Glamping and camping options near Preston, Washington include both full-service and primitive sites within a 30-minute drive. The region sits at the foothills of the Cascade Mountains with elevations ranging from 500 to 800 feet and receives approximately 50-60 inches of annual rainfall. Most campgrounds in the area remain open year-round, though winter visitors should prepare for temperatures that can drop to the mid-30s overnight.
What to do
Hiking and trail access: Middle Fork Campground provides direct access to numerous trails and berry picking opportunities. "We stayed there to be close to the mailbox trail head. There were so many berries around the camp and we could literally sit in camp and pick blue berries," notes Dan P. The campground connects to a network of well-maintained trails along the Snoqualmie River.
Beach activities: At Fay Bainbridge Park on Bainbridge Island, visitors can enjoy beachcombing and water sports with spectacular mountain views. "Beautiful beach, great views of Mt. Rainier & Baker on a clear day, cruise ships going by, pirate ship playground for children," reports Judy J. The park offers both camping and day-use beach access with volleyball courts.
Water recreation: Vasa Park Resort provides direct waterfront access for swimming and paddling on Lake Sammamish. One camper described their experience: "This seems like an amazing summer family spot... gorgeous and very quiet and right on the water." The lakefront location makes it ideal for water-based activities within easy reach of Seattle.
What campers like
Private, spacious sites: Kanaskat-Palmer State Park offers well-spaced campsites with natural separation. A reviewer mentioned, "The sites are large with lots of trees. One loop has electricity (no water or sewer hookups but has a dump station) and the other does not." The park's layout provides a good balance of privacy and amenities.
Clean facilities: Tolt MacDonald Park earns consistent praise for its well-maintained facilities. "This park is big, beautiful, and very family friendly. I've been camping in this park a few times and the only complaint I have during a high traffic weekend is that there are not enough rest rooms!" reports one camper. The park offers both standard sites and glamping options near Preston.
Accessible wilderness: Many visitors appreciate the forested setting at Blue Sky RV Park, which balances convenience with natural surroundings. "A Quiet oasis tucked into the forest. The new and clean bathrooms and showers were a real treat after a 2100 mile journey," wrote Todd B. The park maintains a wilderness feel despite being relatively close to urban areas.
What you should know
Seasonal limitations: Several campgrounds near Preston operate with reduced services during winter months. At Kanaskat-Palmer State Park, facilities remain open but with variable shower availability: "I had a hot shower one day and a luke warm one the next."
Reservation requirements: Most popular sites require advance booking, especially for summer weekends. "We got lucky and snagged the very last spot here on a Saturday in late September. Note that you can check availability online on the day of, but you cannot make same day reservations online," advises Laura M. about Kanaskat-Palmer.
Limited hookups: Tall Chief Campground provides water and electric connections but no sewer at standard sites. "I do have to knock a star for the fact no sites have sewer hookups. This is fairly understandable though as it appeared that a service needs to pump the septic tank by the dump station for the entire park," explains one camper. Alternative solutions include honey wagon services for longer stays.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds feature dedicated play areas for children. "We took a walk down to the day use area by the river, which was easy for us, but some portions of the trails closer to the river were slightly overgrown w/ a few obstacles, which could be problematic for some," notes Jay F. about Kanaskat-Palmer.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Dosewallips State Park offers chances to spot local wildlife, including elk. "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," shares Amy & Stu B. The park features multiple viewing areas accessible from camping areas.
Swimming options: Several locations feature swimming areas suitable for families with children. At Vasa Park Resort, "Beautiful beach area, basketball courts, playground, and volleyball right at the site" provides multiple recreation options, according to Erin A. Most water access points are supervised only during peak summer months.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: When booking RV sites, consider utility limitations and site dimensions. "Our site had a pull-through driveway, 30amp hookup, a fire ring and picnic table. Bathrooms in that loop were pretty nice... heated and very clean," reports Jay F. about Kanaskat-Palmer State Park.
Cell coverage challenges: Forest cover can affect connectivity at several campgrounds. "Another thing that can be annoying is trying to find a site with good cell reception due to all the trees. I'm getting 120+ mbs download on AT&T in my site right now, but several sites down from me, it can dwindle down to 5mbs!" explains Brodie D. at Tall Chief Campground.
Power limitations: Many sites offer only 30-amp service, which can be problematic during extreme weather. "Normally 30 amp posts are sufficient but we ended up here during a heat wave and an entire section of the park blew after having several days of power issues," warns one RVer about their experience at Tall Chief.
