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Best Campgrounds near Tacoma, WA

1,300 Reviews

Tacoma, Washington has several camping spots nearby, with state parks being the main draw. Dash Point State Park Campground sits just a short drive away, with good-sized sites and quick access to both hiking trails and beach areas. Penrose Point State Park Campground lets you camp close to the water, making it easy to fish or take a kayak out. You'll likely see wildlife around both parks, so store your food properly to keep animals away. You should book ahead, particularly in summer when these places get busy fast. During dry weather, fire bans might be in effect, so it's smart to check rules before you go. Most camping areas near Tacoma require permits that you can get online or when you arrive at the park. You can stay up to 14 days at most sites, giving you plenty of time to check out the surrounding area. Tacoma's nearby campgrounds work well as a home base for day trips and outdoor activities.

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Best Camping Sites Near Tacoma, Washington (268)

    1. Dash Point State Park Campground

    68 Reviews
    Federal Way, WA
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 226-7688

    $20 / night

    "If you are in Tacoma and dont have a chance to get to the East side or the coast, head to Dash Point."

    "The campground for Dash point State Park is across the highway from the actual park, but offers lots of trails and hiking in and around the ocean and forest."

    2. Penrose Point State Park Campground

    19 Reviews
    Lakebay, WA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 226-7688

    $32 / night

    "Pros: group camp is very close to beach front area, GREAT CLAMMING AND OYSTERING!"

    "Penrose Point State Park is a great place close to Seattle to go camping in a small or large group. It's tent or camper friendly with plenty of spots for busier seasons."

    3. Game Farm Wilderness Campground

    13 Reviews
    Auburn, WA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (253) 931-3043

    $40 / night

    "Just like building and exploring in Minecraft for PC, you can craft your perfect outdoor adventure here, surrounded by nature, and enjoy endless fun and exploration."

    4. Saltwater State Park Campground

    13 Reviews
    Des Moines, WA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (253) 661-4956

    $60 / night

    "My family stayed here for a night when we went out to Washington a few months ago. It was a nice little place."

    "Pay showers ($1 for 3 minutes) and clean restroom with air dryer, pet friendly, lots of trails to hike and a beautiful beach area with a playground, seasonal/weekend snack shop, outdoor shower by the beach"

    5. Sun Outdoors Gig Harbor

    9 Reviews
    Gig Harbor, WA
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (253) 858-8138

    $57 - $104 / night

    "Close by stores, trails, parks, harbor. Tacoma across bridge (10 minutes - $6.25 toll)."

    "Costco, Home Depot, Albertsons and other shopping close by."

    6. Holiday Park Military - Lewis McChord Base

    7 Reviews
    Spanaway, WA
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (253) 982-5488

    "Excellent location for those with military access to the base - active duty, retired or family. 30/50 amp hookups. Beautiful views of American Lake. Pet friendly."

    "It is in the wilderness, on the lake, but it is also fairly close to stores and gas stations. Long term max is 28 days per spot."

    7. Lewis North Travel Camp - Joint Base Lewis McChord

    5 Reviews
    DuPont, WA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (253) 967-7744

    $12 - $35 / night

    "Very friendly next to the lake plenty of things to do walking, biking, hiking, fishing, Military museums, not to far off of I-5. Full hookups laundry shower facilities. Cabins too."

    "Unfortunately the restrooms right next to our site were closed so it was a slight walk to the nearest restroom. Restrooms were heated and well taken care of."

    8. Joemma Beach State Park Campground

    10 Reviews
    Lakebay, WA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (253) 884-1944

    $12 / night

    "We arrived little later around 6 p.m. And being such a nice day there were only few sites left."

    "Conveniently located right next to the bathroom with an area for parking two vehicles. I have AT&T and had good service in this spot."

    9. Camp Murray Beach

    3 Reviews
    DuPont, WA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (253) 584-5411

    $8 - $32 / night

    "Need to reserve your site online with the JBLM MWR or go to the adventure center building nearby on base. Nice access to American Lake and fishing nearby as well."

    "This is a great spot on American Lake to camp with many sites on the waterfront. I would highly recommend this location to eligible military ID Card holders."

    10. Kanaskat-Palmer State Park

    29 Reviews
    Ravensdale, WA
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 226-7688

    $20 / night

    "There is good system of trails, tons of picnic tables along the river, and good river access to the Green rivers.

    Campground is well maintained, clean bathrooms and showers available."

    "It's close proximity to our house allows us to hook up the trailer after work and include a Friday night in our camping weekend!"

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410 Photos of 268 Tacoma Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Tacoma, WA

1300 Reviews of 268 Tacoma Campgrounds

Guide to Tacoma

Camping near Tacoma, WA, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a family-friendly spot or a peaceful retreat, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Hiking and Wildlife Watching: Many campgrounds, like Dash Point State Park Campground, have trails where you can hike and spot wildlife. One visitor mentioned, "Several miles of hiking trails and chances to see wildlife or catch frogs."
  • Beach Access: Campgrounds such as Dosewallips State Park Campground provide access to beautiful beaches. A reviewer noted, "The beach itself is fairly large with plenty of space to stretch out."
  • Fishing and Kayaking: At Penrose Point State Park Campground, you can enjoy fishing and kayaking. One camper shared, "We caught a bunch of little trout (catch and release) with the kids and kayaked around."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A visitor at Alder Lake Park said, "The bathrooms are very nice. They charge a nominal fee for the showers but they have great water pressure and hot water."
  • Friendly Staff: Many campgrounds have helpful hosts. A family at Belfair State Park Campground shared, "They got us into an emergency spot... they even checked on us each day to make sure everything was going well."
  • Spacious Campsites: Campers enjoy having room to spread out. A reviewer at Kanaskat-Palmer State Park mentioned, "The campground is nice and clean... the sites afford good privacy between sites."

What you should know:

  • Noise Levels: Some campgrounds can be noisy due to nearby roads or other campers. A visitor at Potlatch State Park Campground noted, "The sites are dramatically close, so there is little to no privacy if it was busy."
  • Reservations Recommended: Popular spots fill up quickly, especially during weekends. A camper at Millersylvania State Park Campground advised, "Probably need to reserve far in advance."
  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds may not have all the amenities you expect. A visitor at Fay Bainbridge Park mentioned, "The campground was loud... the toilet for the campground was out of order."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and open spaces. A family at Dosewallips State Park Campground said, "There are lots of families -- meaning, kids running around and riding bikes."
  • Safety First: Choose sites that are away from busy roads. A camper at Millersylvania State Park Campground warned about a site that was "downwind of the dump station and dumpsters."
  • Pack for Rain: The weather can be unpredictable, so bring rain gear. A visitor at Alder Lake Park noted, "It rained a couple of nights but being surrounded by huge trees made it really cozy."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Size: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Kanaskat-Palmer State Park mentioned, "The campground is in two loops: one with electric hookups and one without."
  • Use Full Hookups: Look for campgrounds with full hookups for convenience. A visitor at Potlatch State Park Campground appreciated having "water, power AND its own sewer hook up."
  • Plan for Limited Cell Service: Some areas may have poor reception. A camper at Kanaskat-Palmer State Park noted, "Surprisingly we had zero cell coverage."

Camping near Tacoma, WA, has something for everyone, whether you're in a tent or an RV. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Tacoma, WA?

According to TheDyrt.com, Tacoma, WA offers a wide range of camping options, with 268 campgrounds and RV parks near Tacoma, WA and 29 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Tacoma, WA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Tacoma, WA is Dash Point State Park Campground with a 3.9-star rating from 68 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Tacoma, WA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 29 free dispersed camping spots near Tacoma, WA.

What parks are near Tacoma, WA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 14 parks near Tacoma, WA that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.

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