Gold Bar, Washington offers tent camping options ranging from drive-in sites to free primitive areas in surrounding forests, making it a practical base for tent campers at multiple price points. Wallace Falls State Park Campground offers walk-in tent sites within a state park setting, while Mountain Loop Highway Dispersed Camp provides free primitive camping along the river. San Juan Campground operates seasonally from May to September with tent sites that include drinking water and toilet access.
Tent campers should note that many sites require Northwest Forest Passes or backcountry permits, particularly at locations like Gothic Basin and Barclay Lake. Access varies considerably—San Juan Campground has drive-in sites, while Gothic Basin requires a challenging hike with significant elevation gain. Facilities are minimal throughout the region, with most dispersed sites lacking toilets or potable water. Fire restrictions are common during summer months, especially in more remote backcountry areas. Wallace Falls offers more developed amenities with access to clean bathrooms, though reviews indicate some sites are limited to two walk-up spots with few trees for hammocks.
The backcountry tent sites at Gothic Basin provide exceptional alpine scenery for experienced hikers willing to carry camping gear uphill. One camper described it as "the most incredible hike I have ever done, and made better by spending the night below the milky way." The Mountain Loop Highway corridor features numerous riverside tent campsites where campers can find seclusion. However, conditions vary based on seasonal traffic and weather. According to one visitor, "The better spots were once the road turned to gravel, found a spot by the stream, parked the car to protect us." The South Fork Sauk River area offers more spacious tent sites with fire rings, though summer campers should prepare for dust from passing vehicles on the gravel road.
"I picked enough berries to share with my crew. There is nothing better than perfectly ripe blackberries on a camping ⛺️ trip."
"We arrived and only had hammocks to camp in and the two walk up sites did not provides trees to manage our hammocks."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $12 - $61 / night
"According to the researchers at the Whale Museum (located in the lighthouse at Limekiln Point SP), the orcas that we saw were the first resident orcas spotted that season!"
"Easy to find and peaceful next to the river. No noise from the road."
"Even on the gravel section most are pull-offs or quite close to the road. They are dispersed sites so no amenities. Most are close or have access to the Sauk River."
"Pros: nice one backpacks there, so you have all the room in the world, and privacy too. Incredible view. Ready access to glacial melt streams for filtering (and swimming 😉)."
"My sister and I hiked to the basin and then another mile over rock faces to Foggy Lake to camp for the night."
"Went here in the snow but this place is a great hike in spot. Not too long of a hike and has very rewarding views."
"Half way along the mountain loop highway you encounter numerous spacious tent sites with fire rings and gorgeous river & Mountain View camp grounds."
"All had fire rings, and quite a few had spare firewood from previous occupants. Thanks, all!"
"The sites were secluded from one another within a beautiful forest, the toilet was clean and fairly close to the sites, parking was easy and the host was a total gem! Highly highly reccomended :-)"
from $35 - $65 / night
"Overall, if you want something in between drive in camping and backpacking, this is it."
"Camped on a yurt tent pad here and it was awesome. Alpacas and other animals. Mellow and fun!"
Available this weekend
from $35 - $149 / night
from $90 - $100 / night
TravelerNice campground, well maintained and rangers often patrol the campsite loops. Bathrooms are nice but dated, but quite expensive campground. Paying in-person was $49 for an RV spot with utilities, but booking online was $69 for the same site. Can be busy on the weekend.
ScoutThis place is so nice. We felt welcomed as soon as we walked to the check-in desk. Dave and Victoria are so kind. This place is so nice and neat and clean. They have a pool and a hot tub which is a plus and a sauna. It was very nice to be able to chatter with them and joke back-and-forth like they were old friends. You can’t go wrong staying here. The only thing is I hate to tell anyone how nice it is cause then I might not be able to get in.
ScoutMy review is from my own experience but there are numerous other reviews that express my same sentiments. I was there 7 years and only had infractions during one month. (all from the same ranger) and one speeding infraction.
Port Susan Camping Resort has been a bad experience for me and presently turned to bitter. I sold my lot but the check got lost in the mail. I asked the sales agent to replace the check and I have waited approximately 35 days! I finally asked the board to intervene. This is bad business. This is a sample of the treatment or abuse I was given at Port Susan from the sales office. Replacing a check is easy and the money is not even drawn on Port Susan, it comes from the buyer. What would happen if I were paid but the buyer could not access the lot or wasn't given a gate pass or if the sales had to wait for their commission for 35 days after the sale? I was treated so unfairly! They showed me lots for sale with BLACK MOLD.I would think I am being targeted once again but there are many complaints that have been filed about poor management, unfair fines and being targeted if you speak up. The only recourse you have is to go to Tribal court since Port Susan Camping resort is Tribal owned. If you ask me this is a conflict of interest? Bottom line, absolute power leads to absolute corruption. Port Susan is like living under communist rule: The board took a vote to install 50 amp service, the members voted against it because most trailers use 30 amp. The 50 amp was installed any way and members have to pay for it. I spoke up on Campers Chat, but PSCC has the right to determine what will be allowed to be viewed. Freedom of Speech, NOT sat Port Susan. Members have to be careful who they speak to, if they speak against unfair fines to one of"them" they will be targeted. I have been targeted by one ranger who gave me 1200.00 worth of fines in one month. There used to be one ranger who patrolled lots 24 hours a day now there are 2 or 3. You are under constant survelience and fined for violations. Port Susan changes the rules constantly. One example, the road going downhill to the laundra mat and mailbox changed the speed limit to 5 miles per hour. Try going down a hill at 5 miles per hour. I was fined 200.00 at 5:00 am. This was thrown out because no one could do this but later going down hill to the front gate is a radar controlled system. I accidentally was going 17 mph in a 15 mph and was fined 400.00 for going over the speed limit for a 2nd infraction! no where in this country has fines like this but PSCC has unlimited power and no jusidiction. If you take it Tribal Court,( they lease the land to Port Susan you can be held liable to pay the attorney fees against Port Susan. There is less than 30 years on the lease so your membership is a poor investment. Not to mention that they have water pipe problems and boil water warnings posted periodically. If they decide to change all the water pipes the members will pay. I had rats get into my trucks. One was towed to Toyota and they found a rat. The rats got into the cab. I replaced this truck with a brand new Honda and during an oil change was notified that rat tracks were found all over my distributor cover and it was only at my site for 2 weeks!!! Many members tell the truth once they leave and abuse and mistreatment is the norm. THIS IS A FEAR BASED COMMUNITY Good luck with your purchase
TravelerThe heated bathrooms with showers were definitely comfort on our cross country road trip. We arrived after hours but because we already had made reservations that morning we were able to use the slider and enter the campground. Star gazing is always top priority. We headed down to the lake’s beach to snap some shots with my iPhone 14 Pro night, setting on a tripod and remote.
LegendThe dispersed sites are on the narrow, gravel section. There are a few on the paved area but most have been blocked off. Even on the gravel section most are pull-offs or quite close to the road. They are dispersed sites so no amenities. Most are close or have access to the Sauk River. The road and TH’s were very busy but cleared out as evening settled in.
LegendRoad closures due to a bridge out closed off probably the better sites up top but we did find a great spot off the road with a view. Enjoyed a nice evening under the stars and a campfire.
ScoutIt IS a pretty, private, moderately priced rv park. Too bad -- there is a note announcing their permanent closure 10/31/2026. Enjoy it while you can!
ScoutJust a car park. Do not go to the front of the casino as there are over hanging branches that that can scratch your RV.
ScoutI 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.
Tent camping near Gold Bar, Washington concentrates in areas along the Mountain Loop Highway and surrounding national forest land. The region sits at elevations ranging from 500 to 3,000 feet, creating varied camping conditions across seasons. Winter camping requires cold-weather gear while summer months bring moderate temperatures in the 70s-80s°F with occasional rain even during dry periods.
Hiking trails access: Several campgrounds serve as basecamps for hiking. Wallace Falls State Park Campground offers "The hike to Wallace Falls (lower & upper) is moderate & enjoyable. The 'wooded hike' meanders along the Wallace River, which is said to have salmon & steelhead in August," according to Josiah P.
Creekside activities: Squire Creek Park & Campground features water access for cooling off. As Mindy P. notes, "Love playing the creek. Campsites are nicely spaced and private enough."
Stargazing opportunities: High elevation sites offer excellent night sky viewing. Barclay Lake campsites require a Northwest Forest Pass but reward hikers with "very rewarding views," as Shariah T. mentions.
Solitude: The Mountain Loop Highway dispersed camping areas provide quiet settings. Jamie E. describes it as "Easy to find and peaceful next to the river. No noise from the road."
River access: Many sites feature water proximity. Jennifer H. describes South Fork Sauk River camping: "Half way along the mountain loop highway you encounter numerous spacious tent sites with fire rings and gorgeous river & Mountain View camp grounds."
Alpine scenery: Gothic Basin requires a challenging hike but delivers extraordinary views. Eric notes it's a "Pretty strenuous hike with gear but worth every step. Lots of waterfalls on the ascent and the basin has epic views."
Site availability: Many campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. For San Juan Campground, John W. mentions it's "Quiet and scenic along the North Fork of the Skykomish river. First come first served."
Road conditions: The Mountain Loop Highway transitions from paved to gravel. Melisande M. warns about South Fork Sauk River: "The Mountain Loop Highway is gravel and dirt through here, and many people travel too fast on it and kick up a lot of dust. This gets everywhere."
Navigation challenges: Finding specific dispersed sites can be difficult. Bobby J. cautions about Mountain Loop Highway dispersed camping: "The directions had me believing that the dispersed camping was just various pull offs on the highway loop... After driving to North Cascades I discovered that there was real dispersed camping on that road but probably 45 minutes to an hour past where the coordinates took you."
Beginner backpacking: For families wanting to try backpacking without committing to a long trek, Monte Cristo Campground provides a middle ground. Paul T. explains, "If you want something in between drive in camping and backpacking, this is it."
Berry picking: Seasonal fruits add fun for kids. At Wallace Falls State Park Campground, "If camping in July-August, blackberries abound! I picked enough berries to share with my crew," says Josiah P.
County parks alternative: When state parks fill up, consider county options. Annie B. was surprised by Squire Creek: "Reservable campsites, mature forest, 2 hours from Seattle, not full on Labor Day weekend! I didn't know that existed."
Small rig access only: Most campgrounds have limitations for larger vehicles. At Paca Pride Guest Ranch, campers can find electric hookups and thirty-amp service, but the ranch isn't big-rig friendly.
Site selection matters: Choose RV sites carefully in forested campgrounds. Patti C. advises about Squire Creek: "If camping in a trailer, take special note of accessibility of the site by checking out the campground map... The site we chose was based on length but it was narrow, with a tree branch that kept us from going further back on the site and some tricky turns to get to it."
Seasonal road access: Winter conditions limit access to many campgrounds. The Mountain Loop Highway often closes seasonally due to snow, making tent camping near Gold Bar best between late spring and early fall for most locations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Gold Bar, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Gold Bar, WA is Wallace Falls State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 3 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 59 tent camping locations near Gold Bar, WA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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