Camping spots near Vashon, Washington range from waterfront to forested locations with varied access types. The Puget Sound region sees average summer temperatures around 75°F during peak camping season, with rainfall significantly decreasing between June and September. Winter camping remains available at several year-round campgrounds, though temperatures typically drop to the 40s with increased precipitation.
What to do
Beach exploration at low tide: Belfair State Park offers excellent opportunities to explore the Hood Canal shoreline. "Lots of trails and beach access. There's also a light house to check out while you are here!" notes Carla S. The park features shallow water areas ideal for wading.
Wildlife viewing: Dosewallips State Park provides dedicated viewing platforms for birding and wildlife spotting. "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," shares Amy & Stu B. The elk herds frequently move through the campground.
Hiking forest trails: Dash Point State Park maintains a network of wooded trails near Federal Way. Ingrid M. describes them as "fun and easy enough for me and 2 kids. The beach and its tides are why we came." The park connects forest experiences with beach access via maintained paths.
What campers like
Site privacy: Dash Point State Park receives praise for its spacious sites. "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," explains Brittany D. Sites feature sufficient separation while maintaining accessibility.
Waterfront access: Penrose Point State Park provides beach areas close to camping. "The beach is beautiful here! And the campsites are very secluded! There are tons of trees and bushes in between everybody's campsite," notes alexandrea L. The park features calm swimming areas within a short walk of campsites.
Historical structures: Manchester State Park preserves military history alongside camping options. Tom N. explains, "Look for the cement form lines on the buildings, they are only 18" high at best, this is because when they were built Portland cement hadn't been invented yet, it took quite a while for the cement to dry before adding the 'next layer'." The park maintains these historic structures while providing camping facilities.
What you should know
Campfire regulations: Several campgrounds have seasonal or permanent fire restrictions. At Saltwater State Park, "Campfires have been banned for a couple years as the neighbors (who bought houses next to a state park) didn't like the smell," reports Ken. Always check current fire regulations before arrival.
Shower facilities: Most state parks require tokens for showers. "Pay showers ($1 for 3 minutes) and clean restroom with air dryer, pet friendly, lots of trails to hike and a beautiful beach area with a playground," notes Travis P. about Saltwater State Park.
Urban noise impacts: Proximity to Seattle means some campgrounds experience aircraft noise. "Commercial jets landing at Sea-Tac fly directly above us at a low altitude and are VERY loud and VERY frequent (every 3-5 minutes)," Travis P. continues about Saltwater State Park. Noise levels vary significantly between locations.
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds require advance reservations, especially for summer weekends. "You must make reservations online on the website a few weeks before you plan to come," advises Robert G. about accessing campgrounds in the area.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Fay Bainbridge Park offers dedicated play areas for children. "Amazing kids area pirate ship. Great beach walk and good camp sites," says Tanya B. The playground provides entertainment between beach activities.
Junior Ranger programs: Several state parks maintain educational activities for children. Sarah H. recalls, "The grounds, including bathrooms, were well maintained and the kids enjoyed taking part in the junior ranger program" at Penrose Point State Park.
Shallow swimming areas: Choose campgrounds with gradual-entry water access. At Belfair State Park, "The beach was great, water is rather warm for in the sound, it's also pretty shallow which is great for the kids to play in," explains Leah H.
Scavenger hunts: Some campgrounds offer structured activities. Tammy C. notes Manchester State Park "Had a great Atlasquest scavenger hunt for the kids" that engages children with the park environment.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Gig Harbor RV Resort provides complete services. "Very well laid out. Beautiful trees and landscaping. Well maintained, full facilities in amenities," reports Mike E. The resort accommodates larger rigs with pull-through sites.
Site leveling: Manchester State Park offers level parking pads. "RV sites are blacktop and level. Some sites have partial hookups w/o septic. Dump station is on site," notes James and Susan K. about Dosewallips State Park.
Dump station access: Not all campgrounds with hookups provide on-site dump stations. At Fay Bainbridge Park, "The Rv spaces are close together but each site has water and electric. The downside is there is no sewage dumping site at the park," warns ML D.
Site selection: Corner sites often provide better views and privacy. "Campsite 10 looks to be the best as it has a little canopy tree and is in the corner without obstruction for a view of the Puget Sound," recommends Brandon K. about Fay Bainbridge Park.
