Tent camping near Kenmore, Washington ranges from private residential properties with secluded sites to boat-in camping experiences on nearby islands. The Puget Sound region receives approximately 37 inches of rainfall annually, with summer months providing the driest camping conditions. Most tent-focused campgrounds in this area operate from late spring through early fall, though some like Fort Ebey State Park remain open from March to October.
What to do
Mountain biking on forest trails: Fort Ebey State Park Campground offers extensive biking trails through dense forest areas. According to Don, "There are great hiking and mountain biking trails through forest, ocean views and beach access, and it's also fun to explore the old WWII facilities. Bring flashlights."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Campers frequently spot deer and other wildlife at Fort Ebey State Park Campground. As Don notes, "We've camped here a few times, and we've seen wildlife each time, mostly deer. It's a good place to make memories!"
Historic exploration: Wallace Falls State Park provides access to historic sites and natural features. Josiah P. shares, "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."
Beach access and water activities: Blake Island Marine State Park Campground offers excellent shoreline access. Julia S. advises, "Getting here by boat is about an hour from Seattle and there are volunteers that help at the dock. In summer there is generally a burn ban and if you don't have a shaded spot, the heat can be pretty punishing."
What campers like
Secluded tent sites with amenities: Hollyhock Farm provides tent sites with necessary facilities while maintaining privacy. Rio B. reports, "The sites were secluded from one another within a beautiful forest, the toilet was clean and fairly close to the sites, parking was easy and the host was a total gem!"
Clean, well-maintained facilities: Wallace Falls State Park Campground receives consistent praise for its maintenance. Samantha J. notes, "The bathrooms were nice and clean and it was beautiful and peaceful. I really like the campsites."
Seasonal fruit opportunities: The best tent camping near Kenmore includes unexpected bonuses. Josiah P. shares about Wallace Falls: "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."
Level, spacious campsites: Despite proximity to others, campsites at Fort Ebey provide adequate space. Chad K. observes, "The sites are bigger than expected, they are level and could accommodate 2 medium size tents."
What you should know
Seasonal fire restrictions: Fire policies vary significantly at campgrounds near Kenmore. Julia S. cautions about Blake Island: "In summer there is generally a burn ban and if you don't have a shaded spot, the heat can be pretty punishing but the temps go way down at night and you'll have a great breeze off of the water."
Transportation logistics: Big Country and other sites may require special access considerations. Ashley F. notes that Big Country is "secluded yet close to the Possession Sound Preserve."
Bathroom and shower availability: Facilities vary widely between campgrounds. At Tulalip Casino, Cary C. reports, "No hook ups and no water available. Clean area and pet exercise area. Security drives by regular."
Reservation requirements: Many campgrounds fill quickly, particularly during peak season. Christopher D. advises about Fort Ebey: "Shower tokens, fire wood and ice, are for sale at the state park office at the main entrance of the park."
Tips for camping with families
Child-friendly park amenities: Paine Field Community Park offers facilities specifically designed for younger campers. Aimee M. shares, "We visit this park frequently as it is great for the kids. It's clean and has bathrooms available!"
Pet-friendly options: Many families camp with pets, and Wayne B. notes about Paine Field Community Park: "A great clean safe place in the city and surrounded by trees and nature."
Educational opportunities: Fort Ebey offers learning experiences alongside camping. Margaret S. describes, "There are so many fun walking paths around the bluffs as well as a beautiful hike around Lake Pondilla with interpretive signage naming the native moss and lichen."
Hammock camping considerations: Some sites lack suitable trees for hammocks. Samantha J. explains her creative solution at Wallace Falls: "We arrived and only had hammocks to camp in and the two walk up sites did not provide trees to manage our hammocks. Therefore we parked in the parking lot near a tree and strung our hammocks from the tree to the car."
Tips from RVers
Parking and check-in procedures: Tulalip Casino offers convenient overnight parking for RVs. Adam Y. advises, "Great free camping for up to three nights. Just call security (number is on the sign) to register when you arrive. Very nice friendly security staff."
Limited amenities at free sites: RVers should prepare accordingly for sites without hookups. Nicole A. cautions about Tulalip Casino, "This is just a parking lot for you to park your RV while gaming. There is a spot for the animals to wee and that is about it."
Owner-operated campground experience: The Woodlands at Lake Stickney provides a different experience than commercial campgrounds. Don L. shares, "It was my first time camping on a private residential property. I've grown so used to sites like KOA that it was strange to have friendly owners serving us rather than paid staff. They took a lot of care in making sure we were comfortable."
