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Best Tent Camping near Tumwater, WA

928 Reviews

State parks and national forests surrounding Tumwater, Washington provide diverse tent camping options for outdoor enthusiasts. Sherman Valley State Forest, located southwest of Tumwater, offers tent-only sites with basic amenities and access to extensive trail networks. Rock Candy Mountain Trailhead provides primitive tent camping with limited facilities, featuring several roadside pull-outs where tent campers can set up. Hope Island Marine State Park, accessible only by boat from nearby launch points, maintains eight primitive tent campsites on a secluded island setting in Puget Sound, approximately 20 miles north of Tumwater.

Most tent campgrounds in the Tumwater region feature natural, ungraded surfaces that require careful tent placement. Sherman Valley sites include basic fire rings and vault toilets but lack potable water, requiring campers to bring their own supplies. Rock Candy Mountain's tent sites are located along a busy forest road with minimal amenities beyond trailhead toilets. Seasonal considerations affect availability, with summer fire bans common throughout the region. Walk-in tent sites at several locations offer more seclusion but require carrying gear short distances from parking areas. Most primitive tent camping areas enforce 14-day stay limits and operate on first-come, first-served basis rather than reservations.

Backcountry tent camping experiences vary significantly by location and season. According to reviews, Sherman Valley provides spacious tent sites separated by trees and shrubs, creating natural privacy barriers between campers. One visitor noted that Rock Candy Mountain offers "a nice quiet stay" despite being "nothing too special," with approximately four roadside pull-outs suitable for overnight tent camping. Hope Island campers report that "sites tucked in the forest were still beautiful and only a few steps from the water," making it popular with kayakers seeking tent-only camping experiences. Weekday visits generally provide greater solitude for tent campers, while summer weekends see higher occupancy at most locations. Many tent sites feature partial shade from surrounding forest, providing natural temperature regulation during summer months.

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Best Tent Sites Near Tumwater, Washington (41)

    1. Rock Candy Mountain Trailhead

    5 Reviews
    Tumwater, WA
    9 miles

    2. Camp Thunderbird

    1 Review
    Malone, WA
    10 miles
    Website

    "It is located at the base of Summit Lake, with a dock and great swimming spot. There are tent sites, adirondacks, and cabins. There is a great big field and lots of trails."

    3. Hope Island Marine State Park Campground

    2 Reviews
    Shelton, WA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 426-9226

    $12 / night

    "Boat-in sites are first-come, first serve so we did not arrive early enough to snatch the few that are right on the water but nonetheless the ones tucked in the forest were still beautiful and only a few"

    "It is located in the Puget Sound just North of Steamboat Island. It has 2 miles of hiking trails and 8 primitive campsites."

    4. The Healing Farm

    2 Reviews
    Yelm, WA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (509) 308-0188

    $60 / night

    "The campsite itself was private, peaceful, and perfectly set up—complete with a fire pit and a hammock that our son loved.

    Leaving was the hardest part (there were definitely tears)."

    "The kids was in Awh with all the animals and how they would let you walk up to them and interact with them."

    5. Coffee Creek Community & Gardens

    1 Review
    Centralia, WA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 623-2103

    $50 - $115 / night

    "The wood stove keeps you toasty in the cold, the kitchen space is perfect and simple. The windows give you incredible views of the forest."

    6. Sherman Valley- State Forest

    3 Reviews
    Oakville, WA
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 577-2025

    "I grew up camping here, as a Boy Scout this was a perfect location for many activities."

    7. Malaney Creek Farm

    1 Review
    Shelton, WA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 463-7783

    $29 - $185 / night

    "gated entry and showed us our spot. they gave us a quick run down of the place and let us be. our spot was the Trillium site which has a few hundred foot hike from where you park your car and the portable toilet"

    8. Macie's Brook

    1 Review
    Lakebay, WA
    20 miles
    +1 (206) 200-9169

    $15 - $45 / night

    9. Panhandle Lake Camp

    Be the first to review!
    Matlock, WA
    21 miles
    Website

    $25 - $100 / night

    10. Olympic National Forest Dispersed Camping

    2 Reviews
    Matlock, WA
    32 miles

    "We camped near Vance Creek trailhead to do the Olympic Bridges bike ride the next morning. Since this is a national forest, dispersed camping is allowed."

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Tumwater, WA

25 Photos of 41 Tumwater Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Tumwater, WA

928 Reviews of 41 Tumwater Campgrounds

  • Jason H.
    Mar. 24, 2021

    Lena Lake Campground

    Great spot

    A nice 3.5 miles ish hike from the parking area to campground. The campsites offers fire rings and has plenty of amazing views of the lake. Don’t forget to pack everything out and leave no trace.

  • Tj J.
    Sep. 21, 2017

    Malaney Creek Farm

    Great Private Camping Getaway

    arrived at the farm and were greeted by the owners. they got on their quads and led us down a private road through a super nice cedar gated entry and showed us our spot. they gave us a quick run down of the place and let us be. our spot was the Trillium site which has a few hundred foot hike from where you park your car and the portable toilet. the site was pretty cool and very secluded. it had a fire ring with some sawn cedar benches, a pile of firewood and a giant old spool for a table. we threw our marmot up and took a closer look. there is a camp box with info, instant coffee, guides to area sight seeing and food along with a log book to write about your stay. there were also some cool led lighting which was great at night. fire ban was on but they put a big candle on the grate of the fire pit so we had something. we kicked around on the trails which look like they are used by horses and motorcycles but not heavily. some interesting plants in the area. they were working on a new trail that is supposed to eventually lead out to the lake but it wasnt complete yet. however it was covered with wood chips and had a hand cut cedar bridge built on it. you gotta see it. sounds like they are constantly evolving the farm looked like a lot of things in the works. definitely will come back for more time here. night time got spooky with coyotes howling in the distance but the morning there were so many birds chirping and singing you couldnt hear yourself think! oh we found a corn hole game in an open area that they have several picnic tables staged at.

  • April C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 13, 2022

    Millersylvania State Park Campground

    Choose your Adventure

    This place had it all; open RV camping, secluded van camping, tree canopy car/tent camping, walk-in camping, and themed safari tent camping, and one cute mini airstream. 

    Lake down the road. Water and electrical hookups, dump station with dump water and fresh water. 

    Restrooms and showers are scattered around. Showers are coin based and there is a machine to turn your dollars into coins.

  • Art S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 12, 2016

    Lena Lake Campground

    Lena Lake campground

    This is a hike-in campground down a 3.5 mile trail. It sees heavy use from locals on the weekend. There was plenty of room during the week when I was there. Lena Lake is quiet and serene and the perfect place to sit on a log and journal. Other people walked around the edge of the lake but care must be taken as it's a bit rugged. Follow the leave no trace principles and this place will be one to return to again for yourself and others.

  • Amanda
    Jul. 20, 2021

    Dragon's Gate Gardens

    A reservable paradise- expansive solitude, out of a picture book

    I just completed my third stay at Dragon's Gate, and I've now stayed in each of the different sections (Moon Meadow, Giant Crystal, Jessie's Camp). Each gives a completely different but wonderous experience, either with open views of flower pastures and woods, or a more insular green surrounded by trees. Each reservable space is massive.... 4-5 times the size of most campsites. While you may reasonably run into other campers within each section if you go for a walk, you won't even know anyone is in the other sections, its so private. Sing at the top of your lungs or let your dog roam, they won't run into anyone. 

    Its just SO pretty. Each campsite is really well maintained- the roads and campsites are mowed, carving into the meadows. There are porta potties and access to drinking water and a great deal on both wood and eggs. Wooden picnic tables are in each site, and a well appointed fire ring. The hosts are really lovely as well, and overly accommodating. The entire site is organic, so they do ask that you participate in their policies of no charcoal usage and leave no trace.

    Tenino itself is a cute little historic town, with a surprisingly well appointed supermarket and hardware store, and on Saturdays there's a farmers market. 

    Mostly, I love how my dog can safely roam, and how, even when I am completely by myself camping, I still feel safe.

  • Amy & Stu B.
    Oct. 3, 2022

    Dosewallips State Park Campground

    Gorgeous location

    This campground is right next to a state park. It’s also very close to a river and lots of woods. We stayed here to see Olympic national park, (I wouldn’t recommend this location to travel to Olympic every day, it was very far.)

    The amenities were nice, bathrooms with warm water (one shower per bathroom.)

    No laundry, no Wi-Fi and both Verizon and AT&T worked with about one bar.

    The sites were level spacious and had a fire ring and picnic table at each. We chose the full hookup option. Firewood could be purchased through the camp host.

    The best part about this day was the surrounding area. Every night, my husband and I would walk to the wildlife viewing platform to see lots of birds, or walk down by the river and see lots of elk and bald eagles.

  • Jess G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 17, 2017

    Middle Waddell Campground

    LEDlenser MH2 Headlamp at Middle Waddell Campground

    Campground

    Fairly large campground, free as long as you have a discover pass! 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. The camp host even had free bottled water for guest if needed. There was a creek near by with people panning for gold which was interesting!

    Product Review

    Being a ranger I get to test some products from time to time! Today's product is the LEDlenser MH2 Headlamp!

    This headlamp is very impressive! Certainly the brightest light I have ever explored with. It comes in a very nice package with a charging cord, two different colored lens attachments, a carrying pouch and a battery. My only complaint is that the headlamp itself doesn't fit very well in the carrying pouch but I made it work! It was also a little heavy and I had to adjust the strap to fit my head more often then I would have preferred. The brightness of the light made up for the flaws completely!

  • Callie S.
    Aug. 8, 2025

    Sahara Creek DNR Horse Camp

    Shady, quiet

    YOU NEED A WA DISCOVER PASS TO CAMP HERE!!! But it is free with the pass. And there’s a gas station 5 minutes down the road in Ashford where you can buy one. Very shady and quiet, not crowded at all. Primitive camping, no water, no restrooms just vault toilets, no trash pickup either so you need to pack everything out. Was hard to stake my tent down bc of rocky soil, but it worked fine cause it’s not windy. 15 minutes from the entrance to Mt Rainier. Good place if you’re here for that reason. Most of the sites are horse camping only, but there are a handful that allow other types EXCEPT FOR RV, to my understanding there is NO RV CAMPING HERE

  • d
    Jun. 20, 2023

    Coho Campground

    Great rural campground

    Coho campground is a forested campground overlooking a large alpine lake. Lots of old growth forest, birds and squirrels live in the campground. The sites are large with a paved drive that can accommodate several vehicles and trailers. Large picnic tables and a fire pit on each site with an area for tents. No electric, water or sewer on the site. There are several flush toilets that are well kept. Bathrooms have an electrical outlet if you need to charge something. Faucets with drinking water. No showers. No cell service and starlink doesn’t work due to trees. Nearest gas station and stores about 35 minutes away. There is a boat ramp and a nice lake for kayaking. Several trails around the lake and campground.

Guide to Tumwater

Nestled near Tumwater, Washington, tent camping offers a chance to immerse yourself in nature while enjoying a variety of amenities and activities. Whether you're looking for a serene escape or a place to explore, there are several options to consider.

Scenic Outdoor Activities

Amenities for Comfort

  • Enjoy the convenience of facilities at Camp Thunderbird, which features drinking water, showers, and picnic tables, making it ideal for families and groups.
  • Relax at Malaney Creek Farm, where you can find a secluded site with a fire ring and access to trails, though note that there are no showers or drinking water available.
  • Experience a cozy stay at Coffee Creek Community & Gardens, which offers cabins and glamping options, along with lovely views and a wood stove for warmth.

Unique Features and Attractions

  • Discover the charm of The Healing Farm, where you can interact with farm animals and enjoy a spacious site perfect for families.
  • Visit Deschutes River Ranch (Day Use Only) for a fun day by the river, where you can float, fish, and enjoy a picnic, though it’s important to arrive early during busy weekends.
  • Experience the tranquility of Macie's Brook, which offers spacious tent sites near the water, perfect for those looking to unwind in nature.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Tumwater, WA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Tumwater, WA is Rock Candy Mountain Trailhead with a 2.8-star rating from 5 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Tumwater, WA?

TheDyrt.com has all 41 tent camping locations near Tumwater, WA, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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