Best Campgrounds near Kenmore, WA

Campgrounds near Kenmore, Washington range from developed RV parks to forested state park campgrounds with cabin options. Lake Pleasant RV Park in Bothell provides year-round camping with full hookups just minutes from Kenmore, while Tolt MacDonald Park in Carnation offers a mix of tent sites, RV spots, cabins, and yurts along the river about 20 miles east. The region includes several state parks within an hour's drive that feature waterfront access, hiking trails, and various accommodation types including tent camping, RV sites with hookups, and cabin rentals.

Road conditions and accessibility remain consistent throughout most of the year in the lowland areas near Kenmore, though campground availability becomes significantly more competitive during summer months. A visitor commented, "This is the nicest park with the best rates close to the Seattle area. It's north of Lake Washington so you can skip bridge traffic and tolls." Most campgrounds in the region require reservations, particularly on weekends and during the peak summer season from June through September. Many sites offer year-round camping, though winter brings cooler temperatures and increased rainfall. Cell service is generally reliable throughout the area, with most campgrounds reporting good coverage for major carriers.

Waterfront camping locations receive consistently positive reviews from visitors to the Kenmore area. Campers particularly value sites that offer both forest settings and water access. One camper shared that Tolt MacDonald Park is "a beautiful place with the campground far enough away from any busy road so that there is no traffic noise, just the sound of the Tolt River rapids." Several campgrounds feature amenities like showers, flush toilets, and picnic tables, with varying levels of privacy between sites. The mixed-use campgrounds in the region accommodate diverse camping styles, from primitive tent camping to full-hookup RV sites. Public lands near Kenmore typically maintain clean facilities with well-marked trails, though proximity to urban areas means some campgrounds experience higher traffic and less seclusion than more remote wilderness camping areas.

Best Camping Sites Near Kenmore, Washington (254)

    1. Lake Pleasant RV Park

    14 Reviews
    Bothell, WA
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (425) 487-1785

    $62 - $750 / night

    "This is the nicest park with the best rates close to the Seattle area. It’s north of Lake Washington so you can skip bridge traffic and tolls. It has easy access to UW Bothell."

    "The roadways are easy to navigate and lots of folks walk around the park roads."

    2. Fay Bainbridge Park

    22 Reviews
    Bainbridge Island, WA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (206) 842-3931

    $7 - $95 / night

    "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."

    "Great spot on the edge of bainbridge. Lots of spots depending on your preferred privacy level."

    3. Tolt MacDonald Park, WA

    22 Reviews
    Carnation, WA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (206) 205-5434

    "The campground is next to a classy laundromat, and I say classy because it’s probably one of the nicest laundromats in the area that even has a dumpsite for RVs."

    "The campground is in 500+ acre Tolt-McDonald Park, far enough away from any busy road so that there is no traffic noise, just the sound of the Tolt River rapids."

    4. Manchester State Park Campground

    18 Reviews
    Manchester, WA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 871-4065

    $50 / night

    "Nice wooded campground with access to the water. Plenty of opportunities for day hikes and not far from port orchard Washington. Some sites have hookups and others are dry camping."

    "Trails, views, and history in walking distance. Coin operated showers and clean restrooms."

    5. Tall Chief Campground

    15 Reviews
    Fall City, WA
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "This is a big park that is part of Thousand Trails.  No sales pitch to join, which was nice.  Rangers were super nice.  Bathrooms very new and clean.  Lots of trees between sites. "

    "We love Tall Chief because it is super close to a lot of great spots around the Seattle region. It’s super close (like 7 min drive) from one of my favorite coffee shops, Aroma Coffee Co. Try it!"

    6. Dash Point State Park Campground

    72 Reviews
    Federal Way, WA
    31 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 226-7688

    $20 / night

    "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."

    7. Woodlands at Lake Stickney

    3 Reviews
    Mill Creek, WA
    9 miles
    +1 (425) 280-0317

    $60 - $68 / night

    "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!"

    "Despite the moss on the roof shingles of the outbuildings, this was best camping site near Seattle I've ever been to."

    8. Vasa Park Resort

    6 Reviews
    Bellevue, WA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (425) 746-3260

    $65 - $125 / night

    "This is in the shore of Lake Samammish, giving access to swim, paddle, picnic. The facilities and grounds are kept clean and well maintained."

    "Cute campground very close to Seattle and Bellevue right on the lake. Beautiful beach area, basketball courts, playground, and volleyball right at the site. Spots are a little tight."

    9. North Sound Recreational Vehicle Park

    3 Reviews
    Lynnwood, WA
    8 miles
    +1 (425) 743-6180

    "I looked at all the RV/Trailer Parks close to Seattle. They were either over priced money traps, or crammed in so tight that there was no room to turn yourself around.

     "

    "Located in Residential area with mostly full- time residents. Clean, safe, quiet. Staff was very friendly and helpful."

    10. Paine Field Community Park

    3 Reviews
    Mukilteo, WA
    10 miles
    Website

    "A great clean safe place in the city and surrounded by trees and nature"

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Recent Reviews near Kenmore, WA

1353 Reviews of 254 Kenmore Campgrounds


  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 9, 2025

    Cascades RV Resort

    Cascades RV Resort

    We are long term RV campers here at Cascades. It is a lovely RV resort with large concrete pads with astroturf lawn and picnic table. Everyone is friendly. Nightly noise is never excessive. Gracie’s place is an onsite cafe that serves food, alcohol, deserts, coffees, and other drinks. You can get package delivery just no USPS. They do offer monthly discounts. Would highly recommend for anyone in an RV.

  • Nicole L.
    Oct. 3, 2025

    Woodlands at Lake Stickney

    BEAUTIFUL LOCATION

    I myself have never parked my RV at the campsite. However, I've been to the public Access area and have to say that it's very peaceful and has a restroom which is nice. I'm a local. I live inside my RV and it has been a major adjustment but having places like this has been extremely helpful.

  • Sarah S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 30, 2025

    Top of the Hill camping

    Top of the hill camping

    This is actually a really secluded, pivate location with a beautiful view! The road is fairly easy to get up to this spot but really just room for one vehicle. I guess the last people used it as the dumb spot when they were leaving because there’s a grill and a TV screen there… we did not stay and camp here, but we did check it out and if we didn’t have a trailer, I would definitely have claimed the spot!

  • Sarah S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 30, 2025

    FR27 Landing

    fr27 landing

    Great large flat spot for camping. Could easily fit about 5 cars here. About 4 fire rings set up and the road is pretty easy getting here.

  • Sarah S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 30, 2025

    NF-27 Tunnel Creek

    Pull through site

    This is a great spot to stay for a bit if you’re looking to do that OR just stay for a night. It’s like, a big circle that you pull in and out of. There’s a trail from this site that leads to a great tint site as well. Plenty of space if you have a decent sized group. Easily accommodating 3 cars. We have plenty of space with our rig. Star link works great here!

  • Eun Ji L.
    Sep. 27, 2025

    Big Creek Campground

    I'm an avid camper - this was THE WORST experience ever.

    I'm an avid camper, and the experience I had at this campground with the host was ABSOLUTELY THE WORST ever. We arrived at the campground early to find the best spot as we were planning to take some outdoor wedding photos at the campsite the day after. It was not a busy season, so there were only a couple of sites occupied. We carefully selected a spot, paid for it, and posted the receipt on the site clip. I took a photo of both the envelope and the receipt clipped at the site. 

    After exploring the national park, we arrived at the campground at around 9pm. Most of the campsites were still unoccupied. To our surprise, when we arrived at our reserved spot, there was a group of people who took our campsite! They already put up their tent and a canopy as well. When I checked the pole where I clipped the receipt, it was GONE & REPLACED by someone else's!! When I talked to those people who took our campsite, there were already drunk and were at the verge of becoming hostile. But they did tell us that the host "allowed" them to take the spot. 

    Right then and there, we went to the host and explained the situation, and the host said (1) we never paid and that (2) there was no receipt clipped at the site. When I told him that that wasn't true, he proceeded to tell me that the information I wrote on the clip let him know that we were checking out today. So, for a second, I thought maybe I wrote either the# of nights spent or check-out date incorrectly. But then, I remembered I took pictures of both the envelope and the receipt!! I showed the photos to him, then, of course, he could not lie his way out of this. 

    There was no apology, and he simply proceeded to tell us to sleep at one of the other available campsites. We were super furious because we had NEVER experienced this kind of rudeness, lies, and brazen behavior. As anyone can imagine, we did not want to spend another second there, so we demanded a refund, and "MIRACULOUSLY", the envelope (still glued) with our payment was found in his RV. 

    I'm reporting the host to the US Forest Service.

  • alexandrea L.
    Sep. 24, 2025

    Penrose Point State Park Campground

    Beautiful

    The beach is beautiful here! And the campsites are very secluded! There are tons of trees and bushes in between everybody’s campsite

  • Chuck P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 14, 2025

    North Whidbey RV Park

    Nice park

    Great checking. It is an RV park and there is jet noise from the Naval Air Station. We would stay here again.

  • andrew The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Lewis North Travel Camp - Joint Base Lewis McChord

    Easy

    If you have access, use it. $50 for FHU. The laundry is fine. The bathhouse is big and well maintained. There are two separate buildings with these facilities. I observed Commons#2. The park is kid of tight for my tastes. But the sites are big and separated from your neighbors. Very comfortable and woodsy. Great place.


Guide to Kenmore

Camping spots near Kenmore, Washington can be found within 30-45 minutes of this suburban community situated at the northern tip of Lake Washington. The region sits at elevations between sea level and 500 feet, with predominantly second-growth forest landscapes. Winter camping typically sees temperatures in the 40s with frequent rain, while summer brings mild 70-80°F days ideal for water activities at lakefront campgrounds.

What to do

Beach exploration and swimming: At Fay Bainbridge Park on Bainbridge Island, visitors can enjoy waterfront recreation with mountain views. "Beautiful beach, great views of Mt. Rainier & Baker on a clear day, cruise ships going by, pirate ship playground for children," shares one camper. The park offers beachcombing opportunities with minimal crowds during weekdays.

Hiking forest trails: The wooded areas around Tolt MacDonald Park in Carnation provide well-maintained hiking options across various terrain types. Access involves crossing a suspension bridge that spans the Snoqualmie River. One visitor notes, "If you venture across the Shakey bridge there are hiking trails, access to the water, and plenty of trees to hang your hammock in."

Urban adventures: Using campgrounds as a base for city exploration works well from spots like Dash Point State Park. A camper reports, "I spent a weekend tent camping at Dash Point State Park, and honestly, it was a great time even though I completely failed to plan any meals. Thankfully, civilization is only about 15 minutes away. There's a grocery store, takeout options, and even coffee if you're feeling soft."

What campers like

Privacy between sites: Many campgrounds in the area maintain good separation between camping spaces. At Manchester State Park, a camper observed, "Some campsites feel very remote as you can't see your neighbors at all while around a fire. But I settle for any of the sites. Even the ones that seem like you have a view of several other campers still gives you a feeling of your own site."

Clean facilities: Maintenance standards remain high at most established campgrounds near Kenmore. At Lake Pleasant RV Park, reviewers consistently mention the upkeep: "Office staff is friendly, bathrooms are clean, laundry is cheap ($1 wash), maintenance staff is constantly tending to the grounds, full hook ups, and cute (short) hiking paths surrounding the park."

Waterfront access: Water features prominently in camper preferences throughout the region. A visitor to Vasa Park Resort commented, "I love this park and this resort. Lots of stuff to do, very clean," while another noted, "This seems like an amazing summer family spot. I stayed here solo in October and it was gorgeous and very quiet and right on the water."

What you should know

Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds require advance booking, particularly during summer months. For Flowing Lake Park, a reviewer cautions, "Reserve ahead very popular especially during the summer. Flushing toilets and showers. Lake access with boat launch and fishing dock."

Seasonal considerations: Weather patterns affect camping conditions significantly. Winter camping brings cooler temperatures and increased precipitation, while summer offers more comfortable conditions but higher occupancy rates. Spring and fall provide a middle ground with fewer crowds but variable weather.

Urban proximity: Campgrounds near Kenmore blend natural settings with urban convenience. One camper at Dash Point State Park noted, "This campground is remarkable in the privacy between each of the camping spots, the bird life, the wild and deep forest vibes, and the walking trails. The washroom and shower is kept clean, as is the rest of the campground."

Tips for camping with families

Playground access: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas for children. A visitor to Fay Bainbridge Park mentioned, "Amazing kids area pirate ship. Great beach walk and good camp sites." Similarly, at Flowing Lake Park, a camper highlighted, "Cabins available, also the most amazing playground."

Cabin options for easier stays: For families seeking more comfortable accommodations, Tall Chief Campground provides cabins and yurts with amenities. "We had a great time, even stayed an extra night! Our space was nice and gave us some privacy. The pool, miniature golf, playground and basketball were great," reports one family.

Beach activities: Waterfront campgrounds offer additional entertainment for children. At Manchester State Park, a camper shared, "The day time activities are fun. You can hike the trails and do some general exploring. Lots of beach and military sights to see." These activities help keep children engaged throughout the camping trip.

Tips from RVers

Hookup availability: Full-service RV sites can be limited, particularly at state parks. At Lake Pleasant RV Park in Bothell, an RVer noted, "Office staff is friendly, bathrooms are clean, laundry is cheap ($1 wash), maintenance staff is constantly tending to the grounds, full hook ups."

Size restrictions: Some campgrounds limit the length of RVs they can accommodate. At North Sound Recreational Vehicle Park, an RVer mentioned, "No trailers larger than 35' long, ideally." Confirm size restrictions when making reservations to avoid arrival issues.

Power considerations: Electrical capacity varies between campgrounds. At Tall Chief Campground, one RVer reported, "Knocking another star as the majority of the sites are only 30 amp with antiquated posts. There are a few 50 amp sites but from what I saw they were all taken by RVers that are there on a more permanent basis."

Frequently Asked Questions

What campgrounds are available in Kenmore?

While Kenmore proper has few campgrounds, several excellent options exist within a short drive. Dash Point State Park Campground offers clean, beautifully laid-out campsites with friendly staff and volunteers. For RV enthusiasts, Flowing Lake Park & Campground near Snohomish provides drive-in access with reservable sites, water hookups, toilets, and is big-rig friendly. Other nearby options include Saint Edward State Park for day use and several campgrounds around the greater Lake Washington area that provide convenient access to Kenmore's amenities.

How much does camping cost in Kenmore?

Camping costs near Kenmore vary by facility type and amenities. At Deception Pass State Park Campground, standard campsite fees typically range from $25-35 per night, plus the required Discover Pass for vehicle access. For more budget-friendly options, Index Town Wall Parking Area offers primitive camping opportunities frequently used by climbers at minimal cost. RV parks generally command higher prices, with most sites between $40-60 per night depending on hookups and season. Many campgrounds offer discounts for seniors, veterans, and disabled visitors, and most state parks require additional reservation fees of $8-10 when booking online.

Where are the best camping spots in Kenmore?

While Kenmore itself has limited camping options, the surrounding area offers excellent spots. Lake Pleasant RV Park is one of the nicest parks close to the Seattle area with great rates. It's located north of Lake Washington, allowing you to avoid bridge traffic and tolls. For those seeking a more natural setting, Tolt MacDonald Park, WA south of Duvall offers camping in a beautiful floodplain setting, though it's best visited outside of rainy season. Both locations provide good access to the Kenmore area while offering distinctive camping experiences.