Ruth S.
Scout
ScoutBeckler River Campground
Quiet campground on the river
It's beautiful here. Some of the sites are quite close, but I'm enjoying the stop over.
Camping near Lake Forest Park, WA
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
Campgrounds near Lake Forest Park, Washington range from state parks to privately operated RV resorts, with most sites located within a 30-minute drive of the city. Camping near Lake Forest Park spans waterfront tent sites and full-hookup RV parks, giving campers access to both Puget Sound beaches and forested riverside settings. Fay Bainbridge Park on Bainbridge Island offers tent sites, RV spots and cabins with beach access, while Lake Pleasant RV Park in nearby Bothell provides full hookups for recreational vehicles. The region includes several mixed-use campgrounds that accommodate both tent and RV camping, with Tolt MacDonald Park in Carnation featuring yurts and cabins alongside traditional campsites along the river.
Access to most campgrounds remains consistent year-round, though reservations become essential during summer months when waterfront sites fill quickly. Many campgrounds in the area maintain all-season operations, unlike more remote locations in the Cascades that close during winter. "This is one of the most popular locations in Washington State and easy to see why. Both fresh and salt water experiences are within a few steps away with amazing sunsets and breathtaking views," noted one camper about the regional waterfront camping options. Most established campgrounds require a Washington State Discover Pass for day use, which costs approximately $30 annually. Cell service is generally reliable throughout the region, though coverage may vary at campgrounds tucked into forested areas.
Waterfront camping consistently ranks among the highest-rated experiences near Lake Forest Park, with Hood Canal and Puget Sound sites particularly popular. Several visitors mentioned the convenience of camping so close to urban areas while still enjoying natural settings. A recent review highlighted that "It's right in the floodplain, so it is only enjoyable when it is not rainy season" regarding Tolt MacDonald Park, underscoring the importance of timing visits to avoid seasonal challenges. Campgrounds with RV hookups tend to be more developed and often feature amenities like showers, flush toilets and picnic areas, while tent-focused sites typically offer more privacy between campsites. Public campgrounds in the region typically feature fire rings and picnic tables, though fire restrictions may apply during dry summer months.
Best Campgrounds near Lake Forest Park (281)
1. Fay Bainbridge Park
"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."
from $25 - $95 / night
Check Availability2. Lake Pleasant RV Park
"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."
from $62 - $750 / night
Check Availability3. Manchester State Park Campground
"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."
from $12 - $250 / night
Check Availability4. Tolt MacDonald Park, WA
"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."
5. Kitsap Memorial State Park Campground
"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."
"There is also access to a store with supplies and firewood nearby."
from $12 - $151 / night
Check Availability6. Dash Point State Park Campground
"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."
from $31 - $91 / night
Check Availability7. North Sound Recreational Vehicle Park
"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."
8. Vasa Park Resort
"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."
from $65 - $125 / night
Check Availability9. Tall Chief Campground
"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!"
10. Flowing Lake Park & Campground
"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."
Drive Time
- 9 min from Seattle, WA
- 43 min from Mount Vernon, WA
- 1 hr 6 min from Olympia, WA
- 1 hr 7 min from Bremerton, WA
Recent Camping Photos near Lake Forest Park, WA
368 Photos of 281 Lake Forest Park Campgrounds
Wendy C.
Lake Pleasant RV Park
Tim J.
Fay Bainbridge Park
Saraj B.
The Wolf and the Raven
Carolyn U.
Big Country
Amy H.
Vasa Park Resort
Pam W.
Duvalla
Tim J.
Kitsap Memorial State Park Campground
Shay F.
Manchester State Park Campground
Denise C.
Courter Country Farm
Dawnielle C.
Tolt MacDonald Park, WA
Lynn K.
Flowing Lake Park & Campground
Isabel G.
Tall Chief Campground
Recent Reviews near Lake Forest Park, WA
1486 Reviews of 281 Lake Forest Park Campgrounds
Jacquie B.
GuideLake Pleasant RV Park
Quiet and clean, d
This is a nice park, clean and quiet. But the draw back is the sites are small, there are bushes between the sites to give some privacy. It is camping in a parking lot. I don't believe you can have campfires. Kids have no place on their site to play so play in the street. More than once I had to honk at them to get them out of the way.
Great location for me, I was visiting my daughter who lives in Seattle.
The park was clean, they wash the goose poop off the sites, but still watch where you step. It is very high priced but they are the only game in town.
d
- AAlison L.
TravelerPotlatch State Park Campground
Wonderful Campground
One of my favorite grounds I’ve visited. On-demand hot showers in two buildings, plenty of bathroom stalls (main building has stalls and one shower, second loop has 2 private stalls and 2 private showers, and last loop has one vault toilet)- sites 1-26(?) are fairly close together and close to the main road- second loop I didn’t look too much at, but most of the bigger campers or cars were parked there- last loop has almost all full-shade, larger, and less crowded sites (they’re still fairly small, but with less people it’s not so bad). There are dumpsters and water spigots all over. Clean grounds, friendly on-site host, office staff absolutely wonderful and incredibly helpful. Across the street from the day-use park with lake- super nice, rather small. Rangers do patrol nightly. PLEASE BRING SMALLER BILLS PER OFFICE REQUEST.
Marian B.TravelerEnumclaw Expo Center RV Park
Nice little Campground for a short stay
Campground has nice paved spots, but they are very close to each other, so don't expect much privacy.
It sits behind a smal stadium.
For the restrooms and shower you'll have to walk pretty far. These are just simple ones, like in a sportsclub usual. Shower is warm enouth but not hot (for my wife it was not hot enough).
Camphost is very friendly and will help you, if needed. We came in at about 8:30 pm without a reservation, she helped us with the booking and all went good.
45 $ per night with electric and water hookup.
MariScoutFay Bainbridge Park
$25 a night - not bad
For the price it’s pretty good. $25 a night! There’s a bathroom and a porta potty close by the campsite but no sink. You have to park in a close parking lot not at your site which we would prefer. Our site was very slanted and hard. Lots of bunnies hopping about. The only lone women’s shower is down near the beach. Same with the men’s. The beach is beautiful but covered in tiny thorns of some kind so don’t wear sandles or flip flops!! It will hurt you! The ocean is beautiful of course but lots of kelp so no swimming for us.
Alex R.GuideBelfair State Park Campground
Kids will love it here
We usually do dispersed camping because we don’t like being too close to other other campsites. But we were surprised by how much room we had here. It’s not boondocking by any means but still, not a Walmart parking lot either. We had plenty of space for our things and the kids to play. Speaking of, if you are allergic to kids stay away. They have them in all ages and verities here… my kids enjoyed riding bikes and playing at the nearby park from morning until dark. Restrooms are cleaned often, didn’t have any issues with our hooks ups. Is it windy? Yes it’s the ocean. Is there a tide? Yes it’s the ocean….
JamieScoutAngel of the Winds RV Resort
Has it all!!
This rv resort was way better than we were expecting, as a last minute add on. Massive dog park, indoor pool and fire areas, putt putt, pickleball, nature walking trails, kids outdoor play area, sun deck, and I’m sure there is more we haven’t gotten to see! Big spacious spots. About 25 mins from skagit speedway. Hope to come stay here again in the future!
Ragamuffin U.TravelerSeal Rock Campground
Great Little Campground!
USFS facility, FCFS, NO reservations accepted. $18 flat camp fee for every site. 41 camp sites for every type & size of rig/tent. Each site has a nice flat platform for tents, a table & fire ring. Some pull-thru sites on lower river-side, can better accommodate LARGE/Long rigs. Flush toilets, pit toilets, no showers, potable water every couple sites. 5-bars T-Mobile. Bring your own wifi. Camp Host on site if any questions. Great little boardwalk along water with info viewing stations. NO DOGS ON BEACH!
- jjune G.Guide
Deception Pass State Park Campground
High use, well cared for
This is a busy campground and day use area, but it’s awesome. You can kayak and swim in cranberry lake, watch the sunset from either north beach or west beach, and hike many different trails all from the campground.
Guide to Lake Forest Park
Cabin camping options near Lake Forest Park, Washington include multiple styles from rustic to more upscale accommodations. Temperatures range from 40-75°F in summer months, with frequent morning fog along waterfront sites. Many cabins remain accessible year-round, though some facilities reduce services during winter months.
What to do
Tide exploration: At Manchester State Park Campground, visitors can access excellent shoreline areas. "There are several hiking trails that start from the campground. Make sure and go to near by Hama Hama for their oysters," notes one visitor who found the riverside location ideal for wildlife viewing.
Hiking access: The trails around Dash Point State Park Campground provide easy outdoor access with minimal travel time. "The trails are fun and easy enough for me and 2 kids. The beach and its tides are why we came," reports a camper who appreciated the combination of forest and shoreline trails within walking distance of campsites.
Wildlife viewing: At Dosewallips State Park Campground, regular elk sightings enhance the camping experience. "Every night, my husband and I would walk to the wildlife viewing platform to see lots of birds, or walk down by the river and see lots of elk and bald eagles," reports one visitor who stayed in the full hookup area.
What campers like
Private spaces: At Tall Chief Campground, sites offer more distance between neighbors than many urban campgrounds. "Large private sites. It feels like you are deep in the PNW rainforest but you close to amenities and shopping," notes one camper who appreciated the balance of seclusion and convenience.
Bathroom quality: Clean facilities consistently rank high in visitor satisfaction. "The washroom and shower is kept clean, as is the rest of the campground," reports a visitor to Dash Point State Park, while another mentions the "spa feeling" of the facilities at Tall Chief, noting "Bathrooms are usually found to be immaculate."
Water activities: Multiple camping areas offer direct water access. "The campsite backed up on the river, so we were able to wade in it and put out some chairs and sit on the beach," reports a camper at Dosewallips State Park, highlighting the appeal of sites with immediate river access.
What you should know
Site differences: Not all sites at the same campground offer equal experiences. At Kitsap Memorial State Park Campground, "The sites with hookups are REALLY close together though. This was our first time in a hookup spot so we were a bit surprised how close we were to our neighbors, but this could be typical, we're not sure."
Off-season advantages: Winter and shoulder seasons often provide more availability and quieter experiences. "We went from Sunday to Tuesday to avoid the crowd and actually get a decent campsite which we did," reports a camper at Dosewallips, demonstrating the value of timing visits to avoid peak usage periods.
Reservation requirements: Most established campgrounds require advance planning, especially for cabin options. At state parks, expect to pay approximately $30-45 per night for standard sites, with cabins typically ranging from $60-90 depending on location and amenities.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Fay Bainbridge Park provides specific amenities for younger campers. "Great place for families that looks to be kept really clean... There is a ship playground for the kids and beach volleyball court," reports one visitor who found the park particularly suited for family activities.
Swimming options: Several campgrounds offer water access specifically designed for children. "The pool, miniature golf, playground and basketball were great," notes a visitor to Tall Chief Campground, highlighting the range of activities beyond standard camping.
Site selection: For families with small children, selecting sites away from high traffic areas improves the experience. "The tent spots are clustered together in 2 areas with a shared covered pavilion," explains one visitor about Fay Bainbridge Park, noting the communal design of certain camping areas.
Tips from RVers
Hookup variability: At Lake Pleasant RV Park, full hookups remain standard, while at other sites like Tall Chief, options may be more limited. "Full hookups weren't always available. Sites are spacious but not always private," notes a long-term visitor to Tall Chief Campground.
Leveling needs: Some campgrounds provide more naturally level sites than others. "The only campground we've been to where we didn't need to level the trailer. RV sites are all pull through," reports a visitor to Tolt MacDonald Park, highlighting an often-overlooked convenience for RV campers.
Laundry access: Facilities vary widely between campgrounds. "Laundry facilities came in handy," notes a visitor to Tall Chief, while another visitor to Lake Pleasant RV Park specifically mentioned "laundry is cheap ($1 wash)," providing practical information for extended stays.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Lake Forest Park, WA?
What camping is available near Lake Forest Park, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Lake Forest Park, WA offers a wide range of camping options, with 281 campgrounds and RV parks near Lake Forest Park, WA and 21 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Lake Forest Park, WA?
Which is the most popular campground near Lake Forest Park, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Lake Forest Park, WA is Fay Bainbridge Park with a 4.3-star rating from 25 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Lake Forest Park, WA?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Lake Forest Park, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 21 free dispersed camping spots near Lake Forest Park, WA.
What parks are near Lake Forest Park, WA?
What parks are near Lake Forest Park, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 10 parks near Lake Forest Park, WA that allow camping, notably Keystone Harbor and Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest.
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