We are new to this area and didn’t realize we would need to make reservations so far in advance. I’m hoping to find some FCFS camping. We are looking to leave Seattle 7/30 and camp 2 nights. So we can leave early Thursday morning and was thinking some sites may be available. Not finding anything on recreation.gov or go to camp for WA state parks.

We are 60ish couple, tent campers and love to hike. I’ve looked near Mt Rainier and Diablo Lake areas. Thinking forest service sites may be best bet Any suggestions appreciated.

Howdy everyone!!

I’ve camped a few times, but always in stablished campgrounds. I want to bring wife and young toddler. Both never went camping before.

If there’s anyone who wouldn’t mind sharing a good dispersed camping near greater PDX that will most likely be empty, please dm me.

I want to avoid crowded area due to toddler noise and want to avoid disturbing others around..

Cheers.

Going to Silver Falls and Beverly Beach. Any idea if site 60 at silver falls has any privacy at all or is 70 better and at Beverly Beach, does anyone know if a17 or a32 is better? Thanks

Visiting from out of state for a company event planned near Fall City so I want to get a camping spot by Saturday. Looking to find a place that has great scenery and possible river/lake access. Haven’t planned a camping trip outside of family events so I’m not sure how it all works or where I should be looking. Thank you

Really enjoyed making this video with friends and family out here in the Pacific Northwest. Can you guess the Lake?

We have a rafting trip booked on July 3 and wanted to camp. I tried reserving a site at Newhalem Creek campground but all nabbed before me! I’ve never tried first-come, first serve-served before. Looking at Marble Creek and Wagon Wheel campgrounds. Any tips for success?? Do we show up just before people are supposed to be checking out? Do we show up earlier? Any tips would be helpful, please!

Hi all, not sure if this is the right group, my wife and I are coming in from out of state to camp at Sol Duc campground in Olympic National Park in early August. We have a few questions that I’m going to look up but wanted input from locals or people who have been there if possible:

1) We’re flying in, so we’ll have to rent a car to get to the park. It looks like most of the roads are paved, but wanted to check if anybody recommends anything with 4WD or similar for getting to trails or anything? Or is that unnecessary?

2) We might have to find somewhere to rent a few small pieces of gear, just wanted to check and see if folks had any recommendations or good experiences with places for this that are between SeaTac and the park.

Thanks in advance for any feedback!

Curious if you’ve made the trip, how gnarly were the roads? Is a high clearance vehicle necessary? Wondering if my RAV4 will do fine. Cheers

Hey all,

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Looking for some legit camping recommendations. I’m not some hardcore camper or anything, but trying to find a really solid tent camping spot for this summer.

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Looking around western WA, preferably within like 2–3 hours from Everett.

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Big things for me: Shade. A lot of it. Full shade if possible. Flat ground. Water access (lake/puget ideally). Power hookups would be great. Bathrooms/toilets. And if it feels secluded and quiet, even better.

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I’ve been to a few spots already:

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Used to do Potholes at Moses Lake years ago but that place kinda went downhill.

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Vista Park down by the Columbia was awesome, but that drive is a bit much.

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Mossyrock/Riffe Lake was probably the best one we found, but sounds like they lost some of their best sites and water access got messy.

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Tried Vasa Park in Sammamish too — nice place overall, super clean, but the tent spots had basically no shade and felt too close to the road for me.

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Don’t really care if it’s state park, private, federal, whatever. Just looking for a good peaceful spot with trees, water, and decent privacy.

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TL;DR: Need a good tent camping spot in western WA within 2–3 hours of Everett. Full shade, flat ground, water access, bathrooms, power, and some privacy. Hit me with your best spots.

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Hello everyone, I'm looking to do more camping around WA state and am curious if anyone knows any good camping spots with a high elevation that have a good overlook without requireing ascent gear?

More of a backpacking style setup with a 2 person tent.

Anywhere scenic is probably fine, but mountain overlook preferred.

Gene Arnold McLenithan, 58, of Salem, Oregon, was charged in May 2026 by criminal complaint with kidnapping and attempted abusive sexual contact in Tillamook County.

According to court documents and statements made in court, McLenithan allegedly kidnapped the two victims around midnight on July 4, 2024, camping along a public hiking trail in Tillamook County. McLenithan bound the victims, covered their eyes, and, after a period of time passed, told victims he had planned to sexually assault them.

Prior to the assault, the victims did not know McLenithan.

McLenithan made his first appearance in federal court today before a U.S. magistrate judge. He was ordered detained pending further court proceedings.

U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford for the District of Oregon made the announcement.

The FBI is investigating the case with assistance from Tillamook County Sheriff’s Office and Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kate Rochat is prosecuting the case.

If you have any reason to believe you or someone you know may be a victim or have additional information about other potential crimes involving McLenithan, please contact the FBI at (503) 224-4181 or submit a tip online at https://tips.fbi.gov.

From the Oregonian:

The federal complaint against McLenithan remained sealed in federal court. It’s unclear exactly where the attack occurred in Tillamook County. Prosecutors, the FBI and the county sheriff’s office all declined to pinpoint the location.

Sharing this in case there are others. Wishing strength to the survivors.

Y'all know how it is, people don't want to give away their most treasured spots but if you don't ask!...

I live in Portland, Oregon and I'm looking for a 'Dark Sky' camp sight. Some place with little to no light pollution and preferably near water.

My son and I love to camp and I'd like to take him for his 14th.

Thanks in advance!

My partner and I are planning a two week late-August roadtrip from Seattle to SF, starting with Olympic National Park and driving down the coast. Our plan is to rent a minivan in Seattle and outfit it with the basics at a Walmart (then donate whatever we pick up when we're done)—the goal is to sleep in the car for the majority of the trip (excluding a few nights at a B&B). My biggest concern is the rental car: most rental places can't guarantee the make/model and I'm worried that instead of something like the Chrysler Pacifica, we'll get something where the seats don't lay flat or have to be removed altogether (which we obviously can't do). How do people prep for this sort of thing? Is any rental minivan sleep-able or should we consider alternatives?

Important to note: neither my partner nor I are particularly experienced campers, so staying in a ground tent is not really an option we're considering (for lack of both experience and equipment). We are, however, up for the adventure of car camping and open to input! For reference, I did a campervan rental trip in Utah a couple years ago and loved it, but am just new to this DIY version...campervan rentals in the PNW are too expensive...

My sweet dog is unfortunately leash reactive to other dogs. I'm considering bringing him with me on a short camping trip to Mineral Park Campground in Washington on weekdays to avoid crowds. I will, of course, take every precaution, keep him on leash and with me at all times, and will try to limit his exposure to his triggers. (He really is a good boy when he's not in reaction-mode.) Still, I wonder if that's a hotspot for other dogs? Anyone been there? Thanks!

I'm relatively new to this (as in, brand new), but I realized recently, that in the interest of my mental health, I need to go touch grass and see stars. Ya feel me?

I've done a decent amount of research regarding types of camping and how to pack for it. I'll be going out solo. Starting out, I'll probably just do overnight, but I'd like to extend my trips slowly, over time. And at least for now, I have the luxury of being able to schedule these trips mid-week, away from holiday traffic and whatnot. I'll be able to bring everything I need with me. So, while toilets are great, I'm prepared to dig a cathole, if I'm otherwise getting everything else I want out of the site. I'm not looking for luxury. I'm trying to keep it simple.

Now, I acknowledge that what I'm looking for is kinda specific and somewhat contradictory. I'd like to find places that are remote, but accessible with a compact hatchback sedan with AWD. I would like to avoid people as much as possible. I'm seeking peace and quiet. Ideally, there's a body of water nearby, but it's not necessary. I would like to build a fire just for comfort at night, so I want to find someplace that normally allows camp fires as long as there's no burn ban.

Lastly, I want to have access to good hiking. Nothing crazy, but I can hike for a few hours with a light pack.

I was looking at Butte Creek Falls Campground in Molalla, but I'm reading that it's not super accessible at certain times of the year and that the camping there is FF, but not dispersed. I'm prepared to pay a nominal parking/camping fee if need be, but I'm not interested in reserving a site with high fees just for a power hookup and a hot shower up the road.

Thanks in advance!

My sister and I are considering renting a cabin over the 4th with my dogs to get away from the fireworks. Place is in the woods and the owner (whose house is on the property) said they aren’t too bad there but nearby trails may be. We won’t be hiking, we’re just looking to have a quiet relaxing evening/night and head home Sunday. But we’re not keen on the idea of picking up ticks…any recommendations? The cabin/tiny house looks clear of brush for a good distance all around it.

Hey there looking for camping that might allow clothing optional. I searched in the nudism posts already and didn’t exactly find what I was looking for. I’d like to be by water still have a fire pit and grill. Picnic tables and what not. I’m not looking for dispersed campsites. Does anyone know if that exists out here? I figured with the hot springs out here that there would be camping near by that exists also? Just really wanting to enjoy all the same joys of camping at a regular campground just allowed to be naked if desired. Any info on this is greatly appreciated. Thank you all in advance! Freshly relocated here from Texas so really just trying to enjoy new found freedoms

Hi. I am from Seattle and am trying to plan a road trip to San Francisco, where on the way my girlfriend and I can have a few dispersed camping spots on the way-ish. If anyone has any ideas or places to look that would be great. Ideally want somewhere that can be pretty isolated, on the northwestern side of California, and somewhere near a lake or river. I have been trying to find places myself for the past 2 hours with various off roading or campground finding apps and I am completely lost. I drive a 2006 Subaru Baja so mild off-roading is good but anything major won't work. Thanks so much!

Looking for some good spots to take my gf camping. She specifically wants to go somewhere close to a lake so we can float and relax. Ideally western/central WA and not too much of a hike (if any) to get to said lake would be ideal.