Shelton, WA is a great camping destination for adventurers of all types. There's so much to see and do, from exhilarating hikes or bike rides to exploring the local dining and shopping. At The Dyrt, campers like you share their favorite spots, plus tips and photos. No matter where you're headed in Shelton, you'll find the best spot for you and your camping crew.
$20 / night
Millersylvania State Park offers fun for everyone. Spend a summer day splashing in Deep Lake. Gather with friends in an historic kitchen shelter.
Conveniently located between Olympia and Centralia, this large, well-visited park beckons to adults and children alike.
Many of the park structures, including the kitchen shelters, were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930s, making the park a great place to see and admire the hallmark artisanship of that era.
With two swimming beaches, miles of forested hiking and biking trails, watercraft launches, non-motorized watercraft rentals (kayaks, paddleboards, pedal boats) and abundant fishing, Millersylvania will keep you busy for a satisfying weekend or an extended outdoor vacation.
$12 - $45 / night
The park has the feel of an old-time camping resort but with modern amenities. It's known for its warm saltwater swimming, scenic beauty, and abundant shellfish.
Kayakers and paddlers share space with seals, and boaters motor out in search of the perfect crabbing or fishing spot. At low tide, oyster shuckers emerge, carrying pails and hand tools. Fishing or shellfish harvesting licenses are required to take part in those activities.
Washington Discover Pass is required for parking which is sold on-site.
$12 - $50 / night
$32 / night
Dosewallips State Park, only 60 miles north of Olympia, is the eastern gateway to the Olympic Peninsula. The region is made up of forests, mountains, rivers, beaches and deltas – and surrounded by sound and sea. This freshwater/saltwater park makes a perfect day or weekend trip. It can also serve as a base from which to explore the historic forts and charming small towns to the north, or the first night on a grand road trip around the peninsula.
The park's moss-carpeted forest and glacial river slope down to a shell-strewn delta on Hood Canal, a delight for clam-diggers, anglers, boaters, birders and beach explorers. The park features riverside campsites, cabins and five-person platform tents.
Guests may share space with the local elk herds that wander through camp. (Stay back 100 feet, and never offer food.) Bald eagles have been seen on the beach and great blue herons flock to the river.
The evening may find you grilling up a shellfish dinner and retiring to your cabin or tent, where you'll fall asleep to the sound of the river, enchanted by this lush, green corner of the country.
PARK FEATURES Dosewallips State Park is a 1,064-acre, year-round camping park with 5 miles of shoreline on Hood Canal and the Dosewallips River. All camp areas are grassy and located in scenic, rustic settings.
All campsites are on the reservation system. The campground has 37 tent spaces, 58 utility sites, twelve cabins, one dump station, four restrooms (one ADA), and two showers (one ADA). Maximum site length is 40 feet (limited availability). During winter months (November 15 through March 1), the campground is winterized and only sites 21-29 have water. Winter water supply is still available.
$12 - $50 / night
Puget Sound is made of wetlands, pebble beaches, tidal flats, and salmon runs. You will find those features and more at Belfair State Park.
Located on Hood Canal between Shelton and Bremerton, the park's gentle breezes offer ideal conditions for kite-flying, windsurfing and kicking back on a warm summer day. Anglers can choose from fresh and saltwater fishing, and kayakers can push off onto the Cascadia Marine Trail and explore the Puget Sound waterways.
Belfair State Park is a 94-acre, year-round camping park on 3,720 feet of saltwater shoreline at the southern end of Hood Canal in western Washington.
$12 - $50 / night
The reservation season for the 2025 summer season for Staircase Campground is May 23, 2025 - September 8, 2025. Important information about booking windows: To better serve visitors, Staircase Campground will be releasing campsites in a series of three staggered block releases by loop. These block releases will be 6 months in advance, two weeks in advance, and 4 days in advance. Enormous trunks reach for the sky, lacy limbs stretch to the sun, grooved bark is sanctuary to tiny creatures in the vast cathedral of Douglas-firs that dominate the forests on this side of the Olympic Peninsula. Staircase is located in the southeastern corner of Olympic National Park, about a one-hour drive from Olympia, and two hours south of Port Angeles.__Staircase Campground has 49 sites, with a number of the sites along the North Fork Skokomish River. The access road to the Staircase area is unpaved and periodically closes due to unfavorable weather conditions such as snow. This access road, NF-24 is often closed completely from Nov. - May. Make sure to check the status of the road before planning your trip.
A variety of hiking trails navigate through the Staircase area along the Skokomish River and the nearby forests. There are several short day-hikes that explore the area. Shady Lane trail is flat, and less than a mile to Lake Cushman. The hike to Flapjack Lakes is for the stronger hikers, gaining over 3,000 feet in elevation. Longer hikes, like the North Fork Skokomish River trail, can be done in a couple of days.
A $10.00 service fee will apply if you modify your reservation or change your stay dates. Cancelling your reservation prior to 11:59 pm Eastern Time two nights before your stay will incur a $10 cancellation fee. Camping reservations cancelled the day before and day of arrival incur a $10 cancellation fee and forfeit the first night's use fee If you need to cancel or modify your reservation after 12:00 am Eastern Time on the day of arrival you must contact campground staff. Recreation.gov Rules and Reservation Policies_
$24 / night
Brown Creek Campground is located along the shore of the South Fork Skokomish River at the confluence with Brown Creek. Evergreen conifers and hardwoods provide lots of shade at this campground. There are 20 campsites in Brown Creek Campground: twelve will accommodate trailers and RVs and eight of the sites are suitable for tents. There is one ADA accessible campsite. Six sites at __Brown Creek Campground along forest Road 2430 are open year-round. There is also an accessible vault toilet also open year-round nearby at Brown Creek Trailhead.__The family friendly Brown Creek Nature Loop Trail #877__can be accessed from within the campground. There are accessible vault toilets and potable water within the main campground during the season.View a Map of Recreation Opportunities Near Brown Creek Campground.
American Heritage Campground is nestled in a beautiful 25-acre forest; a place for all ages to enjoy.
American Heritage Campground is a nice quiet family campground;
Many of the campsites are spacious and secluded. Some are in an open grassy area. All campsites have a picnic table and campfire area. Wi-Fi is available near the office. The campground water source is pure well water. Come enjoy the fresh smell of the forest ~ some nights you can hear the owls!
Many of our customers have been camping here for generations. This is a great place to bring the grandkids. It is a bicycle-friendly campground. Every campsite has its own character; we are careful to book you into the best fitting campsite for your equipment and amenity preferences. We are on-site owner-operators.
$40 - $60 / night
Traveler
I showed up to this spot after staying on logging roads for a while. I originally paid for only 2 days. When it was time to check out, I booked another week. The regulars at the bar are awesome, as well as the staff. I call the place a vortex since I ended up saying way longer than expected as in a few months.
Traveler
Stayed here in May and had wonderful weather. Close enough to town for any necessities but far enough to get the secluded feeling. Firewood on site for sale is always great. Great place to walk around and enjoy what the deep green that is Washington state.
Traveler
Hiked out there in February and seemed to be the only ones to do it. It was a nice easy hike and the area was beautiful. Great glimpses of mountains along the trail. Can’t wait to do it again in the summer!
Scout
It's ok just a spot to pull over and camp really. There is a trail next to it I don't know how far but, it's cool. The road up the Montana is dirt but some parts are very rocky. Not many dispersed camping spots just pullover spots really
Guide
This was wonderful in terms of a car campground. The sites are all secluded and tucked into the woods. The beach access, though, small offers standard gorgeous PNW views. And the day area was nice to explore. Few other campers but I barely saw them. Enjoyed my stay.
Guide
The campsites are all cramped together right next to the roadway. There’s no vegetation so you can see just about every site/camper from any site you choose. The beach access across the road is nice - you do have to cross the road. And a pleasant trail meanders through the forest. Can’t imagine coming here during peak season.
Ranger
We decided to check this camp ground out after our friends had stayed there. Nice wooded campground with access to the water. Plenty of opportunities for day hikes and not far from port orchard Washington. Some sites have hookups and others are dry camping. Most spots are level. The shower house restrooms are very clean . Firewood is available for purchase.
Guide
I thought it was quaint. Only one other camper, which is always nice. I don’t think I’d camp here peak season due to the potential congestion. Trails were pleasant as were the shoreside views of the Sound.
Guide
Went over night on 12/9. There were only a few other campers, which is always nice. Can’t imagine camping here in peak season. Rangers circled frequently. Walk to the beach has housing complexes in view.
Guide
The road was a little rough but my suv made it fine. No signal and got a little snow on the roof in the morning but it was a good spot with a great view.
Guide
After months of trying to get reservations for this popular campground, we finally got one for Thanksgiving weekend! The park is on their winter schedule so only sites 1-7 and 226-248 were open. It made for a nice, quiet weekend even though the open sites were 80% full. We had a pull-through site right across from the dumpster, bathrooms, and camp host. We had decent service for Verizon. There are ample trails throughout the park including a lovely trail along the lake, which is not far from the campground. The only reason for 4 stars instead of 5 is because our site had a huge mud puddle from the road going to the power and water hook-up. The thin layer of mud on the pavement made things quite slick as I was trying to get leveling blocks down.
Traveler
Gorgeous little spot off a national forest road. Stunning views, no light pollution or car sounds at night. It’s December so of course it’s a bit cold at night and I’d recommend at least AWD to get up here. Will be back.
Traveler
We were warmly greeted by Fank and Amy. They took us around the farm and showed us the animals. We have a 38-foot trailer and had plenty of room to back in. At the end of the day, soaking in the hot tub was the best! Thank you, Frank and Amy, for being excellent hosts! We will be back!
Scout
Game Farm Wilderness Campground is like a real-life Minecraft experience. Just like building and exploring in Minecraft for PC, you can craft your perfect outdoor adventure here, surrounded by nature, and enjoy endless fun and exploration. For More Info: https://www.minecraftapks.com/minecraft-for-pc/
Guide
Not a bad find that doesn't require any permit of any kind which was great! Would stay here again I pitched a tent which was nice and found a spot right by the river.
Guide
You are supposed to have a Washington State Discovery pass to stay here, also they want you to fill out self registration once you arrive, fyi there are no pens onsite to do so.
This was a nice spot to stay the night, clean, nice picnic tables and fire pits, one pit toilet.
Guide
Good place for families that looks to be kept really clean. The spaces are packed in fairly tight with no dividing barriers of trees. Campsite 10 looks to be the best as it has a little canopy tree and is in the corner without obstruction for a view of the Puget Sound. Water and electric hookup, picnic table, fire pit at each site with additional bathroom with a shower for the grounds. There is a ship playground for the kids and beach volleyball court. It is nestled back through an area of homes that back up to sites 1-8.
Scout
Just about 10 miles north of highway 12 near Elma. Got a great site right by the river. Nice toilets & showers (in old building so was pleasantly surprised!) wifi by information center, cell coverage limited (1 bar t-mobile with Weboost)
Traveler
Discover pass required. Host on site. Paved pads. Some pull thru.
Scout
This is a stunning spot that can be accessed via the Badger Valley Trail, leading through alpine meadows and mobile executor descending steeply into Grand Valley.
Ranger
Came to stay 4 nights and camp with family.
Sites are nicely sized but any rig over 25foot would have trouble getting into.
Absolutely no cell service.
In Site 25 we had enough of an opening to get Starlink to work ok.
In the reserved loops bathrooms are flush toilets and kept clean.
Forest is thick
There is a dump site which says it costs $5.
Potable water throughout.
Scout
Extended our stay because there was so much to do for the kiddos. Staff here are amazing and fellow campers a delight.
ScoutThis looked like a pretty good campground. I could see open tenting spots from the road, even! But I was unable to get in early in the evening with nowhere else to go. Too strict!
ScoutUnfortunately this campground is permanently closed.
Scout
easy trip close to road and water overall fun time
Scout
I came for my birthday and had a great time. Staff was so friendly and helpful, and the place was clean. They have a little store in case you forget something and firewood that’s way cheaper than buying elsewhere. People were fishing, paddle boarding and swimming. I would absolutely go stay there again!
Scout
I spent three nights (arrived Monday, departed Thursday) at this lovely campground about an hour from my house. The grounds are well-maintained with easy access to some hiking trails that are easy to moderate in difficulty. (If I were in better shape without 50+ years of knee problems, I'd rate all the trails as easy.)
The campsites are a short walk to the Dosewallips River, which is shallow and not very fast this time of year. It's a longer walk to the Hood Canal itself.
You're not going to have a private, quiet, pristine wilderness experience here. US 101 runs through the park next to the campground, and the logging trucks can be quite loud. There are lots of families -- meaning, kids running around and riding bikes -- and the campsites are close to one another without any privacy. But, highway traffic is pretty much nonexistent in the evening and night and the entire camp was pretty quiet by 9 pm every evening.
The camp is arranged in a bunch of loops. The first and last sites in each loop are preferable because of all the open space between the site and the road. The last site -- in my case, No. 20 -- is the best with an RV because the trailer will provide privacy from the adjacent campsite and there's a big space to other sites. (See the attached photo.)
T-Mobile was 2 bars of 4G LTE reception. I have a Pepwave cellular modem in my trailer and had virtually no problem streaming shows.
Camping near Shelton, WA, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and family-friendly activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a fun-filled adventure, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.
Camping near Shelton, WA, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. Enjoy the great outdoors!
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Shelton, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Shelton, WA offers a wide range of camping options, with 212 campgrounds and RV parks near Shelton, WA and 11 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Shelton, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Shelton, WA is Dash Point State Park Campground with a 3.9-star rating from 65 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Shelton, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 11 free dispersed camping spots near Shelton, WA.
What parks are near Shelton, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 13 parks near Shelton, WA that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.
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