Campgrounds near Spanaway, Washington offer diverse options for RV travelers within a 50-mile radius. Most parks operate year-round despite the Pacific Northwest's rainy season from October through April. Winter camping remains accessible as elevations in this region typically range from 300-600 feet, with occasional snowfall that rarely accumulates for extended periods.
What to do
Trail access near Mount Rainier: Sun Outdoors Gig Harbor provides a convenient base camp for hiking enthusiasts. "Beautiful area," notes one visitor, with the campground situated approximately 1.5 hours from Mount Rainier National Park entrance. Another camper mentioned that "Tacoma is across bridge (10 minutes - $6.25 toll)" for urban amenities.
Lake activities: Angle Lake RV Park offers direct water access. "Beautiful lake," reports a guest who appreciated the lakefront location for kayaking and fishing opportunities throughout the summer months.
Mini golf and swimming: Thousand Trails Chehalis features recreational amenities for all ages. "Swimming pool, mini golf course, and trails to explore," writes a camper. Another adds that there are "scavenger hunts for pigs in morning, tractor rides in afternoon, face painting, slushees, movie in lodge, crafts."
What campers like
Privacy despite density: Many campgrounds balance site proximity with screening elements. At Tall Chief Campground, campers appreciate that "most sites are pretty big. We can easily fit our trailer, tow vehicle, and extra vehicle and still have space!" Another camper values that it "feels like you are deep in the PNW rainforest but you close to amenities and shopping."
Clean facilities: Bathroom quality varies significantly between parks. Tall Chief earns praise for "immaculate" bathrooms with a "great 'spa' feeling to their design." One reviewer notes they "make you feel like you are glamping."
Value options: For budget-conscious travelers, several parks offer reasonable rates. Washington Land Yacht Harbor provides "a great and affordable place to stay while in town," according to one camper, who also mentioned "staff is friendly."
What you should know
Utility limitations: Many parks have partial hookups only. At Tall Chief, "no sewer connections which can be a bummer," as one camper notes, adding that "most people I saw had a honey wagon. We don't have room for one so we used a pumping service halfway through our time there."
Cell service variability: Connectivity changes dramatically based on site location and terrain. One Tall Chief camper advises to "arrive early so you can drive by all the sites while checking to make sure you have good reception if you need it. I'm getting 120+ mbs download on AT&T in my site right now, but several sites down from me, it can dwindle down to 5mbs!"
Site dimensions: Enumclaw Expo Center RV Park offers "large private or cramped sites based on what you choose and pay for." A reviewer explains that sites vary, with some offering "fire rings. All with picnic tables but you will be sitting right next to your neighbors if you choose the sites in middle section of park."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Thousand Trails Chehalis stands out for family amenities. One parent reports, "We extended our stay because there was so much to do for the kiddos. Staff here are amazing and fellow campers a delight."
Playground access: Limited playground options exist in the area. "No playground, no pool," notes one Sun Outdoors Gig Harbor visitor describing the adult-oriented atmosphere.
Water recreation: Consider campgrounds with swimming facilities during summer months. A Thousand Trails Chehalis camper appreciated that the "kids didn't mind that half the mini golf course was falling down...in fact they kind of liked it that way, so overall we had a good time despite the lack of updates."
Tips from RVers
Age restrictions: Cove RV Park & Country Store welcomes all RV types, unlike some nearby parks. Enumclaw Expo Center maintains a "strict policy against RVs manufactured before 2003," a notable restriction for vintage rig owners.
Electrical reliability: Power quality varies between parks. Campers at Thousand Trails Chehalis report that "the power was really variable. Sometimes it would spike to 130 volts and then drop suddenly to 110." One visitor warns they "ended up running on our battery and generator for the last two days we were there because it was so dangerous to plug in."
Extension needs: At many parks, utility placement requires additional equipment. A Majestic Mobile Manor & RV Park visitor warns about "the ridiculously small amount of space I had to maneuver my 33ft RV and my 8ft extended cab truck," recommending careful measurement before booking.
