Startup, Washington sits within a diverse camping region with multiple campground options along the Skykomish River and nearby forests. Flowing Lake Park & Campground offers tent sites, RV hookups and cabins in a wooded setting about 10 miles west of Startup, while Wallace Falls State Park Campground provides tent and cabin accommodations near popular hiking trails. The area includes a mix of public and private facilities, from basic forest sites to full-service RV resorts like Cascades RV Resort in Sultan and Thousand Trails Thunderbird along the river corridor.
Many campgrounds in the Startup vicinity operate seasonally, with peak availability from May through October when mountain passes and forest roads remain accessible. "The hike to Wallace Falls is moderate & enjoyable. The waterfall is beautiful & well worth the hike," notes one visitor to Wallace Falls State Park. Several campgrounds like Gold Basin and Verlot operate with reduced services during shoulder seasons, typically closing completely for winter. Weather conditions vary significantly with elevation changes, as sites closer to the Cascade Mountains experience cooler temperatures and earlier snowfall than lower-elevation campgrounds. Travelers should verify current conditions before departure, as mountain weather patterns can change rapidly in this part of Washington.
Riverside camping represents a significant draw throughout the Skykomish Valley. Campers report high satisfaction with waterfront sites at Thousand Trails Thunderbird, where several sites directly border the river. According to reviews on The Dyrt, "Along the river you see fly fishing, it's amazing." For climbers and hikers, Index Town Wall Parking Area offers convenient primitive camping near popular rock climbing routes and trails. While sites like Evergreen State Fairgrounds provide basic amenities for RVs, reviews indicate noise concerns: "Not a place for tranquility. The price is right for what you get." Most developed campgrounds in the area feature fire rings, picnic tables, and restroom facilities, though amenities vary significantly between primitive Forest Service sites and private resorts with full hookups and shower facilities.
"This is a nice campground with semi private sites, several of which are generous sized with walking trails, and trails to the lake. Lots of trees for privacy."
"Very close to several Walmarts and grocery stores."
"This is a good campground just off Hyway 2 and on the river, some site are directly next to the river, however, we choose a site on the other side of the road due to the full hookup there."
"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."
"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."
$32 - $72 / night
"Stopped through here on a trip around the mountain loop. This is in a great location being accessible from the city but near all the great trails in the area."
"This amazing little campground on mountain loop highway has it all."
"We arrived and only had hammocks to camp in and the two walk up sites did not provides trees to manage our hammocks."
"For the avid hiker & camper, two lakes are available for camping by permit a couple miles past the upper falls."
$65 - $95 / night
"Gas stations and McDonalds next to the resort 1 mile from town of Sultan"
$35 / night
"It has water and 30 amp power at all spots with access to a dump station. You are limited to 7 nights per month. It's right next to the fairgrounds so you have all the sounds that come with that."
"Notable considerations, near racetrack ongoing races and trials usually quiets down early evening this time of year. Great place to go adventure for the day. A couple major stores to stock up on."
$32 - $96 / night
"The river is only a five minute walk away, and we spent most of one day there. I was very surprised by how quiet it was for only being an hour outside of Seattle."
"The campground was quiet, not too crowded (Sunday - Tuesday) and so close to many trails. A quick walk to the river was a nice way to finish the day."
$37 - $78 / night
"This campground is close to the river and has amazing views. The natural qualities of the alpine river are on full display here."
"Gold Basin Campground is on the Mt Loop highway, in the Mount Baker- Snoqualmie National Forest. It is stunning. I really love this area!"
$35 - $55 / night
"Located near the Skykomish River, this is a great place to relax after a long day of exploring. Book them here and leave a review!"
GuideLast time I was here was over 20+ years ago with my parents. It still is a great camp ground and clean. The spots are all paved and leveling out the travel wasn’t an issue. My wife really likes this place, even though it’s heavily wooded, “she’s from northern Nevada.” We did the dry camping spot at site 25 and will be definitely making this our regular spot when we can get a reservation.
TravelerFrom a family of 2 to a family of 4, we’ve enjoyed Fort Flagler every time we’ve visited. There’s a variety of site types for every kind of camper, the bathrooms and grounds are always clean, the beach space is plentiful, and the views are amazing.
Our 2 year old son enjoys the little playground and access to trails for his bike. Definitely kept us busy without having to leave the campground.
The campground was full during our son and you honestly wouldn’t have even known.
GuidePlenty of ground to lay down tents and park vehicles. Filled with flowers. Quiet. Easy river access. A little bit of noise from trucks passing by. Not too hard to access. The roads are pretty rough in some areas. Huge potholes filled with water. But my friend made it in a Prius. Not too buggy in April! Amazing star gazing. Disappointed by how much trash was on the ground. Not the worst, but it was noticeable.
GuideThere are some pull-offs on the side of the gravel road on the way to hiking trails and a campground. Road is not well-maintained (quite a few potholes and forest debris) and is very narrow but other than that, it's a good spot to pull over for the night and only an hour outside of North Cascades NP.
ScoutRangers are ridiculous
ScoutI camped here in spring. Minus two stars because the campsites are wrecked with trash. But still beautiful, and I had great reception. There were lots of open spots and I only ran to it two other campers.
ScoutFront desk lady was a hugeeeee bitch when checking in. Lot is just disgusting and uneven. Barely any room to park your rig. The water is high pressure and leaking. Drugged out kids everywhere. Not safe for anyone. Clearly not maintained at all and the employees hate their jobs. DO NOT COME here. You will be unsafe and uncomfortable.
TravelerFirst, the good points: the location is convenient to the northern Seattle area; the RV park surrounds a lake and is heavily wooded, very pretty, with hiking trails and a dog run; the park is surprisingly quiet considering how much traffic there is in the area; and it is close to a Safeway store.
Unfortunately, I cannot recommend this park due to its bad points: very expensive (overpriced) at more than $80 per night in their low season; the geese are really noisy and poop EVERYWHERE; the spaces are so narrow that you are practically on top of your neighbors, and you almost can’t put your slides out if you have slides on both sides of your RV; the sites are actually paved incorrectly, very un-level, off by 2 inches and more; the roads are so narrow I don’t know how any of the people in back-in spots managed to get backed in without damage to their vehicles; the park management is extremely inflexible on check-out or check-in. We had to rush out and left at 11:57am. They are the first rv park we have stayed at in over five years that does not take packages. Could not get my medical supplies I need for my health while we were there. Also, you cannot cancel unless you pay fees. We will not stay here again.
TravelerLarge, clean, gravelled campsites with sturdy tables and beautiful camp views. The camp host is extremely kind and welcoming, and the bathrooms were extremely clean. Hot showers are free with the bathroom code, and the water gets warm but not hot. The toilets are impeccably clean, and the road is paved and very well maintained. Very little wildlife but beautiful views of the forest. Very close to several Walmarts and grocery stores.
Startup, Washington camping areas see significant temperature fluctuations during peak season, with daytime highs reaching 80°F and nighttime lows dipping into the 40s from May through September. The Skykomish Valley experiences different rainfall patterns than nearby regions, with mountainside campgrounds receiving up to 10 inches more precipitation annually than valley-floor sites. Most camping sites near Startup, Washington close between late October and early May due to heavy snowfall and flood risks.
River activities at Verlot Campground: Located near the South Fork Stillaguamish River, this campground offers excellent spots for swimming and fishing. The campground provides a sandy beach area at its edge for water access. "We had a spot right by the South Fork Stillaguamish River. We fell sleep and woke up to river sounds and were able to walk down to it straight from our site," notes one camper at Verlot Campground.
Rock climbing near Eagles Reach: Eagles Reach provides a convenient base camp for climbers heading to nearby crags. With 5 acres of flat land for tent camping and water hookups available, it serves as a practical starting point for climbing trips. "Located near the Skykomish River, this is a great place to relax after a long day of exploring," mentions a reviewer.
Hiking trails from Middle Fork Campground: This campground serves as an access point for numerous trails, including the popular Mailbox Peak Trail. The campground's location offers quick access to multiple difficulty levels of hiking. "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," reports a camper at Middle Fork Campground.
Riverside sites: Many campers specifically request waterfront locations at campgrounds throughout the region. At Gold Basin Campground, riverside sites remain the most popular. "The river is gorgeous, so get a site along the river obviously! Wildlife viewing abound," recommends one visitor to Gold Basin Campground.
Alternative accommodations: Beyond traditional tent and RV sites, several Startup-area campgrounds offer cabins, yurts, and glamping options. Tolt MacDonald Park features unique shipping container conversions. "Spent a night in the yurt. Everything worked," reports a camper, while another notes, "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."
Water recreation: The multiple rivers and lakes around Startup offer swimming, fishing, and boating opportunities. Flowing Lake provides a popular swimming area for families. "Playground is awesome for little kids. Amazing play structure," says a camper at Flowing Lake Park & Campground.
Restroom availability varies: Facility access differs significantly between campgrounds, with some offering full shower facilities while others provide only pit toilets. "The toilets were clean but dark, needed headlamps even if it was daylight and cloudy," notes a Gold Basin camper. At other locations, facility hours may be restricted.
Weather preparation required: Despite summer camping popularity, weather can change rapidly, requiring preparation for rain even during peak season. "We did get a bit of rain and had to put tarps up. The trees close to camp made it very easy to do so," shares a visitor to Middle Fork.
Site differences at same campground: Many campgrounds have significant variations between sites. At Tolt MacDonald Park, one visitor explains: "If you venture across the Shakey bridge there are hiking trails, access to the water, and plenty of trees to hang your hammock in. There are also additional more remote camping spots on the other side of the bridge."
Playground access: Several campgrounds near Startup offer dedicated play areas for children. Flowing Lake Park features an extensive playground structure that younger campers particularly enjoy. "The playground is awesome for little kids. Amazing play structure," notes a visitor.
Field sports areas: Gold Basin Campground includes a large open field perfect for group activities. "There is a huge grass field with plenty of space to get a baseball or soft ball game going, maybe a soccer game," explains a camper at Gold Basin.
Swimming safety considerations: River swimming spots require careful assessment due to variable currents and cold water temperatures. At Cascades RV Resort, campers appreciate the nearby swimming access with more controlled environments. "A new and clean RV resort about 1 hour from Seattle," says one visitor, noting its proximity to family-friendly recreation areas.
Hookup availability: RV services vary significantly between campgrounds, with some offering full hookups while others provide only basic services. "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," notes a camper at Tolt MacDonald Park.
Road conditions: Access roads to more remote camping areas may present challenges for larger rigs. At Thousand Trails Thunderbird, one camper advises: "Riverside no sewer hookups but have dump station by where you check in. Perfect to check in dump if you stay on river side."
Pad surfaces: RV campsites feature different parking surfaces throughout the area. "This campground is set up as expected for a county park campground. Pretty much all the lots are hard pack gravel with no tent pads," reports a visitor to Flowing Lake Park & Campground, while Cascades RV Resort offers "large concrete pads with astroturf lawn and picnic table."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Startup, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Startup, WA offers a wide range of camping options, with 246 campgrounds and RV parks near Startup, WA and 35 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Startup, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Startup, WA is Flowing Lake Park & Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 13 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Startup, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 35 free dispersed camping spots near Startup, WA.
What parks are near Startup, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 10 parks near Startup, WA that allow camping, notably Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest and Keystone Harbor.
Keep Exploring
