10 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Camping near Snoqualmie, Washington ranges from developed campgrounds with tent and RV sites to free dispersed sites along the South Fork Snoqualmie River, all set within the surrounding national forest. Tinkham Campground and Denny Creek Campground offer sites with basic amenities for tent and RV camping, while South Fork Snoqualmie River provides free dispersed camping options. Several campgrounds in the area feature cabin accommodations, including Tolt MacDonald Park in nearby Carnation and Tall Chief Campground in Fall City, which also accommodate RVs and tent campers. The Middle Fork Campground, located along the scenic Snoqualmie River, serves as a popular base for hiking and fishing activities.
Seasonal considerations significantly impact camping availability in the Snoqualmie region, with many campgrounds operating only from late spring through early fall. Tinkham Campground typically opens in early June and closes by mid-September, while Middle Fork Campground operates from May to September. Road conditions to some sites can be challenging, particularly for low-clearance vehicles. A camper noted, "The road leading into Tinkham campground is pothole galore. There are some serious holes and a LOT of them, so if you are traveling in a sedan like I was, be prepared for a lot of zig zagging trying to maneuver through them without damaging your car."
Riverside campgrounds near Snoqualmie receive consistently high ratings from visitors, with many campers specifically seeking sites along the Snoqualmie River. The sound of flowing water creates a peaceful atmosphere, though some campgrounds experience highway noise due to their proximity to Interstate 90. Campers report that sites at Middle Fork Campground are "spread well, not cramped together" with "great views of peaks, waterfalls, and for all-day hikes it's a great start point to various alpine lakes." Forest cover provides ample shade at most campgrounds, with Tall Chief described as having "lots of trees in our section separating us." Wildlife viewing opportunities abound throughout the region, particularly in the more remote camping areas. Most campgrounds provide basic amenities such as picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets, though water availability varies by location.
"Although the Camp Ground and facilities are great at Tinkham, my advice would be to get into your lifted Off-Roader and hit the mountain roads for this camping trip of a lifetime!"
"This is a great campground on the south fork of the Snoqualmie River, however, no matter what month we go, the water is always super cold. Gotta love glacier water."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $32 - $36 / night
"The campground is in 500+ acre Tolt-McDonald Park, far enough away from any busy road so that there is no traffic noise, just the sound of the Tolt River rapids."
"The campground is next to a classy laundromat, and I say classy because it’s probably one of the nicest laundromats in the area that even has a dumpsite for RVs."
"There is good system of trails, tons of picnic tables along the river, and good river access to the Green rivers. Campground is well maintained, clean bathrooms and showers available."
"It's close proximity to our house allows us to hook up the trailer after work and include a Friday night in our camping weekend!"
Available this weekend
from $23 - $254 / night
"Lots of trees in our section separating us but in other sections your really close to each other. It is first come first serve and lucky us we got 50 amp."
"This is a big park that is part of Thousand Trails. No sales pitch to join, which was nice. Rangers were super nice. Bathrooms very new and clean. Lots of trees between sites. "
"This campground is located along the Middle Fork of the scenic Snoqualmie River in Mt."
"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!"
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $32 - $96 / night
"A Quiet oasis tucked into the forest. The new and clean bathrooms and showers were a real treat after a 2100 mile journey from Texas."
"It’s a very nice location, exceptionally clean and safe. In site 11 you can hear the highway when outside of rv but couldn’t inside. Neighbors were very friendly."
"Lovely area such beautiful surroundings."
"Very cool spot with new generation trees growing out of old generation stumps, close to river for water, very popular spot so found a lot of trash but loved the sites and hiking trails nearby"
"Lots of nice campers stored and people who have made this their temporary home away from home. It’s old and right next to the highway. No fire pits and just a little grass but we couldn’t be happier!"
"It’s in the heart of Issaquah and close to every kind of service, shopping and even nature you could want."
"Firstly, I just have to say what a positive and amazing experience I had at this campground. The volunteers were friendly, kind and absolutely awesome to interact with."
"The campground itself is tucked into a beautiful, forested area with plenty of trees and privacy between sites. Ours had a tent pad, fire ring, and picnic table."
Available this weekend
from $23 - $74 / night
"This is in the shore of Lake Samammish, giving access to swim, paddle, picnic. The facilities and grounds are kept clean and well maintained."
"Cute campground very close to Seattle and Bellevue right on the lake. Beautiful beach area, basketball courts, playground, and volleyball right at the site. Spots are a little tight."
from $65 - $125 / night
TravelerNice campground, well maintained and rangers often patrol the campsite loops. Bathrooms are nice but dated, but quite expensive campground. Paying in-person was $49 for an RV spot with utilities, but booking online was $69 for the same site. Can be busy on the weekend.
ScoutThis place is so nice. We felt welcomed as soon as we walked to the check-in desk. Dave and Victoria are so kind. This place is so nice and neat and clean. They have a pool and a hot tub which is a plus and a sauna. It was very nice to be able to chatter with them and joke back-and-forth like they were old friends. You can’t go wrong staying here. The only thing is I hate to tell anyone how nice it is cause then I might not be able to get in.
ScoutMy review is from my own experience but there are numerous other reviews that express my same sentiments. I was there 7 years and only had infractions during one month. (all from the same ranger) and one speeding infraction.
Port Susan Camping Resort has been a bad experience for me and presently turned to bitter. I sold my lot but the check got lost in the mail. I asked the sales agent to replace the check and I have waited approximately 35 days! I finally asked the board to intervene. This is bad business. This is a sample of the treatment or abuse I was given at Port Susan from the sales office. Replacing a check is easy and the money is not even drawn on Port Susan, it comes from the buyer. What would happen if I were paid but the buyer could not access the lot or wasn't given a gate pass or if the sales had to wait for their commission for 35 days after the sale? I was treated so unfairly! They showed me lots for sale with BLACK MOLD.I would think I am being targeted once again but there are many complaints that have been filed about poor management, unfair fines and being targeted if you speak up. The only recourse you have is to go to Tribal court since Port Susan Camping resort is Tribal owned. If you ask me this is a conflict of interest? Bottom line, absolute power leads to absolute corruption. Port Susan is like living under communist rule: The board took a vote to install 50 amp service, the members voted against it because most trailers use 30 amp. The 50 amp was installed any way and members have to pay for it. I spoke up on Campers Chat, but PSCC has the right to determine what will be allowed to be viewed. Freedom of Speech, NOT sat Port Susan. Members have to be careful who they speak to, if they speak against unfair fines to one of"them" they will be targeted. I have been targeted by one ranger who gave me 1200.00 worth of fines in one month. There used to be one ranger who patrolled lots 24 hours a day now there are 2 or 3. You are under constant survelience and fined for violations. Port Susan changes the rules constantly. One example, the road going downhill to the laundra mat and mailbox changed the speed limit to 5 miles per hour. Try going down a hill at 5 miles per hour. I was fined 200.00 at 5:00 am. This was thrown out because no one could do this but later going down hill to the front gate is a radar controlled system. I accidentally was going 17 mph in a 15 mph and was fined 400.00 for going over the speed limit for a 2nd infraction! no where in this country has fines like this but PSCC has unlimited power and no jusidiction. If you take it Tribal Court,( they lease the land to Port Susan you can be held liable to pay the attorney fees against Port Susan. There is less than 30 years on the lease so your membership is a poor investment. Not to mention that they have water pipe problems and boil water warnings posted periodically. If they decide to change all the water pipes the members will pay. I had rats get into my trucks. One was towed to Toyota and they found a rat. The rats got into the cab. I replaced this truck with a brand new Honda and during an oil change was notified that rat tracks were found all over my distributor cover and it was only at my site for 2 weeks!!! Many members tell the truth once they leave and abuse and mistreatment is the norm. THIS IS A FEAR BASED COMMUNITY Good luck with your purchase
RangerIt was MAGICAL- mushrooms, fall leaves, and moss everywhere. Keep in mind that there’s no signal, Starlink nor cell.. we also were freezing at night (35 degrees) in early October and the spots were tricky for our bigger rig. But if you have a smaller rig there’s tons of places off of road 73 for dispersed camping. Bumpy road to get there but keep on driving and you’ll find places with even firepits.
LegendThe dispersed sites are on the narrow, gravel section. There are a few on the paved area but most have been blocked off. Even on the gravel section most are pull-offs or quite close to the road. They are dispersed sites so no amenities. Most are close or have access to the Sauk River. The road and TH’s were very busy but cleared out as evening settled in.
LegendRoad closures due to a bridge out closed off probably the better sites up top but we did find a great spot off the road with a view. Enjoyed a nice evening under the stars and a campfire.
ScoutIt IS a pretty, private, moderately priced rv park. Too bad -- there is a note announcing their permanent closure 10/31/2026. Enjoy it while you can!
ScoutJust a car park. Do not go to the front of the casino as there are over hanging branches that that can scratch your RV.
ScoutI wanted to like this campground, but I wouldn’t stay here again for more than maybe one night.
There are signs EVERYWHERE warning about theft, which immediately tells you something about the area. I didn’t have anything stolen, but I was extremely careful about what I left out.
The biggest problem is that you’re basically on your own after hours. There is no campground host, no posted after-hours ranger number, and no non-emergency number at the campground or through the park’s phone system. The staff hours also seem very limited and inconsistent. I arrived around 6:30 PM and nobody was there, and staff didn’t seem to return until around 9–10 AM.
The bathrooms were dirty, out of toilet paper, and the showers were cold. One morning there was a large unleashed dog in the women’s bathroom that growled at me while its owner was showering. I believe she may have been homeless and using the facilities. Again, there was nobody around to contact about it.
Another night, people were extremely loud until almost midnight. Same problem: no host, no ranger and no non-emergency number. Unless something is serious enough for 911, you’re left to deal with it yourself.
There are also a lot of homeless people and visible drug addicts/drug activity around Federal Way. I had been warned about the area before coming here, and I understand why.
The park itself is pretty and might be fine for a quick overnight stay, but for multiple nights, I wouldn’t recommend it. Between the theft warnings, lack of after-hours staff, weird staffing hours, and no way to report non-emergency problems, I never really felt comfortable settling into my campsite.
Campsites near Snoqualmie, Washington sit within the western slopes of the Cascade Mountains, with elevations ranging from 500 to 3,000 feet across the region's camping areas. The area receives approximately 96 inches of precipitation annually, resulting in lush forest landscapes with significant moss coverage and old-growth trees. Most campgrounds in this region open late spring and close in early fall due to snowfall, though several offer year-round access depending on elevation.
Hiking from campsite base camps: Multiple trails accessible directly from Denny Creek Campground provide day hiking opportunities. The Franklin Falls trail is particularly popular. "It was a short walk to river spots that are perfect for wading or fishing. 10 minute drive from Deep Lake which is beautiful and great for swimming and paddle boarding," according to a camper at a nearby park.
River activities: The Green River at Kanaskat-Palmer State Park offers opportunities for kayaking and wading. One camper noted, "The riverfront accessed from the campground tends to be a bit too raging for my taste with children. We usually take the kids to the lake at Nolte state park (approx. 3 miles away) for water play."
Mountain biking access: Several camping areas provide direct access to mountain bike trails. Forested trails with significant elevation changes characterize the riding in this region. Tinkham Campground serves as a popular starting point for several intermediate to advanced trails. A camper noted, "Green with tall trees. Close to great hiking."
Private, secluded sites: Tolt MacDonald Park offers remarkably private camping spaces. "Told macdonald is super cute park and campground! they offer the typical primitive campsites with fire pits and picnic tables, as well as yurts and shipping container conversions for those who want more of a 'GLAMping' outdoor experience," notes one visitor.
River sounds: The sound of flowing water is frequently mentioned as a positive feature in reviews. A camper at Tinkham Campground described, "We had a beautiful experience at this campground. At the sound of the river rushing behind us the entire time. Woke up to a beautiful sunrise. Easy to get to, clean, bathrooms are clean, and nice fire pits."
Cleanliness of facilities: Many campgrounds receive high marks for bathroom maintenance. "The washroom and shower is kept clean, as is the rest of the campground," notes a visitor to Dash Point State Park Campground. Another adds, "It has 6 very clean individual (one person) bathrooms with a shower in each."
Road conditions: Access roads to several campgrounds require careful driving. At South Fork Snoqualmie River, "Access road is right off the highway and unpaved, has a TON of holes so I wouldn't recommend driving down it without good ground clearance."
Park ranger presence: Some campgrounds have active ranger supervision. "This campground is heavily patrolled by the park rangers. I usually have contact with them in my campsite at least twice a day. I have been asked by the park rangers at 10:01 p.m. to be quiet as myself and three 9-year-old girls were talking (no music etc) too loud."
Reservation requirements: Most established campgrounds fill quickly during summer months. One visitor recommends, "Reservations recommended. Even during the week." Dispersed camping areas often fill by Friday afternoon during peak season, with most drive-in sites taken by 3pm.
Swimming options: Dash Point State Park Campground provides beach access for families with children. One camper noted, "The beach and its tides are why we came. Facilities were good and trails around are fun and easy enough for me and 2 kids."
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature play equipment. "Mini golf basket ball court, lakes, bingo, free donuts and coffee showers are bug and clean price is fairly cheap," reports a visitor to Blue Sky RV Park.
Wildlife viewing precautions: Plant hazards exist in certain areas. A camper warns, "Lovely area such beautiful surroundings. But be very cautious as near one of the camp sites are very dangerous plants that are fatal and they are lined all around the campground so not recommended if you have children."
Site leveling challenges: Some campgrounds have issues with uneven sites. A visitor at Tall Chief Campground noted, "It was advertised as ok for a Motorhome but the gravel pull through was so not level the jacks pushed the front tires 6 inches off the ground."
Cell service considerations: Signal availability varies significantly even within the same campground. "I travel and work remotely so I'm always looking for free places that have cell reception and this place hits the jackpot. I've come in twice on a Saturday afternoon and have been able to find an open spot with my 18 ft travel trailer, I have Verizon and have 2-3 bars of service."
Electrical capacity limitations: Older campgrounds may have limited electrical capacity. "Knocking another star as the majority of the sites are only 30 amp with antiquated posts. There are a few 50 amp sites but from what I saw they were all taken by RVers that are there on a more permanent basis."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping options are available in Snoqualmie, WA?
Snoqualmie offers diverse camping experiences within the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Middle Fork Campground provides stunning riverside sites among towering Douglas fir, cedar and Western hemlock trees, with easy access to nearby hiking trails. For RV campers, Tall Chief Campground offers spacious sites with 50-amp service, though site privacy varies by section. The area also features dispersed camping options along the South Fork Snoqualmie River for those seeking a more primitive experience. Most developed campgrounds in the region provide basic amenities like picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets, with fees typically ranging from $15-32 per night depending on the facility. Many sites are seasonal, operating primarily from late spring through early fall.
Where are the best campgrounds near Snoqualmie Falls?
For camping near the spectacular Snoqualmie Falls, Tolt MacDonald Park offers a peaceful setting with the soothing sounds of river rapids. This 500+ acre park features drive-through RV sites with water and electrical hookups (20, 30, and 50-Amp service), away from traffic noise. Another excellent option is Silver Springs Campground, praised for its well-spaced sites and beautiful riverside location. The campground staff are known for being helpful and friendly. For the best experience at Silver Springs, try to secure sites numbered 2-10, as these are closest to the river. Both locations provide convenient access to Snoqualmie Falls while offering natural settings to enhance your camping experience.
Are there any large group campsites available near Snoqualmie?
Denny Creek Campground in Snoqualmie National Forest offers dedicated group sites for $84, making it an excellent option for larger gatherings. Located just off Highway 90 at Snoqualmie Pass, it's easily accessible while still providing a forest retreat atmosphere. Another option for groups is Tinkham Campground, which features spacious facilities and access to mountain roads for off-road adventures. For those needing even more space, Kanaskat-Palmer State Park provides reservable group camping areas that can accommodate larger parties with amenities like water and toilets. Most group sites in the region require reservations well in advance, especially during peak summer months. Group sites typically include multiple picnic tables, larger parking areas, and expanded fire rings to accommodate more campers.
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