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5 Best Camping Spots in Seattle (2026)

Independently ranked by our review of ratings, reviews and reputation · How we chose

Vespera Quill
By Vespera Quill, Expert in Local Experiences and Cultural Analysis · ✓ Data verified August 2026 · 8 min read

None of the best camping spots in Seattle happen inside the city itself. Between them, these parks and campgrounds have logged more than 14,000 Google reviews, and every single one holds at least 4.6 stars, so the real decision isn't quality, it's what kind of camping you want: a state park pier over the Sound, an RV site with power hookups, or a walk-in tent spot along a river.

Short answer: The top-rated option is Discovery Park (4.8 stars, over 8,300 reviews), a huge Seattle city park with trails and beach access, though it's a day-use park rather than an overnight campground. For actual camping, Manchester State Park, Tolt-MacDonald Park & Campground, and Illahee State Park all offer real tent and RV sites, with Discover Pass day fees running $10 to $45 depending on the pass type.
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Camping Spots Near Seattle, Compared

# Business Rating Reviews Best for
1 Discovery Park 4.8 ★ 8,372 Day hikes, not overnight camping View ›
2 Centennial Park 4.7 ★ 1,686 Waterfront walk, not camping View ›
3 Manchester State Park 4.6 ★ 1,393 Historic state park camping View ›
4 Tolt-MacDonald Park & Campground 4.6 ★ 1,385 RV hookups and yurts View ›
5 Illahee State Park 4.6 ★ 1,288 Waterfront state park camping View ›
5 Best Camping Spots in Seattle (2026)

Our top picks, reviewed

Discovery Park logo
#1 Overall🕑 Open 7 days

Discovery Park

4.88,372 Google reviews

Discovery Park is a large City of Seattle park with miles of forested and beachfront trails, a lighthouse, and sweeping views of the Sound, located right in the city on the former Fort Lawton grounds. It's the highest-rated and most-reviewed spot on this page by a wide margin, but it's a day-use park rather than a place to pitch a tent overnight, so it's best paired with one of the actual campgrounds below.

What people praise

  • Extensive, well-marked trail system suited to a full day out
  • Beach access with a lighthouse at the end of the main loop
  • Close to downtown Seattle, a 10 to 15 minute drive
  • Restrooms scattered across the park in generally good condition

Worth knowing

  • No overnight camping is described here, so it isn't a campground
  • Parking fills fast on sunny weekends
Reputation scorecardrank in Seattle
Rating4.8 / 5
Review volume8,372 · 96th
Confidencevery high
Recency2 months ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown82% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The best-rated park on this list, but it's for hiking and beach walks by day, not camping overnight. Visit it on the way to or from an actual campground rather than expecting a site here.

Website+1206-684-4075 Directions

Seattle, WA 98199

Centennial Park logo
#2🕑 Open 7 days

Centennial Park

4.71,686 Google reviews

Centennial Park is a Port of Seattle waterfront park along Elliott Bay, connected by trail to Myrtle Edwards Park, with dedicated separate paths for walking and biking. Like Discovery Park, it's a scenic day-use green space rather than a campground, popular for sunset walks, jogging, and cycling along the water, with a small rose garden near the entrance. Reviewers consistently point to the Rainier and mountain views and the ease of combining a visit with a bike ride along the connected trail.

What people praise

  • Scenic waterfront trail connected to Myrtle Edwards Park
  • Separate paths for walking and biking
  • Small rose garden and public art along the route
  • Good for sunset or sunrise views over Elliott Bay

Worth knowing

  • No camping facilities described here
  • Short overall length, under a mile, so it's a stop, not a destination
Reputation scorecardrank in Seattle
Rating4.7 / 5
Review volume1,686 · 89th
Confidencevery high
Recency7 weeks ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown78% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: Another day-use waterfront park rather than a camping spot. Worth the stop for the views, but not where you'll set up a tent.

Website+1206-787-3000 Directions

2711 Alaskan Way W, Seattle, WA 98119

Manchester State Park logo
#3🕑 Open 7 days

Manchester State Park

4.61,393 Google reviews

Manchester State Park is a Washington state park in Port Orchard with camping sites, forest and beach trails, and the remains of a historic Navy fort with bunkers to explore. It requires a Discover Pass to enter, with day and annual pass options, and reviewers describe it as scenic but limited on trail length, better suited to a short stay than an extended backcountry trip.

What people praise

  • Real overnight camping with beach and forest trails on site
  • Historic Navy fort and bunkers add something beyond scenery
  • Friendly staff and well-kept campsites, per recent reviewers
  • Tide pools and coastal wildlife along the beach trail

Worth knowing

  • Restroom upkeep has been criticized by more than one recent reviewer
  • Hot showers are only available in a limited evening window
Reputation scorecardrank in Seattle
Rating4.6 / 5
Review volume1,393 · 82nd
Confidencevery high
Recency3 months ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown73% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: A genuine, scenic state park campground with real history attached, though the shower schedule and restroom upkeep are worth planning around. Good for a short overnight trip rather than a multi-day stay.

Website+1360-871-4065 Directions

7767 E Hilldale Rd, Port Orchard, WA 98366

Tolt-MacDonald Park & Campground logo
#4

Tolt-MacDonald Park & Campground

4.61,385 Google reviews

Tolt-MacDonald Park & Campground is a 575-acre King County park in Carnation at the confluence of the Snoqualmie and Tolt Rivers, with RV sites offering power and water hookups, tent sites, six river-view yurts, and a 500-foot suspension bridge connecting to miles of forest trail. It's one of the more full-featured campgrounds on this list, with online reservations for sites, yurts, and group areas.

What people praise

  • RV hookups with power and water, plus yurts for non-tent camping
  • Suspension bridge and extensive trail network on site
  • Close to Remlinger Farms and the Carnation Farmstand for day trips
  • Online reservation system for sites and yurts

Worth knowing

  • Reviewers note heavy mosquito activity in the tent area
  • Frequent mowing during camping season leaves cut grass around sites, a problem for allergy sufferers
Reputation scorecardrank in Seattle
Rating4.6 / 5
Review volume1,385 · 75th
Confidencevery high
Recency7 weeks ago
Info completenesssite · phone
Rating breakdown70% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The most versatile campground here, with RV hookups, yurts, and tent sites all in one place. A strong pick if your group has mixed camping preferences, just plan for bugs and pack accordingly.

Website+1206-477-6149 Directions

31020 NE 40th St, Carnation, WA 98014

Illahee State Park logo
#5🕑 Open 7 days

Illahee State Park

4.61,288 Google reviews

Illahee State Park is a Washington state park in Bremerton with forested campsites, a fishing and crabbing pier, and a memorial featuring naval guns from the USS West Virginia. Like Manchester, it requires a Discover Pass, and reviewers describe it as quiet and remote, well suited to campers or anyone looking to fish off the dock rather than a full day of activities.

What people praise

  • Private, secluded campsites praised by recent reviewers
  • Fishing and crabbing pier on site
  • Clean bathhouse, per a recent review
  • Helpful, exceptional rangers noted specifically

Worth knowing

  • Limited amenities beyond camping, fishing, and a short hike
  • Only one of the campsites has full hookups (30amp/water/sewer)
Reputation scorecardrank in Seattle
Rating4.6 / 5
Review volume1,288 · 68th
Confidencevery high
Recency7 weeks ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown70% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: A quiet, well-kept option for campers who want solitude and a fishing pier over a packed activity list. Bring the Discover Pass and don't expect much beyond the basics.

Website+1360-478-6460 Directions

3540 NE Sylvan Way, Bremerton, WA 98310

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How we score

Every number on this page comes from public Google data on the date shown, not from opinion or payment. Rating is the park’s live Google star average. Review volume shows how many visitors have rated it, ranked against other camping and park listings near Seattle. Confidence weighs the rating by that volume, so a rating from thousands of reviews carries more weight than one from a few hundred. Recency reflects how recently people are still leaving reviews. No listing can pay to change these numbers.

How much does camping near Seattle cost? (2026)

Washington state parks require a Discover Pass for vehicle entry, and camping and moorage fees are published directly by the parks themselves. Here’s what’s documented for the state parks on this list.

JobTypical price
Discover Pass, annual$45
Discover Pass, one day$10
Overnight unattended vehicle fee$10 / night
Trailer dump fee$5 / use

Fees are the published 2026 rates from Washington State Parks for Manchester and Illahee state parks. King County’s Tolt-MacDonald and City of Seattle parks set their own separate fees and reservation pricing; check each park’s site directly for camping and yurt rates.

Camping around greater Seattle

Real camping near Seattle means heading out of the city itself, toward Port Orchard and Bremerton on the Kitsap Peninsula, or east to Carnation in the Snoqualmie Valley. The two Seattle city parks on this list, Discovery and Centennial, are worth a stop but aren’t overnight options. Searching for camping near me? Every listing below shows a live phone number and directions.

What to check before you book a camping spot

  • Do you need a Discover Pass or separate day-use fee to enter?
  • Are sites first-come or reservation-only, and how far ahead can you book?
  • Does the site have power, water, or sewer hookups if you’re bringing an RV?
  • What are the shower hours, and is hot water available all day?
  • Are pets allowed, and are they required to be on a leash?

Frequently asked questions

Can you camp inside Seattle itself?

Not really. Discovery Park and Centennial Park are day-use city parks with no overnight camping. Real camping options near Seattle sit outside the city, in places like Port Orchard, Bremerton, and Carnation.

How did you choose these listings?

We started from parks and campgrounds near Seattle with a public Google presence, then ranked by rating, review volume, consistency, and recency. See How we score above.

Are these rankings paid?

No. Rankings come from the public Google data in the scorecard. A business can pay to be a Featured Partner, which adds a badge and top placement, but that never changes another business’s score or position on the underlying data.

How often is this updated?

The data carries a verified date (August 2026 on this page). We refresh listings periodically so ratings and review counts stay current.

Do I need a Discover Pass for all of these parks?

Manchester and Illahee state parks both require a Discover Pass for vehicle entry. Tolt-MacDonald and the Seattle city parks set their own separate fee structures, so check directly before you go.

The bottom line

For actual overnight camping, Tolt-MacDonald is the most flexible option with RV hookups, yurts, and tent sites all in one park, while Manchester and Illahee state parks offer quieter, waterfront settings if solitude matters more than amenities. Grab a Discover Pass before you go if you’re headed to either state park.

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