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.
$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."
$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."
"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."
$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."
"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!"
$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."
$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."
"This is a nice campground with semi private sites, several of which are generous sized with walking trails, and trails to the lake. Lots of trees for privacy."
"Very close to several Walmarts and grocery stores."
"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.
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"Located in Residential area with mostly full- time residents. Clean, safe, quiet. Staff was very friendly and helpful."
"There is a big field to play ride bikes walk dog etc . The beach is really nice and nearby and at low tide is so peaceful to take a walk. There’s group activities too which is great for the kids."
"Very quiet area, lots of room on site 9, walked to beach area. Bathrooms for camping have code, cleaned frequently. 5G service was fast. Very nice place."
GuideGorgeous location. We saw one staff person working SO hard cleaning the campground of weekend trash. The bathroom was ghastly! Big door doesn’t close, the one shower stall so old I don’t think cleaning could help. Totally unsafe with just a couple curtains - no lock. Don’t go in there alone. If you play Pickle Ball you’re in luck - the Founders Course s are wonderful and the Club Members very welcoming!
ScoutVFW 969 Rec Park is clean and quiet. It's run by the VFW and has until recently been just for veterans and active military. They have now opened it to civilians for RV camping at just $50/day, tent camping at $20/day and up to 7 days. It is located right on the Carbon River with a couple awesome swimming holes. Nested between South Prarie and Orting. There is a biking/walking/running path that goes all the way between both towns and then some. There is onsite showers/toilets and coin operated laundry. Full court basketball, softball/kickball field, children's playground/swingset. There is guest parking first come first serve. Guests are allowed to use the clubhouse as long as they clean up after themselves. There is a big screen TV and comfy couch for movie nights and there are also board games and books. The clubhouse can also be rented out for events. (Speak to management for pricing) This place is a little slice of heaven tucked back out of the way of the hustle and bustle of the metro areas surrounding it. There is so much to do around the PNW and this is the perfect base camp.
ScoutStayed here for a couple days. It's really nice out here.
ScoutThis isn’t our first time camping here, but in the 2 years since we’ve been here it has really gotten bad. The campsites are overgrown with black berry bushes. Many sites are Out Of Order. The bathrooms are filthy. There doesn’t appear to be anyone maintaining the grounds. We will not be visiting this one any time soon.
GuideWe could not find an rv park willing to rent to us for 1 day before returning our van the next morning to roadsurfer and flying out of SeaTac. This one did and they were so nice. Last minute on our way from mt ranier called and got a 1 night full hookup for the van. We could fill up water and dump before our return. Also took showers in their shower house and bathrooms. They have laundry as well. Everything is clean and everyone was super nice. Lots of nice campers stored and people who have made this their temporary home away from home. It’s old and right next to the highway. No fire pits and just a little grass but we couldn’t be happier!
TravelerWhat a great camp ground, has a beautiful lake the people that work there are so nice they keep the showers clean and the grounds. The Lake is beautiful feels like your in the wilderness with all the pines and lake and mountains in the distant background but close to town, we love it here and will be back!!
GuideWe stayed at one of these dispersed camping spots memorial weekend. Wonderful spot. Plenty of room for our 3 dogs to play around in. Only one issue. Whoever was there before is pretty much emptied all their trash out there. We had extra trash bags so we bagged it all but we didn’t have a truck to load it and take it out. It was like 4 or 5 bags full and some random shelving. So weird. Why are some people like this.
Other than that it was a perfect spot for us.
TravelerThe site was right next to a rushing creek running down to the Saul River. It was beautiful and we had a restful time even on a holiday weekend! There is an outhouse not far up the road but be prepared with plenty of water as there are no amenities! The campground is right off the road, which wasn’t terribly busy except as the holiday weekend kicked in. Watch dogs and kids because people driving the road don’t always slow down.
TravelerWe found a nice spot along the river to camp here, but the etiquette of other campers left something to be desired. Barely got any sleep due to loud music and singing that carried on until 4:30am. It was also very crowded and most of the spots along the river will require a small trek from the parking area. Not fun if you have a lot of gear to unload. We camped in 3 different places over a long weekend trip and this was our least favorite of them all.
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.
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."
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."
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."
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.
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.
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