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Camping near Vaughn, WA
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Campgrounds near Vaughn, Washington span from waterfront state parks to forested retreats along the Hood Canal and Puget Sound. The area includes established facilities like Penrose Point State Park and Joemma Beach State Park, both offering shoreline access within 15 miles of Vaughn. These mixed-use campgrounds accommodate various camping styles, with most state parks providing tent and RV sites with standard amenities like picnic tables, fire rings, and access to potable water. Several locations also feature cabin accommodations, particularly at Belfair State Park, where both primitive and developed camping areas cater to different outdoor preferences.
Road conditions and campground accessibility remain consistent year-round at most locations, though seasonal considerations affect site availability. Many campgrounds in the region require advance reservations, especially for summer weekends when waterfront sites fill quickly. "This campground is one our favorites close by spots. It has plenty of spots and right near a running creek east of lake quinault. No trailers and RVs are allowed out here due to the narrow gravel roads and small spaces," notes one reviewer about a nearby Olympic Peninsula option. Cell service varies significantly throughout the area, with stronger coverage at campgrounds closer to urban areas like Federal Way and weaker signals in more remote locations along the Hood Canal.
The camping experience near Vaughn features notable waterfront access, with Hood Canal and Puget Sound providing scenic backdrops at multiple state parks. Campers consistently mention the contrast between the busier waterfront campgrounds and the more secluded forested sites. As one visitor described Dash Point State Park: "This campground is hidden in the middle of a major Western Washington city. Once in the campground, you would have no idea that you are surrounded by a sprawling metropolitan area." Privacy between sites varies considerably, with tent-only areas typically offering more seclusion than the RV sections. Most camping areas maintain moderate noise levels during weekdays, though weekend traffic increases substantially during summer months, particularly at popular destinations like Penrose Point and Belfair State Park.
Best Campgrounds near Vaughn (255)
1. Dash Point State Park Campground
"Firstly, I just have to say what a positive and amazing experience I had at this campground. The volunteers were friendly, kind and absolutely awesome to interact with."
"The campground itself is tucked into a beautiful, forested area with plenty of trees and privacy between sites. Ours had a tent pad, fire ring, and picnic table."
from $20 / night
Check Availability2. Penrose Point State Park Campground
"Pros: group camp is very close to beach front area, GREAT CLAMMING AND OYSTERING!"
"Penrose Point State Park is a great place close to Seattle to go camping in a small or large group. It's tent or camper friendly with plenty of spots for busier seasons."
from $35 - $58 / night
Check Availability3. Belfair State Park Campground
"Often our first or last trip of the year, due to its proximity to the greater Seattle area. Most of the folks we meet are from western Washington. "
"On the water of the Hood Canal, it offered more family activities than many of the parks around. The campground itself is situated close to the water with several loops, tightly packed together."
from $12 - $50 / night
Check Availability4. Twanoh State Park Campground
"Location was clean, easy to access and feels like a world away from the busy cities close by."
"This is clean and well-maintained state campground that offers nice access to the southern tip of Hood Canal, although you have to cross Rt. 106 to get to the waterside picnic area and docks, and that"
from $12 - $50 / night
Check Availability5. Sun Outdoors Gig Harbor
"Close by stores, trails, parks, harbor. Tacoma across bridge (10 minutes - $6.25 toll)."
"Costco, Home Depot, Albertsons and other shopping close by."
from $57 - $104 / night
Check Availability6. Joemma Beach State Park Campground
"We arrived little later around 6 p.m. And being such a nice day there were only few sites left."
"Conveniently located right next to the bathroom with an area for parking two vehicles. I have AT&T and had good service in this spot."
from $12 / night
Check Availability7. Jarrell Cove State Park Campground
"Tucked away remote campsite in a forest next to estuary. Two sites have hookups. Clean restrooms with shower."
"Site 8 is a pull through and is very large, but not so private as everyone walking to the main dock walks right past your site."
from $12 - $50 / night
Check Availability8. Dosewallips State Park Campground
"The grounds are well-maintained with easy access to some hiking trails that are easy to moderate in difficulty."
"Dump station close by worked great on exit. Wooded with ferns. Rain was nice to enjoy through the windows."
from $12 - $50 / night
Check Availability9. Manchester State Park Campground
"Nice wooded campground with access to the water. Plenty of opportunities for day hikes and not far from port orchard Washington. Some sites have hookups and others are dry camping."
"Trails, views, and history in walking distance. Coin operated showers and clean restrooms."
from $50 / night
Check Availability10. Lakebay Getaway
"The location is great, so close to the water, Penrose and other peninsula activities."
"Great location if you want to relax and take long walks at nearby state parks and beaches. Robyn is a spectacular host who was great to communicate with. We will be coming back."
from $50 / night
Check Availability
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Recent Camping Photos near Vaughn, WA
272 Photos of 255 Vaughn Campgrounds
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Belfair State Park Campground
Sunday C.
Jarrell Cove State Park Campground
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Penrose Point State Park Campground
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Sun Outdoors Gig Harbor
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Twanoh State Park Campground
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Joemma Beach State Park Campground
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Christmas Tree Ridge
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Recent Reviews near Vaughn, WA
1130 Reviews of 255 Vaughn Campgrounds
Edward R.
GuideDash Point State Park Campground
Tight for big rigs
Stayed on site 38. Perfect for Van camping. Electric,water and sewer. Some sewer locations may need an extension hose. Power ran about 118 to 120 voltage. Cell service where we were at ...ATT had 3 bars and Verizon at 1 or 2 bars at best. Very dated park. But paved narrow roads and tight sites. Reserved on phone, same day of arrival. At 3:18 pm and checkin was closed. So we just went to site. Our loop restroom was very dated and needed some repairs. X1 shower in men's and women's. Men's side had tile missing but had hot water. Overall....just a very dated park. Airport noise noticeable. But spaces are somewhat spaced out with some privacy.
- JJoanna D.Guide
Kitsap Memorial State Park Campground
Nice, quiet for bicycle touring
As cyclists, we really enjoyed this state park. The hiker/biker sites are in a wooded area removed from the other sites which makes them peaceful. Good bathroom and shower amenities, picnic tables by the hiker/biker sites and in the day use area, and a lovely ocean view. Love the cheap, first come first serve option for those arriving by human power! There is also access to a store with supplies and firewood nearby. We enjoyed this spot because we could bike from our home in North Seattle, take the ferry from Edmonds and do a quick one-nighter over here.
Karen C.GuideFay Bainbridge Park
KC
Gorgeous location. We saw one staff person working SO hard cleaning the campground of weekend trash. The bathroom was ghastly! Big door doesn’t close, the one shower stall so old I don’t think cleaning could help. Totally unsafe with just a couple curtains - no lock. Don’t go in there alone. If you play Pickle Ball you’re in luck - the Founders Course s are wonderful and the Club Members very welcoming!
- WWade R.Scout
VFW 969 Rec Park
VFW 969 Rec Park
VFW 969 Rec Park is clean and quiet. It's run by the VFW and has until recently been just for veterans and active military. They have now opened it to civilians for RV camping at just $50/day, tent camping at $20/day and up to 7 days. It is located right on the Carbon River with a couple awesome swimming holes. Nested between South Prarie and Orting. There is a biking/walking/running path that goes all the way between both towns and then some. There is onsite showers/toilets and coin operated laundry. Full court basketball, softball/kickball field, children's playground/swingset. There is guest parking first come first serve. Guests are allowed to use the clubhouse as long as they clean up after themselves. There is a big screen TV and comfy couch for movie nights and there are also board games and books. The clubhouse can also be rented out for events. (Speak to management for pricing) This place is a little slice of heaven tucked back out of the way of the hustle and bustle of the metro areas surrounding it. There is so much to do around the PNW and this is the perfect base camp.
Bekah M.GuideIssaquah Village RV Park
What you need before a flight
We could not find an rv park willing to rent to us for 1 day before returning our van the next morning to roadsurfer and flying out of SeaTac. This one did and they were so nice. Last minute on our way from mt ranier called and got a 1 night full hookup for the van. We could fill up water and dump before our return. Also took showers in their shower house and bathrooms. They have laundry as well. Everything is clean and everyone was super nice. Lots of nice campers stored and people who have made this their temporary home away from home. It’s old and right next to the highway. No fire pits and just a little grass but we couldn’t be happier!
- MMekenzie K.Guide
Lake Sylvia State Park Campground
Good, small campground
The campground itself is small, which is nice. We did a lot of laps with our toddler on his bike without having to worry about getting lost or him get tired far from our spot.
We were originally supposed to stay in site #33 but switched because it was right next to the bathroom building, which smelled heavily of pee (the inside didn’t, just the outside). We stayed in #20 - flat, spacious, on the inside but looking toward the water, and site #9 - not particularly flat but right on the water (wouldn’t recommend for a tent).
The lake was extremely low but it definitely seems to be geared toward fishing so if this isn’t your thing and you would rather be able to swim or paddle board, this might not be your lake. There is a designated beach/swim area in the park itself but I can see that getting quite crowded and it was be a bit disappointing to be right on the water and be too worried about fish hooks to swim from the site.
There’s a beautiful new pavilion with a wash station, picnic tables, and big fireplace. There are also quite a few trails in the area, which kept up busy for most of a day.
- DDenise M.Guide
Home Sweet Home — Olympic National Park
Beautiful beach camping
I would have given this campground 5 stars if it wasn't for the screaming kids all day and up to 10 at night. Otherwise it's a beautiful campground with beach access and very dog friendly.
Peter D.
TravelerPenrose Point State Park Campground
Shaded Sites, Great Views
Really enjoyable early May stay at this campground. Sites are mostly shaded and feel fairly private and spacious , and it wasn’t too busy when we stayed Sunday night. Beautiful waterfront—morning walk along the beach was a highlight, very peaceful and scenic with easy access from the campground. Restrooms were generally clean (just some spider webs on the windows) and we didn't get the chance to use the showers. There’s a convenient water station between campsites, and the fire pit/grill were in good shape, though it would be nice if cleaning supplies were provided. A few campers were oddly loud in the evening, but it quieted down by around 10 pm. Location is convenient, with a gas station about 4 minutes away and a grocery store around 12 minutes. Make sure you buy your firewood before you arrive. They have, but they couldn't sell us any, even if we arrived around 4 PM. The $15 non-resident fee was a downside. Overall, a great stay (4/5)—I’d probably come back if I’m in the area.
Guide to Vaughn
Camping spots near Vaughn, Washington provide access to both saltwater and freshwater recreation with Hood Canal forming the eastern boundary of the Key Peninsula. The region experiences moderate temperatures with winter lows rarely dropping below freezing and summer highs typically in the 70s. Most campgrounds remain accessible year-round, though some primitive areas may have seasonal road closures during wet winter months.
What to do
Water activities at Potlatch State Park: Located about 30 miles northwest of Vaughn, the park offers beach access to Hood Canal for swimming, fishing, and shellfish harvesting. "As the tide comes and goes, so does the water fowl. Nice campground, open sites, full hook ups," notes Kari R. about the Potlatch State Park Campground.
Hiking at Twanoh State Park: Just 35 miles from Vaughn, this park offers moderate hiking trails through forests adjacent to Hood Canal. "Directly behind my campsite was the Twanoh trailhead, where my husband and I hiked in the morning and didn't see anyone else on the trail. It was pretty wet and muddy so opt for hiking boots over tennis shoes," shares Saraj B. about Twanoh State Park Campground.
Beach exploring at Joemma Beach: This state park features public beach access with a 525-foot pier extending into Puget Sound. "The beach is walking distance. And you can walk around if you want we did spot a bald eagle early in the morning," reports Asuka S., who visited during spring.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the natural separation at certain campgrounds. "The 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," writes Brittany D. about Dash Point State Park Campground.
Wildlife viewing: The area supports diverse wildlife viewing opportunities. "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," mentions Amy & Stu B. about their experience at Dosewallips State Park Campground.
Shellfish harvesting: Many beaches offer seasonal shellfish gathering. "We loved this spot! A quick walk from camp and your picking oysters from Hood Canal. Amazing! The swimming was great too," shares Blaine B. about their visit to Twanoh State Park.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most established campgrounds require advance booking, especially during peak season. "Reserve a spot at the beach loop fills up quickly - get your reservations in as early as possible if you want to camp there," advises Scott S. about Belfair State Park.
Tide awareness: Coastal camping requires understanding tides for both recreation and boat safety. "Beware, the tide goes out far enough to ground a boat if you dock too close to shore," cautions a reviewer about Jarrell Cove State Park Campground.
Road noise variations: Some campgrounds experience traffic noise due to proximity to highways. "The campground borders a busy highway and traffic noise is bad. Some nice campsites in a wooded loop along a nice little creek for tenters," notes Colleen T. about Potlatch State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Water temperature considerations: Hood Canal waters are warmer than typical Puget Sound beaches. "Tent camped here mid week last August. 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. about Belfair State Park Campground.
Junior Ranger programs: Several state parks offer educational activities for children. "The grounds, including bathrooms, were well maintained and the kids enjoyed taking part in the junior ranger program," shares Sarah H. about her experience at Penrose Point State Park.
Dog-friendly options: Most campgrounds accommodate pets with specific restrictions. "This place is Perfect for families with all size children. There is a small stream running through the side of Some of the camp spots that the kids can play. It's directly across the Street from the beach," notes VIKKY S. about Potlatch State Park.
Tips from RVers
Hookup variations: Water and electric availability varies significantly between campgrounds. "Sites and restrooms were clean. We had a great time exploring the beaches. Sites were reasonably private and quiet at night (except for a brief invasion of 6 raccoons at our site one night!)," reports Rachel about Penrose Point State Park Campground.
Site leveling challenges: Some campgrounds have uneven terrain requiring preparation. "Often our first or last trip of the year, due to its proximity to the greater Seattle area. Small sites with little privacy but very well kept for a heavily used park," notes Doug about Belfair State Park.
Navigating narrow roads: Some campgrounds have access limitations. "The drive to Jarrel cove is on a very rural road with several places where the road is almost one lane wide," cautions Steve C., important information for drivers of larger vehicles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Vaughn, WA?
What camping is available near Vaughn, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Vaughn, WA offers a wide range of camping options, with 255 campgrounds and RV parks near Vaughn, WA and 16 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Vaughn, WA?
Which is the most popular campground near Vaughn, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Vaughn, WA is Dash Point State Park Campground with a 3.9-star rating from 74 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Vaughn, WA?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Vaughn, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 16 free dispersed camping spots near Vaughn, WA.
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