Shelton, Washington sits near the southeastern edge of the Olympic Peninsula at an elevation of around 200 feet, surrounded by lowland forests and Hood Canal waterways. The area experiences a temperate climate with wet winters and mild summers, typically ranging from 35-80°F throughout the year. RV camping near Shelton offers access to both mountain forests and saltwater activities, with most campgrounds open year-round despite the region's 60+ inches of annual rainfall.
What to do
Oyster and clam harvesting: Access premium shellfish gathering at Rest-A-While RV Park where visitors can "dig for clams and oysters by paying cash to the office for your gatherings" and enjoy "oceanside view stay, beautiful scenery, calm waters which is perfect for paddle boarding."
Forest hiking: Explore nearby Olympic National Forest trails accessible from Lake Cushman RV Lot, situated near multiple trailheads. One camper at nearby Rest-A-While noted the area is "not located near a lot to do besides the Olympic National Forest and Lake Cushman."
Blackberry picking: Late summer visitors can harvest wild blackberries at Thousand Trails Chehalis, where one camper mentioned "the site was level and has plenty of ripe blackberries for picking" during their August-September stay.
Beach driving: From Hoquiam River RV Park, "you can drive your car right up onto the beach, which was awesome" according to one reviewer who noted it's "about 20 minutes to the beaches."
What campers like
Quieter alternatives to national parks: Several campgrounds provide less crowded alternatives during peak season. At Hoquiam River RV Park, one camper noted it's "about 45 minutes south of Quinault Lake in Olympic NP" but "the area fronting the river is very well landscaped and offers fire rings, benches, grills, and a nature path to walk your dog."
Well-maintained facilities: Many campgrounds keep their amenities in good condition. At Cove RV Park & Country Store, a visitor reported, "Small park, a little road noise but nothing that bothered us... Had full hook up, everything worked as it should. The store has a good stock of stuff."
Family activities: Some resorts organize regular activities. At Thousand Trails Chehalis, campers appreciate that "there was scavenger hunts for pigs in morning, tractor rides in afternoon, face painting, slushees, movie in lodge, crafts, slushees, a great store, basketball court, pools."
Casino proximity: For those seeking evening entertainment, Little Creek Casino Resort RV Park provides direct access to gaming and dining. A visitor reported, "Good food in the casino. Good wifi. Washing and drying was only $0.75."
What you should know
Limited tent camping options: Most facilities prioritize RVs, but some offer tent areas. At Sun Outdoors Gig Harbor, "there are 5 or 6 tent camping sites under some big trees which provide shade almost all day" despite being "definitely a RV resort."
Varied reservation policies: Some parks have specific stay duration rules. At Washington Land Yacht Harbor, one camper noted they "informed us that after 29 days, we would have to leave for 3 days before we could come back."
Highway noise: Several waterfront locations experience traffic sound. At Rest-A-While RV Park, "Oceanside view is right off a busy 2 lane road so you hear the cars."
Variable power quality: Electrical service can fluctuate at some locations. At Thousand Trails Chehalis, one camper reported "the power was really variable. Sometimes it would spike to 130 volts and then drop suddenly to 110."
Fire restrictions: Not all campgrounds permit campfires. Little Creek Casino Resort RV Park has "no firepits," which one reviewer noted "is a downside."
Tips for camping with families
Shaded play areas: Find campgrounds with natural features for children. Thousand Trails Chehalis offers "mini golf course, and trails to explore. The campground facilities have seen better days and feel like they're stuck in the 1980s. But the kids didn't mind that half the mini golf course was falling down... in fact they kind of liked it that way."
Dog-friendly limitations: Be aware of pet restrictions. At Rest-A-While RV Park, "No dogs are allowed on the beach" and they recommend you "ensure your loved fur babies are properly hooked up if they are outside lounging."
Child activity amenities: Choose parks with youth-focused facilities. At Mike's Beach Resort, the atmosphere is "family friendly" though some campers note "tent sites don't have privacy between them."
Grocery access: Most campgrounds offer nearby shopping. A Rest-A-While camper noted "Town is just 2 miles up the road with a full grocery store."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Choose spaces that accommodate both your RV and vehicle. At Little Creek Casino Resort RV Park, one camper advised to "make sure you get a site that is large enough for both the RV and your vehicle as there is no extra parking."
Hookup positioning: Check the location of connections before parking. At Washington Land Yacht Harbor, "All connections are in the back so imagine hooking up at a parking lot at the concrete stoppers. Sewer and electric, make sure you got enough tubes and extensions."
Leveling requirements: Some sites require adjustment equipment. At Sun Outdoors Gig Harbor, "The spaces are very close together, but there are a lot of trees and it's very well kept."
Laundry facilities: Campgrounds offer varying laundry amenities. At Sun Outdoors Gig Harbor, one camper described it as "one of the best I've ever seen for laundry."
Monthly stays: For longer visits, confirm extended-stay policies. A Washington Land Yacht Harbor camper noted they had issues when "we called a month ahead and reserved a space for our 5th wheel for a month" but upon arrival were told "they don't have any month to month sites."
