Capitol Forest contains most dog friendly campgrounds near Malone, with elevations ranging from 600 to 2,600 feet. The area features second-growth forests of Douglas fir, western hemlock, and western red cedar. Winter camping is limited by seasonal closures and muddy conditions at many sites, particularly on logging roads after November.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Lake Sylvia State Park offers calm waters ideal for shoreline fishing. "The lake is extremely calm. This is the ideal place for paddle sports such as SUP and Kayaking," notes Dawnielle C.
Trail exploration: Margaret McKenny Equestrian Campground provides access to multiple hiking paths. "There's hiking trails all around you!" shares Abby M. The campground features three separate loops with one dedicated to horses Monday through Friday.
Swimming and beach access: Lake Sylvia State Park Campground has designated swimming areas with safety features. "They offer a large playground and barriers in the shallow area of the water to help parents keep an eye on their little ones," according to Dawnielle C.
Gold panning: Porter Creek provides interesting creekside activities beyond typical camping. One visitor mentioned, "There was a creek near by with people panning for gold which was interesting!"
Motorcycle and ATV riding: The extensive trail system supports motorized recreation. "This campground is amazing! So many trails all over the campground to enjoy while your here," reports Meaghan B. about camping experiences in Capitol Forest.
What campers like
Quiet camping options: Schafer State Park offers a peaceful environment away from crowds. "The sites on the West side of E Satsop Rd are the original sites... there are some really great, private sites on the West side, especially 45-50," notes Carrie S.
Cell service availability: For those needing connectivity, Rock Candy Mountain Trailhead provides reliable coverage. "As for cell service Verizon was barely there... 5 bars of cell service," report different visitors describing the variable coverage.
Bathroom facilities: Campers appreciate clean facilities at several locations. "Clean bathrooms, water, and a (very cold) shower! As someone who usually disperse camps, the amenities were a nice luxury," shares Anna P. about Millersylvania State Park.
Private, wooded sites: American Heritage Campground offers secluded camping spots. "The lots are well plotted with space and privacy," mentions Steve F. Another camper noted, "I really appreciated the ease of getting to the campground off of I-5 and the privacy of the heavily wooded individual sites."
What you should know
Discover Pass requirements: Washington State parks and recreation lands require permits. "You are supposed to have a Washington State Discovery pass to stay here," notes Samuel H. about Fall Creek. Middle Waddell Campground needs "a Washington state parks pass for $10."
Seasonal closures: Porter Creek closes during winter months. "We arrived at the end of the road to find the campground closed," reports Phoebe B., who arrived before the May 27 opening.
Limited availability: Millersylvania State Park Campground can be difficult to reserve during peak seasons. "After months of trying to get reservations for this popular campground, we finally got one for Thanksgiving weekend!" shares Christina F.
Road conditions: Access to some areas requires careful driving. Rock Candy Mountain has "a dirt road but some parts are very rocky. Not many dispersed camping spots just pullover spots really," according to William T.
Campground cleanliness concerns: Some primitive sites need extra attention. "There were several campsites near the river where you could smell human excrement, see large piles of used toilet paper, along with garbage littered around almost every campsite," notes one visitor about certain Porter Creek sites.
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds available: Family-oriented facilities enhance child-friendly camping. "Amazing place to camp for families! Nice sites, clean restrooms, swimming, kayaking, a playground, and miles of trails!" exclaims Ashley E. about Lake Sylvia.
Swimming options: Schafer State Park Campground offers water recreation suitable for different ages. "The river is really good for splashing and wading, but a little too shallow for swimming and floating," reports Michael L.
Weekend noise levels: Plan accordingly for busier periods. "A few trucks did speed by in the middle of the night, but it was a Saturday and July 4th weekend," mentions Mar Z., describing typical weekend patterns at Rock Candy Mountain.
Kid-friendly activities: Millersylvania offers structured recreation. "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," shares Ellen T.
Tips from RVers
RV site selection: Choose sites carefully at Millersylvania. "We had a pull-through site right across from the dumpster, bathrooms, and camp host. 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," advises Christina F.
Budget-friendly options: Little Creek Casino Resort RV Park offers economical overnight parking. "The dry lot is nicer than spending the night in a Walmart Parking Lot... I was charged $15 to spend the night in this lot," reports Sophia S.
Hookup availability: American Heritage provides essential services. "Several types of areas, hook ups 30 amp, showers, water, dump station," mentions Caryn Z.
Site length considerations: Ensure your RV fits the designated space. "Make sure you get a site that is large enough for both the RV and your vehicle as there is no extra parking. We picked a 50 ft site which allowed us to park the RV and still have room for our towed car," advises one RVer.