Looking for an adventure where you can explore Gold Bar and then fall asleep in your tent? Finding a place to camp in Washington with your tent has never been easier. Each tent site offers quick access to one or more of Gold Bar, Washington's most popular destinations.
A nice combination of sun and shade, this campground offers exploration of the North Fork of the Skykomish river when you're not sitting by the campfire roasting marshmallows.
WTA Pro Tip: This is a popular area for camping. On a sunny weekend, start early to allow plenty of time to find a site. Note that Gothic Basin is an extremely fragile area, so be sure that you're camping on an established site or sturdy surface, like rock or dirt, and avoid camping in meadows or grasses, as this can damage the landscape. You’ll also want a bear can, as there are no trees in Gothic Basin suitable for a bear line.
Close to Seattle but a world away, Camano Island Camping offers a mellow, less bustling, but equally friendly alternative to its busier neighbor, Cama Beach State Park.
Forest loop trails provide cool, tranquil hiking, while shoreline strolls offer birding, shell and rock exploration and sweeping views of Puget Sound, Olympic Mountains and Mount Rainier.
Are you happiest in or on the water? Go boating, crabbing, saltwater fishing and sailboarding in Saratoga Passage. Curious about the restored 1930's fishing resort at Cama Beach? Hike the 1-mile trail to check out this neighboring state park.
After a fun day exploring the trails or cavorting in the water, you will probably want to kick back in your forested cabin, pitch your tent or get cozy in your RV. There, you can cook up the delicious crab you have caught, or your dinner of choice, and enjoy a bit of sublime R and R before heading back to the world.
What is Dispersed Camping? Dispersed camping is the term used for camping in the National Forest OUTSIDE of a designated campground. Typically, it refers to roadside car camping, but also refers to backpacking in undeveloped sites. Dispersed camping means there are no services like trash removal, and amenities such as toilets, tables and fire pits, are not usually available.
It is your responsibility to plan ahead and learn the extra skills necessary for dispersed camping. Camping rules and regulations apply to make your experience safe, and to keep the natural resources scenic and unspoiled for other campers.
Dispersed camping along Forest Service roads is allowed where there is adequate space to safely park completely off the roadway and not on any vegetation. Whether car camping or backpacking, choose an existing campsite on bare or compacted soil. Unless signed as an area where a fee is required, dispersed camping is free. Dispersed camping is prohibited in developed campgrounds and areas posted closed or no camping. Some designated Wilderness areas have additional restrictions. For the best information on dispersed camping opportunities and local restrictions, please contact the nearest ranger district office.
Rules for Dispersed Camping These rules apply to car camping and backpacking
You may camp in a dispersed area in an individual Ranger District for up to 14 days within a 30-day period. After 14 days, you must move to another Ranger District or off the National Forest until the 30 days has elapsed.
Do not blaze new roads to campsites, create new campsites, clear ground, cut or harm vegetation or construct a trail.
Do not drive beyond constructed physical barriers, such as berms or gates.
Do not drive through streams or wetlands to access a camp.
If campfires are legal in your location and you choose to have a campfire, pick a site with an existing fire pit. Do not create new fire pits. Make sure your campfire is always attended and is dead out and cold to the touch before you leave your site. Fires may be restricted or banned based on the fire danger rating.
Follow Leave No Trace principles and come prepared to “Pack it in. Pack it out.” Pack all trash home. Dispose of human waste in a sanitary manner. In high use locations, areas above tree line and snow-covered areas it is not possible to bury human waste in a sanitary manner. It will need to be packed out and disposed of at home using a wag bag, blue bag, portable toilet or another Leave No Trace approved method.
Do not block roads or gates.
Keep food and scented items secure from wildlife by keeping a clean camp and store items in your vehicle or use a wildlife resistant storage canister.
Failure to follow regulations can lead to legal consequences. Additional Forest rules and links to report crimes can be found on our Law Enforcement page.
Dispersed camping is the term used for camping in the National Forest OUTSIDE of a designated campground. Typically, it refers to roadside car camping, but also refers to backpacking in undeveloped sites. Dispersed camping means there are no services like trash removal, and amenities such as toilets, tables and fire pits, are not usually available.
It is your responsibility to plan ahead and learn the extra skills necessary for dispersed camping. Camping rules and regulations apply to make your experience safe, and to keep the natural resource.
Hollyhock Farm is a diverse family farm on the hills of the Snoqualmie Valley. We raise a variety of animals using ethical methods that work with nature for the health of our farm and surrounding forest lands. We offer two campsites, as well as a tiny cabin.
All of our listings have a toilet available for use, trash disposal on site, potable water, and campfires are permitted (outside of burn bans.
**Please note that pets are not permitted.**
We have created an additional 1/3 mile nature trail loop for campers to explore our forest. Blackberry picking in season! Those interested in the farm itself can contact the hosts for additional info.
There is an old railroad grade walking/biking trail nearby that runs up and down the length of the Snoqualmie valley. The Snoqualmie river also offers boating, floating, and swimming opportunities. The town of Duvall is 5min away and has restaurants, shopping, and a micro brewery.
Guests love staying with us: "I would give it 6 stars if I could! This stay was magical! A little oasis in the woods, just minutes from civilization :) Phil was an excellent host, the cabin was cozy and so cute, and I will 100% be coming back! I'd love to try out the bigger campsites sometime too! But the tiny cabin and cute little downtown Duvall might just be my new favorite getaway."
$35 - $65 / night
Guide
Has tent camping and bathhouse
Traveler
Good sites for tent camping but the sites aren't great for an RV.
Ranger
A friend told me to check out Leavenworth. It was cute, but every bit the touristy type of thing I’m not a fan of. The real jewel of the area are these Wenatchee National Forest campgrounds. This one is right on the river. I think I paid $22. for a walk-in tent site (but we camped in the parking lot in our rooftop tent). The best walk in tent site is right on the river. Very relaxing. Beautifully wooded sites. Beware of bear activity.
Guide
Very disappointed. Booked and told tent sites could be driven up to. Not the case. Host was very nice. Beautiful place
Legend
Half way along the mountain loop highway you encounter numerous spacious tent sites with fire rings and gorgeous river & Mountain View camp grounds.
Traveler
The campsites are nice, large and separated. A tent pad, table, and grill is provided at the tent sites. Our house near sites. Plenty to do at jim creek while you are there!
Scout
Decent, but the facilities are a bit rundown and there were three tent sites 5 feet from my door. Staff was friendly enough and 20 mins into Seattle.
Legend
The tent sites are all walk in on a big lawn by the river. Sites are nicely spaced between one another. Each site has a fire pit and picnic table. There are some nice trees spaced in the lawn so you get shade.
It's one of my favorite spots because of the fishing access. The tent sites are right on the waterfront behind a row of foliage. The Skagit is a fishable river and spectacular when the salmon pinks run every other year. You can hear them jumping and splashing from your camp site. It's amazing.
And on your way home you have to stop by the 4B's Cafe in Concrete. Is a from scratch bakery and amazing!!!
GuideThis campground was alright to stay in. The highway right next to the KOA was very busy and noisy all night long, bring earplugs. The tent sites were a joke. You get a small square in a grid of 16 or so squares. Our 10x10 tent took up more than half of the tent site. The neighbor’s tent was 4 feet from ours, offering little to no privacy. The WiFi barely worked, but the showers were nice. The back showers are private rooms which are really nice, especially when camping with little ones to keep them contained. There’s no water or electric hookups for tent campers in the little squares, I had to fill my jug up from a hose on the side of the main building. To access the WiFi you have to make an account, which was annoying also.
TravelerStayed in the tent sites ONLY area. Lunch green grass with a fire pit. Shared shelter if needed due to weather with 2 grills for use. Great trees to hang the hammock!
Legend
Jake from the Dyrt here! The tent sites at Hearth Street Properties offer secluded spots near the water, with conveniences like restaurants nearby. Check them out and share some pics from your trip on the Dyrt!
Traveler
Absolutely beautiful sites both near and almost at the beach. Some say that the beachside sites can be windy. We had a beachside RV site without any issues. The tent sites are tucked into the woods.
Scout
We got there a bit late in the evening but managed to set up camp quickly. We did tent camping and the ground was actually nicely flat and made for a good tent platform. The bathroom was well maintained and there was a picnic table at each location we saw along with a fire pit. Overall it was a good trip and would gladly return once more.
Traveler
We stayed in the tent camping area. RV section looks very nice too. Had a great time, but next visit will select a site in the lower loop, further away from the interstate noise. Lots of trails for walking/biking and a swim area. Access to the upper stretch of the Yakima River. Clean restrooms and varied site size.
Ranger
The hike and Bike area is not easily located because it is set apart from the other campsites. Showers are included in the fee and restrooms are clean. Tent site includes a table and fire pit. Campground is right on the water with a convenience store about a quarter mile away. Seems to be popular with day visitors.
Traveler
Wonderful place to camp during autumn. Beautiful colors. Arrived for the last weekend before gates were closed (Closed noon Monday 10/11) A lot of no show reservations, recommend coming Saturday morning and taking the pick of the crop. Very close to amazing hikes and Leavenworth. Camp hosts were helpful, bathrooms were clean and comfortable. Fires were permitted, cold at night this time of year but many sites were still tent camping.
Legend
There are several pullout towards the end of the Middle Fork Road that offer access to the river and dispersed tent campsites. These are in National Forest Land NOT in DNR land where dispersed camping has different regulations.
Great views of the river and the mountains above. No facilities and no cell-reception.
Guide
We stayed in a tiny house at this campsite, and had a great time exploring the local area. The campground also offers plenty of RV and tent sites. There are quite a few amenities as well including a pool and WiFi.
About 30 minutes from Leavenworth, this campground is a great launchpad for some unforgettable adventures. We look forward to coming back to explore even more!
ScoutThis campground is beautiful! We had a site on the Mountain Loop Hwy side, so the road noise was kind of bothersome. If you’re lucky enough to get a site along the river, I don’t think the road noise would be a problem. The campground has beach access, fishing access, running water, and indoor plumbing (no showers, but sinks and toilets). It was a little stressful watching people trying to get their RV’s through the tight loop of the roadway lined with trees. We were tent camping though, so we didn’t have that issue personally. Would definitely return to this campground.
Guide
This is a nice little place. The tent sites aren’t great. It’s worth the 10 bucks to upgrade. They were very nice and helpful. Connie is fantastic if you call and book. lots of trees and trails. They have a neat suspension bridge and a trail that leads to the river and one that leads to town. Close enough to town to be convenient, but far enough away that you aren’t bothered by noise. Showers and bathrooms were ok but clean. Loved staying here.
Ranger
Great spot for living by the water for a few days. Plenty to do as long as you're into beach-combing, hiking, crabbing, fishing, kayaking, or just watching the water. There's a sweet spot late summer when you can add berry-picking to the activities list. It gets quite busy, but not as overrun as other parks in the islands. This place is ideal for tent camping and hiking around the green trails with pretty awesome views of the sound. If you'd rather go RV/cabin experience, you might be better off down the road at Cama (?) I think.
ScoutOverall we had a good time here, river is close by for water playing, and there is a playground for kids in the park. Grocery store is only two minutes away which makes it super convenient. However, the tent campsites have no shades, so on a sunny day it can get really hot. It's not a place where you can spend much time at the campsite during the day in my opinion.
RangerNestled along a creek, close to popular Lake Wenatchee, this is a great place to camp if you want to spend time at the Lake, but do not want to deal with the "loop crowds".
Sites have picnic tables, firepits, and grills.
Tip: Tent Sites 52-56 are the best (along the creek, a little spaced out) 50-51 are close to each other. Half of the campsites are now reservation and half are first come first serve. It is also a seasonal campground, so check before you go to make sure it's open.
Ranger
Stopped to check out Goose Creek Campground which was pretty much empty when we got there, but had loads of trash left behind by previous campers. The waterfront sites were awesome and you had your pick between tent sites right at the creek's edge or some more spacious sites that could accommodate RVs and trailers up higher overlooking the water. IMO the creekside sites are the better ones if you can score them since passing cars would kick up the fine dust in the dirt lot RV/trailer sites.
GuideUtility site #1 flanks the beach and is probably best in the place. #2, #3, #4 are IMO best after that as they move away from the beach and then curve around in ascending order.
Some neighbor noise, sites are close, but was not busy. Plenty of first come first serve spots available in off-season. Tent sites are up on the hill shrowded in trees, so more shelter but fewer views. Depends on what you're after.
T-mobile 5G: solid, 3bars, 50-80mbps
ATT LTE: similar.
Listen for owls, watch for fishermen crawlers in the AM.
LegendHoward Miller Steelhead is luxury camping. Lots of spots for RV's, but not a lot of trees. Paved roads everywhere. There are only a few tent sites, but they are right along a beautiful river. Again, no trees between sites though. When looking for a site in the dark, I definitely stumbled across a few other people's spots. I'm more of a rustic person, so this campsite wasn't for me. But it's location is great - it's right along the North Cascades Highway. The backdrop of the mountains is beautiful. Sorry no pictures. I was on my way to a rustic backpacking trip before sunrise.
RangerOverall pretty great! Gorgeous views of the sound!! Price was perfect. The location was ideal for me as a stop off before the Olympics. I was able to load up on supplies and ready my gear. My tent campsite was generously sized, had a picnic table and a fire ring. I gave it 4 stars for two reasons. The campground was loud BUT it was fully of happy campers so it’s hard to be mad about that. Second was the toilet for the campground was out of order so they brought in a biffy. The biffy was gross and not well maintained.
Tent camping near Gold Bar, Washington, offers a blend of stunning natural beauty and a variety of outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventurous getaway, there are several well-reviewed spots to pitch your tent.
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 San Juan Campground with a 4.8-star rating from 4 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Gold Bar, WA?
TheDyrt.com has all 60 tent camping locations near Gold Bar, WA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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