Camping options near Tumwater, Washington range from urban RV parks to more secluded woodland settings. The area has an elevation of 164 feet above sea level and experiences mild, rainy winters with average July temperatures around 75°F. Most campgrounds remain open year-round, though seasonal facilities like Thousand Trails Paradise RV Campground operate only from April through September.
What to do
Fishing at Thousand Trails Paradise: The campground maintains stocked fishing ponds popular with families. "My grandson loves coming here with us the two ponds they stock with fish," notes one visitor to Thousand Trails Paradise RV Campground.
Clam digging at Hood Canal: Shoreline access for shellfish harvesting available at several parks. "Oceanside view stay, beautiful scenery, calm waters which is perfect for paddle boarding. You can dig for clams and oysters by paying cash to the office for your gatherings," according to a camper at Rest-A-While RV Park.
Casino entertainment: Several RV parks offer gaming amenities nearby. "Full hookups for the rver. Sites to 70 ft. No firepits is a downside but the upside is the best seafood bar in the area," shares a Little Creek Casino Resort RV Park visitor.
What campers like
Pool facilities: Multiple campgrounds feature swimming pools for summer use. "This campgrounds has an awesome swimming area with three pools, one 8ft deep, on 6ft, and one wading pool. Also has a large spa," reports a camper at Thousand Trails Paradise.
Clean shower facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms receive positive mentions. "Great showers and bathrooms. Good isolated spots," notes a visitor to Thousand Trails Chehalis.
Urban convenience: Proximity to shopping and services rates highly. "Very close to Gig Harbor. Quiet, lots of trees, level gravel sites, and full hook ups available," according to a camper at Sun Outdoors Gig Harbor.
What you should know
Site configuration challenges: Some parks have unusual hookup layouts. "All sites are back in. All connections are in the back so imagine hooking up at a parking lot at the concrete stoppers. Sewer and electric, make sure you got enough tubes and extensions," warns a camper about Washington Land Yacht Harbor.
Power variability: Electrical service quality differs between parks. "The power was really variable. Sometimes it would spike to 130 volts and then drop suddenly to 110. Luckily we have a great EMS and it alerted us to the problem," reports a visitor to Thousand Trails Chehalis.
Limited tent options: Most facilities cater primarily to RVs. "This is definitely a RV resort, but there are 5 or 6 tent camping sites under some big trees which provide shade almost all day," notes a camper at Midway RV Park.
Tips for camping with families
Recreational activities: Look for parks with family programming. "Kids are helping review campgrounds we visited this summer. They loved that there was scavenger hunts for pigs in morning, tractor rides in afternoon, face painting, slushees, movie in lodge, crafts," shares a parent about Thousand Trails Chehalis.
Limited playground access: Many parks lack dedicated children's areas. "Pet friendly, but not many attractions for children (no playground, no pool)," notes a visitor to Sun Outdoors Gig Harbor.
Budget-friendly options: Several campgrounds offer reasonable rates for family trips. "Heavy traffic prevented us from getting to our target destination. This was a nice place to stop for an overnight and the price was excellent for full hookup," reports a camper at Little Creek Casino Resort RV Park.
Tips from RVers
Extension cord requirements: Pack extra hookup equipment for varying site layouts. "Make sure you picked a 50 ft site which allowed us to park the RV and still have room for our towed car," advises a visitor to Little Creek Casino Resort RV Park.
Cell service considerations: Connectivity varies widely between campgrounds. "Cell reception is sketchy at best. A fair number of run down campers. Clubhouse, showers, bathrooms were clean," reports a camper at Thousand Trails Chehalis.
Space limitations: Site sizes vary significantly across rv parks in Tumwater, Washington. "It was a quiet place but obviously has a lot of full timers. It took a long time to get set up because of the ridiculously small amount of space I had to maneuver my 33ft RV and my 8ft extended cab truck," notes a visitor to Majestic Mobile Manor & RV Park.