Jason H.
Guide
GuideLena Lake Campground
Great spot
A nice 3.5 miles ish hike from the parking area to campground. The campsites offers fire rings and has plenty of amazing views of the lake. Don’t forget to pack everything out and leave no trace.
Tent Camping near Olympia, WA
51 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
Tent campers near Olympia, Washington have access to both established campgrounds and dispersed sites within an hour's drive. Rock Candy Mountain Trailhead offers primitive tent camping with minimal facilities, while Hope Island Marine State Park provides boat-in tent sites on a scenic island in South Puget Sound. Olympic National Forest Dispersed Camping areas provide free primitive options for those seeking a more remote experience approximately 50 miles from Olympia.
Most tent sites in the Olympia region feature dirt or forest duff surfaces with limited grading. Campgrounds like Rock Candy Mountain have vault toilets but no drinking water, making water supplies essential for overnight stays. Olympic National Forest dispersed sites typically lack toilets and other facilities completely, requiring strict adherence to leave-no-trace principles. During summer months, fire bans are common throughout the region, particularly in Olympic National Forest where wildfire risk can be significant. Bear activity is present in many areas, especially in the Olympic forest zones, requiring proper food storage.
Tent-only areas provide excellent access to hiking trails and water features. The Hope Island Marine State Park campground offers tent campers beach access and hiking trails on a forested island accessible only by watercraft. Areas farther from Olympia generally provide greater seclusion and wildlife viewing opportunities. Several tent sites back up to creeks or small lakes, providing both scenic views and natural white noise for sleeping. One visitor to Hope Island noted, "We kayaked here from Boston Harbor on a beautiful summer weekend. Boat-in sites are first-come, first-serve, but even the sites tucked in the forest were beautiful and only a few steps from the water." At Rock Candy Mountain, campers should be prepared for road noise, as sites are located near a moderately trafficked roadway.
Best Tent Campgrounds near Olympia (51)
1. Rock Candy Mountain Trailhead
"Bathroom, Internet, no water. Quiet. Legal. Safe. Beautiful."
"No water."
2. Hope Island Marine State Park Campground
"Boat-in sites are first-come, first serve so we did not arrive early enough to snatch the few that are right on the water but nonetheless the ones tucked in the forest were still beautiful and only a few"
"It is located in the Puget Sound just North of Steamboat Island. It has 2 miles of hiking trails and 8 primitive campsites."
from $12 / night
Check Availability3. Camp Thunderbird
"It is located at the base of Summit Lake, with a dock and great swimming spot. There are tent sites, adirondacks, and cabins. There is a great big field and lots of trails."
4. The Healing Farm
"The campsite itself was private, peaceful, and perfectly set up—complete with a fire pit and a hammock that our son loved. Leaving was the hardest part (there were definitely tears)."
"The kids was in Awh with all the animals and how they would let you walk up to them and interact with them."
from $60 / night
Check Availability5. Malaney Creek Farm
"gated entry and showed us our spot. they gave us a quick run down of the place and let us be. our spot was the Trillium site which has a few hundred foot hike from where you park your car and the portable toilet"
from $29 - $185 / night
6. Macie's Brook
from $15 - $45 / night
Check Availability7. Coffee Creek Community & Gardens
"The wood stove keeps you toasty in the cold, the kitchen space is perfect and simple. The windows give you incredible views of the forest."
from $50 - $115 / night
Check Availability8. Sherman Valley- State Forest
"I grew up camping here, as a Boy Scout this was a perfect location for many activities."
9. Olympic National Forest Dispersed Camping
"We camped near Vance Creek trailhead to do the Olympic Bridges bike ride the next morning. Since this is a national forest, dispersed camping is allowed."
10. Aldrich Lake
Drive Time
- 50 min from Bremerton, WA
- 55 min from Seattle, WA
- 1 hr 1 min from Longview, WA
- 1 hr 49 min from Mount Vernon, WA
Recent Tent Camping Photos near Olympia, WA
41 Photos of 51 Olympia Campgrounds
Tj J.
Malaney Creek Farm
Jason and Kat C.
The Healing Farm
Cari L.
Macie's Brook
Mokey S.
Coffee Creek Community & Gardens
Suzie K.
Olympic National Forest Dispersed Camping
Trevor M.
NF-2419 Dispersed Site
Graham C.
Camp Pleasant — Olympic National Park
Paula G.
Upper Lena Lake — Olympic National Park
Denise C.
Courter Country Farm
Kier S.
Eagles Roost Camp — Mount Rainier National Park
Katie K.
Golden Lakes Backcountry Campsites — Mount Rainier National Park
Joseph
Elkhorn Campground
Tent Camping Reviews near Olympia, WA
972 Reviews of 51 Olympia Campgrounds
Tj J.
ScoutMalaney Creek Farm
Great Private Camping Getaway
arrived at the farm and were greeted by the owners. they got on their quads and led us down a private road through a super nice cedar gated entry and showed us our spot. they gave us a quick run down of the place and let us be. our spot was the Trillium site which has a few hundred foot hike from where you park your car and the portable toilet. the site was pretty cool and very secluded. it had a fire ring with some sawn cedar benches, a pile of firewood and a giant old spool for a table. we threw our marmot up and took a closer look. there is a camp box with info, instant coffee, guides to area sight seeing and food along with a log book to write about your stay. there were also some cool led lighting which was great at night. fire ban was on but they put a big candle on the grate of the fire pit so we had something. we kicked around on the trails which look like they are used by horses and motorcycles but not heavily. some interesting plants in the area. they were working on a new trail that is supposed to eventually lead out to the lake but it wasnt complete yet. however it was covered with wood chips and had a hand cut cedar bridge built on it. you gotta see it. sounds like they are constantly evolving the farm looked like a lot of things in the works. definitely will come back for more time here. night time got spooky with coyotes howling in the distance but the morning there were so many birds chirping and singing you couldnt hear yourself think! oh we found a corn hole game in an open area that they have several picnic tables staged at.
- April C.Guide
Millersylvania State Park Campground
Choose your Adventure
This place had it all; open RV camping, secluded van camping, tree canopy car/tent camping, walk-in camping, and themed safari tent camping, and one cute mini airstream.
Lake down the road. Water and electrical hookups, dump station with dump water and fresh water.
Restrooms and showers are scattered around. Showers are coin based and there is a machine to turn your dollars into coins.
Art S.
LegendLena Lake Campground
Lena Lake campground
This is a hike-in campground down a 3.5 mile trail. It sees heavy use from locals on the weekend. There was plenty of room during the week when I was there. Lena Lake is quiet and serene and the perfect place to sit on a log and journal. Other people walked around the edge of the lake but care must be taken as it's a bit rugged. Follow the leave no trace principles and this place will be one to return to again for yourself and others.
- Amanda
TravelerDragon's Gate Gardens
A reservable paradise- expansive solitude, out of a picture book
I just completed my third stay at Dragon's Gate, and I've now stayed in each of the different sections (Moon Meadow, Giant Crystal, Jessie's Camp). Each gives a completely different but wonderous experience, either with open views of flower pastures and woods, or a more insular green surrounded by trees. Each reservable space is massive.... 4-5 times the size of most campsites. While you may reasonably run into other campers within each section if you go for a walk, you won't even know anyone is in the other sections, its so private. Sing at the top of your lungs or let your dog roam, they won't run into anyone.
Its just SO pretty. Each campsite is really well maintained- the roads and campsites are mowed, carving into the meadows. There are porta potties and access to drinking water and a great deal on both wood and eggs. Wooden picnic tables are in each site, and a well appointed fire ring. The hosts are really lovely as well, and overly accommodating. The entire site is organic, so they do ask that you participate in their policies of no charcoal usage and leave no trace.
Tenino itself is a cute little historic town, with a surprisingly well appointed supermarket and hardware store, and on Saturdays there's a farmers market.
Mostly, I love how my dog can safely roam, and how, even when I am completely by myself camping, I still feel safe.
Amy & Stu B.LegendDosewallips State Park Campground
Gorgeous location
This campground is right next to a state park. It’s also very close to a river and lots of woods. We stayed here to see Olympic national park, (I wouldn’t recommend this location to travel to Olympic every day, it was very far.)
The amenities were nice, bathrooms with warm water (one shower per bathroom.)
No laundry, no Wi-Fi and both Verizon and AT&T worked with about one bar.
The sites were level spacious and had a fire ring and picnic table at each. We chose the full hookup option. Firewood could be purchased through the camp host.
The best part about this day was the surrounding area. Every night, my husband and I would walk to the wildlife viewing platform to see lots of birds, or walk down by the river and see lots of elk and bald eagles.
Jess G.LegendMiddle Waddell Campground
LEDlenser MH2 Headlamp at Middle Waddell Campground
Campground
Fairly large campground, free as long as you have a discover pass! Close to town yet still secluded in the woods. Tons of trails for hiking, horses and dirt bikes! Plenty of sites for trailers and tents. Vault toilets, picnic tables, fire rings and water hook ups. The camp host even had free bottled water for guest if needed. There was a creek near by with people panning for gold which was interesting!
Product Review
Being a ranger I get to test some products from time to time! Today's product is the LEDlenser MH2 Headlamp!
This headlamp is very impressive! Certainly the brightest light I have ever explored with. It comes in a very nice package with a charging cord, two different colored lens attachments, a carrying pouch and a battery. My only complaint is that the headlamp itself doesn't fit very well in the carrying pouch but I made it work! It was also a little heavy and I had to adjust the strap to fit my head more often then I would have preferred. The brightness of the light made up for the flaws completely!
Callie S.TravelerSahara Creek DNR Horse Camp
Shady, quiet
YOU NEED A WA DISCOVER PASS TO CAMP HERE!!! But it is free with the pass. And there’s a gas station 5 minutes down the road in Ashford where you can buy one. Very shady and quiet, not crowded at all. Primitive camping, no water, no restrooms just vault toilets, no trash pickup either so you need to pack everything out. Was hard to stake my tent down bc of rocky soil, but it worked fine cause it’s not windy. 15 minutes from the entrance to Mt Rainier. Good place if you’re here for that reason. Most of the sites are horse camping only, but there are a handful that allow other types EXCEPT FOR RV, to my understanding there is NO RV CAMPING HERE
- ddebraTraveler
Coho Campground
Great rural campground
Coho campground is a forested campground overlooking a large alpine lake. Lots of old growth forest, birds and squirrels live in the campground. The sites are large with a paved drive that can accommodate several vehicles and trailers. Large picnic tables and a fire pit on each site with an area for tents. No electric, water or sewer on the site. There are several flush toilets that are well kept. Bathrooms have an electrical outlet if you need to charge something. Faucets with drinking water. No showers. No cell service and starlink doesn’t work due to trees. Nearest gas station and stores about 35 minutes away. There is a boat ramp and a nice lake for kayaking. Several trails around the lake and campground.
Guide to Olympia
Tent camping near Olympia, Washington ranges from remote dispersed sites to family-friendly campgrounds. The region sits at the southern end of Puget Sound with elevations from sea level to over 2,000 feet in nearby hills. Summer temperatures average 75-80°F while spring and fall camping often means dealing with rainfall averaging 50 inches annually.
What to do
Lake swimming: Camp Thunderbird sits at the base of Summit Lake with a dock for swimming. "There is a great big field and lots of trails," notes camper Rich M., who finds this Boy Scout-owned campground "great for large groups."
Target shooting: Near Sherman Valley State Forest, the Department of Natural Resources maintains a gravel pit designated specifically for target shooting. Rich M. reports, "Capital Forest is home to lots of hiking, mountain bike, equestrian, and ATV trails."
Animal interactions: At The Healing Farm, campers can milk goats and interact with unusual animals. "We gathered eggs, milked goats, fed a porcupine and capybaras, cuddled baby bunnies, met a joey in a pouch, hung out with emus, and even snuggled with goats," describes L M., noting the experience was "nothing like a typical petting zoo."
What campers like
Natural sounds: The forest camping areas create a peaceful soundscape. One camper at Macie's Brook mentioned the "spacious tent sites near the water" provide both scenery and soothing background noise.
Wood stove warmth: When temperatures drop, Coffee Creek Community Gardens cabins offer cozy shelter. Mikal notes, "The wood stove keeps you toasty in the cold, the kitchen space is perfect and simple. The windows give you incredible views of the forest."
Private camping spots: Trillium site at Malaney Creek Farm requires "a few hundred foot hike from where you park your car and the portable toilet," according to Tj J., who appreciated that the site was "very secluded" with "a fire ring with some sawn cedar benches, a pile of firewood and a giant old spool for a table."
What you should know
Road conditions: Many forest roads leading to camping areas require careful driving. At Olympic National Forest Dispersed Camping, Sam S. notes, "We picked the first spot we got to since it was getting kind of late. It wasn't the most ideal spot and I think further down the road has prettier and more remote options."
Seasonal considerations: The Olympia region has distinct camping seasons. Fall camping at Coffee Creek allows visitors to enjoy autumn colors while staying warm indoors. "This October one was particularly nourishing," reports Mikal about their cabin stay.
Crowding patterns: Weekend camping requires early arrival, especially at boat-in sites. Rich M. advises about Capital Forest sites: "The sites are first come first serve and you pay using an iron ranger."
Tips for camping with families
Animal interaction opportunities: Children particularly enjoy The Healing Farm's interactive animal experiences. Rebecca A. reports, "This was one of the best camping experiences I have ever had. I always go 1 time a year camping with my adult kids and grandkids. It is hard to find a place to be fun for younger children, but the healing farm was awesome."
Frequently Asked Questions
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campsite near Olympia, WA?
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Olympia, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Olympia, WA is Rock Candy Mountain Trailhead with a 3.1-star rating from 9 reviews.
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Olympia, WA?
What is the best site to find tent camping near Olympia, WA?
TheDyrt.com has all 51 tent camping locations near Olympia, WA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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