Charlie Y.
Guide
GuideLake Pleasant RV Park
Cross country travelers
Nice urban RV campground.,..good location and price if you are visiting the Seattle area.....I would camp here again if need be. Clean, safe, secure
Camping near Tacoma, WA
291 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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Campgrounds surrounding Tacoma, Washington feature a mix of state parks and military-managed recreation areas suitable for various camping preferences. Dash Point State Park Campground provides developed sites with full hookups and beach access just 30 minutes from SeaTac Airport. Penrose Point and Saltwater State Parks offer additional waterfront camping options with amenities including fire pits, picnic tables, and restrooms. Military installations including Joint Base Lewis-McChord operate several campgrounds with cabin accommodations and RV sites, though some require military affiliation for access.
Most developed campgrounds in the Tacoma region operate year-round, with peak season running May through September when reservations become essential. State park campgrounds typically require advance booking through the Washington State Parks reservation system, while military campgrounds have separate reservation processes. Sites with electric hookups, water access, and shower facilities are common at developed campgrounds near Tacoma, though they vary in availability. Many campgrounds provide both tent and RV sites with specific limitations on vehicle length. "Easily accessible escape from the city life! After flying into SeaTac late in the afternoon this campground was a great place to start our Washington trip and only about 30 minutes from the airport," noted one visitor about Dash Point State Park.
The proximity to Puget Sound creates distinctive camping experiences with saltwater beaches, forested settings, and mountain views. Campers frequently mention the convenience of staying near urban amenities while enjoying natural surroundings. One camper shared that Dash Point offers "spacious spots, although the sites aren't huge, they are wooded enough to provide decent privacy." Campgrounds in the region typically provide clean facilities with flush toilets and hot showers, though shower tokens may be required at some locations. Site privacy varies considerably between campgrounds, with Dash Point receiving positive reviews for its secluded individual sites. The Tacoma region's mixed-use campgrounds accommodate diverse outdoor activities including hiking, swimming, boating and fishing, making them popular destinations for weekend getaways from Seattle and surrounding metropolitan areas.
Best Campgrounds near Tacoma (291)
1. Dash Point State Park Campground
"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."
from $23 - $80 / night
Check Availability2. Penrose Point State Park Campground
"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."
from $12 - $72 / night
Check Availability3. Sun Outdoors Gig Harbor
"Close by stores, trails, parks, harbor. Tacoma across bridge (10 minutes - $6.25 toll)."
"Costco, Home Depot, Albertsons and other shopping close by."
from $57 - $104 / night
Check Availability4. Holiday Park Military - Lewis McChord Base
"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."
5. Saltwater State Park Campground
"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"
from $23 - $35 / night
Check Availability6. Lewis North Travel Camp - Joint Base Lewis McChord
"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."
from $12 - $35 / night
Check Availability7. Joemma Beach State Park Campground
"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."
from $12 / night
Check Availability8. Camp Murray Beach
"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."
from $8 - $32 / night
Check Availability9. Kanaskat-Palmer State Park
"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!"
from $23 - $254 / night
Check Availability10. Lakebay Getaway
"The location is great, so close to the water, Penrose and other peninsula activities."
"Great location if you want to relax and take long walks at nearby state parks and beaches. Robyn is a spectacular host who was great to communicate with. We will be coming back."
from $50 / night
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Drive Time
- 24 min from Olympia, WA
- 25 min from Bremerton, WA
- 30 min from Seattle, WA
- 1 hr 27 min from Longview, WA
Recent Camping Photos near Tacoma, WA
422 Photos of 291 Tacoma Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Recent Reviews near Tacoma, WA
1505 Reviews of 291 Tacoma Campgrounds
Emmi O.GuideKanaskat-Palmer State Park
Good place to stay overnight
We spent one night here. Short walk to the riverside.
- SSam B.
ScoutAlder Lake Campground
Nice not during holiday weekends
Labor Day weekend was nearly packed full, plus visiting friends and family. It was almost too busy. But after everyone left, it was a lot more peaceful and quiet. Many walking paths for walks (people or with a dog). I wish speakers were actually not allowed. Headphones or ear buds is a more considerate way to listen to music while in close proximity to others.
- AAmandaScout
Forest Road 7300 Pull-Off
Someone trashed the site and left used toilet paper everywhere
We left someone left trash everywhere
- LLori R.Guide
Schafer State Park Campground
One of Our Favorite Stays Yet: Riverside Calm at Schafer State Park
One of our favorite stays so far. Schafer State Park has everything you actually want in a campground: flush toilets, hot showers, potable water, and hookups if you need them. The hiking is excellent for how compact the park is—easy, mossy forest loops and river-edge paths that feel much bigger than two miles. The park is split into two worlds: the older West Campground and a newer East side (about three years old). We chose the “old” side for its first-come, first-served sites. They felt private and spacious, with the East Fork Satsop River running right behind us. Kids’ laughter and happy dogs mixed with the sound of the water—this place is very family- and dog-oriented in the best way. We loved it. We were honestly surprised sites were still available over Labor Day weekend. We’ll definitely be back
- LLori R.Guide
Falls View Campground
Quiet forest camping at Falls View — spacious Site 12, a steep river hike, and Highway 101 for a soundtrack
Falls View Campground is a small, primitive U.S. Forest Service campground in Olympic National Forest, about 3.5 miles south of Quilcene on Highway 101. We spent two quiet nights here and had the place mostly to ourselves. That emptiness is the tradeoff: no potable water (the campground is under redesign), vault toilets only, no hookups, and first-come, first-served sites. If you want flush toilets and a water spigot, this is not it. If you want tall timber, a river below you, and room to breathe, it works. We stayed in Site 12, one of the newer spots. It was spacious, with good privacy from the next site and easy pull-through options for a van. Picnic table, fire ring, and enough gravel pad to park without a scramble. The campground map notes that Sites 1, 2, 3, and 9 are small and limited to car/truck campers; 12 felt like a different category. Payment is cashless. You can occupy a site, then either scan the QR code with the Recreation.gov app or drive about three miles north to the fee machine at Quilcene Ranger Station (295142 US-101). Official rate is $10 per night for a single site, plus $5 for an extra vehicle. Display the receipt on the site post. The Falls View Canyon Trail starts in the campground and drops to the Big Quilcene River. It is not an easy stroll. What goes down must come up, and the climb is steep — switchbacks, stairs in places, and enough grade to make you notice. The payoff is the river: mossy basalt, clear water, and that classic Olympic Peninsula green. There is also a shorter loop to a viewpoint of the waterfall plunging toward the river. Bring water; there is none at the campground. Highway 101 is close enough that you hear traffic. It did not ruin the stay for us, but light sleepers or people hunting total silence should know that going in. Pets must be leashed. Season is roughly May through September. Bottom line: Cheap, quiet, and pretty if you are self-contained and okay with vault toilets and a steep hike. Site 12 was a winner. Pack your own water and expect the highway
- JJude B.Scout
View Disperesed Camping
Beautiful road side spot on a cliff
Very rough and narrow road that follows a cliff face. 4wd not needed but sedan or mid sized truck would be most practical. Go past the marker just a little bit and there is good sized pullouts with fire rings.
- JJennifer M.
TravelerOlympia Campground
Very quiet and great people!
I stayed there for one night on my way back to Seattle, and it was perfect for what I needed. Very quiet back there. The people were all super nice and accommodating. They had a dump site, restrooms outside and heated restrooms attached to the office area. I really loved that two of the permanent residents would do security at night as well. Being a woman and traveling alone, that made me feel very safe. Highly recommend this place!
Lyle M.ScoutDispersed Camping FS-025
Great quiet spot
Nice spot off the road if you dont need any hookups with Great wake up scenery
Down a little one width track which is quite rugged but managed in a van with no major issue and space to spin round even if a little tight
Private property markers on trees/gates to look out for on the way down
Guide to Tacoma
Campsites near Tacoma provide access to diverse waterways including Puget Sound and American Lake across western Washington. The region's temperate climate allows for camping from early spring through late fall, with some campgrounds remaining accessible year-round. Summer temperatures typically range from 70-85°F during day, dropping to 50-60°F at night.
What to do
River activities: 30 minutes from Tacoma at Kanaskat-Palmer State Park where the Green River offers unique recreation opportunities. "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," shares one camper at Kanaskat-Palmer State Park.
Beach exploration: 45 minutes from downtown at Joemma Beach State Park for shoreline adventures. "You can walk along the beach as well. Long dock in the area where you can go fishing," notes a visitor to Joemma Beach State Park Campground. The park's distinctive pier extends into Puget Sound, providing unique fishing access.
Forest trails: 20 minutes east of Tacoma at Game Farm Wilderness Campground offering hiking through wooded areas. "This campground features a diverse landscape with wooded areas, meadows, and riverside views along the Stuck River," reports a camper, highlighting the natural diversity within city limits.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Penrose Point State Park provides well-separated camping spots. "Sites were reasonably private and quiet at night (except for a brief invasion of 6 raccoons at our site one night!)" notes a visitor to Penrose Point State Park Campground. The densely wooded setting creates natural barriers between campsites.
Heated bathrooms: Winter and shoulder season comfort at Kanaskat-Palmer State Park makes off-season camping more comfortable. "It has 6 very clean individual (one person) bathrooms with a shower in each," explains a regular visitor, mentioning the campground has "great clean and heated bathrooms."
Proximity to urban amenities: Convenience of camping without complete disconnection at Saltwater State Park. "It's a gorgeous park next to Puget Sound. Fairly safe since it's gated and a park ranger was there overnight," explains a visitor to Saltwater State Park Campground, noting the unusual combination of natural setting with urban security.
What you should know
Military access requirements: Several campgrounds near Tacoma require proper credentials. "This is a DoD facility, so will be helpful for Active, Reserve, Retired military only," explains a visitor to JBLM Travel Camp. Military-affiliated campgrounds often offer exceptional value but verify eligibility before planning.
Noise considerations: Airport proximity affects certain campsites. "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)," warns a camper at Saltwater State Park. Train noise also affects some campgrounds in the region.
Reservation timing: High demand requires advance planning. "Joemma State Park campground is no longer all first come first serve only. It is now reservable online, but if you get there and there is an available spot it is $12 a night that you pay at site," shares a recent visitor to Joemma Beach State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Water safety planning: Select appropriate swimming locations based on children's abilities. "The beach is a short walk from camp, just long enough to make you feel like you earned your sunset view, but not so long that you regret your life choices," shares a visitor to Dash Point State Park Campground, noting the beach is "more of a rocky, muddy beach than a sandy one."
Park ranger interactions: Expect regular enforcement at busier parks. "This campground is heavily patrolled by the park rangers. I usually have contact with them in my campsite at least twice a day," explains a family camper at Kanaskat-Palmer, adding they've "been asked by the park rangers at 10:01 p.m. to be quite" when children were talking too loudly.
Alternative swimming options: Consider nearby lakes when rivers prove challenging. "There are great hammock trees at nearly every site," notes a visitor to Kanaskat-Palmer State Park, while another mentions that when river conditions aren't suitable, Nolte State Park's lake provides a safer alternative for children just 3 miles away.
Tips from RVers
Hookup variations: Electrical access varies significantly between campgrounds. "Sites and roads are paved. Hook ups are electric only, bring your water," advises an RV camper at Sun Outdoors Gig Harbor, highlighting the importance of checking specific site utilities before arrival.
Leveling challenges: Some sites require extensive adjustment. "I only took away a star because it was advertised as ok for a Motorhome but the gravel pull through was so not level the jacks pushed the front tires 6 inches off the ground," warns an RVer at Kanaskat-Palmer State Park who brought a 30-foot motorhome.
Specialized campgrounds: Military-only facilities offer unique advantages. "W/s/e at each site. Great stay for the price. Laundry washers work well, but driers don't heat up," notes a military camper at Lewis North Travel Camp, adding it's "convenient to I5 and PX."
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best camping locations near Tacoma, Washington?
Where are the best camping locations near Tacoma, Washington?
Tacoma offers excellent camping options within a short drive. Dash Point State Park Campground is just twenty minutes from the city, featuring trails, beach access, and family-friendly amenities. For those willing to travel slightly farther, Belfair State Park Campground on Hood Canal provides opportunities for clamming and oyster harvesting. Other notable options include Penrose Point State Park for a quieter experience, Sun Outdoors Gig Harbor for RV camping with modern amenities, and the campgrounds at Mount Rainier National Park for more adventurous campers seeking mountain views and hiking trails.
What waterfront camping options are available near Tacoma?
What waterfront camping options are available near Tacoma?
The Tacoma area offers diverse waterfront camping experiences. Staircase Campground - Olympic National Park provides riverside sites with excellent water access along the right main loop. The Dalles Campground offers beautiful waterfront settings as well. Other waterfront options include Joemma Beach State Park on Puget Sound with beach access, Kanaskat-Palmer State Park along the Green River, and Dosewallips State Park where the river meets Hood Canal. Most waterfront sites are highly sought after, especially during summer months, so early reservations are recommended. These locations provide opportunities for swimming, fishing, kayaking, and enjoying scenic water views.
When is the best season for camping in the Tacoma area?
When is the best season for camping in the Tacoma area?
Late spring through early fall (May through September) offers the most pleasant camping weather in the Tacoma area. Summer months provide the warmest and driest conditions, making it ideal for enjoying outdoor activities. July and August are peak camping months with the most reliable weather, but also the busiest periods when campgrounds like Silver Springs Campground fill quickly. Fay Bainbridge Park is particularly popular in late July. For fewer crowds, consider the shoulder seasons of late May/June or September when temperatures remain comfortable but reservation competition decreases. Winter camping is possible but requires preparation for cold, wet conditions.
How much do campgrounds in Tacoma typically cost?
How much do campgrounds in Tacoma typically cost?
Campground prices around Tacoma vary based on amenities and location. State parks like Saltwater State Park Campground typically charge $25-40 per night for standard sites. Sun Outdoors Gig Harbor, an RV resort with full hookups, runs higher at approximately $45-70 depending on the season and site type. Military campgrounds like Holiday Park on Lewis McChord Base offer discounted rates for service members. Primitive camping options in national forests are more affordable at $5-20 per night. Most campgrounds charge additional fees for extra vehicles, and many require a Discover Pass ($10 daily/$30 annual) for day use areas. Reservation fees typically range from $5-10 per booking.
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