257 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Several campgrounds surround Gold Bar, Washington, each with its own character. Denny Creek Campground draws many hikers who use it as a base for trails leading to nearby waterfalls. Near Snoqualmie Pass, Tinkham Campground sits among the thick green forests that define this part of the Northwest. Campers who want to fish often pick Beckler River Campground, which runs alongside the water and has good spots to watch for wildlife. Remember that Tinkham doesn't have drinking water, so you'll need to bring your own. Summer brings the best weather for camping in this area, but also brings more people, particularly on weekends when folks drive out from Seattle and nearby cities. If you're heading to Bedal Campground, know that the gravel roads getting there can be rough in places. While getting to some sites takes extra effort, most campers find the mountain views and outdoor activities worth it. It's always smart to look up current rules and check the weather forecast before you pack up your gear.
"This is a good campground just off Hyway 2 and on the river, some site are directly next to the river, however, we choose a site on the other side of the road due to the full hookup there."
"Thunderbird has 3 pools for all age groups (one especially designed for little toddlers) and a hot tub plus other great activities around the park. My kids would live at the playground if they could."
"The campground is next to a classy laundromat, and I say classy because it’s probably one of the nicest laundromats in the area that even has a dumpsite for RVs."
"The campground is in 500+ acre Tolt-McDonald Park, far enough away from any busy road so that there is no traffic noise, just the sound of the Tolt River rapids."
"Stopped through here on a trip around the mountain loop. This is in a great location being accessible from the city but near all the great trails in the area."
"This amazing little campground on mountain loop highway has it all."
from $32 - $72 / night
Check Availability"This is a nice campground with semi private sites, several of which are generous sized with walking trails, and trails to the lake. Lots of trees for privacy."
"Very close to several Walmarts and grocery stores."
"I headed to this campground with the intention of grabbing a site, it was around 3pm on a Saturday so I figured I was out of luck and continued on down the road to look for a spot to camp next to the river"
"The outhouse and water were close by."
from $32 - $68 / night
Check Availability"We arrived and only had hammocks to camp in and the two walk up sites did not provides trees to manage our hammocks."
"For the avid hiker & camper, two lakes are available for camping by permit a couple miles past the upper falls."
from $12 - $77 / night
Check Availability"The river is only a five minute walk away, and we spent most of one day there. I was very surprised by how quiet it was for only being an hour outside of Seattle."
"The campground was quiet, not too crowded (Sunday - Tuesday) and so close to many trails. A quick walk to the river was a nice way to finish the day."
from $32 - $96 / night
Check Availability"Gas stations and McDonalds next to the resort 1 mile from town of Sultan"
from $65 - $95 / night
Check Availability"Near enough to Seattle, but feels far away. Yes, there are trains, reserve away from the sites closest to the tracks if that bothers you."
"It’s not a long drive from the city of Seattle. You have the river to play with in the hot summer days and have enough room to play around your site."
from $32 - $76 / night
Check Availability"It has water and 30 amp power at all spots with access to a dump station. You are limited to 7 nights per month. It's right next to the fairgrounds so you have all the sounds that come with that."
"Notable considerations, near racetrack ongoing races and trials usually quiets down early evening this time of year. Great place to go adventure for the day. A couple major stores to stock up on."
from $35 / night
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TravelerI like this park. Beautiful views. Very pleasant and clean. Right next to I-90, easy on and off. Though the highway sounds are a constant. Periodic trains from the other side of the lake (though I find this a positive). Full hook up spots. Can accommodate larger rigs, but a few spots are a little tight to get into. Also a very good hamburger spot near by.
TravelerIt's true this exact location is a particular pull out over a river. Slept here in my truck just fine. A big rig wouldn't fit but good for trucks/vans. There are also numerous other pullouts along this road for smaller/medium rigs. Plenty of spots along the road.
RangerBeautiful setting Hot clean showers Good cell service Leave it Better Than you found it!
ScoutIt was easy to find flat areas to camp. I was careful about setting up too much. because there were several bear sightings in this area, so I wanted to avoid cooking odors and such.
GuideThis is probably my favorite campsite I have ever stayed at. Everything is far enough apart to where it doesn’t feel over crowded or crammed. It was a noisy campground, so if you are looking for something quiet this is not going to be for you… but the views, beach, cleanliness, and free shower make up for it ten times over. They also have a very cute gift shop with some merch to check out. The south lot has the more wooded and private campsites whereas the north lot is more of an open space with few tress providing any privacy. The beach is a very rocky beach, and you will need water shoes. Paddle board and kayak rentals were available as well. Onsite campfire wood, ice, snacks, basic camping supplies, and ice tram truck, etc all available at the main store.
TravelerCampsites are clean and private, but the vault toilets were so bad we left early. This campground would have been great otherwise. Tent pad was far from level in our site but others looked better.
ScoutBeautiful place, super friendly hosts, no one else here
LegendWe were coming off Orcas Island on a later ferry and wanted a “known” place to stay. This is a shared KOA/Thousand Trails site. It is situated amongst large Cedars so sites are pretty dark. Gravel roads and sites. Older bathrooms that don’t seem too clean. KOA amenities like a pool/hot tub, kids playground and dog area. Just feels tired and not too upscale. If it were full it would feel crowded. Updated from 3 to 4 stars. There is a second bathroom building which is much newer and has modern showers and fixtures. It also seemed cleaner.
GuideBasic forest service campground. Off the beaten path. Pit toilet is very clean
Camping sites near Gold Bar, Washington offer diverse experiences amid western hemlock forests at elevations between 500-1,500 feet. The Skykomish River basin provides natural waterway access for campers, with seasonal differences affecting site selection. Roads can be challenging during winter months when snowfall accumulates at higher elevations.
River activities: Flowing Lake Park & Campground provides easy water access with a swimming area. "The swimming area is also just rock and mud. A few loads of sand would make it infinitely better," notes Ryan O., highlighting that despite imperfections, many visitors enjoy cooling off during summer months.
Hiking trails: Wallace Falls State Park Campground connects to numerous trails for day hikers. Josiah P. mentions, "The hike to Wallace Falls (lower & upper) is moderate & enjoyable. The 'wooded hike' meanders along the Wallace River, which is said to have salmon & steelhead in August."
Fishing opportunities: Troublesome Creek Campground offers river access for anglers. "The granite lined riverbed is truly spectacular," writes Tracie W., while other reviewers mention salmon and steelhead fishing opportunities throughout the area waterways.
Private sites: Many campers appreciate the spacing between sites at Beckler River Campground. "Each site had good privacy considering how many spots there were. Best spots were along the river," shares Cassandra C., reflecting the common preference for riverside spots.
River sounds: The natural sound barrier of flowing water enhances the camping experience. At Money Creek Campground, campers mention, "If you stay right on the river, it drowns out some of the sound," which refers to the nearby train noise that some find disruptive.
Cell reception: Unlike more remote locations, several camping areas maintain reasonable connectivity. At Middle Fork Campground, the accessibility combines with modern conveniences. Jules R. notes, "The roads leading in from I90 were passable but confusing with 'Road Closed' signage when the road wasn't actually closed."
Train proximity: Money Creek Campground sites experience train noise throughout the night. Brian N. warns, "The site is pretty. However, don't plan on sleeping if you are in a tent. Trains go by many times in the night and they woke us up."
Water sources: Not all campgrounds maintain reliable water access. At Troublesome Creek Campground, Tracie W. reports, "Unfortunately there is no water right now for some unknown reason. Signage at the water spigot directed campers to a campground down the road."
Reservation requirements: Verlot Campground sites fill quickly during peak season. Kyna M. advises, "I was there mid-week, early season, so I had it pretty much to myself," suggesting timing flexibility improves your chances of securing a spot.
Playground access: Family-friendly amenities vary between locations. Mindy P. points out that Flowing Lake Park has "the most amazing playground" making it suitable for younger campers who need recreation options beyond natural features.
Seasonal berry picking: Several campgrounds offer natural snacking opportunities. At Middle Fork Campground, Dan P. shares, "There were so many berries around the camp and we could literally sit in camp and pick blue berries," which provides a fun activity for children.
River safety: Water access requires supervision at most locations. "The dogs loved playing in the river! In August the river is down so we weren't able to use our kayaks but just wading in the river was awesome all by itself," explains Bethany G. about Beckler River Campground, highlighting seasonal water level changes.
Pull-through sites: Thousand Trails Thunderbird offers dedicated RV camping with various hookups. Robert K. notes, "We choose a site on the other side of the road due to the full hookup there. The campground has some Semi Permanent residents so we felt a little like we were intruding."
Leveling ease: Several sites require minimal setup adjustments. Russ H. mentions about Tolt MacDonald Park, "The only campground we've been to where we didn't need to level the trailer. RV sites are all pull through, it's fairly quiet."
Dump station access: Plan your water management carefully. Tracy P. points out, "Riverside no sewer hookups but have dump station by where you check in. Perfect to check in dump if you stay on river side."
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there RV-friendly camping options in Gold Bar, WA?
Gold Bar and the surrounding area offer several RV-friendly options. Cascades RV Resort provides full hookups, level sites, and big-rig access close to Gold Bar. For those seeking a balance between amenities and nature, Lake Pleasant RV Park is within driving distance and offers competitive rates with nice facilities, including a man-made duck pond. While not directly in Gold Bar, Flowing Lake Park & Campground near Snohomish is another option with big-rig friendly sites and water/electric hookups. Many RVers also use the Forest Service campgrounds along Highway 2, though these typically offer fewer amenities with no hookups and may have limited space for larger rigs.
Where are the best camping spots in Gold Bar, Washington?
Gold Bar offers excellent access to scenic camping opportunities in the Cascade foothills. Verlot Campground provides sites along the river that are popular with campers, though sites near the highway may experience some traffic noise. For a more secluded experience, Wallace Falls State Park Campground offers walk-in sites near the famous waterfall trails. Just a short drive from Gold Bar, Index Town Wall Parking Area is popular with climbers who set up tents or sleep in vehicles, with easy access to Index's general store. The surrounding area also offers several Forest Service campgrounds like Money Creek and Beckler River for those willing to venture slightly further from town.
What amenities are available at Gold Bar campgrounds?
Campgrounds near Gold Bar typically offer basic to moderate amenities depending on the location. Beckler River Campground provides potable water, vault toilets, and fire rings at each site. Some sites are large enough to accommodate bigger camping setups. For more developed facilities, Lake Wenatchee State Park Campground is within driving distance and features pay showers, well-maintained restrooms, and river access. Most Forest Service campgrounds in the area offer picnic tables, fire pits, and vault toilets. Campgrounds closer to town may have cell service, while those deeper in the forest typically have limited or no connectivity. Always check seasonal availability as some amenities like water may be turned off during winter months.
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