Camping in Tacoma, WA, US: 12 Best Campgrounds 2024

United States
—
Washington
—
Tacoma

96% (7905 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Tacoma

Available this weekend

Top camping destinations

Diablo Lake

1106 campgrounds

Breakfast at Heart Lake, in the Seven Lakes Basin

Olympic National Park

1115 campgrounds

Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest

1212 campgrounds

Aloha

190 campgrounds

Mt. Hood National Forest

Mount Rainier National Park

1209 campgrounds

Star Hosts in Tacoma

96%

(14)

Two Frog Bog

4 sites · Lodging20 acres · Roy, WA

Welcome to Two Frog Bog, a 20-acre forested haven featuring 5 acres of wetland. Our accommodations include a 24-foot yurt with a private, semi-attached bathhouse, two 10 x 20-foot tent cabins with outdoor kitchens and private outhouses with composting toilets. You’ll enjoy the outdoor shower that is available for all guests. The communal fire pit is a great place to roast s’mores and maybe meet new friends. But wait, there’s more: a two-tent campground where we provide the tents, a shared, covered and fully equipped outdoor kitchen, a shared composting outhouse (cleaned at least once a day). Campground has access to shower and fire pit as well. Explore our forest trails leading to the serene wetland, and don't miss our unique 26-foot-wide, 10-foot-tall Woodhenge – a magical spot to relax in a hammock, read a book, or stargaze. Two Frog Bog invites you to immerse yourself in nature and enjoy the variety of accommodations and shared spaces we offer.

97%

(498)

The Hairy Eagle Lookout 🦅

3 sites · RVs, Tents10 acres · Olympia, WA

Experience breathtaking views! Positioned atop a 500ft hill, you will witness phenomenal sights of Puget Sound inlets, Mount Rainer, St Helens, Adams, and much more on a clear day. Resting against the Capitol State Forest, and mere miles away from Olympic National Forest, this serene secluded location is surrounded by majestic beauty. Recently awarded runner-up for the best Hipcamp in Washington 2023!

Majestic Meadows

4 sites · RVs, Tents10 acres · WA

Majestic Meadows is located on the back forested side of 10 acres. Each campsite is placed far enough apart to have privacy to enjoy the serenity of the camping experience. The property is filled with wild life. Mornings will be greeted with birdsong and our fields occasionally with elk, dear, and coyotes. Our property is a bird haven, so if you love watching birds we get regular sightings of Hawks, Eagles, Sparrows, Robins and little peaks of the adorable Humming birds. Our bunny population has no issues reproducing and filling all our bushes with their cute tails. If adventure is your desire, we are located perfectly! Mt. Rainier scenic drive can be enjoyed from either 401 or a short drive to the southern entrance. Passing through Elbe where you can stop for a nice bite to eat on a train at the Mt. Rainier Railroad Dining Co. or visit a car show in the small quaint town of Eatonville. There's a plethora of things to do from hiking to kayaking, fishing, scenic drives, memorable dining, buying local organic fruit, visiting the Northwest Trek Wildlife Park and so much more. We truly love our property and it's location and we're excited to share it with you. NOTE: Please clean up after pets and do not leave your trash. We do not offer trash services here. If you see a trash bin it is most likely for storing our kindling. Please do not leave your trash in it. Pack it out with you. We maintain our property and clean the toilets once or twice a week. I'm more than happy to answer any questions you might have about your stay or local attractions.

97%

(303)

Sweet Alyssum Farm

3 sites · Tents13 acres · Vashon, WA

The farm is on 12 acres of sloping field set against a tall forested backdrop, and only a 5 minute walk from restaurants, shopping, bars and groceries. Three designated level campsites are spaced around the property, each with a fire pit and picnic table. Please pay attention to the fact that these are walk-in sites, and you'll be hauling your camping items from the parking area over uneven ground. We provide a cart to help tote your items, if needed. There is a communal central deck for camper's use, with a water spigot, power outlet and sink, plus a propane stove and some cooking utensils. A communal port-a-potty is available to campers. Parking is in one designated location, and campers must be prepared to walk about 300 feet over uneven ground to their campsite. The working farm fields are not open to campers, but can be admired as a backdrop. A You-Pick flower patch and farm stand at the entrance of the property are open for shopping, picture-taking and flower-picking seasonally. Pets and campfires (outside of burn bans) are permitted. Guests love staying here: "We loved our experience at Alyssa's Flower Farm. The property is beautiful - everywhere you look, you're surrounded by gorgeous scenes of nature. Sunrise and sunset was amazing, and there's something so lovely about hearing songbirds in the trees. They have a beautiful flower farm, and we fell very lucky to have gotten the chance to enjoy it. We loved every moment here, and we can't wait for an opportunity to come back!"

100%

(114)

Jo-El Tree Farm

5 sites · RVs, Tents6 acres · Summit, WA

We are a one hundred year old family owned farm with an organic garden, Permaculture garden, an apiary, and Christmas trees on six acres. We have horseshoes, tether ball, and disc golf. Early spring the frogs go crazy later followed by the sounds of nesting birds. Fall is the season for migrating birds that rest at the ponds next door. August is the time to fill up on blackberries. There are individual campsites with a barbecue and picnic table and a shared fire pit. The fire pit didn't see much use last two years because of the fire danger so we'll have an area at each campsite if you want to bring a propane fire ring (or we will have some for rent). I want to thank past campers for their suggestions, they have been tremendously valuable. We are becoming increasingly suburban and there is some road noise that can be heard and even with farms on three sides of us, you still might hear our neighbors in the distance. Campsites one and four are across the road from each other and campsites two and three are adjacent to each other, perfect if you have another family traveling with you. Eagles, hawks and Ospreys are frequent visitors.

12 top campgrounds near Tacoma

76%

(37)

Garden Zen Camping

5 sites · Tents2 acres · Puyallup, WA

Our house sits in the middle of 2 acres surrounded by trees and a creek that runs through our backyard. There are 8 kinds of fruit trees, 4 kinds of berries, a vegetable garden, flower gardens and shrubs, rose bushes and more flowering here during the spring, summer and fall months. The yard is covered with soft green grass, the perfect place to lay back and soak up some sun or sit under a shade tree. Which ever you prefer! Fishing the creek is also a nice laid back activity, the best spot being under the bridge on the left side of the yard. The creek is home to 3 kinds of salmon hatcheries up stream at clarks creek park and dog park. If you are feeling adventurous, you can float from the park back to our house. We have seen people on tubes, in kyayachs, on paddle boards and rafts come through! We haven't yet ourselves but plan to this year! It's not a very fast moving creek but it does ok. It is pretty shallow in some areas but over 6ft deep in others. We are pretty lucky to have an area that is over 6ft deep in several areas but also has shallow areas too! Learn more about this land: Coming to fish the salmon on the Puyallup River, visit the area or just want to camp?! Pitch a tent in our 420 friendly backyard, located 1 mile from the most favored spot to throw your line in and catch a variety of fish. Grass sites, huge shade trees with running creek to help keep you cool or if you prefer an open sunny area we have those too. Pitch your tent anywhere you like. We are by the train tracks, so if you are a light sleeper this may not be your cup of tea. Parking is limited, so we will offer rides to and from the river if you can park off site. There is a few spots across the street from us also. Pack out what you pack in. Barbecue available for use, propane fires allowed during burn bans otherwise open fires are allowed. There is a charging station for your devices and a place to clean fish. You can bird watch here for hours, or watch the ducks and geese swim up and down the creek and if your really lucky you will see river otters swim up and down the creek too! They are pretty cool to see! We have outdoor toys and bikes for kids and volleyball, horseshoes, large dice, large scrabble, large jenga and more for all ages. Fishing not permitted on property but there are a lot of spots to go nearby. Showers are available upon request but are limited. Meals supplied if requested, must sign up by previous afternoon. Children who can't swim must wear life jacket if by the creek, we will supply them for you and if you want to float the creek we have floats available. It's also nice just to sit by the creek and meditate. We are located on the outskirts of town so you can escape the city life for a few days! Early and late check in avail. We don't have a strict check in or check out time.

Dean’s Campground

14 sites · RVs, Tents11 acres · Auburn, WA

Welcome to Dean’s! Eight minutes off Highway 18 lies 11 acres of mostly undeveloped land. Dean's is a beautiful, bare-bones place to rest between national parks, before or after crossing the US / CA border, or to set up base camp to explore Seattle / Tacoma. Our location is convenient. We are just minutes from Auburn city limits. Road noise, planes, Pacific Raceways, and freight trains are audible here even if muffled by the trees. In order to provide safety and peace, hosts live just outside the campground and closely manage happenings. All our sites have 2-4 persons occupancy in hopes of deterring parties. Our quiet hours are 8pm-8am so we can rest up for the next day’s adventures. We ban fires during the peak of summer to avoid the issue of wildfires entirely. Propane stoves are welcome. We do not have a check in cut-off time tho reservations do need to be made before midnight. We have zero tolerance for hateful, abusive, or discriminatory behavior toward people, belongings, and wildlife. With that being said, the 40+ year old trees and distance between the campsites provides space for you to bring and create your own vibes. Hosts should only approach you with safety or quiet hour concerns. They are available 24 / 7 for any questions or requests you may have. Feel free to reach out any time (our phone number can be found on Google).

100%

(68)

Private Beach, 15 Acres, Vashon

1 site · RV, Tent15 acres · Vashon, WA

Visit Vashon Island and relax on this private 15 acre property. Camp near the bluff, overlooking Puget Sound, walk the trail down to the beach and enjoy 1000 ft. of secluded beach. Please note: There is an additional charge of $25/person/night above the base rate. For some reason hipcamp doesn't automatically add in this charge, so we will request it separately. It must be paid in full prior to arrival to avoid cancellation of your stay. The island boasts great coffee hangouts, galleries, wineries, restaurants (Earthen, The Ruby Brink, The Hardware Store Restaurant), Snapdragon and others. Minglement, the Burton Coffee Stand, and Cafe Olio Vino have great coffee. Thriftway is a great grocery store. The Burton Store is worth a visit if you are coming from the Tacoma/Pt. Defiance ferry as you will pass it on your way to the property. There a galleries, shops and restaurants in the town of Vashon and also in Burton. Vashon Center for the Arts, O-Space and the Chamber of Commerce have events that might be of interest. Bikes, E-bikes, paddle boards and kayaks can be rented from Vashon Adventures and Vashon Bikes.They also rent tents and some camping equipment. Before lighting an outdoor fire, please check with us. There are sometime burn bans for air quality and/or high fire danger. Generally, fires are allowed at the beach below the high tide line and must be put out COLD with water and buried with sand before leaving them unattended. You are responsible for any damage or injuries caused by a fire you start, so please be careful!

100%

(10)

Zen Rose Camp

7 sites · Tents1 acre · Lakebay, WA

Escape the crowds and find your Zen at Zen Rose! If Penrose or Joemma state parks are filled up, come and enjoy our spacious campsites, perfect for your family and friends. We are conveniently located just about 5 minutes away from both state parks. Our family property offers a serene and private camping experience. Gather your group for communal camping or enjoy some quality time with your loved ones in your own private space. We have a picnic shelter for group meals, so you can enjoy eating together amidst the beauty of nature. Relax by our natural spring pond and take in the scenic views. The water from the pond is potable when boiled, so you can enjoy a refreshing drink after a day of outdoor fun. Gather around the campfire pit in the evenings for fireside chats and savor the tranquility of the night. For your comfort and privacy, we provide sheltered outhouses on the property. Rest assured that you'll have everything you need for a peaceful and rejuvenating camping experience. Find your Zen at Zen Rose and create lasting memories with your family and friends. We can't wait to welcome you to our little escape!

Jo-El Tree Farm

5 sites · RVs, Tents6 acres · Summit, WA

We are a one hundred year old family owned farm with an organic garden, Permaculture garden, an apiary, and Christmas trees on six acres. We have horseshoes, tether ball, and disc golf. Early spring the frogs go crazy later followed by the sounds of nesting birds. Fall is the season for migrating birds that rest at the ponds next door. August is the time to fill up on blackberries. There are individual campsites with a barbecue and picnic table and a shared fire pit. The fire pit didn't see much use last two years because of the fire danger so we'll have an area at each campsite if you want to bring a propane fire ring (or we will have some for rent). I want to thank past campers for their suggestions, they have been tremendously valuable. We are becoming increasingly suburban and there is some road noise that can be heard and even with farms on three sides of us, you still might hear our neighbors in the distance. Campsites one and four are across the road from each other and campsites two and three are adjacent to each other, perfect if you have another family traveling with you. Eagles, hawks and Ospreys are frequent visitors.

Baby Duck Driveway

1 site · RV1 acre · Ruston, WA

Point Defiance park is less than a block away. Take a short walk or bike ride to newly developed Point Ruston for entertainment, dining, outdoor concerts in the summer, and lots of other fun. Our Driveway has a slight grade, but will fit any sized RV. We have 30 AMP shore power, a GFI plug, water, and a dump drain in the driveway. Campers have access to fenced side yard and hot tub. No onsite toilet.

Two Frog Bog

4 sites · Lodging20 acres · Roy, WA

Welcome to Two Frog Bog, a 20-acre forested haven featuring 5 acres of wetland. Our accommodations include a 24-foot yurt with a private, semi-attached bathhouse, two 10 x 20-foot tent cabins with outdoor kitchens and private outhouses with composting toilets. You’ll enjoy the outdoor shower that is available for all guests. The communal fire pit is a great place to roast s’mores and maybe meet new friends. But wait, there’s more: a two-tent campground where we provide the tents, a shared, covered and fully equipped outdoor kitchen, a shared composting outhouse (cleaned at least once a day). Campground has access to shower and fire pit as well. Explore our forest trails leading to the serene wetland, and don't miss our unique 26-foot-wide, 10-foot-tall Woodhenge – a magical spot to relax in a hammock, read a book, or stargaze. Two Frog Bog invites you to immerse yourself in nature and enjoy the variety of accommodations and shared spaces we offer.

93%

(170)

The Happy Horse Farm

5 sites · RVs, Tents5 acres · Lakewood, WA

Property is a 5-acre gated horse farm surrounded by wooded military property on 3 sides. Conveniently located 15-20 minutes from Tacoma and Olympia. Just 5 mins to Starbucks/coffee and grocery stores but far enough away from the city so it feels more secluded. American Lake and Spanaway Lake (and their parks with playgrounds) for swimming and paddle boarding are both just 5 mins away! The owner lives on site, as well as several horses, chickens, and a dog. Large stone fire pit with chairs near house is available for camper use. Pending: Paddle board rental and bicycles for use on property or trails! Set-up your tent anywhere within the horse paddocks - there are no specific sites, although there is a small fire pit and rustic bench seating at far back corner of property. Tents can be outside of horse areas as well, if preferred. RV dry camping anywhere within or outside horse areas. For RVs needing dedicated electrical/water hookup, there are specific sites closer to the house. ***If you are travelling with more than one vehicle, please purchase an car extra parking spot.*** Only four 30amp RV spots are available and are most easily accessible for Rvs under 30'. Standard 110volt outlets can also be available for RV use. Woodbrook Hunt Club, the oldest fox hunting club west of the Mississippi, is a neighbor so lots of horseback riding goes on in the neighborhood. (Dragged scent only, no live foxes are harmed.) Private horseback riding lessons or guided trail rides available by reservation only, subject to weather and owner availability. Use of military trails adjacent to property for hiking and bike riding subject to open land usage and permitting by military base. Happy HipCamping! 😊

Majestic Meadows

4 sites · RVs, Tents10 acres · WA

Majestic Meadows is located on the back forested side of 10 acres. Each campsite is placed far enough apart to have privacy to enjoy the serenity of the camping experience. The property is filled with wild life. Mornings will be greeted with birdsong and our fields occasionally with elk, dear, and coyotes. Our property is a bird haven, so if you love watching birds we get regular sightings of Hawks, Eagles, Sparrows, Robins and little peaks of the adorable Humming birds. Our bunny population has no issues reproducing and filling all our bushes with their cute tails. If adventure is your desire, we are located perfectly! Mt. Rainier scenic drive can be enjoyed from either 401 or a short drive to the southern entrance. Passing through Elbe where you can stop for a nice bite to eat on a train at the Mt. Rainier Railroad Dining Co. or visit a car show in the small quaint town of Eatonville. There's a plethora of things to do from hiking to kayaking, fishing, scenic drives, memorable dining, buying local organic fruit, visiting the Northwest Trek Wildlife Park and so much more. We truly love our property and it's location and we're excited to share it with you. NOTE: Please clean up after pets and do not leave your trash. We do not offer trash services here. If you see a trash bin it is most likely for storing our kindling. Please do not leave your trash in it. Pack it out with you. We maintain our property and clean the toilets once or twice a week. I'm more than happy to answer any questions you might have about your stay or local attractions.

The Hairy Eagle Lookout 🦅

3 sites · RVs, Tents10 acres · Olympia, WA

Experience breathtaking views! Positioned atop a 500ft hill, you will witness phenomenal sights of Puget Sound inlets, Mount Rainer, St Helens, Adams, and much more on a clear day. Resting against the Capitol State Forest, and mere miles away from Olympic National Forest, this serene secluded location is surrounded by majestic beauty. Recently awarded runner-up for the best Hipcamp in Washington 2023!

Sweet Alyssum Farm

3 sites · Tents13 acres · Vashon, WA

The farm is on 12 acres of sloping field set against a tall forested backdrop, and only a 5 minute walk from restaurants, shopping, bars and groceries. Three designated level campsites are spaced around the property, each with a fire pit and picnic table. Please pay attention to the fact that these are walk-in sites, and you'll be hauling your camping items from the parking area over uneven ground. We provide a cart to help tote your items, if needed. There is a communal central deck for camper's use, with a water spigot, power outlet and sink, plus a propane stove and some cooking utensils. A communal port-a-potty is available to campers. Parking is in one designated location, and campers must be prepared to walk about 300 feet over uneven ground to their campsite. The working farm fields are not open to campers, but can be admired as a backdrop. A You-Pick flower patch and farm stand at the entrance of the property are open for shopping, picture-taking and flower-picking seasonally. Pets and campfires (outside of burn bans) are permitted. Guests love staying here: "We loved our experience at Alyssa's Flower Farm. The property is beautiful - everywhere you look, you're surrounded by gorgeous scenes of nature. Sunrise and sunset was amazing, and there's something so lovely about hearing songbirds in the trees. They have a beautiful flower farm, and we fell very lucky to have gotten the chance to enjoy it. We loved every moment here, and we can't wait for an opportunity to come back!"

100%

(1)

Marble Creek Retreat

4 sites · RVs2 acres · Gig Harbor, WA

Welcome to Marble Creek Retreat! A nature filled, peaceful, smoke-free property with many private gardens, ponds, horseshoes, badminton, basketball, swings, hammocks, lounging areas, and wildlife. Grassy areas, shade, sun, walking trails - your only problem will be where to hang out! Ok to walk friendly dogs off leash - garbage can provided for their poos :) Property is fully fenced by 3 feet wire fencing. We are a few minutes from three parks: Sehmel park, an Off-leash dog park and Forest Park; Purdy spit saltwater public beach, and 5 minutes to downtown Gig Harbor.

Dog-friendly getaways

100%

(114)

Jo-El Tree Farm

5 sites · RVs, Tents6 acres · Summit, WA

We are a one hundred year old family owned farm with an organic garden, Permaculture garden, an apiary, and Christmas trees on six acres. We have horseshoes, tether ball, and disc golf. Early spring the frogs go crazy later followed by the sounds of nesting birds. Fall is the season for migrating birds that rest at the ponds next door. August is the time to fill up on blackberries. There are individual campsites with a barbecue and picnic table and a shared fire pit. The fire pit didn't see much use last two years because of the fire danger so we'll have an area at each campsite if you want to bring a propane fire ring (or we will have some for rent). I want to thank past campers for their suggestions, they have been tremendously valuable. We are becoming increasingly suburban and there is some road noise that can be heard and even with farms on three sides of us, you still might hear our neighbors in the distance. Campsites one and four are across the road from each other and campsites two and three are adjacent to each other, perfect if you have another family traveling with you. Eagles, hawks and Ospreys are frequent visitors.

Private Beach, 15 Acres, Vashon

1 site · RV, Tent15 acres · Vashon, WA

Visit Vashon Island and relax on this private 15 acre property. Camp near the bluff, overlooking Puget Sound, walk the trail down to the beach and enjoy 1000 ft. of secluded beach. Please note: There is an additional charge of $25/person/night above the base rate. For some reason hipcamp doesn't automatically add in this charge, so we will request it separately. It must be paid in full prior to arrival to avoid cancellation of your stay. The island boasts great coffee hangouts, galleries, wineries, restaurants (Earthen, The Ruby Brink, The Hardware Store Restaurant), Snapdragon and others. Minglement, the Burton Coffee Stand, and Cafe Olio Vino have great coffee. Thriftway is a great grocery store. The Burton Store is worth a visit if you are coming from the Tacoma/Pt. Defiance ferry as you will pass it on your way to the property. There a galleries, shops and restaurants in the town of Vashon and also in Burton. Vashon Center for the Arts, O-Space and the Chamber of Commerce have events that might be of interest. Bikes, E-bikes, paddle boards and kayaks can be rented from Vashon Adventures and Vashon Bikes.They also rent tents and some camping equipment. Before lighting an outdoor fire, please check with us. There are sometime burn bans for air quality and/or high fire danger. Generally, fires are allowed at the beach below the high tide line and must be put out COLD with water and buried with sand before leaving them unattended. You are responsible for any damage or injuries caused by a fire you start, so please be careful!

Garden Zen Camping

5 sites · Tents2 acres · Puyallup, WA

Our house sits in the middle of 2 acres surrounded by trees and a creek that runs through our backyard. There are 8 kinds of fruit trees, 4 kinds of berries, a vegetable garden, flower gardens and shrubs, rose bushes and more flowering here during the spring, summer and fall months. The yard is covered with soft green grass, the perfect place to lay back and soak up some sun or sit under a shade tree. Which ever you prefer! Fishing the creek is also a nice laid back activity, the best spot being under the bridge on the left side of the yard. The creek is home to 3 kinds of salmon hatcheries up stream at clarks creek park and dog park. If you are feeling adventurous, you can float from the park back to our house. We have seen people on tubes, in kyayachs, on paddle boards and rafts come through! We haven't yet ourselves but plan to this year! It's not a very fast moving creek but it does ok. It is pretty shallow in some areas but over 6ft deep in others. We are pretty lucky to have an area that is over 6ft deep in several areas but also has shallow areas too! Learn more about this land: Coming to fish the salmon on the Puyallup River, visit the area or just want to camp?! Pitch a tent in our 420 friendly backyard, located 1 mile from the most favored spot to throw your line in and catch a variety of fish. Grass sites, huge shade trees with running creek to help keep you cool or if you prefer an open sunny area we have those too. Pitch your tent anywhere you like. We are by the train tracks, so if you are a light sleeper this may not be your cup of tea. Parking is limited, so we will offer rides to and from the river if you can park off site. There is a few spots across the street from us also. Pack out what you pack in. Barbecue available for use, propane fires allowed during burn bans otherwise open fires are allowed. There is a charging station for your devices and a place to clean fish. You can bird watch here for hours, or watch the ducks and geese swim up and down the creek and if your really lucky you will see river otters swim up and down the creek too! They are pretty cool to see! We have outdoor toys and bikes for kids and volleyball, horseshoes, large dice, large scrabble, large jenga and more for all ages. Fishing not permitted on property but there are a lot of spots to go nearby. Showers are available upon request but are limited. Meals supplied if requested, must sign up by previous afternoon. Children who can't swim must wear life jacket if by the creek, we will supply them for you and if you want to float the creek we have floats available. It's also nice just to sit by the creek and meditate. We are located on the outskirts of town so you can escape the city life for a few days! Early and late check in avail. We don't have a strict check in or check out time.

Zen Rose Camp

7 sites · Tents1 acre · Lakebay, WA

Escape the crowds and find your Zen at Zen Rose! If Penrose or Joemma state parks are filled up, come and enjoy our spacious campsites, perfect for your family and friends. We are conveniently located just about 5 minutes away from both state parks. Our family property offers a serene and private camping experience. Gather your group for communal camping or enjoy some quality time with your loved ones in your own private space. We have a picnic shelter for group meals, so you can enjoy eating together amidst the beauty of nature. Relax by our natural spring pond and take in the scenic views. The water from the pond is potable when boiled, so you can enjoy a refreshing drink after a day of outdoor fun. Gather around the campfire pit in the evenings for fireside chats and savor the tranquility of the night. For your comfort and privacy, we provide sheltered outhouses on the property. Rest assured that you'll have everything you need for a peaceful and rejuvenating camping experience. Find your Zen at Zen Rose and create lasting memories with your family and friends. We can't wait to welcome you to our little escape!

Baby Duck Driveway

1 site · RV1 acre · Ruston, WA

Point Defiance park is less than a block away. Take a short walk or bike ride to newly developed Point Ruston for entertainment, dining, outdoor concerts in the summer, and lots of other fun. Our Driveway has a slight grade, but will fit any sized RV. We have 30 AMP shore power, a GFI plug, water, and a dump drain in the driveway. Campers have access to fenced side yard and hot tub. No onsite toilet.

Under $50

76%

(37)

Garden Zen Camping

5 sites · Tents2 acres · Puyallup, WA

Our house sits in the middle of 2 acres surrounded by trees and a creek that runs through our backyard. There are 8 kinds of fruit trees, 4 kinds of berries, a vegetable garden, flower gardens and shrubs, rose bushes and more flowering here during the spring, summer and fall months. The yard is covered with soft green grass, the perfect place to lay back and soak up some sun or sit under a shade tree. Which ever you prefer! Fishing the creek is also a nice laid back activity, the best spot being under the bridge on the left side of the yard. The creek is home to 3 kinds of salmon hatcheries up stream at clarks creek park and dog park. If you are feeling adventurous, you can float from the park back to our house. We have seen people on tubes, in kyayachs, on paddle boards and rafts come through! We haven't yet ourselves but plan to this year! It's not a very fast moving creek but it does ok. It is pretty shallow in some areas but over 6ft deep in others. We are pretty lucky to have an area that is over 6ft deep in several areas but also has shallow areas too! Learn more about this land: Coming to fish the salmon on the Puyallup River, visit the area or just want to camp?! Pitch a tent in our 420 friendly backyard, located 1 mile from the most favored spot to throw your line in and catch a variety of fish. Grass sites, huge shade trees with running creek to help keep you cool or if you prefer an open sunny area we have those too. Pitch your tent anywhere you like. We are by the train tracks, so if you are a light sleeper this may not be your cup of tea. Parking is limited, so we will offer rides to and from the river if you can park off site. There is a few spots across the street from us also. Pack out what you pack in. Barbecue available for use, propane fires allowed during burn bans otherwise open fires are allowed. There is a charging station for your devices and a place to clean fish. You can bird watch here for hours, or watch the ducks and geese swim up and down the creek and if your really lucky you will see river otters swim up and down the creek too! They are pretty cool to see! We have outdoor toys and bikes for kids and volleyball, horseshoes, large dice, large scrabble, large jenga and more for all ages. Fishing not permitted on property but there are a lot of spots to go nearby. Showers are available upon request but are limited. Meals supplied if requested, must sign up by previous afternoon. Children who can't swim must wear life jacket if by the creek, we will supply them for you and if you want to float the creek we have floats available. It's also nice just to sit by the creek and meditate. We are located on the outskirts of town so you can escape the city life for a few days! Early and late check in avail. We don't have a strict check in or check out time.

Zen Rose Camp

7 sites · Tents1 acre · Lakebay, WA

Escape the crowds and find your Zen at Zen Rose! If Penrose or Joemma state parks are filled up, come and enjoy our spacious campsites, perfect for your family and friends. We are conveniently located just about 5 minutes away from both state parks. Our family property offers a serene and private camping experience. Gather your group for communal camping or enjoy some quality time with your loved ones in your own private space. We have a picnic shelter for group meals, so you can enjoy eating together amidst the beauty of nature. Relax by our natural spring pond and take in the scenic views. The water from the pond is potable when boiled, so you can enjoy a refreshing drink after a day of outdoor fun. Gather around the campfire pit in the evenings for fireside chats and savor the tranquility of the night. For your comfort and privacy, we provide sheltered outhouses on the property. Rest assured that you'll have everything you need for a peaceful and rejuvenating camping experience. Find your Zen at Zen Rose and create lasting memories with your family and friends. We can't wait to welcome you to our little escape!

Baby Duck Driveway

1 site · RV1 acre · Ruston, WA

Point Defiance park is less than a block away. Take a short walk or bike ride to newly developed Point Ruston for entertainment, dining, outdoor concerts in the summer, and lots of other fun. Our Driveway has a slight grade, but will fit any sized RV. We have 30 AMP shore power, a GFI plug, water, and a dump drain in the driveway. Campers have access to fenced side yard and hot tub. No onsite toilet.

Jo-El Tree Farm

5 sites · RVs, Tents6 acres · Summit, WA

We are a one hundred year old family owned farm with an organic garden, Permaculture garden, an apiary, and Christmas trees on six acres. We have horseshoes, tether ball, and disc golf. Early spring the frogs go crazy later followed by the sounds of nesting birds. Fall is the season for migrating birds that rest at the ponds next door. August is the time to fill up on blackberries. There are individual campsites with a barbecue and picnic table and a shared fire pit. The fire pit didn't see much use last two years because of the fire danger so we'll have an area at each campsite if you want to bring a propane fire ring (or we will have some for rent). I want to thank past campers for their suggestions, they have been tremendously valuable. We are becoming increasingly suburban and there is some road noise that can be heard and even with farms on three sides of us, you still might hear our neighbors in the distance. Campsites one and four are across the road from each other and campsites two and three are adjacent to each other, perfect if you have another family traveling with you. Eagles, hawks and Ospreys are frequent visitors.

Dean’s Campground

14 sites · RVs, Tents11 acres · Auburn, WA

Welcome to Dean’s! Eight minutes off Highway 18 lies 11 acres of mostly undeveloped land. Dean's is a beautiful, bare-bones place to rest between national parks, before or after crossing the US / CA border, or to set up base camp to explore Seattle / Tacoma. Our location is convenient. We are just minutes from Auburn city limits. Road noise, planes, Pacific Raceways, and freight trains are audible here even if muffled by the trees. In order to provide safety and peace, hosts live just outside the campground and closely manage happenings. All our sites have 2-4 persons occupancy in hopes of deterring parties. Our quiet hours are 8pm-8am so we can rest up for the next day’s adventures. We ban fires during the peak of summer to avoid the issue of wildfires entirely. Propane stoves are welcome. We do not have a check in cut-off time tho reservations do need to be made before midnight. We have zero tolerance for hateful, abusive, or discriminatory behavior toward people, belongings, and wildlife. With that being said, the 40+ year old trees and distance between the campsites provides space for you to bring and create your own vibes. Hosts should only approach you with safety or quiet hour concerns. They are available 24 / 7 for any questions or requests you may have. Feel free to reach out any time (our phone number can be found on Google).

Nearby parks

Explore the area’s public lands.

Blake Island Marine State Park

Manchester, Washington

100%

(2)

Saltwater State Park

Des Moines, Washington

Mount Rainier National Park

La Grande, Washington

94%

(50)

Olympic National Forest

Port Angeles, Washington

97%

(288)

Olympic National Park

Port Angeles, Washington

92%

(109)

Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest

Skykomish, Washington

Camping near Tacoma guide

Overview

The closest big city to Mount Rainier National Park, the large city of Tacoma is ideally positioned for travelers who want to explore different parts of the state easily. From Tacoma, you can easily get to Seattle on Interstate-5, or hop on State Highway 16, which leads to the Olympic Peninsula. There’s also plenty to see and do right in town, from taking in views of the Puget Sound from Point Defiance Park to checking out the Museum of Glass, where you can see the works of Washington State's celebrated glass artist Dale Chihuly.

Where to go

Mount Rainier National Park

The most popular spot to visit in the Tacoma area, Mount Rainier National Park is a fantastic place for a summer hiking adventure or camping trip, and many mountaineers come to Washington specifically to climb up to its peak. Time it right and you'll be rewarded with views of gorgeous wildflowers, which tend to bloom in the summer, depending on the year’s weather patterns.

Saltwater State Park

Located between Seattle and Tacoma, Saltwater State Park offers 1,445 feet of shoreline overlooking Puget Sound. It's a great place to cool off during the summer months and its location on the flight path of the nearby Sea-Tac International Airport make it a hit among plane-spotters. There's even an underwater reef for diving, plus a campground for those who want to stick around for a night.

Dash Point State Park

A quick jaunt from Tacoma, Dash Point State Park is another great spot for water fun, with a sandy beach that attracts kayakers, skimboarders, and anglers, along with plenty of shore birds. Other park features include miles of trails for hiking and biking, plus a campground with campsites, cabins, and a dump station.

When to go

The best time to visit Tacoma and its surrounding natural areas is during the summertime, when the weather is usually hot and there’s not too much chance of rain. The rest of the year faces cool, rainy weather, meaning area residents take full advantage of the brief summer window to spend as much time outdoors as possible. This often results in crowds, particularly in July and August.