbs!"
Tips for camping with families
Playground availability: Not all RV parks near Federal Way cater to children. A camper at Sun Outdoors Gig Harbor observed it was "Pet friendly, but not many attractions for children (no playground, no pool)." Check amenities before booking with kids.
Activity options: Some parks offer more recreational facilities. "The pool, miniature golf, playground and basketball were great," wrote a visitor about Tall Chief Campground, making it more suitable for families with children.
Urban exploration base: For families visiting Seattle, several parks provide convenient access. One family staying at Trailer Inns noted, "This is a perfect place for dropping your mobile hotel room and explore Seattle and the surrounding areas... We have 5 kids and wanted to explore the area without having to travel for more than 10-15min to downtown Seattle."
Budget planning: Many parks charge extra for amenities. "Showers were kind of gross even for a campground. There are only 2 public restrooms for the entire large park," noted a visitor to South Prairie Creek RV Park, emphasizing the importance of understanding what's included.
Tips from RVers
Sewer limitations: Not all parks offer full hookups. "No sewer connections which can be a bummer, but the nice bathrooms make up for it," mentioned a Tall Chief Campground visitor. Some parks like Tall Chief offer honey wagon service or dump stations as alternatives.
Leveling challenges: Site grading varies significantly between parks. As one South Prairie Creek RV Park visitor noted, "Pretty nice park for a quick stopover or base camp. No picnic tables and only a small outdoor area. Almost everyone at this campground just stayed in their campers all day."
Power requirements: Electrical capabilities differ among RV sites near Federal Way. "The majority of the sites are only 30 amp with antiquated posts. There are a few 50 amp sites but from what I saw they were all taken by RVers that are there on a more permanent basis," cautioned a Tall Chief Campground visitor.
Dog walking rules: Some parks have strict pet relief policies. An Issaquah Village RV Park reviewer explained, "You must walk your dogs off site across the street to relieve themselves. Some reviewers are bajiggity about this but it's the Burke Gilman trail and it's not like you are having to cross a busy street."
