Are you ready to pitch your tent somewhere other than your backyard this summer? Western Washington is arguably one of the most beautiful places in the country! Combine that with our mild summer weather and you have great camping conditions for families with young kids. Take a look at our list of 7 best kid friendly campsites within about 2 hours of Tacoma. Don’t worry, they all have real bathrooms! Create some special memories with your kids, eat s’mores, sleep under the stars, and soak up adventures that await you only in the great outdoors.
Dash Point State Park, Federal Way
If it’s your first camping adventure, try the nearby Dash Point State Park in Federal Way. You’re only 15 minutes away from the nearest Target, but it feels so much farther! The campground is separated from the state park beach grounds, which boasts pictureseque views of the Sound and the Olympics. You can drive across the way or take a short hike along the trail from the campground to the beach. With 3300’ of saltwater shoreline, you can take a dip in the water or let the kids muck around in the creek that empties from the hills above into the beach. This spot can get crowded on sunny days, when the locals come out to BBQ and enjoy a day at the beach. So, if you’re looking to camp with few neighbors, another spot may be more ideal. Sounds Fun Mom loves this beach, and we’ve also included it in our list of Best Sandy Beaches! After you’ve enjoyed a full day in the water, be sure to take time to explore the multiple hiking paths.
Photo: Washington State Parks
Location: 5700 SW Dash Point Road, Federal Way, Washington 98023
Reservations: https://washington.goingtocamp.com
Bathrooms: 4 restrooms and 6 coin operated showers
Site Fees: $25-$35/per campsite
Mayfield Lake, Mossyrock
Looking to get away from urban sprawl? Mayfield Lake is a serene spot that is perfect for littles and their parents. You can reserve campsites directly along the shoreline of the lake, which allows the kids to safely dip their toes in the water, throw rocks, and even fish for trout, bass and coho salmon. There is a playground and park on site, along with sandy beach access all within a short walk from the campsites. If you’re lucky enough to have a boat, this site includes a boat launch.
Photo taken right outside our tent
Location: 180 Beach Rd, Mossyrock, WA 98564
Reservations: https://washington.goingtocamp.com/MayfieldLake-TacomaPowerPark
Bathrooms: Large, clean bathroom facilites and coin operated showers
Site Fees: $31-$35/per campsite
Lake Easton, North Bend
Your drive northeast to Lake Easton in the Cascade foothills is picturesuqe in its own right. Set up camp at flat, roomy sites with plenty of restrooms nearby. Have the kids bring bikes and scooters, as there is lots of paved area along campsites to go back and forth. Some campers report that the traffic noise from I-90 kills the outdoorsy vibe. But, the beautifully landscaped park along the sandy shoreline of the lake is a perfect place to spend the day. There are also plenty of hiking and biking trails to be explored! Because you are so close to North Bend, the locals often come out to play, too. If you can manage, escape without the kids to the nearby outlet mall!
Location: 150 Lake Easton State Park Road, Easton, WA 98925
Reservations: https://washington.goingtocamp.com
Bathrooms: Bathrooms and coin operated showers
Site Fees: $2-$45
Penrose Point, Gig Harbor
Just past Gig Harbor on the Key Peninsula, sits Penrose Point. A mere 45 minutes from the Tacoma area, the park encompasses Carr Inlet with waterfront area for kiddos to explore including lots of creatures like small crabs, moon snails, sea stars, sand dollars. The tide pools offer hours of exploration! All of the campsites are shaded or partly shaded. The park also includes 2.5 miles of hiking and biking trails! Reader favorite!
Photo: Washington State Parks
Location: 321 158th Ave KPS, Lakebay, WA 98349
Reservations: http://www.parks.wa.gov/564/Penrose-Point?hc_location=ufi
Bathrooms: 3 restrooms, 2 with coin operated shower facilities
Site Fees: $25-$35/per campsite
Salt Creek Recreation Area, Port Angeles
Salt Creek has everything you are looking for in a Pacific Northwest camping adventure! From tidepools, to hiking, to water views and mountain views! All, while sleeping under the stars with the waves crashing against the rocks to lull you to sleep. Just a little over 2 hours away from Tacoma, Salt Creek has a large amount of campsites that you can reserve ahead of time or arrive first come, first serve. So, if you’re feeling particularly adventurous, load up the kiddos and head out now! And, some of the campsites have water views! There aren’t many places you can get that for only $20/night! There is so much to explore here, you won’t hear the dreaded B word at all. In the mornings, explore a vast amount of sea creatures in the tide pools. Kids will be delighted for hours at all there is to see and experience. Be sure to bring water shoes or Keen sandals to be safe on the rocks. If you have any history buffs in the family, make a trek to the World War II concrete bunkers of Camp Hayden. Enjoy incomparable views of the Straight of Juan de Fuca and Vancouver Island, go on a hike, or just enjoy a day on the sandy beach. Camping here will leave your children with family memories galore. Thanks to my old friend, Wes for the heads up on this amazing location! You can read our full review here.
Location: 3506 Camp Hayden Road, Port Angeles, WA 98363
Reservations: https://apm.activecommunities.com/clallamcountyparks/Reserve_Options
Bathrooms: Bathrooms and coin operated showers
Site Fees: $20-$28/per campsite
Tolt McDonald Park & Campground, Carnation
Journey east of Seattle to the town of Carnation, where you will camp amidst beautiful views of the Cascade foothills, and the confluence of the Snoqualmie and Tolt Rivers. The really cool thing about Tolt McDonald is that if you don’t have a tent or you just want an entirely different kind of camping experience, you can reserve a yurt or a refurbished shipping container! These sites are offered year round and are fully heated and include electricity. To add to the adventure, the container and yurt sites are inaccessible by car. You journey across a 500 foot suspension bridge using a wagon to haul your gear! SO MUCH FUN! There are also tent and RV campsites avaible. Depending on the time of year, take a dip in the river, explore the walking trails, and even see salmon spawning!
Location: 31020 Northeast 40th Street, Carnation, WA
Reservations: By phone, 206-477-6149
Bathrooms: Near the yurts, the bathrooms are only pit toilets and water spigots. Walk over to the RV space for flush toilets and warm showers.
Site Fees: $25-$50
Grayland Beach State Park
Looking for an ocean view with your camping experience? Head to the beach and stay in a yurt! Fly a kite, go for long walks on the beach, or just build a sand castle. This sounds like my kinda camping trip in that minimal adventure is involved, but you get an amazing experience. You can also camp in a tent here, but keep in mind that it gets pretty chilly on the Washington Coast. Don’t forget the sand toys, frisbee and soccer ball.
Photo: Washington State Parks
Location: 925 Cranberry Beach Road, Grayland, WA 98547
Reservations: https://washington.goingtocamp.com
Bathrooms: 4 restrooms and 8 showers
Site Fees: Campsites, $12-$45; yurts, $59-$89
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Do be sure to check the comments for more awesome suggestions from readers. We’d love to hear your favorites, too!
