229 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Campgrounds near Tumwater, Washington range from state parks to dispersed sites, with options spanning tent camping, RV hookups, cabins, yurts, and glamping. Millersylvania State Park Campground, located about 20 minutes south of Olympia, features both tent and RV camping beneath old growth Douglas Fir and Hemlock trees. The park includes electrical hookup sites in more open areas and traditional forested campsites with minimal solar exposure. American Heritage Campground and Olympia Campground provide year-round options with cabin rentals alongside traditional tent and RV sites. Several campgrounds in the region support multiple accommodation styles including yurts and glamping options.
Most campgrounds in the Tumwater area remain open year-round, though services and amenities may be limited during winter months. The forested setting creates variable conditions across sites, with some offering more privacy than others. "Just 20 minutes south of Olympia, WA you can pull off I-5 and pitch a tent beneath towering old growth Douglas Fir and Hemlock trees," noted one visitor about Millersylvania State Park. Many established campgrounds require reservations, especially during summer months when sites fill quickly. Permits are required at some locations, including Margaret McKenny Equestrian Campground and dispersed sites at Rock Candy Mountain Trailhead. Water access varies significantly between campgrounds, with some offering proximity to lakes or rivers while others focus on forest immersion.
Campers consistently praise the region's natural features, particularly the old-growth forests and water access points. Reviews highlight the contrast between RV-focused areas and more secluded tent sites. At Millersylvania State Park, the lake receives positive mentions for being "super chill, shallow and warm" with restrictions limiting it to "cartop boats" making it "ideal for stand up paddle boards, small kayaking boats, inflatables, canoes, fishing dinghies and just swimming around." Trails for hiking and running are available at several campgrounds, providing recreational opportunities beyond water activities. The proximity to urban areas makes these campgrounds convenient for quick getaways while still offering natural experiences. Campsite privacy varies considerably, with some locations featuring densely packed sites while others provide more separation between campers.
"The feeling of camping under the old-growth canopy is so classic Washington, but the solar gain is pretty minimal."
"This is a very nice, typical Washington state park with plenty of trees, greenery, hiking, pathways and even a lake."
from $12 - $162 / night
Check Availability"Fantastic campground just south of Olympia/Tumwater. Wooded, quiet, clean and so friendly."
"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."
from $40 - $60 / night
Check Availability"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."
"Easy access to sound paved road pedestrian underpass. Great camp host and nearby ranger station. Nearby Brinnon Wa. Some restaurants and oyster raising areas locally."
"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."
"Super peaceful, great fire pit location, water at the site entrance, portable restrooms away (but close), and best of all right at the river’s edge."
"We needed something close to the city, but didn’t want to feel like we were in the city, this fit the bill. People are very friendly and accommodating. The park is really clean."
"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 Availability"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!"
"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 Availability
TravelerThis is an open area near the lake with room for at least a dozen different campsites. On a Friday night, there was everything from trailers to tents. People were courteous and the noise from generators, dogs, music, etc didn’t go too late. I’d come back here. Port-a-potties here, but no water or trash service.
ScoutThis is a great spot to camp! It has all the necessities you need. Picnic bench, fire pit with grate, clean bathroom with shower, running water, and dumpster. Beautiful beach front and trails within walking distance. My campsite was a bit closer to my neighbors than I cared for but there are some sites more enclosed. Overall it was a good experience.
GuidePeaceful and Beautiful! Staff is the Best! We Love Doug!!
Scoutwhen you enter there’s spots to pull off to right away. We got a knock on the door and told that this area is not dispersed camping. We saw few others there too but they left before anyone came to check up on this place. You can get fined up to 100 dollars per vehicle
ScoutLoved this place, clean showers
LegendGeneral: 132-site RV park in beautiful Gig Harbor. The site layout is a bit wonky. Some are pull-through, some are back-in, some on concrete pads, and others (small tent sites) are just in a grassy area. Some have trees or foliage separating them while others have zero separation.
Site Quality: Varies. We had an electric and water site, located in a cul-de-sac near the tent sites. Our pad was shared by two sites. Fortunately, the site next to us was vacant. Completing the site is a picnic table. IMO the two best sites are 65 and 51.
Bath/Shower: Three stalls and three showers, and although they were clean, it was obvious they were not attended to during our two-night stay (I'm assuming there is a cleaning schedule, but it was not posted). Showers were a bit tight, but the water was warm.
Activities/Amenities: IMO, the nicest amenity this park offers is a small but nicely equipped exercise room. Other amenities include: a pet area (and dog wash), a well-equipped laundry room with an ironing board (but you do need to buy a special card), and a dump station (for an extra fee).
We appreciated a courtesy call the day of our arrival to let us know what to do if we arrived after the office was closed.
While not the fault of the RV park, it was located near the Gig Harbor Sportsman Club, and shots echoed throughout the park from the time we arrived at 5 pm until 8 pm, but fortunately only the first night. This was both annoying and disconcerting.
We opted not to pay the $35 “site-lock” fee. To me, this is a very annoying fee (and the reason for deducting a star), but fortunately we got the site we reserved. RV parks like this are expensive, and while they offer various amenities, they are not our favorite type of place to stay. Given the nature of our travels this summer, we will be staying in quite a few of them.
GuideBathroom, Internet, no water. Quiet. Legal. Safe. Beautiful.
ScoutNot very good because there's no cameras in my tank got cut in the back so I'm not very happy because they can't do nothing about it and I'm out a big price for 10 that I can't even use now
GuideAnytime a notes dispersed Camp spot is for real, and has Internet I give an inmediate great review. There are several pull-out spots to park a car, van, or Camp. An RV could park here, as well. It is beautiful here, a raíz Forest. 1.5 miles to a gas station. 8.6 miles to a Safeway grocery store. No water.
Camping near Tumwater, Washington offers access to Pacific Northwest forests with elevations ranging from near sea level to 2,659 feet at Capitol State Forest. The region's humid climate creates lush forest environments with an average annual rainfall of 50 inches, primarily falling between October and May. Most forest camping areas require a Washington Discover Pass which costs $35 annually for access to state lands.
Trail exploration: Capitol Forest features multiple hiking options from family-friendly paths to more challenging terrain. "There are ample trails throughout the park including a lovely trail along the lake, which is not far from the campground," notes a visitor at Millersylvania State Park Campground.
Beach activities: Puget Sound access provides waterfront recreation at several locations. At Joemma Beach State Park Campground, "There is a nice shallow area and two large swimming areas as well as a fishing dock. The lake is small and great for letting kids go out in kayaks or other boats," according to one camper.
Fishing opportunities: Year-round options exist at multiple locations. "Long dock in the area where you can go fishing. You can walk along the beach as well," mentions a visitor to Joemma Beach State Park.
Wildlife viewing: Early morning best for spotting native species. "We did spot a bald eagle early in the morning," reports a camper at Joemma Beach State Park Campground.
Spacious campsites: Privacy between sites varies significantly by location. At American Heritage Campground, "The lots are well plotted with space and privacy," and another camper notes that sites are "relatively secluded."
Clean facilities: Bathroom maintenance receives consistent mention. "Clean facilities, some nice perks like a beer garden and ice cream and the lake is great," reports a visitor to Millersylvania State Park.
Pool amenities: Seasonal swimming options beyond natural water bodies. "One great aspect of this campground is it has a fenced in pool," mentions a camper at American Heritage Campground.
Helpful staff: Attentive hosts enhance the camping experience. A visitor to River Bend Campground shared, "The staff was great and the amenities were centrally located," while another noted, "People are very friendly and accommodating. The park is really clean."
Seasonal variations: Winter camping limited with fewer services and potential flooding. At American Heritage Campground, a visitor mentioned that "due to COVID, the tent area is closed, and due to terrible weather recently part of the campground was flooded."
Campsite selection: Proximity to amenities affects experience. "We had a pull-through site right across from the dumpster, bathrooms, and camp host," noted a Millersylvania camper, while another reported that "our site had a huge mud puddle from the road going to the power and water hook-up."
Noise levels: Weekend activity increases, especially during summer. "We enjoyed our stay at Millersylvania. It's a beautiful place. The only downside for us is that it is really crowded, and a few dogs and some very rude people kept us up until about 1 am," shared one camper.
Permit requirements: Discovery Pass needed at state facilities and trailheads. At Middle Waddell Campground, a visitor noted, "Discover pass required. Host on site. Paved pads. Some pull thru."
Kid-friendly beaches: Shallow waters provide safer swimming options. At Penrose Point State Park Campground, "The beach is a medium-length walk and very warm and swimmable for NW standards," one visitor reported.
Playground access: Multiple locations offer play structures. "Children and dog play grounds," notes a River Bend Campground visitor, making it suitable for families with both children and pets.
Junior Ranger programs: Educational activities available at state parks. "The grounds, including bathrooms, were well maintained and the kids enjoyed taking part in the junior ranger program," shared one family at Penrose Point State Park.
Group camping options: Multiple tents accommodated at certain sites. "We had a large group of four families and it accommodated us very well," reports a camper at Millersylvania State Park.
Hookup limitations: Electrical capacity varies between parks. "They advertise 30A service, but the grid cannot handle it. Breakers flip often, especially in the colder months when campers are trying to stay warm," warns one RVer about Olympia Campground.
Site selection: Pull-through availability makes setup easier. "Super easy to get our trailer in and out of the spaces and there was lots of extra parking for our larger group," notes a Millersylvania camper.
Dump station access: Not all sites have sewer connections. "Our spot didn't have sewer but they had a free dump station in the park so it was no big deal," shares a River Bend Campground visitor.
Winter considerations: Flooding potential in certain locations. An experienced camper at Olympia Campground advised, "Due to poor drainage, most sites flood during heavy rains. Rain boots are a must."
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Tumwater Campground located?
Tumwater Campground is located near Tumwater, Washington, which is just south of Olympia in the western part of the state. The area offers convenient access from Interstate 5, making it easily accessible for travelers. For comparison, Seaquest State Park Campground is about 20 minutes from Longview, Washington, while American Heritage Campground is situated near Olympia. The Tumwater area provides a good base for exploring the Puget Sound region, with reasonable driving distances to Mount Rainier, the Olympic Peninsula, and the Washington coast.
Is Tumwater Campground suitable for tent camping?
Yes, Tumwater Campground is suitable for tent camping, offering sites in a forested setting similar to other campgrounds in the region. Tent campers typically enjoy the natural surroundings and spacious sites. For comparison, Dash Point State Park Campground offers beautifully laid out tent sites with friendly staff and clean facilities. Similarly, Dosewallips State Park Campground provides well-maintained grounds with access to hiking trails of easy to moderate difficulty. Tent campers at Tumwater can expect level tent pads, nearby access to water sources, and typical campground amenities like picnic tables and fire rings.
What amenities are available at Tumwater Campground?
Tumwater Campground offers standard amenities similar to those found at Olympia Campground which is nearby. Typical amenities include potable water, vault or flush toilets, picnic tables, and fire rings at each site. Some campgrounds in the region like Millersylvania State Park Campground offer additional amenities such as hot showers, hiking trails through old-growth forests, and access to recreational activities. Campgrounds in the Tumwater area generally provide basic facilities while maintaining a natural forest setting. For the most current amenity information, it's recommended to check with the managing agency before your visit.
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