Top 4 Tent Campgrounds with Boat Launches in Washington

The answer breaks down into two categories—whether you’re west or east of the Cascade Mountain Range.

Generally, if you’re west of the Cascades, the traditional camping season applies. If you don’t mind the crowds, late spring to early fall brings good weather. During the summer months, you’ll be able to take advantage of long summer days, especially as you get nearer to the Canadian border. When camping in Washington, most of the best sites are west of the Cascades and attract more crowds.

If you’re east of the Cascades, the summer temperatures tend to be warmer, and fall is a more ideal time to camp. If you don’t mind the heat, camping in the east can probably help you avoid some of the crowds heading to Washington during the warmer months.

Regardless of where you are, any mountain range may still have snow at higher elevations into the summer, so plan accordingly when camping in Washington.

Washington is really an outdoor playground, on par with all of the Pacific Northwest. The end section of the Pacific Coast Trail brings hikers from all over, but that isn’t all that’s going on here. Camping in Washington is a special experience, but you can also have a great time paddle boarding, kayaking, and trail running.

If you want to paddleboard, head for Lake Crescent and its expansive views and comfortable temperatures. While you’re there, Olympic National Park has ample trails to run and hike.

While Washington has a robust outdoor culture and more than 200 state parks, it’s actually home to only three national parks spread throughout the state.

Olympic National Park

Olympic National Park is routinely one of the most visited national parks in the U.S. This massive park offers some of the absolute best sites for camping in Washington and is not to be missed.

Unlike many national parks, there’s no main road directly through the heart of the park, so you have to drive around the Olympic Peninsula to navigate the park. While getting from place to place takes longer, the peninsula is beautiful and makes the drive easy. You want to spend at least a few days here to appreciate this Washington national park properly.

Mount Rainier National Park

Mount Rainier National Park boasts one of the best hikes in Washington: the Wonderland Trail. At just under 100 miles, this Washington outdoor activity is a great start for the avid hiker looking to try out a shorter thru-hike. Note that this hike is quite strenuous, so be sure you’re adequately prepared if you want to try it out.

Like Washington state itself, Mount Rainier is diverse and offers multiple options, from temperate forests to subalpine meadows to hiking Mount Rainier.

North Cascades National Park

North Cascades is the middle child of Washington national parks, but you can use that to your advantage. This park doesn’t get nearly the foot traffic that the other two do but still offers the incredible views that Washington is known for.

This is the place to go if you’re a seasoned adventurer looking to head into the wilderness for solitude. If you’re a beginner, you’ll find that even the simpler, more beginner-friendly trails are much less crowded than those at Olympic and Mount Rainier.

Deception Pass State Park

Of all 200+ state parks in Washington, Deception Pass State Park stands alone as the most visited in the entire system. With connections to popular Whidbey Island, visitors are never in short supply. The park itself is filled with beautiful scenery and is only about two hours from Seattle.

Gingko Petrified Forest State Park

Gingko Petrified Forest State Park reminds you of just how many ecosystems exist in Washington and all the adventures that can be had here.

If you’re looking for unique camping in Washington, check out the adjacent Wanapum Recreation area, where you’ll find campsites and a boat ramp. If you’re just there for a day, the interpretive center holds fascinating information about how the petrified forest came to be.

Palouse Falls State Park

Palouse Falls is a gem in the eastern part of Washington, famous for its stunning colors and waterfalls. If you’re an artist, this has to be on your bucket list while camping in Washington. You’ll be treated to otherworldly sunrise colors when you get out of your tent. From there, it’s easy to enjoy some of the best hiking this remote Washington state park has to offer.

Lake Wenatchee State Park

This central Washington state park offers vast expanses of waterfront, perfect for watersports enthusiasts. While the park itself isn’t as large as many other Washington state parks, you’ll still have ample opportunities to hike and camp. Should you want to try winter camping, the restrooms and shelters are heated in the colder months.

Space Needle

This is the most iconic part of Seattle’s skyline and deserves a visit, even if it is touristy. If you want to get some of the best views that aren’t in a Washington national park or state park, the Space Needle is the place to go.

Pike Place Market

The Space Needle might be the most iconic part of the Washington skyline, but Pike Place is the biggest tourist draw. With the lively market and the famous first Starbucks (hence the name of their signature roast), it’s easy to spend an afternoon exploring all the local area has to offer.

Leavenworth

Leavenworth is an experience unlike anything else in Washington. This stop in the Cascade Mountains is a Bavarian-styled village and transports you to another time period. While plenty of fun in the summer, winter in this little town is a special experience that seemingly transports you into a Christmas movie.

Fremont Troll

Yep, there is a troll under the bridge in Seattle. You might’ve seen it on Instagram. This giant troll sculpture has brought Seattle tourists under the Aurora Bridge since 1989. When the local arts council launched a competition to improve the area below the Aurora Bridge, sculptor Steve Badanes won and created the fairy tale troll who’s guarded the bridge ever since.