Tent campsites near Lake Forest Park, Washington range from dedicated tent-only sites at Paine Field Community Park and Woodlands at Lake Stickney, both within a 30-minute drive, to the boat-in tent camping at Blake Island Marine State Park for a more remote option. Most locations maintain picnic tables and designated tent pads, though amenities vary significantly between developed and primitive sites.
Tent camping facilities typically include basic amenities like picnic tables and fire rings, though restrictions on fires exist at some locations such as Paine Field Community Park. Walk-in tent sites at Woodlands at Lake Stickney provide more seclusion than drive-up options, with four designated tent areas available. Most tent campgrounds require campers to pack in their own water, as drinking water is limited to more developed sites. Toilet facilities range from vault toilets to portable options, with showers available only at select locations like Blake Island Marine State Park.
Blake Island Marine State Park provides a unique boat-in experience with beach access and forest camping options. A review mentioned that "Blake Island is a gorgeous park with very strict rangers which can be good or bad depending on your preference." Walk-in tent sites at Woodlands at Lake Stickney offer more secluded camping close to urban amenities, making them suitable for weekend getaways without extensive travel. Tent campers should note that many sites fill quickly during summer months, particularly at campgrounds with amenities. Primitive tent camping options in surrounding forests provide alternatives when developed sites are full.
"The tent sites at Hearth Street Properties offer secluded spots near the water, with conveniences like restaurants nearby. Check them out and share some pics from your trip on the Dyrt!"
"However, I've been to the public Access area and have to say that it's very peaceful and has a restroom which is nice. I'm a local."
from $60 - $68 / night
"A great clean safe place in the city and surrounded by trees and nature"
"Really fantastic location. Very strict rangers which can be good or bad depending on your preference. Quiet hours are at 10pm which is early for some people so be aware."
"Hike the perimeter trail for views all around the island. It's a great place to stay in the summer months and relax."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $12 - $70 / night
"We're so happy to have this beautiful property on our platform. This site is secluded yet close to the Possession Sound Preserve. Book your stay today and leave them a review!"
from $50 / night
"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! Highly highly reccomended :-)"
from $35 - $65 / night
from $90 - $125 / night
from $90 - $100 / night
"No running water but vault toilets. No reservations. Rack for kayaks above high tide. Nice alternative to the Oak Bay sites at Pt. Hadlock to the west. Open all year."
from $12 / night
"Nice clean camping area with easy access to multiple trails and logging roads. Trails are open to hiking horseback riding and motorcycles. Camp ground has multiple horse stalls in a common area."
"I picked enough berries to share with my crew. There is nothing better than perfectly ripe blackberries on a camping ⛺️ trip."
"We arrived and only had hammocks to camp in and the two walk up sites did not provides trees to manage our hammocks."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $12 - $61 / night
TravelerNice campground, well maintained and rangers often patrol the campsite loops. Bathrooms are nice but dated, but quite expensive campground. Paying in-person was $49 for an RV spot with utilities, but booking online was $69 for the same site. Can be busy on the weekend.
ScoutThis place is so nice. We felt welcomed as soon as we walked to the check-in desk. Dave and Victoria are so kind. This place is so nice and neat and clean. They have a pool and a hot tub which is a plus and a sauna. It was very nice to be able to chatter with them and joke back-and-forth like they were old friends. You can’t go wrong staying here. The only thing is I hate to tell anyone how nice it is cause then I might not be able to get in.
ScoutMy review is from my own experience but there are numerous other reviews that express my same sentiments. I was there 7 years and only had infractions during one month. (all from the same ranger) and one speeding infraction.
Port Susan Camping Resort has been a bad experience for me and presently turned to bitter. I sold my lot but the check got lost in the mail. I asked the sales agent to replace the check and I have waited approximately 35 days! I finally asked the board to intervene. This is bad business. This is a sample of the treatment or abuse I was given at Port Susan from the sales office. Replacing a check is easy and the money is not even drawn on Port Susan, it comes from the buyer. What would happen if I were paid but the buyer could not access the lot or wasn't given a gate pass or if the sales had to wait for their commission for 35 days after the sale? I was treated so unfairly! They showed me lots for sale with BLACK MOLD.I would think I am being targeted once again but there are many complaints that have been filed about poor management, unfair fines and being targeted if you speak up. The only recourse you have is to go to Tribal court since Port Susan Camping resort is Tribal owned. If you ask me this is a conflict of interest? Bottom line, absolute power leads to absolute corruption. Port Susan is like living under communist rule: The board took a vote to install 50 amp service, the members voted against it because most trailers use 30 amp. The 50 amp was installed any way and members have to pay for it. I spoke up on Campers Chat, but PSCC has the right to determine what will be allowed to be viewed. Freedom of Speech, NOT sat Port Susan. Members have to be careful who they speak to, if they speak against unfair fines to one of"them" they will be targeted. I have been targeted by one ranger who gave me 1200.00 worth of fines in one month. There used to be one ranger who patrolled lots 24 hours a day now there are 2 or 3. You are under constant survelience and fined for violations. Port Susan changes the rules constantly. One example, the road going downhill to the laundra mat and mailbox changed the speed limit to 5 miles per hour. Try going down a hill at 5 miles per hour. I was fined 200.00 at 5:00 am. This was thrown out because no one could do this but later going down hill to the front gate is a radar controlled system. I accidentally was going 17 mph in a 15 mph and was fined 400.00 for going over the speed limit for a 2nd infraction! no where in this country has fines like this but PSCC has unlimited power and no jusidiction. If you take it Tribal Court,( they lease the land to Port Susan you can be held liable to pay the attorney fees against Port Susan. There is less than 30 years on the lease so your membership is a poor investment. Not to mention that they have water pipe problems and boil water warnings posted periodically. If they decide to change all the water pipes the members will pay. I had rats get into my trucks. One was towed to Toyota and they found a rat. The rats got into the cab. I replaced this truck with a brand new Honda and during an oil change was notified that rat tracks were found all over my distributor cover and it was only at my site for 2 weeks!!! Many members tell the truth once they leave and abuse and mistreatment is the norm. THIS IS A FEAR BASED COMMUNITY Good luck with your purchase
GuideStayed Sept 28 to 30th 2026. Nice park, hot showers, clean bathrooms, enjoyed our stay
LegendThe dispersed sites are on the narrow, gravel section. There are a few on the paved area but most have been blocked off. Even on the gravel section most are pull-offs or quite close to the road. They are dispersed sites so no amenities. Most are close or have access to the Sauk River. The road and TH’s were very busy but cleared out as evening settled in.
LegendRoad closures due to a bridge out closed off probably the better sites up top but we did find a great spot off the road with a view. Enjoyed a nice evening under the stars and a campfire.
ScoutIt IS a pretty, private, moderately priced rv park. Too bad -- there is a note announcing their permanent closure 10/31/2026. Enjoy it while you can!
ScoutJust a car park. Do not go to the front of the casino as there are over hanging branches that that can scratch your RV.
ScoutI wanted to like this campground, but I wouldn’t stay here again for more than maybe one night.
There are signs EVERYWHERE warning about theft, which immediately tells you something about the area. I didn’t have anything stolen, but I was extremely careful about what I left out.
The biggest problem is that you’re basically on your own after hours. There is no campground host, no posted after-hours ranger number, and no non-emergency number at the campground or through the park’s phone system. The staff hours also seem very limited and inconsistent. I arrived around 6:30 PM and nobody was there, and staff didn’t seem to return until around 9–10 AM.
The bathrooms were dirty, out of toilet paper, and the showers were cold. One morning there was a large unleashed dog in the women’s bathroom that growled at me while its owner was showering. I believe she may have been homeless and using the facilities. Again, there was nobody around to contact about it.
Another night, people were extremely loud until almost midnight. Same problem: no host, no ranger and no non-emergency number. Unless something is serious enough for 911, you’re left to deal with it yourself.
There are also a lot of homeless people and visible drug addicts/drug activity around Federal Way. I had been warned about the area before coming here, and I understand why.
The park itself is pretty and might be fine for a quick overnight stay, but for multiple nights, I wouldn’t recommend it. Between the theft warnings, lack of after-hours staff, weird staffing hours, and no way to report non-emergency problems, I never really felt comfortable settling into my campsite.
Tent camping near Lake Forest Park, Washington offers access to Puget Sound shorelines, forested settings, and marine environments within a 35-mile radius. The region experiences a moderate coastal climate with summer temperatures averaging 70-75°F and winter lows in the mid-30s. Lake Forest Park sits at just 66 feet of elevation, providing easy access to camping options without substantial mountain terrain.
Explore historic military structures: Fort Ebey State Park Campground provides access to preserved WWII gun emplacements. "There are old (but well maintained) battery and concrete gun emplacements from WW2 when the Fort was used to defend the West coast," notes camper Margaret S.
Walk forest and shoreline trails: The best tent camping near Lake Forest Park includes access to diverse trails at Fort Ebey State Park Campground. "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," advises Don.
Visit nearby beach preserves: Camping at Big Country puts you within walking distance of coastal areas. "This site is secluded yet close to the Possession Sound Preserve," mentions Ashley F., providing tent campers access to shoreline environments without driving.
Private, secluded sites: Tent camping options near Lake Forest Park include properties with privacy. At Hollyhock Farm, "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!" reports Rio B.
Easy beach access: Waterfront camping provides direct access to Puget Sound. "This is a great boat-in-only site. No running water but vault toilets. No reservations. Rack for kayaks above high tide," notes Thomas B. about Kinney Point State Park Campground.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Tent sites often provide nature encounters. "We've camped here a few times, and we've seen wildlife each time, mostly deer. It's a good place to make memories!" shares Don about their Fort Ebey experience.
Limited facilities at some locations: Many tent sites have minimal amenities. At Tulalip Casino, "No hook ups and no water available. Clean area and pet exercise area. Security drives by regular," explains Cary C.
Reservation requirements vary: Some tent camping spots near Lake Forest Park require advance planning while others don't. "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," mentions Nicole A. about Tulalip Casino.
Seasonal considerations: Weather impacts the camping experience significantly. "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," cautions Julia S.
Look for clean facilities: Parents appreciate campgrounds with maintained restrooms. At Paine Field Community Park, "We visit this park frequently as it is great for the kids. It's clean and has bathrooms available!" shares Aimee M.
Choose sites with activities: Keep children engaged with diverse recreation options. "Fort Ebey is a great place to pull up your car/ trailer or RV. The campground is easy to find from the highway and the facilities are very clean and there's a number of showers and bathrooms around the campground," notes Zach A.
Consider sites with natural barriers: Woodlands at Lake Stickney provides family-friendly camping with considerate owners. "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 while also giving us our privacy and space," shares Don L.
Access limitations at boat-in sites: RV campers have fewer options among tent camping near Lake Forest Park as some locations require water access. "Beautiful park, great hiking! Only accessible by boat," reminds Sydney A. about Blake Island Marine State Park Campground.
Site size considerations: Not all campgrounds accommodate larger RVs. "The campsites are generally large and well separated by foliage, even in winter," notes Don about Fort Ebey, making it suitable for modest-sized RVs.
Hookup availability: RV campers seeking services should verify availability before arrival. "Spendy, but has hook ups and all," reports Paige P. about Fort Ebey State Park Campground, one of the limited options with electrical connections near Lake Forest Park.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Lake Forest Park, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Lake Forest Park, WA is Woodlands at Lake Stickney with a 5-star rating from 2 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Lake Forest Park, WA?
TheDyrt.com has all 61 tent camping locations near Lake Forest Park, WA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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