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 Yelm, WA
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Camping near Yelm, WA ranges from full-hookup RV parks and lakefront sites to tent-only areas shaded by old-growth forest, all within a 30-minute drive. Millersylvania State Park, located about 15 miles northwest of Yelm, offers year-round camping with tent sites, RV hookups, cabins, and yurts set among old-growth forests and a freshwater lake. Alder Lake Park provides lakefront camping with boat access and full hookups for RVs. American Heritage Campground in nearby Olympia combines traditional camping amenities with cabin rentals. Military personnel have additional options at Joint Base Lewis-McChord facilities, including Lewis North Travel Camp and Holiday Park, which provide specialized accommodations for service members and their families.
Washington State Parks in the region require a Discover Pass for day use, currently priced at $30 annually, though overnight campers typically pay separate camping fees. Most established campgrounds in the area maintain year-round operations, though services may be reduced during winter months. Reservations are strongly recommended during summer weekends when facilities regularly reach capacity. As one camper noted about Millersylvania State Park: "This is a very nice, typical Washington state park with plenty of trees, greenery, hiking pathways and even a lake. It's just far enough off I-5 to not have the freeway noise, but close enough to be convenient." Cell service varies throughout the region, with better coverage at campgrounds closer to Olympia and Tacoma.
Privacy levels differ significantly between campgrounds and specific loops within them. RV sites often feature less seclusion than tent-only areas. According to visitor reviews, tent sites at many state parks offer more tree coverage and separation between campers. Campground amenities typically include fire rings, picnic tables, and access to potable water. Most established sites provide flush toilets and showers, while some feature camp stores selling firewood and basic supplies. The region's typical Pacific Northwest climate means campers should prepare for rain possibilities even during summer months. Proximity to Mount Rainier National Park makes many of these campgrounds convenient basecamps for day trips to explore the mountain's hiking trails and visitor centers.
Best Campgrounds near Yelm (266)
1. Millersylvania State Park Campground
"This is a very nice, typical Washington state park with plenty of trees, greenery, hiking, pathways and even a lake."
"This is a beautiful park located on Deep Lake just outside of Olympia. The park itself is huge offering lots of options for campers. "
from $12 - $140 / night
Check Availability2. 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 Availability3. American Heritage Campground
"We had a little trouble finding this spot because an industrial area moved in around the campground. Signs tell you where it is, but it feels wrong."
"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."
from $40 - $60 / night
Check Availability4. Riverbend Campground
"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."
"We needed something close to the city, but didn’t want to feel like we were in the city, this fit the bill. People are very friendly and accommodating. The park is really clean."
5. 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 Availability6. Elkamp Eastcreek
"Rainier as it is within minutes of the Nisquilly entrance. The majority of the campsites were amid tall trees. "
"The sites are situated amongst beautiful tall trees, spacious and private. A beautiful creek runs through with a foot bridge with access to a beautiful meadow."
from $25 - $40 / night
Check Availability7. Lewis North Travel Camp - Joint Base Lewis McChord
"Very friendly next to the lake plenty of things to do walking, biking, hiking, fishing, Military museums, not to far off of I-5. Full hookups laundry shower facilities. Cabins too."
"Unfortunately the restrooms right next to our site were closed so it was a slight walk to the nearest restroom. Restrooms were heated and well taken care of."
from $12 - $35 / night
Check Availability8. The Healing Farm
"The kids was in Awh with all the animals and how they would let you walk up to them and interact with them."
from $60 / night
Check Availability9. Holiday Park Military - Lewis McChord Base
"Excellent location for those with military access to the base - active duty, retired or family. 30/50 amp hookups. Beautiful views of American Lake. Pet friendly."
"It is in the wilderness, on the lake, but it is also fairly close to stores and gas stations. Long term max is 28 days per spot."
10. Olympia Campground
"Easy access to sound paved road pedestrian underpass. Great camp host and nearby ranger station. Nearby Brinnon Wa. Some restaurants and oyster raising areas locally."
"The staff was so friendly and the surroundings fairly peaceful and wooded. This isn’t fancy, and there are quite a few long-timers, but it was as expected."
Drive Time
- 24 min from Olympia, WA
- 57 min from Bremerton, WA
- 1 hr 2 min from Seattle, WA
- 1 hr 17 min from Longview, WA
Recent Camping Photos near Yelm, WA
358 Photos of 266 Yelm Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Recent Reviews near Yelm, WA
1290 Reviews of 266 Yelm 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.
Matt G.
GuideNF-2419 Dispersed Site
Little pulloff good for a night
The roads were fair to get to it, little bumpy. Right off road but not alot of traffic. You do have cell coverage here so thats nice. Bring anything you want of need, nothings but trees and the sky are close.
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!
- MMichael G.Traveler
Minerva Beach RV & Mobile Village Resort
Poorly Managed
There is single camp-host here, the facility’s are in a deep state of disrepair, and the campground is overcrowded when full.
Guide to Yelm
Camping near Yelm, Washington offers year-round options with most sites sitting at elevations between 500-800 feet in the foothills leading toward Mount Rainier. The area experiences a mild maritime climate with summer temperatures typically ranging from 70-85°F and winter lows rarely dropping below 25°F. Rainfall averages 50 inches annually, with the driest camping conditions occurring from July through September.
What to do
Hiking accessible trails: Several campgrounds provide direct access to forest paths suitable for various skill levels. At Millersylvania State Park Campground, visitors can explore old-growth forests via well-maintained trails. "Lots of walking trails and a lake. Many families and kids running free," notes Anna P., who appreciates the park's natural setting and amenities.
Lake activities: Paddle boating, fishing, and swimming opportunities exist at several campgrounds within 30 minutes of Yelm. "The lake 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 as well as a fishing dock," explains Ellen T. about Millersylvania's water features.
Wildlife viewing: The dense forests and wetland areas support diverse wildlife. At The Healing Farm, campers can interact with farm animals in a unique setting. "The kids were in awe with all the animals and how they would let you walk up to them and interact with them. The goats were awesome, they would spend all day out at our camp," reports Rebecca A.
What campers like
Private sites: Many campgrounds offer secluded spots despite being relatively close to urban areas. At Elkamp Eastcreek, "Sites are fairly large & private with tons of old trees and right next to a creek," according to Ariel & John W., who appreciated the natural separation between campsites.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms and facilities rank high on camper satisfaction. "Elkamp was very clean with the nicest campground bathrooms we have ever experienced," notes Shannon H. The campground provides coin-operated showers and designated dish washing stations.
Easy access to Mount Rainier: Campers appreciate locations that serve as convenient basecamps for national park exploration. As Gary D. mentions about Sasquatch Farm, it's the "Perfect base camp to explore Mt Rainier." This proximity allows for day trips without the higher costs of staying within the national park boundaries.
What you should know
Seasonal water levels: Water features may change significantly throughout the year. At Alder Lake Park, one camper noted: "Only damper to this year was 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."
Noise considerations: While most campgrounds feel remote, some have audible human activity. "You might hear a bit of road noise, depending on your site. But it's a small price to pay for a low-effort, high-reward camping weekend," reports Saraj B. about Dash Point State Park.
Cell service variability: Connectivity differs widely between locations. At Millersylvania State Park, Christina F. reports "We had decent service for Verizon," while another camper notes "beautiful campsite, amazing trails just no cell service." Plan accordingly if you need to stay connected.
Tips for camping with families
Look for kid-friendly activities: Campgrounds with playgrounds, shallow swimming areas, or educational opportunities work best for families with young children. "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," explains Calvin K. about Millersylvania State Park.
Choose sites near amenities: When camping with kids, proximity to bathrooms and water sources can make a big difference. At Riverbend Campground, one visitor appreciated the "close/easy access to bathrooms, showers, potable water, and hiking trails, not to mention the numerous activities available near the lake."
Book early for summer weekends: Family-friendly sites fill quickly during peak season. As one camper mentioned, "After months of trying to get reservations for this popular campground, we finally got one for Thanksgiving weekend!" Plan ahead, especially for holiday periods.
Tips from RVers
Full hookup availability: Several campgrounds offer complete RV services within 30 minutes of Yelm. At Lewis North Travel Camp, military personnel can access "W/s/e at each site. Great stay for the price. Laundry washers work well, but driers don't heat up," according to William B.
Site access considerations: Some campgrounds have challenging site configurations. Doug from American Heritage Campground notes that some sites "have a concrete slab and fit our Jayco 174BH perfectly. This site 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."
Weather preparation: RVers should prepare for muddy conditions during wet seasons. "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. The thin layer of mud on the pavement made things quite slick as I was trying to get leveling blocks down," warns Christina F. about Millersylvania's winter conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best camping spots near Yelm, WA?
Where are the best camping spots near Yelm, WA?
The Yelm area offers excellent camping options with easy access to Mount Rainier. Alder Lake Park near Eatonville provides both boat-in and drive-in access with reservable sites, water, and toilets. For those seeking a more backcountry experience, Ipsut Creek Backcountry Campground in Mount Rainier National Park offers beautiful hiking opportunities and proximity to the national park's attractions. If you're looking for convenient overnight parking near Mount Rainier, Washington Natural Resources Parking provides a simple gravel lot that requires a Washington State Discover pass. While not perfectly level, it offers a quiet place to sleep with pickup campers or similar vehicles.
What RV parks are available near Yelm, Washington?
What RV parks are available near Yelm, Washington?
RV enthusiasts near Yelm have several good options. American Heritage Campground near Olympia offers drive-in access with reservable sites, water, toilets, and is big-rig friendly. For military members, Lewis North Travel Camp - Joint Base Lewis McChord provides convenient RV accommodations with reservable sites, water, and toilets. Dash Point State Park Campground also accommodates RVs in a clean, beautifully laid out setting with friendly volunteers and good amenities. While slightly further, the campground offers a positive experience for RV campers visiting the area.
Are there any state parks with camping facilities near Yelm?
Are there any state parks with camping facilities near Yelm?
Millersylvania State Park Campground is one of the closest state parks to Yelm, offering wooded sites and lake access. Another excellent option is Seaquest State Park Campground, which features beautiful campsites surrounded by forest. Seaquest is particularly well-positioned for exploring Mount St. Helens, with a Washington State Visitor Center accessible via a 1-mile walking trail from the campground. The park includes RV sites with hookups, tent sites, group areas, and walk-in spots. There's also a large playground and day-use area with covered shelters, making it suitable for families.
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