F
Fraun P.
Guide
GuideCoho Campground
Beautiful! Campsites are spaced out.
Quiet campground! Beautiful rainforest features. No showers. Clean flush toilet restrooms. Welcoming and friendly camp host. Long drive off 101 to get here.
Camping near Olalla, WA
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Camping around Olalla, Washington centers around several established campgrounds with facilities ranging from basic to full-service. The Puget Sound region offers waterfront sites at Penrose Point State Park near Lakebay and Manchester State Park in Port Orchard, both within 20 miles of Olalla. Tent camping, RV sites with hookups, and cabin accommodations are available at multiple locations, with Sun Outdoors Gig Harbor providing year-round RV camping with full hookups. State parks dominate the camping landscape, with most offering reservable sites for both tents and recreational vehicles.
Most campgrounds in the Olalla area remain open year-round, though facilities may be limited during winter months. Reservations are essential during summer, particularly for waterfront sites. State parks generally require advance booking through Washington's reservation system, with sites becoming available up to nine months ahead. Many locations provide amenities including showers, flush toilets, and water hookups, though services vary by park. The Puget Sound climate brings mild temperatures year-round with typically rainy winters and drier summers. "Very clean. Friendly and helpful staff. I've stayed here numerous times over the past few years and this place is consistently amazing," noted a visitor to Sun Outdoors Gig Harbor.
Waterfront access represents the primary draw for campers in this region. Blake Island Marine State Park, accessible only by boat, receives consistently high ratings for its peaceful setting and Seattle skyline views. Several reviewers highlight the quality of hiking trails and natural surroundings at state parks like Dash Point, where campsites are "spread apart" with good privacy between them. Campers frequently mention tree cover and shade as positive attributes at locations like Sun Outdoors Gig Harbor, where sites are described as having "lots of trees" despite being close together. The overall camping experience near Olalla benefits from proximity to shorelines, forests, and relatively short driving distances to urban amenities in Tacoma and surrounding communities.
Best Campgrounds near Olalla (275)
1. Dash Point State Park Campground
"Firstly, I just have to say what a positive and amazing experience I had at this campground. The volunteers were friendly, kind and absolutely awesome to interact with."
"The campground itself is tucked into a beautiful, forested area with plenty of trees and privacy between sites. Ours had a tent pad, fire ring, and picnic table."
from $23 - $80 / night
Check Availability2. Manchester State Park Campground
"Nice wooded campground with access to the water. Plenty of opportunities for day hikes and not far from port orchard Washington. Some sites have hookups and others are dry camping."
"Trails, views, and history in walking distance. Coin operated showers and clean restrooms."
from $12 - $250 / night
Check Availability3. Sun Outdoors Gig Harbor
"Close by stores, trails, parks, harbor. Tacoma across bridge (10 minutes - $6.25 toll)."
"Costco, Home Depot, Albertsons and other shopping close by."
from $57 - $104 / night
Check Availability4. Penrose Point State Park Campground
"Pros: group camp is very close to beach front area, GREAT CLAMMING AND OYSTERING!"
"Penrose Point State Park is a great place close to Seattle to go camping in a small or large group. It's tent or camper friendly with plenty of spots for busier seasons."
from $12 - $72 / night
Check Availability5. Belfair State Park Campground
"Often our first or last trip of the year, due to its proximity to the greater Seattle area. Most of the folks we meet are from western Washington. "
"On the water of the Hood Canal, it offered more family activities than many of the parks around. The campground itself is situated close to the water with several loops, tightly packed together."
from $12 - $65 / night
Check Availability6. Fay Bainbridge Park
"2, #3, #4 are IMO best after that as they move away from the beach and then curve around in ascending order.
Some neighbor noise, sites are close, but was not busy."
"Great spot on the edge of bainbridge. Lots of spots depending on your preferred privacy level."
from $25 - $95 / night
Check Availability7. Dosewallips State Park Campground
"The grounds are well-maintained with easy access to some hiking trails that are easy to moderate in difficulty."
"Dump station close by worked great on exit. Wooded with ferns. Rain was nice to enjoy through the windows."
from $12 - $77 / night
Check Availability8. Saltwater State Park Campground
"My family stayed here for a night when we went out to Washington a few months ago. It was a nice little place."
"Pay showers ($1 for 3 minutes) and clean restroom with air dryer, pet friendly, lots of trails to hike and a beautiful beach area with a playground, seasonal/weekend snack shop, outdoor shower by the beach"
from $23 - $35 / night
Check Availability9. Blake Island Marine State Park Campground
"Hike the perimeter trail for views all around the island. It's a great place to stay in the summer months and relax."
"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."
from $12 - $70 / night
Check Availability10. Twanoh State Park Campground
"Location was clean, easy to access and feels like a world away from the busy cities close by."
"This is clean and well-maintained state campground that offers nice access to the southern tip of Hood Canal, although you have to cross Rt. 106 to get to the waterside picnic area and docks, and that"
from $12 - $46 / night
Check Availability
Drive Time
- 14 min from Bremerton, WA
- 47 min from Olympia, WA
- 52 min from Seattle, WA
- 1 hr 46 min from Mount Vernon, WA
Recent Camping Photos near Olalla, WA
355 Photos of 275 Olalla Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Sun Outdoors Gig Harbor
Dash Point State Park Campground
Manchester State Park CampgroundB
Seattle/Tacoma KOA - PERMANENTLY CLOSED
Macie's BrookC
Penrose Point State Park Campground
Belfair State Park Campground
Lakebay GetawayR
Courter Country FarmD
Jarrell Cove State Park Campground
Joemma Beach State Park Campground
Fay Bainbridge Park
Recent Reviews near Olalla, WA
1407 Reviews of 275 Olalla Campgrounds
- Charlie Y.Guide
Lake Pleasant RV Park
Cross country travelers
Nice urban RV campground.,..good location and price if you are visiting the Seattle area.....I would camp here again if need be. Clean, safe, secure
Lisa M.
LegendFlowing Lake Park & Campground
Very green and quiet
I’m giving this park only four stars because the roads coming into the park and the road through the park are very narrow and winding. I probably wouldn’t bring a trailer more than 32 or 33 feet long in here as there are tight curves around trees. Did have electric and water. But as others have said, kind of surprised that it doesn’t have a dump station. Very nice walking trail through the forest and next to a lake where one could go swimming or boating. We were here in midweek in September and the park was only about 1/4 full. Our site number 26 was nice, but not very level. Showers were clean and hot water. Very nice play ground.
Emmi O.GuideKanaskat-Palmer State Park
Good place to stay overnight
We spent one night here. Short walk to the riverside.
- SSam B.
ScoutAlder Lake Campground
Nice not during holiday weekends
Labor Day weekend was nearly packed full, plus visiting friends and family. It was almost too busy. But after everyone left, it was a lot more peaceful and quiet. Many walking paths for walks (people or with a dog). I wish speakers were actually not allowed. Headphones or ear buds is a more considerate way to listen to music while in close proximity to others.
- LLori R.Guide
Schafer State Park Campground
One of Our Favorite Stays Yet: Riverside Calm at Schafer State Park
One of our favorite stays so far. Schafer State Park has everything you actually want in a campground: flush toilets, hot showers, potable water, and hookups if you need them. The hiking is excellent for how compact the park is—easy, mossy forest loops and river-edge paths that feel much bigger than two miles. The park is split into two worlds: the older West Campground and a newer East side (about three years old). We chose the “old” side for its first-come, first-served sites. They felt private and spacious, with the East Fork Satsop River running right behind us. Kids’ laughter and happy dogs mixed with the sound of the water—this place is very family- and dog-oriented in the best way. We loved it. We were honestly surprised sites were still available over Labor Day weekend. We’ll definitely be back
- LLori R.Guide
Falls View Campground
Quiet forest camping at Falls View — spacious Site 12, a steep river hike, and Highway 101 for a soundtrack
Falls View Campground is a small, primitive U.S. Forest Service campground in Olympic National Forest, about 3.5 miles south of Quilcene on Highway 101. We spent two quiet nights here and had the place mostly to ourselves. That emptiness is the tradeoff: no potable water (the campground is under redesign), vault toilets only, no hookups, and first-come, first-served sites. If you want flush toilets and a water spigot, this is not it. If you want tall timber, a river below you, and room to breathe, it works. We stayed in Site 12, one of the newer spots. It was spacious, with good privacy from the next site and easy pull-through options for a van. Picnic table, fire ring, and enough gravel pad to park without a scramble. The campground map notes that Sites 1, 2, 3, and 9 are small and limited to car/truck campers; 12 felt like a different category. Payment is cashless. You can occupy a site, then either scan the QR code with the Recreation.gov app or drive about three miles north to the fee machine at Quilcene Ranger Station (295142 US-101). Official rate is $10 per night for a single site, plus $5 for an extra vehicle. Display the receipt on the site post. The Falls View Canyon Trail starts in the campground and drops to the Big Quilcene River. It is not an easy stroll. What goes down must come up, and the climb is steep — switchbacks, stairs in places, and enough grade to make you notice. The payoff is the river: mossy basalt, clear water, and that classic Olympic Peninsula green. There is also a shorter loop to a viewpoint of the waterfall plunging toward the river. Bring water; there is none at the campground. Highway 101 is close enough that you hear traffic. It did not ruin the stay for us, but light sleepers or people hunting total silence should know that going in. Pets must be leashed. Season is roughly May through September. Bottom line: Cheap, quiet, and pretty if you are self-contained and okay with vault toilets and a steep hike. Site 12 was a winner. Pack your own water and expect the highway
- JJude B.Scout
View Disperesed Camping
Beautiful road side spot on a cliff
Very rough and narrow road that follows a cliff face. 4wd not needed but sedan or mid sized truck would be most practical. Go past the marker just a little bit and there is good sized pullouts with fire rings.
- JJennifer M.
TravelerSage Horse Camp
A Quiet, Serene Equestrian Camp
My feline and I were looking for a quiet, off the beaten path sanctuary and found it. We chose spot 14 in the nw corner, hidden and along the northern treeline. The road is gravel and took us a minute to roll in and once there, magnificent. There are amenities for horses to play, trails to ride, and corrals at each of the 15 sites. Although we did not have horses, this place was a wonderful spot to rest our road legs for a couple days.
Guide to Olalla
Camping options near Olalla, Washington extend beyond the immediate vicinity to encompass locations in Kitsap County and along Hood Canal. The area has abundant rainfall from October through April, with drier summers averaging 75°F. Most campgrounds in the region sit at elevations below 500 feet, providing campers with easy access to shoreline activities and forest trails without significant altitude changes.
What to do
Wildlife viewing: Blake Island Marine State Park offers excellent opportunities for viewing local wildlife. "It is a peaceful getaway from the hustle and bustle with gorgeous views of the city. Hike the perimeter trail for views all around the island," writes Christi R., who found the park perfect for summer relaxation.
Tidal exploration: During low tides at Manchester State Park, visitors can explore the shoreline. "A quick walk to the beach, old torpedo building, trails. We had a great time taking a little hike along the water. Great views!" reports Heather M., highlighting the park's military history and coastal access.
Family beach days: The shallow waters at Belfair State Park make it ideal for children. "The beach was great, water is rather warm for in the sound, it's also pretty shallow which is great for the kids to play in," notes Leah H., who appreciated the dog-friendly environment and nearby ATV trails.
What campers like
Forest privacy: Campers at Dash Point State Park consistently praise the natural surroundings. "This campground is remarkable in the privacy between each of the camping spots, the bird life, the wild and deep forest vibes, and the walking trails," Brittany D. shares about her camping experience.
Urban proximity: The convenience of nearby services appeals to many campers at state parks near Olalla. "I spent a weekend tent camping at Dash Point State Park, and honestly, it was a great time even though I completely failed to plan any meals. Thankfully, civilization is only about 15 minutes away," explains Saraj B., highlighting the practicality of camping close to urban amenities.
Historical features: Military history enthusiasts enjoy exploring Manchester State Park. "Like many sites on the Puget Sound this was first used as a military base for the US Navy to guard the Bremerton ship yards during the Spanish American war and WW2. There are many remnants of the fort located in the park," Tom N. explains, noting the unique cement construction techniques visible in the park's historic buildings.
What you should know
Accessibility limitations: Not all best places to camp near Olalla have equal access. Blake Island Marine State Park is "only accessible by boat," as Sydney A. notes, requiring campers to either have personal watercraft or purchase tickets on the Argosy to reach the island.
Site selection matters: The experience varies dramatically based on site location at Dosewallips State Park. "Do not choose a site by the cabins or field, you will be disappointed. Choose a large site by the river!" advises Michele K., suggesting that waterfront sites provide a better experience.
Noise considerations: Airport proximity affects some campgrounds. At Saltwater State Park, "ALL day and night the planes felt like they were in our tent/heads. Every 3-30 seconds it was LOUD," Kirsten reports, making this a challenging location for light sleepers despite its convenience to Seattle.
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds available: Several campgrounds feature play areas for children. Fay Bainbridge Park has "Amazing kids area pirate ship. Great beach walk and good camp sites," according to Tanya B., making it particularly suitable for families with younger children.
Educational opportunities: Historical sites provide learning experiences. "Had a great Atlasquest scavenger hunt for the kids," reports Tammy C. about Manchester State Park, suggesting activities that can engage children while camping.
Swimming options: When selecting camping spots for families during summer, consider water temperature and safety. "The kids loved the park! The beach was great, water is rather warm for in the sound," notes Leah H. about Belfair State Park, indicating it's suitable for younger swimmers.
Tips from RVers
Hook-up availability: Many parks offer electric and water connections. "Full hookups available. Showers are older but clean. Need to buy tokens for the shower," advises Kate B. about Dash Point State Park, noting the additional costs for shower facilities.
Site spacing considerations: RV sites at Sun Outdoors Gig Harbor have limited separation. "The spaces are very close together, but there are a lot of trees and it's very well kept," Joseph I. reports, adding that despite proximity to neighbors, the campground remained "quiet and relaxing" during his three-week stay.
Year-round accessibility: Some campgrounds accommodate winter camping. "Often our first or last trip of the year, due to its proximity to the greater Seattle area," explains Doug about Belfair State Park, noting that while "small sites with little privacy," the waterfront loop is well-maintained despite heavy use.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Olalla, WA?
What camping is available near Olalla, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Olalla, WA offers a wide range of camping options, with 275 campgrounds and RV parks near Olalla, WA and 17 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Olalla, WA?
Which is the most popular campground near Olalla, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Olalla, WA is Dash Point State Park Campground with a 3.9-star rating from 77 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Olalla, WA?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Olalla, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 17 free dispersed camping spots near Olalla, WA.
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