Best Campsites in Washington State
With the climate becoming hooter in Washington, and the hustle and bustle of city life chugging along, there is no better time for seeking adventure like now. For most people in this state in the northwestern corner of the United States, that means spending a day or a weekend lounging or relaxing in a quiet place.
Luckily, there are several campsites in Washington State for those looking for a memorable outdoor camping adventure. These places allow you to pitch a tent, rent a cabin in the woods or camp in an RV.
1. Moran State Park Campgrounds
Several campsites await you in the Moran State Park: a 5,252-acre state park with five freshwater lakes and several miles of trails that are perfect for mountain biking, bird watching, and hiking. Three separate campsites located at the shoes of the Cascade include the North End campground, Cascade Lake’s Midway campground, and the Cascade Lake’s South End campground. The park also has the Mountain Lake campground, a primitive camping area that offers campers a more rustic woodland camping experience. Most of these campgrounds can accommodate tents, RV and cabins. All of the campgrounds at this park are adjacent to restrooms with showers.
2. Colonial Creek Campground
Colonial Creek Campground is located on the shore of bluish-green Diablo Lake. This campground features 142 campsites open year-round and a broad range of outdoor recreation activities. This campground has 94 campsites that are surrounded by forest. These campsites are ideal spots for those looking for a memorable tent camping experience. Campers are allowed to come with their recreational vehicles but there are no RV hookups on the site. Also available throughout the campground include several pull-through and back-in sites for RVs, potable water, amphitheater, restrooms without showers and a dump station.
3. Rainbow Falls State Park Campground
A rare cluster of old trees creates and beautiful scenery welcomes you at the Rainbow Falls State Park. This is a 129-acre state park featuring a freshwater shoreline of the Chehalis River. The park has 53 campsites; most of them located along the sides of the Chehalis River. There are 39 standard campsites, 3 equestrian sites, 8 RV sites, picnic areas, a group camping site, and 3 sites designated for biking and hiking only. Each campsite has a table, a fire ring, and a BBQ grill. Campers also enjoy several camping amenities and a multitude of outdoor recreational activities.
4. Wanapum Recreation Area
Wanapum Recreation Area is a real paradise area nestled within the Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park. The area has 50 well-maintained campsites with electricity, water, nice metal tables, sewer hookups, and fire pits. Sites 13 and 15 are the best campsites at this campground because they allow campers to have a breathtaking view of Columbia River. Campsites 1 to 3, which are found in the first loop, are located among the trees that provide privacy and nice shade. Besides campsites, the area also has 57 unsheltered picnic tables, a swimming area, and interpretive kiosks.
5. Cape Disappointment State Park
This is a 2,023-acre camping park located on the Long Beach Peninsula. More than 220 mixed-used campsites in this park will fill your senses and occupy your mind during your stay. These sites include 137 standard campsites, 18 sites with water and electricity only, 60 full hookup sites and 5 primitive campsites. If you don’t want to camp in tents or don’t prefer RVs, 3 cabins and 14 yurts are available for you. Campground amenities include drinking water, flush toilets, a dump station, and hot showers.
6. Seaquest State Park Campground
This is a several acre state park located near Mount St. Helens on the shoreline of Silver Lake in Cowlitz County, Washington. The park has 88 single-family campsites available from May through September of a first-come-first-served basis. There are 18 with electric sites, 15 full hookup sites, 3 sites reserved for hiking and biking, 5 yurts available for rent, and group camping area. Campsites can accommodate RVs of up to 50 feet long, trailers and tents. Each site also has a table, grate and fire ring. Campground amenities include a dump station, water points (drinking), showers with hot water, and flush toilets.
7. Gold Bar Nature Trails
Gold Bar Nature Trails is another best private campground in Washington State. The campground is located in Gold Bar in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains. Whether you are an occasional camper or just looking for a perfect place to get away and relax, this campground has something to offer. There are 1200 membership campsites each with septic, electrical and water hookups. Members do not own these campsites, but rather they own some share of the park. Some of the facilities available for campers include an adult clubhouse, a youth center, playgrounds & sports courts, ballpark, and a dog park.
8. Salt Creek Recreation Area
The Salt Creek Recreation Area is located in Port Angeles, Washington. Some of the facilities and activities at this campground include a softball field, kids play equipment, a volleyball court, horseshoe court, basketball court, a picnic shelter that you can reserve, hiking, and tide pool exploring. Reservations must be made more than one week before the desired arrival date. Reservations for individual campsites are possible from February through October. Water sports that are adjacent to the park include surfing, scuba diving, and kayaking.
9. Potlatch State Park Campground
Potlatch State Park State Park is a 57-acre state park located on 21020 US-101 in Shelton, Washington. There are 38 campsites in this campground that can accommodate trailers, tents and recreational vehicles of up to 60 feet. These campsites comprise of 35 sites with partial hookups, and 2 sites reserved for biking and hiking. Each campsite is well-shaded by large trees and also equipped with a fire ring, grate and picnic table. Campground amenities include a playground, a playing field, drinking water, flush toilets, a dump station, and hot showers. Outdoor recreation in the area includes hiking, boating, kayaking, canoeing, fishing, swimming, scuba diving, biking and picnicking.
10. Lake Wenatchee State Park Campground
If you are looking for an ideal weekend getaway for families and friends, head to the Lake Wenatchee State Park. This 489-acre state park is situated on the eastern slopes of the Northern Cascades along 12,623 feet of the waterfront of Lake Wenatchee. The campground has 155 campsites that can accommodate tents, trailers, and RVs of up to 42 feet. There are 42 campsites with electric and water hookups. Campers have an option to camp in the North Park campground or South Park campground. For those who want to camp during colder months, winter camping is allowed in a designated area next to the beach.
11. Steamboat Rock State Park Campground
Steamboat Rock State Park is another best campsite in Washington State for those who want to escape the bustles and hustles of the city. With more than 50000 feet of freshwater shoreline along Banks Lake, this spacious state park has beautiful trails, several seasonal campsites, and numerous recreational facilities. There are 162 campsites located within the park available for the first-come-first-served basis. Reservations at this park are available from May to September and can be made 9 months before your expected day of arrival.
12. Cranberry Lake Campground
Cranberry Lake Campground is located on 41229 WA-20 in Oak Harbor, Washington, within the 4134-acre Deception Pass State Park. Snuggled up between Cranberry Lake, West Beach and North Beach, this forested campground is a very popular camping destination. The campground is filled mainly with 235 standard campsites that allow people to bring their tents, vans, trailers and recreational vehicles. Each campsite has a table, a stove, and restrooms and drinking water and can accommodate up to 8 guests.
13. Fort Worden Historical State Park
While today’s state parks host several recreational activities, the Fort Worden Historical State Park of several years ago was home to the military training ground. Exploring this state park is the best way to connect with nature and learn more about the historic stops of the state. The park boasts two campsites that are great options for campers with recreational vehicles, trailers, or tents. While most of the campsites in this park don’t have privacy between sites, nearly every site has excellent views of the North Cascades, Whidbey Island, and Admiralty Inlet.
14. Birch Bay State Park Campground
There is no other best place to camp in Birch Bay other than in the Birch Bay State Park. This camping park features a freshwater shoreline on Terrell Creek and more than 800 feet of saltwater shoreline on Birch Bay. There are 167 campsites available for the first-come-first-served basis. There are 20 partial hookup campsites for trailers and RVs, and 147 sites tent spaces in the forested camping area. The campground also has an RV dump station, drinking water, flush toilets
Conclusion
These are some of the best campsites in Washington State, which are worth spending the night at. Regardless of your style, these 15 best campsites in Washington State are perfect for a camping getaway. If you have any other campsite that you want us to feature in this article, feel free to let us know.