Best Tent Camping near Kelso, WA

We tent camped at a drive-in site (8) in October 2020 and loved our experience. The whole campground felt small and peaceful, the tent sites were well spaced and surrounded by trees. It seemed to be popular with families and there were quite a few kids riding their bikes around the loop. The walk around the lake was beautiful and quiet - we did not pass many people at all.

I think next time we’ll try the walk-in sites for the privacy and the above view of the lake.

Would recommend, absolutely.

The Dairy Creek Campground at Stub Stewart is a two loop campground. The sites are spacious, but there isn't much character.  The East loop is pretty much an open field. The west loop has a few more trees but still not much privacy or space between sites. 

Dairy Creek is clean and well maintained, and has great access to the trails and disc golf around the park. If you're in an RV this is a good set up. If you're camping with kids, there's a play area here.

There are a few "walk in" sites where you don't park your car next to your tent, but rather in the parking lot next to the grassy area where the open tent sites are. If you're looking for a better tent camping experience that actually feels like it's in the woods, you're better off going to the hike in campground in the park.

The loops are big and there is parking near the bathroom. This is great if you don't want to walk a long way, but it's bad if you've got the campsite near the bathroom with all the cars coming and going.

Always tent sites.

The campsites are spread out and private. There are tent sites, RV sites, and cabins. Quiet lake with two trails around it.

Let me start off by saying - if there are so many campsites in Washington, why would you want to stay at the same place multiple times???

Ike Kinswa is the place I would stay at repeatedly. Between the incredibly helpful and friendly staff, to the private tent sites, to the water access, we’ve already stayed twice this summer!! So incredibly impressed with this gem!

Went tent camping. Was expecting a bit more of a campsite, but it was just a big field with everybody together. No privacy or trees even blocking other campsites. Not suitable for more than 1 tent or groups. Bathrooms okay, and water was close so thats a plus. Would only stay again if desperate.

I was unimpressed. Okay local if you need to camp in Portland. Not so nice bathrooms. Tent camping was in a big field with weird gravel bits that got louder in the morning. No barriers between campsites. I would pass and find a nicer place to pitch your te t

Great camping if you go in groups. The tent camping area actually leaves a lot to be desired. The group camping areas have lean to that can accommodate many people in the bunks. We brought a pop up camper and was able to get it set up nicely. Water and toilets are available.

Only con is road noise from Hwy7. Main through fare to Mt Rainier south entrance and services. Sites may be too close together if park was full. We were one a few campers! We tent camped and had view of Lake Alder. Nice campground host. We'll cared for, clean, organized sites. No sewer or showers, pit toilets.

The app says it is Tent camping friendly, but it is not. They were very rude and accused of us of being homeless. They said it the RV tenants were “particular” but when we asked to pay for a night at the inn they said we couldn’t stay with them. What’s worse is that they had an entire lot not being used, but told us we had to leave. It would have been perfect for people passing through camping.

We stayed on Sunday and Monday nights and had the entire campground to ourselves. Not all of the tent sites can easily accommodate a larger tent. Toilet paper was found on the edge of our campsite, but that seemed to be the only trash around. Pit toilets were very clean! Big Tree Trail for hikers was well maintained and we took the opportunity to splash around in the creek. We will most likely be returning to this campground.

Battleground is a nice and well loved state park not far from Portland, Oregon and Vancouver, Washington. The part itself centers around a clear caldera lake with tent camping, RV camping, cabins, trails, group sites, and the like. The lake is also frequently stocked, and fishing is popular. Not motorized boats, but plenty of kayaks and rafts. There is a small camp store with snacks and fishing supplies on-site. Campground is well appointment with showers, water, etc.

Hiking around the lake is fun. And well a crowded park, it is easy to sneak away to a quiet spot. Some cabins and campsites have nice views overlooking the lake. The town of battleground is nearby with restaurants, grocery stores, and any you might have forgotten.

Loved this spot. Gorgeous, lots of unique sites. Only downside is incredibly loud atv and dirt bike activity.

These sites are beautiful and really meant for tent camping—but you can park an rv in most of the spots.

There is a vault toilet closer to site 14 but no hookups.

OHV vehicles are incredibly loud and ran throughout the weekend— but I have a feeling it’s very quiet on the week days.

Gorgeous—lovely area, no real amenities or ATT/ Verizon service.

We really enjoyed this state park. We were tent camping in November, so we knew what we were getting into. We reserved a full hookup site and packed heated blankets (site had electricity) and plenty of blankets. Overall the park is very clean, well maintained, and very quiet. Lots of hiking to be had. Would recommend bringing bikes along if you have the chance. We’re definitely planning on coming back during the summers months. The biggest bonus is that it’s really close to the metro area. It was a 30 minute drive for us.