Planning a trip would not be complete without visiting a campground, which is plenty in the Washington State Area. These campgrounds are the best of their kind and have all the exciting activities you need for adventure and relaxation. Stay with me as we list down the 15 best campgrounds that Washington State offers and all the perfect reasons why you should visit them on your next trip.
1. Cougar Rock Campground, Mount Rainier National Park
First on our list is Cougar Rock Campground, located in the southwest area of Mount Rainier National Park and the most visited area of the park. It serves as a convenient place for an overnight stay, with 173 individual sites to offer and five groups sites, along with several great nearby attractions.
Cougar Rock is open from May to October, with individual sites charging $20 a night with a maximum of 14 days’ stay and group sites for $60. It caters to RVs with a maximum length of 35 feet and trailers of 27 feet. Reservations are encouraged because it still gets full as big as the place is, especially during peak seasons.
Restrooms are all clean and well-maintained to cater to tourists’ needs. Most sites have leveled tent areas and concrete fire platforms. They also have ample space for parking and picnic tables for outside dining. However, there is no hot water or showers available on this site.
If you bring your pet with you, they need to be leashed or caged at all times, keeping them at the campsite or on paved roads. The campground also features various activities like hiking in the famous trail to nearby Carter Falls (a section of the Wonderland Trail). The trail is wide and highly recommended for both young and adults.
Other amenities you can enjoy in Cougar Rock are barbeque areas, fire pits, and the provision of tent pads. However, there are no electrical, water, or greywater hookups in this campground, as it is more on the rustic side of a camping site.
2. Denny Creek Campground
Denny Creek Campground is situated near the southern part of the Snoqualmie River in Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. The campground opens various doors to breathtaking sceneries and easy access to various recreational activities in the Northern Cascade Range.
This campground offers 24 reservable campsites and one group site. Most campsites sit under a canopy of the forest, and few are scattered at the banks of Lodge Creek. Facilities include picnic tables, flush toilets, access to drinking water, and electrical hookups, which are abundant at many sites.
Fees range from $31 up to $115 depending on the type of campsite you choose and the number of nights you stay in. There are also an additional couple of bucks during holiday seasons as there are many campers during these times.
You can enjoy various activities in Denny Creek, such as hiking, fishing, or camping. If you are more on the sightseeing type of activities, you can visit the historic wagon route used by early settlers in crossing Snoqualmie Pass.
Another noteworthy site is the Verlot Public Center near the South Fork Stillaguamish River. It features picturesque buildings reflecting the architectural style and fine craftsmanship of the era.
Denny Creek Campground is a prime location for hiking, fishing, picnicking, and horseback riding during the summer and early fall. During winter months, skiing and snowshoeing are the perfect activities for you.
If you are in for a short easy walk, you should try hiking the Asahel Curtis Nature Trail and dive in the lushness of old-growth forest in the Snoqualmie Valley. The trail crosses the Humpback Creek several times as you experience an abundance of mosses, ferns, orchids, and a large variety of wildflowers on your way.
3. Larrabee State Park
Larrabee State Park is set on the seaward side of Chuckanut Mountain near Bellingham. It is widely known for its amazing Samish Bay and San Juan Islands postcard views. As Washington’s first-ever state park, it lives up to its name as one of the best campgrounds in the area.
Larrabee is a 2,748-acre camping park with over 8,000 feet of saltwater shoreline on Samish Bay. Tourists also enjoy a full 21-mile trip along Chuckanut Drive, which leads to northwest Washington, and a side trip to Bellingham, offering all sorts of attractions and amenities.
The camping park is home to countless exciting water activities like boating, paddling, fishing, shellfish harvesting, and diving. For those with stronger joints, hiking and mountain bike trails are the perfect activities for you. The trails wind through a forest of Douglas-fir and salal.
The park has 51 standard tent sites, 26 utility sites, eight primitive sites, a dump station, and six showers. The utility spaces have sewer, power, and water for your RV, and the maximum size length of vehicle it can cater to is up to 60 feet.
Reservations can be made nine months ahead of your stay for the period of May 15 to September 15, while the rest of the year is on a first-come, first-served basis. Daily rates range from $12-$45 depending on your chosen campsite.
4. Hoh Rain Forest Campground, Olympic National Park
Let us dig into the fullness of Hoh Rainforest Campground and experience a wonderful stay under the shades of trees. This campground houses lush, green canopy of coniferous and deciduous species, which keep visitors coming back each year.
Many trails are present around the area for hiking, such as the Hall of Mosses Trail, Spruce Nature Trail, and the Hoh River trail, which serve as the main hiking trail in the campground.
Hoh Campground offers a large facility with 72 campsites, including one group site and one ADA accessible site. Each site has an available campfire ring and picnic table. You’ll find food lockers and drinking water available at the campground loop restrooms. However, this campground has no hookups, and dump stations and fill stations are closed indefinitely.
The campsite fees range from $20-$24 per night. Other things you can enjoy here are riverside campsites, potable water, and quick access to Nature Trails and Hoh Visitor Center. Hoh Campground is also handicap accessible, making it an ideal camping place for anyone.
5. Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort Campground
Sol Duc Campground is located along Sol Duc River at the heart of the Olympic National Park. It is a luxurious resort campground with hot springs, pools, and access to many hiking trails. One of which is taking guests to the popular Sol Duc Falls.
The campground offers two tent camping loops and a walk-in area accommodating 82 tent campsites and 17 RV campsites. You are given access to a picnic table, fired ring, flush toilets, and potable water at each site.
You can enjoy three mineral hot springs on your visit to Sol Duc, all heated between 98-107 degrees Fahrenheit, and a large freshwater swimming pool ranging from 50-85 degrees Fahrenheit. There is also a large mineral fountain pool, medium mineral pool, and freshwater pool, all with varied accessibility set by the campground.
There is more to Sol Duc than just pools and hot springs. During the daytime, you can experience hiking, fishing, backpacking, birding, and visiting all the historical and cultural sites present in the area. You can also explore the wilderness and do photography, mushroom picking, and wildlife viewing.
Sol Duc the complete amenities you’ll need for your camp, including accessible drinking water, dump stations, electric hookups, general store, gift shops, restaurant, river access, and many more.
Reservations can only be made in person and are on a first-come, first-serve basis, so availability is limited. For pool access, adults are charged $15, $12 for children ages 4-12, and another $12 for seniors over 62 years old.
A night stay at the resort ranges from $29 to over $50, depending on the amenities of the campsites you have chosen.
6. Pacific Beach State Park
Pacific Beach State Park is a 17-acre large camping park featuring 2,300 feet of ocean shoreline. It is a small camping park in the northwest of Aberdeen where you can experience various activities with the invigorating feel of the Pacific Beach.
Pacific Beach State Park makes your stay more special as they offer activities from sunup to sundown, with an unlimited view of the sea. The camping park features waterfront tents, yurts, and RV hookups. You can also make a small fire on the beach and roast some food while watching the sunset turn to the evening sky.
You can also fly your kite and walk your dog along the beach’s flat sandy shoreline. Other activities include fishing, clam digging, swimming, and sandcastle building while inhaling the salt sea air and refreshing your body.
The park offers 18 standard campsites, 41 partial hookup sites, two yurts, one dump station, two restrooms, and six showers. Twenty-six of these sites are on the unshaded waterfront, and all hookup sites offer electricity only. They allow up to 60 feet of van or RV for vehicle size.
Pacific Beach State Park is open year-round for camping and day use. Basic camping fees charge $15 for a standard campsite, $21 for a utility campsite, and $10 for a primitive campsite. A maximum of eight people is allowable per campsite.
7. Colonial Creek South Campground, North Cascades National Park
Situated in North Cascades National Park, Colonial Creek South Campground is a remote area nestled in an old-growth forest. It is located on the south side of State Route 20, near mile marker 130, housing 94 campsites in total.
Although most sites have uneven gravel parking, visitors can enjoy drinking water, flush toilets, garbage removal, and some paved parking spaces. Each campsite offers a picnic table and a campfire ring too.
You can find other amazing amenities in this campground: the amphitheater, boat ramp, fishing pier, food storage lockers, tent pads, and many more. The park’s nightly or daily rate ranges from $24-$75, depending on the site type you choose.
Several trails are open for hiking, which you can access through Colonial Creek, such as Thunder Knob Trail and Thunder Creek Trail. However, bears do inhabit the area, so precaution should be observed when hiking, picnicking, or camping in these trails.
Colonial Creek has activities like interpretive programs and fishing and boating for those looking for other ways to enjoy the campground. You can also visit some nearby attractions like Diablo Lake and Ross Lake, within a short driving distance from the facility.
8. Gold Basin Campground, Mountain Loop Scenic Byway
Gold Basin is the largest campground on Mountain Loop Scenic Byway. It sits near the banks of the tranquil South Fork of the Stillaguamish River. The campground is also near several wilderness areas; thus, visitors can experience different hiking trails and the wild.
This camping site has 99 reservable sites, one of which is a large group site that accommodates up to 75 guests. Outdoor amenities for guests to enjoy are picnic areas, trails and open spaces, firewood, drinking water, showers, and flush toilets.
Gold Basin is home to old-growth forests of cedar, fir, and hemlock lining the wide flowing Stillaguamish River. You can also view Mt. Baker on a clear day, having an elevation of 10,781 feet. The active volcano is one not to be missed during your visit.
The surrounding wilderness houses several species of mammals, birds, amphibians, and reptiles with clean streams and diverse forests. You’ll surely get your eyes full just by all these natural features of the Gold Basin.
Aside from a tour into the wilderness, Gold Basin is a prime location for biking, fishing, and horseback riding in the summer and early fall. Skiing and snowshoeing are perfect activities during the winter seasons.
Gold Basin Mill Pond, an interpretive trail, is open for a hike if you want to learn about the place’s history. It features a short, barrier-free trail passing by mill relics ending on a floating viewpoint. The interpretive signs along the trail discuss the history of the mill and the wildlife present in the area.
Daily or night rates range from $31-$50 for peak seasons and $250 for the large group campsites catering to 75 guests.
9. Lake Chelan State Park
Lake Chelan State Park is a 139-acre camping park situated on the forested south shore of Lake Chelan. It has a 6,000 feet shoreline, and the beach is accessible by stairs. This campground is bustling during the summer as families return to the blue lake and the calm lagoon.
The park features 103 standard campsites, 18 partial hookup sites, 17 full hookup sites, a dump station, and five restrooms with showers. They also offer 17 fully upgraded utility campsites with 50 amps service, two picnic tables, and a site large enough to cater to large motorhomes and buses.
The 50.5-mile Lake Chelan has a depth of 1,486 feet, drawing boaters, sailors, water skiers, and windsurfers in this area. The park also offers the finest hiking trails for all the guests up for the adventure.
You can chill out on your camp chairs, float the lagoon in a raft, or soak into the water if you are looking for a relaxing rather than tiring activity.
Your stay at Lake Chelan wouldn’t be complete without these exciting water activities. The campground offers 495 feet of dock, beach exploration, boating, freshwater fishing, personal watercraft use, sailboarding, swimming, and waterskiing.
Other activities and features both adults and kids will enjoy are bird watching, stand-up paddleboard rentals, access to a volleyball court, wildlife viewing, and the children’s playground.
The park provides a kitchen shelter without electricity and 52 unsheltered picnic tables. These are all available on a first-come, first-served basis. Note that the parking area is small and easily fills up during the weekends and the peak seasons.
Park fees range from $20 per night for a standard campsite to $45 for a full hookup site during the peak seasons.
10. Kalaloch Campground, Olympic National Park
Kalaloch Campground in Olympic National Park is perfect for those looking for a Kalaloch or Ruby Beach camping. Campsites may not be directly on the beach, but some overlook the waters, and beach access is permitted within the facility.
It is the most visited area in the park no matter what weather there is, because of the peaceful feel of the coastal forests. The large facility offers 168 campsites, including a group site and four accessible sites.
The nearest shower facility is nine miles away from the campground. They provide each site with a campfire ring with grates and picnic tables, while food lockers and drinking water are available at the campground loop restroom. No hookup facilities are offered here, but a dump station is available for a $5 fee.
Kalaloch has several recreational activities you can do and places to visit. There are beaches, tide pools, scenic overlooks, and trails to explore, one of which is the Kalaloch Creek Nature Trail. This is a mile-long walk passing over forests along Kalaloch Creek.
Birdwatching is also one enjoyable activity around the area. Species such as the western gulls and bald eagles are often sighted. If you are lucky enough, you can also expect a sighting of a puffin.
Fishing and shellfish harvesting is allowed under state and park regulations. Swimming is also possible but not recommended as the area is prone to large drifting logs that can wash ashore and harm swimmers. Potentially dangerous riptides should also be avoided when swimming here.
Fees for RV nonelectric and standard nonelectric site types are $24 per night and $48 for nonelectric group sites.
11. Seaquest State Park
Seaquest State Park, a lush forested camping area, is a neighbor to the well-known Silver Lake Mount St. Helens Visitor Center. The park is a perfect place to explore the popular Washington volcano.
The park is a 505-acre camping park that is open all year round. It has 52 standard campsites, 18 partial and 15 full hookup sites. They also provide guests with three hiker/ biker sites, a dump station, five restrooms, and six showers. Their maximum site length is 50 feet and has limited availability.
A group camp accommodation is offered at $68.57 per night, with a maximum of 25 people. The accommodation includes covered shelter for tables, a tent area, a fire pit, two braziers, and a hose bib.
The camp is reservable between May 15 to September 15, while the rest of the year is on a first-come, first-served basis. An overnight stay costs around $12-$69, depending on the site type you choose.
Guests can also do bird watching, horseshoe pitching, playing in the volleyball field, or the children’s play area. You can enjoy the 7 miles hiking trail in the park or visit the amphitheater and Mount St. Helens Visitor Center.
Mount St. Helens Visitor Center is located across the road from the park. The center provides information about the volcano and features an exhibition hall. Programs that introduce guests to the ecology, history, and Native American culture were held here, lasting for 15 to 20 minutes.
Visitors of all ages can learn about the 1980 eruption sequence of the most active volcano in the Cascade Mountain Range, Mount St. Helens.
12. Lake Wenatchee State Park Campground, Leavenworth
Lake Wenatchee State Park is a 492-acre camping park at Leavenworth, Washington. The park has 155 standard campsites and 42 partial hookups, a dump station, seven restrooms, and 16 showers. It also offers a group campsite that accommodates 20 to 80 people, with fees varying with the size of the group.
The iconic Lake Wenatchee presents a clear blue lake surrounded by mountains. The five-mile-long lake at 244 feet deep is a popular destination for boaters and windsurfers. You can also rent boats and boards at the lake to navigate through the calm parts of the lake near the shore.
You can enjoy lots of amenities inside the park and its surrounding areas. They have boat rentals, grocery stores, horse rentals, payphone and postal services, and recreational equipment for rent.
You’ll never run out of things to do in Lake Wenatchee State Park as they offer all sorts of activities like hiking, water activities, winter activities, and other outdoor activities to enjoy. They have five miles of horse trails, seven miles of biking trails, and 8 miles of hiking trails, all open for visitors.
Water activities within the park and the surrounding area include boating, fishing, kiteboarding, personal watercraft use, and sailboarding. Watercraft launch, waterskiing, white-water kayaking, and windsurfing are also activities you should never miss in this bustling park.
The park offers exciting activities like cross-country skiing, dog sledding, skiing, and snowmobiling during winter. Daily and nightly rates vary from $12-$40, depending on your site type.
13. Bowl and Pitcher Campground, Riverside State Park, Spokane
Riverside State Park is approximately nine miles from Spokane, providing various recreational activities for all visitors. The 9,194-acre land with nearly 200,000 feet of shoreline is home to a wide variety of wildlife, lakes, marshes, and Ponderosa pines.
Bowl and Pitcher Campground is one of the famous campgrounds in Riverside. It has 16 standard campsites, 16 partial hookup sites, a dump station, and two restrooms with showers. The maximum site length is 45 feet, which has limited availability.
The Bowl and Pitcher Campground offers two group camp areas that can accommodate 40 to 60 campers. The fees for each camp are based on the number of campers, with a minimum required of 20 persons.
You can go extreme on the 55-mile trails for hikers and bikers or visit horse-friendly campgrounds with 25-mile trails and an obstacle course. Lake Spokane is welcoming to boaters, anglers, and water sports fans. If you want the calm and quiet, you also have a place in day-use areas and picnic shelters.
The nightly rate in the campground is $45 but may vary depending on the site type you occupy.
14. White River Campground. Mount Rainier National Park
White River Campground is set along the White River with a stream cutting through individual campsites. Set in the northeastern section of Mount Rainier National Park, the campground offers travelers various interesting activities during their stay.
There are 112 individual campsites in the area charging $20 for a night stay. These sites are placed well for privacy but are near scenic views, so you’ll enjoy the stay. There are restrooms and washing facilities located near each campsite, as well as picnic tables.
The Wonderland Trail runs through the White River Campground, making the camp a good choice for beginning and ending a circle hike. Aside from this trail, the famous Glacier Basin Trail also caters to both hikers and climbers as they make their way to the Emmons route.
Other amenities in the campground include fire platforms, flush toilets, water sources, and firewood.
15. Moran State Park, Orcas Island
Moran State Park in Orcas Island is 5,424-acre land, with large camping sites, five freshwater lakes, and a 30-miles trail for hiking, bicycling, mountain biking, and equestrians. The park is equipped with an automatic pay station for purchasing a one-day or annual Discover Pass.
The park has 124 campsites, six biker/hiker sites, a dump station, five restrooms, and ten showers around the area. There are no electric hookup sites available, and campsites are located at five different camping areas. Note that the maximum site length is 45 feet and has limited availability.
Visitors also have water activities like non-motorized boating, freshwater fishing, swimming, and watercraft launching. At night, you can set up a camp under the stars or experience glamping in one of their luxury platform tents.
Hike or drive to the summit of Mount Constitution, where you’ll have a panoramic view of the San Juan Archipelago. Continue climbing the historic stone tower and experience an even grander view at the mountaintop.
Overnight rates at the Moran State Park start at $13 per person.
Conclusion
Each campground has the charm in itself, and whether you are looking for a relaxing time or are in for an adventure, you’ll surely find a campground for you. With all the amazing amenities each camping site offers and the mesmerizing views of mountains and waters surrounding the campground, you’ll never run out of fun in these areas. Now pack your bags and visit these campgrounds for an enjoyable time with your family and friends.
