Onalaska, Washington provides a range of campground options within a heavily forested region of southwestern Washington. Several developed campgrounds dot the landscape around Mayfield Lake and Riffe Lake, including Ike Kinswa State Park, Paradise RV Campground, and Mossyrock Park. The camping options range from primitive tent sites to full-service RV hookups, with many locations also offering cabin rentals and glamping accommodations. Most established campgrounds in this region operate throughout the year, though amenities and accessibility may vary seasonally.
Many campgrounds in the Onalaska area feature water and electric hookups, though the quality and reliability can differ between locations. A review mentioned, "Some sites are beautiful with woods separating the sites and level spaces. Others are in the open with very slanted spaces. Cell reception is sketchy at best." The mixed-use campgrounds typically offer amenities like showers, toilets, and picnic tables, with several providing boat-in access for water recreation. During summer months, sites fill quickly, particularly on weekends, making advance reservations advisable for popular locations like Lewis & Clark State Park and Thousand Trails properties.
The camping experience near Onalaska highlights the region's natural features, with old-growth forests and multiple lakes creating scenic backdrops for outdoor recreation. Several campgrounds provide direct lake access, making water activities a prominent feature. "This campgrounds has an awesome swimming area with three pools," noted one visitor about Paradise RV Campground, while others emphasized the fishing opportunities at various locations. The tent and RV sites throughout the area offer varying degrees of privacy, from densely wooded settings at Lewis & Clark State Park to more open layouts at Thousand Trails Chehalis. Family-friendly amenities appear common at larger campgrounds, with activities like mini-golf, swimming pools, and nature trails available at several locations. Campers seeking quieter experiences might prefer the smaller, more remote options like Winston Creek Campground.
"One of my favorite campgrounds in Washington! Lots of camping spots right on Lake Mayfield with tons of trails in and around the campground."
"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."
"Thousand Trails Chehalis We stay two nights from August 31st through September 2, 2019 in campsite H43, the price was$o.oo due to our Thousand Trails membership."
"We paid, then they let us drive around until we found a spot to our liking. They have RV hookups and everything, but they also have primitive camping sites for tents with river access."
"I love Seaquest for their beautiful campsites and the proximity to a wonderful forest to bathe in."
"I gave this park a high rating primarily because of its location."
$12 - $45 / night
"To the west are these beautiful sites, facilities, and walking trails. In the morning, we hiked the old growth loop prior to resuming our journey."
"We got to this campground on a Saturday evening, around 5pm, and got the last first-come spot. It was a nice spot to stay for a night and the campsite was quite large."
$30 - $40 / night
"Our spot was very quiet, some of the upper level spots seem close to highway."
"Water sites are magical, park facilities are amazing- clean bathrooms/showers, playground and swim are for kids-just a small trail away from camping area, plan ahead and get your own waterfront camp site"
"This camping is great if you do not mind having others near you or if you are fearful of venturing out alone. If you are looking for a secluded location, this is NOT the spot."
"Driving through and tried to book online day of but you’re not able to. Called in and employee told me there was plenty of camping if we showed up late."
"This was a very nice Thousand Trails. We stay two nights from September 13th through September 16, 2019, in campsite 187, the stay was free due to our Thousand Trails membership."
"We were in site #5, it was a bit tight to get our Jayco 174BH backed in due to the angle of the site and the path around the campground is very narrow. "
$25 - $40 / night
"Rainier as it is within minutes of the Nisquilly entrance. The majority of the campsites were amid tall trees. "
"The sites are situated amongst beautiful tall trees, spacious and private. A beautiful creek runs through with a foot bridge with access to a beautiful meadow."
$25 - $42 / night
"It's about an hours drive from Paradise, which makes it less ideal than Cougar Rock if that's your destination, but the reservations do not fill up nearly as quickly."
"Walking distance to the day use beach area. Very clean showers. Well maintained sites and fire wood for sale with the camp host. A great spot for exploring near Mt. Rainer."
GuideIt is first come first serve in may and it was not even half full. Gorgeous trees and secluded drive up rv spots. Big metal fire pits and picnic tables. Bear boxes if you can’t leave food in your vehicle. So cool to wake in the morning and just hike from where you are!
GuideDrove in with our camper van. Right off of forest rd. Little creek you can hear and easily walk to with a little waterfall just up a few feet. Nice rock fire pit. Secluded and flat. Soft ground.
TravelerThe free dispersed camping at Riffe Lake was wonderful. The views were amazing. It was quite accepting for the few RV’ers who ran their generators all night. But it didn’t bother us since we were in an RV ourselves (we just didn’t run our generator after 8pm). It was clean accept for a pile of trash bags left by one rude family. The lake is gorgeous, the rocks and driftwood were fun to sift through and the sunset was breathtaking. I highly recommend and we will stay again!
TravelerThe dispersed campground at Riffe Lake was such a peaceful spot everything was clean, quiet, and well kept. The view of the lake and surrounding mountains was absolutely beautiful, especially during sunset. It was the perfect place to relax, enjoy nature, and escape for a little while.
GuideThis is a nice county park with both full hook ups and partial hook ups available. The campground itself has very nice established trees and foliage around all sites. Some sites are closer together towards the back of the campground on the highway that will have more road noise then the river side. There is a large field with swings, volleyball net, tetherball, and general area for families and kids to enjoy. There’s a public wash house/restroom, but not sure the cleanliness status since we use our Airstream facility. This park is heavily used on holiday weekends but seems quieter on a non-holiday weekend when we were here last. Six of the sites back up to the river that have full hook ups. There is a ramp available but mostly dirt packed and fitted for more for the floatation/kayak/paddle boarding use and Family swimming then motorized water craft. The Eddie itself is fairly shallow and great for kids and families to enjoy but still deep enough to float a kayak. The Verizon cell service is fairly poor with only one to two bars. The camp hosts are very nice. There is wood provided to purchase and delivered to your site by the host. We stayed in site seven this time which is probably the busiest for bike and foot traffic as it is also the turnaround for the boat ramp and will most likely choose another site next time we visit. We will definitely be back to the Big Eddy.
TravelerBeautiful wooded campground! Like all TT campgrounds a touch on the rustic side. Large, well spaced private sites. We visited mid-May and the campground was very quiet.
TravelerJust an off the road parking lot during the day, people coming and going for the short hike to the falls. Quiet at night with very light traffic. Hike to the falls is moderate, with a few rocky sections. Wear good hiking shoes.
ScoutThe road up is deeply potholed. There is space for only a single vehicle tucked into a small spot. The road is on a steep mountainside, so there is no place else to pull over. It’s cozy and quiet.
TravelerReally enjoyable early May stay at this campground. Sites are mostly shaded and feel fairly private and spacious , and it wasn’t too busy when we stayed Sunday night. Beautiful waterfront—morning walk along the beach was a highlight, very peaceful and scenic with easy access from the campground. Restrooms were generally clean (just some spider webs on the windows) and we didn't get the chance to use the showers. There’s a convenient water station between campsites, and the fire pit/grill were in good shape, though it would be nice if cleaning supplies were provided. A few campers were oddly loud in the evening, but it quieted down by around 10 pm. Location is convenient, with a gas station about 4 minutes away and a grocery store around 12 minutes. Make sure you buy your firewood before you arrive. They have, but they couldn't sell us any, even if we arrived around 4 PM. The $15 non-resident fee was a downside. Overall, a great stay (4/5)—I’d probably come back if I’m in the area.
Onalaska camping areas sit at an elevation between 500-800 feet above sea level in the Cascade foothills. The region experiences mild summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during peak camping season with evening lows in the 50s. Most campgrounds remain open year-round, though winter camping requires preparation for temperatures that can drop below freezing with occasional snow between November and March.
Kayaking at lakefront spots: Waterfront sites at Mayfield Lake Park give direct boat access right from your campsite. "We were able to reserve a lakefront spot. We were able to beach our boat right in front of our spot," notes Russ H. The park features a dedicated swim area and boat launch with ample trailer parking.
Old-growth forest hiking: The Lewis & Clark State Park Campground offers beautiful walking trails through ancient cedar forests. One camper shared, "This is a lovely park with beautiful trails that wind through very large, old growth cedar forests." The trails are well-marked and suitable for all hiking ability levels, with interpretive signs explaining the forest ecology.
Fishing at stocked ponds: Thousand Trails Paradise offers fishing in stocked ponds that children particularly enjoy. "My grandson loves coming here with us the two ponds they stock with fish," mentions John O. Fishing licenses aren't required for children under 15, but adults need Washington state fishing permits.
Private, wooded sites: Ike Kinswa State Park Campground offers campsites with good separation between neighbors. "Large sites that are pretty private. Lots of shade and trees," reports Caitlyn R. Many campsites feature water views and have designated tent pads with level, prepared surfaces.
Clean facilities: Campgrounds around Onalaska maintain well-kept restrooms and shower facilities. At Elkamp Eastcreek, "The bathrooms were always clean. There's designated dish washing station and potable water station," according to Sarah Claire B. Most campgrounds charge $0.50-$1.00 for 3-5 minute showers.
Family activities: Recreation options range from swimming areas to game facilities. "This campground has an awesome swimming area with three pools, one 8ft deep, one 6ft, and one wading pool. Also has a large spa," mentions Pamela H. about Thousand Trails Paradise RV Campground. Many sites also feature playgrounds, basketball courts, and organized activities during summer months.
Reservation requirements: Summer weekends fill quickly at campgrounds near Onalaska. "My favorite Washington State Park... the biggest downfall is that this place books up so fast. Make reservations early," advises Rick S. about Ike Kinswa. Most sites open reservations 9 months in advance with booking fees around $8-10.
Water conditions: Water quality and access varies seasonally. At Alder Lake, a camper noted, "The dam in Tacoma was partially drained causing a 'low tide' which exposed the dirt and poor beach area... usually when water is at normal level the beach is all sand and water is clean and clear." Call ahead to check current conditions, especially in late summer.
Cell reception: Winston Creek Campground and other remote sites have limited connectivity. "There was pretty much no cell service there from Verizon. I would occasionally get an alert of a new email, but was never able to refresh," reports Doug. Download offline maps before arrival as GPS signals can be unreliable.
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds feature play equipment. At Seaquest State Park Campground, "My kids loved the addition of a playground. Many parks don't have this and it kept them entertained for hours," mentions Mary C. The playgrounds typically accommodate children ages 5-12 with nearby restroom facilities.
Junior Ranger programs: Educational activities run during summer months. "At night the campground had a great Junior Ranger program with a very enthusiastic park ranger that kept the almost 50 people/kids entertained," shares Ashley B. about Seaquest. Programs typically run Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:00pm during peak season.
Kid-friendly swimming: Several lakefront campgrounds offer protected swim areas. One visitor at Ike Kinswa State Park mentioned, "This is a beautiful camp ground on Mayfield lake there is something for everyone here. It has a large swimming area, hiking trails, playgrounds." Most swimming areas lack lifeguards, so parental supervision is required.
Site levelness varies: Check campground maps carefully when booking. "Some sites are beautiful with woods separating the sites and level spaces. Others are in the open with very slanted spaces," notes Ella T. about Thousand Trails Chehalis. Many campgrounds provide site-specific details online including length, width, and slope information.
Power reliability: Electrical service can fluctuate at certain campgrounds. "The power was really variable. Sometimes it would spike to 130 volts and then drop suddenly to 110," warns Marnie G. RVers should bring surge protectors and consider running on battery power if fluctuations occur.
Campsite access challenges: Navigate carefully when arriving at forested campgrounds. At Winston Creek, one RVer noted, "It was a bit tight to get our Jayco 174BH backed in due to the angle of the site and the path around the campground is very narrow. I would not want to come in here with anything much bigger than our little 20 footer." Call ahead to confirm turning radius measurements for larger rigs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What campgrounds are available in Onalaska, Washington?
Onalaska, Washington is surrounded by several excellent camping options within a short drive. Mayfield Lake Park offers both boat-in and drive-in access with full amenities and big-rig-friendly sites. Nearby Mossyrock Park provides multiple access options including hiking and walking trails. For more rustic camping, Winston Creek Campground offers a free drive-in option with water available. If you're looking for an alternative close to Onalaska, Lewis & Clark State Park Campground near Winlock provides both boat-in and drive-in camping opportunities with water and toilet facilities.
What amenities do Onalaska campgrounds offer for visitors?
Campgrounds around Onalaska offer diverse amenities to suit various camping preferences. Seaquest State Park Campground features beautiful wooded tent sites, RV hookups, clean bathhouses, covered shelters, and a large playground area. The park also offers easy access to Silver Lake and the Mount St. Helens Visitor Center. Rainbow Falls State Park Campground provides water and toilet facilities in a scenic riverside setting. Many campgrounds in the region include amenities like potable water, restroom facilities, picnic tables, and fire rings. The more developed sites typically offer electrical hookups for RVs, while more rustic options focus on natural surroundings with basic facilities.
Is The All In Lounge near camping areas in Onalaska?
While specific information about The All In Lounge's proximity to Onalaska camping isn't available in the reviews, the area has several camping options nearby that would make visiting the lounge feasible. Thousand Trails Chehalis offers a convenient base with full amenities including water and toilets. Beaver Bay Campground is another option in the general region, approximately 45 minutes east of I-5, known for being clean and well-maintained with easy access to Yale Lake. For the most accurate information about proximity to The All In Lounge, it's recommended to contact the lounge directly or check online mapping services to determine exact distances from your preferred camping location.
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