Forest camping near Mercer Island, Washington with hiking
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- Mercer Island
96% (24484 reviews)
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12 top forest campgrounds near Mercer Island with hiking
99%
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The Cedar River Retreat
6 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents10 acres · Hobart, King
The Cedar River Retreat is its own little oasis. Located past an old fisherman's community along the river, close to shopping and stores but tucked away from it all just enough to reconnect with nature. This plot was purchased in 2016 and we hope you have a great time creating memories like we have over the last few years. We currently have an off-grid cabin, RV site and a tent camping only site. The outdoors are for everyone! We are excited to host you soon! Happy adventuring!
Follow us on Instagram- @cedar_riverretreat
from
$50
/ night
93%
(192)
Dean’s Campground
14 sites · RVs, Tents11 acres · Auburn, King
We are located in Auburn, Washington 3 minutes off Highway 18. Our location is ideal for those commuting between national parks, from the US / CA border, or a quick overnight to get away from the city.
Bears, bobcats, coyotes and more frequent the property. Largely untouched by humans for the last 50 years (after a once-over by Weyerhaeuser), most of the property still serves as an unofficial refuge. We are bordered by King County protected wetlands, backed by a few newer builds, and not super stoked on the new multi-million dollar neighborhood in construction on the other property line.
Our history - In 1975 Dean and Barbara Inabnit purchased 11 undeveloped acres from Weyerhaeuser. Dean’s plan to bring two manufactured homes to the property was only shortly delayed by a $20,000 bid per house to have the Coast Guard airlift the houses into place. The only option, it seemed. Dean took his $40,000 and purchased a bulldozer and tractor. Weyerhaeuser granted Dean permission to widen well over 2 miles of a county access road through the forest from the direction of the nearby fire station. He drug the homes through his temporary driveway and finally in 1978, the houses were hooked up to water, sewer, and power. They moved in. He spent the next few years building a logging road as his main drive from Auburn-Black Diamond, sourcing all materials from the land. Dean and Barbara finished raising their family here, and for a while, their grandchildren enjoyed the land, too. Dean is 82 years old. His children and grandchildren return every so often as guests at the campground. As a father / daughter team willing and able to tackle projects, we purchased this property in 2020. Our purchase allowed Dean to relax and retire to the Centralia area with family. We bought his bulldozer and his tractor, and he and his family are happy to know we are continuing their hard work.
from
$28
/ night
100%
(14)
Fern Gully Retreat
1 site · Lodging10 acres · Vashon, King
Escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and immerse yourself in the tranquility of our secluded Airstream retreat, nestled amidst 10 acres of pristine woodland.
Welcome to your own private oasis, where the soothing sounds of nature and the crisp scent of fresh air will rejuvenate your spirit. There is a farm next door for fresh produce and eggs and a canyon in the back filled with old growth trees and ferns.
from
$120
/ night
93%
(74)
Rockin’ Z Ranch
5 sites · RVs, Tents11 acres · Redmond, King
At the mouth of the Snoqualmie Valley you’ll find the Rockin’ Z Ranch! Camp among the trees and watch horses gallop past on this tranquil equestrian property. Enter through a separate gate into our spacious and well appointed camp-out corner; a great place to relax or use as a base camp for surrounding activities. Just a short walk away, at the end of our private road, is the trailhead to Soaring Eagle Regional Park. This 750 acre park has endless trails for biking and hiking. Head east to Fall City or beyond to the Cascades. The Rockin’ Z Ranch invites you!
from
$30
/ night
85%
(30)
Carnation Moss Forest
2 sites · RVs, Tents5 acres · Redmond, King
5 acres natural forest, foot trails to Little Ames Creek near Ames Lake 2 RV campsites - #1. Carnation Moss Forest and #2. Magical Mossy Forest - 100ft from a road, in a valley neighborhood of Redmond, Washington, the sites share the driveway and a large washfountain, featuring-
Two 23 ft long parking pads for 1 RV each in Carnation Moss Forest and in Magical Mossy Forest
1 vehicle parking space, such as a car, SUV, jeep, in the loop through driveway
2 tent camping pads each in Carnation Moss Forest and in Magical Mossy Forest
3 hydrants with Potable/ drinking water
2 Electric power poles of 50a, 30a, and 110 outlets with a light at night
2 porta-potties, regularly serviced
4 fire pits
Several chairs, tables, picnic tables, and umbrellas in the summer.
Two solidly built swing sets, with slides, one with an enclosed fort on top, climbing area, kids picnic table underneath. A picnic table and chairs sit nearby for parents to enjoy.
A large vintage terrazzo semi-circular classic washfountain (not hooked up to water yet!)
The parking lot is behind trees, approx 100 ft from the main road which has regular daily traffic and noise driving by at the top of the site. It quiets down after work in the evenings. Dogs bark because they are dogs, but when you go deep into the forest you can barely hear the road or the dogs. The parking area can only be located there, in order to maintain the ecology of Ames Creek.
The entrance is down through either of two driveways from the main road, on a horseshoe loop drive-through, to the L-shaped parking lot. Tent camping is 4 to 6 total soft pads in the forest near the parking sites. Note: Ames Creek does dry up in mid-summer.
For large RVs maneuvering skills are required to park on the level 23 ft long parking pads in the parking area down the hill from the road. It is a U-shaped drive-through, flat at the bottom of the small driveway hill.
Recent camper comments -
"Love the campsite"
"We had a great time"
"We had fun exploring the trails"
"The tent campsites are beautiful"
"I now regret traveling 4+ hours to get to Hoh rainforest when we could’ve gotten to a similar experience less than 30 mins away"
Cellphone signal strength reported by campers:
+ T-Mobile - 2 bars occasionally spotty
+ ATT - Strong/5G
+ Verizon - very good / LTE
+ Xfinity- connectivity
Everyone who sees it remarks that this forest is beautiful. It has a main trail and many small pathways between ferns and hillocks. In an effort to preserve and protect this wild habitat, we have already planted 30 + Western Red Cedars and Douglas Firs.
This is a great private spot for an RV or similar vehicles and 2 tent circles.
A firepit, and porta-potty next to each pad, another firepit in one of the 2 tent circles for each RV parking pad site.
A completely natural untouched Pacific moss rainforest about 30 miles inland on the foothills of the Mount Baker–Snoqualmie National Forest in Washington State. Some areas it is likely no one has ever walked on.
Bring mosquito repellent. Be aware of kids and dogs near road entrances, as well as near the creek in the winter.
It is located near major fun sites, it is a wilderness playground!
Ames Creek dries up mid-July and returns in Sept/Oct. There are a lot of little paths crisscrossing the creek, likely raccoon and deer trails.
We are happy to have your dogs visit - they will love it!
Please remember to bring an extension cord to access power.
There are fire pits. When possible firewood is provided gratis in the woodshed. There are bundles of wood for sale at the Ace Hardware store in Carnation.
+ 5 minute drive to Carnation Farms Farmstand for eggs, meat, milk, juices, homemade dishes, veggies, berries, fruit, ice cream, cheeses, vinegar, chocolate, sauerkraut, kimchi!
+ 15 minute drive to Remlinger Farms (summer only) amusement rides for kids - Model-T cars, swings, canoe, carousel, pumpkin rides, steam train, roller coaster, barrel ride, peddle cars, giant slide, whirly bird, star gazer, wreaking ball, pony ride, hay rides, - u-pick fields, ice cream & pies, corn mazes, many animals (bunnies too), and a brewery with bands!
+ 15 min drive to Snoqualmie River
+ 20 minutes drive to Snoqualmie Falls
+15 minute drive to Microsoft Campus, Nintendo, Pushpay, llink Systems, ADIC (Advanced Digital Information Corporation), Meta, Spacemark in Redmond #larping
+ 23 mins from the cute town of Issaquah
+ 2 hours and 30 minutes drive to the famed The Gorge Amphitheater, near George, Washington, a natural outdoor concert venue in Grant County
+ 27 minute drive to Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery, less than 15 miles away
+ 30 minute drive to Seattle
If you love natural woods, trees, greenery, ferns, and moss with a small creek running through then this is your place. Visited by many kinds of birds.
Besides the high-tech corridor, this area is known for its farming communities, and thus photography and video opportunities.
Deciduous forest with Big Leaf Maple and Alder, the woods are hemlock, Western red cedar, and Douglas Fir trees, with a creek on site, and Ames Lake nearby.
Bird watchers may spot rare species at this pristine natural location, 15 minutes from Redmond's city center. Many types of these birds - pied-billed Grebes, Bald Eagles, Osprey, Red-tailed Hawks, accipiters, Killdeer, woodpeckers, wrens, blackbirds, some ducks, chickadees, and other rare species are resident here.
During spring and summer, warblers, rails, American Bittern, and sparrows can be quite common. Wintertime brings geese, many types of ducks, gulls, swans, Northern Shrikes, Peregrine Falcons, and some Rough-legged Hawks.
This location is near U.S. National Forest extending more than 140 miles along the western slopes of the Cascade Range from the Canada–US border to the northern boundary of Mount Rainier National Park.
John Muir once wrote, "In every walk with nature, one receives far more than they seek." Embark on a poetic journey at Carnation Moss Forest and let the beauty of the Pacific Northwest inspire your artistic nature.
We recommend a 2-night stay so you can enjoy these woods and the area. CMF / MMF just opened and we really want your feedback about how we may improve your experience here.
#findyourselfoutside
Because Life Is Too Short to Live It From Inside a Computer
#highwaytomore
from
$52
/ night
100%
(139)
Camping in forest, next to a creek.
1 site · Tent5 acres · Duvall, King
Learn more about this land:
Secluded camp site, next to a salmon spawning creek in the forest. Picnic table seats 4 adult people comfortably. Short walk on a trail from parking. Portable toilet is now on a trailer and at the camp site. Nearby trail head for hiking and mountain biking in the greater forest.
Check the calendar: If the site is vacant the night before your stay, you can check in early on that day. If the site is vacant the next night of your check out day, stay as long as you like.
Let me know when you would like to check in, so that I can be there to meet you and help move your gear down the hill to the camp site.
Any combination of adults and children that can sit comfortably at a 6-foot picnic table is not a problem.
Host does not receive text messages, only a land line with an answering machine, (old school). If you need to communicate, use the 425 # and please leave a message.
Host goes to Safeway in town, daily, in the morning to check e-mail and Hipcamp messages and reply to Guests.
Several guests have gotten lost relying on GPS only to find the property. Most do not have an issue. I suggest that you check with Google Map or another map service to know approximately where you are going.
June 2022, just installed a park style grill.
Bring your charcoal briquettes, grilling tools and steaks.
from
$40
/ night
96%
(100)
Grove Getaways
8 sites · Lodging, Tents40 acres · Buckley, Pierce
Learn more about this land:10 minutes from Bonney Lake, 15 minutes from Lake Tapps and one hour from Mt Rainier. We have 40 acres of sloped land with trails, wildlife, and nature to explore. Your tent site has territorial views of South Prairie, and includes a fire pit. Owners live on the property about a quarter mile away from the tent site, where you will find a communal kitchen and bathroom available for use.
from
$55
/ night
100%
(13)
Ms Pacman's Backyard Glampsite
1 site · Lodging1 acre · White Center, King
This backyard shed conversion is a perfect mix of comfy and quirky! Ms Pacman, Beanie Babies, a lips couch, and Space Jam all make an appearance in this suburban backyard glamping experience! At just 186 square feet, this spot is all yours to enjoy away from the noise of the city in our large and lush backyard. You will have full rein of a private patio to smoke or enjoy meals on our newly built cedar deck, or enjoy a drink in the shared hammock space under our towering Eastern Hemlock tree.
Your quiet backyard refuge is newly converted with everything you’ll need for a fun weekend away. We are just two blocks from the bus stop with access to Seattle’s great transit system. This space is close to the airport, close to downtown, and walkable to the home of the The Rat City Roller Derby in White Center. And only two blocks from your door is Westcrest Park, a Greenbelt with trails and a beautiful view of the Seattle skyline. If you feel like staying in, enjoy our Mr and Mrs Pacman games in your “mini arcade” or make use of some of the supplied board games or the sudoku/coloring books available. Relax on an iconic Seattle drag bar’s original “lips couch” and grab a book from our queer library with beer available for purchase in your kitchenette.
This is a stand alone structure that is separate from our main house. There is no shower in this dry space, but there is a camping sink that functions like a normal kitchen sink with hot water capacity. The shed has an easy to use composting toilet with clear instructions if you’re a first timer. Also, “Ms Pacman's Backyard Glampsite” is a converted shed, so be ready for some lower ceilings and narrow spaces. The lofted full bed is cozy, so don’t bob your head on the way out! The bed has a six inch memory foam mattress with extra blankets and pillows available. Everything is washed with free and clear laundry detergent for any sensitivities.
We provide a small refrigerator, a 2 burner stove with pots and pans for light cooking, coffee making supplies (reusable keurig pods or pour over coffee along with creamers and sugars), wine openers, dishes, and more. We have 2 tables where you can enjoy meals and games either indoors or outdoors.
You will be one block away from Highland Park which has a tennis court and baseball field. Less than a mile north, you can explore the West Duwamish Greenbelt Trails. Only two blocks south of the property is Westcrest Park that hosts a community garden, a dog park, and small trails in their greenbelt. You’re also walking distance to downtown White Center, which has a microbrewery, a roller skating rink, a gay bar, a plant store, and plenty of coffee shops and restaurants.
from
$60
/ night
99%
(2163)
The Landing at Index WA
5 sites · RVs, Tents16 acres · Index, Snohomish
Welcome to The Landing at Index - located on the South Fork Skykomish River, in the western foothills of the Cascade Mountains, off of Highway 2. With 16 acres of beautiful, private woods and breathtaking views of Mt. Index, this is a wonderful getaway to kick back and relax after your day of adventures, or just to escape the city rush. The campsite is at the bottom of a rugged drive so an SUV or AWD vehicle are recommended, especially during the wetter seasons of Spring and Fall. When the property was logged approximately 100 years ago they scooped out gravel from the river to make their roads in the area thus creating the back eddy lagoon along the beach. The Department of Fish and Game have a fish ladder at Sunset Falls just upstream and BNSF railroad owns the large vacant tract down stream.A rather peaceful setting, including the rushing sound of the river and the occasional whistle of a train. You will feel refreshed and rejuvenated after you stay at The Landing.Pets are welcome, there is a toilet on site campfires allowed (when burn bans are not in place).
from
$127
/ night
100%
(9)
The Kings Cottage
3 sites · Lodging5 acres · Hoodsport, Mason
Remote off-grid mountain cottage that sits on atop a ridge on 5 acres. If your looking for solitude, peace and quiet, look no further. The Kings Cottage is located in Hoodsport, WA above the beautiful Lake Cushman and Lake Kokanee. Our special place on the mountain is a few minutes drive to downtown where you can enjoy the local fare and steps away from the Olympic National Park and beautiful Mount Elinor and access to private parks on the lake. You can, hike, go swimming, fishing, play golf frisbee.. so many activities here in Hoodsport, WA.
from
$99
/ night
99%
(330)
Valhalla Tree Farm
6 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents100 acres · Arlington, Snohomish
When Earl and Laurine Ingebright found an ad in a local paper for sixty acres near Arlington, in 1958, they knew it would be a place for family fun, relaxation, and their own private forest.
What they could not have anticipated was the sheer diversity of projects, parties, and fun that the family would pursue on the property over the coming generations. From forest stewardship and timber harvesting, to campsites and trail construction, to rock concerts and wine making.
While they have since passed, these founders began something truly amazing; A tree farm that showcases the successful accomplishment of almost every objective a forest landowner could have.
Timber production, wildlife, aesthetics, recreation, and forest resiliency.
Valhalla embodies all these things with so little conflict as to look effortless.
from
$47
/ night
Booked 5 times
Crystal Springs Cabin
1 site · Lodging1 acre · Granite Falls, Snohomish
Located just an hour North of Seattle, tucked in the Cascade Mountains off the beautiful Mountain Loop Scenic byway in Granite Falls. The charming Crystal Springs cabin is perched above the alluring Canyon Creek. Expect to see breathtaking beauty and have memorable experiences offered every season. This cabin is geared to offer a plethora of experiences, adventure and relaxation all year round. Enjoy the Crystal Springs cabin for a romantic getaway, writers retreat, friends and/or family vacation. Granite Falls is an old logging town and is a the gateway to the Mountain Loop, known for many outdoor activities such as fishing, hiking, camping, kayaking and sledding among other activities.
from
$250
/ night
Within one hour of Mercer Island
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