Best Tent Camping near Snohomish, WA
Forested public lands surrounding Snohomish, Washington offer several tent camping options within an hour's drive. Woodlands at Lake Stickney provides secluded walk-in tent sites near water, while Paine Field Community Park accommodates tent campers with picnic tables but prohibits fires. Squire Creek Park & Campground, located near Arlington, offers year-round tent camping with drinking water and picnic tables. For primitive tent camping experiences, the Mountain Loop Highway area east of Granite Falls contains numerous dispersed tent sites along rivers and forest roads.
Sites may be set on dirt, gravel, or forest duff with minimal grading. Most established tent campgrounds provide fire rings and picnic tables, though amenities vary significantly between locations. Squire Creek offers flush toilets but no showers, while many dispersed sites along Mountain Loop Highway have no facilities whatsoever. Campers should bring water and a shovel for backcountry tent camping, as most areas lack basic services. Summer dust can be problematic along gravel roads, requiring extra gear cleaning. Fire restrictions frequently apply during dry months, particularly at primitive tent sites where enforcement is limited.
In early fall, many tent-only sites offer crisp air and fewer crowds. According to reviews, the Mountain Loop Highway dispersed camping areas feature "meandering sites along the river with good logs for benches and fire rings made from forest rocks." These areas are heavily forested and beautiful but require proper preparation. Campers at Squire Creek noted the campground is "beautifully forested and a trail takes you to Squire Creek where there's a little beach area." Walk-in tent sites generally provide more seclusion than drive-up options, though weekend availability can be limited. Tent campers frequently use these zones as bases for day hiking, with numerous trails accessible from most camping areas.
