Camping spots near Mercer Island, Washington provide quick escapes from city life with many locations offering year-round access despite the region's 36-40 inches of annual rainfall. The area's elevation ranges from sea level to 500 feet, creating diverse camping environments from waterfront sites to forested retreats within a 30-mile radius of the island.
What to do
Hiking on varied terrain: At Kanaskat-Palmer State Park, trails run along the Green River with access points for experienced kayakers. "Short hike to river spots that are perfect for wading or fishing. 10 minute drive from Deep Lake which is beautiful and great for swimming and paddle boarding," notes Ashlie M.
River exploration: The Snoqualmie River at Tolt MacDonald Park offers fishing opportunities and riverside trails. "Great spot for steelhead + salmon fishing. We've fished steelhead and pinks out of the snoqualmie river in the past," shares Mercedes D., who adds that the suspension bridge is "pretty cool, but hold onto your phones tight because it could slip through the holes into the river below."
Beach activities: Beachcombing and marine wildlife watching are popular at waterfront campgrounds. "The beach is a short walk from camp, just long enough to make you feel like you earned your sunset view," explains Saraj B. at Dash Point State Park, adding that "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."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the natural separation between camping spots. At Manchester State Park Campground, "The spaces are very private and spread out. Everything is clean including the bathrooms," according to Jeff O. This former military installation offers unique historical features alongside camping.
Urban proximity with forest feel: Despite being close to urban areas, several campgrounds maintain a wilderness atmosphere. "Once in the campground, you would have no idea that you are surrounded by a sprawling metropolitan area," notes a reviewer at Dash Point. At Tall Chief Campground, campers mention that "sites are pretty big too. We can easily fit our trailer, tow vehicle, and extra vehicle and still have space!"
Clean facilities: Many campers highlight well-maintained bathrooms and showers. At Fay Bainbridge Park, facilities receive consistent praise despite the compact nature of the campground. "The Rv spaces are close together but each site has water and electric. The downside is there is no sewage dumping site at the park," explains ML D., who notes that "the view of the sound is stunning."
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: While many campgrounds remain open year-round, conditions vary significantly by season. "It's right in the floodplain, so it is only enjoyable when it is not rainy season," notes a Tolt MacDonald camper, highlighting the importance of timing your visit.
Reservation requirements: Most popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially on weekends from May through September. "We decided to check this camp ground out after our friends had stayed there," notes Eric P. about Manchester State Park, which offers both hookup and non-hookup sites.
Airport noise: Campgrounds near SeaTac Airport experience frequent aircraft noise. At Saltwater State Park, one camper notes, "ALL day and night the planes felt like they were in our tent/heads. Every 3-30 seconds it was LOUD." Consider this factor when selecting a campground if noise sensitivity is important.
Cell reception variability: Mobile coverage fluctuates significantly between campgrounds and even between sites. At Tall Chief Campground, a camper advises: "Try to find a site with good cell reception due to all the trees. They definitely have a few, but arrive early so you can drive by all the sites while checking to make sure you have good reception if you need it."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas for children. At Lake Pleasant RV Park, "We did not use the bathrooms, but enjoyed the walking trails, playground for the kids, and watching the resident ducks in the pond," shares Nikki R., highlighting the family-friendly amenities.
Beach play areas: Waterfront campgrounds often provide the best entertainment for children. Fay Bainbridge Park gets high marks for its "Amazing kids area pirate ship. Great beach walk and good camp sites," according to Tanya B., making it ideal for families with younger children.
Safety considerations: Some campgrounds have better security than others. At Manchester State Park, the park rangers maintain a strong presence, which contributes to the feeling of security. One camper notes, "Park hosts sell firewood, sites are level and fairly decently divided from your neighbor."
Weather planning: The Puget Sound region experiences significant rainfall, so prepare accordingly with tarps and rain gear. As one camper at Kanaskat-Palmer notes, "It was a cold and rainy weekend but we still had an enjoyable time. We'll come back in the summer!"
Tips from RVers
Hookup limitations: Many campgrounds near Mercer Island offer only partial hookups. At Vasa Park Resort, "The full hook up spaces seem a bit close together but I was willing to do partial and got a roomier spot," shares Ralph D., adding that despite limited hookups, "The bathroom, laundromat, etc are sparkling clean."
Dump station access: Plan for waste management as several campgrounds lack on-site dump stations. At Tall Chief Campground, a reviewer notes, "I do have to knock a star for the fact no sites have sewer hookups...We had to take showers at the facilities which are kept up fairly well."
Level site considerations: RVers should check site levelness before setting up, especially at state parks. One camper at Kanaskat-Palmer with a 30' motorhome reported, "The gravel pull through was so not level the jacks pushed the front tires 6 inches off the ground."
Size restrictions: Some campgrounds can't accommodate larger RVs. At Trailer Inns RV Park in Bellevue, sites are described as "basically a paved parking lot. It is not level. Vehicles are packed in tight," though its proximity to Seattle makes it practical for urban exploration.
