Millersylvania State Park offers diverse camping options within a forested setting near Olympia. The park spans 842 acres with over 3 miles of shoreline along Deep Lake, featuring both second-growth and old-growth forest sections with trees dating back 400-500 years. Winter camping remains available with reduced services, typically maintaining sites 1-7 and 226-248 open during off-season months.
What to do
Water activities at Deep Lake: Swimming areas provide summer recreation with designated zones for families. One visitor noted, "The lake is small and great for letting kids go out in kayaks or other boats" at Millersylvania State Park Campground.
Beach exploration at coastal parks: Walk through sand dunes to reach ocean beaches within a short walk of campsites. "Walk through the dunes to the beach to put your feet in the ocean," reports a camper at Grayland Beach State Park Campground, where the beach area remains uncrowded compared to more popular coastal destinations.
Hiking forest trails: Multiple trail systems connect camping areas with forest sections and lake views. A camper mentioned, "There are ample trails throughout the park including a lovely trail along the lake, which is not far from the campground," regarding winter hiking options at Millersylvania State Park.
What campers like
Forest setting with privacy: Many sites feature natural separation with trees and undergrowth. One camper praised "large, paved, level, private campsites" at Grayland Beach State Park, noting the sense of isolation despite being in a developed campground.
Waterfront access: Camping areas positioned for direct water access or views. "The park itself is huge offering lots of options for campers. Super easy to get our trailer in and out of the spaces and there was lots of extra parking for our larger group," reports a visitor at Camp Thunderbird, mentioning its location "at the base of Summit Lake, with a dock and great swimming spot."
Seasonal variations: Different experiences available depending on timing. A winter visitor noted, "After months of trying to get reservations for this popular campground, we finally got one for Thanksgiving weekend! The park is on their winter schedule so only sites 1-7 and 226-248 were open. It made for a nice, quiet weekend even though the open sites were 80% full."
What you should know
Seasonal limitations: Weather conditions may affect services and accessibility. "The only reason for 4 stars instead of 5 is because our site had a huge mud puddle from the road going to the power and water hook-up. The thin layer of mud on the pavement made things quite slick as I was trying to get leveling blocks down," reported a Thanksgiving weekend visitor.
Cellular connectivity: Variable reception throughout the region. One camper at Coho Campground advised, "It is a 35 miles off of the highway. If you go, pack everything you need. There are no stores or gas stations once you hit the paved road to the campground."
Booking challenges: Reservations often necessary, especially for premium sites. A visitor noted, "The reservable lake spots 29, 31,33, 34, 35, & 36 sit on a bluff overlooking the lake. These are the prime spots," highlighting how certain locations book faster than others.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Multiple parks offer dedicated areas for children. At Dash Point State Park Campground, a visitor mentioned, "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."
Group camping options: Several parks accommodate larger family gatherings. "We stayed in the group camp and I can highly recommend it. It had its own bathrooms. It was set back in the woods with tons of places for tents. The shelter was large and had water and power," noted a camper regarding organized group spaces.
Waterfront safety: Designated swimming areas provide monitored environments. "The beach is the main attraction and it is hopping. We went early in the morning and staked a claim and were happy all day. There is a nice shallow area and two large swimming areas as well as a fishing dock," reported a family describing lake access.
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: Choose camping spots based on specific rig requirements. At Riverbend Campground, an RVer advised, "We got site 106 which was the furthest one out, it was right along the river. The site has a concrete slab and fit our Jayco 174BH perfectly. This site does is a back in, but the slab is at a 90 degree angle from the drive. So you will have to back your trailer around a corner if you plan to park it on the slab."
Winter power limitations: Electrical systems may have capacity constraints in colder months. "They advertise 30A service, but the grid cannot handle it. Breakers flip often, especially in the colder months when campers are trying to stay warm," warned one experienced camper about certain facilities during high-demand periods.
Shoulder season advantages: Less crowded experiences available outside peak periods. "Like almost any campground in Washington State the campground empties out on Sunday and is almost empty during the early part of the week," noted a regular visitor about optimal timing for quieter stays.
