Several RV parks operate within driving distance of Startup, Washington, situated in the western foothills of the Cascade Mountains at an elevation of 584 feet. The area experiences a temperate climate with mild summers and cool, wet winters typical of the Pacific Northwest. Most campgrounds remain open year-round despite seasonal variations in precipitation, with heaviest rainfall occurring between November and March.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: At Cascade Kamloops RV Park in nearby Darrington, campers can fish in the on-site pond. "Cute little place. Laundry, fishing pond and restrooms," notes Jennifer H.
Explore trails: Tall Chief Campground provides access to numerous hiking paths in the Fall City area. "We love Tall Chief because it is super close to a lot of great spots around the Seattle region," explains Brodie D., adding that "It's super close (like 7 min drive) from one of my favorite coffee shops, Aroma Coffee Co."
Water activities: The Skykomish River runs near several Startup RV parks, offering seasonal kayaking and swimming opportunities. Robert K. mentions that at Thousand Trails Thunderbird, "some sites are directly next to the river," providing easy water access for guests.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Unlike crowded RV parks, some campgrounds offer spacious sites. Richard D. appreciated Tall Chief Campground because "if you enjoy a little distance between sites without sacrificing camp size line up here." Similarly, Kristin S. noted at Lake Pleasant that "the trees between spots offered a really nice level of privacy."
Well-maintained facilities: Lake Pleasant RV Park in Bothell earns praise for its upkeep. "The grounds are quiet... truly silent... save for the many geese that call the lake in the center of the property their home," writes Kristin S., while Tom C. highlights "Clean bathrooms and showers with lots of hot water."
Natural surroundings: Many RV parks near Startup maintain wooded settings despite proximity to urban areas. Adele W. describes Tall Chief as feeling "like you are deep in the PNW rainforest but you close to amenities and shopping," while Todd B. calls Blue Sky RV Park "A Quiet oasis tucked into the forest."
What you should know
Cell reception variations: Signal strength can fluctuate significantly at RV parks near Startup. Brodie D. advises about Tall Chief: "I would say 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!"
Road noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience traffic noise. Geoffrey W. warns about tent camping at Thousand Trails Thunderbird: "Tenting areas are 10-15 feet from the road, so very noisy all night long. The road is 35mph, so it's noisy."
Long-term residents: Several RV parks near Startup have significant numbers of permanent or seasonal occupants. At Issaquah Village RV Park, Wendy R. notes: "Most residents live here full time but there are always people coming in for overnights or weekly," while Mike V. observes Blue Sky RV Park has "Limited space, place is mostly long term users."
Tips for camping with families
Recreational amenities: Many RV parks offer family-friendly facilities. Dave S. mentions Blue Sky has "Mini golf basket ball court, lakes, bingo, free donuts and coffee," providing options for children.
Animal watching: Lake Pleasant RV Park features resident wildlife that children enjoy. Kristin S. describes: "Lots of folks walk around the park roads. Many tenants are monthly, if not longer, and they seem to have an overflow area for folks waiting for a spot to open up." Terri adds that "Lots of geese, ducks, and bunnies are around the property."
Site selection strategy: When camping with kids, choose strategic locations. Mareesha B. recommends Trailer Inns: "This is a perfect place for dropping your mobile hotel room and explore Seattle and the surrounding areas. There are clean bathrooms, laundromat and rec room. We have 5 kids and wanted to explore the area without having to travel for more than 10-15min to downtown Seattle."
Tips from RVers
Seasonal booking patterns: RV parks near Startup fill quickly during peak season. Dene H. notes that at Lake Pleasant, "During the peak season all monthly visitors have to move on to other parks or pay triple the price."
Storage options: Some parks offer temporary RV storage. John M. found Lake Pleasant particularly convenient: "They also have a small storage lot that can accommodate short storage. I camped, stored my camper while I went on a cruise, camped and then headed out for the remainder of an around the country journey."
Hook-up limitations: Not all RV parks offer full hookups year-round. David O. shares about Tall Chief: "Stayed 3 months for work, perfect beautiful, CHEEP CHEEP, not too good to be true, just right. All hook ups included. (Bring your dump tote!) easy easy easy dump station."
