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Best Campgrounds near Seattle, WA

1,261 Reviews

Several good camping spots sit within an hour of Seattle for those needing a quick nature break. Dash Point State Park Campground, just 21 miles from downtown, has nicely spaced sites and clean bathrooms. Penrose Point State Park Campground works well for campers who like to fish or walk along the shore. In Carnation, Tolt MacDonald Park puts you right by hiking trails and the Snoqualmie River. Late spring and early fall bring the most comfortable camping weather around Seattle, though you should always pack rain gear since showers can happen anytime in this part of Washington. Most campgrounds near the city have good roads that any vehicle can handle. You'll want to book ahead, particularly on summer weekends when locals fill these places quickly. Both tent and RV campers can find suitable options at these Seattle-area campgrounds.

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Best Camping Sites Near Seattle, Washington (255)

    1. Fay Bainbridge Park

    22 Reviews
    Bainbridge Island, WA
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (206) 842-3931

    $7 - $95 / night

    "Hike and Bike/tent area has a wonderful view of Seattle across Puget Sound. Unfortunately, the campground is far too crowded with people coming for day use, which also means a lot of litter."

    ". #2, #3, #4 are IMO best after that as they move away from the beach and then curve around in ascending order.

    Some neighbor noise, sites are close, but was not busy."

    2. Dash Point State Park Campground

    72 Reviews
    Federal Way, WA
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 226-7688

    $20 / night

    "But it's relatively close to Seattle, which is great, and there's a nice day use area across the highway.

    Would only stay here again for its proximity to Seattle."

    "Just outside of Seattle, perfect little spot to just get away from the hustle and bustle of the city"

    3. Manchester State Park Campground

    18 Reviews
    Manchester, WA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 871-4065

    $50 / night

    "Manchester is one of the few campgrounds that's easily bikeable from Seattle. Nice sites that feel relatively secluded and charging available if you have an e-bike like me."

    "It took no time to get there from Seattle and the park staff were GREAT and gave us some great tips for future visits. The camp site was perfect....clean and just what we needed to unwind."

    4. Lake Pleasant RV Park

    14 Reviews
    Bothell, WA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (425) 487-1785

    $62 - $750 / night

    "This is the nicest park with the best rates close to the Seattle area. It’s north of Lake Washington so you can skip bridge traffic and tolls. It has easy access to UW Bothell."

    "You cannot beat this location! Close to Seattle, feels secluded, but you can walk or take a short drive to restaurants, groceries, anything you could want or need."

    5. Vasa Park Resort

    6 Reviews
    Bellevue, WA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (425) 746-3260

    $65 - $125 / night

    "Cute campground very close to Seattle and Bellevue right on the lake. Beautiful beach area, basketball courts, playground, and volleyball right at the site. Spots are a little tight."

    "Only drawback is there isn't much in the immediate area. 15 min walk to the nearest deli and a drive for anything else in town. Being 20 mins from downtown Seattle is a plus, however."

    6. Blake Island Marine State Park Campground

    4 Reviews
    Manchester, WA
    9 miles
    Website

    $12 - $45 / night

    "Really fantastic location. Very strict rangers which can be good or bad depending on your preference. Quiet hours are at 10pm which is early for some people so be aware."

    "Hike the perimeter trail for views all around the island. It's a great place to stay in the summer months and relax."

    7. Saltwater State Park Campground

    16 Reviews
    Des Moines, WA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (253) 661-4956

    $60 / night

    "My family stayed here for a night when we went out to Washington a few months ago. It was a nice little place."

    "We needed a place to stay with our camper van for a night before flying out of Seattle and it was perfect. Amenities were clean and fully functional."

    8. Dosewallips State Park Campground

    45 Reviews
    Brinnon, WA
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 796-4415

    $12 - $50 / night

    "The grounds are well-maintained with easy access to some hiking trails that are easy to moderate in difficulty."

    "This campground is right next to a state park. It’s also very close to a river and lots of woods."

    9. Tall Chief Campground

    15 Reviews
    Fall City, WA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "But if you enjoy a little distance between sites without sacrificing camp size line up here. Modest amenities but distances to Seattle is day trip doable."

    "We love Tall Chief because it is super close to a lot of great spots around the Seattle region.

    It’s super close (like 7 min drive) from one of my favorite coffee shops, Aroma Coffee Co. Try it!"

    10. Tolt MacDonald Park, WA

    22 Reviews
    Carnation, WA
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (206) 205-5434

    "There was another store, just outside of town at Redmond Town Center with plenty of parking and a Red Robin. Woo-Hoo!"

    "Lots of families... riding bikes & walking. Play equipment for the kids.
    Showers are free but the water pressure is lacking. But hey... it’s free! 40 minutes to Seattle."

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Recent Camping Photos near Seattle, WA

335 Photos of 255 Seattle Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Seattle, WA

1261 Reviews of 255 Seattle Campgrounds

  • andrew The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Lewis North Travel Camp - Joint Base Lewis McChord

    Easy

    If you have access, use it. $50 for FHU. The laundry is fine. The bathhouse is big and well maintained. There are two separate buildings with these facilities. I observed Commons#2. The park is kid of tight for my tastes. But the sites are big and separated from your neighbors. Very comfortable and woodsy. Great place.

  • L
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Vasa Park Resort

    Vasa Park Resort

    We have enjoyed our 3 week stay at this little water front event and RV campground. This is in the shore of Lake Samammish, giving access to swim, paddle, picnic. The facilities and grounds are kept clean and well maintained. It been fun watching the buffet groups come in and have their celebrations. Everyone is friendly and kind.

  • F O.
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Tinkham Campground

    One night

    Road getting into the campground was horrendous their was alot of road noise but the camp sites were big and clean. And at $32.00 a night with no electric was kind of pricey. The camp host was nice.

  • Meghan B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 4, 2025

    Rhododendron Campground

    Rhododendron Park & Campground

    Currently $15/night. Beautiful wooded area with space between most sites. A couple Port-O-Potties and garbage cans. Half occupied or less on a Wednesday night. Next to a dog kennel or shelter, so there was quite a bit of barking when we arrived late afternoon, but was quiet when they were put in for the evening/night. Military jets flew back and forth for an hour starting at 8PM--these aren't normal airplane sounds. It's frighteningly LOUD. For a solid hour. Very faint road noise in the morning. So basically, don't expect peace and quiet if you visit... but it's a nice, cheap spot for a quick overnight while traveling through.

  • J
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Kayak Point County Park

    Small woodsy campground with beach access

    All campsites are surrounded by trees so choose carefully if you need a pull through or if you have a large rig that you’re trying to back up. We had a small camper van and it fit perfectly. Campsite is on a bluff above the beach, but you can’t see the sunset from the campground you would have to go down to the beach. Bathroom/shower is typical for a state or county campground - functional, but zero elegance. This one is a county campground and state or federal passes do not apply. Water and 30 amp electric at all sites except one tent site. Douglas squirrels are common and shy. Pets are welcome on leash.

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 26, 2025

    NF-2419 Dispersed Pullout

    Large spot in the woods

    My friend and I met here and had plenty of room for my truck, 21' trailer, and a lost woman who we let pull in and sleep. It was so large that we could have added a few more vehicles. The road wasn't bad. There were blackberry plants all over the place. There was, unfortunately, a lot of trash and no Verizon service.

  • T
    Aug. 25, 2025

    Camp Lakeview

    Ball field camping spots

    Overall very nice but you get what you pay for. Limited fire pits and spots are first come first serve and field is not regularly monitored. Bathrooms are portapotties and no shower facilities. Also it is across the road from main campground.

  • Johnny/Lisa M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 24, 2025

    Dash Point State Park Campground

    Ok spot

    It’s ok. Again. A little catfished. Was here for two nights. Quiet at night Campground full of kids if that’s your thing! Bathrooms clean and everyone is friendly! It’s beautiful

  • mThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 19, 2025

    Kitsap Memorial State Park Campground

    Very nice place

    Stayed at Kitsap Memorial Park past few days. Very quiet area, lots of room on site 9, walked to beach area. Bathrooms for camping have code, cleaned frequently. 5G service was fast. Very nice place.

Guide to Seattle

Camping near Seattle, WA, offers a fantastic escape into nature without straying too far from the city. With a variety of campgrounds to choose from, you can find the perfect spot for your next outdoor adventure.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the miles of trails available at places like Dash Point State Park Campground. One reviewer mentioned, "Several miles of hiking trails and chances to see wildlife or catch frogs."
  • Beach Activities: Enjoy the sandy shores at Camano Island State Park Campground. A visitor noted, "The beach is beautiful, rocky and sandy - love the PNW beaches."
  • Fishing: Try your luck at Penrose Point State Park Campground. One camper shared, "We caught a bunch of little trout (catch and release) with the kids."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A review for Dosewallips State Park Campground stated, "Super clean bathrooms and showers."
  • Spacious Campsites: Many enjoy the roomy sites at Fort Flagler Historical State Park Campground. One visitor remarked, "Our site had a very tight neighboring spot on just one side... and an ample area with picnic table, fire pit."
  • Family-Friendly Atmosphere: Campgrounds like Kanaskat-Palmer State Park are great for families. A reviewer mentioned, "Quiet and private. Lots of areas to adventure on and off of the state park."

What you should know:

  • Noise Levels: Some campgrounds can be noisy due to nearby roads or other campers. A review for Belfair State Park Campground noted, "Some of the larger sites... have little, if any, vegetation to provide privacy."
  • Reservations: Popular spots fill up quickly, especially during peak season. One camper at Fort Flagler Historical State Park Campground advised, "Probably need to reserve far in advance."
  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have full hookups. A visitor at Seal Rock Campground mentioned, "No hookups of any kind keep this place less busy."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places like Tolt MacDonald Park, which has playgrounds and open spaces. A reviewer said, "The campground is in 500+ acre Tolt-McDonald Park, far enough away from any busy road."
  • Pack for Activities: Bring along games and outdoor gear. One family at Belfair State Park Campground enjoyed, "The kids spent most days playing in the river or at the beach."
  • Plan for Meals: Make meal prep easy with picnic tables and fire pits available at many sites. A camper at Dash Point State Park Campground noted, "I was in a pull-through full hook-up site."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Kanaskat-Palmer State Park mentioned, "The campground is nice and clean... the second loop has electric."
  • Use Reservations Wisely: Some campgrounds require reservations, especially during busy times. A visitor at Fort Flagler Historical State Park Campground said, "During the summer months reservations are required."
  • Be Prepared for Limited Services: Not all campgrounds have full amenities. A camper at Seal Rock Campground noted, "The campground and bathrooms are clean and well maintained."

Camping near Seattle, WA, offers a mix of adventure and relaxation, making it a great choice for your next getaway.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best camping areas near Seattle for weekend getaways?

For quick weekend escapes from Seattle, Scenic Beach State Park Campground offers private sites with stunning views and is an easy drive from the city. Another excellent option is Kanaskat-Palmer State Park, which provides clean facilities, decent-sized sites, and the opportunity to watch salmon swimming upstream in season. Other notable weekend destinations include Manchester State Park (accessible by bike from Seattle), Denny Creek Campground (just 50 miles from the city near Snoqualmie Pass), and Tinkham Campground with its beautiful mountain drive access. Most of these campgrounds are within 1-2 hours of Seattle, making them perfect for a quick nature escape without extensive travel time.

What amenities are available at Seattle area campgrounds?

Seattle area campgrounds offer various amenities to enhance your camping experience. Cascades RV Resort provides spacious free showers, an on-site café, and convenient access to gas stations and restaurants. For state parks like Manchester State Park Campground, you'll typically find clean restrooms, shower facilities, and charging stations for e-bikes. Most campgrounds offer flat tent pads, picnic tables, and fire rings. Some locations like Denny Creek provide electrical hookups for RVs, though water connections are less common. Bathroom facilities range from modern restrooms with showers to simple vault toilets. Many campgrounds feature access to recreational activities like hiking trails, fishing spots, and swimming areas. Cell service varies by location, so plan accordingly for remote areas.

Is it possible to find free camping options close to Seattle?

Finding free camping near Seattle is challenging but possible if you're willing to venture a bit farther out. The closest options are typically dispersed camping areas in national forests, such as Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, which requires a Northwest Forest Pass ($5 daily or $30 annual). Tinkham Campground isn't free but offers affordable sites with beautiful river access. Evergreen State Fairgrounds provides budget-friendly options during non-event periods. For truly free camping, you'll need to explore forest service roads in the mountains east of Seattle, following dispersed camping rules (200 feet from water sources, using existing sites). The trade-off for free camping is typically minimal to no amenities, so come prepared with water, waste disposal plans, and leave-no-trace practices.

When is the best season for camping around Seattle?

The prime camping season around Seattle runs from late spring through early fall (May-September), when weather is most reliable and facilities are fully operational. Summer offers the warmest temperatures and driest conditions, making it ideal for water activities at places like Blake Island Marine State Park Campground, which is accessible by boat from Seattle and particularly pleasant during summer months. Spring brings beautiful wildflowers but potentially more rain, while early fall at Middle Fork Campground offers fewer crowds and comfortable temperatures. Winter camping is possible at some year-round sites, but expect wet conditions and prepare for potential snow at higher elevations. Always check seasonal closures before planning your trip.

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