The most densely populated county in Washington State, King County is packed full of famous landmarks, from the Space Needle to Starbucks’ headquarters. Yet this metropolitan hot spot is not only a place for city tourism and business -- step outside the Seattle metro area and you will quickly find yourself immersed in all that the great outdoors in this corner of the country has to offer. Camping is a favorite pastime of many locals, with several nearby campsites, lakeside stop-offs and mountain clearings offering impressive views of the Pacific Northwest.
Natural Beauty along the Sparkling Snoqualmie River
- About a half hour's drive from Seattle, Tolt-MacDonald State Park along the Snoqualmie River offers a beautiful campground setting. The nearly 600-acre park is open for tent and RV setups while also offering creative camping experiences in yurts and a repurposed shipping container, available by reservation only. Campers at Tolt-MacDonald are surrounded by impressive views of the Cascades, riverfront access, nearby hiking and biking trails and campground amenities such as fire pits, picnic shelters and baseball and softball fields.
Play and Stay: Lakeside Camping at Sammamish
- Bordered by two neighboring state parks, Lake Sammamish is a tranquil place to pitch a tent and have a good old-fashioned camping experience with campfire cooking, low-impact hiking trails and water activities such as tubing, waterskiing and rowing. With both of the parks -- Marymoor to the north and Lake Sammamish State Park to the south -- featuring designated camping spots, a lakeside rendezvous is both an inexpensive and relaxing way to spend a long weekend away from the hectic city life in nearby Seattle.
Weekend by the Falls
- A truly secluded getaway, the Snoqualmie River RV Park and Campground is nestled near Snoqualmie Falls, approximately 30 miles outside of the city. The nearby Salish Lodge and Spa's gazebo lookout point for the falls is a short hike away and open to the public year-round. Activities range from fishing to various water sports and hiking trails, with the campground featuring full RV hookups, tent sites, restrooms and showers, fire pits and picnic areas.
No Experience? No Problem
- If the thought of roughing it on your own is daunting, but you're still itching for that Northwest outdoors experience, consider a weekend at a KOA or similar campground. Unlike more traditional campsites, KOAs cater to beginning campers, as well as those who simply crave a bit more luxury in their outdoor experience. With amenities such as Wi-Fi, indoor cafeterias, full restrooms and ample recreational areas at your fingertips, it is the perfect way to dip your toe in the water of Northwest camping.
