Napavine sits at the western edge of Washington's Cascade foothills with an elevation ranging between 520-640 feet. The area receives about 45 inches of annual rainfall, creating lush forests that provide natural shade for summer camping. The surrounding Lewis County campgrounds maintain moderate temperatures even during peak season, with most sites accessible from April through October.
What to do
Swimming in multiple pools: At Thousand Trails Paradise RV Campground, visitors can cool off in three different pools of varying depths. "This campgrounds has an awesome swimming area with three pools, one 8ft deep, on 6ft, and one wading pool. Also has a large spa," notes camper Pamela H.
Explore old growth forests: Lewis & Clark State Park features impressive stands of ancient trees with interpretive trails. "This is a beautiful park located on Deep Lake just outside of Olympia. The park itself is huge offering lots of options for campers," explains a visitor. Trails range from 0.5 to 3 miles with minimal elevation gain.
Fishing in stocked ponds: Family fishing opportunities abound, particularly for beginners. "My grandson loves coming here with us the two ponds they stock with fish," reports John O. about his experience at Thousand Trails Paradise. Most stocked ponds don't require a fishing license for children under 15.
Paddling on Mayfield Lake: The lake provides 2,250 acres of water for boating activities with multiple access points. "We were able to reserve a lakefront spot. We were able to beach our boat right in front of our spot," shares Russ H. about Mayfield Lake Park.
What campers like
Well-maintained yurt facilities: Yurt camping near Napavine, Washington offers comfortable alternatives to traditional tenting. "Loved the yurt village, which is in its own area on the other side of the campground from the regular sites. Yurts and restrooms were clean," reports Rachel from Seaquest State Park.
Private, spacious sites: Many campgrounds provide secluded spots despite popularity. "Large sites that are pretty private. Lots of shade and trees. The bathrooms work well and were clean," notes Caitlyn R. about her stay at Ike Kinswa State Park Campground.
Free dispersed camping options: Budget-conscious travelers can find no-cost sites with basic amenities. "Primitive campsites. Free campsites. Quiet," writes Brian S. about Winston Creek Campground. These sites typically have vault toilets but no running water.
Proximity to Mount St. Helens: Several campgrounds serve as excellent base camps for volcano visits. "Easy access to the Mount St Helens area. Johnston Ridge Observatory was closed when we were there but we were still able to see some amazing views and get some nice hikes in nearby," explains a Seaquest State Park visitor.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Many campsites fill quickly, especially during summer months. "The biggest downfall is that this place books up so fast. Make reservations early," advises Rick S. about Ike Kinswa State Park. Most parks open reservations 9 months in advance.
Highway noise concerns: Some campgrounds sit close to major roads. "The RV sites sat right on a very busy highway with loud logging trucks going by. It did quiet down at night however," mentions Theresa R. about Lewis & Clark State Park Campground.
Water quality alerts: Check for advisories before your trip. "There was a current e coli water warning which was displayed throughout camp on all water spigots. This left me more than a little leary about using the water in the bathroom," reports Doug about Winston Creek Campground.
Limited cell service: Connectivity varies widely between campgrounds. "Very shaded and dense forest. No cell (occasionally 1 bar LTE AT&T). Too heavily forested for Starlink. Had to leave early Monday morning since we were working and needed internet," explains Kim G. from her stay at Seaquest.
Tips for camping with families
Playground accessibility: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas. "My kids loved the addition of a playground. Many parks dont have this and it kept them entertained for hours," shares Mary C. about Seaquest State Park, adding "They also host junior ranger programs during the summer."
Safe swimming areas for children: Look for designated no-wake zones and beaches. "This campground is on Mayfield Lake where the Cowlitz River flows into the lake," explains Christina F. about Ike Kinswa, continuing that there's "a playground and beach area. It would have been nice if there was a playground on the campground side of the park."
Educational programs: Several parks offer structured activities for young campers. "At night the campground had a great Junior Ranger program with a very enthusiastic park ranger that kept the almost 50 people/kids entertained. She was great at engaging all the kids and teaching them about the park," recommends Ashley B.
Multi-family camping options: Millersylvania State Park Campground works well for group trips. "We had a large group of four families and it accommodated us very well," reports John G., who adds that the park offers "separated tent and RV sites, sites are spacious, a very pretty and clean lake, Beer Garden at the lake, clean bathrooms."
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategies: Research specific loops for the best RV experience. "We were in loop D, which was the only open loop along with the cabins. This is a partial hook-up loop. Full hook-ups are in loop A," advises Christina F., noting that "it can make it tricky to get into a spot if you have slide outs."
Utility limitations: Not all sites provide full hookups. "8 full hook up sites sat right on a very busy highway with loud logging trucks going by," warns Lisa P. from Lewis & Clark State Park, adding emphatically: "The RV section had six spots. 3 of those spots back up to a busy paved road with traffic."
Seasonal availability: Some campgrounds reduce operations during off-peak months. "The park is on their winter schedule so only sites 1-7 and 226-248 were open. It made for a nice, quiet weekend even though the open sites were 80% full," shares a Millersylvania State Park visitor during a Thanksgiving stay.
Dump station access: Check for onsite facilities before arrival. At Ike Kinswa, "the trash compactor is probably a good 1/4 mile down this trail by the dump station," notes a reviewer, indicating the facility's somewhat inconvenient location.
