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.
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1. Olympic National Park: Log Cabin RV Park and Campground
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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 | |
|---|---|
| Location | Northern portion of the Park, just west of Port Angeles |
| Nearest City | Port Angeles |
| RV sites with full hookups | Yes |
| Tent sites with gravel tent pads | Yes, some are bike-in sites |
| Cabins/Chalet | Yes, Camper Cabins and lakeside Chalets |
| Picnic Tables at each site | Yes |
| Fire Pit at each site | Yes |
| Amenities | Restrooms, showers, laundry, restaurant, deli, boat rentals (kayak, SUP, paddle boats), |
| Pet Friendly | Yes, pets are allowed at the campsite but not on the trails |
| Reservations | Yes |
| What makes it one of the best | Mountain and lake camping in one! |
2. Cascade Mountains: North Cascades National Park: Newhalem Creek Campground
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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 | |
|---|---|
| Location | In the southern portion of North Cascades National Park |
| Nearest City | Marblemount |
| RV/Tent sites | 107 sites |
| Picnic Tables at each site | Yes |
| Fire Pit at each site | Yes |
| Amenities | Restrooms, water, amphitheater |
| Pet Friendly | Yes |
| Reservations | Yes |
| What makes it one of the best | Camping, fishing, hiking and relaxing in the mountains. |
3. Pacific Beach State Park
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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 | |
|---|---|
| Location | NW of Aberdeen, right on the ocean |
| Nearest City | Aberdeen |
| RV/tent sites with electric | 41 sites |
| Standard sites | 18 sites |
| Yurts | 2 |
| Picnic Tables at each site | Yes |
| Fire Pit at each site | No. not campfires allowed in the campground, but small fires are allowed on the beach |
| Amenities | Restrooms, showers |
| Pet Friendly | Yes |
| Reservations | Yes |
| What makes it one of the best | Falling 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
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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 | |
|---|---|
| Location | West Central Washington |
| Nearest City | Carbonato |
| RV/Tent Sites | 179 sites (no hookups) |
| Picnic Tables at each site | Yes |
| Fire Pit at each site | Yes |
| Amenities | Restrooms, drinking water |
| Pet Friendly | Yes |
| Reservations | Yes, there are also first come first serve sites |
| What makes it one of the best | Camping by an active volcano! |
5. Fay Bainbridge Park: Seattle
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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 | |
|---|---|
| Location | NW corner of Bainbridge Island |
| Nearest City | Seattle |
| RV sites with water and electric | 26 |
| Tent sites | 14 |
| Cabins | 2 |
| Picnic Tables at each site | Yes |
| Fire Pit at each site | Yes |
| Amenities | Portable toilets |
| Pet Friendly | Yes |
| Reservations | Yes, but first come first serve if openings |
| What makes it one of the best | Close to Seattle, but remote island camping! |
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Sources
- , Available here: https://www.olympicnationalparks.com/rv-camping/log-cabin-rv-campground/
- , Available here: https://www.nps.gov/noca/planyourvisit/newhalem-creek-campground.htm
- , Available here: https://www.parks.wa.gov/557/Pacific-Beach
- , Available here: https://www.nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/campgrounds.htm
- , Available here: https://biparks.org/camp-site-map/
