Tent camping near Granite Falls, Washington ranges from free dispersed sites along the Mountain Loop Highway to reservable established campgrounds. Located at approximately 1,200 feet elevation, this area features dense coniferous forests and several river systems providing waterside camping opportunities. Winter camping here requires preparation for temperatures that often drop below freezing from November through March.
What to do
Hiking to waterfalls: Access Wallace Falls State Park for waterfall views within a moderate hike. "The 'wooded hike' meanders along the Wallace River, which is said to have salmon & steelhead in August. The waterfalls are beautiful & well worth the hike," notes a Wallace Falls State Park Campground visitor.
Fishing opportunities: The South Fork Stillaguamish and Sauk Rivers near Granite Falls offer seasonal fishing. Many campsites along the Mountain Loop Highway provide river access points. "Easy to find and peaceful next to the river. No noise from the road," reports a Mountain Loop Hway Dispersed Camp user.
Berry picking: Wild berries grow abundantly in summer months around camping areas. "If camping in July-August, blackberries abound! I picked enough berries to share with my crew. There is nothing better than perfectly ripe blackberries on a camping trip," shares a Wallace Falls visitor.
What campers like
Forest immersion: Many campsites feature dense old-growth surroundings. "Had the whole park to our selves. Beautiful old growth forest with a river," reports a winter visitor to Squire Creek Park & Campground.
Waterside sites: Campers often seek spots adjacent to creeks and rivers. "Easy enough to access right off the mountain loop highway. Meandering sites along the river with good logs for benches and fire rings made from forest rocks," describes a Mountain Loop Highway camper.
Secluded tent platforms: Some private campgrounds offer prepared tent sites away from other campers. "Camped on a yurt tent pad here and it was awesome. Alpacas and other animals. Mellow and fun!" shares a Paca Pride Guest Ranch guest.
What you should know
Road conditions: The Mountain Loop Highway transitions to gravel, affecting site quality and accessibility. "The directions had me believing that the dispersed camping was just various pull offs on the highway loop and that's where I stayed... Once the highway turned into a gravel road is when I started seeing nice dispersed campsites," advises a Mountain Loop Highway camper.
Facility limitations: Many campgrounds have seasonal or limited facilities. "During the early evening of our first night, they came and locked the bathrooms leaving the entire campground with one, well used portable toilet," reports a Squire Creek visitor.
Road noise: Sites closer to main roads experience traffic disturbance. "We had carefully selected our site to be away from the road but we were unsuccessful in escaping the sound," notes a Squire Creek camper about highway noise.
Tips for camping with families
Park-based activities: Community parks offer amenities for children while tent camping. "We visit this park frequently as it is great for the kids. It's clean and has bathrooms available!" notes a Paine Field Community Park visitor.
Animal encounters: Certain campgrounds feature farm animals that appeal to children. Paca Pride Guest Ranch offers alpaca interactions as part of their camping experience, creating educational opportunities for young campers.
Water play opportunities: Creeks and small beaches provide natural play areas. "The campground has a small beach area at Squire Creek where there's a little beach area," mentions a reviewer about family-friendly water access.
Tips from RVers
Limited RV options: Most free dispersed camping along Mountain Loop Highway accommodates smaller vehicles only. Many sites require high-clearance vehicles, particularly beyond where the pavement ends.
Casino camping alternative: For larger RVs, Tulalip Casino provides free overnight parking. "Great free camping for up to three nights. Just call security (number is on the sign) to register when you arrive," advises an RV camper at Tulalip Casino.
Site selection challenges: RVers should research site dimensions carefully. "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."
