Millersylvania State Park offers both developed camping options and access to surrounding forests for visitors seeking outdoor recreation near Tumwater, Washington. Located in the Puget Sound lowlands at approximately 174 feet elevation, the area features temperate year-round conditions with mild, wet winters and cool summers. The park sits at the northern edge of the Black Hills, a low mountain range covered in second-growth Douglas fir forest.
What to do
Trail exploration: Millersylvania State Park contains over 8.5 miles of hiking and biking trails through old-growth forest. According to a visitor, "Lots of walking trails and a lake. 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."
Lake activities: Deep Lake at Millersylvania provides swimming, fishing, and paddling opportunities with rentals available during summer months. "The lake is that beautiful blue/green glacier water color. The campground we stayed at did not have designated fire rings, but did have a metal BBQ that we used for the kids to make s'mores on," notes one Alder Lake Park visitor. Alder Lake offers similar water recreation options with a boat launch and sandy beach area.
Winter camping: Multiple parks in the area remain open year-round for off-season adventures. "After months of trying to get reservations for this popular campground, we finally got one for Thanksgiving weekend! 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," reports a Millersylvania camper.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Campsites at many Tumwater-area campgrounds offer good separation despite popularity. A Dash Point State Park visitor notes, "This campground is remarkable in the privacy between each of the camping spots, the bird life, the wild and deep forest vibes, and the walking trails."
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms and showers rate highly among campers. One Elkamp Eastcreek visitor shared, "Elkamp was very clean with the nicest campground bathrooms we have ever experienced. The shower is coin-operated so bring quarters if you wish to use."
Proximity to town: Campgrounds near Tumwater balance natural settings with convenient access to urban amenities. "This was a perfect halfway point to meet family when half of us were coming from Portland and the other half from Seattle. We'll definitely be back," mentions a Millersylvania camper. This convenience makes the area ideal for weekend trips or last-minute escapes.
What you should know
Reservation challenges: Popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially in summer months. "This is a beautiful camp ground located on Deep Lake just outside of Olympia. The park itself is huge offering lots of options for campers. They are on a progressive price, meaning depending on the site is what your price will be," explains a Camp Thunderbird visitor.
Yurt camping options: Yurt camping near Tumwater, Washington provides an alternative to traditional tent or RV sites. Dash Point State Park offers yurt accommodations with more protection from typical Pacific Northwest weather. Several parks in the region feature similar alternative shelters for those seeking a camping experience without pitching a tent.
Seasonal considerations: Facilities and access may be limited during winter months. "The only reason for 4 stars instead of 5 is because our site had a huge mud puddle from the road going to the power and water hook-up. The thin layer of mud on the pavement made things quite slick as I was trying to get leveling blocks down," notes a Millersylvania camper about their Thanksgiving weekend stay.
Tips for camping with families
Group facilities: Look for campgrounds with dedicated group sites for larger family gatherings. "We stayed in the group camp and I can highly recommend it. It had its own bathrooms. It was set back in the woods with tons of places for tents. The shelter was large and had water and power," shares a Millersylvania visitor.
Swimming areas: Lakes with protected swimming zones offer safer water recreation for children. A Riverbend Campground visitor notes, "We stayed there on a Thursday right on the river. 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."
Activity options: Parks with varied amenities keep children entertained throughout your stay. "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. 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," explains a Millersylvania camper.
RV tips
Site access: Some campgrounds have challenging approaches requiring careful navigation. An Olympia Campground visitor shared, "Okay spot to stop for RVs passing through. Also has a store, laundry, and the bathrooms were clean." When selecting an RV site, check reviews about access routes and site dimensions.
Hookup limitations: Be aware of electrical capacity restrictions at certain campgrounds. "We had a pull-through site right across from the dumpster, bathrooms, and camp host. We had decent service for Verizon," reports a Millersylvania camper, noting the convenience of their particular site location.
Winter RV considerations: Prepare for potential water restrictions and challenging conditions in off-season camping. "The campground is heavily wooded which is really nice for shade, though it can make it tricky to get into a spot if you have slide outs," mentions an Ike Kinswa State Park camper about navigating their RV into wooded sites.
