Camping in Washington

A complete guide to camping in Washington

Breathtaking sunset over Mount Rainier in Washington wilderness

Photo Credit: D Banning

Overview

Washington State camping divides along the Cascade Range. The western side faces the Pacific, with Olympic National Park's rainforest, the San Juan Islands, and Puget Sound providing coastal and temperate forest camping in one of the wettest climates in the lower 48. The eastern side drops into dry shrub-steppe and irrigated farmland, a different world from the green west.

The Olympic Peninsula and North Cascades draw the most dedicated camping traffic. Port Angeles, Forks, and the Hoh Rainforest corridor see heavy summer use. East of the mountains, the Methow Valley and Leavenworth offer pine-forest camping with more predictable sunshine. Mount Rainier sits between the two zones, visible from campgrounds on all sides. Rockport, Naches, and Cle Elum serve as access points to the Cascade backcountry. The state park system maintains campgrounds on ocean beaches, mountain lakes, and river corridors throughout both halves of the state.

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Best Seasons to Camp in Washington

Spring

Mar-May

High 57°F · Low 45°F

Western Washington starts drying out by May. Mountain passes remain closed through April. The San Juan Islands and coastal areas warm slowly. Eastern Washington greens up with wildflowers in the sagebrush.

Summer

Jun-Aug

High 71°F · Low 59°F

The only reliably dry season on the west side. Mountain campgrounds open by late June. Olympic coast and North Cascades hit peak occupancy. Eastern Washington gets hot, with the Columbia Basin exceeding 90 degrees. Long daylight hours with sunset after 9 PM.

Season	Months	Avg High	Avg Low	Conditions
Spring	Mar-May	57°F	45°F	Western Washington starts drying out by May.
Summer	Jun-Aug	71°F	59°F	The only reliably dry season on the west side.
Fall	Sep-Nov	57°F	45°F	September extends summer conditions in most years.
Winter	Dec-Feb	43°F	31°F	Heavy rain on the west side.

Camping Regions in Washington

Region	Terrain	Key Areas
Olympic Peninsula	Coastal	Port Angeles, Forks, Sequim, Hoodsport
North Cascades	Mountain	Rockport, Marblemount, Winthrop, Stehekin
Mount Rainier Corridor	Mountain	Naches, Packwood, Ashford, Enumclaw
San Juan Islands and Puget Sound	Coastal	Orcas Island, San Juan Island, Anacortes, Whidbey Island
Eastern Washington	Plains	Leavenworth, Cle Elum, Winthrop, Ellensburg

Olympic Peninsula

Coastal · Port Angeles, Forks, Sequim, Hoodsport

Temperate rainforest, rugged Pacific coastline, and alpine peaks all within Olympic National Park. The Hoh Rainforest receives 140 inches of rain annually. Coastal campgrounds at Kalaloch and Mora sit behind drift-log beaches. Port Angeles and Forks serve as supply towns. Summer is the only dry window. Elwha RV Park and Campground and Crescent Beach RV Park near Port Angeles serve the northern park access, while Quileute Riverview RV Park in Forks covers the western rainforest side.

North Cascades

Mountain · Rockport, Marblemount, Winthrop, Stehekin

Remote alpine terrain with glaciated peaks and old-growth forest. North Cascades National Park and the surrounding national forest offer both developed campgrounds and backcountry sites. Rockport and Stehekin (accessible only by boat or foot) anchor the access points. Heavy snowpack limits the season to June through October. Glacier Peak Resort and RV Park in Rockport and Colonial Creek South Campground provide developed options along the Highway 20 corridor.

Mount Rainier Corridor

Mountain · Naches, Packwood, Ashford, Enumclaw

The state's iconic volcano with campgrounds at multiple elevations. Cougar Rock and Ohanapecosh are the primary developed options. Sunrise sits highest at 6,400 feet. Naches and Packwood provide private campground alternatives outside the park boundary. Elk Ridge Campground and Squaw Rock RV Resort near Naches serve the east-side access, while Packwood RV Park covers the southern Ohanapecosh entrance.

San Juan Islands and Puget Sound

Coastal · Orcas Island, San Juan Island, Anacortes, Whidbey Island

Island camping accessible by ferry. Moran State Park on Orcas Island is the most sought-after destination. Lopez and San Juan Islands have smaller campgrounds. Deception Pass State Park on the mainland side draws heavy day-use and overnight traffic. Mild maritime climate year-round. Quarry Pond Campground at Deception Pass State Park near Oak Harbor provides the most accessible island-area camping on the mainland side.

Eastern Washington

Plains · Leavenworth, Cle Elum, Winthrop, Ellensburg

Dry pine forest and open steppe east of the Cascades. The Methow Valley near Winthrop and Leavenworth's Bavarian-themed town attract summer visitors seeking sun. The Columbia Plateau stretches south toward the Tri-Cities. Summer temperatures reach the 90s. Less rainfall means more predictable camping weather. Icicle River RV Park in Leavenworth and Whispering Pines RV Park in Cle Elum anchor the eastern Cascade foothills camping corridor.

Camping Tips for Washington

Rain gear is non-negotiable on the west side of the Cascades. The Olympic Peninsula receives 12 feet of rain annually in the wettest valleys. Bring tarps, waterproof boots, and a tent with good rain fly coverage.
Washington State Parks use a Discover Pass ($30/year or $10/day) for vehicle access. National park and national forest fees are separate.
The Enchantments permit lottery opens in late February for summer season. This is one of the most competitive backcountry permits in the country. Apply early and have backup plans.
Bear canisters are required in North Cascades National Park backcountry and recommended throughout the Cascades. Black bears are active statewide.
Wildfire smoke from eastern Washington and Oregon fires can blanket the entire state from late July through September. Check air quality before planning mountain trips.
Coastal camping on the Olympic Peninsula means exposure to wind and tidal patterns. Know the tide schedule before beach hiking. Some beach campsites are only accessible at low tide.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to camp in Washington?

July and August are the driest months statewide and the only reliable window for mountain camping. June can still be wet on the west side. September extends good conditions most years. Coastal camping is possible year-round but expect rain from October through May.

How wet is camping on the Olympic Peninsula?

The Hoh Rainforest receives 140 inches of rain annually, most of it between October and May. Summer (July and August) is remarkably dry by comparison. Coastal campgrounds at Kalaloch and Rialto Beach get less rain than the interior valleys but more wind.

Do I need reservations for Washington State Parks?

Popular state parks book out months ahead for summer weekends. Deception Pass, Moran, and Cape Disappointment are the hardest to get. Reservations open nine months in advance. Walk-up sites exist but are limited at popular locations.

Is dispersed camping available in Washington?

National forests throughout the Cascades permit dispersed camping. The Okanogan-Wenatchee, Mount Baker-Snoqualmie, and Gifford Pinchot national forests have extensive options. No permits required for most dispersed camping. Check fire restriction status before building campfires.

What is the Discover Pass?

A $30 annual vehicle pass (or $10 day pass) required for parking at Washington State Parks and DNR recreation lands. It does not cover national park or national forest fees. Purchase online or at the park entrance. One pass covers two vehicles registered to the same household.

Camping in Washington

Overview

Best Seasons to Camp in Washington

Spring

Summer

Fall

Winter

Camping Regions in Washington

Olympic Peninsula

North Cascades

Mount Rainier Corridor

San Juan Islands and Puget Sound

Eastern Washington

National Parks in Washington

Olympic National Park

Mount Rainier National Park

North Cascades National Park