Best Tent Camping near Mercer Island, WA
Tent camping options around Mercer Island, Washington include several accessible yet secluded sites within an hour's drive. Blake Island Marine State Park Campground offers tent-only sites accessible exclusively by boat, while Green Mountain provides primitive tent camping with basic facilities approximately 24 miles west across Puget Sound. Both locations feature established tent pads suitable for overnight stays.
Most tent sites near Mercer Island require some planning, as amenities vary considerably between locations. Blake Island has drinking water, picnic tables, and toilets, but campers must arrange boat transportation to reach the island. Green Mountain sites feature picnic tables and vault toilets but lack drinking water. Several locations enforce quiet hours beginning at 10 pm, with strict ranger enforcement during summer months. Fire restrictions commonly apply during dry summer months, particularly at Blake Island where rangers actively monitor compliance. A visitor noted, "Very strict rangers which can be good or bad depending on your preference. Quiet hours are at 10pm which is early for some people."
Tent campers in the Mercer Island region often enjoy waterfront proximity and relative seclusion despite being near urban areas. Blake Island provides tent sites with views of Seattle and access to a perimeter hiking trail that circles the island. According to The Dyrt reviews, "It is a peaceful getaway from the hustle and bustle with gorgeous views of the city." Summer temperatures on exposed tent sites can become hot during the day, but ocean breezes provide relief in the evening. For mainland options, Paine Field Community Park offers tent camping with picnic tables in a wooded setting that reviewers describe as "clean and safe" with good facilities for families and pets. Most tent campsites in the region remain open year-round, though summer represents peak usage with more competition for limited tent sites.
