233 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping near Montesano, Washington ranges from tent sites and RV hookups to cabin rentals, with options spanning primitive sites and fully developed campgrounds. One campground sits within a former logging camp and offers waterfront sites and family-friendly amenities. Nearby options include a riverside campground on the Chehalis River and another that provides additional tent and RV camping opportunities. Most campgrounds in this region of southwestern Washington operate seasonally, with some remaining open year-round while others such as Artic Park operate only from May through October.
The region's camping infrastructure varies considerably among locations, with facilities ranging from primitive sites with basic amenities to developed campgrounds offering full hookups. Several campgrounds provide access to water recreation on lakes and rivers, making them popular destinations during summer months. "This campground is about a 2 hour drive from Seattle and the sites are a short walk to the lake, which is nice," noted one visitor about Lake Sylvia State Park. Access roads are generally well-maintained, though some of the more primitive sites may require careful navigation during wet weather. Most campgrounds offer drinking water, toilets, and designated fire pits, while shower facilities are available at select locations including Lake Sylvia State Park and Friends Landing.
Waterfront camping consistently ranks as the preferred option among visitors to the Montesano area. The sites along Lake Sylvia are particularly sought after, with campers noting they provide "their own personal beach" experience. Many campgrounds connect to hiking and biking trails, extending recreational opportunities beyond water activities. While some locations offer good cellular service, others provide a more disconnected experience. According to one visitor, "Lake Sylvia is great for our SUP's and the kids to swim," highlighting the family-friendly nature of many sites. Campers should note that privacy between sites varies considerably, with some waterfront locations offering more separation than others. Several visitors mentioned the peaceful atmosphere of camping in this region, particularly at Lake Sylvia where the lake is described as "fantastic for kayaking and fishing."
"Many campsites are right on the small lake. The state park trails connect with City of Montesano trails giving a nice range of options for hiking and mountain biking."
"Set in a former logging camp above the town of Montesano, park life revolves around a large swimming and fishing lake. This site is super family friendly and pet friendly too."
from $12 - $71 / night
Check Availability"A lot of paths to walk the dogs. Areas for outdoor games in the summer."
"Bathrooms are centrally located and clean. Fishing and playing in the river are the only activities this park has."
from $12 - $76 / night
Check Availability"This is another great Grays Harbor County spot just south of Montesano. Like Lake Sylvia it is super family and pet friendly."
"We camp here every few weeks to get away from home. Campers and walkers are friendly. Great handicap park."
from $55 / night
Check Availability"This campground is about 45 minutes south of Quinault Lake in Olympic NP. So it adds a lot of extra time and miles to explore ONP. It is about 20 minutes to the beaches, which was great."
"This place and the managers are wonderful, truly a gem hidden next to a river."
"I normally try to stay away from RV parks as a tent person but this little private park surprised me. They don’t really have the daily changing business but rather long term RVers."
"Quiet and off the beaten path."
from $20 - $30 / night
Check Availability"We were only here for one night, but it was a very nice campground that is steps away from the ocean. All of the facilities were clean and everything seemed to be well taken care of."
"Found a nice grassy site away from others on the loop 3. Our site was a few places away from the bathroom. Further down the road was the access to the beach."
from $23 - $114 / night
Check Availability"Very clean state park by the beach near Westport. Walking access to the beach. Clean restrooms and warm showers available. Sites are very tight and close to each other so privacy is at a minimum."
"Very nice tent portion of the campground, short walk to the beach, beach is very long and uncrowded, although they allow driving on it."
from $12 - $142 / night
Check Availability"There are hiking trails close by but be sure to do your homework because there are many trails that allow ATV, horses, bikes, and people on them."
"There is a bunch of awesome trails with beautiful surroundings for every level of hikers and if you can find your way to Porter Falls, you definitely wont be disappointed with the view!"
"As March is still very rainy in Washington, some sites are not available because they become water logged. Same with the trails to the beach."
"Walking paths to beach were muddy at this time... but easy to just go out front gate and walk or drive to end of Cranberry road for easy access with parking and rest rooms at end of road."
from $12 - $76 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $50 - $55 / night
Check Availability
GuideReally cool vibe. Each spot has its own smokeless fire pit. There is a beach volleyball court, and 2 corn hole setups. Friendly people are drawn here. Bathrooms very nice. Not 5 stars only because all gravel sites never get 5 stars.
ScoutLocated just outside Southbend, this is a nice little campsite with about 8 full-hookup sites, plenty of non-hookup spots, and lots of room for tent camping. Cash rates are $40 for a full hookup and $30 without. When we arrived we were greeted by the host, Becky, who was friendly and very accommodating. We lucked out and snagged the last water-view site (#A12). The bathrooms are solid—two stalls plus a coined shower. There’s a big open field perfect for volleyball, tetherball, or soccer, so it’s great if you have kids. If you don’t need hookups, the sites have nice spacing that gives you good privacy. You can hear a little highway noise from 101, but it quiets down at night. There’s no beach access from the campground itself. Overall it’s a really pleasant place to stay and we will definitely be back. A fun bonus while we were there: a family reunion on Saturday with live music (you can hear it in the video).
TravelerI’m a tent camper, and messed up and reserved a RV spot. I paid for another spot more suited for tent camping and moved over. When talking to the campsite manager the following day, she offered to refund the 2nights at the wrong site. We declined the refund just because it goes to keeping the area put together and she was doing a fantastic job keeping everything clean and restocked over the short stay we were there.
Men’s restroom had 2 urinals three stalls and a shower, women’s restroom had three stalls and a shower. One larger stall in both.
GuideNice layout. Facilities are clean and well stocked. Laundry machines work and use an app.
ScoutMy husband and I had a very upsetting experience here with an employee that left us feeling very unsafe.
We booked a four-night stay weeks in advance. While my husband was checking in, I took our two dogs out to a secluded grassy area to pee. They were on retractable leashes, and I let them off leash while they peed.
As I was walking toward the beach, the employee rushed up to me in a golf cart, stopped abruptly beside me, and immediately began yelling at me and accusing me of letting my dog poop in his grass and that he knew I knew it because HE kicked up grass afterwards.
I explained that my dogs had been peeing and that they are female, so peeing and pooping look very similar, and that one of them kicks grass after she pees. And I told him that if one of them had pooped and I somehow missed it, I would absolutely pick it up, as I always do.
Instead of simply asking me to check, he continued yelling, called me a liar, and when I asked him why he was actually yelling at me, he told me he didn’t want “disgusting people like me” staying at his RV park.
When I again pointed out that he was still yelling at me and acting irrational, he said we were being kicked out and that we had to “get the hell out of here.”
We completely understand having rules about pets and cleaning up after them. Our dogs go everywhere with us and we always pick up after them. We also spend a lot of time at RV parks and have never experienced an employee acting as mentally unstable or hostile as this person.
We no longer felt comfortable or safe staying there and were left without the four-night lodging we had reserved.
I would strongly recommend that anyone considering staying here be aware of our experience.
TravelerIt’s so interesting to read past reviews before getting here and contrasting that with my experience. To be on the water, and be able to watch the tide move in and out every day on the beautiful and peaceful Hood Canal, is an absolute treasure. Yes, highway 101 is loud. There’s no doubt about that. But this small well-maintained RV park of only 16 sites, including full hook ups, is an absolute gem. We stayed here two weeks on site 16 and 11. (Much prefer 16 because it’s on the edge, how the sun is angled this time of the year, we quickly had loads of shade from our RV to sit in, and it’s by a little creek. But side 11 is also nice because there’s more opportunities to chitchat with people as you are in the middle of the campground.) We have met so many incredible people here and exchanged information so we can stay in touch. I will put this on my favorites list and absolutely intend return. In fact, many of the people we met here are people who come year after year after year. The only real downside in my opinion is the fact that there is nowhere that you can hike reachable by foot from the campground. So my husband, dog, and I did our daily walks at the marina parking lot nextdoor, where we would do loops, talk to the fisherman, and eat whatever blackberries ripened overnight. As we are full timers, I was absolutely content to sit outside our rig overlooking the water and work. If you are someone who needs a lot “to do “this may not be the campground for you. But if you are someone who loves to just be by the water and enjoy the tranquility and friendliness of fellow campers, this spot is for you.
TravelerArrived on a Thursday in summer and had plenty of sites to pick from. A3 has the best bay view and is farthest from traffic noise but there are plenty of other great sites with a view. Pay showers are available but not the cleanest.
TravelerPrivate spot at the end of a forest road turn-off. Lots of level ground for a small camper or tents. Road has some large pot holes and low hanging branches but is doable in most vehicles. Tall campers may get scraped on the top. Fair amount of trash. I picked up a large trash bag full and there was more that we weren’t equipped to carry. Overall excellent peaceful couple of days here.
ScoutWe actually went and scouted out this place using our jeep before taking our camper-van in. The road to the top is about 7 miles up, very steep with some bumpy spots as it all gravel. 3 miles in there are some smaller pullouts for tents or car camping but the real gem is at the top. Enough space on top for a few truck/camper, campervan, tent etc. This is bare bones, no amenities. Take in/Take out
Camping spots near Montesano, Washington provide access to diverse forest and waterfront environments within the Chehalis River watershed. Winter temperatures typically range between 35-45°F, while summer temperatures average 60-75°F with rainfall concentrated between November and March. The area camping season shifts dramatically between locations, with many campgrounds operating seasonally from May through September while others remain accessible year-round.
Water activities on Lake Sylvia: Lake Sylvia State Park Campground offers calm waters ideal for paddling. "This is the ideal place for paddle sports such as SUP and Kayaking," notes one visitor, while another mentions, "Lake Sylvia is beautifully peaceful and everyone can have fun here, whether you ride your bike, swim, fish or hike."
Fishing along Satsop River: Schafer State Park Campground provides river access for anglers. "This campground is located along side the Satsop river. The campsites are nice and the fishing is even better," explains one camper. The campground offers direct river access with several spots suitable for casting.
Hiking forest trails: The area contains numerous trail networks through old-growth forests. At Porter Creek, "there are hiking trails close by but be sure to do your homework because there are many trails that allow ATV, horses, bikes, and people on them," advises one visitor. Most trails remain muddy through late spring, requiring waterproof footwear.
Privacy between sites: Twin Harbors State Park Campground offers varying levels of seclusion. "We had plenty of vegetative separation between us and our neighbors which was great," notes one reviewer. Sites in the tent camping areas typically provide more separation than RV sections.
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain well-kept restrooms and common areas. At Coho Campground, "The restrooms were clean and even had hand soap and paper towels!" mentions one camper. Most established campgrounds feature flush toilets, though shower availability varies considerably.
Natural surroundings: Porter Creek offers a more rustic experience with direct creek access. "The river is gorgeous and fun to explore!" states one visitor. Many sites feature riverside locations, though visitors should note that primitive campgrounds lack water hookups and may have limited facilities.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly between locations. At Artic Park, visitors can expect minimal coverage. One Lake Sylvia camper noted, "Phone service is non-existent and we had att Verizon cricket and straight talk but it does have free WiFi." Most forest campgrounds have no reliable signal.
Distance from supplies: Many campgrounds require advance planning. For Coho Campground, "it is very far from nearest town (store) about an hour drive so come with everything you need," warns one reviewer. Most campgrounds lack on-site stores, requiring drives of 15-45 minutes to reach basic supplies.
Seasonal operation: Operating dates vary widely. Several campgrounds, including Schafer State Park, operate from May through September, while others like Grayland Beach State Park remain open year-round. Reservation requirements differ, with some accepting bookings up to nine months in advance.
Playground access: Friends Landing offers dedicated play areas. "A river dock for fishing, a playground for kids, plus a beautiful trail around the lake. Big clean bathrooms (with showers) makes this a great spot!" reports one visitor. Most family-oriented campgrounds include play structures within walking distance of campsites.
Swimming options: Water access varies by location. North River provides "lots of swimming and fishing access safe great for kids," according to a visitor. Most lake campgrounds offer designated swimming areas during summer months, though rivers may have limited supervised swimming access.
Yurt alternatives: Several campgrounds offer structures for families wanting shelter beyond tents. At Grayland Beach State Park Campground, "There are some yurts to rent too!" mentions one camper. Yurt rentals typically require reservations months in advance, especially during summer.
Site selection caution: When selecting RV sites, carefully verify dimensions and access. At Coho Campground, "If you're a boater you're also not too far from the boat access ramp" but "be careful about the exact size allotment if you're in a big RV." Some campgrounds have tight access roads with challenging turns.
Hookup availability: Grayland Beach State Park Campground offers full services. "Paved level camping sites with and without hook-ups," notes a visitor, while another adds, "Private campgrounds with a gorgeous beach. Couldn't have asked for a better place to camp with full hookups." Availability of 50-amp service is limited to select campgrounds.
Winter accessibility: For off-season camping, select campgrounds remain operational. Hoquiam River RV Park operates year-round with "Perfect campground with all amenities in perfect condition," according to a recent visitor. Winter campers should verify road access conditions during rainy months as some access roads may become difficult to navigate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Montesano, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Montesano, WA offers a wide range of camping options, with 233 campgrounds and RV parks near Montesano, WA and 19 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Montesano, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Montesano, WA is Lake Sylvia State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 22 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Montesano, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 19 free dispersed camping spots near Montesano, WA.
Keep Exploring
