Best Campgrounds near Port Orchard, WA

State parks and forests surrounding Port Orchard, Washington feature a mix of waterfront and wooded camping experiences within an hour's drive of the city. Manchester State Park, located directly in Port Orchard, offers year-round camping with both hookup and dry sites in a wooded setting with water access. Nearby options include Illahee State Park in Bremerton, Belfair State Park along Hood Canal, and Scenic Beach State Park in Seabeck. These established campgrounds primarily accommodate tents and RVs, with some offering cabins or glamping options. Most state parks in the region maintain well-developed facilities including showers, restrooms, and picnic areas, while providing access to beaches, hiking trails, and water activities.

Washington's Discover Pass ($30 annually) is required for day use at most state parks and campgrounds in the region. Many campers note the proximity to water as a key feature, with one visitor to Manchester State Park commenting, "Nice wooded campground with access to the water. Plenty of opportunities for day hikes and not far from Port Orchard." Weather considerations significantly impact camping experiences, with mild summers ideal for outdoor activities and wet winters requiring proper preparation. Most campgrounds in the area remain open year-round, though services may be limited during off-season months. Cell service varies by location but is generally reliable near Port Orchard and diminishes in more remote areas.

Sites with water views tend to fill quickly during summer months, particularly on weekends. Several visitors mention the balance between accessibility and seclusion as a key benefit of camping in this region. As one camper at Illahee State Park noted, "Close enough to town for any necessities but far enough to get the secluded feeling." Highway noise affects some campgrounds, particularly those along major routes like US 101. Privacy between sites varies considerably, with waterfront locations typically offering less separation than forested areas. Campground cleanliness receives consistent praise, with well-maintained facilities and clean restrooms frequently mentioned in reviews. The region's proximity to Olympic National Park (within an hour's drive) makes these campgrounds convenient basecamps for exploring both coastal and mountain environments.

Best Camping Sites Near Port Orchard, Washington (270)

    1. Dash Point State Park Campground

    71 Reviews
    Federal Way, WA
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 226-7688

    $20 / night

    ""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."

    2. Dosewallips State Park Campground

    45 Reviews
    Brinnon, WA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 796-4415

    $12 - $50 / night

    "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."

    3. Manchester State Park Campground

    18 Reviews
    Manchester, WA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 871-4065

    $50 / night

    "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."

    4. Belfair State Park Campground

    18 Reviews
    Belfair, WA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 275-0668

    $12 - $50 / night

    "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."

    5. Fay Bainbridge Park

    22 Reviews
    Bainbridge Island, WA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (206) 842-3931

    $7 - $95 / night

    ". #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."

    6. Scenic Beach State Park Campground

    16 Reviews
    Seabeck, WA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 830-5079

    "Big spaces for tents tucked away from other campers. The beach is a short walk away. Real flushing toilets no porta potties. RV dump station only $5."

    "Easily accessible water and easy access to the beach. We got a bit lost while walking the trails to the beach. More signs would be nice for fool's like us."

    7. Sun Outdoors Gig Harbor

    10 Reviews
    Gig Harbor, WA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (253) 858-8138

    $57 - $104 / night

    "Close by stores, trails, parks, harbor. Tacoma across bridge (10 minutes - $6.25 toll)."

    "Costco, Home Depot, Albertsons and other shopping close by."

    8. Seal Rock Campground

    18 Reviews
    Brinnon, WA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 765-2200

    $18 / night

    "Seal Rock campground is on the Hood canal side of the Olympic peninsula in Washington state. It's actually the second time we camped there, this time on July 3rd and 4th."

    "Seal Rock Campground is a nice quiet place tucked away just out side of Brinnon WA. All of the sites are dispersed in a nice forested area which lends for good privacy."

    9. Illahee State Park Campground

    6 Reviews
    Manchester, WA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 478-6460

    $20 - $37 / night

    "Great place to walk around and enjoy what the deep green that is Washington state."

    "The hiking around here is amazing and theres so many different things to do here. It’s close to the water, too which is really neat."

    10. Penrose Point State Park Campground

    19 Reviews
    Lakebay, WA
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 226-7688

    $32 / night

    "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."

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Recent Reviews near Port Orchard, WA

1248 Reviews of 270 Port Orchard Campgrounds



Guide to Port Orchard

Camping near Port Orchard, Washington, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventurous getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do

  • Hiking: Explore the trails at Dash Point State Park Campground. One reviewer mentioned, "Several miles of hiking trails and chances to see wildlife or catch frogs." It's a great spot for families who want to enjoy nature together.
  • Beach Activities: At Seal Rock Campground, you can enjoy beachcombing, swimming, and water sports. A camper shared, "It’s right on the Canal—beach combing, swimming, water sports, marine life, shellfish. It’s the best of the best!"
  • Fishing: The Dosewallips State Park Campground is close to the Dosewallips River, where you can fish. One visitor noted, "The campsites are a short walk to the Dosewallips River, which is shallow and not very fast this time of year."

What campers like

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A review for Belfair State Park Campground stated, "The bathrooms are clean and well-maintained."
  • Family-Friendly Atmosphere: Many campgrounds, like Penrose Point State Park Campground, are great for families. One reviewer mentioned, "It’s a very family-friendly setting."
  • Spacious Campsites: Campers enjoy the space between sites at places like Fay Bainbridge Park. A visitor said, "The spots are spacious and shaded."

What you should know

  • Noise Levels: Some campgrounds can be noisy due to nearby roads or other campers. For example, at Potlatch State Park Campground, one camper noted, "The campsites are dramatically close, so there is little to no privacy if it was busy."
  • Reservation Recommendations: Popular spots like Twanoh State Park Campground can fill up quickly. A reviewer advised, "Probably need to reserve far in advance."
  • Limited Amenities Off-Season: Some campgrounds may have limited services during the off-season. A camper at Scenic Beach State Park Campground mentioned, "The dump station was closed at this one and there was no water, not even a communal spigot."

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places like Staircase Campground, which has a lot of space for kids to play. One parent said, "So many logs and paths around the campsite… our littles thought they had their own private park."
  • Plan Activities: Bring games and outdoor toys to keep kids entertained. A visitor at Belfair State Park Campground shared, "The kids spent most days playing in the river or at the beach."
  • Pack Snacks: Keep snacks handy for hungry campers. A reviewer at Dosewallips State Park Campground mentioned, "It’s also a nice spot to stop close to Seattle for an easy overnight without a lot of hassle."

Tips from RVers

  • Check Hookups: Make sure the campground has the necessary hookups for your RV. A camper at Potlatch State Park Campground noted, "The spots are a bit close together and a bit difficult backing in to, but the spots themselves are clean."
  • Be Mindful of Noise: Some RV spots can be near busy roads. A visitor at Seal Rock Campground mentioned, "You can hear road noise from the traffic from 101."
  • Plan for Limited Services: Be prepared for some campgrounds to have limited services, especially in the off-season. A reviewer at Twanoh State Park Campground said, "The nicer bathrooms were closed in the fall but the vault toilets were clean and close enough to our site."

Camping near Port Orchard, Washington, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the beautiful surroundings!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Port Orchard, WA?

According to TheDyrt.com, Port Orchard, WA offers a wide range of camping options, with 270 campgrounds and RV parks near Port Orchard, WA and 12 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Port Orchard, WA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Port Orchard, WA is Dash Point State Park Campground with a 3.9-star rating from 71 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Port Orchard, WA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 12 free dispersed camping spots near Port Orchard, WA.

What parks are near Port Orchard, WA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 12 parks near Port Orchard, WA that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.