Glamping sites near Vashon, Washington offer overnight accommodations in natural settings with amenities beyond basic camping. Located in the Puget Sound between Seattle and Tacoma, Vashon Island sits at sea level with moderate maritime climate year-round. Most upscale camping options in the area provide access to the shoreline with varying levels of development, from platform tents to fully outfitted yurts.
What to do
Beach exploration and tide watching: Belfair State Park on Hood Canal has a waterfront loop that makes an excellent base for shore activities. "Nice campground, open sites, full hook ups. As the tide comes and goes, so does the water fowl," notes visitor Kari R., highlighting the changing shoreline landscape.
Hiking forest trails: Kanaskat-Palmer State Park offers several hiking trails through wooded terrain with river access. "Beautiful, clean campground. Short hike to river spots that are perfect for wading or fishing. 10 minute drive from Deep Lake which is beautiful and great for swimming and paddle boarding," writes Ashlie M.
Seasonal shellfish harvesting: Dosewallips State Park provides opportunities for shellfish collection during appropriate seasons. "There's so many activities to do; clamming, shrimping, hiking, hunting for oysters, and there's even places to rent kayaks. No shortage of bald eagles here either," reports Shariah T.
Wildlife viewing: Many glamping sites near Vashon feature wildlife observation areas. "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. about their Dosewallips State Park experience.
What campers like
Private, spacious sites: Dash Point State Park receives high marks for site layout. "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," notes Brittany D., who found the natural surroundings impressive.
Waterfront access: Fay Bainbridge Park offers direct beach access from its glamping facilities. "Great campground right on the beach. Clean facilities," writes Brook M., emphasizing the shoreline proximity that makes luxury camping here appealing.
Convenient location: Vasa Park Resort balances natural surroundings with accessibility. "Close to the city, gorgeous lake," says Yulieth R., pointing out the benefit of glamping options that don't require long drives from urban centers.
Family-friendly amenities: Tall Chief Campground includes activities beyond the campsite. "The pool, miniature golf, playground and basketball were great. Laundry facilities came in handy," reports Isabel G., highlighting the resort-style facilities that complement the glamping experience.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most upscale camping facilities near Vashon require advance bookings, especially during peak season. "If not a member of thousand trails or encore it can be expensive," cautions Lori H. about Tall Chief Campground.
Campfire regulations: Fire rules vary significantly between glamping sites in the region. At Fay Bainbridge Park, "Each site has water and electric. The downside is there is no sewage dumping site at the park," explains ML D.
Noise considerations: Saltwater State Park has specific noise factors to consider. "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), so if you don't mind the noise, or LOVE airplanes (like we do), this is an Awesome campground!!!" mentions Travis P.
Seasonal availability: Several glamping facilities operate on limited schedules. According to Ken at Saltwater State Park, "Camping is closed for 2024 'while the park undergoes planning and development efforts.' Campfires have been banned for a couple years as the neighbors (who bought houses next to a state park) didn't like the smell."
Tips for camping with families
Child-friendly beaches: Belfair State Park offers protected water access ideal for younger children. "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," shares Leah H.
Playground facilities: Tolt MacDonald Park features play areas designed for children. "Amazing kids area pirate ship. Great beach walk and good camp sites," reports Tanya B., highlighting the structured play options.
Educational opportunities: Wildlife viewing platforms at several glamping sites provide learning experiences. "Facilities were good and trails around are fun and easy enough for me and 2 kids. The beach and its tides are why we came," notes Ingrid M. about Dash Point State Park.
Weather contingency planning: For luxury camping trips with kids, consider rain possibilities. "It did rain one of the mornings and ended up with a puddle under our text but it was the last day so no loss. I think next time I'll try and rent a cabin when I stay here," advises Becky R. about her Belfair State Park experience.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategies: At Fay Bainbridge Park, site location matters significantly. "Larger RVs should be in the lower site numbers. Ours is mid-size and we barely fit in #26, though it was nicely shaded," advises Judy J.
Power limitations: Tall Chief Campground has electrical system considerations. "The majority of the sites are only 30 amp with antiquated posts. There are a few 50 amp sites but from what I saw they were all taken by RVers that are there on a more permanent basis," cautions Derek & Alex W.
Arrival planning: Vasa Park Resort requires careful entry navigation. "When you're arriving the turn into the property is tough...easier to pull into their overflow across the street and drive straight in," suggests Erin A.
