Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Moses Lake, WA

I stopped by the Ginkgo Petrified Forest on the way back to Seattle from Moses Lake. The Columbia River, if you have never seen it, is an astounding site as you round the highway curve and it suddenly sprawns across the horizon- and as you eye follows the road, you realize how tiny those cars going across the bridge look!

Then, I stopped at the park, took the educational hikING trail that highlights various species of trees petrified and preserved below the trail level. They are protected under metal grills, which still allow for viewing and pictures.

The building houses an interesting collection of rocks- petrified, sedimentary, igneous, even meteorite chunks. Interesting are the "picture" rocks that have naturally formed images that the human eye and mind reinterprets into recognizable pictures.

The Ranger on duty was originally from Grays Harbor, where one of my favorite state parks is- Grayland Beach- but also as low employment, so it was a nice discussion of how becoming a ranger had allowed her to move out and see a lot more of the state. I had a great visit.

The cliffs on the other side of the river make a great observation point, and are covered with signs advising to watch out for rattlesnakes- but I never saw one.

This was our first visit to an RV “resort” and it wasn’t horrible. MarDon has lots of nice amenities but boy is it crowded. If you don’t mind crowds and like the convenience of resort camping MarDon is a good choice.

(Disclaimer: I prefer boondocking and getting as far away from people as possible, so read this review with that in mind.)

MarDon Resort sits on Potholes Reservoir about 16 miles southwest of Moses Lake. The reservoir is massive and offers excellent fishing and water sports. Central Washington gets dry and hot in the summer so come prepared.

The Resort has been around since the 1970s and offers a lot of amenities: full hookup sites, tent sites, monthly rates, marina, restaurant & bar, swimming beach, mini golf, boat & golf cart rentals and more.

If you want a place to bring all of your motor toys for a fun long weekend in October? Get over to Moses Lake, WA where you will find Mud Flats and Sand Dunes!

Open Camping directly on the Flats, you and your whole crew can set up base just off the gravel road and right on the water. Bring your boats, paddle boards, and of course your ATV’s for an adventure no one will forget.

Although we took the Toy Hauler and parked nearer the larger, more advanced dunes for some real off-roading, you are allowed tents with open camping and the Dunes offer a wide range of difficulty levels, from beginner to Advanced.

Although the Lake is bitter cold during the month of October, and you might not feel like going for a refreshing dip, if you have a little boat or Kayak you can take in the sunrise, or sunset, over the sand for a breathtaking and romantic venture. If you choose to paddle board I would suggest a light wetsuit to be packed with your usual camping apparel.

Summertime there is generally decent but can get a little crowded. If you want to be the only people on the Flats I would suggest going in the off season for a real treat!

As it is governed by the State, alcohol is prohibited, which makes this a pretty neat family vacation spot. I know it is for me!

As others have said, this campground is on the reservoir at Moses Lake, but it is maybe 20-30 minutes from town. There are really several sections to this campground and they each have a different feel. I am not much of a fisherman, and have always stopped here while traveling, but I have always found it relaxing. If you are a fisherman, you will probably love this campground. Otherwise it would be a nice place to spend a weekend relaxing with friends.

The RV sites are separated into groups of circles where the sites radiate off like spokes on a wheel. Tall poplars surround these groups to break up the wind that can really get blowing in this area of the state. The sites themselves are gravel driveways in a grass field. There are trees within each group but there is very little privacy, even though the sites are quite large. These sites have access to a single restroom with flush toilets and showers. However, the restroom is starting to show its age quite badly.

The tent sites are in two loops amongst some trees. These are definitely my favorites spots in the campground. The sites are gravel/dirt driveways in a more rustic and less grassy setting. These sites are not level, so any RV will require some effort if you care about that. Privacy is still not great but it is better than the RV sites. The biggest issue with the tent sites is that the restrooms are pit toilets (I believe, but I didn’t go in).