Best Camping in and near Manchester State Park

Historic naval buildings straddle a wild, rocky coastline at this group-friendly state park.

Popular ways to camp

Community favorites near Manchester State Park

Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

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Public campgrounds in the park
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Stay at a public campground in Manchester State Park

Group Camp Area

1 site In Manchester State Park

from

$30

/ night

Manchester

1 site In Manchester State Park

from

$30

/ night

Top-rated campgrounds near Manchester State Park

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Wildfern Grove

8 sites · Lodging, Tents40 acres · Buckley, WA

Learn more about this land: Immerse yourself in tranquility at our unique sanctuary nestled on 40 acres of pristine Pacific Northwest forest. Our property offers a captivating blend of intentional community living, event hosting capabilities, and short-term rentals.Find solace in one of our beautifully crafted yurts, each designed to provide a comfortable and harmonious living space amidst the towering trees. Step outside your yurt and into a relaxing meadow, perfect for quiet reflection or gathering with friends and family under the vast, starlit sky. Whether you seek a transformative community experience, a memorable event venue, or a peaceful retreat, our haven offers an unparalleled opportunity to reconnect with nature and yourself. 10 minutes from Bonney Lake, 15 minutes from Lake Tapps and one hour from Mt Rainier. We have 40 acres of sloped land with trails, wildlife, and nature to explore. Your yurt/tent site has territorial views of South Prairie, and includes a fire pit. Owners live on the property about a quarter mile away from the tent site, where you will find a communal kitchen and bathroom available for use.

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Valhalla Tree Farm

7 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents100 acres · Arlington, WA

When Earl and Laurine Ingebright found an ad in a local paper for sixty acres near Arlington, in 1958, they knew it would be a place for family fun, relaxation, and their own private forest. What they could not have anticipated was the sheer diversity of projects, parties, and fun that the family would pursue on the property over the coming generations. From forest stewardship and timber harvesting, to campsites and trail construction, to rock concerts and wine making. While they have since passed, these founders began something truly amazing; A tree farm that showcases the successful accomplishment of almost every objective a forest landowner could have. Timber production, wildlife, aesthetics, recreation, and forest resiliency. Valhalla embodies all these things with so little conflict as to look effortless.

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Dean’s Campground

18 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 main driveway is CLOSED this year for repairs. We have alternate arrival instructions for you after you book. These instructions add about 7 minutes (totaling 8 minutes) from Highway 18 to the campground. 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. Our distant neighbors occasionally indulge in target shooting. This doesn't last long. Please call us immediately with any concerns. We have a brand new neighborhood in construction on one of our property lines. Heavy machinery is in use around 8 am and usually finished by dinner time. 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).

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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!

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Rockin’ Z Ranch

5 sites · RVs, Tents11 acres · Redmond, WA

At the mouth of the Snoqualmie Valley you’ll find the Rockin’ Z Ranch! Camp among the trees and watch horses gallop past on this tranquil equestrian property. Enter through a separate gate into our spacious and well appointed camp-out corner; a great place to relax or use as a base camp for surrounding activities. Just a short walk away, at the end of our private road, is the trailhead to Soaring Eagle Regional Park. This 750 acre park has endless trails for biking and hiking. Head east to Fall City or beyond to the Cascades. The Rockin’ Z Ranch invites you!

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Linford-Shire on Bainbridge

1 site · Lodging3 acres · Bainbridge Island, WA

This special piece of land is over 3 acres and was one of the famous strawberry farms on beautiful Bainbridge island. West facing and full sun, this property is home to wildlife including bats, owls, coyotes, eagles, osprey, red winged blackbirds and deer. Bordering a local 2 lane highway, the property has stunning territorial views of Meigs park. Very private area where you have the run of the bottom portion of our property. The Hobbit house was built by our family as a 5th grade project for our daughter Rose and her friends. Now we have converted the cozy living space to glamping, to pay for her college in Worcester Massachusets! “In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbit-hole, and that means comfort.”-J.R.R. Tolkien You don’t have to go to New Zealand to stay in a hobbit house! Hand-built by our family, this cozy in-hill cabin located in the lower area of our property is something right out of a Tolkien novel. Very LGBTQ+ And BIPOC friendly. This one room Hobbit Hole has everything in it's 7.5x15.5' (cozy): Comfy convertible bed/couch complete with linens, a small table with 2 chairs for playing games and eating, puzzles, games, snacks, hot water kettle, coffee maker, bluetooth speaker, electric fireplace, books, sketchpad with colored pencils, and more! A rustic wooden floor (with some paint splatters) and a braided rug give you a feeling of comfort and home. On site we have a private portable bathroom complete with hand-washing station, and an outside combination fire pit and charcoal barbecue with a grill top and s’mores sticks provided so you can cook over a wood fire or coals! And an outdoor table and chairs that are super comfortable! The house itself is heated, insulated, and has working electricity/outlets for computer or phone charger. Clean bedding and pillows provided, washed in fragrance-free detergent between each guest. We provide a full water jug with spigot, hot water kettle, teapot, assorted teas, an empty growler to use, 2 pint glasses and 2 mugs. Private area of the yard with plenty of room to relax. We have a disc golf goal and discs to use as well. Firewood is available for purchase onsite for $10/milk crate full. This comes with a kindling kit. Territorial views of the tree line and sunset views to die for! We are located near Meigs Park as well as a 10-minute walk from Manitou beach and an easy bike ride to the ferry that goes to Seattle! 2 miles from the Grand Forest and 3 miles from Battle Point park. We are exactly 3 miles from the ferry terminal in a convenient mid-island location. NEED TO KNOW (managing expectations):A note on the bathroom: the hobbit hole is small and will not fit a bathroom or plumbing. Your nearby private portable restroom is cleaned thoroughly between each guest and serviced (pumped out) weekly. We consider our listing to be “glamping”. Also our property borders a local 2 lane highway and you can expect road noise mostly during the day and evening. While it is a private setting you can expect to hear the road. Weekends and evenings it is quieter, and when the door is closed it is quiet. The Hobbit House is suitable for 2 guests or 2 adults and a small child that can share the bed. The bed is a queen size, and we can't allow sleeping on the floor as the door opens inwards and is a safety concern. However, additional guests are welcome to bring a tent and camp outside, for $20/tent, up to 6 additional guests or 2 tents, whichever is smaller. Let me know when you are booking that you'd like to bring additional guests and we will adjust the costs accordingly. WANT TO SEE MORE? We are on Instagram @ hobbithouse98110 and there are videos of the space to give you a solid look at what is in the space. On you tube we have a nice video giving a tour of the property and the hobbit hole. Look for "Hobbit House Bainbridge Island". We look forward to hosting you!

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Elysian Retreat

10 sites · Tents15 acres · Orting, WA

Welcome to our tranquil retreat on 15 acres of diverse landscapes at Elysian Retreat in Orting, WA. Our property offers a harmonious blend of open pasture, lush tree cover, and dense woods, providing the perfect backdrop for outdoor adventure. Access the Carbon River and Orting Foothills trail via our coded gate in the NW corner of our paddock. You'll enjoy a 5-minute walk or bike ride along a small, maintained path that opens up to a beautiful view of the Carbon River. (Map included in our Hipcamp images) As you explore our serene surroundings, you'll discover a peaceful small stream meandering through the property, offering a constant flow of natural beauty and wildlife. Watch for majestic elk, graceful deer, vibrant waterfowl, and elusive fish as they frequent the stream, creating a symphony of sights and sounds. Our friendly herd of five horses & four goats roam freely within the fenced area, adding to the enchanting atmosphere of our retreat. They're always eager to greet visitors and may even offer a helping hoof as you set up camp or simply relax under the shade of a tree. Whether you prefer to unwind with a good book beside the babbling stream, take a stroll through the woods, or simply soak in the serene ambiance of nature, our property offers endless opportunities for relaxation and rejuvenation. Parking is available within the securely locked pasture, ensuring easy access to your vehicle throughout your stay. In rare instances of excess rain, alternative parking arrangements will be made to ensure your safety and convenience. We have Portable Fire Pits that are free to use while staying with us and we try to supply firewood (please contact us before your stay to ensure we have stock). Additionally, we have 1 porta-potty located at the gate for camper use and a dumpster for trash. Escape the hustle and bustle of city life and immerse yourself in the tranquility of nature at our picturesque retreat. We look forward to welcoming you and sharing the beauty of our land with you. 5 Min to Downtown Orting 40 Min to Rainier National Park 45 Min to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport

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Cedar River Retreat

6 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents10 acres · Hobart, WA

The Cedar River Retreat is its own little oasis. Located past an old fisherman's community along the river, close to shopping and stores but tucked away from it all just enough to reconnect with nature. This plot was purchased in 2016 and we hope you have a great time creating memories like we have over the last few years. We currently have an off-grid cabin, RV site and a tent camping only site. The outdoors are for everyone! We are excited to host you soon! Happy adventuring! Follow us on Instagram- @cedar_riverretreat

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Christmas Tree Ridge

4 sites · RVs, Tents5 acres · Belfair, WA

Current conditions on hill: -Google Maps has recently became very wrong for navigation. "Valley Side Ln" is the WRONG road. Instead, turn off the paved road right turn after the 25MPH road sign). If you blindly follow NAV to the end of instructions, you will then have no service, have to reverse out of Valley Side Lane, and then want to cuss me out an hour later, after you leave the valley to get service to look at the sweet maps I made for this very problem. One shows the campground, one shows the 3 roads and names leading here, highlighted for your pleasure. -DUST, portions of my land are very dusty and under construction as I put up a pole building, I try my best to make noise with due consideration. -Its the Dry season now, also more brown then pictures suggest as the vegetation thins out. -Bees are desperate in august, so your sugary drinks and foods are exciting to them and If you dress and smell like flowers, you will probably have bees. This is my 2nd season open to the public so feedback is very utilized. 2wd car people, you are going to want to read the bottom paragraph. Hello, my name is Joe and I live here at Christmas Tree Ridge. This beautiful 5 acre canvas overlooks the Tahuya Valley to my south and is propped on the edge of a deep gullie to the East. Long ago this whole hillside farmed Christmas Trees. It's a 1 mile dirt road with a small climb to get up to the neighborhood. Quick overview of the sites I have right now, select a site for more details. Valley Ridge Lookout is my largest site up at the top of the plot and is where the Outhouse is located. West perch is a small site with water/power perched over on the west lot line. Side Step is a quick and dirty-park-n-go spot. Gully Vista is still being opened, it's a tiny tent/hammock site with a narrow hiking trail to get to it. Check out the map in the photos. So, after watching campers for a year, I have seen most are car camping or tenting. Some folks have the fancy camper vans and I've seen some old school vans and stuff also. If you are rolling in here with a full box size RV, you are very big for this place, just gonna say that now. As for towing trailers, If you wouldn't tow it into a tight parking lot, you are not going to enjoy towing it around here, hell that goes for RV's also. I do my best to filter and set up the campsites to show vehicle types and sizes on this app. A good rig, towing a shorty trailer with a driver that can wheel would do fine. I tow a Ton behind my subaru no problem around here. If your 2wd..and your trailer weighs more than your vehicle....Hard no, look for a flat campground. ____Pros:____ -Borders 150+ arces of state land, 10-20 year old timber land, hunter's verify season. -Just broke brush on a trail that connects to the Howell Lake Trail for hiking, biking, maybe a small dirt bike. Very narrow trail for the first 1500feet then opens up to an old quad trail that then joins the howell lake state trail, just cut last year and always fighting the grow back. -We got wood for burning, not dry, not wet, it burns. Maybe want some dry kindling in the wetter seasons. -Trash free soil, never littered, it's virgin dirt. Keep it that way please. Don't bring glass, If you do, don't break it, people walk barefoot here. -Swimming hole at Howell lake is pretty damn nice, Good rope swing. It is a 1 mile hike via that trail link (would rate it as a 4/10 hardness hike), less than 10min by car. -Great views of Moon and Stars -Solar powered campground ____Cons:____ -Gully creates steep(100% Grade or more) drop near edge of some camp sites. Please keep a safe distance. Be alert when walking around the east edge or you may find yourself fighting gravity and brush. -1 mile long dirt road can get bumpy at times. I promise your car can make it up the hill if you go slow, spinning your tires is why the road is so bad. I do it in a Smart Car and an old 2wd jap truck all the time..... However...... time has shown FWD, specifically FWD cars that have more weight in the rear and not much on the drive axle have shown to suck at driving up these marblelike rock roads. Mini vans loaded to the max are some of the worse. Have everyone in the car move forward can help? Reversing up hills in FWD makes them do much better... Or hell just go flying up the hill at 20mph ripping it up and making a dust storm and you'll make it also like everyone else that can't drive on dirt. Someday my neighbors and I will put some gravel down. If you are rolling in here with a Full 26' F350 size RV you are very Big for this place, just gonna say that now. As for towing trailers, if you wouldn't tow it into a parking garage, you are not going to enjoy towing it around here. A good heavy 4wd, towing a shorty trailer with a Good driver would do fine. If your 2wd..and your trailer weighs more than your vehicle....Hard no, look elsewhere. Towing my 30ft 5th wheel up the community road took a running start due to traction.

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The Landing at Index WA

8 sites · RVs, Tents16 acres · Index, WA

Welcome to The Landing at Index - located on the South Fork Skykomish River, in the western foothills of the Cascade Mountains, off of Highway 2. With 16 acres of beautiful, private woods and breathtaking views of Mt. Index, this is a wonderful getaway to kick back and relax after your day of adventures, or just to escape the city rush. The campsites are at the bottom of a long logging road so an SUV or AWD vehicle are preferable , especially during the wetter seasons. When the property was logged approximately 100 years ago they scooped out gravel from the river to make their roads in the area thus creating the back eddy pool along the beach. A rather peaceful setting, including the rushing sound of the river and the occasional whistle of a train. You will feel refreshed and rejuvenated after you stay at The Landing. Pets are welcome, there are outhouses at each campsite. Campfires are allowed (when burn bans are not in place).

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Pipe Lake Cabin

2 sites · Lodging1 acre · Maple Valley, WA

Woodsy cabin nestled on Pipe Lake in Maple Valley, Washington. Quiet, private dock and deck overlooking the lake. Nestled in between Snoqualmie National Forest and Mount Rainier National Park, this cabin is a quaint spot to have a beverage by the lake with friends, play board games as the sun goes down and go for a swim.

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Good 'Dose' of Relaxation

1 site · RV1 acre · Brinnon, WA

Property nestled above the Dosewallips River with tremendous views of Mt. Jupiter Ridge and the Dosewallips River. You will find numerous hikes in the Olympic National Forest within a short drive, a gorgeous waterfall and swimming hole within 5 minutes, parks, Whitney Garden & Nursery, boat launches, crabbing, clamming & oyster digging, wildlife watching, enjoying the Hood Canal, and much more! Or, just sit back and relax in tranquility, as the property sits at the end of a cul de sac just before entering national forest land. Be sure to leash your pets and keep a good eye, as there are wildcats, coyotes, and bears in the area. Learn more about this land: Pull your RV or trailer onto this lot and take in the beautiful southwestern view of Mt. Jupiter ridge and a peek-a-boo view of the Dosewallips River! Listen closely, and you will hear the sounds of the river below. The lot is equipped with power and water hookups! Please be aware the water hookup is near the main gate entrance and the power is about 40 feet apart, so you may need a long hose (see pic). Enjoy the view from the large deck, firepit, or picnic table overlooking the river, valley, and mountains. This lot is truly a little slice of heaven! Within a few minutes, find yourself at Rocky Brook falls (see pics) for a spectacular view and even a swim if you so please! Pleasant Harbor Marina (also shown in pics) also within 10 minutes! You will also find many hiking trails and parks nearby! There is weak cell service on the lot, so you may or may not be able to connect. I get 1-2 bars with Sprint. While this property is not very far off the Dosewallips road (35 mph), it is generally very quiet and peaceful. You may hear cars and motorcycles from time to time, but very faintly. The lot is at about 350 ft. elevation, so you may get noise traveling up the valley from the residential community below (to which I belong), such as dogs, people using chainsaws, etc. There is hunting allowed in the national forest, so you could potentially hear guns in the distance during the day, but that is rare. There are a few close neighbors, so please be respectful and quiet, especially in the evening. Please bring your own firewood when campfires are allowed and please do not forage for firewood on or around the property. Lastly, while the sightings have been few and rare, the neighbors have seen bears, cougars, coyotes, and bobcats near their homes and this property. So keep an eye on your children and pets, especially if off-leash (your pet of course!) The property also slopes a bit where the deck starts, so again, keep a close eye on the kiddos. You have a very good chance of seeing the local Roosevelt Elk that travel in huge herds around Brinnon (See pics). They sometimes lay down and hang out on the grass on the property! Make sure your pets have their flea and tick updates!

The best camping near Manchester State Park guide

Overview

About

Don’t let the leafy maples and stately Douglas firs fool you—Manchester State Park is more than a forested coastal retreat. The brick structure in the northern reaches once housed firing triggers for a vast field of underwater landmines (torpedoes), established in the early 20th century to protect the nearby Bremerton shipyard. Other relics of this bygone history—including an unused gun battery and one of the warehouses that stored the torpedoes—are sprinkled throughout the park and used now as event space for weddings and events. The park beach (that’s what you’re here for, right?) is a wild coastline rather than a sandy expanse, complete with barnacle-covered boulders, tide pools, and the occasional bark of a sea lion (it’s also popular with scuba divers). Views out across Rich Passage showcase Seattle and Bainbridge Island.