Best Tent Camping near Seattle, WA

Seattle offers a diverse selection of tent camping options ranging from boat-accessible marine state parks to secluded forest sites. Blake Island Marine State Park Campground provides tent sites accessible only by boat, with views of the Seattle skyline across Puget Sound. Other notable tent-specific options include Woodlands at Lake Stickney, which offers walk-in tent sites, and Green Mountain, which provides free primitive camping with toilets and picnic tables.

Most tent sites near Seattle feature basic amenities, though facilities vary significantly between locations. Established sites typically include picnic tables and fire rings, though seasonal fire bans are common during summer months. Walk-in tent sites at Hollyhock Farm provide secluded forest camping with toilet facilities and drinking water available. Blake Island enforces strict quiet hours beginning at 10 pm, with rangers regularly patrolling the grounds. Most primitive tent sites require campers to pack out all trash, and several locations like Lena Lake Campground have vault toilets but no running water.

The Seattle area's tent camping experience changes dramatically with the seasons. During summer months, coastal and island tent sites offer cooling breezes, while forest campgrounds provide essential shade. Several locations provide excellent access to hiking trails, with Lena Lake serving as a popular base for backpacking trips. One visitor mentioned that "it is a peaceful getaway from the hustle and bustle with gorgeous views of the city." At Green Mountain, tent campers can access multiple trails and logging roads from their campsites. Tent sites at Big Country and Woodlands at Lake Stickney offer more secluded experiences, with one camper noting that "the sites were secluded from one another within a beautiful forest" at Hollyhock Farm.

Best Tent Sites Near Seattle, Washington (67)

    1. Blake Island Marine State Park Campground

    4 Reviews
    Manchester, WA
    9 miles
    Website

    $12 - $45 / night

    "Really fantastic location. Very strict rangers which can be good or bad depending on your preference. Quiet hours are at 10pm which is early for some people so be aware."

    "Hike the perimeter trail for views all around the island. It's a great place to stay in the summer months and relax."

    2. Woodlands at Lake Stickney

    3 Reviews
    Mill Creek, WA
    19 miles
    +1 (425) 280-0317

    $60 - $68 / night

    "The tent sites at Hearth Street Properties offer secluded spots near the water, with conveniences like restaurants nearby.  Check them out and share some pics from your trip on the Dyrt!"

    "They took a lot of care in making sure we were comfortable while also giving us our privacy and space."

    3. Paine Field Community Park

    3 Reviews
    Mukilteo, WA
    19 miles
    Website

    "A great clean safe place in the city and surrounded by trees and nature"

    4. Hollyhock Farm

    1 Review
    Duvall, WA
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (505) 453-5535

    $35 - $65 / night

    "The sites were secluded from one another within a beautiful forest, the toilet was clean and fairly close to the sites, parking was easy and the host was a total gem! Highly highly reccomended :-)"

    5. Green Mountain

    2 Reviews
    Seabeck, WA
    21 miles
    Website

    "Nice clean camping area with easy access to multiple trails and logging roads. Trails are open to hiking horseback riding and motorcycles. Camp ground has multiple horse stalls in a common area."

    6. ELKS Beach

    Be the first to review!
    Sammamish, WA
    12 miles
    +1 (206) 790-3740

    $90 - $125 / night

    7. Big Country

    1 Review
    Clinton, WA
    24 miles
    Website

    $50 / night

    "We're so happy to have this beautiful property on our platform. This site is secluded yet close to the Possession Sound Preserve. Book your stay today and leave them a review!"

    8. Courter Country Farm

    Be the first to review!
    Silverdale, WA
    15 miles

    $50 - $60 / night

    9. Lena Lake Campground

    10 Reviews
    Lilliwaup, WA
    38 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 956-2402

    $5 / night

    "The campsites offers fire rings and has plenty of amazing views of the lake. Don’t forget to pack everything out and leave no trace."

    "This is a hike-in campground down a 3.5 mile trail. It sees heavy use from locals on the weekend. There was plenty of room during the week when I was there."

    10. Tulalip Casino

    4 Reviews
    Marysville, WA
    33 miles
    Website
    +1 (866) 716-7162

    "No hook ups and no water available. Clean area and pet exercise area. Security drives by regular."

    "Great place to walk your dog. Many great places to eat and of course the casino."

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Tent Camping Reviews near Seattle, WA

1066 Reviews of 67 Seattle Campgrounds


  • Douglas S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 1, 2019

    Red Bridge Campground

    Awesome campground in the beautiful Mount Baker National Forest

    The Red Bridge campground is on the very scenic Mountain loop Rd in the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. It's a very beautiful drive. Nestled in some great trees, there are 13 sites with shade, right along the river. The camp host was very nice and sold firewood on site. There are no hook ups, and no water spigots so be sure to plan accordingly. There are bear proof trash cans and vault toilets available. Each site has a tent pad, picnic table and fire ring. This campground provides ample hiking, fishing and I saw people kayaking plus its not far to a hike to some glacier caves! Also check out the old red trestle bridge just outside of the campground. At $15 a night you have to see this place. 
    I highly recommend Red Bridge campground.

  • Jason H.
    Mar. 24, 2021

    Lena Lake Campground

    Great spot

    A nice 3.5 miles ish hike from the parking area to campground. The campsites offers fire rings and has plenty of amazing views of the lake. Don’t forget to pack everything out and leave no trace.

  • Tj J.
    Sep. 21, 2017

    Malaney Creek Farm

    Great Private Camping Getaway

    arrived at the farm and were greeted by the owners. they got on their quads and led us down a private road through a super nice cedar gated entry and showed us our spot. they gave us a quick run down of the place and let us be. our spot was the Trillium site which has a few hundred foot hike from where you park your car and the portable toilet. the site was pretty cool and very secluded. it had a fire ring with some sawn cedar benches, a pile of firewood and a giant old spool for a table. we threw our marmot up and took a closer look. there is a camp box with info, instant coffee, guides to area sight seeing and food along with a log book to write about your stay. there were also some cool led lighting which was great at night. fire ban was on but they put a big candle on the grate of the fire pit so we had something. we kicked around on the trails which look like they are used by horses and motorcycles but not heavily. some interesting plants in the area. they were working on a new trail that is supposed to eventually lead out to the lake but it wasnt complete yet. however it was covered with wood chips and had a hand cut cedar bridge built on it. you gotta see it. sounds like they are constantly evolving the farm looked like a lot of things in the works. definitely will come back for more time here. night time got spooky with coyotes howling in the distance but the morning there were so many birds chirping and singing you couldnt hear yourself think! oh we found a corn hole game in an open area that they have several picnic tables staged at.

  • Art S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 12, 2016

    Lena Lake Campground

    Lena Lake campground

    This is a hike-in campground down a 3.5 mile trail. It sees heavy use from locals on the weekend. There was plenty of room during the week when I was there. Lena Lake is quiet and serene and the perfect place to sit on a log and journal. Other people walked around the edge of the lake but care must be taken as it's a bit rugged. Follow the leave no trace principles and this place will be one to return to again for yourself and others.

  • A
    Jun. 10, 2019

    Denny Creek Campground

    A nice short drive from Seattle!

    Great campsite for a weekend away from Seattle. Some spots can be tight for RV but we managed to fit our 23ft no prob. Some sites have electrical hook ups.

    No water hooks but at the entrance there looks to be a water faucet you can pull the RV to in order to fill up.

    No dump site.

    Only con is I90 traffic noise.

  • Julia S.
    Aug. 17, 2020

    Blake Island Marine State Park Campground

    Gorgeous Park

    Really fantastic location. Very strict rangers which can be good or bad depending on your preference. Quiet hours are at 10pm which is early for some people so be aware.

    Getting here by boat is about an hour from Seattle and there are volunteers that help at the dock. In summer there is generally a burn ban and if you don’t have a shaded spot, the heat can be pretty punishing but the temps go way down at night and you’ll have a great breeze off of the water.

    All in all it’s worth the effort!!

  • Amy & Stu B.
    Oct. 3, 2022

    Dosewallips State Park Campground

    Gorgeous location

    This campground is right next to a state park. It’s also very close to a river and lots of woods. We stayed here to see Olympic national park, (I wouldn’t recommend this location to travel to Olympic every day, it was very far.)

    The amenities were nice, bathrooms with warm water (one shower per bathroom.)

    No laundry, no Wi-Fi and both Verizon and AT&T worked with about one bar.

    The sites were level spacious and had a fire ring and picnic table at each. We chose the full hookup option. Firewood could be purchased through the camp host.

    The best part about this day was the surrounding area. 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.

  • Cary C.
    Apr. 24, 2022

    Tulalip Casino

    Quiet and clean

    Nice place to have a free spot for the night. Not sure the max number of nights. I forgot to ask. No hook ups and no water available. Clean area and pet exercise area. Security drives by regular.

  • Zoë D.
    Oct. 2, 2021

    Middle Fork Campground

    River !

    Dispersed camping along the road to Snoqualmie Lake Trailhead. Nice river access, some of the spots are a bit exposed but some are further back from the road, buggy but fun!

    No facilities so make sure to leave no trace :)


Guide to Seattle

Seattle tent camping opportunities extend beyond popular destinations, featuring several lesser-known sites within an hour's drive of the city. The Puget Sound region's maritime climate creates distinct camping seasons, with dry summers and wet winters. Most tent campgrounds in this area sit at elevations below 3,000 feet, making them accessible nearly year-round despite occasional snow at higher elevations.

What to do

Hiking trail access: Lena Lake Campground provides direct access to multiple hiking trails, including the path to Upper Lena Lake. "A gorgeous 3.5 mile hike through a forest, plenty of places to rest or to pull over and take pictures," notes camper Camiren R. The trail system accommodates various skill levels.

Wildlife viewing: At Blake Island Marine State Park Campground, accessible only by boat, visitors can observe diverse wildlife. "Hike the perimeter trail for views all around the island," suggests reviewer Christi R. The island's isolated nature creates unique wildlife viewing opportunities compared to mainland sites.

Beach exploration: Big Country campground offers beach access within walking distance. The proximity to Possession Sound Preserve allows campers to explore tidal zones and shoreline ecosystems. This location combines woodland camping with saltwater beach experiences in a single trip.

What campers like

Peace and quiet: Hollyhock Farm earns praise for its secluded atmosphere away from urban noise. Rio B. notes, "The sites were secluded from one another within a beautiful forest," creating a sense of privacy despite being near Seattle.

Natural settings: Green Mountain's primitive campsites appeal to those seeking forested surroundings. According to Ivy K., the area offers "easy access to multiple trails and logging roads" with sites that maintain a wilderness feel despite basic amenities like picnic tables and fire pits.

Urban convenience: Many tent campers appreciate Woodlands at Lake Stickney for combining natural settings with nearby urban amenities. "It's very peaceful and has a restroom which is nice," reports Nicole L., highlighting the balance between seclusion and convenience.

What you should know

Access restrictions: Some campgrounds have limited access methods. Blake Island requires boat transportation, with an approximate one-hour journey from Seattle. Julia S. advises, "There are volunteers that help at the dock" for those arriving by private vessel.

Seasonal considerations: Summer camping near Seattle often means fire restrictions. According to Julia S. at Blake Island, "In summer there is generally a burn ban and if you don't have a shaded spot, the heat can be pretty punishing but the temps go way down at night."

Facility limitations: Many tent sites have minimal facilities. At Lena Lake Campground, Art S. reports, "This is a hike-in campground down a 3.5 mile trail" with vault toilets but no running water, requiring campers to filter water or pack it in.

Tips for camping with families

Kid-friendly options: Paine Field Community Park receives positive feedback for family camping. Aimee M. shares, "We visit this park frequently as it is great for the kids. It's clean and has bathrooms available!" The park's layout accommodates family activities.

Pet considerations: Several campgrounds welcome four-legged family members. Wayne B. describes Paine Field as "A great clean safe place in the city and surrounded by trees and nature" that works well for both dogs and children.

Beginner-friendly backpacking: For families wanting to introduce children to backpacking, Lena Lake offers an accessible option. Lance R. notes the trail features "steady climb up meandering switchbacks" that most school-age children can handle.

Tips from RVers

Casino parking alternatives: Tulalip Casino provides free overnight parking for RVs with basic amenities. Adam Y. recommends, "Just call security (number is on the sign) to register when you arrive. Very nice friendly security staff." This option allows up to three nights of free camping.

Limited hookups: Most tent-focused campgrounds near Seattle provide few RV amenities. Cary C. notes about Tulalip, "No hook ups and no water available. Clean area and pet exercise area. Security drives by regular," emphasizing the basic nature of these accommodations.

Size restrictions: Many forest campgrounds cannot accommodate larger RVs. Green Mountain's sites work for smaller vehicles and tent camping but lack hookups or services, making them better suited for self-contained camping in compact RVs or vans.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there tent-only campgrounds near Seattle?

Yes, several tent-only camping areas exist near Seattle. Ipsut Creek Backcountry Campground in Mount Rainier National Park is accessible only by bicycle or foot (5 miles) after road damage, making it perfect for tent campers seeking solitude. Deer Park Campground in Olympic National Park is located at the end of a narrow gravel road unsuitable for trailers, offering level tent sites with spectacular 360-degree views. The campground has vault toilets but no water supply. Several backcountry areas throughout the region offer primitive tent camping experiences without vehicle access. These sites typically provide a more peaceful experience away from RVs and larger camping setups, though you'll need to pack in all supplies and adhere to Leave No Trace principles.

Where are the best tent camping spots near Seattle?

Seattle offers excellent tent camping options within a few hours' drive. Lena Lake Campground features scenic sites with fire rings alongside a serene lake, accessible via a 3.5-mile hike. For those seeking coastal experiences, Blake Island Marine State Park Campground provides a unique island retreat about an hour by boat from Seattle with beautiful camping areas. Olympic National Park offers several outstanding options, including hike-in wilderness experiences with stunning mountain views. For those wanting easier access, several state parks around Puget Sound provide well-maintained tent sites with basic amenities. Many campgrounds in the region fill quickly during summer weekends, so advance planning or weekday visits are recommended.

What is the cost of tent camping near Seattle?

Tent camping costs near Seattle vary widely depending on the type of campground. National Park sites like Enchanted Valley in Olympic National Park typically require entrance fees plus camping permits ranging from $8-25 per night. State Parks such as Hope Island Marine State Park generally charge $20-35 per night plus a Discover Pass for vehicle access. Some private options like Malaney Creek Farm may charge $25-50 per night but often include more amenities. For budget options, some locations like casino parking areas may offer free overnight stays, though with minimal facilities. Most campgrounds accept credit cards, but backcountry sites typically require advance permits through recreation.gov or other reservation systems.

When is the best season for tent camping around Seattle?

The prime tent camping season around Seattle runs from late May through September when temperatures are mild and precipitation is lowest. July and August offer the warmest, driest conditions but also the largest crowds. Elkhorn Campground is popular during summer months, though visitors note the region's weather can be unpredictable. Dungeness Forks Campground experiences significant rainfall, particularly in autumn and winter months, making summer visits preferable. Early fall (September-early October) provides a sweet spot with fewer crowds and still-pleasant weather. Many higher elevation campgrounds have shorter seasons, often closing by mid-October due to snow. Spring camping (April-May) can be beautiful with wildflowers but prepare for more rain and cooler nights.