Situated between Lake Sammamish and the Cascade Mountain foothills, Redmond offers camping options within 30 miles of Microsoft's headquarters. Most campgrounds near Redmond remain open year-round, though early November through March brings frequent rainfall averaging 5-7 inches monthly. Winter temperatures typically range from 35-45°F, with summer daytime temperatures reaching 75-85°F during peak camping season from June through September.
What to do
Suspension bridge exploration: At Tolt MacDonald Park, the 500-foot suspension bridge connects the main camping area to additional hiking trails and remote camping spots. "The suspension bridge is pretty cool, but hold onto your phones tight because it could slip through the holes into the river below," notes Mercedes D. from Tolt MacDonald Park.
Waterfront activities: Lake Pleasant RV Park offers walking trails surrounding several small ponds with resident wildlife. "We did not use the bathrooms, but enjoyed the walking trails, playground for the kids, and watching the resident ducks in the pond," shares Nikki R. who visited Lake Pleasant RV Park.
Seasonal salmon fishing: The Snoqualmie River near Thunderbird RV provides seasonal steelhead and salmon fishing opportunities. "Great place. Riverside no sewer hookups but have dump station by where you check in. Perfect to check in dump if you stay on river side," explains Tracy P. who stayed at Thunderbird RV.
What campers like
Private campsites: Dash Point State Park features unusually spacious sites compared to other urban campgrounds. "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," mentions Brittany D. from Dash Point State Park.
Clean facilities: Consistent maintenance makes Tall Chief Campground popular with return visitors. "Bathrooms are usually found to be immaculate. The main bathrooms have a great 'spa' feeling to their design and make you feel like you are glamping," reports Brodie D. who frequents Tall Chief Campground.
Waterfront access: Vasa Park Resort provides direct lake access for swimming and water activities. "We loved the Vasa Park Resort. We stayed here while visiting my brother in Seattle and had so much fun. We roasted hotdogs and s'mores over the camp fire and our dog loved swimming in the lake," shares Amy H. who visited Vasa Park.
What you should know
Cell reception variability: Tree cover affects signal strength at many Redmond-area campgrounds. "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," advises Brodie D. about Tall Chief Campground.
Seasonal crowds: Campgrounds near Fay Bainbridge Park fill quickly during summer months, especially on weekends. "This is a small camp ground, but very charming. The Rv spaces are close together but each site has water and electric. The downside is there is no sewage dumping site at the park," notes ML D.
Limited sewer hookups: Many campgrounds around Redmond lack full hookups, requiring portable waste solutions. "There are a few 50 amp sites but from what I saw they were all taken by RVers that are there on a more permanent basis. If you want/need one, you cannot get one," explains Derek & Alex W. who stayed at Tall Chief Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer dedicated children's play areas with varying amenities. "Cute campground very close to Seattle and Bellevue right on the lake. Beautiful beach area, basketball courts, playground, and volleyball right at the site," describes Erin A. who stayed at Vasa Park Resort.
Educational opportunities: Some locations provide nature programs during summer months. "Amazing kids area pirate ship. Great beach walk and good camp sites. Be prepared for showers to be closed but the restrooms were open. Can't beat the views," shares Tanya B. about her stay at Fay Bainbridge Park.
Proximity to conveniences: Most pet-friendly campgrounds near Redmond provide easy access to stores within 15 minutes. "You cannot beat this location! Close to Seattle, feels secluded, but you can walk or take a short drive to restaurants, groceries, anything you could want or need," explains John M. about Lake Pleasant RV Park.
Tips from RVers
Urban accessibility: RV parks provide convenient bases for exploring Seattle without downtown parking hassles. "We stayed at this park on a trip to Seattle. It was only about 30 minutes to downtown, but almost felt like you were out in the country," explains Nikki R. about Lake Pleasant RV Park.
Hookup availability: Electric and water connections are standard at most campgrounds, though amperage varies. "The only campground we've been to where we didn't need to level the trailer. RV sites are all pull through its fairly quiet. Nice setting lots of outdoor and indoor activities with in a short drive," shares Russ H. who stayed at Tolt MacDonald Park.
Campsite selection: RVers should arrive early to secure preferred sites, especially at dog-friendly campgrounds near Redmond with premium views. "In site 11 you can hear the highway when outside of rv but couldn't inside. Neighbors were very friendly. Pad was paved, level and long enough for Super C and toad," notes Mark O. about Blue Sky RV Park.
