Pet friendly camping near Tacoma, Washington features several accessible options within a 40-mile radius of the city. The region's moderate maritime climate keeps temperatures between 35-80°F year-round, with most rainfall occurring from October through April. Many campgrounds in the area sit at relatively low elevations (under 600 feet), making them accessible for most of the year despite seasonal rain.
What to do
Explore tidal areas: At Joemma Beach State Park, visitors can walk along the beach at low tide. "There's a day use lake and we had a wonderful time camping here!" shares Brittany L., highlighting the water activities available.
Hike forest trails: Several campgrounds offer wooded hiking options through evergreen forests. "The campground loop is a nice walk or cruise on a bike. There is easy access to a beautiful stretch of the Green River, with picnicking areas and walking trails," notes Shay F. about Kanaskat-Palmer State Park.
Kayak and paddleboard: Water activities are popular in summer months. Deep Lake near Kanaskat-Palmer is "beautiful and great for swimming and paddle boarding," according to Ashlie M., who appreciated being close to multiple water recreation options.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Penrose Point State Park Campground gets high marks for site separation. "Sites were reasonably private and quiet at night (except for a brief invasion of 6 raccoons at our site one night!)," writes Rachel, highlighting the natural setting.
Clean facilities: Bathroom cleanliness matters to campers. At Kanaskat-Palmer State Park, Julie M. appreciated that "Bathrooms are super nice - each is private with a shower. Camp staff were pleasant and helpful."
Urban accessibility: Many campers value Sun Outdoors Gig Harbor for its convenient location. "Very close to Gig Harbor. Quiet, lots of trees, level gravel sites, and full hook ups available," notes Steven L., emphasizing how the campground balances nature with urban amenities.
What you should know
Campground security varies: Some areas have more security oversight than others. At Dash Point State Park Campground, Evan F. notes: "Cleanliness, peace and quiet, and ease of access are all strengths of Dash Point."
Weather preparedness: The Pacific Northwest can be wet, even in summer. "We went here in October and dry camped with our 30' Motorhome," says Cody F. about Kanaskat-Palmer, mentioning the beautiful trails that wrapped around the river despite the fall weather.
Reservation timing: Most parks fill quickly during peak season (May-September). For Penrose Point, Adrienne Q. recommends planning ahead: "The campground was full with lots of families with young kids but the sites felt relatively private and the whole park is heavily wooded."
Tips for camping with families
River access options: For families with children, consider water safety at different campgrounds. Kelly P. notes about Kanaskat-Palmer: "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."
Ranger presence: Some campgrounds have more staff oversight. "This campground is heavily patrolled by the park rangers. I usually have contact with them in my campsite at least twice a day," mentions Kelly P., which provides security but might impact evening activities.
Junior Ranger programs: Educational opportunities exist at several parks. At Penrose Point State Park, Sarah H. appreciated that "the kids enjoyed taking part in the junior ranger program. Our family camps often, and Penrose stands out as one of our top experiences."
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: At Kanaskat-Palmer State Park, Cody F. found: "The gravel pull through was so not level the jacks pushed the front tires 6 inches off the ground. But there was lots of private space and the trails were beautiful."
Hookup specifics: Know which parks have full hookups versus partial. At Game Farm Wilderness Campground, campers can access "18 campsites with water and electricity hookups, picnic tables, and fire pits," making it suitable for RVs requiring these amenities.
Dump station availability: Not all parks with RV sites have dump stations. Jay F. found Kanaskat-Palmer's "dump station clean and well maintained" and appreciated that they could "fill up with some fresh water" there before setting up camp.
