Campsites near Ravensdale, Washington sit at elevations ranging from 400 to 1,200 feet in the western foothills of the Cascade Mountains. The area's climate features mild, wet winters and warm, dry summers with average temperatures reaching 75-80°F in July and August. Several campgrounds offer year-round access despite the region's 45-50 inches of annual rainfall, with most precipitation falling between November and March.
What to do
Kayak fishing: 3 miles from Kanaskat-Palmer. The Green River provides excellent fishing opportunities with seasonal salmon runs. "Lots of great fishing spots" along the river trails according to camper Cody F., who found the trails at Kanaskat-Palmer State Park "beautiful as they wrapped around the river."
Beach activities: 25-minute drive to Saltwater State Park. The park offers swimming, diving, and beach access on Puget Sound. Sam M. notes that at Saltwater State Park, "It does have a lot of activities because of how close it is to the water. We saw people fishing, diving, sailing, etc."
Mountain biking: Multiple trails within 10 miles. The Middle Fork area features newly paved access roads leading to trail networks. "Great secluded campsite. Easy access via a nice new paved road put in!" mentions Brianna H. about the trails near Middle Fork Campground.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the spacing between camping spots. According to Brittany D. at Dash Point State Park, "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."
River access from campgrounds: Multiple sites offer direct walking paths to water. Julie M. notes that at Tolt MacDonald Park, "each site seems to have a trail connecting to the outer trail that runs along the river. Big entertainment for three boys who explored the woods and played on the rocks and in the eddy pools."
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain excellent bathrooms. Kelly P. mentions that Kanaskat-Palmer has "6 very clean individual (one person) bathrooms with a shower in each," making it comfortable for extended stays.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds require booking well in advance for yurt camping near Ravensdale. Laura M. advises about Kanaskat-Palmer, "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."
Cell coverage varies widely: Reception depends entirely on your campsite location. At Tall Chief Campground, Brodie D. reports, "Another thing that can be annoying is trying to find a site with good cell reception due to all the trees. They definitely have a few, but I would say arrive early so you can drive by all the sites while checking to make sure you have good reception if you need it."
Park ranger presence: Some campgrounds have strict enforcement of quiet hours and regulations. "This campground is heavily patrolled by the park rangers. I usually have contact with them in my campsite at least twice a day," explains Kelly P., adding "if you are a large group, like to stay up late and listen to music and/or party it might not be the campground for you."
Tips for camping with families
Accessible water play: 3 miles from Kanaskat-Palmer. For safer swimming with children, Kelly P. recommends, "The riverfront accessed from the campground tends to be a bit too raging for my taste with children. We usually take the kids to the lake at Nolte state park (approx. 3 miles away) for water play."
Kid-friendly trails: Many campgrounds offer easy hiking options. Julie M. found the trails at Tolt MacDonald perfect for children: "Big entertainment for three boys who explored the woods and played on the rocks and in the eddy pools at the public river take-out."
Garden carts for gear transport: Some campgrounds provide equipment to help with setup. Mercedes D. notes that at Tolt MacDonald, "they even provide you with garden carts to help you get your stuff across the bridge," making it easier to manage camping gear with children.
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Some sites require significant adjustment. Cody F. warns about Middle Fork: "I only took away a star because it was advertised as ok for a Motorhome but the gravel pull through was so not level the jacks pushed the front tires 6 inches off the ground."
Limited hookup options: Many campgrounds offer only electric hookups. Jay F. advises at Vasa Park Resort to plan accordingly: "The full hook up spaces seem a bit close together but I was willing to do partial and got a roomier spot."
Dump station access: Some campgrounds have dump stations while others require off-site dumping. Russ H. notes about Tolt MacDonald, "There's a charge dump station at the ministorage at the turn off," so RVers should factor in this additional cost.
