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Best Tent Camping near McKenna, WA

1,108 Reviews

Tent campers exploring the McKenna, Washington area have several options ranging from established campgrounds to more remote backcountry sites. Mount Rainier National Park offers several tent-specific camping opportunities, including Mowich Lake Campground with tent platforms and picnic tables, and the more secluded Ipsut Creek Backcountry Campground, which requires a 5-mile hike to access. White River Dispersed Camping areas provide free, primitive tent sites outside the national park boundary, offering a balance between accessibility and wilderness experience.

Access to tent sites varies considerably across the region, with many locations requiring high-clearance vehicles to navigate unpaved forest roads. Most primitive tent areas lack drinking water, requiring campers to either bring sufficient supplies or filter water from nearby streams and lakes. Bear activity is common throughout the region, making proper food storage essential at all tent sites. Many Mount Rainier backcountry tent sites provide bear boxes or poles, while dispersed camping areas require visitors to bring their own containment systems. Fire restrictions are frequently implemented during summer months, particularly at higher elevations and during drought conditions.

The tent camping experience near McKenna offers significant advantages for those seeking natural immersion and quiet. Backcountry tent sites like Eagles Roost Camp provide greater seclusion, with one camper noting that "while you can be fairly close to fellow campers, you still get a good sense of privacy." Tent platforms at established sites help keep sleeping areas level and dry during wet weather. Most walk-in tent sites require short hikes from parking areas, creating natural buffers from road noise. Areas with tree cover offer suitable hammock camping options alongside traditional tent setups, though site selection is important. Seasonal considerations impact the tent camping experience significantly, with mosquitoes being particularly problematic near lakes and streams during summer months.

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Best Tent Sites Near McKenna, Washington (71)

    1. The Healing Farm

    2 Reviews
    Yelm, WA
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (509) 308-0188

    $60 / night

    "The campsite itself was private, peaceful, and perfectly set up—complete with a fire pit and a hammock that our son loved.

    Leaving was the hardest part (there were definitely tears)."

    "The kids was in Awh with all the animals and how they would let you walk up to them and interact with them."

    2. Mowich Lake Campground — Mount Rainier National Park

    13 Reviews
    Mount Rainier National Park, WA
    32 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 569-2211

    "The lake is absolutely beautiful and there are so many different trails branching off of it."

    "The sites were your standard, with a picnic table, fire ring, and plenty of trees for shade and cover. There are lots of things to do in the area."

    3. Hope Island Marine State Park Campground

    2 Reviews
    Shelton, WA
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 426-9226

    $12 / night

    "Boat-in sites are first-come, first serve so we did not arrive early enough to snatch the few that are right on the water but nonetheless the ones tucked in the forest were still beautiful and only a few"

    "It is located in the Puget Sound just North of Steamboat Island. It has 2 miles of hiking trails and 8 primitive campsites."

    4. Coffee Creek Community & Gardens

    1 Review
    Centralia, WA
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 623-2103

    $50 - $115 / night

    "The wood stove keeps you toasty in the cold, the kitchen space is perfect and simple. The windows give you incredible views of the forest."

    5. Macie's Brook

    1 Review
    Lakebay, WA
    24 miles
    +1 (206) 200-9169

    $15 - $45 / night

    6. Rock Candy Mountain Trailhead

    5 Reviews
    Tumwater, WA
    27 miles

    7. Ipsut Creek Backcountry Campground — Mount Rainier National Park

    10 Reviews
    Mount Rainier National Park, WA
    34 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 569-2211

    "The road slowly meanders uphill alongside the Carbon River for 5 miles, giving campers majestic views of Mount Rainier and surrounding peaks."

    "One incredible part about being here is the proximity to Mt. Rainier National Park. We did so many amazing hikes, it was unreal. The weather was perfect so Rainier was out and shinning bright!!"

    8. Paradise Pines

    5 Reviews
    Ashford, ID
    32 miles
    Website

    $30 - $45 / night

    "The spot was clean, private, and well-maintained with everything we needed for a comfortable stay—fire pit, flat tent area, and even restrooms nearby."

    "Convenient that it is so close to the entrance of Mount Rainier NP made for a few easy trips to come back and forth in between hikes."

    9. White River Dispersed Camping

    23 Reviews
    Greenwater, WA
    48 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 825-6585

    "Right outside the entrance to Mt."

    "If you come here you must leave no trace."

    10. Eagles Roost Camp — Mount Rainier National Park

    3 Reviews
    Mount Rainier National Park, WA
    30 miles
    Website

    "Pit toilet that isn’t nasty and most sites give you the feeling of privacy and with the waterfall close by there is constant white noise that while not overpowering it drowns out any neighbors."

    "It's a short hike from Mowich Lake, which has it's own campground, but there are only a few spots here, which makes it quiet.

    On the way, you get stunning views of Mount Rainier."

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Showing results 1-10 of 71 campgrounds

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near McKenna, WA

43 Photos of 71 McKenna Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near McKenna, WA

1108 Reviews of 71 McKenna Campgrounds

  • Mary C.
    Jun. 11, 2019

    La Wis Wis Campground

    Ranger Review of GCI chairs at La Wis Wis Campground

    Campground Review

    This campground is at the base of Mt Rainier National Park in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.  To get to the campsite, you have to drive down into the ravine of where the Cowlitz River cuts through the campsite. There are many sites on the river, with the rest in the trees covering the expanse of the grounds. Large RV/ trailers can only be in the upper Loop H.

    The road is a one way and for the most part, campers respect the speed limit, though there are some idiots who drive fast through. 

    There are no hookups, so you will be dry camping if you bring an RV. This is very close to Packwood and a great place to stay during Memorial Weekend for their annual Flea Market.  There is no cell service at this site. Site claims to have flushing toilets, but those were removed a few years ago, there are only vault toilets and no showers. Depending on how the snow melt is during the spring, will dictate fishing and camping opening. 

    Product Review

    I had the opportunity to review a GCI Outdoor Backpack Event Chair.  This product is amazing for lugging around from campground to fishing and back. The chair has four different positions for reclining and hard arm supports for getting up and down. There is a large pocket on the back allowing for easy toting of items from car to wherever. The backpack straps make toting a breeze and the clip to close keeps the chair in place. It is very light and easy to transport and has a weight limit of 250, but my very large cousin (300+) was able to sit with no problem. 

    https://www.gcioutdoor.com/camping-chairs/backpack-event-chair/

  • Elliott B.
    Aug. 30, 2017

    Ohanapecosh Campground — Mount Rainier National Park

    Ranger Review: Leatherman: Signal at Ohanapecosh Campground: Relaxing views of the old growth forest, however you can see every campground

    Campsite Review: This campground is really in a nice area of the old growth forest but it's camping amongst crowds when we went in the high season, the entire 188 sites were filled. There were very few walk-up sites and the rest of the campsites themselves are a decent size but not spaced far enough away from other campers and there is no underbrush to separate you from each other at all. We stayed at site 54 in loop A and had people constantly walking through/by both sides of our campsite to get to the toilets which were located on the next level higher than us. People literally walked right by our fire ring and through our chairs at one point to then hike up the hill instead of traversing around to the right for some stairs. If you can go off season by all means try and do it, but avoid this particular site at all costs…

    The toilet facilities weren’t the nicest ones I’ve been to and could have used a little TLC. The facilities right by us were dirty and a bit rusty. They also had no soap or hand drying instrument what-so-ever (neither paper towels or hand dryer). Thankfully we had these things ourselves, but usually in NP campgrounds you don’t have to bring them yourself to the restroom.

    Amenities: not sure if every site had one, but lots of bear boxes (you’re in bear and cougar (mountain lion) territory), your standard picnic tables, fire rings, plus flush toilets, potable water, & dump station for you RVers |Prohibited: pets off-leash, & firewood gathering (The camp host drives around selling wood if you haven’t already gotten some at a store) we came right during a fire ban, but as soon as it was removed they drove around letting everyone know. There then seemed to be a truck driving around with firewood for sale, I wasn’t able to confirm though as we were headed off to Paradise and then the Olympic peninsula.

    Nearby Hikes: Grove of the Patriarchs, & Silver Falls and not too far from Paradise which is a must do if you happen to come in wild flower season

    Gear Review: As a Ranger for The Dyrt I sometimes get the opportunity to test out products and the saving grace for this particular camp site was my testing of the Leatherman Signal (Designed for adventure!!). This is a truly fantastic Leatherman and even if you’ve had them for years you should really check out the newer lines of specialized gear. I had an old PST (pocket survival tool) as a boy scout and had upgraded to the original WAVE, but hadn’t checked them out in years as I still have them and thought what could be better than what I already have. I was wrong. This tool and many of the other lines (skateboarding, surfing, skiing, hunting) are also really worth checking out.

    • This is designed specifically with camping in mind.
    • Really impressed with the new ability to change out components from this and other tools are you wear them down.
    • The hammer is great for knocking in tent stakes into some stubborn ground or breaking up that giant block of ice into some manageable pieces.
    • Great locking functions on the blade, saw and hammer section - nothing comes loose as you’re cutting/hammering away
    • It’s really all the little touches that make this an awesome tool. Like having a sharpener, a built-in fire starter and emergency whistle. These are things that might end up saving your life if you happen to get stranded while out in the woods.

    I give the Leatherman Signal 4.5/5 Stars!

  • Tj J.
    Sep. 21, 2017

    Malaney Creek Farm

    Great Private Camping Getaway

    arrived at the farm and were greeted by the owners. they got on their quads and led us down a private road through a super nice cedar gated entry and showed us our spot. they gave us a quick run down of the place and let us be. our spot was the Trillium site which has a few hundred foot hike from where you park your car and the portable toilet. the site was pretty cool and very secluded. it had a fire ring with some sawn cedar benches, a pile of firewood and a giant old spool for a table. we threw our marmot up and took a closer look. there is a camp box with info, instant coffee, guides to area sight seeing and food along with a log book to write about your stay. there were also some cool led lighting which was great at night. fire ban was on but they put a big candle on the grate of the fire pit so we had something. we kicked around on the trails which look like they are used by horses and motorcycles but not heavily. some interesting plants in the area. they were working on a new trail that is supposed to eventually lead out to the lake but it wasnt complete yet. however it was covered with wood chips and had a hand cut cedar bridge built on it. you gotta see it. sounds like they are constantly evolving the farm looked like a lot of things in the works. definitely will come back for more time here. night time got spooky with coyotes howling in the distance but the morning there were so many birds chirping and singing you couldnt hear yourself think! oh we found a corn hole game in an open area that they have several picnic tables staged at.

  • April C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 13, 2022

    Millersylvania State Park Campground

    Choose your Adventure

    This place had it all; open RV camping, secluded van camping, tree canopy car/tent camping, walk-in camping, and themed safari tent camping, and one cute mini airstream. 

    Lake down the road. Water and electrical hookups, dump station with dump water and fresh water. 

    Restrooms and showers are scattered around. Showers are coin based and there is a machine to turn your dollars into coins.

  • Kier S.
    Aug. 28, 2019

    Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park

    Lots of space & fairly private

    I’ve spent a couple of nights up here this year and I LOVE this campground. It is large, but there is plenty of separation and the sites seem to offer fairly good privacy and have a good amount of space. 

    I camp in a hammock and there are a lot of sites that offer enough well spaced trees to set up hammocks.  There are nice fire rings at each of the sites, nice tables and firewood is available at the camp site.  I didn't know before I went, but dogs are allowed as long as they are on leashes, BUT they aren't allowed on most trails around the mountain.

    The campground is well situated to get you close to Paradise as well as a ton of hikes nearby. 

    There aren’t any showers, but the bathrooms are clean and have flush toilets.

  • Amanda
    Jul. 20, 2021

    Dragon's Gate Gardens

    A reservable paradise- expansive solitude, out of a picture book

    I just completed my third stay at Dragon's Gate, and I've now stayed in each of the different sections (Moon Meadow, Giant Crystal, Jessie's Camp). Each gives a completely different but wonderous experience, either with open views of flower pastures and woods, or a more insular green surrounded by trees. Each reservable space is massive.... 4-5 times the size of most campsites. While you may reasonably run into other campers within each section if you go for a walk, you won't even know anyone is in the other sections, its so private. Sing at the top of your lungs or let your dog roam, they won't run into anyone. 

    Its just SO pretty. Each campsite is really well maintained- the roads and campsites are mowed, carving into the meadows. There are porta potties and access to drinking water and a great deal on both wood and eggs. Wooden picnic tables are in each site, and a well appointed fire ring. The hosts are really lovely as well, and overly accommodating. The entire site is organic, so they do ask that you participate in their policies of no charcoal usage and leave no trace.

    Tenino itself is a cute little historic town, with a surprisingly well appointed supermarket and hardware store, and on Saturdays there's a farmers market. 

    Mostly, I love how my dog can safely roam, and how, even when I am completely by myself camping, I still feel safe.

  • Annie C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 1, 2021

    Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park

    Close to amazing hiking

    This is a popular, reservable campground at Mt Rainier. There are 5 loops with A loop and R(Road) loops not reservable. There is a fancy electronic iron ranger at the ranger station(something the rangers want you to use even when they are in their booth and clearly able to handle reservations). I had a nifty little bridge connecting my car and the picnic table to the the tent pad. I also had kids running through the trees and the middle of my campsite from the sites behind me. Most sites had good hammocking trees, and it looked like all had picnic tables. There is an amphitheater in the campground that had a nice draw of campers for the evening program. Bathrooms were clean and well maintained, but no showers. E loop was a no generator zone, which means it was fully booked while I was there. There is a good hike to Carter Falls along the Wonderland Trail, which cuts right through the campground. You are fairly close to Paradise which has more hiking trailheads and a visitor center.

  • marcus K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 4, 2025

    Cougar Rock Group Campground — Mount Rainier National Park

    Nice quiet campground

    Well maintained national park campground. Reserve on Recreation.gov. Sites have tables, bear boxes and fire pits. Restrooms have flush toilets and sinks for dishes. Ranger is available at the adjacent ranger station for check in or any other questions.

    Its a dry site - as in no water at the campsites. There is a drinking fountain by the bathroom. The dump station was closed for 2025 season and not sure when or if it will re open.

    Its only $20 in 2025.

  • Greg T.
    Jun. 13, 2018

    Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park

    large, tidy, with good tree cover, fire rings, and hinged grills to cook fo

    This campground is huge! got lost in it a few times... there are tons of great spots with nice fire rings and flat spots for tents. Firewood at the entrance to the campground. Didn’t see any showers but indoor plumbing in the bathrooms. Potable water by all the bathrooms as well. Many sites have pretty good privacy from the other sites even though they are relatively close together

Guide to McKenna

Nestled in the scenic landscapes of Washington, McKenna offers a variety of tent camping options that cater to outdoor enthusiasts seeking adventure and tranquility.

Tent campers appreciate these amenities

  • Enjoy the convenience of electric hookups and clean facilities at Rocky Point Campground, where you can also have a campfire and relax by the river.
  • The Healing Farm provides a unique experience with friendly farm animals, making it a great spot for families with kids.
  • For those looking for a more rustic experience, Malaney Creek Farm offers secluded sites with fire rings and picnic tables, perfect for a peaceful getaway.

Some prices for tent camping range from $20 to $40

  • At Deschutes River Ranch (Day Use Only), you can enjoy a day of fun in the sun with ample parking and river access, making it a popular choice during the summer months.
  • Eagles Roost Camp offers a serene hiking experience with easy access to stunning views of Mount Rainier, ideal for those looking to explore the great outdoors.
  • For a unique boat-in experience, Hope Island Marine State Park Campground allows you to kayak to your campsite, surrounded by beautiful hiking trails and beaches.

Tent campers should check out local activities

  • Fishing enthusiasts will appreciate the access to the lake at Rocky Point Campground, where many visitors enjoy casting a line right from the campground.
  • Families can have a blast interacting with animals at The Healing Farm, where kids can help feed and milk goats, creating unforgettable memories.
  • For those seeking adventure, Macie's Brook offers spacious tent sites near the water, perfect for kayaking and exploring the surrounding nature.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near McKenna, WA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near McKenna, WA is The Healing Farm with a 5-star rating from 2 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near McKenna, WA?

TheDyrt.com has all 71 tent camping locations near McKenna, WA, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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