Top 10 Best Campgrounds in Washington | PNW 2026
Discover Washington's best campgrounds from Olympic rainforests to Mount Rainier. Experience Pacific Northwest ecosystems with volcanoes, islands, and pristine wilderness.
Washington State is a camper’s fever dream. We’re talking temperate rainforests dripping with moss, volcanic peaks still steaming from their last eruption, and island archipelagos accessible only by ferry. If you can’t find your ideal campsite here, you’re not looking hard enough.
We’ve spent years exploring the Evergreen State, and these ten campgrounds represent the absolute best it has to offer.
1. Hoh Rain Forest Campground
Location: Olympic National Park, Olympic Peninsula
There’s nowhere else on the continental U.S. quite like this. The Hoh is one of the largest temperate rainforests in the Western Hemisphere, and camping here feels like stepping into another world. Massive Sitka spruces tower overhead while elk graze in the meadows at dawn.
Best for: Nature photographers, wildlife enthusiasts, and anyone who wants to feel genuinely small.
Pro tip: Grab a site along the river for morning mist that makes every photo look like a movie still.
2. Colonial Creek Campground
Location: North Cascades National Park, Diablo Lake
The turquoise waters of Diablo Lake will make you question whether you’re still in the Pacific Northwest. This glacial-fed lake gets its unreal color from rock flour suspended in the water, and Colonial Creek puts you right on its shores.
Best for: Kayakers, hikers, and couples looking for dramatic scenery without the crowds of more famous parks.
Pro tip: Book a lakeside site in Loop A. The sunsets over the water are worth the extra effort.
3. Deception Pass State Park
Location: Whidbey Island, Puget Sound
Washington’s most-visited state park earns its reputation. The iconic bridge spanning the churning pass is reason enough to visit, but the camping here—split between forested and waterfront sites—delivers serious variety.
Best for: Families, first-time PNW campers, and tidepooling enthusiasts.
Pro tip: Hit the Bowman Bay side for a quieter experience than the main Cranberry Lake area.
4. Kalaloch Campground
Location: Olympic National Park, Pacific Coast
Ocean camping doesn’t get better than this. Perched on bluffs overlooking the wild Pacific, Kalaloch offers dramatic coastal views with easy beach access. Fall asleep to crashing waves and wake up to some of the best beachcombing in the state.
Best for: Sunset chasers, storm watchers, and anyone craving that raw coastal energy.
Pro tip: Sites 1-20 have the best ocean views. Reserve months in advance for summer weekends.
5. Ohanapecosh Campground
Location: Mount Rainier National Park, Southeast Corner
Old-growth forest camping at its finest. The massive Douglas firs and western red cedars here are among the oldest in the park, and the Grove of the Patriarchs trail starts right from camp. The Ohanapecosh River runs cold and clear through the heart of it all.
Best for: Tree lovers, families with kids, and anyone wanting Rainier access without the Paradise crowds.
Pro tip: Visit the hot springs nearby—they’re just warm enough to take the edge off after a long hike.
6. Moran State Park
Location: Orcas Island, San Juan Islands
Getting here requires a ferry, and that’s part of the magic. Moran State Park covers most of Orcas Island, with camping spread around mountain lakes and forested hillsides. Drive or hike to the top of Mount Constitution for views stretching to Canada.
Best for: Island adventurers, paddlers, and anyone looking to truly disconnect.
Pro tip: Reserve your ferry well ahead of your campsite. Missing the boat means missing the trip.
7. Lake Wenatchee State Park
Location: Leavenworth Area, Central Cascades
This glacier-fed lake sits at the base of the Cascades and offers some of the best swimming in the state come summer. The campground splits between forested and lakeside sites, with easy access to hiking, fishing, and the quirky Bavarian village of Leavenworth.
Best for: Summer swimmers, families, and anyone combining camping with a Leavenworth visit.
Pro tip: The north campground is quieter. South gets more day-use traffic.
8. Pearrygin Lake State Park
Location: Winthrop, Methow Valley
Eastern Washington’s high desert offers a completely different camping experience. Pearrygin Lake warms up nicely by July, and the surrounding sagebrush-and-pine landscape feels a world away from the wet side. Summer nights here are warm and star-filled.
Best for: Swimmers, mountain bikers, and anyone escaping the Seattle rain.
Pro tip: Combine your trip with the Methow Valley trail system—some of the best mountain biking in the state.
9. Salt Creek Recreation Area
Location: Strait of Juan de Fuca, Olympic Peninsula
This county park flies under the radar, but the tidepools here rival anything on the Oregon coast. Campsites sit on bluffs overlooking the Strait, with views of Vancouver Island on clear days. The marine sanctuary below teems with life at low tide.
Best for: Tidepoolers, budget campers, and those seeking an alternative to crowded national park sites.
Pro tip: Check the tide charts and plan your exploration for the lowest tides of your trip.
10. Icicle River RV Resort and Campground
Location: Leavenworth, Central Cascades
Sometimes we want creature comforts without sacrificing scenery. This private campground along the Icicle River delivers both—clean facilities, riverside sites, and easy access to some of the best hiking in the Cascades. The town of Leavenworth is a short drive for morning coffee.
Best for: RVers, glampers, and anyone wanting a base camp for Enchantments lottery attempts.
Pro tip: Book a riverside site and bring a tube—floating the Icicle on a hot day is pure bliss.
Plan Your Washington Adventure
Washington rewards campers who explore beyond the obvious. Sure, the national parks are spectacular, but state parks, county parks, and private campgrounds often deliver equally stunning experiences with a fraction of the crowds.
Whatever you choose, pack layers. Even in July, PNW weather has a sense of humor.
See you out there.