Best Tent Camping near Sammamish, WA
Tent campsites near Sammamish, Washington range from established campgrounds to primitive backcountry sites across the surrounding Cascade foothills and mountains. Blake Island Marine State Park offers tent camping accessible only by boat, while White River Dispersed Camping provides more primitive tent setups just outside Mount Rainier National Park. Several walk-in tent sites can be found at Hollyhock Farm and ELKS Beach, offering alternatives to traditional drive-in camping experiences.
Most primitive tent campgrounds in the region have basic amenities like fire rings and pit toilets, though facilities vary significantly between locations. Walk-in tent sites at Owhi Campground require campers to park and carry gear to their campsite, with one visitor noting that "the steep hill and trails to all the sites means pack light and even then it is a lot of work getting into your site." High-clearance vehicles are recommended for accessing dispersed camping areas like White River, where forest service roads can be rough and unpaved. Many tent-only areas implement seasonal fire restrictions during summer months, and campers should check current regulations before planning trips.
Areas farther from Sammamish offer deeper seclusion and opportunities for backcountry tent camping experiences. The primitive tent sites along White River provide riverside camping with multiple access points from the road. A camper shared that there are "plenty of sites along the river with multiple ingress/egress options from the road," making it accessible for tent campers seeking natural settings. Tent campers at higher elevations like Pratt Lake must hike in with all their gear but are rewarded with pristine alpine settings and fewer crowds. Most backcountry tent camping areas require visitors to practice Leave No Trace principles, as one visitor emphasized when describing White River: "If you come here you must leave no trace." Many primitive tent campgrounds fill quickly during summer weekends, so midweek visits offer better chances of finding available sites.
