Best Campgrounds near Montesano, WA

The Montesano, Washington area features several established campgrounds offering diverse accommodations ranging from tent sites to RV hookups and cabin rentals. Lake Sylvia State Park Campground, located within a former logging camp, serves as a central camping destination with waterfront sites and family-friendly amenities. Nearby options include Friends Landing on the Chehalis River and Schafer State Park Campground, which provide additional tent and RV camping opportunities. Most campgrounds in this region of southwestern Washington operate seasonally, with some like Lake Sylvia and Hoquiam River RV Park 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 established 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."

Best Camping Sites Near Montesano, Washington (223)

    1. Lake Sylvia State Park Campground

    21 Reviews
    Montesano, WA
    0 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 226-7688

    "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."

    2. Schafer State Park Campground

    13 Reviews
    Elma, WA
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 482-3852

    "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."

    3. Friends Landing

    5 Reviews
    Montesano, WA
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 249-5117

    "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."

    4. Hoquiam River RV Park

    10 Reviews
    Hoquiam, WA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 538-2870

    "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."

    5. Artic Park

    3 Reviews
    Aberdeen, WA
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 589-1780

    $20 - $30 / night

    "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."

    "There are 20 acres with trails that take you along a creek and a thick forest that includes wild berries. This is a welcome escape from the crazy world and crowded campgrounds."

    6. Twin Harbors State Park Campground

    33 Reviews
    Westport, WA
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 226-7688

    $12 - $50 / night

    "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."

    7. Porter Creek

    7 Reviews
    Malone, WA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 825-1631

    "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!"

    8. Grayland Beach State Park Campground

    29 Reviews
    Westport, WA
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 226-7688

    "These are the nature of Washington coastal parks, just dress for it. Also make sure you have plenty of propane for the heater!"

    "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."

    9. North River

    1 Review
    Raymond, WA
    13 miles

    10. Coho Campground

    17 Reviews
    Quinault, WA
    27 miles
    Website

    $35 - $90 / night

    "It's a beautiful spot next to a scenic lake. There is a nice lakeside trail just behind our site, allowing us a rainforest hike without driving all the way to Hoh Rainforest."

    "Coho campground is a wonderful spot but it is a 35 miles off of the highway. If you go, pack everything you need. There are no stores or gas stations once you hit the paved road to the campground."

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Recent Reviews near Montesano, WA

889 Reviews of 223 Montesano Campgrounds


  • Joan H.
    Oct. 24, 2025

    Cedar to Surf Campground

    Great ocean access

    Mid October. Good level site. Clean bathrooms with shower. Friendly hosts. Direct ocean access.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 17, 2025

    Road to Snag Lake - Dispersed

    4WD Ideal

    Great camp spot for the night; would have gotten 5 stars had I been able to experience the view. The road in was a little bumpy and in some parts an incline but nothing my Ram 3500 and teardrop couldn’t handle. We followed recommendation from a previous review and followed the road until it ended for the best spot. It was a concrete pad so set up for the teardrop was easy. We were the only campers that we are aware of; very quiet night. No trash on site. Sadly due to the cloud coverage and rain we did not stick around for breakfast but imagine on a clear day a slow morning taking in the sights would be nice.

    Front and 4WD ideal; site fit my 42 foot truck/camper very well.

  • Eun Ji L.
    Sep. 27, 2025

    Big Creek Campground

    I'm an avid camper - this was THE WORST experience ever.

    I'm an avid camper, and the experience I had at this campground with the host was ABSOLUTELY THE WORST ever. We arrived at the campground early to find the best spot as we were planning to take some outdoor wedding photos at the campsite the day after. It was not a busy season, so there were only a couple of sites occupied. We carefully selected a spot, paid for it, and posted the receipt on the site clip. I took a photo of both the envelope and the receipt clipped at the site. 

    After exploring the national park, we arrived at the campground at around 9pm. Most of the campsites were still unoccupied. To our surprise, when we arrived at our reserved spot, there was a group of people who took our campsite! They already put up their tent and a canopy as well. When I checked the pole where I clipped the receipt, it was GONE & REPLACED by someone else's!! When I talked to those people who took our campsite, there were already drunk and were at the verge of becoming hostile. But they did tell us that the host "allowed" them to take the spot. 

    Right then and there, we went to the host and explained the situation, and the host said (1) we never paid and that (2) there was no receipt clipped at the site. When I told him that that wasn't true, he proceeded to tell me that the information I wrote on the clip let him know that we were checking out today. So, for a second, I thought maybe I wrote either the# of nights spent or check-out date incorrectly. But then, I remembered I took pictures of both the envelope and the receipt!! I showed the photos to him, then, of course, he could not lie his way out of this. 

    There was no apology, and he simply proceeded to tell us to sleep at one of the other available campsites. We were super furious because we had NEVER experienced this kind of rudeness, lies, and brazen behavior. As anyone can imagine, we did not want to spend another second there, so we demanded a refund, and "MIRACULOUSLY", the envelope (still glued) with our payment was found in his RV. 

    I'm reporting the host to the US Forest Service.

  • Sarah S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 26, 2025

    Lake Sylvia State Park Campground

    Lake Sylvia camping

    This little park ended up being cute. $41 a night for non residents (which is on the higher end for us) but 30 for residents. We needed a quick place to stay while waiting to get our truck fixed in the morning. It’s small, quiet and the host were great. Apparently they charged for showers but had a sign up stating they longer charge for that. Restrooms were clean and showered were hot! Would stay here again if I were in a pinch this way again.

  • Sarah S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 25, 2025

    Quinault ridge camping

    Pull off camping

    This ended up being a useful spot to stay for the night. Went a little ways up to where the road forked to turn our rig around a grab a good spot. Not great for long term camping but a good little spot for the night. Light traffic along the way maybe about 5 cars the whole time we were there

  • alexandrea L.
    Sep. 24, 2025

    Penrose Point State Park Campground

    Beautiful

    The beach is beautiful here! And the campsites are very secluded! There are tons of trees and bushes in between everybody’s campsite

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 24, 2025

    Falls Creek — Olympic National Park

    Quinalt

    Extremely serene and clean. Seasonal campground on lake. Mediocre toilets. Lodge and store nearby. Right on water

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 23, 2025

    Bush Pioneer County Park

    Bush pioneer

    Very interesting campground on a little island town. Run down but nothing to complain about. Cheap with hot showers. Cell service.

  • TheFoxphire F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 23, 2025

    Schafer State Park Campground

    Great

    There was a huge spider at the women’s restroom door that my wife says was asking her for snacks. Other than that this place was very nice and had a ton of lush vegetation and ferns. Beautiful. Also, we watched Harry and the Hendersons here.


Guide to Montesano

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.

What to do

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.

What campers like

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.

What you should know

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.

Tips for camping with families

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.

Tips from RVers

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 223 campgrounds and RV parks near Montesano, WA and 17 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 4.6-star rating from 21 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Montesano, WA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 17 free dispersed camping spots near Montesano, WA.