Camping near Lakewood offers opportunities for waterfront recreation, wooded seclusion, and year-round accessibility within 30 miles of the city center. Temperatures range from 35-78°F seasonally, with wettest conditions from November through January. Most campsites in this area don't require high-clearance vehicles, though several access roads become muddy during rainy periods.
What to do
Beach exploration: Saltwater State Park offers a distinctive shoreline environment just 20 miles north of Lakewood. "The beach is a short walk from camp, just long enough to make you feel like you earned your sunset view, but not so long that you regret your life choices. It's more of a rocky, muddy beach than a sandy one," notes Saraj B.
Fishing: Riverbend Campground provides river access for anglers approximately 30 miles southwest of Lakewood. "We are looking forward to going back and enjoying the fishing along the river," shares Johnathan R., while another camper mentions the campground's "lovely river walks and nice picnic spots."
Trail hiking: Dash Point State Park Campground includes an extensive trail network suitable for day hikes of varying difficulty. "Facilities were good and trails around are fun and easy enough for me and 2 kids. The beach and its tides are why we came," writes Ingrid M. The park maintains over 11 miles of trails, most under 3 miles in length.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Campers consistently mention site spacing at Penrose Point State Park Campground. "This campground is remarkable in the privacy between each of the camping spots, the bird life, the wild and deep forest vibes, and the walking trails," writes Brittany D. Another camper observes, "Sites were reasonably private and quiet at night (except for a brief invasion of 6 raccoons at our site one night!)"
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain well-kept restrooms and showers. "Bathroom and shower is kept clean, as is the rest of the campground," notes a Saltwater State Park visitor. At Riverbend Campground, campers appreciate that "facilities are also super clean."
Family-friendly atmosphere: Joemma Beach State Park Campground offers a welcoming environment for families. "As a local, this is also the spot where you go to camp and party with friends and family," shares Katiedawn V. The park's $12/night camping fee makes it budget-friendly for families.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds require advance planning, especially during summer months. "You can only stay at the camp site for 1 night at a time," notes a Joemma Beach State Park visitor. At Penrose Point, "the campground was full with lots of families with young kids...sites felt relatively private and the whole park is heavily wooded."
Airport noise: Saltwater State Park experiences significant aircraft traffic. "Commercial jets landing at Sea-Tac fly directly above us at a low altitude and are VERY loud and VERY frequent (every 3-5 minutes)," reports Travis P. Consider this factor when selecting your campsite.
Cell service considerations: Connectivity varies significantly between campgrounds. At Game Farm Wilderness Campground, visitors report consistent coverage, while at Joemma Beach State Park, "T-mobile service spotty - could not use hotspot. Had to drive about 15 mins down road to park to access 5G."
Tips for camping with families
Waterfront activities: Penrose Point State Park offers family-friendly water access. "Our family had a great time playing in the water each day. The grounds, including bathrooms, were well maintained and the kids enjoyed taking part in the junior ranger program," shares Sarah H.
Playground access: Several campgrounds include play areas. At Riverbend Campground, visitors mention "children and dog play grounds" with "a beautiful view of the river." These amenities provide entertainment options beyond hiking and swimming.
Budget-friendly options: Sun Outdoors Gig Harbor provides tent options despite being primarily an RV resort. "This is definitely a RV resort, but there are 5 or 6 tent camping sites under some big trees which provide shade almost all day. Nice bathroom and showers. Laundry, dog run, tv room, plus really friendly employees," notes Jacob P.
Tips from RVers
Military facilities: For eligible ID holders, military campgrounds offer excellent value. At Holiday Park Military, "To a military ID card holder, you won't find a better deal. Full hookups, sites are a bit close, but the campground loop makes it feel spacious," shares Paul B.
Site selection: At Sun Outdoors Gig Harbor, "The spaces are very close together, but there are a lot of trees and it's very well kept. I stayed for almost three weeks and it was quiet and relaxing, despite how close together the sites are," observes Joseph I.
Hookup availability: Verify utilities before booking. "We had problems with the camp sites. 1st one had a bad power pole and the next one the water leaked. Still we would return," shares a Lewis North Travel Camp visitor, highlighting that even well-maintained facilities may have occasional issues.
