Camping spots near Milton, Washington offer a mix of wooded sites, waterfront access, and mountain views throughout the region. Campers can find several options within a 30-mile radius, where elevation ranges from sea level at Puget Sound beaches to approximately 800 feet in the foothills. Most camping areas receive 40-50 inches of annual rainfall, with summer temperatures typically ranging from 60-80°F during peak camping season.
What to do
Explore beach and shorelines: At Penrose Point State Park Campground, visitors access waterfront areas with tide pools and swimming opportunities. "The beach is beautiful here! And the campsites are very secluded! There are tons of trees and bushes in between everybody's campsite," notes a recent camper.
Enjoy water recreation: Dash Point State Park Campground offers access to both freshwater and saltwater areas. "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," shares a visitor.
Hiking trails: Near Kanaskat-Palmer State Park, campers find trail systems connecting campgrounds to rivers and scenic viewpoints. "Loved Kanaskat Palmer. Each site seems to have a trail connecting to the outer trail that runs along the river. Big entertainment for three boys who explored the woods and played on the rocks and in the eddy pools at the public river take-out."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Penrose Point State Park Campground receives high marks for secluded camping spaces. "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!)."
Easy access to urban conveniences: Many camping areas near Milton provide a balance of natural settings with quick access to supplies. At Dash Point, one reviewer notes: "I spent a weekend tent camping at Dash Point State Park, and honestly, it was a great time even though I completely failed to plan any meals. Thankfully, civilization is only about 15 minutes away."
Clean facilities: Kanaskat-Palmer State Park maintains well-regarded restrooms and showers. "Bathrooms in that loop were pretty nice... heated and very clean," reports a visitor. Another camper adds, "The campground has great clean and heated bathrooms. Sites and roads are paved."
What you should know
Seasonal closures: Not all campgrounds operate year-round. While researching Saltwater State Park, a visitor learned: "The campground is open April 1–mid-December but the day use area is open year-round." As of 2024, another visitor reported: "Camping is closed for 2024 while the park undergoes planning and development efforts."
Reservation requirements: Campground availability varies significantly by season. At Game Farm Wilderness Campground in Auburn, a visitor advises: "Book early—reservations open January 1st!"
Noise considerations: Saltwater State Park Campground sits under flight paths from Sea-Tac airport. "No joke- ALL day and night the planes felt like they were in our tent/heads. Every 3-30 seconds it was LOUD," warns one camper. Another notes: "It's right in an urban/suburban corridor with incoming air traffic overhead constantly."
Rules enforcement: Camp rules receive consistent enforcement at some locations. At Kanaskat-Palmer, a camper observed: "This campground is heavily patrolled by the park rangers. I usually have contact with them in my campsite at least twice a day. I have been asked by the park rangers at 10:01 p.m. to be quite as myself and three 9 year old girls were talking too loud."
Tips for camping with families
Beach access: Dash Point State Park Campground offers child-friendly water areas. "This campground was beautiful! There's a day use lake and we had a wonderful time camping here!" A different visitor mentions: "The beach is a short walk from camp, just long enough to make you feel like you earned your sunset view, but not so long that you regret your life choices."
Accommodations for groups: Game Farm Wilderness features facilities designed for larger family gatherings. The campground provides "18 campsites with water and electricity hookups, picnic tables, and fire pits. Visitors can enjoy the shared picnic shelter... making it convenient for scouting, church groups, or other gatherings."
Look for swimming options: When temperatures rise, water access becomes critical. One Kanaskat-Palmer visitor recommends: "We usually take the kids to the lake at Nolte state park (approx. 3 miles away) for water play," noting that the river near the campground can sometimes be too strong for children.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Sun Outdoors Gig Harbor provides comprehensive RV facilities. "Clean, friendly staff, everything we needed and more! They even had a dog wash," notes a first-time RVer. Another adds: "Very well laid out. Beautiful trees and landscaping. Well maintained, full facilities in amenities."
Site sizes and accessibility: For larger RVs, campground selection requires research. At Kanaskat-Palmer, a camper with a 30-foot motorhome reported: "The gravel pull through was so not level the jacks pushed the front tires 6 inches off the ground. But there was lots of private space and the trails were beautiful as they wrapped around the river."
Utility connections: Not all campgrounds offer full hookups. At Kanaskat-Palmer, "Hook ups are electric only, bring your water. The first time we went we did not know and our Basecamp's heat runs via the hot water heater. It was cold!"
