86 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Tent campgrounds near Snoqualmie, Washington range from sites with basic amenities like fire rings and picnic tables to primitive backcountry locations requiring lengthy hikes. Notable tent campsites include Owhi Campground on Cooper Lake in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, which offers walk-in tent sites with lake access, and White River Dispersed Camping, providing free riverside tent camping just outside Mount Rainier National Park. Many tent areas require Northwest Forest Pass or America the Beautiful passes for parking, while some primitive sites remain free with appropriate backcountry permits.
Tent sites throughout the region typically feature compacted dirt or forest duff surfaces with varying amounts of shade and privacy. Most established campgrounds provide fire rings and picnic tables, though these amenities disappear at more remote locations. Higher elevation sites often remain snowbound until late June or early July. Bears are active throughout the region, requiring proper food storage in approved containers or designated lockers where available. According to one visitor, "Cooper Lake is absolutely stunning and the campsites are situated pretty well for views and privacy, with sites right on the lake or a very private site walking distance to water."
Tent campers seeking solitude should consider weekday visits, as popular tent camping areas fill quickly during summer weekends and holidays. Areas farther from I-90 generally offer more seclusion, though accessing these requires longer drives on forest service roads that may be rough or require high-clearance vehicles. Several tent campgrounds serve as gateways to extensive trail networks, including Mount Rainier National Park's backcountry routes. At White River Dispersed Camping, high-clearance vehicles are recommended as "some subarus trying to navigate into a cleared area found it pretty scrape-y." Most primitive tent sites lack potable water, so campers should bring their own or pack water filtration equipment for nearby streams and lakes.
"The sites were secluded from one another within a beautiful forest, the toilet was clean and fairly close to the sites, parking was easy and the host was a total gem! Highly highly reccomended :-)"
from $35 - $65 / night
Check Availability"This is a large and Crystal clear Alpine Lake in the Alpine Lakes wilderness. The lake is full of fish so make sure you bring your Pole, beautiful trout were jumping."
"If you can deal with the bugs though this lake is STUNNING. In July there was still ice on the lake, which is at 4500ft."
"Right outside the entrance to Mt."
"If you come here you must leave no trace."
"I picked enough berries to share with my crew. There is nothing better than perfectly ripe blackberries on a camping ⛺️ trip."
"We arrived and only had hammocks to camp in and the two walk up sites did not provides trees to manage our hammocks."
from $12 - $61 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $90 - $125 / night
Check Availability"We arrived late close to sunset with the campground closed and the camp host site vacant."
"Cooper Lake is absolutely stunning and admittedly the campsites are situated pretty well for views and privacy but there are definitely Pros and Cons to this campground."
"Ranger Review: OOFOS OOMG Low Shoe at Owhi Campground on Cooper Lake, Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, Washington State Campground Review: [Owhi Campground](https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea"
from $14 / night
Check Availability"We had a hard time finding an open spot so we could set up camp. We almost made it to the end of the dirt road before we found a lot with a fire pit that could fit our group of 4."
"Lots of dispersed camping opportunities leading up to the Rachel Lake Trailhead and the Box Canyon Creek Site on NF-4930. Also many spots on the NF-118 spur, which is where we stayed."
from $90 - $100 / night
Check Availability
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.
Tent campsites near Snoqualmie, Washington range from alpine locations at elevations between 3,000-4,500 feet to riverside spots just a few hundred feet above sea level. Many sites become accessible only between late May and early October due to snowpack, with significant temperature variations between day and night even in summer months. Campsites throughout the region require different permits depending on location, with National Forest sites needing Northwest Forest Pass for parking and state parks requiring Discover Pass.
Hiking to alpine lakes: Access backcountry tent camping at Pratt Lake Hike In Campsite after a moderately challenging trail. "This is a large and Crystal clear Alpine Lake in the Alpine Lakes wilderness. The lake is full of fish so make sure you bring your Pole, beautiful trout were jumping," notes reviewer Alex T.
Canoeing on motor-free waters: Owhi Campground offers lakeside access for non-motorized watercraft. A visitor notes, "We canoed on the lake and saw a few Elk bugling. Really amazing views."
Island exploration: Camp on Blake Island Marine State Park Campground accessible only by boat. "Hike the perimeter trail for views all around the island. It's a great place to stay in the summer months and relax," recommends Christi R.
Wildlife viewing: Early mornings and dusk provide opportunities for spotting elk, deer, and various bird species. "We canoed on the lake and saw a few Elk bugling," reports one camper at Owhi Campground.
Secluded waterfront sites: Tent campers appreciate private spots along water bodies. At White River Dispersed Camping, Reagan S. found "a large secluded spot in the woods. Road gets a bit worse as you drive further, but it was manageable. A little road noise but it's drowned out by the sound of the creek."
Well-spaced camping areas: Sites at Hollyhock Farm provide privacy uncommon in established campgrounds. "The sites were secluded from one another within a beautiful forest, the toilet was clean and fairly close to the sites, parking was easy and the host was a total gem!" reports Rio B.
Escaping crowds: Many experienced campers recommend visiting midweek. At White River Dispersed Camping, one visitor noted, "Came here on a Monday night and plenty of spots. Spots by the river looked kind of close together, so we drove a little further in and found a large secluded spot."
No-motor lakes: Several camping areas prohibit motorized boats, creating peaceful environments. At Owhi Campground, Donald C. mentions, "A boat launch is available but motors are not allowed on the lake."
Remote location challenges: Many tent campsites near Snoqualmie require high-clearance vehicles. At White River Dispersed Camping, P.J. advises, "The road can be a bit thin, so I would be careful with extra large vehicles. It is also a bit of a challenging road, so low clearance vehicles wouldn't be treated well."
Insect activity: Alpine lake campgrounds can have significant mosquito populations. According to Alex T. at Melakwa Lake, "Melakwa means mosquito and they are not kidding- you have been warned! If you can deal with the bugs though this lake is STUNNING."
Campsite logistics: Some campgrounds require significant effort to access. Marie L. mentions about Owhi Campground, "Steep hill and trails to all the sites - pack light and even then it is A LOT of work getting into your site."
Food storage requirements: Bear activity necessitates proper food storage. "No bear boxes by the lake so you also have to trek your cooler/dry goods up the hill every night to not attract wildlife," warns a visitor at Owhi Campground.
Choose sites with amenities: Campgrounds with toilets and tables work best for younger children. At Cold Creek Campground, Geoff T. notes, "Near Cold Creek, there is a very nice covered picnic area with two full tables and a fire pit. Another pit toilet is nearby."
Plan for weather changes: Mountain weather can shift rapidly, requiring extra layers even in summer. At Melakwa Lake, one camper found "in July there was still ice on the lake, which is at 4500ft."
Consider walk-in difficulty: Some campgrounds require significant hiking with gear. At Owhi Campground, Marie L. cautions, "Steep hill and trails to all the sites - pack light and even then it is A LOT of work getting into your site."
Look for swimming options: Several lakes offer swimming opportunities during warm months. At Pratt Lake, Alex T. reports, "The water was cold, but in the afternoon sun it was great for swimming."
Find alternative options: While most dispersed sites don't accommodate RVs, several established campgrounds do. At Wallace Falls State Park Campground, campers with RVs can find limited but suitable sites.
Consider smaller rigs: Forest roads often limit access for larger vehicles. Samantha J. at Wallace Falls shares, "We arrived and only had hammocks to camp in and the two walk up sites did not provides trees to manage our hammocks. Therefore we parked in the parking lot near a tree and strung our hammocks from the tree to the car."
Plan for lack of hookups: Most tent campsites near Snoqualmie lack RV amenities. "Great hike!" notes Victoria B. about Wallace Falls, which offers tent and cabin camping without typical RV hookups.
Be prepared for tight turns: Forest service roads often have limited turnaround areas. Donald C. mentions about Cooper Lake area, "There are horse camps at the end of the fire road with a cul-de-sac to turn around and head back out."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Snoqualmie, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Snoqualmie, WA is Hollyhock Farm with a 5-star rating from 1 review.
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TheDyrt.com has all 86 tent camping locations near Snoqualmie, WA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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