Teanaway Community Forest surrounds Roslyn, Washington, at elevations between 2,200 and 5,900 feet. Camping areas remain open from late spring through fall, with most sites closing after the first significant snowfall. Overnight temperatures can drop significantly even in summer, with temperature differences of 30-40 degrees between day and night.
What to do
River access for swimming: Teanaway Campground offers several spots to cool off during summer months. "We pulled into this pretty late last night and were happy to still have found a place. It was overall quiet, gentle and welcoming," notes Cassiey K. The campground connects to the Teanaway River where "River access for the kids" provides natural entertainment during hot days.
Mountain biking trails: Head to Teanaway Campground for direct trail access. "If you are a mountain biker, this spot will not disappoint with the trail system right out of camp," reports Silas. The network includes beginner-friendly loops and more challenging routes throughout the forest.
Fishing opportunities: Cooper Lake at Owhi Campground provides rainbow trout fishing without motorized boat traffic. "Fishing is excellent," reports Brian B. The lake requires a Washington fishing license, and early morning hours typically yield better results.
What campers like
Stargazing conditions: The Teanaway area offers excellent dark sky viewing. "Get there a little early to get a good spot so you can see those brilliant stars at night," recommends Cassiey K. Sites further from the highway provide the best viewing with minimal light pollution.
Wildlife viewing: Morning and evening hours increase chances for animal sightings. "We canoed on the lake and saw a few Elk bugling. Really amazing views," shares Kerrie L. about her experience at Owhi Campground. Small mammals like chipmunks are common throughout the camping areas.
Off-grid experience with cell service: South Fork Snoqualmie River Dispersed Site offers primitive camping with unexpected connectivity. "I travel and work remotely so I'm always looking for free places that have cell reception and this place hits the jackpot," writes Austin R. Verizon users report 2-3 bars of service even with "crappy weather."
What you should know
Busy weekends require early arrival: Campgrounds fill quickly during summer. "We arrived on a Thursday early afternoon and there were only 4 sites left of the 22 available first-come-first-served sites," explains Megan C. about Owhi Campground. For Teanaway Campground, "Arrived late 7pm but there were enough spots left," notes Martijn D.
Limited drinking water: Most campgrounds lack potable water sources. At Indian Camp Campground, "No water hook ups or dump stations" means campers must bring all water needed. Pack extra for washing and cooking beyond drinking needs.
Varied bathroom facilities: Vault toilets are standard at established campgrounds. "The toilets were well maintained, honestly very clean for the location etc. i was impressed," reports Callie C. about Teanaway Campground. Dispersed sites have no facilities, requiring proper waste disposal techniques.
Tips for camping with families
Choose sites away from main roads: For safety with children, select interior campground spots. "The campground was actually somewhat busy. There were quite a few people staying here that were hunting nearby but had this as their base," notes Shaelyn B. about Teanaway Campground, where interior sites provide better buffers from traffic.
Pack for temperature swings: Evening temperatures drop significantly even in summer. "I was able to come stay here in the fall, and hike Lake Ingalls. It was absolutely gorgeous!" shares Shaelyn B., who recommends "dress accordingly" with layers for children as temperatures fluctuate.
Scout safe swimming areas: Bumping Lake Campground offers family-friendly water access. "Our campsite was right on the water side which made swimming and playing in the water so easy," explains Becky R. Check for underwater hazards and current strength before allowing children in any water.
Tips from RVers
Road conditions for trailers: Access roads vary significantly in maintenance level. For South Fork Snoqualmie River, "Access road is right off the highway and unpaved, has a TON of holes so I wouldn't recommend driving down it without good ground clearance," warns Parker C. Allow extra travel time for slow driving on forest roads.
Limited hookup availability: Riders Camp Campground and similar horse-specific areas offer minimal services. "Fee is $5 per night" with no electric or water connections at most sites. Self-contained RVs work best in these primitive settings.
Space for horse trailers: Horse campgrounds near Roslyn provide parking for larger rigs. "Great place to relax and ride ORVs," mentions Bruce S. about Riders Camp, which accommodates trailers and provides "a beginners loop trailhead attached to this site as well as a trail head to a larger trail system."
