State parks near Ruston offer luxury glamping experiences in cabins and yurts within forested settings. Tent campers can find waterfront sites with beach access while RVers have options with full hookups. Campsites typically provide fire pits, picnic tables, and access to trails. Most parks maintain clean bathroom facilities with hot showers available for small fees. Winter glamping opportunities exist at several parks with heated accommodations.
What to do
Explore beach trails: At Belfair State Park Campground, trails lead directly to Hood Canal shoreline. "We enjoyed being so close to the water for swimming and floating. It's also just a short drive into town to get supplies," notes Becky R. The park offers both beach and forest exploration within walking distance.
Kayak accessible waterways: Waterfront camping provides direct boat access at several locations. "The beach was great, water is rather warm for in the sound, it's also pretty shallow which is great for the kids to play in," explains Leah H. about Belfair State Park. Look for designated boat launches or water access points.
Wildlife viewing: Dosewallips State Park Campground offers opportunities to see elk wandering through the campground. "Elk, river, puget sound. This is a very large developed campsite. Don't expect much privacy. However the surrounding area you can access is nice if you want to venture up the river or head to the bay to get clams," writes Ryan L.
What campers like
Natural privacy: Many campsites offer woodland seclusion. "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," writes Brittany D. about Dash Point State Park Campground.
Riverside camping: Campers appreciate water access directly from sites. "From our campsite we had access to the river and if you are a fisher, there was a nice log you could comfortably sit on at camp that looked down on the water," explains Michael B. about Dosewallips State Park. Water access varies seasonally based on conditions.
Clean facilities: Bathrooms and showers receive consistent praise. "Bathrooms are super clean and only costs quarters for a shower with hot water," notes Shariah T. about Dosewallips State Park. Most parks require tokens or quarters for hot showers ranging from $0.50-$1.00 for 3-5 minutes.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most popular sites fill quickly, especially waterfront locations. "The beach loop fills up quickly - get your reservations in as early as possible if you want to camp there," advises Scott S. about Belfair State Park. Book 6-9 months in advance for summer weekends.
Urban proximity: Some parks have urban characteristics. "It's a cute campground, especially if you don't want to be too far from the city. I was impressed by how spread apart the sites were," explains Katie S. about Dash Point State Park. Expect occasional road noise and airplane traffic at parks near Sea-Tac.
Camp rules enforcement: Kanaskat-Palmer State Park actively enforces quiet hours and visitor policies. "This campground is heavily patrolled by the park rangers. I usually have contact with them in my campsite at least twice a day. I have been asked by the park rangers at 10:01 p.m. to be quite," reports Kelly P.
Tips for camping with families
Beach-friendly options: Look for gradual shorelines with swimming areas. "The beach is a short walk from camp, just long enough to make you feel like you earned your sunset view, but not so long that you regret your life choices," mentions Saraj B. about Dash Point State Park.
Playground access: Fay Bainbridge Park features pirate-themed play equipment. "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," writes Tanya B. The playground sits adjacent to camping areas.
Multi-family sites: Millersylvania State Park Campground offers group camping options. "We stayed in the group camp and I can highly recommend it. It had its own bathrooms. It was set back in the woods with tons of places for tents. The shelter was large and had water and power," reports Ellen T.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Electric and water connections vary by park. "Only had 2 night here, but it was quiet and very enjoyable. Spacious lots. No sewer at our site, but we did have electrical and water. Dump station close by worked great on exit," shares Lauren M. about Dosewallips State Park.
Site leveling challenges: Some RV sites require significant leveling. "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," warns Cody F. about Kanaskat-Palmer State Park. Bring additional leveling blocks for most sites.
Pull-through availability: Several parks offer convenient pull-through sites. "The sites are not reservable. There was no park staff on-site when we arrived at mid-day during the week," notes Lee D. about Saltwater State Park. Most pull-through sites accommodate RVs up to 35 feet long with tow vehicles.
