Best Campgrounds near Kent, WA
Camping options in the Kent area of western Washington range from rustic tent sites to full-service RV resorts. Several established campgrounds like Kanaskat-Palmer State Park and Lake Sawyer Resort provide year-round accommodations including tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin rentals. Many campgrounds in this region sit within 20-30 minutes of Kent, offering convenient access for urban residents seeking weekend getaways or travelers exploring the greater Seattle metropolitan area.
Access to campgrounds varies with the seasons, with most facilities open year-round but experiencing higher demand during summer months. Road conditions generally remain passable throughout the year, though some sites have limited winter services. Reservations are strongly recommended, particularly for weekend stays between May and September. "They require you to cancel 7 days prior to your trip. If you do not, they take your money and offer no refund," noted one visitor about reservation policies at Lake Sawyer Resort. Many campgrounds in this area enforce strict rules regarding pets, quiet hours, and site occupancy limits due to their proximity to residential areas and relatively compact camping spaces.
Campers report mixed experiences with amenities and privacy at campgrounds near Kent. Sites closest to Seattle tend to have more urban characteristics with limited separation between campsites and noticeable highway noise. A review of the Seattle/Tacoma KOA (now permanently closed) mentioned that "the tent sites were a joke. You get a small square in a grid of 16 or so squares. Our 10x10 tent took up more than half of the tent site." For those seeking more natural settings, Dash Point State Park Campground and Kanaskat-Palmer State Park provide better tree coverage and more spacious sites. Water access is available at several locations, including Lake Sawyer Resort, which despite management complaints from some visitors, offers direct lake access that one reviewer described as having "misty mornings and gorgeous sunsets."
