252 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The Puget Sound peninsula near Lakebay, Washington features several state parks offering varied camping opportunities. Penrose Point State Park provides the primary established campground in the immediate Lakebay area, with sites accommodating both tents and RVs in a forested setting. Nearby, Joemma Beach State Park offers more dispersed camping options during its seasonal operation from March through October. These waterfront campgrounds provide access to Mayo Bay and the wider Puget Sound, with additional options including the private Lakebay Getaway, which caters to RV campers with hookups.
Campground access throughout the Lakebay area typically remains open year-round, though some seasonal limitations apply at certain parks. Most established sites require reservations, particularly during summer months when waterfront campgrounds fill quickly. As one camper noted, "The campground was full with lots of families with young kids but the sites felt relatively private and the whole park is heavily wooded." Roads are generally well-maintained to the major state parks, though reaching some waterfront areas may require navigation through narrower peninsula roads. Cell service can be variable throughout the region, with some visitors reporting spotty coverage at Penrose Point.
Several visitors highlight the shoreline access as a primary appeal of camping in the Lakebay area. Penrose Point State Park receives consistently positive reviews for its beach access, hiking trails, and relatively private campsites beneath tall trees. One visitor emphasized that the park has "some of the best shoreline access in the Puget Sound area with good trails inland as well as great coastal access during low tide around the entire Penrose State Park point." Campgrounds like Twanoh and Belfair State Parks, located within driving distance, offer similar water-oriented experiences with additional amenities including showers and electric hookups. While most campgrounds maintain clean facilities, visitors occasionally note the limited number of showers and bathrooms during busy periods at some locations.
"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 $23 - $80 / night
Check Availability"Penrose Point State Park is a great place close to Seattle to go camping in a small or large group. It's tent or camper friendly with plenty of spots for busier seasons."
"Pros: group camp is very close to beach front area, GREAT CLAMMING AND OYSTERING!"
from $12 - $72 / night
Check Availability"We arrived little later around 6 p.m. And being such a nice day there were only few sites left."
"Conveniently located right next to the bathroom with an area for parking two vehicles. I have AT&T and had good service in this spot."
from $12 / night
Check Availability"Often our first or last trip of the year, due to its proximity to the greater Seattle area. Most of the folks we meet are from western Washington. "
"On the water of the Hood Canal, it offered more family activities than many of the parks around. The campground itself is situated close to the water with several loops, tightly packed together."
from $12 - $65 / night
Check Availability"Close by stores, trails, parks, harbor. Tacoma across bridge (10 minutes - $6.25 toll)."
"Costco, Home Depot, Albertsons and other shopping close by."
from $57 - $104 / night
Check Availability"Location was clean, easy to access and feels like a world away from the busy cities close by."
"This is clean and well-maintained state campground that offers nice access to the southern tip of Hood Canal, although you have to cross Rt. 106 to get to the waterside picnic area and docks, and that"
from $12 - $46 / night
Check Availability"Tucked away remote campsite in a forest next to estuary. Two sites have hookups. Clean restrooms with shower."
"Site 8 is a pull through and is very large, but not so private as everyone walking to the main dock walks right past your site."
from $12 - $70 / night
Check Availability"The location is great, so close to the water, Penrose and other peninsula activities."
"Great location if you want to relax and take long walks at nearby state parks and beaches. Robyn is a spectacular host who was great to communicate with. We will be coming back."
from $50 / night
Check Availability"The sites closer to the back of the campground (where we were) are far away from the road so you can't really hear highway noise at all."
"We had a beautiful site tucked in the woods that was very quiet. The beach across the street was really fun for kids and adults and there was loads of lovely hikes nearby."
from $12 - $51 / night
Check Availability"Very friendly next to the lake plenty of things to do walking, biking, hiking, fishing, Military museums, not to far off of I-5. Full hookups laundry shower facilities. Cabins too."
"Unfortunately the restrooms right next to our site were closed so it was a slight walk to the nearest restroom. Restrooms were heated and well taken care of."
from $12 - $35 / night
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ScoutLabor Day weekend was nearly packed full, plus visiting friends and family. It was almost too busy. But after everyone left, it was a lot more peaceful and quiet. Many walking paths for walks (people or with a dog). I wish speakers were actually not allowed. Headphones or ear buds is a more considerate way to listen to music while in close proximity to others.
GuideOne of our favorite stays so far. Schafer State Park has everything you actually want in a campground: flush toilets, hot showers, potable water, and hookups if you need them. The hiking is excellent for how compact the park is—easy, mossy forest loops and river-edge paths that feel much bigger than two miles. The park is split into two worlds: the older West Campground and a newer East side (about three years old). We chose the “old” side for its first-come, first-served sites. They felt private and spacious, with the East Fork Satsop River running right behind us. Kids’ laughter and happy dogs mixed with the sound of the water—this place is very family- and dog-oriented in the best way. We loved it. We were honestly surprised sites were still available over Labor Day weekend. We’ll definitely be back
GuideFalls View Campground is a small, primitive U.S. Forest Service campground in Olympic National Forest, about 3.5 miles south of Quilcene on Highway 101. We spent two quiet nights here and had the place mostly to ourselves. That emptiness is the tradeoff: no potable water (the campground is under redesign), vault toilets only, no hookups, and first-come, first-served sites. If you want flush toilets and a water spigot, this is not it. If you want tall timber, a river below you, and room to breathe, it works. We stayed in Site 12, one of the newer spots. It was spacious, with good privacy from the next site and easy pull-through options for a van. Picnic table, fire ring, and enough gravel pad to park without a scramble. The campground map notes that Sites 1, 2, 3, and 9 are small and limited to car/truck campers; 12 felt like a different category. Payment is cashless. You can occupy a site, then either scan the QR code with the Recreation.gov app or drive about three miles north to the fee machine at Quilcene Ranger Station (295142 US-101). Official rate is $10 per night for a single site, plus $5 for an extra vehicle. Display the receipt on the site post. The Falls View Canyon Trail starts in the campground and drops to the Big Quilcene River. It is not an easy stroll. What goes down must come up, and the climb is steep — switchbacks, stairs in places, and enough grade to make you notice. The payoff is the river: mossy basalt, clear water, and that classic Olympic Peninsula green. There is also a shorter loop to a viewpoint of the waterfall plunging toward the river. Bring water; there is none at the campground. Highway 101 is close enough that you hear traffic. It did not ruin the stay for us, but light sleepers or people hunting total silence should know that going in. Pets must be leashed. Season is roughly May through September. Bottom line: Cheap, quiet, and pretty if you are self-contained and okay with vault toilets and a steep hike. Site 12 was a winner. Pack your own water and expect the highway
ScoutVery rough and narrow road that follows a cliff face. 4wd not needed but sedan or mid sized truck would be most practical. Go past the marker just a little bit and there is good sized pullouts with fire rings.
TravelerI stayed there for one night on my way back to Seattle, and it was perfect for what I needed. Very quiet back there. The people were all super nice and accommodating. They had a dump site, restrooms outside and heated restrooms attached to the office area. I really loved that two of the permanent residents would do security at night as well. Being a woman and traveling alone, that made me feel very safe. Highly recommend this place!
GuideThe FHUs are super close together. I moved from there to site 230 with partial hookups. Loved it. I had no neighbors. In that area there is a lot of natural growth barriers that adds to the privacy. On the other side only two tall trees separating the sites. Everything is clean and well kept.
TravelerQuiet, but we were here mid week in late August….
LegendWe stayed here for a short overnight as we made our way up the Olympic Peninsula to Port Townsend. Nice park with a some trails right from the campground. We enjoyed the Maple Valley loop. There are elk at Dosewallips but we didn’t see any. Some road noise from our site (21) and heard a low-flying helicopter in the morning. Shower water pressure was a bit low and the water not hot enough.
GuideNice campground. Road noise by 101. $10 a day fee for camping or $5 with annual pass . I paid with the QR code at site.
The Lakebay area sits on the Key Peninsula, surrounded by the waters of Puget Sound and Case Inlet. Most campgrounds in this region remain between 0-500 feet in elevation, creating mild camping conditions even during winter months. The nearby Harstine Island offers additional camping options connected to the mainland by a short bridge, allowing campers to experience island camping without needing a ferry.
Beach exploration at low tide: At Joemma Beach State Park, the tide cycles expose excellent shoreline areas. "There's a small nature path, a rocky oyster shell-covered beach, and some grassy areas," notes one visitor to Potlatch State Park.
Shellfish harvesting: The Hood Canal area provides excellent clamming and oyster picking opportunities. "Fun was had walking on the beach at hood canal," reports a camper at Potlatch. Another visitor to Twanoh State Park adds, "A quick walk from camp and your picking oysters from Hood Canal. Amazing!"
Boating and water access: Many campgrounds feature boat launches or docks. "There are two docks you can walk down to, both are beautiful and if you have a kayak or boat they would be ideal," explains a visitor to Jarrell Cove State Park. Water conditions remain relatively calm in the protected inlets.
Wildlife viewing: The forested shorelines support diverse wildlife. "We did spot a bald eagle early in the morning," mentions a camper at Joemma Beach. At Jarrell Cove, "Several deer came up throughout the day to eat the apples off the ground and trees in those spots, that was fun."
Privacy between sites: Many campers value the natural separation at Penrose Point State Park where "Sites and restrooms were clean. We had a great time exploring the beaches. Sites were reasonably private and quiet at night (except for a brief invasion of 6 raccoons at our site one night!)."
Clean facilities: Maintenance standards remain high across most parks. At Dash Point State Park, "The washroom and shower is kept clean, as is the rest of the campground." Another visitor noted, "Easy to find, great access to the sound & creek, sites had plenty of tent space. Well forested, potable water & fire rings, bathrooms were clean."
Waterfront access: The ability to enjoy water activities directly from camp ranks highly. "The beach is a short walk from camp, just long enough to make you feel like you earned your sunset view," explains a Dash Point visitor. At Belfair State Park, a camper appreciated that "the beach was great, water is rather warm for in the sound, it's also pretty shallow which is great for the kids to play in."
Wooded settings: The forested environment enhances the camping experience. At Penrose Point, "the sites felt relatively private and the whole park is heavily wooded." A visitor to Lakebay Getaway mentioned, "The location is great, so close to the water, Penrose and other peninsula activities."
Reservation requirements: Most established campgrounds require advance booking during peak season. At Belfair State Park, "The beach loop fills up quickly - get your reservations in as early as possible if you want to camp there." However, Joemma Beach offers some first-come, first-served sites.
Weather considerations: While generally mild, shoulder seasons bring variable conditions. "It got little chilly at night but wasn't too bad," reports a Joemma Beach camper who visited during Easter weekend.
Site privacy varies significantly: Some campgrounds offer more separation than others. At Twanoh State Park, a visitor noted, "The campsites are all cramped together right next to the roadway. There's no vegetation so you can see just about every site/camper from any site you choose."
Cell service fluctuations: Connectivity varies by location and carrier. At Jarrell Cove, a visitor mentioned, "T-mobile service spotty - could not use hotspot. Had to drive about 15 mins down road to park to access 5G." Another camper at Lakebay Getaway reported, "We use Verizon and no issues."
Shallow swimming areas: For safer water play with children, certain beaches offer better conditions. "The swimming was great too," notes a visitor to Twanoh State Park, while another camper at Belfair mentioned the "shallow" water being "great for the kids to play in."
Campground selection for kids: Some parks offer more child-friendly features. A visitor to Potlatch State Park stated, "This place is Perfect for families with all size children. There is a small stream running through the side of Some of the camp spots that the kids can play."
Junior Ranger programs: Several state parks offer educational opportunities. A parent camping at Penrose Point shared, "The grounds, including bathrooms, were well maintained and the kids enjoyed taking part in the junior ranger program."
Noise considerations: Family-friendly campgrounds can get busy during peak times. "The campground was full with lots of families with young kids," notes a Penrose Point camper, while another at Joemma Beach cautioned, "This is also the spot where you go to camp and party with friends and family. So if you're looking for quiet, that's not always the case here."
Hookup availability: Gig Harbor RV Resort provides full-service options close to Lakebay. "Very clean. Friendly and helpful staff," reports a visitor who noted it's "pet friendly, but not many attractions for children (no playground, no pool)."
Site selection for RVs: At several state parks, specific loops work better for larger rigs. At Jarrell Cove, "Site 8 is a pull through and is very large, but not so private as everyone walking to the main dock walks right past your site."
Leveling challenges: Some state parks present terrain difficulties. "Some of the sites are not very level for a tent," notes a Potlatch visitor, which applies doubly for RVs needing relatively flat surfaces.
RV size limitations: Many peninsula campgrounds have space restrictions. A Twanoh State Park camper warned, "If you need sunlight for your solar panels, you may be out of luck" due to the heavy forest canopy, while sites at several parks are noted as "not big-rig friendly."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Lakebay, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Lakebay, WA offers a wide range of camping options, with 252 campgrounds and RV parks near Lakebay, WA and 17 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Lakebay, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Lakebay, WA is Dash Point State Park Campground with a 3.9-star rating from 77 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Lakebay, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 17 free dispersed camping spots near Lakebay, WA.
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