274 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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.
"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."
from $25 - $95 / night
Check Availability"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"
from $23 - $80 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $12 - $250 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $62 - $750 / night
Check Availability"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."
"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."
"We stayed here while visiting my brother in Seattle and had so much fun. We roasted hotdogs and s‘mores over the camp fire and our dog loved swimming in the lake."
from $65 - $125 / night
Check Availability"The grounds are well-maintained with easy access to some hiking trails that are easy to moderate in difficulty."
"Dump station close by worked great on exit. Wooded with ferns. Rain was nice to enjoy through the windows."
from $12 - $77 / night
Check Availability"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!"
"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."
from $12 - $70 / night
Check Availability"This is a perfect place for dropping your mobile hotel room and explore Seattle and the surrounding areas. There are clean bathrooms, laundromat and rec room."
from $45 - $70 / night
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LegendWe stayed here for a short overnight as we made our way up the Olympic Peninsula to Port Townsend. Nice park with a some trails right from the campground. We enjoyed the Maple Valley loop. There are elk at Dosewallips but we didn’t see any. Some road noise from our site (21) and heard a low-flying helicopter in the morning. Shower water pressure was a bit low and the water not hot enough.
LegendFort Worden State Park has it all. Proximity to a wonderful town, Port Townsend (we rode our bikes there), a hardware store we needed for repairs, amazing scenery and history, trails, kayak rentals, coffee cafe and coffee truck (shout out to Heidi at Gypsy Coffeehouse (food truck behind visitor center). We will go back for way more than the overnight we had.
GuideNice campground. Road noise by 101. $10 a day fee for camping or $5 with annual pass . I paid with the QR code at site.
TravelerCamped on a busy Saturday night and less busy Sunday night. Lots of kids and dogs, sites close together. We were in a middle section for campers w/o hookups — kind of like a parking lot. On the other hand, tent sites were nestled into the very dark, dense tree canopy. Our site was 1 away from the bathroom, which was lit up inside and out with the power of a dozen suns all night. Well, it was bright, anyway. Showers looked good, though we ran out of time to use them. Dump station was under repair, which we were not told, nor was there signage, making for a difficult turnaround.
TravelerSpots are in rows up a hill and most have stairs to actually framed tent pads for tent set up. Lowest row of spots are right across the 5mph street from the puget sound. Its one of the first primitive campgrounds going into the Olympic national forest. There are many campsites that allow for most every type of rv or trailer like pull through and class a
ScoutGreat location - quiet, peaceful. Camp host is the sweetest!
TravelerThis 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.
ScoutLove this park! The staff is wonderful and the pools are great. Yes, I said pools. Lol. Thunderbird has 3 pools for all age groups (one especially designed for little toddlers) and a hot tub plus other great activities around the park. My kids would live at the playground if they could. Lol. Last time we stayed here it was on the riverside near the boat launch and the sunset was amazing over the river.
ScoutI was planning to stay two nights, but jets were practicing night maneuvers from Coupeville and even my earplugs didn’t help, very loud. They stopped around 11 pm. Also-people clean up after your dogs in the fields and meadows! Site 25 was close to garbage collection and people walking by to trails and beach. And sites were close together. No fires when I was there due to dryness.
Camping near Seattle WA ranges from urban parks to forested retreats, many less than an hour's drive from downtown. The region receives approximately 37 inches of rainfall annually, with driest conditions from late June through September. Year-round camping is available at several locations, though winter camping requires preparation for temperatures that can drop to the 30s overnight.
Water activities at Blake Island Marine State Park: Accessible only by boat, the island offers excellent kayaking and beach exploration opportunities. "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," reports Saraj B.
Hiking at Tolt MacDonald Park: Located in Carnation, this park features multiple trails along the Snoqualmie River. "There are hiking trails and access to the water, and plenty of trees to hang your hammock in," notes Dawnielle C. The park's suspension bridge connects to more remote camping areas and additional trails.
Wildlife viewing at Dosewallips State Park: Though farther from Seattle, this park offers exceptional wildlife encounters. "Every night, my husband and I would walk to the wildlife viewing platform to see lots of birds, or walk down by the river and see lots of elk and bald eagles," shares Amy & Stu B.
Privacy between sites at Dash Point: Unlike some busy campgrounds, Dash Point offers good separation between campsites. "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," writes Brittany D. about Dash Point State Park Campground.
Waterfront views at Fay Bainbridge: Located on Bainbridge Island, this park offers exceptional water views. "This park has the most tremendous views of Mt. Rainier and Mt. Baker on a clear day and stunning sunrises," reports Marci M. about Fay Bainbridge Park.
Historical features at Manchester State Park: This former military installation provides unique camping experiences. "This was first used as a military base for the US Navy to guard the Bremerton ship yards during the Spanish American war and WW2. There are many remnants of the fort located in the park," explains Tom N. at Manchester State Park Campground.
Flight path considerations: Some campgrounds near Seattle are affected by airport noise. At Saltwater State Park, "Commercial jets landing at Sea-Tac fly directly above us at a low altitude and are VERY loud and VERY frequent (every 3-5 minutes)," warns Travis P.
Reservation requirements: Most popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially on summer weekends. "You must make reservations online on the website a few weeks before you plan to come," advises Robert G.
Hookup limitations: Not all campgrounds offer full hookups. At Tall Chief Campground, "No sites have sewer hookups. This is fairly understandable though as it appeared that a service needs to pump the septic tank by the dump station for the entire park," explains Derek & Alex W.
Kid-friendly amenities: Several campgrounds cater specifically to children. "Amazing kids area pirate ship. Great beach walk and good camp sites," says Tanya B. about Fay Bainbridge Park.
Year-round activities: The Seattle area offers camping options regardless of season. "We stayed here to see Olympic national park... Every night, my husband and I would walk to the wildlife viewing platform to see lots of birds, or walk down by the river and see lots of elk and bald eagles," shares Amy & Stu B.
Urban proximity benefits: When camping with kids, having access to conveniences helps. At Lake Pleasant RV Park, "It was only about 30 minutes to downtown, but almost felt like you were out in the country. We did not use the bathrooms, but enjoyed the walking trails, playground for the kids, and watching the resident ducks in the pond," notes Nikki R.
Electrical considerations: During hot weather, power capacity matters. At Tolt MacDonald Park, "RV sites are all pull through its fairly quiet. Nice setting lots of outdoor and indoor activities with in a short drive... The only campground we've been to where we didn't need to level the trailer," says Russ H.
Dump station access: Plan for waste management when booking sites without sewer hookups. "There is a charge dump station at the ministorage at the turn off," notes Russ H. about facilities near Tolt MacDonald.
Cell reception variations: Coverage can vary significantly, even within the same campground. At Tall Chief, "Another thing that can be annoying is trying to find a site with good cell reception due to all the trees. They definitely have a few, but I would say arrive early so you can drive by all the sites while checking to make sure you have good reception if you need it," advises Brodie D.
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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