Camping cabins near Shelton, Washington offer access to both forested terrain and waterfront areas with elevations ranging from sea level to over 1,000 feet in nearby hills. The region typically receives 50-60 inches of annual rainfall, creating lush vegetation and moderate temperatures even during summer months. Most cabin sites provide year-round access with peak occupancy during July and August.
What to do
Swimming in Clear Lakes: Summit Lake offers family-friendly swimming areas at Camp Thunderbird, which features a dock and designated swimming spot. "It is located at the base of Summit Lake, with a dock and great swimming spot," notes a visitor. The lake maintains moderate temperatures even in summer months.
Clam Digging and Oyster Harvesting: Beachfront areas provide opportunities for shellfish collection during appropriate seasons. At Rest-A-While RV Park, "You can dig for clams and oysters by paying cash to the office for your gatherings. No dogs are allowed on the beach," according to one reviewer. Shellfish licenses may be required.
Hiking Forest Trails: Wooded areas surrounding cabins offer walking paths ranging from beginner to intermediate difficulty. "There is a figure eight hiking loop that offers some really great variation in terrain and vegetation without being too long. There was a really cool section along the back side that was like walking through a forest tunnel," reports a visitor to Schafer State Park.
What campers like
Waterfront Locations: Direct access to Hood Canal provides opportunities for water activities and wildlife viewing. A guest at Summertide Resort & Marina mentioned, "Sunset on the hood canal was great, we saw some porpoises. Overall, I'd go back again if I wanted a quiet little getaway without the haste of camping."
Secluded Woodland Settings: Forested cabin locations create privacy between sites. At American Heritage Campground, "The lots are well plotted with space and privacy," according to a recent visitor. Tree coverage provides natural shade and temperature regulation during summer months.
Resort-Style Amenities: Some properties offer additional facilities beyond basic cabin accommodations. "Nice campground with all the amenities of a hotel. Full hook ups, showers, BBQ's, games, hot tub, laundry facilities, game room with fireplace and pool table all with a beautiful view of the Hood Canal!" notes a guest at Glen Ayr Resort.
What you should know
Seasonal Variations: Weather conditions affect availability and accessibility of outdoor activities. At Millersylvania State Park, "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," reports a winter visitor.
Reservation Requirements: Most cabin facilities require advance booking, especially during peak summer months. "The beach loop fills up quickly - get your reservations in as early as possible if you want to camp there," advises a visitor to Belfair State Park.
Amenity Differences: Facilities vary significantly between properties regarding bathroom access and utilities. "Clean sites, as advertised. Sites are dirt, so can get a little muddy in the wet season," notes a visitor to Dow Creek Resort, highlighting seasonal considerations.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming Areas: Lakes provide safer swimming options than Hood Canal for children. "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," reports a visitor to Belfair State Park about their August visit.
Playground Facilities: Some locations include dedicated children's areas. At American Heritage Campground, visitors appreciate the "old school playground which we love" as noted in a recent review. Playground equipment typically accommodates ages 3-12.
Group Camping Options: Multiple families can coordinate adjacent sites or reserve group areas. "We went to Schafer with four other families and had a great time. We had five sites all in one area near the entrance to the group camp site. The sites offered a good balance of privacy and open space," shares one visitor.
Tips from RVers
Site Surface Conditions: Parking areas vary between paved and unpaved surfaces. "Paved RV pad, gravel tent area at each site," notes a recent visitor to Schafer State Park regarding their remodeled sites. This information helps RVers prepare appropriate leveling equipment.
Hookup Availability: Different properties offer varying levels of utility connections. At The Waterfront at Potlatch, "All amenities are amazing. Nice showers and restrooms. Complementary WiFi and Verizon signal is great," reports a visitor, highlighting connectivity options important to modern RVers.
Space Limitations: Some locations have restrictions on larger vehicles. "Only 16 RV sites, which I find is a plus. All have views of beautiful Hood Canal," notes a visitor about The Waterfront at Potlatch, indicating the limited availability but premium positioning of these sites.
