Renton, Washington camping options span forested valleys to saltwater beaches, with an average summer temperature of 75°F and winter lows around 35°F. The area features second-growth Douglas fir forests intersected by the Cedar and Green Rivers. Many campgrounds provide year-round access, though facilities like showers may be limited during winter months.
What to do
Hiking trails from camp: At Dosewallips State Park, hiking trails start directly from the campground and lead to stunning river views. "There are several hiking trail loops but the most appropriate for us was the beach trail which is maybe 2 miles to the beach and back," notes Michael B., who camped with his family including young children.
Tide pool exploration: Visit Fay Bainbridge Park for beach activities and marine discovery. "It's more of a rocky, muddy beach than a sandy one, but it's still great for exploring, skipping rocks, or pretending you're in a moody PNW indie film," shares a camper from Dash Point State Park.
Wildlife viewing: Dosewallips provides excellent elk watching opportunities. "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," reports Amy & Stu B., highlighting the park's natural attractions.
What campers like
Private campsites: Kanaskat-Palmer State Park offers secluded sites despite its popularity. "The spaces are very private and spread out. Everything is clean including the bathrooms," notes Jeff O., who appreciated the park's tranquility just an hour from Seattle.
Clean facilities: Visitors consistently praise Tolt MacDonald Park for its well-maintained amenities. According to Russ H., "The only campground we've been to where we didn't need to level the trailer. RV sites are all pull through, it's fairly quiet."
River access: Middle Fork Campground offers direct river proximity and natural surroundings. One camper shared, "We enjoyed our stay at the middle fork camp ground... There were so many berries around the camp and we could literally sit in camp and pick blue berries," demonstrating the site's natural abundance.
What you should know
Reservations essential: Many parks require advance booking, especially for yurt camping near Renton. At Vasa Park Resort, availability is extremely limited during summer. "We loved the Vasa Park Resort. We stayed here while visiting my brother in Seattle and had so much fun," notes Amy H.
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience aircraft or traffic noise. At Saltwater State Park, "Commercial jets landing at Sea-Tac fly directly above us at a low altitude and are VERY loud and VERY frequent (every 3-5 minutes)," reports Travis P., though he added this could be a plus for airplane enthusiasts.
Limited hookups: While many sites offer electric and water, full hookups aren't universal. A camper at Tall Chief noted, "No sewer connections which can be a bummer, but the nice bathrooms make up for it imo."
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds and beaches: Blue Sky RV Park offers family-friendly amenities just outside Renton. "Mini golf basket ball court, lakes, bingo, free donuts and coffee showers are bug and clean price is fairly cheap," writes Dave S., highlighting activities beyond just camping.
Kid-friendly yurts: For families considering yurt camping near Renton, Tolt MacDonald Park provides sturdy yurt accommodations. "Spent a night in the yurt. Everything worked," reports Chris A., indicating a hassle-free experience ideal for families new to outdoor stays.
Swimming options: Dash Point offers water recreation suitable for various ages. "This campground was beautiful! There's a day use lake and we had a wonderful time camping here!" shares Brittany L., emphasizing the convenient water access.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: For RVers at Fay Bainbridge Park, site choices matter. "Larger RVs should be in the lower site numbers. Ours is mid-size and we barely fit in #26, though it was nicely shaded," advises Judy J., providing practical guidance for RV campers.
Utility limitations: RVers should note electrical capacity constraints at several parks. At Kanaskat-Palmer, one camper shared: "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."
Cell service considerations: Connectivity varies widely between campgrounds. At Tall Chief, a reviewer notes: "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."
