Lake Stevens, Washington sits at approximately 300 feet elevation in the western foothills of the Cascades, creating a transitional climate zone between the Puget Sound lowlands and mountain terrain. Campgrounds in the area experience mild, rainy winters and warm, relatively dry summers with average July temperatures reaching 75°F. The region's glacial history has formed numerous small lakes and ponds that support diverse wildlife including resident geese and waterfowl.
What to do
Riverside fishing opportunities: Thousand Trails Thunderbird in Monroe provides access to excellent fishing spots along the river where visitors can watch fly fishing. "Along the river you see fly fishing its amazing," notes one camper who gave the facility a 5-star rating.
Walking trails and bird watching: Lake Pleasant RV Park offers short hiking trails around its property with opportunities to observe local wildlife. One visitor described their experience: "We did not use the bathrooms, but enjoyed the walking trails, playground for the kids, and watching the resident ducks in the pond."
Local hiking excursions: The area serves as a base camp for exploring nearby mountain trails. Though Silver Lake RV Park isn't ideal for extended stays, its location works for hikers. "We really only picked this place because we wanted to hike near Rainier, and found that this place was close and cheap," shares one reviewer.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Tall Chief Campground receives consistent praise for their well-maintained facilities. "Bathrooms are usually found to be immaculate. The main bathrooms have a great 'spa' feeling to their design and make you feel like you are glamping," explains one camper in a detailed review.
Convenient shopping access: Many parks provide easy access to necessities. A visitor at Lake Pleasant RV Park commented, "The park is across the street from a Safeway which was very convenient. Also very close to some excellent restaurants in Bothell."
Space between sites: Campers appreciate the roomier layout at some RV parks near Lake Stevens. "Great camp site for all sizes. Mostly no sewer. But if you enjoy a little distance between sites without sacrificing camp size line up here," mentions one Tall Chief visitor who rated the experience 4 stars.
What you should know
Cell reception variability: Coverage can be spotty due to terrain. A Tall Chief camper noted, "Another thing that can be annoying is trying to find a site with good cell reception due to all the trees. They definitely have a few, but I would say arrive early so you can drive by all the sites while checking to make sure you have good reception if you need it."
Sewer hookup limitations: Many sites lack full hookups. As one camper at Cascades RV Resort explained, "We are long term RV campers here at Cascades. It is a lovely RV resort with large concrete pads with astroturf lawn and picnic table."
Animal noise considerations: Wildlife can impact your sleep quality. A Lake Pleasant visitor warned, "The grounds are quiet... truly silent... save for the many geese that call the lake in the center of the property their home. I mention the geese because they were the only disruptive part of our stay. Their squawks often woke us early in the morning or at random times throughout the night."
Tips for camping with families
Playground facilities: When choosing RV camping near Lake Stevens, Washington for family trips, check for kid-friendly amenities. One Tall Chief visitor shared, "We had a great time, even stayed an extra night! The pool, miniature golf, playground and basketball were great."
Affordable laundry services: Cove RV Park & Country Store provides conveniences that help during family stays. Camp hosts sometimes offer unexpected perks: "Camp hosts are great and made for a wonderful holiday. Free Saturday night ribs and chicken made a great surprise!"
Tent camping cautions: Families considering tent camping should carefully review site locations. One camper warned about Thousand Trails Thunderbird: "Tenting areas are 10-15 feet from the road, so very noisy all night long. The road is 35mph, so it's noisy. I was fortunate enough to get the only flat tent space - all other tent sites are on a gentle lean."
Tips from RVers
First-timer friendly options: Newer RV owners find some parks especially accommodating. Lake Ki RV Resort near Arlington works well for beginners: "We wanted somewhere not too far away from our rental pick up in Seattle and chose this resort. There was a Walmart and Safeway nearby where we could get stocked up."
Storage options: Extended-stay RVers appreciate places that offer temporary storage. One Lake Pleasant visitor mentioned, "Easy reservation process. Reasonable rate for city location. Look at monthly rates if you staying more than two weeks. On site storage if you need to leave your rig for a few days."
Assistance with setup: Novice RVers value helpful staff. At Cove RV Park, one camper shared, "This is our first trailer camping trip ever so we wanted to start small and close to home. We first arrived with only knowing the basic and Mike the grounds master was more than happy to help us park and hook up. He was super nice and answered all of our questions."
