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Best Campgrounds near Tenino, WA

988 Reviews

The Tenino, Washington area features several established campgrounds surrounded by forest land and recreational lakes within a short drive of Olympia. Millersylvania State Park Campground offers tent, RV, cabin, and glamping accommodations in a wooded setting around Deep Lake, providing both utility hookup sites and more rustic options. American Heritage Campground and Olympia Campground provide additional cabin camping opportunities within 15 miles of Tenino. Most sites in the region accommodate multiple camping styles including traditional tent sites, RV pads with hookups, and cabin rentals, with several campgrounds featuring waterfront access.

Many campgrounds in the area remain open year-round with varying levels of amenities and privacy. A recent visitor noted, "This is a nice woodsy campground just south of Olympia, WA located on Deep lake. It has a very old growth forest feel to it." Site reservations are highly recommended, especially during summer months when waterfront locations fill quickly. The terrain throughout the region includes both open meadows and densely forested areas, with most campgrounds offering basic amenities like water access, fire rings, and picnic tables. Road access is generally good with paved roads leading to most established campgrounds, though some tent-only areas may require short walks from parking areas.

Campers consistently mention the lake access and swimming opportunities as highlights of camping near Tenino. Millersylvania State Park receives particular attention for its lake activities, hiking trails and family-friendly atmosphere. A camper described the experience: "There's camping, hiking, swimming, fishing, and lots more. Mostly I just take my family there to hike the trails. It's beautiful." The camping areas near Tenino balance proximity to services with a feeling of forest seclusion, making them popular for weekend getaways from both Seattle and Portland. Site privacy varies considerably between campgrounds, with RV sections typically offering less seclusion than tent-specific areas. Several campgrounds feature communal facilities like outdoor kitchens, making them suitable for larger group camping experiences while still providing access to individual sites.

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Best Camping Sites Near Tenino, Washington (220)

    1. Millersylvania State Park Campground

    34 Reviews
    Tenino, WA
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 226-7688

    $12 - $45 / night

    "This is a very nice, typical Washington state park with plenty of trees, greenery, hiking, pathways and even a lake."

    "This is a beautiful park located on Deep Lake just outside of Olympia.  The park itself is huge offering lots of options for campers.  "

    2. American Heritage Campground

    16 Reviews
    Tumwater, WA
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 943-8778

    $40 - $60 / night

    "We had a little trouble finding this spot because an industrial area moved in around the campground.  Signs tell you where it is, but it feels wrong."

    "Site #5 is close to main office where you can get wifi if you want, we declined though. Restrooms were good. No issues. Will definitely return again soon!"

    3. Middle Waddell Campground

    8 Reviews
    Littlerock, WA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 825-1631

    "Just had to purchase a Washington state parks pass for $10. Had great biking and atv trails right by the campground."

    "Close to town yet still secluded in the woods. Tons of trails for hiking, horses and dirt bikes! Plenty of sites for trailers and tents. Vault toilets, picnic tables, fire rings and water hook ups."

    4. Alder Lake Park

    31 Reviews
    La Grande, WA
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 569-2778

    "It's about an hours drive from Paradise, which makes it less ideal than Cougar Rock if that's your destination, but the reservations do not fill up nearly as quickly."

    "Walking distance to the day use beach area. Very clean showers. Well maintained sites and fire wood for sale with the camp host. A great spot for exploring near Mt. Rainer."

    5. Thousand Trails Chehalis

    12 Reviews
    Onalaska, WA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "Thousand Trails Chehalis We stay two nights from August 31st through September 2, 2019 in campsite H43, the price was$o.oo due to our Thousand Trails membership."

    "We paid, then they let us drive around until we found a spot to our liking. They have RV hookups and everything, but they also have primitive camping sites for tents with river access."

    6. Olympia Campground

    7 Reviews
    Tumwater, WA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 352-2551

    "The staff was so friendly and the surroundings fairly peaceful and wooded. This isn’t fancy, and there are quite a few long-timers, but it was as expected."

    "Good location and good price that felt safe. Okay spot to stop for RVs passing through. Also has a store, laundry, and the bathrooms were clean."

    7. Ike Kinswa State Park Campground

    30 Reviews
    Mossyrock, WA
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 226-7688

    "One of my favorite campgrounds in Washington! Lots of camping spots right on Lake Mayfield with tons of trails in and around the campground."

    "Let me start off by saying - if there are so many campsites in Washington, why would you want to stay at the same place multiple times??? Ike Kinswa is the place I would stay at repeatedly."

    8. Margaret McKenny Equestrian Campground

    4 Reviews
    Littlerock, WA
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (800) 527-3305

    "Completely dispersed tent or rv camping with a Washington Discovery Pass ($35 year) otherwise FREE for up too 7 days."

    "There’s hiking trails all around you!"

    9. Deep Lake Resort

    2 Reviews
    Tenino, WA
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 352-7388

    10. Sasquatch Farm

    4 Reviews
    Yelm, WA
    12 miles
    +1 (360) 473-8447

    $20 - $50 / night

    "It's ffs camping, but it was the middle of the week so I had no trouble snagging a spot around 7."

    "They took us around the farm and showed us the animals. We have a 38-foot trailer and had plenty of room to back in. At the end of the day, soaking in the hot tub was the best!"

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Recent Camping Photos near Tenino, WA

285 Photos of 220 Tenino Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Tenino, WA

988 Reviews of 220 Tenino Campgrounds

  • Richard C.
    Oct. 3, 2025

    Silver Lake Resort

    Nice Place - Great Hosts

    This was a great place to stay at when visiting our daughter.  We checked in after hours and the hosts were waiting for us and even opened the store for us to get some ice.  They were very friendly and made sure we had all we needed.  Sadly Silverlake itself is not very clean due to Weyhauser logging they are ruining the lake but if you are staying in Castlerock/Silverlake area I would recommend staying here

  • Chris H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 3, 2025

    Mounthaven Resort

    Nice spot

    Very clean and quiet. Close to park entrance

  • Eun Ji L.
    Sep. 27, 2025

    Big Creek Campground

    I'm an avid camper - this was THE WORST experience ever.

    I'm an avid camper, and the experience I had at this campground with the host was ABSOLUTELY THE WORST ever. We arrived at the campground early to find the best spot as we were planning to take some outdoor wedding photos at the campsite the day after. It was not a busy season, so there were only a couple of sites occupied. We carefully selected a spot, paid for it, and posted the receipt on the site clip. I took a photo of both the envelope and the receipt clipped at the site. 

    After exploring the national park, we arrived at the campground at around 9pm. Most of the campsites were still unoccupied. To our surprise, when we arrived at our reserved spot, there was a group of people who took our campsite! They already put up their tent and a canopy as well. When I checked the pole where I clipped the receipt, it was GONE & REPLACED by someone else's!! When I talked to those people who took our campsite, there were already drunk and were at the verge of becoming hostile. But they did tell us that the host "allowed" them to take the spot. 

    Right then and there, we went to the host and explained the situation, and the host said (1) we never paid and that (2) there was no receipt clipped at the site. When I told him that that wasn't true, he proceeded to tell me that the information I wrote on the clip let him know that we were checking out today. So, for a second, I thought maybe I wrote either the# of nights spent or check-out date incorrectly. But then, I remembered I took pictures of both the envelope and the receipt!! I showed the photos to him, then, of course, he could not lie his way out of this. 

    There was no apology, and he simply proceeded to tell us to sleep at one of the other available campsites. We were super furious because we had NEVER experienced this kind of rudeness, lies, and brazen behavior. As anyone can imagine, we did not want to spend another second there, so we demanded a refund, and "MIRACULOUSLY", the envelope (still glued) with our payment was found in his RV. 

    I'm reporting the host to the US Forest Service.

  • Sarah S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 26, 2025

    Lake Sylvia State Park Campground

    Lake Sylvia camping

    This little park ended up being cute. $41 a night for non residents (which is on the higher end for us) but 30 for residents. We needed a quick place to stay while waiting to get our truck fixed in the morning. It’s small, quiet and the host were great. Apparently they charged for showers but had a sign up stating they longer charge for that. Restrooms were clean and showered were hot! Would stay here again if I were in a pinch this way again.

  • alexandrea L.
    Sep. 24, 2025

    Penrose Point State Park Campground

    Beautiful

    The beach is beautiful here! And the campsites are very secluded! There are tons of trees and bushes in between everybody’s campsite

  • TheFoxphire F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 23, 2025

    Schafer State Park Campground

    Great

    There was a huge spider at the women’s restroom door that my wife says was asking her for snacks. Other than that this place was very nice and had a ton of lush vegetation and ferns. Beautiful. Also, we watched Harry and the Hendersons here.

  • Traci O.
    Sep. 20, 2025

    Maple Grove RV Resort (Randle) - KM Resorts

    Stayed Sept 2025

    Enjoyed the large sites and peaceful atmosphere. The staff were friendly and even allowed us to have an Amazon purchase delivered to the campground. Complaints would be the pool was ice cold- unusable. Hot tub jets did not work, and the excessive amount of rabbit poop (not good for dogs) made us keep our pups indoors. Not sure I would come again.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 20, 2025

    Seaquest State Park Campground

    Beautiful forest, hot showers!

    Limited cell service with T-Mobile but it still works! Free WiFi in the day use area. Adequate bathrooms with mirrors, flushing toilets, hot shower! Peaceful yet can still hear the highway. Tent sites are $23-34 during the shoulder season currently. Sites marked with an “E” are $23, “B” $30, “P” $34. I’m not sure about the RV sites.

  • yThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 19, 2025

    American Heritage Campground

    Hidden Gem - Peaceful, family owned

    I’m always weary before I arrive. You never know what you’re gonna drive up to. I’d stay here any time. I feel safe, comfortable, spacious sites (only back in), fire pits, old school playground which we love and friendly owners who also staff it. Apparently it’s been in the fam for over 40 years. Lovely. Not new and fancy but quaint and classic.

Guide to Tenino

Camping near Tenino, Washington, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and well-maintained campgrounds. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a family-friendly adventure, there are plenty of options to explore.

What to do:

  • Hiking and Nature Walks: Many campgrounds, like Millersylvania State Park Campground, have trails that wind through old-growth forests. One visitor noted, “The trails are well mapped, and signed making it nearly impossible to get lost.”
  • Water Activities: If you enjoy water sports, Alder Lake Park is a great spot for kayaking and swimming. A reviewer mentioned, “The lake is beautiful for kayaking, fishing, swimming in approved areas, canoeing, as well as water skiing.”
  • Wildlife Watching: Campgrounds like Penrose Point State Park Campground offer opportunities for birdwatching and spotting local wildlife. One camper shared, “We caught a bunch of little trout (catch and release) with the kids and kayaked around while ospreys dove.”

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-kept restrooms and showers. A visitor at Elkamp Eastcreek remarked, “The bathrooms are actually very nice (dare I say upscale!) and clean.”
  • Spacious Campsites: Many campgrounds provide ample space between sites. A reviewer at Mossyrock Park said, “We were lucky and snagged a beautiful private-ish spot. We had a view of the lake and a lush forest.”
  • Friendly Hosts: Campground hosts often receive praise for their helpfulness. One camper at American Heritage Campground noted, “The staff was super friendly and we got a really nice spot.”

What you should know:

  • Reservations Recommended: Especially during peak seasons, it’s wise to book your spot in advance. A visitor at Ike Kinswa State Park Campground mentioned, “If you’re going on a weekend, we highly recommend making a reservation.”
  • Road Noise: Some campgrounds are near busy roads, which can be noisy. A camper at Alder Lake Park pointed out, “Only con is road noise from Hwy7.”
  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have full amenities. A reviewer at Lake Sylvia State Park Campground noted, “The bathroom is showing its age though the shower is free.”

Tips for camping with families:

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and swimming areas. One parent at Mossyrock Park said, “Our kiddo really liked the playground and getting ice cream at the concession stand after dinner.”
  • Safety First: Choose sites that are away from busy roads for peace of mind. A camper at Millersylvania State Park Campground mentioned, “The campground is clean and well maintained.”
  • Plan for Rain: Washington weather can be unpredictable, so pack accordingly. A visitor at Twanoh State Park Campground advised, “It can get busy here in the summer months, but since it’s still early, I only saw two other couples the entire day.”

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site before booking. A reviewer at Ike Kinswa State Park Campground noted, “The sites are very generous in size with LONG paved driveway pads.”
  • Be Prepared for Leveling: Some sites may not be level, so bring leveling blocks. A camper at Mossyrock Park shared, “The spot was paved with a picnic table and fire ring with a BBQ grate and a view of the lake through the trees. It was not very level though.”
  • Use Campground Amenities: Take advantage of amenities like firewood sales and dump stations. A visitor at American Heritage Campground mentioned, “Management is fantastic and offerings are simple but spot on.”

Camping near Tenino, Washington, is a fantastic way to enjoy the great outdoors with family and friends. With a variety of campgrounds to choose from, you’re sure to find the perfect spot for your next adventure!

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find camping spots in Tenino, Washington?

While Tenino itself has limited camping options, several excellent campgrounds are within a short drive. Millersylvania State Park Campground is one of the closest options, offering both tent and RV sites in a forested setting near a lake. For a unique experience, Dragon's Gate Gardens provides a private camping option with distinct areas including Moon Meadow, Giant Crystal, and Jessie's Camp, each offering different natural surroundings. Other nearby options include American Heritage Campground near Olympia and Sasquatch Farm, both within reasonable driving distance from Tenino.

What amenities are available at Tenino camping areas?

Campgrounds near Tenino offer varying amenities to suit different camping styles. Seaquest State Park Campground provides hookup sites for RVs, restrooms with showers, a playground, and covered day-use shelters. The park also features a one-mile walking trail to the nearby visitor center. For water enthusiasts, Belfair State Park Campground offers beachfront sites with great views of Hood Canal, allowing for chair setup and beach activities right from your campsite. Most state parks in the area typically include potable water, restrooms, picnic tables, and fire rings, though amenities can vary by specific campground and site type.

When is the best season for camping in Tenino?

Late spring through early fall (May to September) offers the best camping conditions in the Tenino area, with warmer temperatures and less rainfall. Summer provides ideal conditions for enjoying nearby attractions like Mount Rainier National Park. Dash Point State Park Campground is particularly pleasant during summer months, with clean, beautifully laid out sites and friendly staff. For those interested in Mount St. Helens exploration, Washington Natural Resources Parking provides a convenient overnight option during the summer season, though it requires a Washington State Discover pass. Be prepared for potentially busy campgrounds during summer weekends, especially at popular state parks, and consider reservations well in advance.

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