Campgrounds recommended near Olympia, WA

[Cam A]

I was headed for the coast, but the heat wave in the east is not happening on the coast of Washington. Any recommendations for campgrounds in the area around Olympia?

[Byron Kinnaman]

Depends on what you want. For camping try Olympic National Forest or Olympic National Park
If you want an RV park, I have no idea.

[Bobbie Mayer]

Most campgrounds along Hood Canal are nice. Or Millersylvania nearer Oly if it is still open. I have not Been to any of these in years, though.

[Francesca Knowles]

Originally Posted by Cam A

I was headed for the coast, but the heat wave in the east is not happening on the coast of Washington. Any recommendations for campgrounds in the area around Olympia?

Hi, Cam

If it's heat you're looking for, you might want to stay East of the Cascades- Olympia's weather is usually very similar to that on the coast, perhaps lacking a bit of the wind.
But if you want to camp near Olympia, the Capitol State Forest has several campgrounds- no amenities except tables, fire rings, and privys, but they're my favorite price- FREE!

Info at Capitol State Forest

Francesca

[Byron Kinnaman]

Originally Posted by Francesca Knowles

Hi, Cam

If it's heat you're looking for, you might want to stay East of the Cascades- Olympia's weather is usually very similar to that on the coast, perhaps lacking a bit of the wind.
But if you want to camp near Olympia, the Capitol State Forest has several campgrounds- no amenities except tables, fire rings, and privys, but they're my favorite price- FREE!

Info at Capitol State Forest

Francesca

It looks like the "FREE" part has changed. From what I can tell as of July 1, 2011, it's either $10.00 per day for $30 per year.

[Francesca Knowles]

Originally Posted by Byron Kinnaman

It looks like the "FREE" part has changed. From what I can tell as of July 1, 2011, it's either $10.00 per day for $30 per year.

Hi, Byron

OOPS!
I forgot about the "Discover Pass", new this year. You get a lot for that $30.00 a year- it seems ALMOST free to me! If you don't buy this pass, use fees are assessed at lots of State-owned areas. Anybody traveling in Washington should get one of those- it's mostly a "day use" pass, and covers you at WDFW boatramps and at State Parks, too- though at the Parks, you still have to pay to camp overnight.
There's no such extra charge at DNR campgrounds that I know of- yet!


Francesca

[Byron Kinnaman]

Originally Posted by Francesca Knowles

Hi, Byron

OOPS!
I forgot about the "Discover Pass", new this year. You get a lot for that $30.00 a year- it seems ALMOST free to me! If you don't buy this pass, use fees are assessed at lots of State-owned areas. Anybody traveling in Washington should get one of those- it's mostly a "day use" pass, and covers you at WDFW boatramps and at State Parks, too- though at the Parks, you still have to pay to camp overnight.
There's no such extra charge at DNR campgrounds that I know of- yet!


Francesca

However, at last count I play in about 14 States. If every State charged $30.00/year per state that comes to about $420/year. I don't want to encourage this so I'll pass.

[Francesca Knowles]

Originally Posted by Byron Kinnaman

However, at last count I play in about 14 States. If every State charged $30.00/year per state that comes to about $420/year. I don't want to encourage this so I'll pass.

Well, you'll be missing a lot, Byron!
And so close to where you live, too...
I don't mind paying these fees- seems like a better option than closures...and if we users shouldn't pay, who should?
What's the charge in Oregon now?
I used to buy the Oregon/Washington recreation Pass, but I don't think they sell that anymore...

Francesca

[Byron Kinnaman]

Originally Posted by Francesca Knowles

Well, you'll be missing a lot, Byron!
And so close to where you live, too...
I don't mind paying these fees- seems like a better option than closures...and if we users shouldn't pay, who should?
What's the charge in Oregon now?
I used to buy the Oregon/Washington recreation Pass, but I don't think they sell that anymore...

Francesca

Oregon has a $50 per 2 year day use pass for Oregon State Parks. I think the one you're referring to is the Forest Pass for NFS Region 6. I don't remember what the cost of that one is. It's for parking near at a trail head that has toilet facilities. The "Golden Age Passport" now called Senior Pass takes care of that. That one's a $10.00 fee and good for the rest of my life.

I don't go up into Washington very often. However last week we were at Mt Rainer. It was interesting but noisy and over crowded. Usually when we go north of the Columbia we go east to MT or WY or ID. Oregon has more than enough to keep us occupied for most of the summer and fall most years. Winter it's off to southern CA, NV, NM, AZ, TX or where ever the sun is shinning.

[Cam A]

Thanks for all the suggestions. Hood Canal area was great (pleasantly surprised to find it was not a man made canal; honest), stayed at Penrose Point and Dosewallips for a few days. Then over to Salt Creek, Kalalock, and Pacific Beach campgrounds for the ocean experience. Mount Ranier was gorgeous, and Ohanapecosh campground was in old-growth forest. Stayed at Alta Lake and Lake Osoyoos on the dry side. After the pandamonium around the four mountain parks in BC/Alberta, I'm always amazed how accessible Washington state is. Seems to be a well-kept secret; in most campgrounds, there were very few out of state plates. Thanks again.

[Vivian]

Thanks for the great report on your Washington experience.