Dog-Friendly Camping near Startup, WA

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    Flowing Lake Park & Campground's pet-friendly campsites include spacious tent sites, RV spots with electric hookups, and cabins that welcome dogs throughout the year. Nearby, Thousand Trails Thunderbird allows pets at both tent and RV sites along the Skykomish River, with some spots directly adjacent to the water. Tolt MacDonald Park maintains similar pet policies and offers dog-friendly yurts as an alternative lodging option. Most campgrounds in the area require pets to remain on leash at all times, with designated areas for waste disposal. The large sites at Flowing Lake provide ample space for campers traveling with multiple pets, while Wallace Falls State Park Campground permits pets at both walk-in tent sites and cabin accommodations. The camping areas remain clean despite high pet traffic, with many visitors noting the well-maintained grounds.

    Hiking options for dogs include the moderate trail along Wallace River to the lower and upper Wallace Falls, where owners should keep pets leashed due to steep sections and wildlife encounters. Gold Basin Campground and Verlot Campground offer additional pet-friendly campsites within a short drive, both featuring forest trails suitable for dog walking. During summer months, blackberry patches near Wallace Falls provide an unexpected treat for camping trips with pets. Campers should be prepared for variable weather conditions when camping with animals, as riverside sites can experience significant temperature drops in evening hours. The nearby town of Sultan offers basic pet supplies, though bringing sufficient food and waste bags is recommended. Sites at Eagles Reach include water hookups convenient for pet hydration needs, with five acres of space for dogs to explore while remaining leashed.

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    Best Dog-Friendly Campgrounds near Startup (180)

      1. Verlot Campground

      4.6(17)16mi from Startup26 sitesRVs, Tents

      "recid=17846&actid=29) is in a beautiful location within the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest."

      "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."

      from $32 - $72 / night

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      2. Flowing Lake Park & Campground

      4.2(13)13mi from StartupRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "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."

      3. Thousand Trails Thunderbird

      3.6(8)6mi from StartupRVs, Cabins

      "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."

      4. Tolt MacDonald Park, WA

      4.3(22)18mi from StartupRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "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."

      5. Wallace Falls State Park Campground

      4.3(3)3mi from StartupTents, Cabins

      "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."

      6. Cascades RV Resort

      5.0(2)1mi from StartupRVs

      "Gas stations and McDonalds next to the resort 1 mile from town of Sultan"

      from $65 - $95 / night

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      7. Evergreen State Fairgrounds

      2.8(6)11mi from StartupRVs, Tents

      "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."

      from $35 / night

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      8. Middle Fork Campground

      4.7(23)24mi from Startup39 sitesRVs, Tents, Glamping

      "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. Hope to stop by again soon!"

      "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."

      from $32 - $96 / night

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      9. Gold Basin Campground

      4.5(6)15mi from Startup41 sitesRVs, Tents

      "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!"

      from $37 - $78 / night

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      10. Eagles Reach

      5.0(1)6mi from Startup1 siteRVs

      "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!"

      from $35 - $55 / night

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    Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Startup, WA

    1195 Reviews of 180 Startup Campgrounds


    • Carla S.
      Jul. 31, 2016

      Dash Point State Park Campground

      Dash Point Beach

      Really cute camp spot and play area!! Pet friendly and dog park! Went here on our trip to Tacoma north of the city. Very nice beach and area!! There's also a light house to check out while you are here!

    • AThe Dyrt PRO User
      Jun. 9, 2026

      Old Cascades Highway Dispersed

      Hidden gem

      This place is the best free camping in Washington. Coming from the Skykomish direction I believe it’s the turnoff to the right, right before the bridge. The old Cascades Highway road is barely travelled at all and there is rushing river right along the campsite. There is service and other pull offs along the highway if this spot is taken. There’s some large rocks that you have to maneuver around but my Subaru Forester got around it just fine.

    • cheriana G.
      Jun. 22, 2023

      Lake Pleasant RV Park

      Best option near seattle

      There aren’t many rv parks that are close (35ish mins) to Seattle but this is the best option. Office staff is friendly, bathrooms are clean, laundry is cheap ($1 wash), maintenance staff is constantly tending to the grounds, full hook ups, and cute (short) hiking paths surrounding the park. The lake is more of a murky pond and the geese are happy residents here so expect a lot of goose poop at any spot near the water. There’s also no dog park.

    • Izabell R.
      Oct. 27, 2025

      Riverfront RV Park

      Good!

      Good little RV park, within walking distance of a dog park, children's park and public bathrooms which is nice. Only downside is that there is not septic at the spots which for $40 a night I would think that they would, but the water is clean and overall the whole lot is nicely kept up with and clean.

    • Laura M.The Dyrt PRO User
      Oct. 1, 2024

      Evergreen Coho SKP Park

      For Escapee members only

      Wonderful RV park for long term Escapee-ers or members just passing through. We stopped here for a night, arriving on the weekend with no prior reservations or contact with them. They make it easy for you to self register when they're closed on weekends, just go up to the office and take one of their welcome packets. 

      We stayed in a dry camp site for only $7.50, and paid $5 for the dump (dump is only for members as well). FHU sites are around $33 depending on in-season/off-season, but I don't know how we would have figured out which sites were available. There are so many activities and amenities here for the long termers (I believe it's a 55+ park), I couldn't even list them all. 

      Showers and laundry were clean and efficient. There's a dog park and a dog walking path (there are signs everywhere about not letting your dog pee or poo on their nice plants). Cell service was good and they have good wifi as well. This would definitely be a spot we'd stop at again when we're in the area next.

    • Dani H.
      Jun. 27, 2018

      Riverfront RV Park

      Urban Camping At Its Best

      Great spot for an Overnighter on the road through quaint Sedro-Woolley WA, this spot contains amenities for all, along with RV parking and a handful of tent lots. If you care to go swimming it has easy access directly to the lake with a primitive boat launch meant for smaller, canoe-like, vessels. Clean Restrooms, no showers, but they have a stage and performances during the summer months and two Parks, meant for all ages! Surrounding areas to explore include a Dog Park just across the way, and a spooky hike among abandoned buildings which were once part of Northern State Mental facility. Be sure to take in the Train display at the Town’s enterance and have a great trip!

    • p
      Aug. 19, 2020

      Riverfront RV Park

      Off the beaten tracks

      Affordable stay  $25 @7/2020.    Closing at end of month for renovations.   

      Well kept large quiet park.  Great dg waking areas; including a dog park.  Some sites with trees for shade.   Hookups work.   Free city dump station within a mile; easy to access.  2 clean bathrooms; no shower.  Manager on site.   Gate locked by 10pm.   Access through older well kept neighborhoods.   Grocery store on main road.  Lorenzo-s was closed due to COVID; we ate their 10 years ago; mighty good rellanoes.   Gave it 4 as one toilet with very slow flush!   Perhaps renovations will solve that problem.  Perhaps showers will be included; they could charge more.

    • M
      Jun. 29, 2021

      Issaquah Village RV Park

      Parking lot feels

      This camp ground is not ideal if you have dogs. There is not much grass, in fact you have to go outside the park and across the street to hear compliant pet owner. We also found the electric box to be a little wonky. They office staff did have an adapter which help. It was very quiet and clean just not the most attractive campground.

    • Tatiana G.
      Apr. 14, 2019

      Jim Creek Wilderness Recreation Area

      Spacious sites, great price, lots of activities

      The prices for everything is amazing! The campsites are spacious and run along the creek! There are tent pads that make the ground not so hard under your tent. A table, grill and campfire ring at every site. The cabins are very nice! And are spacious as well. Have a porch swing, campfire ring, table and grill outside. Most cabins have an electric heater and a heat stove inside. The heat stove heats up the entire cabin very well!! They provide trash cans and bags and a broom to help keep the dirt cleaned up!

      The bathrooms are very nice and clean. And they have firewood for sale on site. There is an attendant that will be there after work hours for people who are arriving late to get you checked in and answer questions you have. There are a couple of hiking trails, twin lakes, boats, canoes, and bikes to rent on site. There is also an enclosed dog park on site. There are tent sites, cabins, rv sites and even little apartments to rent for your stay. Great place and only 25 miles from town!


    Guide to Startup

    Pet friendly camping near Startup, Washington spans approximately 20 miles along the Skykomish River valley, situated at elevations between 200-600 feet. The area experiences mild summer temperatures averaging 75°F during peak camping season with cooler nights in the 50s, particularly at riverside campsites. Winter camping options remain available with several year-round campgrounds maintaining cabins for visitors seeking off-season accommodations.

    What to do

    River activities: Middle Fork Campground offers excellent Pratt River access with moderate temperatures for swimming. "The River was absolutely beautiful, plenty warm, had a great time" notes Rain R., who camped at nearby Gold Basin.

    Trail hiking: Multiple hiking trails connect directly to campgrounds. "If you venture across the Shakey bridge there are hiking trails, access to the water, and plenty of trees to hang your hammock in," writes Dawnielle C. about Tolt MacDonald Park.

    Playground access: Family-friendly activities include structured play areas at certain campgrounds. "Playground is awesome for little kids. Amazing play structure," reports Ryan O. about facilities at Flowing Lake Park.

    Field sports: Open spaces provide recreational options beyond water 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 Andrea R. about the layout at Gold Basin Campground.

    What campers like

    Riverside sites: Gold Basin Campground provides direct water access from many campsites. "The sites are large but close together. There is a huge grass field with plenty of space... The river is gorgeous, so get a site along the river obviously!" advises Andrea R.

    Diverse accommodations: Options range from tent sites to alternative lodging. "Spent a night in the yurt. Everything worked," shares Chris A. about his experience at Tolt MacDonald Park, noting the "yurt was clean and warm" despite visiting during cooler weather.

    Privacy levels: Site separation varies between campgrounds. "Some campsites are more secluded, shaded, and private than others, but the variety is nice," explains Maria S. about Verlot Campground, adding that "though it can be pretty busy, is awesome overall."

    Off-season quiet: Many campers appreciate reduced crowds during shoulder seasons. "I was in spot 13, which I had heard from other reviews and the camp host was the best, and I agree," reports Kyna M., who camped at Verlot mid-week in early season when "I had it pretty much to myself."

    What you should know

    Campground sizes: Space dimensions vary widely between locations. "Most RV spots are wide enough for 2 vehicles, except pull through spots which are pretty long," explains Ryan O. about Flowing Lake Park & Campground.

    Water availability: Not all campgrounds maintain consistent water service. "Potable water not available, there was a sign directing you to Verlot for water," reports Douglas H. about Gold Basin Campground.

    Bathroom facilities: Toilet types and conditions differ significantly. "The toilets were clean but dark, needed headlamps even if it was daylight and cloudy," notes Rain R. about Gold Basin facilities.

    Reservation systems: Booking requirements change seasonally. "Due to flooding damages the sites are currently first come first served, but generally they are reservable," explains Andrea R. regarding Gold Basin Campground's policy fluctuations.

    Tips for camping with families

    Easy access sites: Choose locations with minimal hiking to reach amenities. "This park is big, beautiful, and very family friendly," writes Dawnielle C. about Tolt MacDonald, noting "There are plenty of huge camping spots that include fire pits, picnic tables, and room for your car."

    Water safety precautions: River access points require supervision. "Sit at the site supervise the kids through echolocation and it's all good," suggests C.M. about Gold Basin, adding "You could possibly even bring a small tube and find a little run into the slow water area."

    Temperature preparation: Evening conditions require layering options. "We left the fly off of our tent. Bugs were minimal," reports Rain R. about summer camping at Gold Basin, though riverside locations can experience significant temperature drops after sunset.

    Pet-friendly trails: Wallace Falls State Park Campground connects to moderate hiking trails accessible with dogs. "The hike to Wallace Falls (lower & upper) is moderate & enjoyable. The 'wooded hike' meanders along the Wallace River," explains Josiah P.

    Tips from RVers

    Leveling requirements: Some sites offer naturally flat surfaces. "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," shares Russ H. about Tolt MacDonald Park.

    Utility hookup variations: Service quality differs between campgrounds. "Has water electric and token showers. No dump spot!" cautions Kirby M. about Flowing Lake Park, while Thousand Trails Thunderbird offers different hookup configurations with Robert K. noting, "we choose a site on the other side of the road due to the full hookup there."

    Road access considerations: Route quality affects larger vehicles. "The road is well maintained, and campsites have lots of privacy," explains Aigul C. about Middle Fork Campground, making it suitable for RVs despite its more remote location.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Startup, WA?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Startup, WA is Verlot Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 17 reviews.

    What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Startup, WA?

    TheDyrt.com has all 180 dog-friendly camping locations near Startup, WA, with real photos and reviews from campers.