Ellen M.
Scout
ScoutHarry Gardner Park
Amazing
It was me and my son's first time camping at this campsite and we had an amazing time I rate this camping experience at 10 out of 10 and I would definitely will be back again soon
Camping near Yelm, WA
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
Camping near Yelm, WA ranges from full-hookup RV parks and lakefront sites to tent-only areas shaded by old-growth forest, all within a 30-minute drive. Millersylvania State Park, located about 15 miles northwest of Yelm, offers year-round camping with tent sites, RV hookups, cabins, and yurts set among old-growth forests and a freshwater lake. Alder Lake Park provides lakefront camping with boat access and full hookups for RVs. American Heritage Campground in nearby Olympia combines traditional camping amenities with cabin rentals. Military personnel have additional options at Joint Base Lewis-McChord facilities, including Lewis North Travel Camp and Holiday Park, which provide specialized accommodations for service members and their families.
Washington State Parks in the region require a Discover Pass for day use, currently priced at $30 annually, though overnight campers typically pay separate camping fees. Most established campgrounds in the area maintain year-round operations, though services may be reduced during winter months. Reservations are strongly recommended during summer weekends when facilities regularly reach capacity. As one camper noted about Millersylvania State Park: "This is a very nice, typical Washington state park with plenty of trees, greenery, hiking pathways and even a lake. It's just far enough off I-5 to not have the freeway noise, but close enough to be convenient." Cell service varies throughout the region, with better coverage at campgrounds closer to Olympia and Tacoma.
Privacy levels differ significantly between campgrounds and specific loops within them. RV sites often feature less seclusion than tent-only areas. According to visitor reviews, tent sites at many state parks offer more tree coverage and separation between campers. Campground amenities typically include fire rings, picnic tables, and access to potable water. Most established sites provide flush toilets and showers, while some feature camp stores selling firewood and basic supplies. The region's typical Pacific Northwest climate means campers should prepare for rain possibilities even during summer months. Proximity to Mount Rainier National Park makes many of these campgrounds convenient basecamps for day trips to explore the mountain's hiking trails and visitor centers.
Best Campgrounds near Yelm (262)
1. Millersylvania State Park Campground
"This is a very nice, typical Washington state park with plenty of trees, greenery, hiking, pathways and even a lake."
"This is a beautiful park located on Deep Lake just outside of Olympia. The park itself is huge offering lots of options for campers. "
from $12 - $137 / night
Check Availability2. Alder Lake Campground
"It's about an hours drive from Paradise, which makes it less ideal than Cougar Rock if that's your destination, but the reservations do not fill up nearly as quickly."
"Walking distance to the day use beach area. Very clean showers. Well maintained sites and fire wood for sale with the camp host. A great spot for exploring near Mt. Rainer."
from $35 - $265 / night
Check Availability3. American Heritage Campground
"We had a little trouble finding this spot because an industrial area moved in around the campground. Signs tell you where it is, but it feels wrong."
"Site #5 is close to main office where you can get wifi if you want, we declined though. Restrooms were good. No issues. Will definitely return again soon!"
from $40 - $60 / night
Check Availability4. Riverbend Campground
"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."
"We needed something close to the city, but didn’t want to feel like we were in the city, this fit the bill. People are very friendly and accommodating. The park is really clean."
5. 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 $23 - $80 / night
Check Availability6. Elkamp Eastcreek
"Rainier as it is within minutes of the Nisquilly entrance. The majority of the campsites were amid tall trees. "
"The sites are situated amongst beautiful tall trees, spacious and private. A beautiful creek runs through with a foot bridge with access to a beautiful meadow."
from $25 - $40 / night
Check Availability7. Lewis North Travel Camp - Joint Base Lewis McChord
"Very friendly next to the lake plenty of things to do walking, biking, hiking, fishing, Military museums, not to far off of I-5. Full hookups laundry shower facilities. Cabins too."
"Unfortunately the restrooms right next to our site were closed so it was a slight walk to the nearest restroom. Restrooms were heated and well taken care of."
from $12 - $35 / night
Check Availability8. The Healing Farm
"The kids was in Awh with all the animals and how they would let you walk up to them and interact with them."
from $60 / night
Check Availability9. Holiday Park Military - Lewis McChord Base
"Excellent location for those with military access to the base - active duty, retired or family. 30/50 amp hookups. Beautiful views of American Lake. Pet friendly."
"It is in the wilderness, on the lake, but it is also fairly close to stores and gas stations. Long term max is 28 days per spot."
10. 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 $12 - $72 / night
Check Availability
Drive Time
- 24 min from Olympia, WA
- 57 min from Bremerton, WA
- 1 hr 2 min from Seattle, WA
- 1 hr 17 min from Longview, WA
Recent Camping Photos near Yelm, WA
358 Photos of 262 Yelm Campgrounds
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American Heritage Campground
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Recent Reviews near Yelm, WA
1265 Reviews of 262 Yelm Campgrounds
- m
mason G.
TravelerBelfair State Park Campground
Beautiful, easy to get to campground
This is a beautiful state park with plenty of bathrooms, showers, and water points. There are plenty of full hookup RV spots, non-hookup TV spots, and tenet camping sites. There is a playground for kids, easy access beach area for swimming and paddle boarding, and pathways for pleasant walks.
I stayed on the beach loop at site 142. It was sunny during the day with nice shade in the evening. A blackberry patch right behind me was just beginning to ripen.
Great place for families with a loop for the kids to cruise on their bikes.
Lainey P.
RangerSnow Lake Backcountry Campsites — Mount Rainier National Park
Lots of incline and decline on a short hike in
The hike is short but it can be pretty tough, plus it gets very busy on warm days being one of the few swimmable spots in the park. Campground seemed well kept
- Lainey P.Ranger
Sahara Creek DNR Horse Camp
HORSE WAS SHOT & SHERIFF WOULD NOT COME
This went from a four star stay to one star in the blink of an eye. There is a shooting range directly behind this campground, and the horse trails lead right past it. On August 8th 2026 around 2PM, someone’s horse was shot while they were riding less than a half a mile away from camp and when they called 911, animal control came but police would NOT come even to investigate. This was reckless use of a firearm, animal endangerment, and honestly should be a felony. There is no way to accidentally be shooting at the trails from the shooting range, you have to DECIDE to do that. Police are absolutely useless, and now I know especially in this area the cops don’t give a damn about anyone’s safety.
You can hear shooting nearby all day and all night despite the posted hours at the range. Although it’s a free stay with a discover pass, I will NOT EVER stay here again and would not recommend this place to anyone with horses.
- Lainey P.Ranger
Cougar Rock Group Campground — Mount Rainier National Park
Some sites better than others
Site C13 is directly next to bathrooms and trash. It is a pull through site. B loop has no facilities but does have unmarked paths that lead directly through C13’s driveway to get to the bathrooms. I had all manner of campers parading past my car, closer than arms length while I was sleeping inside, all night long and especially in the morning as the campers right behind my site walked directly through the campsite itself and around my car. I’d never stay at this one again without blocking off paths and having a big trailer to fill the space.
Darron S.RangerDispersed Camping FS-025
Decent dispersed near Mt Rainier NP
The pullout park spots are very close to the paved road leading to it. No potholes on the dirt road. Secluded/private. Tall rainforest trees provide shade during the day. There are several spots for vans, conversions, and short RVs. No Internet. No water. No vault toilets. No trash. Primitive dispersed site.
- Darron S.Ranger
FR74 dispersed
Try another road/spot
The main pullout was taken. It looks as if the RV has been there for more than 14 days (it is on jack stands). Another reviewer mentioned the potholes. Thats a fact. I drive around in a RWD Chevy Astro van, and I bet that primitive, unguarded road chewed into the rubber between my suspension parts. No Internet. No access to the river, (unless you want to cut all the thick foliage)away like exploiters and trailblazers did in the 1800’s. ) Only one fire pit, the one the RV was at. You can drive up a little further and crash for the night. It is level. This dirt road is one lane. It is heavily non-RV friendly. I didn't even sleep there. I checked it out, then decided to drive to nearby Mount Rainier NP. This place was pretty though. Like a rainforest you see in Olympic NP.
Sarah R.Travelerriffe lake
Bummed
Showed up on a Thursday not expecting many folks, so we were surprised to see so many for a weekday. If we’d known it was basically a free “campground” not one or Two dispersed sites we wouldn’t have come. Our fault for that. I was surprised with people parking close to us, blocking the view because they parked right behind us, no spacial awareness and a lot less manners than you’d think. Luckily the place was clean, toilets were gross when we showed up Thursday, poo in the urinal and I’ve never ever in my 45 years of camping seen such a full porta potty. Thank goodness they came and emptied them Friday which is the usual Apparently. We met a few Nice people and that was fantastic, but seriously, who pulls a huge rig behind you to block the view? I just can’t get over that. Needless to say we won’t come back.
Michael B.TravelerStraddleline Park
Calm weekend
I’m a tent camper, and messed up and reserved a RV spot. I paid for another spot more suited for tent camping and moved over. When talking to the campsite manager the following day, she offered to refund the 2nights at the wrong site. We declined the refund just because it goes to keeping the area put together and she was doing a fantastic job keeping everything clean and restocked over the short stay we were there.
Men’s restroom had 2 urinals three stalls and a shower, women’s restroom had three stalls and a shower. One larger stall in both.
Guide to Yelm
Camping near Yelm, Washington offers year-round options with most sites sitting at elevations between 500-800 feet in the foothills leading toward Mount Rainier. The area experiences a mild maritime climate with summer temperatures typically ranging from 70-85°F and winter lows rarely dropping below 25°F. Rainfall averages 50 inches annually, with the driest camping conditions occurring from July through September.
What to do
Hiking accessible trails: Several campgrounds provide direct access to forest paths suitable for various skill levels. At Millersylvania State Park Campground, visitors can explore old-growth forests via well-maintained trails. "Lots of walking trails and a lake. Many families and kids running free," notes Anna P., who appreciates the park's natural setting and amenities.
Lake activities: Paddle boating, fishing, and swimming opportunities exist at several campgrounds within 30 minutes of Yelm. "The lake is the main attraction and it is hopping. We went early in the morning and staked a claim and were happy all day. There is a nice shallow area and two large swimming areas as well as a fishing dock," explains Ellen T. about Millersylvania's water features.
Wildlife viewing: The dense forests and wetland areas support diverse wildlife. At The Healing Farm, campers can interact with farm animals in a unique setting. "The kids were in awe with all the animals and how they would let you walk up to them and interact with them. The goats were awesome, they would spend all day out at our camp," reports Rebecca A.
What campers like
Private sites: Many campgrounds offer secluded spots despite being relatively close to urban areas. At Elkamp Eastcreek, "Sites are fairly large & private with tons of old trees and right next to a creek," according to Ariel & John W., who appreciated the natural separation between campsites.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms and facilities rank high on camper satisfaction. "Elkamp was very clean with the nicest campground bathrooms we have ever experienced," notes Shannon H. The campground provides coin-operated showers and designated dish washing stations.
Easy access to Mount Rainier: Campers appreciate locations that serve as convenient basecamps for national park exploration. As Gary D. mentions about Sasquatch Farm, it's the "Perfect base camp to explore Mt Rainier." This proximity allows for day trips without the higher costs of staying within the national park boundaries.
What you should know
Seasonal water levels: Water features may change significantly throughout the year. At Alder Lake Park, one camper noted: "Only damper to this year was the dam in Tacoma was partially drained causing a 'low tide' which exposed the dirt and poor beach area... usually when water is at normal level the beach is all sand and water is clean and clear."
Noise considerations: While most campgrounds feel remote, some have audible human activity. "You might hear a bit of road noise, depending on your site. But it's a small price to pay for a low-effort, high-reward camping weekend," reports Saraj B. about Dash Point State Park.
Cell service variability: Connectivity differs widely between locations. At Millersylvania State Park, Christina F. reports "We had decent service for Verizon," while another camper notes "beautiful campsite, amazing trails just no cell service." Plan accordingly if you need to stay connected.
Tips for camping with families
Look for kid-friendly activities: Campgrounds with playgrounds, shallow swimming areas, or educational opportunities work best for families with young children. "We come here often as we live in Olympia. Pros: close to the city in case you forget something or a little one has a meltdown, lots of varied activities: biking, light mtb, trail running, hiking, paddling & fishing," explains Calvin K. about Millersylvania State Park.
Choose sites near amenities: When camping with kids, proximity to bathrooms and water sources can make a big difference. At Riverbend Campground, one visitor appreciated the "close/easy access to bathrooms, showers, potable water, and hiking trails, not to mention the numerous activities available near the lake."
Book early for summer weekends: Family-friendly sites fill quickly during peak season. As one camper mentioned, "After months of trying to get reservations for this popular campground, we finally got one for Thanksgiving weekend!" Plan ahead, especially for holiday periods.
Tips from RVers
Full hookup availability: Several campgrounds offer complete RV services within 30 minutes of Yelm. At Lewis North Travel Camp, military personnel can access "W/s/e at each site. Great stay for the price. Laundry washers work well, but driers don't heat up," according to William B.
Site access considerations: Some campgrounds have challenging site configurations. Doug from American Heritage Campground notes that some sites "have a concrete slab and fit our Jayco 174BH perfectly. This site is a back in, but the slab is at a 90 degree angle from the drive. So you will have to back your trailer around a corner if you plan to park it on the slab."
Weather preparation: RVers should prepare for muddy conditions during wet seasons. "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 as I was trying to get leveling blocks down," warns Christina F. about Millersylvania's winter conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best camping spots near Yelm, WA?
Where are the best camping spots near Yelm, WA?
The Yelm area offers excellent camping options with easy access to Mount Rainier. Alder Lake Park near Eatonville provides both boat-in and drive-in access with reservable sites, water, and toilets. For those seeking a more backcountry experience, Ipsut Creek Backcountry Campground in Mount Rainier National Park offers beautiful hiking opportunities and proximity to the national park's attractions. If you're looking for convenient overnight parking near Mount Rainier, Washington Natural Resources Parking provides a simple gravel lot that requires a Washington State Discover pass. While not perfectly level, it offers a quiet place to sleep with pickup campers or similar vehicles.
What RV parks are available near Yelm, Washington?
What RV parks are available near Yelm, Washington?
RV enthusiasts near Yelm have several good options. American Heritage Campground near Olympia offers drive-in access with reservable sites, water, toilets, and is big-rig friendly. For military members, Lewis North Travel Camp - Joint Base Lewis McChord provides convenient RV accommodations with reservable sites, water, and toilets. Dash Point State Park Campground also accommodates RVs in a clean, beautifully laid out setting with friendly volunteers and good amenities. While slightly further, the campground offers a positive experience for RV campers visiting the area.
Are there any state parks with camping facilities near Yelm?
Are there any state parks with camping facilities near Yelm?
Millersylvania State Park Campground is one of the closest state parks to Yelm, offering wooded sites and lake access. Another excellent option is Seaquest State Park Campground, which features beautiful campsites surrounded by forest. Seaquest is particularly well-positioned for exploring Mount St. Helens, with a Washington State Visitor Center accessible via a 1-mile walking trail from the campground. The park includes RV sites with hookups, tent sites, group areas, and walk-in spots. There's also a large playground and day-use area with covered shelters, making it suitable for families.
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