The camping sites near Tenino, Washington offer diverse terrain situated within the foothills of the Cascade Mountains at elevations between 150-400 feet. Winter camping remains available at several locations with temperatures rarely dropping below freezing, though rainfall averages 50 inches annually from November through March. Most campgrounds maintain partial accessibility even during winter months, with some sites offering year-round service.
What to do
Kayaking and boating on Deep Lake: Millersylvania State Park provides water access with designated swimming areas. "The lake is small and great for letting kids go out in kayaks or other boats. The beach is the main attraction and it is hopping. We went early in the morning and staked a claim and were happy all day," notes Ellen T., who stayed at the Millersylvania State Park Campground.
Trail riding and ATVs: Capitol Forest offers designated trails for dirt bikes and ATVs near Middle Waddell Campground. "Great campground. Great price. Just had to purchase a Washington state parks pass for $10. Had great biking and atv trails right by the campground," reports Britney T. about the Middle Waddell Campground.
Gold panning opportunities: Some creek areas near camping locations allow visitors to try panning for gold. "There was a creek near by with people panning for gold which was interesting!" writes Jess G., who visited Middle Waddell Campground.
What campers like
Private, wooded campsites: Many campers appreciate the seclusion offered at American Heritage. "The lots are well plotted with space and privacy," notes Steve F. about his stay at American Heritage Campground. Sites typically feature 20-30 feet between neighbors with natural barriers.
Year-round campground access: Despite seasonal weather variations, several locations maintain continuous operations. "One thing that was great about the park was the various kitchens around the grounds. This offers a great way for larger groups to have a set space for meals," explains Mary C. about Millersylvania State Park Campground.
Evening quiet hours enforcement: Most campgrounds maintain 10:00 PM quiet hours. A visitor to Millersylvania noted, "Many families and kids running free. Quieted down around 10pm. A bit pricey ($37 peak season) but very convenient if you're in Olympia and need a campsite late/on the fly," according to Anna P.
What you should know
Discovery Pass requirements: State park locations require a Washington Discovery Pass for day use or camping. At Ike Kinswa State Park Campground, "This campground is on Mayfield Lake where the Cowlitz River flows into the lake. We were in loop D, which was the only open loop along with the cabins (cabins are loop C and attached to loop D)," explains Christina F.
Winter limitations: Some facilities close or reduce services during winter months. "The park is on their winter schedule so only sites 1-7 and 226-248 were open. It made for a nice, quiet weekend even though the open sites were 80% full," Christina F. notes about Millersylvania during Thanksgiving.
Cell service variability: Reception strength varies significantly between locations. One camper reported about Millersylvania, "Beautiful campsite, amazing trails just no cell service," while at Ike Kinswa State Park, another noted, "Very good Verizon cell service."
Tips for camping with families
Playground and beach access: Several parks offer combined play areas and swimming locations. "There is a playground and beach area. It would have been nice if there was a playground on the campground side of the park," notes Christina F. about Alder Lake Park.
Group campsite options: Some locations offer separate areas for larger family gatherings. "We stayed in the group camp and I can highly recommend it. It had it's own (slightly frightening- not well cleaned, run down) bathrooms. It was set back in the woods with tons of places for tents," explains Ellen T. about Millersylvania.
Bike-friendly campground roads: Many locations feature loop roads suitable for children's cycling. "Our kids love walking the trails and riding their bikes around the loops. Everyone is courteous, there are bathrooms nearby, and the campsites are semi-private," shares Latosha H. about Ike Kinswa State Park.
Tips from RVers
Varying hookup availability: Power options differ between campgrounds near Tenino. "We had a pull-through site right across from the dumpster, bathrooms, and camp host. We had decent service for Verizon," mentions Christina F. about Millersylvania. Most RV sites include 30-amp service, with 50-amp limited to select locations.
Year-round accessibility: Thousand Trails Chehalis maintains winter operations for RVs. "I really appreciated the ease of getting to the campground off of I-5 and the privacy of the heavily wooded individual sites. The best part for me was the friendliness and helpful advice about towing and backing up my trailer from the gentleman who checked us in," shares Amy B.
Power reliability issues: Some locations experience electrical inconsistencies. One reviewer noted about Thousand Trails Chehalis: "The worst part for us, however, was that the power was really variable. Sometimes it would spike to 130 volts and then drop suddenly to 110."
