Tent campsites surrounding Newcastle, Washington offer a mix of established and primitive camping options. Blake Island Marine State Park provides boat-in tent camping with developed facilities on an island setting, while Hollyhock Farm offers more secluded tent sites within forest terrain. White River Dispersed Camping presents free, primitive tent setups for those seeking a more rustic backcountry experience.
Most tent camping areas require specific access methods, with Blake Island only accessible by private boat or passenger ferry service. Walk-in tent sites predominate at campgrounds like Hollyhock Farm, where campers must carry gear short distances from parking areas to designated tent pads. Primitive tent campgrounds typically include basic amenities such as picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets, though facilities vary significantly between locations. A camper noted that "despite the moss on the roof shingles of the outbuildings," Woodlands at Lake Stickney provided one of the "best camping sites near Seattle." Fire restrictions often apply seasonally, particularly during summer months when burn bans are common throughout Washington.
Higher-elevation tent-only sites like Mowich Lake Campground in Mount Rainier National Park offer exceptional alpine scenery but prohibit campfires year-round. Tent campers seeking privacy should consider Green Mountain's secluded forest sites, which provide picnic tables and vault toilets in a more remote setting. A visitor commented that Green Mountain offers "nice clean camping with easy access to multiple trails and logging roads." Backcountry camping requires greater self-sufficiency, as many primitive tent areas lack potable water sources. The tent camping experience near Newcastle ranges from moderately developed campgrounds with basic amenities to truly primitive backcountry sites where campers must pack in all necessities and practice Leave No Trace principles.
"Really fantastic location. Very strict rangers which can be good or bad depending on your preference. Quiet hours are at 10pm which is early for some people so be aware."
"Hike the perimeter trail for views all around the island. It's a great place to stay in the summer months and relax."
Campground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $12 - $70 / night
"The sites were secluded from one another within a beautiful forest, the toilet was clean and fairly close to the sites, parking was easy and the host was a total gem! Highly highly reccomended :-)"
from $35 - $65 / night
from $90 - $125 / night
"The tent sites at Hearth Street Properties offer secluded spots near the water, with conveniences like restaurants nearby. Check them out and share some pics from your trip on the Dyrt!"
"However, I've been to the public Access area and have to say that it's very peaceful and has a restroom which is nice. I'm a local."
from $60 - $68 / night
"A great clean safe place in the city and surrounded by trees and nature"
"Right outside the entrance to Mt."
"If you come here you must leave no trace."
from $90 - $100 / night
"Nice clean camping area with easy access to multiple trails and logging roads. Trails are open to hiking horseback riding and motorcycles. Camp ground has multiple horse stalls in a common area."
"I picked enough berries to share with my crew. There is nothing better than perfectly ripe blackberries on a camping ⛺️ trip."
"We arrived and only had hammocks to camp in and the two walk up sites did not provides trees to manage our hammocks."
Campground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $12 - $61 / night
"The lake is absolutely beautiful and there are so many different trails branching off of it."
"The sites were your standard, with a picnic table, fire ring, and plenty of trees for shade and cover. There are lots of things to do in the area."
ScoutThis place covers your basics. Electric and water hookup, tight parking with neighbors less than 1ft away on both sides. The rating I gave is mostly a reflection of the staff though. The staff were not friendly, seemed annoyed that I was booking with them and provided incorrect information on how to park/setup so I had to turn my 33ft rig around 3 times in these very narrow driveways.
GuideWe were in site 29 in the Riverside loop. What a beautiful campground! We were humbled being surrounded by such stately old trees. Made us sad to learn the much advertised Big Fir (still with a sign in camp) had in fact been taken down 11 years ago. Still an impressive sight to see how massive it was. We REALLY enjoyed the John Muir trail, it was like being in another world. Our trees in Michigan don't seem nearly as huge anymore ;-) At first we were disappointed we couldn't camp inside Mt. Rainier. Now we know how lucky we were to be at the Dalles.
GuideThis historical campground has a great deal of history. It is one of the few forts that actually has 2 guns still in place. The campground is showing it's age but still a great place to be. Some of the sites are not private, others are slightly more private. The water flow can be a bit temperamental. There are lots of trails, a beach, bunkers to explore and a museum. During the summer there are kayak rentals, a little store and even paragliding. Fun place for all ages.
GuideNice campground, well maintained and rangers often patrol the campsite loops. Bathrooms are nice but dated, but quite expensive campground. Paying in-person was $49 for an RV spot with utilities, but booking online was $69 for the same site. Can be busy on the weekend.
ScoutThis place is so nice. We felt welcomed as soon as we walked to the check-in desk. Dave and Victoria are so kind. This place is so nice and neat and clean. They have a pool and a hot tub which is a plus and a sauna. It was very nice to be able to chatter with them and joke back-and-forth like they were old friends. You can’t go wrong staying here. The only thing is I hate to tell anyone how nice it is cause then I might not be able to get in.
ScoutMy review is from my own experience but there are numerous other reviews that express my same sentiments. I was there 7 years and only had infractions during one month. (all from the same ranger) and one speeding infraction.
Port Susan Camping Resort has been a bad experience for me and presently turned to bitter. I sold my lot but the check got lost in the mail. I asked the sales agent to replace the check and I have waited approximately 35 days! I finally asked the board to intervene. This is bad business. This is a sample of the treatment or abuse I was given at Port Susan from the sales office. Replacing a check is easy and the money is not even drawn on Port Susan, it comes from the buyer. What would happen if I were paid but the buyer could not access the lot or wasn't given a gate pass or if the sales had to wait for their commission for 35 days after the sale? I was treated so unfairly! They showed me lots for sale with BLACK MOLD.I would think I am being targeted once again but there are many complaints that have been filed about poor management, unfair fines and being targeted if you speak up. The only recourse you have is to go to Tribal court since Port Susan Camping resort is Tribal owned. If you ask me this is a conflict of interest? Bottom line, absolute power leads to absolute corruption. Port Susan is like living under communist rule: The board took a vote to install 50 amp service, the members voted against it because most trailers use 30 amp. The 50 amp was installed any way and members have to pay for it. I spoke up on Campers Chat, but PSCC has the right to determine what will be allowed to be viewed. Freedom of Speech, NOT sat Port Susan. Members have to be careful who they speak to, if they speak against unfair fines to one of"them" they will be targeted. I have been targeted by one ranger who gave me 1200.00 worth of fines in one month. There used to be one ranger who patrolled lots 24 hours a day now there are 2 or 3. You are under constant survelience and fined for violations. Port Susan changes the rules constantly. One example, the road going downhill to the laundra mat and mailbox changed the speed limit to 5 miles per hour. Try going down a hill at 5 miles per hour. I was fined 200.00 at 5:00 am. This was thrown out because no one could do this but later going down hill to the front gate is a radar controlled system. I accidentally was going 17 mph in a 15 mph and was fined 400.00 for going over the speed limit for a 2nd infraction! no where in this country has fines like this but PSCC has unlimited power and no jusidiction. If you take it Tribal Court,( they lease the land to Port Susan you can be held liable to pay the attorney fees against Port Susan. There is less than 30 years on the lease so your membership is a poor investment. Not to mention that they have water pipe problems and boil water warnings posted periodically. If they decide to change all the water pipes the members will pay. I had rats get into my trucks. One was towed to Toyota and they found a rat. The rats got into the cab. I replaced this truck with a brand new Honda and during an oil change was notified that rat tracks were found all over my distributor cover and it was only at my site for 2 weeks!!! Many members tell the truth once they leave and abuse and mistreatment is the norm. THIS IS A FEAR BASED COMMUNITY Good luck with your purchase
ScoutFirst off you get what you pay for it's cheap but you're packed like sardines in a gravel lot that looks trashy as hell I didn't go in the restrooms because they don't have stuff there till after 6:00 p.m. so I was terrified by how disgusting they might be on top of it the owner is quite possibly the rudest most inconsiderate and unempathetic human I've ever encountered he gaslit the hell out of me he insulted my intelligence he lied about our conversations that place is so shady there's no checking or check out time written on their forms they will just make up a time that seems appropriate and then if you don't respond and how they like they'll tell you that you have to leave I thought it was just me but after moving to a beautiful Campground I talked to two out of their individuals that told me that they basically told him to F off and they would find somewhere else really horrible business practices and his sister is just as rude as he is trashy place with Shady practices and Shady people running it. Also if you're one that noise bothers you you will hate this because it's right on the highway and you can hear everything from every spot in the park. Especially if you're looking for nightly you can go down the street to the one they recommended and pay $18 less a night for way more beautiful place
GuideStayed Sept 28 to 30th 2026. Nice park, hot showers, clean bathrooms, enjoyed our stay
RangerIt was MAGICAL- mushrooms, fall leaves, and moss everywhere. Keep in mind that there’s no signal, Starlink nor cell.. we also were freezing at night (35 degrees) in early October and the spots were tricky for our bigger rig. But if you have a smaller rig there’s tons of places off of road 73 for dispersed camping. Bumpy road to get there but keep on driving and you’ll find places with even firepits.
Tent campsites near Newcastle, Washington range from lakeside platforms to mountain backcountry sites. The region's mild maritime climate keeps summer temperatures between 65-80°F, while fall camping often sees fog and light rain. Most primitive campgrounds sit between 400-2,000 feet elevation with seasonal access restrictions typically ending in late October.
Hike to alpine lakes: At Mowich Lake Campground, trails branch directly from the campground. "We hiked the Tolmie Peak trail and the trailhead is straight off the campground which is super nice," notes Megan H. Even in summer, be prepared for cold nights as "temperatures reached as low as 40F" according to camper Kasey.
River swimming: White River Dispersed Camping offers natural swimming spots. "We found a spot tucked super far in that had a small private beach," explains Corbanzo B. Sites vary from riverside to forest settings, with Reagan S. noting, "Spots by the river looked kind of close together, so we drove a little further in and found a large secluded spot in the woods."
Bird watching: Blake Island Marine State Park features shoreline habitat accessible only by boat or ferry. "Hike the perimeter trail for views all around the island," suggests Christi R. The island location provides unique wildlife viewing opportunities during spring and fall migrations.
Secluded forest sites: Hollyhock Farm offers privacy between tent sites. "The sites were secluded from one another within a beautiful forest," reports Rio B. The campground maintains only 4 sites, keeping crowds minimal even during peak seasons.
River soundscapes: Riverside camping at White River Dispersed Camping provides natural white noise. Mary B. describes "the soothing, constant sound of the roaring White River nearby. The river noise also does a great job of masking any sounds from the nearby road." Tent sites here require no reservations and remain free to use.
Easy access to trails: Green Mountain offers connectivity to multiple trail systems. "Nice clean camping area with easy access to multiple trails and logging roads. Trails are open to hiking horseback riding and motorcycles," writes Ivy K. Sites include picnic tables and fire pits despite the primitive setting.
Limited availability: Campgrounds fill quickly, especially at higher elevations. "We got there at like 3pm on a Tuesday and got one of the last 2 spots," reports Megan H. about Mowich Lake, noting "it definitely fills up fast even during the week."
Road conditions: Many forest campgrounds require travel on unpaved roads. Accessing Ipsut Creek requires "the easy 5 mile journey" on foot or bicycle as "the road to access washed out a few years ago," according to Marley B. White River access includes "a bit of a challenging road, so low clearance vehicles wouldn't be treated well," warns reviewer P.J.
Fire restrictions: Many campgrounds prohibit fires year-round or seasonally. At Mowich Lake, "you cannot build a fire here so it does get really cold at night time because there are glaciers in the park," Kevin T. explains. Always check current restrictions before your trip.
Bear activity: Multiple campgrounds require bear-safe food storage. Ipsut Creek provides "bear boxes" and Mowich Lake features "raised platform for your tent, bear box, and picnic table" according to Megan H., indicating regular bear activity in the area.
Kid-friendly day trips: Paine Field Community Park works well for families. "We visit this park frequently as it is great for the kids. It's clean and has bathrooms available!" shares Aimee M. Wayne B. adds it's "a great clean safe place in the city and surrounded by trees and nature."
Lake swimming options: Blake Island Marine State Park offers clear water for swimming. "In summer there is generally a burn ban and if you don't have a shaded spot, the heat can be pretty punishing but the temps go way down at night and you'll have a great breeze off of the water," Julia S. notes.
Bathroom considerations: Facilities vary widely between campgrounds. Rio B. reports Hollyhock Farm's "toilet was clean and fairly close to the sites," while dispersed camping areas like White River typically lack facilities entirely, requiring campers to bring portable toilets or follow backcountry waste guidelines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Newcastle, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Newcastle, WA is Blake Island Marine State Park Campground with a 5-star rating from 3 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 72 tent camping locations near Newcastle, WA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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