Glamping near Snoqualmie, Washington sits in the transition zone between western Washington's lowland forests and the higher elevation Cascade Mountain environment. Winter temperatures typically range from 30-45°F with summer averages of 70-80°F. Most luxury camping accommodations remain open year-round, though winter access may require chains or all-wheel drive vehicles for some locations.
What to do
Riverside wading: Middle Fork Campground offers direct water access from May to September. "The camp host was super friendly and knowledgeable, dog access is a plus, and a ton of trails nearby. Plus, the road itself on the way up is very well maintained," notes a recent visitor.
Kayaking excursions: Kanaskat-Palmer State Park features access to the Green River with areas appropriate for varying skill levels. "Short hike 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," writes Ashlie M.
Volleyball matches: Water sports aren't the only recreation option. Fay Bainbridge Park offers beachfront volleyball courts alongside other amenities. As Taylor M. observes, "Right by the beach with volleyball courts, a covered rec area, kids jungle gym, and (relatively) clean bathrooms."
Basketball games: Several campgrounds maintain courts for those who prefer land-based activities. At Vasa Park Resort, one reviewer mentioned, "Beautiful beach area, basketball courts, playground, and volleyball right at the site."
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Tall Chief Campground receives high marks for its secluded atmosphere. "We love Tall Chief because it is super close to a lot of great spots around the Seattle region... Most sites are pretty big too. We can easily fit our trailer, tow vehicle, and extra vehicle and still have space!" reports Brodie D.
Quality bathrooms: Many visitors specifically praise the bathroom facilities. At Kanaskat-Palmer State Park, a camper noted, "It has 6 very clean individual (one person) bathrooms with a shower in each."
Proximity to Seattle: Vasa Park Resort positions campers directly on Lake Sammamish while maintaining access to urban amenities. A reviewer highlighted this advantage: "Close to the city, gorgeous lake. Being 20 mins from downtown Seattle is a plus."
Berries and foraging: Middle Fork Campground offers unexpected natural treats. As Dan P. explains, "We stayed there to be close to the mailbox trail head. There were so many berries around the camp and we could literally sit in camp and pick blue berries."
What you should know
Park ranger presence: Tolt MacDonald Park and several other parks maintain active ranger patrols. At Kanaskat-Palmer State Park, one camper observed, "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 had a fellow parent dropping their child off to camp with us and within 10 minutes the rangers were there checking that they had a park pass."
Cell reception varies: Coverage can change dramatically even within the same campground. As one Tall Chief visitor noted, "Another thing that can be annoying is trying to find a site with good cell reception due to all the trees. They definitely have a few, but I would say arrive early so you can drive by all the sites while checking to make sure you have good reception if you need it."
Airport noise: Some campgrounds experience air traffic noise. Saltwater State Park campers report, "Commercial jets landing at Sea-Tac fly directly above us at a low altitude and are VERY loud and VERY frequent (every 3-5 minutes)."
Limited sewer hookups: Many campgrounds offer only partial hookups. At Tall Chief, a reviewer noted, "I do have to knock a star for the fact no sites have sewer hookups. This is fairly understandable though as it appeared that a service needs to pump the septic tank by the dump station for the entire park."
Tips for camping with families
Pirate ship playgrounds: Fay Bainbridge Park features special play structures for children. "Amazing kids area pirate ship. Great beach walk and good camp sites," writes Tanya B., while another visitor adds, "There is a ship playground for the kids and beach volleyball court."
Junior Ranger programs: Lake Easton State Park offers educational opportunities for children. "Activities for children such as the Jr. Ranger program," mentions a reviewer who visited with their family of four.
Shallow lake swimming: Several campgrounds provide safe water access for younger swimmers. One Lake Easton visitor mentioned, "We've been here a few times only because it has such a nice beach for little kids to swim and play in the sand."
Beware stinging plants: Parents should watch for natural hazards with children. At Kanaskat-Palmer, a camper warned, "Watch out for stinging nettles on the paths to the river if wearing shorts. Very painful."
Tips from RVers
Leveling considerations: Lake Easton State Park provides mixed experiences for RV campers depending on site selection. Some sites require significant leveling while others are well-prepared. "Our space had full hookups and lots of shade," reports Chris B.
Pull-through accessibility: Kanaskat-Palmer State Park offers convenient access for larger rigs. "There are many pull through sites (pull along a curve next to your site, not straight pull through)," notes a camper with practical advice for maneuvering.
Site length limitations: Tolt MacDonald Park accommodates moderate-sized RVs but may challenge larger ones. "The only campground we've been to where we didn't need to level the trailer. RV sites are all pull through its fairly quiet," reported Russ H.
Overflow parking options: When navigating tight entrances, look for alternative approaches. At Vasa Park Resort, one RVer advised, "When you're arriving the turn into the property is tough...easier to pull into their overflow across the street and drive straight in."
