Camping opportunities near Sultan, Washington center around the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest with elevations ranging from 500 to 5,000 feet. Many sites feature old growth forest terrain and direct river access. Summer temperatures typically reach 75°F while spring and fall camping often requires preparation for overnight temperatures in the 40s.
What to do
River fishing access: Clear Creek Campground offers direct access to the Sauk River for fishing enthusiasts. Located just 10 minutes from Darrington, the campground has 13 sites with "river access [that] is nice and hiking right from the campground," according to Jennifer H. The rocky shores make for easy exploration and fishing spots.
Suspension bridge exploring: At Tolt MacDonald Park, visitors can cross the distinctive suspension bridge for hiking trails and river access. A camper shared, "If you venture across the Shakey bridge there are hiking trails, access to the water, and plenty of trees to hang your hammock in." The park connects to numerous trails suitable for day hiking.
Alpine hiking: Bedal Campground provides an excellent base camp for nearby Mountain Loop Highway trails. The campground sits among old growth forest just off the gravel portion of Mountain Loop. As Graham C. notes, "if you're hiking on trails like Goat Lake, Perry Creek, or Mt. Dickerman, it's very close." This makes it ideal for multi-day hiking adventures.
What campers like
Private forest settings: Many sites at Middle Fork Campground offer secluded camping in lush forested settings. "It provides a lot of shade to most sites," notes one camper about the old growth canopy. Visitors appreciate the separation between campsites, with Douglas S. commenting on "the crazy amount of small waterfalls/cascades on the way in."
Animal interactions: Beyond alpacas at Paca Pride, other campgrounds provide wildlife viewing opportunities. At Blue Sky RV Park, visitors describe it as a "quiet oasis tucked into the forest" where wildlife sightings are common. The park maintains clean facilities with paved, level pads suitable for various RV sizes.
Year-round availability: Several campgrounds near Sultan remain open through winter months. Tall Chief Campground offers camping regardless of season, with a reviewer noting, "We love Tall Chief because it is super close to a lot of great spots around the Seattle region." Winter campers should prepare for wet conditions but can enjoy significantly reduced crowds.
What you should know
Road conditions: Access to campgrounds like Bedal requires driving on gravel roads with occasional potholes. Jules R. mentions about Mountain Loop roads: "The roads leading in from I90 were passable but confusing with 'Road Closed' signage when the road wasn't actually closed." Always check road conditions before departure, especially during spring snowmelt.
Water availability: Not all campgrounds provide drinking water. Maria S. warns about Clear Creek: "BE AWARE THERE IS NO WATER HERE. Repeat, there is no water spouts here, so you'll have to bring all you need." Campgrounds with running water typically shut off services during freezing months.
Reservation needs: During peak season (June-September), campsites fill quickly. For glamping close to Sultan, Washington at locations like Vasa Park Resort, advance booking is essential. As one visitor noted, "We were able to grab a last minute reservation thanks to a FT resident leaving for service." Off-season camping offers more flexibility.
Tips for camping with families
Wildlife education opportunities: Prepare a wildlife identification guide for educational camping near Sultan. At Bedal Campground, one camper reported, "There is an active 'problem bear' around this campground. A cooler got raided the morning of August 1." Turn this into a learning opportunity about proper food storage.
Water safety planning: When camping with children near rivers, bring life vests. At Clear Creek Campground, Victoria C. shares that "the rocky shores of the river made for easy and fun exploring," but notes the "constant and soothing dull roar of the river" indicates strong currents requiring supervision.
Activity backup plans: Pack games and activities for rainy days common in this region. At Dash Point State Park Campground, visitors appreciate the "walking trails" and indoor options when weather turns. A camper noted, "The campground itself is tucked into a beautiful, forested area with plenty of trees and privacy between sites."
Tips from RVers
Power management: Many campgrounds near Sultan offer only 30-amp service. At Tall Chief Campground, Derek & Alex W. advise, "Normally 30 amp posts are sufficient but we ended up here during a heat wave and an entire section of the park blew after having several days of power issues." Bring adapters and manage electrical usage accordingly.
Dump station planning: Few glamping sites close to Sultan, Washington offer full hookups. Russ H. from Tolt MacDonald notes, "There's a charge dump station at the ministorage at the turn off." Plan your waste tank usage for longer stays or identify nearby dump stations.
Cell service considerations: Forest coverage affects connectivity. At Tall Chief, a camper advises: "Another thing that can be annoying is trying to find a site with good cell reception due to all the trees... 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."
