The Olympic Peninsula offers diverse camping opportunities within a 50-mile radius of Olympia, Washington. Situated between the Puget Sound and Capitol State Forest, the region averages 50 inches of rainfall annually, creating lush forest conditions for campers. Most campgrounds near Olympia remain open year-round with higher occupancy rates during summer months when temperatures typically range from 70-80°F.
What to do
Fishing and paddling: Deep Lake at Millersylvania State Park Campground provides multiple water recreation opportunities. "Fishing is pretty good even from shore. The day use area is great but pretty rustic. Lots of trails to hike but not as well marked as I would expect," notes camper Rick S.
Hiking trails: The forest landscape offers trails for all skill levels. "The campground itself was very clean and well kept and rangers were on regular patrol. They also have a few trails but we did not check them out this visit," shares Ashley Y. about Millersylvania State Park.
Beach activities: Belfair State Park Campground offers water access on Hood Canal. "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," according to Leah H.
What campers like
Privacy and space: American Heritage Campground receives praise for its secluded sites. "I really appreciated the ease of getting to the campground off of I-5 and the privacy of the heavily wooded individual sites," writes Amy B.
Waterfront options: Campers appreciate direct lake access. "This park surprised us a lot. On the water of the Hood Canal, it offered more family activities than many of the parks around," notes Tom K. about Belfair State Park.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms make stays more comfortable. "Nice toilets & showers (in old building so was pleasantly surprised!)" reports Titti R. about Schafer State Park Campground.
What you should know
Campsite variations: Site quality and privacy vary significantly within campgrounds. "The RV loop does pack you in their like sardines," warns Rich M. about Millersylvania State Park.
Seasonal flooding: Some campgrounds have drainage issues during typical Pacific Northwest rains. "Due to poor drainage, most sites flood during heavy rains. Rain boots are a must," cautions Michael R. about Olympia Campground.
Access requirements: Military campgrounds near Olympia have specific entry requirements. "Great place for those with base access. The tent camp sites were private enough and the laundry and running water/showers were a huge plus!" explains Ashley H. about Holiday Park Military - Lewis McChord Base.
Tips for camping with families
Group accommodations: Millersylvania State Park offers dedicated group areas. "We stayed in the group camp and I can highly recommend it. It had its own bathrooms. It was set back in the woods with tons of places for tents. The shelter was large and had water and power," shares Ellen T.
Kid-friendly water activities: Shallow water areas provide safer swimming options. "The lake is small and great for letting kids go out in kayaks or other boats," adds Ellen T. about Millersylvania.
Legend
