Jet noise is part of the deal at Saltwater State Park Campground. Situated directly under the Sea-Tac flight path in Des Moines, Washington, the campground sees commercial aircraft overhead every few minutes throughout the day and night. Some campers tune it out. Others don't. That single variable shapes the experience here more than almost anything else, and it's worth weighing honestly before booking.
The campground itself sits apart from the water, with the beach and day-use area about a five-minute walk from the sites. Sites are close together with little screening between them, and several reviewers note the park posts signs warning of theft in the area. That said, the facilities are consistently well-maintained. Restrooms and showers draw repeated praise for cleanliness, and the pay showers run $1 for three minutes. The beach area includes an outdoor rinse shower and a playground, and there's a seasonal snack shop on weekends. As Ken puts it: "trails are fun, jet traffic is frequent."
For activities, the park gives access to fishing, swimming, and hiking trails along Puget Sound. The day-use beach area is the clear draw, and campers who spend time there tend to rate the park more favorably than those who stay close to the sites. RVs up to 60 feet can be accommodated, with electric hookups available. T-Mobile coverage has been reported as strong, and the camp host maintains a consistent presence. Those looking at camping near Des Moines will find this one of the more amenity-complete options in the immediate area. Nearby alternatives include Midway Village RV Park and Angle Lake RV Park to the north.
The campground runs May through September, and reservations are strongly recommended, particularly for preferred sites. Alcohol is prohibited in both the campground and day-use area. A 2024 closure for planning and development suggests conditions may shift, so confirm current availability directly with Washington State Parks before finalizing plans.
Description
NOTE: The park is in the flight path of Seatac Airport and, during certain hours, planes land or take off over the park every 15 minutes. All campsites are first-come, first-served.
The park has 50 tent spaces, one dump station, four restrooms (one ADA) and two showers (both ADA). All standard sites are in McSorley gulch, next to the creek. Sites have no hook-ups. Maximum site length is 60 feet (may have limited availability).
Check-in time is 2:30 p.m., and check-out time is 1 p.m. Quiet hours are from 10 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.Engine-driven electric generators may be operated only between the hours of 8 a.m. and 9 p.m.Length of stay: You may stay up to ten consecutive days in any one park during the summer; the stay limit is extended to 20 days between Oct. 1 and March 31.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsSaltwater State Park Campground is located in Washington near Des Moines
Directions
Located only two miles south of Des Moines, WA, near Sea-Tac International Airport in King County. Traveling north or south on I-5 take exit #149 at the Kent-Des Moines Hwy. 516, travel west on Hwy. 516 to Marine View Dr. turn left and travel south to S. 252nd St., turn right. The park entrance is one block on the left. Optional Route: From I-5 North: Take exit 147, turn left onto S. 272nd St. travel to 16th Ave So., turn right, travel north to Woodmont Dr. So., turn left , then turn right onto Marine View Drive and travel north to S. 252nd Street, just past the bridge turn left onto S. 252nd. The park entrance is one block on the left.
Address
25205 8th Place S
Des Moines, WA 98198
Coordinates
47.37473 N
122.321 W
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 1 user
- Verizon5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 4 usersLast on 8/22/26
- AT&T5GGood CoverageVerified by 1 user
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 1 user
- Verizon5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 4 usersLast on 8/22/26
- AT&T5GGood CoverageVerified by 1 user
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Tent Cabin
- Yurts
Features
For Campers
- Market
- ADA Access
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- WiFi
- Showers
- Drinking Water
- Electric Hookups
- Toilets
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Pull-Through Sites
- Big Rig Friendly
Drive Time
- 16 min from Seattle, WA
- 37 min from Olympia, WA
- 38 min from Bremerton, WA
- 1 hr 9 min from Mount Vernon, WA














