Searching for the best camping near University Place, WA? Discover secluded campsites where you can reconnect with nature. Or maybe you like to bring your family and friends along. Either way, there are University Place campgrounds just for you. You're sure to find the perfect campground for your University Place camping trip.
$20 / night
""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."
$32 / night
"Pros: group camp is very close to beach front area, GREAT CLAMMING AND OYSTERING!"
"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."
$57 - $104 / night
"Close by stores, trails, parks, harbor. Tacoma across bridge (10 minutes - $6.25 toll)."
"Costco, Home Depot, Albertsons and other shopping close by."
"Excellent location for those with military access to the base - active duty, retired or family. 30/50 amp hookups. Beautiful views of American Lake. Pet friendly."
"It is in the wilderness, on the lake, but it is also fairly close to stores and gas stations. Long term max is 28 days per spot."
$12 / night
"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."
$60 / night
"My family stayed here for a night when we went out to Washington a few months ago. It was a nice little place."
"Pay showers ($1 for 3 minutes) and clean restroom with air dryer, pet friendly, lots of trails to hike and a beautiful beach area with a playground, seasonal/weekend snack shop, outdoor shower by the beach"
$12 - $35 / night
"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."
$40 / night
"Just like building and exploring in Minecraft for PC, you can craft your perfect outdoor adventure here, surrounded by nature, and enjoy endless fun and exploration."
$8 - $32 / night
"Need to reserve your site online with the JBLM MWR or go to the adventure center building nearby on base. Nice access to American Lake and fishing nearby as well."
"This is a great spot on American Lake to camp with many sites on the waterfront. I would highly recommend this location to eligible military ID Card holders."
$50 / night
"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."
GuideWe stayed here and heard maybe 1 car the whole day/night. Granted, we found a pull off into the woods.
GuideLarge sites that are pretty private. Lots of shade and trees. The bathrooms work well and were clean. Our site had a beautiful water view, but there was a trail that went by right next to the site limiting privacy.
GuideA great spot to hang out or use as a jump to the ocean beaches. Located along the Satsop River, Schafer State Park's new East Campground offers up a well designed and quiet alternative to the older West Campground, which is already well covered by reviewers. Addressing specifically the East, this newly opened camp shouts "Somebody finally gets it!". WSP took a probably forlorn area of riparian land and built a camping loop that is private, quiet, suitable for both tents and RV's. Good ADA sites. New yet typical WSP restrooms. Schafer as a whole might rate higher if this newer loop had any grass and the older loop more privacy.
LegendSo many places advertised themselves as a resort when they are not such. This place is very nice. Very well laid out. Beautiful trees and landscaping. Well maintained, full facilities in amenities, A1 staff - very friendly and helpful and wanting to please.
LegendI spent a weekend tent camping at Dash Point State Park, and honestly, it was a great time even though I completely failed to plan any meals. Thankfully, civilization is only about 15 minutes away. There’s a grocery store, takeout options, and even coffee if you're feeling soft(I was).
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. Not exactly glamping, but comfortable. It was quiet at night and bathrooms were clean, which is all you can really ask for.
There were signs posted upon entry saying a Discover Pass is required. I wasn’t sure if that applied to campers too, but I already had one and didn’t want to ruin my weekend trying to interpret Washington State Parks signage. If you don’t have a pass, might be worth looking into before you go; I got mine at a nearby REI. 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, but it’s still great for exploring, skipping rocks, or pretending you're in a moody PNW indie film (yes, I'm talking Twilight). There are also some nice forest trails for an easy hike or post-takeout digestion walk.
Why only 4 stars? It's tucked into the city so it's busy. You might hear a bit of road noise, depending on your site. But it’s a small price to pay for a low-effort, high-reward camping weekend.
GuideNice state forest with old growth. Lots of walking trails and a lake. Many families and kids running free. Quieted down around 10pm. A bit pricey ($37 peak season) but very convenient if you're in Olympia and need a campsite late/on the fly. Clean bathrooms, water, and a (very cold) shower! As someone who usually disperse camps, the amenities were a nice luxury. No bugs this time of year.
ScoutThe parking lot has many signs saying no camping. On the way into the parking though, there are three spots on the side of the road. Set up camp there. Very busy road. Other comments say they went up the road aways, there was a piece of metal sticking up across the road, wasn’t going over that. It was intended to keep people out. Where we stayed was slightly sketchy, lots of trash.
TravelerThis is a gravel road through the National Forest with a bunch of pull-offs where you can camp. It was nothing special but very quiet and peaceful other than one or two cars that passed by. Felt safe as a single tent camper
GuideOften 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. Small sites with little privacy but very well kept for a heavily used park. That is the waterfront loop, the tent loop is also quite nice and a bit more private but we have not stayed there. My chief complaint is that there are no restrooms on the waterfront loop, the two closest being fully public and free to use.
Otherwise, if you can score a waterfront site, this campground earns the loyalty of everyone we meet there.
Camping near University Place, Washington, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a family-friendly spot or a peaceful retreat, there are plenty of options to explore.
For those seeking the Best Camping near University Place, WA, these campgrounds offer a variety of experiences that cater to different preferences and needs. Whether you're in an RV or tent camping, there's something for everyone in this beautiful region.
Frequently Asked Questions
According to TheDyrt.com, University Place, WA offers a wide range of camping options, with 265 campgrounds and RV parks near University Place, WA and 25 free dispersed camping spots.
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near University Place, WA is Dash Point State Park Campground with a 3.9-star rating from 69 reviews.
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 25 free dispersed camping spots near University Place, WA.
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 14 parks near University Place, WA that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.
Keep Exploring
