Glamping near Vaughn, Washington offers a mix of waterfront and forest accommodations at several state parks within a 30-mile radius. The area sits at sea level along the Puget Sound shoreline where Hood Canal and Case Inlet meet, creating a unique marine environment. Winter temperatures typically range from 35-45°F while summer days average 65-75°F with minimal rainfall between July and September.
What to do
Oyster harvesting at Hood Canal: At Belfair State Park Campground, visitors can dig for shellfish along the shoreline. "Nestled among the trees, a great place to pitch a tent, dig clams and have a nice dinner," notes Vince L., highlighting the popular activity.
Hiking trails for all levels: Trail networks connect many glamping locations to scenic viewpoints. At Staircase Campground, campers find "great hiking in this area and lots of wildlife can be spotted," according to Carrie J. The trails range from easy nature walks to challenging climbs.
Beach exploration during low tide: The shallow water access at glamping sites creates opportunities for exploring tide pools. "The beach is a short walk from camp, just long enough to make you feel like you earned your sunset view," explains Saraj B. about Dash Point State Park, noting the rocky, muddy texture perfect for beachcombing.
Bird watching from glamping decks: The waterfront location provides excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. At Dosewallips State Park Campground, James and Susan K. mention "hiking trails and river access are accessible through the campground and Day Use area" where eagles and waterfowl can be observed.
What campers like
Year-round waterfront access: Unlike seasonal destinations, many glamping sites near Vaughn remain open through winter. "Often our first or last trip of the year, due to its proximity to the greater Seattle area," says Doug about Belfair State Park, noting its popularity with western Washington residents.
Clean facilities despite high usage: Most glamping locations maintain good standards even during peak season. At Millersylvania State Park, Anna P. appreciates that it's "a bit pricey ($37 peak season) but very convenient if you're in Olympia and need a campsite late/on the fly. Clean bathrooms, water, and a (very cold) shower!"
Privacy between glamping sites: Several locations offer secluded accommodations despite proximity to neighbors. At Dash Point State Park Campground, Brittany D. found "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."
Proximity to marine environments: Many glamping options provide direct water access. The Riverbend Campground features "great riverside tent sites" where J found "super peaceful, great fire pit location, water at the site entrance, portable restrooms away (but close), and best of all right at the river's edge."
What you should know
Reservation requirements vary by season: Most glamping sites require advance booking, especially waterfront locations. Scott S. warns about Belfair that "the beach loop fills up quickly - get your reservations in as early as possible if you want to camp there."
Weather considerations for canvas structures: While glamping tents and yurts offer protection, weather can impact comfort. Referring to Millersylvania, Christina F. shares that "after months of trying to get reservations for this popular campground, we finally got one for Thanksgiving weekend! The park is on their winter schedule so only sites 1-7 and 226-248 were open."
Noise levels from nearby transportation: Some glamping locations experience airplane or road noise. At Saltwater State Park Campground, Mark M. notes "planes fly by constantly but if you have noisy neighbors it's kind of nice haha," indicating the trade-off between location and noise.
Cell service limitations: Coverage varies significantly between glamping sites. While some locations have good service, others have limited connectivity. At Millersylvania, a camper simply notes "beautiful campsite, amazing trails just no cell service."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several glamping locations offer child-friendly amenities. At Fay Bainbridge Park, Tanya B. highlights the "amazing kids area pirate ship. Great beach walk and good camp sites," making it particularly suitable for families.
Shallow water recreation: Many glamping sites feature beaches with gentle slopes. At Belfair State Park, Leah H. found "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."
Trail difficulty considerations: When glamping with children, trail selection matters. At Dosewallips State Park, Michael B. shares his family experience: "We took my wife, six year old, one year old, and my dog and we all had a great time... the most appropriate for us was the beach trail which is maybe 2 miles to the beach and back."
Weather backup plans: For rainy days, consider glamping sites with covered areas. At Millersylvania, John G. notes "separated tent and RV sites, sites are spacious, a very pretty and clean lake, Beer Garden at the lake," providing options when outdoor activities are limited.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for larger vehicles: Not all glamping locations accommodate big rigs. At Riverbend Campground, Doug explains "we got site 106 which was the furthest one out, it was right along the river. The site has a concrete slab and fit our Jayco 174BH perfectly. This site does is a back in, but the slab is at a 90 degree angle from the drive."
Hookup limitations: Check utility options before booking glamping sites. At Belfair State Park, Courteney S. found "the site was clean. The hook ups were easy. Quiet. We went mod week, but the neighbors were basically un-heard."
Leveling challenges at some sites: Terrain can create difficulties even at developed glamping locations. Christina F. observed at Millersylvania that "the only reason for 4 stars instead of 5 is because our site had a huge mud puddle from the road going to the power and water hook-up. The thin layer of mud on the pavement made things quite slick."
Dump station availability: Not all glamping locations offer full-service hookups. Doug notes about Riverbend Campground: "The site had water and electrical, but no sewer connections. They do have a nice dump station."
