The 5 Best Places to Camp in Washington this Summer

Written by Cindy Rasmussen
Updated: May 1, 2023
© iStock.com/SoisudaS
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If you want to wake up, crawl out of your tent, and have a cup of coffee with a view of the mountains, or park your camper right on the beach to fall asleep to the sounds of the waves, then Washington is the place for you. Here are the 5 best places to camp in Washington this summer.

Infographic showing the five best places to camp in Washington this summer.
Olympic National Park is an amazing destination for campers!

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1. Olympic National Park: Log Cabin RV Park and Campground

Lake Crescent
How would you like to have your morning cup of coffee watching the sunrise over Crescent Lake? One of the best places to camp in Washington the summer is at Olympic National Park.

©iStock.com/libre de droit

When you think of snow capped mountains you may envision a scene from Olympic National Park. Located in the NW corner of Washington it includes the mountains, Olympic National Forest and 70 miles of coastline. Take a temperate rain forest hike, explore tide pools for starfish, sea urchins and giant green anemones (check out the “Hole in the Wall” tide pool area), and backpack along one of the many mountain trails.

There are 16 different campgrounds in the National Park with many options from modern campgrounds to primitive backcountry sites. The Log Cabin RV and Campground is one of the best places to camp in Washington this summer because it is right on Lake Crescent. It has RV sites with full hookups as well as tent sites, camper cabins and chalets. A variety of camping options right by the lake!

Log Cabin RV Park and Campground
LocationNorthern portion of the Park, just west of Port Angeles
Nearest CityPort Angeles
RV sites with full hookupsYes
Tent sites with gravel tent padsYes, some are bike-in sites
Cabins/ChaletYes, Camper Cabins and lakeside Chalets
Picnic Tables at each siteYes
Fire Pit at each siteYes
AmenitiesRestrooms, showers, laundry, restaurant, deli,
boat rentals (kayak, SUP, paddle boats),
Pet FriendlyYes, pets are allowed at the campsite but not on the trails
ReservationsYes
What makes it one of the bestMountain and lake camping in one!

2. Cascade Mountains: North Cascades National Park: Newhalem Creek Campground

North Cascades National Park
Look at the beautiful mountain views from North Cascades National Park! The Newhalem Creek Campground is the perfect place to camp right inside the park.

©iStock.com/SoisudaS

The Cascade Mountains are in northern Washington and have some of the most beautiful hiking trails, mountain lakes and overlooks. There are 6 modern campgrounds as well as backcountry camping throughout the park. One of the best campgrounds is the Newhalem Creek Campground located right near the visitor center. There are 107 sites with 13 sites that are tent only and 13 sites that are more remote that are walk-to or boat-to. Walk down to the Skagit river and cast a line to catch Salmon, Trout or Sturgeon. Be ready to haul in some good sized fish! Camping in the Cascades is a great way to connect with nature and get away from it all.

Newhalem Creek Campground
LocationIn the southern portion of North Cascades National Park
Nearest CityMarblemount
RV/Tent sites107 sites
Picnic Tables at each siteYes
Fire Pit at each siteYes
AmenitiesRestrooms, water, amphitheater
Pet FriendlyYes
ReservationsYes
What makes it one of the bestCamping, fishing, hiking and relaxing in the mountains.

3. Pacific Beach State Park

If you want to camp right on the beach then Pacific Beach State Park is a great option. This is a popular place to go fishing and clamming. Being able to camp so close to the ocean makes this one of the best places to camp in Washington this summer!

©AlessandroZocc/Shutterstock.com

One of the best places to camp in Washington this summer is right on the ocean. Pacific Beach State Park is a small oceanfront campground with oceanfront campsites. After a day of swimming, paddle boarding, fishing and clamming (Washington has some of the best Pacific razor clams), you can settle in around a campfire right on the sandy beach!

The campground has 41 sites with electric, 18 sites that are standard and 2 yurts available to rent. There is a row of 26 sites that are oceanfront where you can simply back-in your camper and enjoy the beach. Fall asleep to the sound of ocean waves and seagulls. Sounds peaceful!

Pacific Beach State Park
LocationNW of Aberdeen, right on the ocean
Nearest CityAberdeen
RV/tent sites with electric41 sites
Standard sites18 sites
Yurts2
Picnic Tables at each siteYes
Fire Pit at each siteNo. not campfires allowed in the campground, but small fires are allowed on the beach
AmenitiesRestrooms, showers
Pet FriendlyYes
ReservationsYes
What makes it one of the bestFalling asleep to the sound of ocean waves.

4. One of the Best Places to Camp in Washington this Summer is at Mount Rainier National Park: Cougar Rock Campground

Mount Rainier National park
This certainly doesn’t look like a dangerous mountain but Mount Rainier is still an active volcano.

©iStock.com/RomanKhomlyak

Have you considered camping near an active volcano? Sounds like an adventure! Mount Rainier is a mountain in west central Washington that is 14,410 feet above sea level and is an active volcano! There are miles of hiking and backpacking trails throughout the park and three modern campgrounds. Backcountry camping is also available but you do need a permit to camp in the park. Some of the unique animals you might see while hiking or camping are the pine marten, pikas and mountain goats. This is also black bear country to be sure to keep all of your food secured and be prepared to keep your distance if you come across a bear.

The three modern campgrounds in the park are Cougar Rock, Ohanapecosh, and White River. Cougar Rock is one of the best because it allows for larger RV’s and is right on the Nisqually River. Located in the SW section of the Park it has 179 sites for RV’s or tents. There are no hookups (no water, electric or sewer) but there are restrooms and drinking water. A nice place to camp while visitng Mount Rainer!

Cougar Rock Campground
LocationWest Central Washington
Nearest CityCarbonato
RV/Tent Sites179 sites (no hookups)
Picnic Tables at each siteYes
Fire Pit at each siteYes
AmenitiesRestrooms, drinking water
Pet FriendlyYes
ReservationsYes, there are also first come first serve sites
What makes it one of the bestCamping by an active volcano!

5. Fay Bainbridge Park: Seattle

Seattle,,Washington,,Usa,Downtown,City,Skyline,At,Dusk.
If you want to see the sites of Seattle but also camp at a peaceful campground, take the ferry to Bainbridge Island. Definitely one of the best places to camp in Washington this summer.

©Sean Pavone/Shutterstock.com

If you want to spend a day in the city and the night in the country then camping at the Fay Bainbridge Park is a great option. Spend the day visiting the Space Needle, Chihuly Garden and Glass and doing some shopping at the Pike Place Market, then hop on a ferry out to Bainbridge Island to camp at the Fay Bainbridge Campground.

The campground is on the NW corner of the island and has a long shoreline along the Puget Sound. There are 26 sites for RV’s that have water and electric and 14 tent sites. If you want to rent a cabin there are 4 modern cabins. All sites are walking distance to the beach right on the sound. If you are into birding this is an excellent spot to see osprey, eagles and shorebirds. You can see why this is one of the best places to camp in Washington this summer!

Fay Bainbridge Park
LocationNW corner of Bainbridge Island
Nearest CitySeattle
RV sites with water and electric26
Tent sites14
Cabins2
Picnic Tables at each siteYes
Fire Pit at each siteYes
AmenitiesPortable toilets
Pet FriendlyYes
ReservationsYes, but first come first serve if openings
What makes it one of the bestClose to Seattle, but remote island camping!

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The Featured Image

North Cascades National Park
Mt. Shuksan reflected in Picture lake at North Cascades National Park, Washington, USA
© iStock.com/SoisudaS

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About the Author

I'm a Wildlife Conservation Author and Journalist, raising awareness about conservation by teaching others about the amazing animals we share the planet with. I graduated from the University of Minnesota-Morris with a degree in Elementary Education and I am a former teacher. When I am not writing I love going to my kids' soccer games, watching movies, taking on DIY projects and running with our giant Labradoodle "Tango".

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Sources
  1. , Available here: https://www.olympicnationalparks.com/rv-camping/log-cabin-rv-campground/
  2. , Available here: https://www.nps.gov/noca/planyourvisit/newhalem-creek-campground.htm
  3. , Available here: https://www.parks.wa.gov/557/Pacific-Beach
  4. , Available here: https://www.nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/campgrounds.htm
  5. , Available here: https://biparks.org/camp-site-map/