Camping near Sumner, Washington typically operates within seasonal windows from April through mid-December, with several state parks remaining accessible year-round. The region sits at elevations ranging from 50 to 800 feet above sea level, creating varied camping conditions with temperature shifts between lowland areas and higher elevation sites. Most campgrounds receive 40-50 inches of annual rainfall, concentrated primarily between November and March.
What to Do
Trail exploration near river campsites: South Prairie Creek RV Park provides direct access to the Foothills Trail, a 15-mile paved path connecting several Pierce County communities. "The grounds are very nice, looking forward to coming back," notes a camper who appreciated the convenient trail access.
Saltwater beach activities: Dash Point State Park Campground offers beach access for tide pool exploration during low tide, which occurs twice daily. "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!!" writes one visitor who enjoyed the waterfront.
Aviation watching: Saltwater State Park Campground provides an unintentional aircraft observation experience. "Commercial jets landing at Sea-Tac fly directly above us at a low altitude and are VERY loud and VERY frequent (every 3-5 minutes), so if you don't mind the noise, or LOVE airplanes (like we do), this is an Awesome campground!!!" explains a reviewer who turned the airport proximity into a feature rather than a drawback.
What Campers Like
Privacy between sites: Kanaskat-Palmer State Park receives consistent praise for site separation. "Sites and roads are paved. The sites are large and pretty private. We have stayed in site 42 which is a back in spot with fire pit and table above the back of the pad," reports a regular visitor who appreciates the layout.
Clean facilities: Sun Outdoors Gig Harbor maintains high standards for amenities. "The facilities and grounds are clean and well cared for. I stayed for almost three weeks and it was quiet and relaxing, despite how close together the sites are," notes a long-term camper who found the park comfortable despite site proximity.
Urban convenience with forest feel: Game Farm Wilderness Campground balances natural settings with urban access. "Just exploring for future spots! Private as all get out," observed a visitor scouting camping options, highlighting the unusual privacy for an in-city campground.
What You Should Know
Reservation policies vary significantly: Netties Mountain View Retreat has limited sites requiring advance booking. "We drive up nearly dark. The lights were magical. It wasn't until morning that our surprise was revealed by the mountain range and Mt. Rainier," recounts a camper who arrived without reservations and found accommodation.
Age restrictions at some parks: Enumclaw Expo Center RV Park implements specific vehicle policies. "It looks really nice but they don't allow drop-ins or vehicles older than 20 yrs," reports a potential camper who was unable to stay due to these restrictions.
Security considerations: Saltwater State Park displays warning signage about potential theft. "It's kinda unsettling though seeing signs that it's a high theft area," notes a camper who still managed to enjoy their stay despite initial concerns about security.
Tips for Camping with Families
River access safety: Kanaskat-Palmer State Park requires caution with children near water. "The riverfront accessed from the campground tends to be a bit too raging for my taste with children. We usually take the kids to the lake at Nolte state park (approx. 3 miles away) for water play," advises a parent who camps regularly at the park.
Park ranger presence: Kanaskat-Palmer State Park maintains active ranger patrols. "This campground is heavily patrolled by the park rangers. I usually have contact with them in my campsite at least twice a day. My point with this is, if you are a large group, like to stay up late and listen to music and/or party it might not be the campground for you," explains a regular visitor who appreciates the security but notes the strict rule enforcement.
Alternative water play: Dash Point State Park offers safer water options for families. "Facilities were good and trails around are fun and easy enough for me and 2 kids. The beach and its tides are why we came," shares a parent who found the park suitable for children.
Tips from RVers
Site spacing considerations: Sun Outdoors Gig Harbor offers well-maintained but compact sites. "The spaces are very close together, but there are a lot of trees and it's very well kept," notes an RVer who stayed for several weeks.
Full hookup availability: Kanaskat-Palmer State Park provides limited electrical service. "One loop has electricity (no water or sewer hookups but has a dump station) and the other does not. It has 6 very clean individual (one person) bathrooms with a shower in each," details a regular camper who appreciates the facilities despite limited hookups.
Access limitations: Game Farm Wilderness Campground has arrival time restrictions. "This looked like a pretty good campground. I could see open tenting spots from the road, even! But I was unable to get in early in the evening with nowhere else to go. Too strict!" warns an RVer who arrived after hours and was turned away.
