Best Tent Camping near Snoqualmie, WA

Tent campgrounds near Snoqualmie, Washington range from established sites with basic amenities to primitive backcountry locations requiring lengthy hikes. Notable options 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 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.

Best Tent Sites Near Snoqualmie, Washington (87)

    1. Hollyhock Farm

    1 Review
    Duvall, WA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (505) 453-5535

    $35 - $65 / night

    "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 :-)"

    2. Pratt Lake Hike In Campsite

    1 Review
    Snoqualmie Pass, WA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (425) 888-1421

    "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."

    3. Melakwa Lake

    1 Review
    Snoqualmie Pass, WA
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (425) 888-1421

    "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."

    4. Wallace Falls State Park Campground

    3 Reviews
    Gold Bar, WA
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 793-0420

    "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."

    5. ELKS Beach

    Be the first to review!
    Sammamish, WA
    13 miles
    +1 (206) 790-3740

    $90 - $125 / night

    6. White River Dispersed Camping

    24 Reviews
    Greenwater, WA
    40 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 825-6585

    "Right outside the entrance to Mt."

    "If you come here you must leave no trace."

    7. Cold Creek Campground

    1 Review
    Snoqualmie Pass, WA
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (509) 337-6457

    "We arrived late close to sunset with the campground closed and the camp host site vacant."

    8. Owhi Campground

    7 Reviews
    Snoqualmie Pass, WA
    32 miles
    Website
    +1 (509) 674-4411

    $14 / night

    "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"

    9. Blake Island Marine State Park Campground

    4 Reviews
    Manchester, WA
    30 miles
    Website

    $12 - $45 / night

    "Really fantastic location. Very strict rangers which can be good or bad depending on your preference. Quiet hours are at 10pm which is early for some people so be aware."

    "Hike the perimeter trail for views all around the island. It's a great place to stay in the summer months and relax."

    10. Duvalla

    Be the first to review!
    Duvall, WA
    17 miles
    +1 (425) 236-4163

    $90 - $100 / night

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 87 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Tent Camping Reviews near Snoqualmie, WA

984 Reviews of 87 Snoqualmie Campgrounds


  • Douglas S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 1, 2019

    Red Bridge Campground

    Awesome campground in the beautiful Mount Baker National Forest

    The Red Bridge campground is on the very scenic Mountain loop Rd in the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. It's a very beautiful drive. Nestled in some great trees, there are 13 sites with shade, right along the river. The camp host was very nice and sold firewood on site. There are no hook ups, and no water spigots so be sure to plan accordingly. There are bear proof trash cans and vault toilets available. Each site has a tent pad, picnic table and fire ring. This campground provides ample hiking, fishing and I saw people kayaking plus its not far to a hike to some glacier caves! Also check out the old red trestle bridge just outside of the campground. At $15 a night you have to see this place. 
    I highly recommend Red Bridge campground.

  • Marie L.
    Aug. 3, 2022

    Owhi Campground

    Beautiful spot - not worth the trek

    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.

    Pros:

    Right on the lake and if not you get a very private site walking distance to water
    Great hiking trail

    Lake access 24/7

    Lot's of big shade trees

    No internal combustion motors 

    Vault toilets in good shape

    Dumpsters

    Cons: 

    Extremely busy (and LOUD) day use area

    Steep hill and trails to all the sites - pack light and even then it is A LOT of work getting into your site

    $18 for a walk in site...? eh a little steep for me

    Did I mention the loud day use area with lots of screaming kids?

    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.

    All in All this was a solid 3.5 stars.  There were pros to out weight the cons but in the end if I am going to walk that far to haul my stuff into a site I want it to be pretty remote/serene OR be a little cheaper.

  • Jayda R.
    Jul. 23, 2017

    Bridge Creek Campground

    A hop, skip, jump from Leavenworth...

    We didn't get to camp right next to the water (unfortunately) as all of those spaces were full (for obvious reason). We were able to find a spot just on the other side of the bridge, which was a short walk to the creek. We ended up unhooking our tent-trailer to fit in the site, but there was lots of room and level ground to have set-up a tent elsewhere on the site (it just wasn't accessible with our tent trailer). Gorgeous surroundings, the sound of the rushing water lulled us right to sleep at night.

    Vault toilet and potable water.

  • Douglas S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 1, 2019

    Clear Creek Campground

    Gorgeous camping in the Mt Baker National Forest

    The Clear Creek campground is off the Mountain loop Rd in the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Clear Creek is only ten minutes or so from Darrington WA. Only 13 campsites with tent pads, picnic tables, and fire rings. Vault toilets were also available. Firewood is not available on site, but local residents have firewood for sale at the roadside. The creek and the Sauk river are absolutely beautiful. There is so much wildlife in the area, keep an eye out, I think I saw a wolverine by the creek, couldn't get my camera ready in time,

  • Zoë D.
    Oct. 2, 2021

    Middle Fork Campground

    River !

    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!

    No facilities so make sure to leave no trace :)

  • Andrea R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 19, 2019

    Clear Creek Campground

    Beautiful, small Campground

    This campground is on the very senic Mountain loop Rd in the Mount Baker -Snoqualmie National Forest. It's a beautiful drive. The campground is nestled in some great trees. Only 13 campsites with tent pads, picnic tables, and fire rings. Vault toilets, we'll maintained The town of Darrington is close by if you need something. The Sauk River is accessible from the campground and is honestly the highlight.

  • M
    Aug. 5, 2020

    Clear Creek Campground

    Small campground, great river fun

    This campground is a little place tucked in beside a bridge right inside the Mt Baker Snoqualmie Forrest boundaries. The campsites are a bit small, but cozy with everything you need. Fire Pit with grill, separate standing charcoal grill, tent pads, picnic tables. The bathrooms(vault toilets) are well maintained and clean, BUT BE AWARE THERE IS NO WATER HERE. Repeat, there is no water spouts here, so you'll have to bring all you need.

  • Sara J.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 21, 2024

    Dispersed Camping Beckler Creek

    Beckler creek riverside

    Nice large campsite near the water. There were many campsites along the road. I had to clean up a lot of trash when it got here. Please pack out your own trash and follow other leave no trace rules. The campfire was awesome

  • Theresa K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 18, 2023

    Dispersed Camping Beckler Creek

    Repulsive

    Every dispersed campground we checked along this road (maybe five or so) was littered with human feces and toilet paper everywhere. We found a literal bucket of human waste beside the river with a soiled pool noodle nearby I can only assume was being used as a toilet seat. Please, if you care about keeping nature wild, carry out your toilet paper and dig a cathole or use the outhouse in the campground. If you don’t know what a cathole is, you should probably should not being using dispersed camping and try the campground down the road. We ended up staying at the campground because we couldn’t find dispersed camping where there wasn’t poop and had a positive experience there. Leave no trace!! 

    https://www.nps.gov/articles/leave-no-trace-seven-principles.htm


Guide to Snoqualmie

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.

What to do

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.

What campers like

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."

What you should know

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.

Tips for camping with families

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."

Tips from RVers

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.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Snoqualmie, WA?

TheDyrt.com has all 87 tent camping locations near Snoqualmie, WA, with real photos and reviews from campers.