Charlie Y.
Guide
GuideLake Pleasant RV Park
Cross country travelers
Nice urban RV campground.,..good location and price if you are visiting the Seattle area.....I would camp here again if need be. Clean, safe, secure
Camping near Monroe, WA
232 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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Monroe, Washington provides access to several established campgrounds with varied accommodation options within a short drive of the city. Thousand Trails Thunderbird, located directly in Monroe, offers year-round camping with tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin rentals. Flowing Lake Park & Campground in nearby Snohomish features waterfront camping with similar accommodation types, while Tolt MacDonald Park in Carnation combines traditional camping with glamping options including yurts. The region's campgrounds typically feature amenities such as picnic tables, fire rings, and access to toilets, with many offering electrical hookups and drinking water.
Camping facilities in the area remain accessible throughout the year, though availability and conditions vary by season. Most established campgrounds require reservations, particularly during summer weekends when sites fill quickly. The proximity to both the Cascade Mountains and Puget Sound creates a climate of mild, wet winters and warm, dry summers, making late spring through early fall the most comfortable camping period. Many campgrounds in the region provide water and electrical hookups for RVs, while tent campers can find both primitive and improved sites. Cell service is generally reliable throughout the area due to proximity to urban centers. As one camper noted about Tolt MacDonald Park, "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."
Campers consistently highlight water access as a significant draw to the area's campgrounds. Several sites offer proximity to rivers, lakes, and streams, providing opportunities for fishing, paddling, and swimming. Flowing Lake Park receives positive reviews for its lake access, while Tolt MacDonald Park earns praise for its riverside location and trail connections. The region's campgrounds balance natural settings with convenient access to urban amenities, as many sites are within a short drive of grocery stores and restaurants. Noise levels vary significantly between locations, with some campgrounds affected by nearby highways while others offer more secluded experiences. A reviewer described Lake Pleasant RV Park as "the nicest park with the best rates close to the Seattle area. It's north of Lake Washington so you can skip bridge traffic and tolls."
Best Campgrounds near Monroe (232)
1. Flowing Lake Park & Campground
"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."
"I probably wouldn’t bring a trailer more than 32 or 33 feet long in here as there are tight curves around trees. Did have electric and water."
2. Lake Pleasant RV Park
"This is the nicest park with the best rates close to the Seattle area. It’s north of Lake Washington so you can skip bridge traffic and tolls. It has easy access to UW Bothell."
"The roadways are easy to navigate and lots of folks walk around the park roads."
from $62 - $750 / night
Check Availability3. Tolt MacDonald Park, WA
"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."
4. Thousand Trails Thunderbird
"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."
5. Evergreen State Fairgrounds
"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
Check Availability6. Verlot Campground
"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 Availability7. Tall Chief Campground
"This is a big park that is part of Thousand Trails. No sales pitch to join, which was nice. Rangers were super nice. Bathrooms very new and clean. Lots of trees between sites. "
"We love Tall Chief because it is super close to a lot of great spots around the Seattle region. It’s super close (like 7 min drive) from one of my favorite coffee shops, Aroma Coffee Co. Try it!"
8. Cascades RV Resort
"Gas stations and McDonalds next to the resort 1 mile from town of Sultan"
from $65 - $95 / night
Check Availability9. Eagles Reach
"Located near the Skykomish River, this is a great place to relax after a long day of exploring. Book them here and leave a review!"
from $35 - $55 / night
Check Availability10. Silver Lake RV Park
"The proximity to the lake is very nice. The park is very well kept. This is a bit close to businesses, but still feels pretty sereen."
Drive Time
- 31 min from Seattle, WA
- 43 min from Mount Vernon, WA
- 1 hr 7 min from Bellingham, WA
- 1 hr 22 min from Bremerton, WA
Recent Camping Photos near Monroe, WA
333 Photos of 232 Monroe Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Recent Reviews near Monroe, WA
1371 Reviews of 232 Monroe Campgrounds
Lisa M.
LegendFlowing Lake Park & Campground
Very green and quiet
I’m giving this park only four stars because the roads coming into the park and the road through the park are very narrow and winding. I probably wouldn’t bring a trailer more than 32 or 33 feet long in here as there are tight curves around trees. Did have electric and water. But as others have said, kind of surprised that it doesn’t have a dump station. Very nice walking trail through the forest and next to a lake where one could go swimming or boating. We were here in midweek in September and the park was only about 1/4 full. Our site number 26 was nice, but not very level. Showers were clean and hot water. Very nice play ground.
Emmi O.GuideKanaskat-Palmer State Park
Good place to stay overnight
We spent one night here. Short walk to the riverside.
- LLori R.Guide
Falls View Campground
Quiet forest camping at Falls View — spacious Site 12, a steep river hike, and Highway 101 for a soundtrack
Falls View Campground is a small, primitive U.S. Forest Service campground in Olympic National Forest, about 3.5 miles south of Quilcene on Highway 101. We spent two quiet nights here and had the place mostly to ourselves. That emptiness is the tradeoff: no potable water (the campground is under redesign), vault toilets only, no hookups, and first-come, first-served sites. If you want flush toilets and a water spigot, this is not it. If you want tall timber, a river below you, and room to breathe, it works. We stayed in Site 12, one of the newer spots. It was spacious, with good privacy from the next site and easy pull-through options for a van. Picnic table, fire ring, and enough gravel pad to park without a scramble. The campground map notes that Sites 1, 2, 3, and 9 are small and limited to car/truck campers; 12 felt like a different category. Payment is cashless. You can occupy a site, then either scan the QR code with the Recreation.gov app or drive about three miles north to the fee machine at Quilcene Ranger Station (295142 US-101). Official rate is $10 per night for a single site, plus $5 for an extra vehicle. Display the receipt on the site post. The Falls View Canyon Trail starts in the campground and drops to the Big Quilcene River. It is not an easy stroll. What goes down must come up, and the climb is steep — switchbacks, stairs in places, and enough grade to make you notice. The payoff is the river: mossy basalt, clear water, and that classic Olympic Peninsula green. There is also a shorter loop to a viewpoint of the waterfall plunging toward the river. Bring water; there is none at the campground. Highway 101 is close enough that you hear traffic. It did not ruin the stay for us, but light sleepers or people hunting total silence should know that going in. Pets must be leashed. Season is roughly May through September. Bottom line: Cheap, quiet, and pretty if you are self-contained and okay with vault toilets and a steep hike. Site 12 was a winner. Pack your own water and expect the highway
- JJennifer M.
TravelerSage Horse Camp
A Quiet, Serene Equestrian Camp
My feline and I were looking for a quiet, off the beaten path sanctuary and found it. We chose spot 14 in the nw corner, hidden and along the northern treeline. The road is gravel and took us a minute to roll in and once there, magnificent. There are amenities for horses to play, trails to ride, and corrals at each of the 15 sites. Although we did not have horses, this place was a wonderful spot to rest our road legs for a couple days.
Morgan G.
ScoutRhododendron Campground
standard car camping
10 out of 15 sites were available on Labor Day weekend Saturday at 4pm. No reservations - it's just show up, put $15 cash in the box, and claim your campsite. Perfectly adequate car camping with a picnic table, fire circle, and access to pit toilets.
you can still hear road noise from the main road, and barking dogs in the morning from a nearby dog sanctuary. Beautiful rhododendron brush covers the space between sites.
Cathy E.TravelerGold Basin Campground
Lovely Campground, Disgusting Vault Toilets
Campsites 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.
- JJessica B.Scout
Deception Pass State Park Campground
Check the training schedule before you camp here!
The Navy carrier jets train out here, for hours on end, you can’t hear someone next to you speak when they’re overhead, and it’s one after another. To top it off, some dipsh@t did the grand finale flight of the evening, around 11:30 PM, so low over the campground they lit up the inside of the tent.
Without the jets, this would be a great spot. Beautiful scenery, plenty of trails and beaches, well kept, but the constant interruption of any moment of peace makes it worthless unless you’re deaf and don’t mind the ground vibrating routinely when they fly over.
- HHB B.Scout
Whitehorse Regional Park Campground (Snohomish County)
Whitehorse County campground
Beautiful place, super friendly hosts, no one else here
Guide to Monroe
Camping near Monroe, Washington offers multiple options within forests and along waterways. Nestled at the foothills of the Cascade Mountains with elevations ranging from 60 to 500 feet, campsites provide varying access to the Skykomish and Snoqualmie Rivers. Cell reception varies significantly between locations, with stronger signals at lower elevations and spotty coverage in more remote areas.
What to do
Fishing access: Verlot Campground sits beside the South Fork Stillaguamish River with direct water access from many sites. "We had a spot right by the South Fork Stillaguamish River. We fell sleep and woke up to river sounds and were able to walk down to it straight from our site. There was also a cute sandy beach just at the edge of the campgrounds," notes one visitor.
Hiking trails: Tolt MacDonald Park offers numerous hiking trails directly accessible from the campground. A camper describes the layout: "If you venture across the Shakey bridge there are hiking trails, access to the water, and plenty of trees to hang your hammock in. There are also additional more remote camping spots on the other side of the bridge."
Swimming options: Several campgrounds provide swimming opportunities during summer months. At Flowing Lake Park & Campground, one reviewer mentions the facilities need improvement: "The beach access park loses a star for the grass being very wet and mushy. With a little work this could be fixed. The swimming area is also just rock and mud. A few loads of sand would make it infinitely better."
What campers like
Spacious sites: Many campgrounds in the Monroe area feature larger than average sites. At Flowing Lake, a camper notes: "Campsites are spacious and private. Reserve ahead very popular especially during the summer. Flushing toilets and showers. Lake access with boat launch and fishing dock."
River views: Campgrounds situated along waterways receive consistently high ratings. At Thousand Trails Thunderbird, a reviewer appreciates the setting: "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."
Quiet evenings: Despite proximity to urban areas, several campgrounds maintain peaceful environments. As one Tolt MacDonald visitor describes: "It was quiet and peaceful." Another adds more detail: "Love this campground! So beautiful here and peaceful!"
What you should know
Reservation necessities: Most campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. For Lake Pleasant RV Park, timing matters: "Easy reservation process. Reasonable rate for city location. Look at monthly rates if you staying more than two weeks. On site storage if you need to leave your rig for a few days."
Noise concerns: Some campgrounds experience noise from nearby highways or attractions. At Evergreen State Fairgrounds, one camper warns: "Not a place for tranquility. The price is right for what you get. Hosts are good people and quiet when races not running."
Varied site quality: Sites within the same campground can differ dramatically. At Verlot Campground, a visitor advises: "I was shocked by the high score and mostly positive reviews, but then I realized there is probably a huge difference between camping in the spots along the river vs. the ones right next to the highway, which is where I was."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Flowing Lake offers excellent facilities for children. One camper highlights: "Great county operated campground campsites are spacious and private. Cabins available, also the most amazing playground."
Educational opportunities: Some campgrounds provide nature learning experiences. At Tall Chief Campground, families appreciate the natural setting: "Helpful, friendly staff. Large private sites. It feels like you are deep in the PNW rainforest but you close to amenities and shopping."
Group camping: Several locations accommodate youth groups. One visitor shares: "We camped here with my daughter's American Heritage Girls troop. The site was nice and big. The park had lots for the girls to do and explore. We had a great time."
Tips from RVers
Water and power availability: Most campgrounds offer electric hookups but not all have sewer connections. At Cascades RV Resort, a reviewer notes the amenities: "A new and clean RV resort about 1 hour from Seattle. Big shower spaces for free. Coffee and cafe on side. Gas stations and McDonalds next to the resort, 1 mile from town of Sultan."
Long-term options: Some parks accommodate extended stays. At Lake Pleasant RV Park, a camper shares: "We stayed here for almost a month while visiting family in North Seattle. The grounds are quiet... truly silent... save for the many geese that call the lake in the center of the property their home."
Site selection tips: Carefully choosing your specific site matters. At Tall Chief Campground, a visitor advises: "Another thing that can be annoying is trying to find a site with good cell reception due to all the trees. They definitely have a few, but I would say arrive early so you can drive by all the sites while checking to make sure you have good reception if you need it."
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best camping sites near Monroe, WA?
Where are the best camping sites near Monroe, WA?
Monroe offers excellent camping options in the surrounding Snohomish County area. Flowing Lake Park & Campground near Snohomish provides drive-in sites with water access, reservable spots, and toilet facilities. For a scenic riverside experience, Verlot Campground offers beautiful sites along the Mountain Loop Highway, though be aware that sites near the road can be noisy. The area around Monroe also provides access to hiking trails and outdoor recreation opportunities in the nearby Cascades. Many campgrounds in the region fill quickly during summer weekends, so reservations are recommended when possible.
How far is Monroe camping from Seattle?
How far is Monroe camping from Seattle?
Monroe is conveniently located about 30-35 miles northeast of Seattle, making it approximately a 45-minute to 1-hour drive depending on traffic conditions. Kachess Campground is about 1.5-2 hours from Seattle, offering a slightly further but popular option with lake access. Pete Lake Backcountry Camping is also accessible within a reasonable drive from Seattle, located just past Lake Cle Elum. The relatively short distance from Seattle makes Monroe-area campgrounds ideal for weekend getaways without spending excessive time on the road.
What RV parks are available in Monroe, WA?
What RV parks are available in Monroe, WA?
Monroe and the surrounding area offer several RV-friendly options. Thousand Trails Thunderbird is located near Monroe and features full hookups, reservable sites, and is big-rig friendly. The Evergreen State Fairgrounds in Monroe provides RV camping with water and electrical hookups, particularly during events. For those willing to travel slightly further, Lake Pleasant RV Park north of Lake Washington offers excellent facilities with good rates, easy highway access, and a pleasant setting with a man-made duck pond.
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