Discover the best campgrounds near Mercer Island, Washington with wildlife watching

United States
—
Washington
—
Mercer Island

96% (8965 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Mercer Island

Dog-friendly getaways

Star Hosts in Mercer Island

99%

(854)

Cedar+Fern

6 sites · RVs, Tents13 acres · Quilcene, WA

This beautiful 13acre slice of heaven sits along the Little Quilcene River. Cedar+Fern hosts multiple campsites in a park-like setting amongst PNW's forest giants, Western Red Cedar, Douglas Fir, Big Leaf Maple, etc. During your stay, explore the walking trails throughout the towering forest to find private spots along the river to take a dip. Check out all the new growth on the young fruit orchard and large food garden. Walk through the alder grove and discover both the pond as well as the new farm extension! While on the land, let the sounds of the river wash away life's stress and enjoy a bit of the slow life.

Hidden Meadow on Henderson Inlet

4 sites · RVs, Tents4 acres · Olympia, WA

Burn ban information here: https://www.southbayfire.com/thurston-burn-information About us: Hello and thank you for checking out Hidden Meadow, our names are Jake and Molly. We love camping, hiking and any opportunity to be outside with our two children! In 2020 (one week before the whole world shut down from Covid) we found the hidden gem we had been searching for! A perfect place to raise our family, space to play and explore nature, super private and close to town! It seemed too good to be true and still does! After settling in and realizing what amazing natural beauty we had, we got to work developing our garden, orchards, trails, fire pits and….Campsites! After building a camp site for our family, we decided that we wanted to share this amazing space with other families to enjoy! We built Hidden Meadow to be the campsite that we have always searched for on our family adventures, surrounded by nature, away from the hustle and bustle of the world, with trails for hiking and a HOT TUB to relax in, in the evening! We hope that you enjoy it! About the property: We are located on a very private property (the only houses you will see are across the inlet) surrounded by nature but only about 10 minutes from downtown Olympia and 5 minutes from I-5 and Lacey. The property is situated on the very south end of Henderson Inlet. We are on the tide flats so twice a day (at high tide) we have the opportunity to explore on the water in canoes and kayaks. The property is spread over 16 acres and is comprised of two large fields (one in front of our home and the other is a smaller meadow off to the side (hidden meadow) and forest land. There is tons of space for playing, exploring and tiring out your kids and pups! Wildlife is abound with eagles, hawks, owls, falcons, shore birds and a variety of forest birds make this place their home. We are also frequented by the local deer who wonder through and say hi. About the campground: The campground is located in the far northeast corner of the property on the edge of the forest and meadow. In the common areas you will find the bathroom which has a shower and a toilet. The toilet is a porta-potty and the shower is propane headed. There is also a supply closet at the bathroom that has the yard games and extra supplies. There is a hottub situated right on the edge of the forest with peek-a-boo views of the inlet. You will also find garbage and recycling bins as well as a sink for washing hands (please water only down the sink). We have provided soap that is biodegradable for the sink and shower to help reduce our impact on this beautiful environment. There are trails throughout the forest along the 600 feet of water (tide) front. Along the trails you will find several different benches, seats and swings to relax and enjoy nature from. There is also several fairies and gnomes who have been sighted in the forest. If you look closely, you might spot one too! We ware, if you touch a fairy or gnome they do lose their magical powers so please respect the mystical creatures. 😊 The sites are about 500 feet from our house and offers great privacy. You may see us throughout the day and evening coming and going from the campground, working on the property or playing with the kids on the trails! Dogs: We do have two dogs on the property (Wilma and Bean) who are very friendly and we will keep them out of camp during your stay. Although they typically follow us when we walk down there. We allow dogs to be off leash at owner’s risk. There may be other dogs in camp so please use discretion when letting your dogs off leash and be mindful of other campers. You must be responsible for your own dogs, we are not responsible for any dog related or dog inflicted injuries. Getting here: We are off of Sleater Kinney Rd in Olympia. We have a long, steep, curvy driveway. At the bottom of the driveway, you will find signs directing you to the camp site. If you have extra vehicles, we have extra parking spaces adjacent to the campsite. The road out to camp may be bumpy (we do our best to keep it smooth) so go slow and beware of natural obstacles. Rules: 1. Check in time is 2:00pm or later. For afterhours arrivals, please let us know. 2. Check out time is 12:00pm or earlier 3. Quiet hours from 9pm to 8am. You are far from our house, so we can’t hear you but sound travels well over the water to our neighbors. Nobody wants grumpy neighbors, please be respectful. 4. Remain within the campground boundary during all times. If you need us, please feel free to text or call. 5. Please put all trash in the trash cans or take it with you. 6. Remove all dog doo and dispose of in the trash. 7. Leave what you find (except ripe blackberries). Please leave any forest treasures where you found them. 8. Cleanup any debris left from firewood/camp activities before departing. 9. Enjoy nature and respect it. Please stay on trails and respect the plants and the natural habitats. 10. Stay off the dock. It is closed for repair. 11. Do not use the trailside fireplace (if you find it) or our personal canoe or kayaks. However, feel free to enjoy the view from the seats by the fireplace. 12. Be cautious when walking around, the ground is bumpy and there are exposed tree roots that can be tripping hazards. We are not responsible from injuries. 13. Help us keep it clean- if you find any garbage around, please pick it up or let us know. 14. Keep fires small and when you are finished PUT YOUR FIRES DEAD OUT! There are 5 gallon buckets by each fire put to fill before you start your fire for putting them out. 15. Please do not burn trash or food. It can create issues with the wildlife. Put all waste in garbage cans.

The Landing at Index WA

8 sites · RVs, Tents16 acres · Index, WA

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 campsites are at the bottom of a long logging road so an SUV or AWD vehicle are preferable , especially during the wetter seasons. 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 pool along the beach. 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 are outhouses at each campsite. Campfires are allowed (when burn bans are not in place).

99%

(84)

Two Frog Bog

6 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents20 acres · Roy, WA

Welcome to Two Frog Bog, a 20-acre forested haven featuring 5 acres of wetland. Our accommodations include a 24-foot yurt with a private, semi-attached bathhouse, two 10 x 20-foot tent cabins with outdoor kitchens and private outhouses with composting toilets. You’ll enjoy the outdoor shower that is available for all guests. The communal fire pit is a great place to roast s’mores and maybe meet new friends. But wait, there’s more: a two-tent campground where we provide the tents, a shared, covered and fully equipped outdoor kitchen, a shared composting outhouse (cleaned at least once a day). Campground has access to shower and fire pit as well. Explore our forest trails leading to the serene wetland, and don't miss our unique 26-foot-wide, 10-foot-tall Woodhenge – a magical spot to relax in a hammock, read a book, or stargaze. Two Frog Bog invites you to immerse yourself in nature and enjoy the variety of accommodations and shared spaces we offer.

Aquaman Mountain

9 sites · RVs, Tents322 acres · Black Diamond, WA

322 acres that was cut down in 2020. We are growing over 150,000 trees on it now with plans to line the 1.5 mile driveway with Japanese Cherry Blossoms from DC (Yoshino, Kwanzan, Weeping, Okame, Higan, Akebono, Snow Geese). The mountain starts at 600 feet elevation and climbs to 1600 feet. Very peaceful and remote yet you can see Seattle and Mt Rainer. As I will spend over $60k a year fighting blackberry, cottonwood, red alder, and elk damage to get our forest established in the next few years, your contribution by staying here will 100% assist with helping the trees. There are 9 different secluded campsites on the mountain. All the sites can be used to host parties of up to 150 people (we have done it several times). The issue to consider is traffic. For large parties, we ask most people (usually car people) to park below on Green River Gorge Rd (there is a large county pull off) and then load into the back of trucks for the drive up the mountain. It is a one lane road, so it could get congested if 100 cars drove up it. One retirement party rented a bus for running people up and down and a porta potty at their site for guests. I am very happy to assist with party planning and setup if you have a wedding or retirement or business party. (or anything else) Boy and Girl Scout troops and Explorer scout units are welcome to camp free (when doing unit camping and in uniform). Site 4 would be best for large troops. Hip camp gets people the property entrance great, but the coordinates to the driveway entrance are 47 19’15.7”N 121 58’05.6”W or 47.321039, -121.968225 should you want them. The gate has a hipcamp sign on it but it is hard to see if the gate happens to be open. Franklin Ghost town is 2.5 miles (or 2.5 minutes southwest at 60 mph) from the entrance to Aquaman Mtn. If you are trying to find my gate and you end up in Franklin, you need to turn around and drive back 2.5 miles on Green River Gorge Road. When you see the large pull-off section on the right (North), my gate is 100 yards past that on the left (South) of the road.

12 top campgrounds near Mercer Island with wildlife watching

94%

(288)

Dean’s Campground

18 sites · RVs, Tents11 acres · Auburn, WA

Welcome to Dean’s! Eight minutes off Highway 18 lies 11 acres of mostly undeveloped land. Dean's is a beautiful, bare-bones place to rest between national parks, before or after crossing the US / CA border, or to set up base camp to explore Seattle / Tacoma. Our main driveway is CLOSED this year for repairs. We have alternate arrival instructions for you after you book. These instructions add about 7 minutes (totaling 8 minutes) from Highway 18 to the campground. Our location is convenient. We are just minutes from Auburn city limits. Road noise, planes, Pacific Raceways, and freight trains are audible here even if muffled by the trees. Our distant neighbors occasionally indulge in target shooting. This doesn't last long. Please call us immediately with any concerns. We have a brand new neighborhood in construction on one of our property lines. Heavy machinery is in use around 8 am and usually finished by dinner time. In order to provide safety and peace, hosts live just outside the campground and closely manage happenings. All our sites have 2-4 persons occupancy in hopes of deterring parties. Our quiet hours are 8pm-8am so we can rest up for the next day’s adventures. We ban fires during the peak of summer to avoid the issue of wildfires entirely. Propane stoves are welcome. We do not have a check in cut-off time tho reservations do need to be made before midnight. We have zero tolerance for hateful, abusive, or discriminatory behavior toward people, belongings, and wildlife. With that being said, the 40+ year old trees and distance between the campsites provides space for you to bring and create your own vibes. Hosts should only approach you with safety or quiet hour concerns. They are available 24 / 7 for any questions or requests you may have. Feel free to reach out any time (our phone number can be found on Google).

Rockin’ Z Ranch

5 sites · RVs, Tents11 acres · Redmond, WA

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!

Hidden Meadow on Henderson Inlet

4 sites · RVs, Tents4 acres · Olympia, WA

Burn ban information here: https://www.southbayfire.com/thurston-burn-information About us: Hello and thank you for checking out Hidden Meadow, our names are Jake and Molly. We love camping, hiking and any opportunity to be outside with our two children! In 2020 (one week before the whole world shut down from Covid) we found the hidden gem we had been searching for! A perfect place to raise our family, space to play and explore nature, super private and close to town! It seemed too good to be true and still does! After settling in and realizing what amazing natural beauty we had, we got to work developing our garden, orchards, trails, fire pits and….Campsites! After building a camp site for our family, we decided that we wanted to share this amazing space with other families to enjoy! We built Hidden Meadow to be the campsite that we have always searched for on our family adventures, surrounded by nature, away from the hustle and bustle of the world, with trails for hiking and a HOT TUB to relax in, in the evening! We hope that you enjoy it! About the property: We are located on a very private property (the only houses you will see are across the inlet) surrounded by nature but only about 10 minutes from downtown Olympia and 5 minutes from I-5 and Lacey. The property is situated on the very south end of Henderson Inlet. We are on the tide flats so twice a day (at high tide) we have the opportunity to explore on the water in canoes and kayaks. The property is spread over 16 acres and is comprised of two large fields (one in front of our home and the other is a smaller meadow off to the side (hidden meadow) and forest land. There is tons of space for playing, exploring and tiring out your kids and pups! Wildlife is abound with eagles, hawks, owls, falcons, shore birds and a variety of forest birds make this place their home. We are also frequented by the local deer who wonder through and say hi. About the campground: The campground is located in the far northeast corner of the property on the edge of the forest and meadow. In the common areas you will find the bathroom which has a shower and a toilet. The toilet is a porta-potty and the shower is propane headed. There is also a supply closet at the bathroom that has the yard games and extra supplies. There is a hottub situated right on the edge of the forest with peek-a-boo views of the inlet. You will also find garbage and recycling bins as well as a sink for washing hands (please water only down the sink). We have provided soap that is biodegradable for the sink and shower to help reduce our impact on this beautiful environment. There are trails throughout the forest along the 600 feet of water (tide) front. Along the trails you will find several different benches, seats and swings to relax and enjoy nature from. There is also several fairies and gnomes who have been sighted in the forest. If you look closely, you might spot one too! We ware, if you touch a fairy or gnome they do lose their magical powers so please respect the mystical creatures. 😊 The sites are about 500 feet from our house and offers great privacy. You may see us throughout the day and evening coming and going from the campground, working on the property or playing with the kids on the trails! Dogs: We do have two dogs on the property (Wilma and Bean) who are very friendly and we will keep them out of camp during your stay. Although they typically follow us when we walk down there. We allow dogs to be off leash at owner’s risk. There may be other dogs in camp so please use discretion when letting your dogs off leash and be mindful of other campers. You must be responsible for your own dogs, we are not responsible for any dog related or dog inflicted injuries. Getting here: We are off of Sleater Kinney Rd in Olympia. We have a long, steep, curvy driveway. At the bottom of the driveway, you will find signs directing you to the camp site. If you have extra vehicles, we have extra parking spaces adjacent to the campsite. The road out to camp may be bumpy (we do our best to keep it smooth) so go slow and beware of natural obstacles. Rules: 1. Check in time is 2:00pm or later. For afterhours arrivals, please let us know. 2. Check out time is 12:00pm or earlier 3. Quiet hours from 9pm to 8am. You are far from our house, so we can’t hear you but sound travels well over the water to our neighbors. Nobody wants grumpy neighbors, please be respectful. 4. Remain within the campground boundary during all times. If you need us, please feel free to text or call. 5. Please put all trash in the trash cans or take it with you. 6. Remove all dog doo and dispose of in the trash. 7. Leave what you find (except ripe blackberries). Please leave any forest treasures where you found them. 8. Cleanup any debris left from firewood/camp activities before departing. 9. Enjoy nature and respect it. Please stay on trails and respect the plants and the natural habitats. 10. Stay off the dock. It is closed for repair. 11. Do not use the trailside fireplace (if you find it) or our personal canoe or kayaks. However, feel free to enjoy the view from the seats by the fireplace. 12. Be cautious when walking around, the ground is bumpy and there are exposed tree roots that can be tripping hazards. We are not responsible from injuries. 13. Help us keep it clean- if you find any garbage around, please pick it up or let us know. 14. Keep fires small and when you are finished PUT YOUR FIRES DEAD OUT! There are 5 gallon buckets by each fire put to fill before you start your fire for putting them out. 15. Please do not burn trash or food. It can create issues with the wildlife. Put all waste in garbage cans.

The Landing at Index WA

8 sites · RVs, Tents16 acres · Index, WA

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 campsites are at the bottom of a long logging road so an SUV or AWD vehicle are preferable , especially during the wetter seasons. 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 pool along the beach. 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 are outhouses at each campsite. Campfires are allowed (when burn bans are not in place).

Aquaman Mountain

9 sites · RVs, Tents322 acres · Black Diamond, WA

322 acres that was cut down in 2020. We are growing over 150,000 trees on it now with plans to line the 1.5 mile driveway with Japanese Cherry Blossoms from DC (Yoshino, Kwanzan, Weeping, Okame, Higan, Akebono, Snow Geese). The mountain starts at 600 feet elevation and climbs to 1600 feet. Very peaceful and remote yet you can see Seattle and Mt Rainer. As I will spend over $60k a year fighting blackberry, cottonwood, red alder, and elk damage to get our forest established in the next few years, your contribution by staying here will 100% assist with helping the trees. There are 9 different secluded campsites on the mountain. All the sites can be used to host parties of up to 150 people (we have done it several times). The issue to consider is traffic. For large parties, we ask most people (usually car people) to park below on Green River Gorge Rd (there is a large county pull off) and then load into the back of trucks for the drive up the mountain. It is a one lane road, so it could get congested if 100 cars drove up it. One retirement party rented a bus for running people up and down and a porta potty at their site for guests. I am very happy to assist with party planning and setup if you have a wedding or retirement or business party. (or anything else) Boy and Girl Scout troops and Explorer scout units are welcome to camp free (when doing unit camping and in uniform). Site 4 would be best for large troops. Hip camp gets people the property entrance great, but the coordinates to the driveway entrance are 47 19’15.7”N 121 58’05.6”W or 47.321039, -121.968225 should you want them. The gate has a hipcamp sign on it but it is hard to see if the gate happens to be open. Franklin Ghost town is 2.5 miles (or 2.5 minutes southwest at 60 mph) from the entrance to Aquaman Mtn. If you are trying to find my gate and you end up in Franklin, you need to turn around and drive back 2.5 miles on Green River Gorge Road. When you see the large pull-off section on the right (North), my gate is 100 yards past that on the left (South) of the road.

Two Frog Bog

6 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents20 acres · Roy, WA

Welcome to Two Frog Bog, a 20-acre forested haven featuring 5 acres of wetland. Our accommodations include a 24-foot yurt with a private, semi-attached bathhouse, two 10 x 20-foot tent cabins with outdoor kitchens and private outhouses with composting toilets. You’ll enjoy the outdoor shower that is available for all guests. The communal fire pit is a great place to roast s’mores and maybe meet new friends. But wait, there’s more: a two-tent campground where we provide the tents, a shared, covered and fully equipped outdoor kitchen, a shared composting outhouse (cleaned at least once a day). Campground has access to shower and fire pit as well. Explore our forest trails leading to the serene wetland, and don't miss our unique 26-foot-wide, 10-foot-tall Woodhenge – a magical spot to relax in a hammock, read a book, or stargaze. Two Frog Bog invites you to immerse yourself in nature and enjoy the variety of accommodations and shared spaces we offer.

Cedar+Fern

6 sites · RVs, Tents13 acres · Quilcene, WA

This beautiful 13acre slice of heaven sits along the Little Quilcene River. Cedar+Fern hosts multiple campsites in a park-like setting amongst PNW's forest giants, Western Red Cedar, Douglas Fir, Big Leaf Maple, etc. During your stay, explore the walking trails throughout the towering forest to find private spots along the river to take a dip. Check out all the new growth on the young fruit orchard and large food garden. Walk through the alder grove and discover both the pond as well as the new farm extension! While on the land, let the sounds of the river wash away life's stress and enjoy a bit of the slow life.

98%

(339)

Cedar River Retreat

6 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents10 acres · Hobart, WA

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

99%

(411)

Valhalla Tree Farm

6 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents100 acres · Arlington, WA

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.

98%

(70)

Ravens Ridge

8 sites · Lodging, Tents6 acres · Quilcene, WA

Nestled in the Tarboo Valley near Dabob Bay, you will find a relaxing little off grid hideaway where the forest meets the sea! This serene land will imbue you with its sacred, peace-filled vibes and invite you into precious moments to hear and feel the hum and aliveness of summer. Ravens converse, robins sing and deer meander through Cedars, Big Leaf Maples and luscious ferns. Fall asleep under the stars and wake up to the chirping birds. Our woods are home to Grandma Big Leaf Maple that holds you as you swing from her branch and feel the joy of letting go rush over you. With the freedom of no cell service, you can spend a quiet moment to think under the cedars at our meditation rock. We offer a communal fire pit, kitchen & bathroom area in our meadow for refreshing and recharging while meeting magical new souls sharing in the euphoria of nature in an alcohol and tobacco free space. Ravens Ridge is a short walk from Dabob Bay and the Tarboo Wildlife Preserve and a short drive from Quilcene, WA, the Pearl of the Peninsula, known for its oysters and proximity to some of the best hiking and other outdoor recreation on the Olympic Peninsula. This location provides easy access to trailheads in the Olympic National Forest, Mt Walker Viewpoint, and kayaking in the most pristine and protected inlets of the Salish Sea. Whether you are looking to eat fresh seafood or harvest your own, you will find all your heart desires: wild mushrooms in the fall, fresh nettles in the Spring, whale and seal watching! PLEASE NOTE: We are Queer! We welcome all LGBTQIA+ folks and allies. We believe in Magic and the power of Science to prove it. We are located on Twana/Skokomish, Chimakum, and Jamestown S'Klallam land. We honor this responsibility by providing an alcohol/tobacco-free space and giving back annually to tribal projects like Longhouse for the People. We also provide a discount for indigenous folks. Please reach out for more information. We are open to accommodating larger groups up to 14 individuals at a discounted rate. Please reach out with information about your group event, including the number of campers and date of stay, and we can discuss the terms. We take down the bell tents in late October and put them back up sometime in April, depending on the weather. If you are interested in pitching your own tent on a platform during the cooler months that is an option at a discounted rate.

97%

(176)

Cowboy Camp Camping and Horses

20 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents11 acres · Port Townsend, WA

WHAT WE OFFER SATURDAY NIGHT DINNER and SUNDAY BREAKFAST MEALS HAVE ENDED FOR THE 2024 SEASON SEE US IN 2025 We will be back in Spring of 2025 to offer our full Chuckwagon dinner served around the campfire at Cowboy Camp on Saturday night ( $30 per person) , see full menu below, and have also added Cowboy breakfast on Sunday mornings when campers are present, consisting of scrambled eggs with/or without spinach and cheese served with grilled whole wheat toast, large fluffy pancake, choice of bacon or sausage patty, glass of orange juice and bottomless cup of coffee, ($15 per person). Allowances are made for food allergies, preferences and requests. Breakfast can be ordered the night before. Why cook and wash dishes when you don't have to? Just relax and enjoy the camping experience. CAMPSITES Here on our property, you can choose from simple walk in campsites with no special amenities, to a full campsite with picnic table, fire ring, and space for tent or trailer, up to a full size camper trailer parking area. We also have the lovely Cowboy wall tent with electricity and extra plugs for charging devices, a small electric heater, larger dorm style refrigerator, Queen size bed and all the bedding, additional oversized twin bed with bedding, 2 lamps, love seat reclining sofa and side table, Bistro style table and two chairs, 2 burner hotplate with coffee and tea, plates, cups and silverware, We provide 5 gallon containers of natural snowfall derived city water at your site. The wall tent has a separate porta potty with handwashing station. A larger portapotty is located in the center of the field for easy access from all other campsites. Coming soon we are hoping to get our propane shower and shower room up and running. ACTIVITIES Other activities include local trails for hiking and biking, close proximity to Port Townsend, town beach and waterfront and a short drive to the Olympic National forest. FOOD This year, due to positive feedback, we are increasing our offering of a full course Chuckwagon dinner, two person minimum, paid for when you book your campsite. You can select from smoked pulled pork, BBQ chicken, Smoked ribs or the vegetarian selection, baked spaghetti squash stuffed with a blend of marinara, roasted zucchini, yellow squash and bell peppers, topped with parmesan cheese. Sides served with the dinner include roasted corn on the cob ( in season), potato salad, homemade Horseshoe beans, corn bread and either blackberry cobbler or pineapple upside down cake. You provide the beverage. Guests meander over to the cook tent at about 6 pm and enjoy dinner seated around tables and chairs complete with plates, cups and silverware. Dinner is served by reservation only on Saturday nights. Dinner is $30.00 per person. 24 hour advance notice required so your food is always fresh. Breakfast ( described in intro above, is $15 per person) THE PROPERTY Just what is Cowboy Camp, you might ask. The traditional definition refers to sleeping outside under the stars with only a bedroll, a fire and the night sky for companions. But if you are a fan of the western genre and lifestyle, you might also know it as a place to go to hang out with like minded folks and experience the Cowboy lifestyle. This includes all people, men and women alike, as the term "Cowboy" is largely generic and not gender oriented. A taste of that lifestyle is what we are offering here at our Cowboy Camp. HORSES It wouldn't be Cowboy Camp without horses and they are definitely present. They can be heard whinnying at mealtimes and throughout the day as they keep in touch with each other. They are generally quiet at night. Horses are not allowed in camping areas when campers are present. No farm would be complete without chickens and ours is no exception. A few hens can generally be seen wandering around the barn searching for bugs, We do not have a rooster, so guests can sleep peacefully. We are offering camping sites ranging from simple tent sites with fire ring, picnic table and soft sandy tent sites to small cabin type tents with beds and electricity. As part of your cowboy camp experience you can sign up for a horsemanship lesson involving handling and grooming horses and time spent working with the horse in the round pen. (There is no actual riding such as a trail ride offered at this time, we are working on that). You can also sign up for a roping lesson. Learn to throw a loop and catch "Little blue", our roping dummy steer head. HIKES AND BIKES We also have games of horseshoes ( with real horseshoes) and corn hole boards. You can take a hike around the property on our trail through mature Douglas fir and majestic Western cedar forest. A 1/4 mile walk down our quiet country gravel road will take you to the 80 acre Jefferson County Land trust forest with several beautiful trails meandering through mature uncut forest. These trails are suitable for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. That forest further connects to the Cappy's trail system, a network of several miles of trails that will wind around and eventually lead into Port Townsend itself if you choose to venture into town. Or you can choose to travel via mountain bike or foot approximately one mile down the road to the DNR forest property that will lead you through more gorgeous wooded and open areas to access the Larry Scott trail, a 7.3 mile out and back firm surface multi-use trail that leads either out of town through the woods or to the north directly into Port Townsend along the scenic waterfront. Our beautiful piece of property is comprised of almost 11 acres situated on the northeast tip of the Olympic Peninsula just outside the quaint Victorian seaport town of Port Townsend. It lies approximately 4 miles from downtown with its many art galleries, restaurants, shops, boat harbor, farmer's market and the historic Rose theater. The farm itself is located within a section of old growth forest comprised of 100 year old Doug Firs, cedar trees and alder groves. There is an open pasture area in the center of the property, which is ringed completely by thick stands of forest, so it feels completely private. You have to look closely to see the neighboring two houses through the forest. The horses are excluded from camping areas during your visit, and will most likely be housed on neighboring property while guests are present. No need to worry about curious horses coming into your campsite to say hello. It is a wildlife paradise with frequent visits from local deer, bald eagles, ducks on the pond, owls nesting in the trees, and coyotes travelling through. The frog pond is alive all night with singing. If you are a light sleeper you might consider earplugs. We have created a walking trail through the forest around the land that is full of the sounds of life and birds. A pileated woodpecker makes its home in the back corner and two pairs of barred owls also inhabit the nearby Douglas firs. They can be heard at night calling out as they settle in for the evening. An important note for the walking explorer, please be aware that many areas of the farm are in their natural state. This means you might encounter prickly plants such as star thistle, nettles and tansy ragwort. We are happy to identify these for you if you are unfamiliar with them. Please be aware and dress in long pants and long sleeves while hiking. There are no poisonous snakes present in this region. We train horses here so there is a full size riding arena and training round pen. On any given day, you might see horses being trained and ridden. MORE ABOUT THE FOOD At the end of your day of adventures, you can opt to sign up ( when your site is booked) for a delicious feast at Cowboy Camp. Using old time traditional Dutch oven cooking techniques and slow smoking methods, meals are comprised of such items as slow cooked smoked pork shoulder or ribs, Dutch oven baked "Horseshoe Beans" ( a crowd favorite), fire roasted corn on the cob (in season) , homemade potato salad, green spinach salad, and of course dessert such as homemade blackberry cobbler or pineapple upside down cake. Vegetarian selections are also available upon request. ADVENTURES CLOSE BY Venturing out from the farm you can sign up to go on a whale watching excursion with Puget Sound Express out of Port Townsend. Seeing a whale is guaranteed or you get a free return trip. Also, the Olympic National Park is only a short one hour drive to the west and the view from Hurricane Ridge is not to be missed. Your Hosts: Property owners Karma and Rick come with a long extensive history of experience in the horse industry and western culture. Together they share over 100 years of experience with horses, both having ridden since young children. Karma loves sharing her knowledge of horses and horsemanship with others and has been a certified riding instructor for many years. Rick grew up with a horse and cattle background from a young age. As a young man he competed in the rodeo sports of bareback broncs, calf roping, bull riding and team roping. He then worked as a professional farrier, horse trainer and ranch employee in Texas. He learned the art of Texas BBQ cooking while living and working on Texas ranches. He loves to cook for others and enjoys sharing tales of the ranch life. You can choose to be as involved as you like during your visit. You can sit quietly in the forest and just enjoy peace and quiet if you so desire. We will not bother you. Our goal is simply to provide you with a beautiful place to relax, play, and enjoy during your visit. So come on out, set a spell, and enjoy a wonderful day, weekend, or week here at Cowboy Camp. Side note : Due to the presence of horses, chickens and various wildlife on the property, in addition to outdoor cooking activities, we do not allow outside dogs at this time. Thank you for your understanding.

93%

(138)

Wildfern Grove

8 sites · Lodging, Tents40 acres · Buckley, WA

Learn more about this land: Immerse yourself in tranquility at our unique sanctuary nestled on 40 acres of pristine Pacific Northwest forest. Our property offers a captivating blend of intentional community living, event hosting capabilities, and short-term rentals.Find solace in one of our beautifully crafted yurts, each designed to provide a comfortable and harmonious living space amidst the towering trees. Step outside your yurt and into a relaxing meadow, perfect for quiet reflection or gathering with friends and family under the vast, starlit sky. Whether you seek a transformative community experience, a memorable event venue, or a peaceful retreat, our haven offers an unparalleled opportunity to reconnect with nature and yourself. 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 yurt/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.

Available this weekend

99%

(854)

Cedar+Fern

6 sites · RVs, Tents13 acres · Quilcene, WA

This beautiful 13acre slice of heaven sits along the Little Quilcene River. Cedar+Fern hosts multiple campsites in a park-like setting amongst PNW's forest giants, Western Red Cedar, Douglas Fir, Big Leaf Maple, etc. During your stay, explore the walking trails throughout the towering forest to find private spots along the river to take a dip. Check out all the new growth on the young fruit orchard and large food garden. Walk through the alder grove and discover both the pond as well as the new farm extension! While on the land, let the sounds of the river wash away life's stress and enjoy a bit of the slow life.

The Landing at Index WA

8 sites · RVs, Tents16 acres · Index, WA

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 campsites are at the bottom of a long logging road so an SUV or AWD vehicle are preferable , especially during the wetter seasons. 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 pool along the beach. 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 are outhouses at each campsite. Campfires are allowed (when burn bans are not in place).

Valhalla Tree Farm

6 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents100 acres · Arlington, WA

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.

Cedar River Retreat

6 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents10 acres · Hobart, WA

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

Aquaman Mountain

9 sites · RVs, Tents322 acres · Black Diamond, WA

322 acres that was cut down in 2020. We are growing over 150,000 trees on it now with plans to line the 1.5 mile driveway with Japanese Cherry Blossoms from DC (Yoshino, Kwanzan, Weeping, Okame, Higan, Akebono, Snow Geese). The mountain starts at 600 feet elevation and climbs to 1600 feet. Very peaceful and remote yet you can see Seattle and Mt Rainer. As I will spend over $60k a year fighting blackberry, cottonwood, red alder, and elk damage to get our forest established in the next few years, your contribution by staying here will 100% assist with helping the trees. There are 9 different secluded campsites on the mountain. All the sites can be used to host parties of up to 150 people (we have done it several times). The issue to consider is traffic. For large parties, we ask most people (usually car people) to park below on Green River Gorge Rd (there is a large county pull off) and then load into the back of trucks for the drive up the mountain. It is a one lane road, so it could get congested if 100 cars drove up it. One retirement party rented a bus for running people up and down and a porta potty at their site for guests. I am very happy to assist with party planning and setup if you have a wedding or retirement or business party. (or anything else) Boy and Girl Scout troops and Explorer scout units are welcome to camp free (when doing unit camping and in uniform). Site 4 would be best for large troops. Hip camp gets people the property entrance great, but the coordinates to the driveway entrance are 47 19’15.7”N 121 58’05.6”W or 47.321039, -121.968225 should you want them. The gate has a hipcamp sign on it but it is hard to see if the gate happens to be open. Franklin Ghost town is 2.5 miles (or 2.5 minutes southwest at 60 mph) from the entrance to Aquaman Mtn. If you are trying to find my gate and you end up in Franklin, you need to turn around and drive back 2.5 miles on Green River Gorge Road. When you see the large pull-off section on the right (North), my gate is 100 yards past that on the left (South) of the road.

Under $50

100%

(94)

Aquaman Mountain

9 sites · RVs, Tents322 acres · Black Diamond, WA

322 acres that was cut down in 2020. We are growing over 150,000 trees on it now with plans to line the 1.5 mile driveway with Japanese Cherry Blossoms from DC (Yoshino, Kwanzan, Weeping, Okame, Higan, Akebono, Snow Geese). The mountain starts at 600 feet elevation and climbs to 1600 feet. Very peaceful and remote yet you can see Seattle and Mt Rainer. As I will spend over $60k a year fighting blackberry, cottonwood, red alder, and elk damage to get our forest established in the next few years, your contribution by staying here will 100% assist with helping the trees. There are 9 different secluded campsites on the mountain. All the sites can be used to host parties of up to 150 people (we have done it several times). The issue to consider is traffic. For large parties, we ask most people (usually car people) to park below on Green River Gorge Rd (there is a large county pull off) and then load into the back of trucks for the drive up the mountain. It is a one lane road, so it could get congested if 100 cars drove up it. One retirement party rented a bus for running people up and down and a porta potty at their site for guests. I am very happy to assist with party planning and setup if you have a wedding or retirement or business party. (or anything else) Boy and Girl Scout troops and Explorer scout units are welcome to camp free (when doing unit camping and in uniform). Site 4 would be best for large troops. Hip camp gets people the property entrance great, but the coordinates to the driveway entrance are 47 19’15.7”N 121 58’05.6”W or 47.321039, -121.968225 should you want them. The gate has a hipcamp sign on it but it is hard to see if the gate happens to be open. Franklin Ghost town is 2.5 miles (or 2.5 minutes southwest at 60 mph) from the entrance to Aquaman Mtn. If you are trying to find my gate and you end up in Franklin, you need to turn around and drive back 2.5 miles on Green River Gorge Road. When you see the large pull-off section on the right (North), my gate is 100 yards past that on the left (South) of the road.

Dean’s Campground

18 sites · RVs, Tents11 acres · Auburn, WA

Welcome to Dean’s! Eight minutes off Highway 18 lies 11 acres of mostly undeveloped land. Dean's is a beautiful, bare-bones place to rest between national parks, before or after crossing the US / CA border, or to set up base camp to explore Seattle / Tacoma. Our main driveway is CLOSED this year for repairs. We have alternate arrival instructions for you after you book. These instructions add about 7 minutes (totaling 8 minutes) from Highway 18 to the campground. Our location is convenient. We are just minutes from Auburn city limits. Road noise, planes, Pacific Raceways, and freight trains are audible here even if muffled by the trees. Our distant neighbors occasionally indulge in target shooting. This doesn't last long. Please call us immediately with any concerns. We have a brand new neighborhood in construction on one of our property lines. Heavy machinery is in use around 8 am and usually finished by dinner time. In order to provide safety and peace, hosts live just outside the campground and closely manage happenings. All our sites have 2-4 persons occupancy in hopes of deterring parties. Our quiet hours are 8pm-8am so we can rest up for the next day’s adventures. We ban fires during the peak of summer to avoid the issue of wildfires entirely. Propane stoves are welcome. We do not have a check in cut-off time tho reservations do need to be made before midnight. We have zero tolerance for hateful, abusive, or discriminatory behavior toward people, belongings, and wildlife. With that being said, the 40+ year old trees and distance between the campsites provides space for you to bring and create your own vibes. Hosts should only approach you with safety or quiet hour concerns. They are available 24 / 7 for any questions or requests you may have. Feel free to reach out any time (our phone number can be found on Google).

Cedar+Fern

6 sites · RVs, Tents13 acres · Quilcene, WA

This beautiful 13acre slice of heaven sits along the Little Quilcene River. Cedar+Fern hosts multiple campsites in a park-like setting amongst PNW's forest giants, Western Red Cedar, Douglas Fir, Big Leaf Maple, etc. During your stay, explore the walking trails throughout the towering forest to find private spots along the river to take a dip. Check out all the new growth on the young fruit orchard and large food garden. Walk through the alder grove and discover both the pond as well as the new farm extension! While on the land, let the sounds of the river wash away life's stress and enjoy a bit of the slow life.

Cedar River Retreat

6 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents10 acres · Hobart, WA

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

Rockin’ Z Ranch

5 sites · RVs, Tents11 acres · Redmond, WA

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!

Nearby parks

Explore the area’s public lands.

Des Moines, Washington

92%

(109)

Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest

Skykomish, Washington

94%

(50)

Olympic National Forest

Port Angeles, Washington

Wallace Falls State Park

May Creek, Washington

100%

(3)

Fort Townsend State Park

Port Hadlock Irondale, Washington

Breakfast at Heart Lake, in the Seven Lakes Basin

97%

(288)

Olympic National Park

Port Angeles, Washington

94%

(8)

Dosewallips State Park

Brinnon, Washington

93%

(7)

Scenic Beach State Park

Seabeck, Washington

Camping near Mercer Island with wildlife watching guide

Overview

Looking for a camping experience near Mercer Island, Washington, with a focus on wildlife watching? Look no further than Hipcamp! With over 2400 options in this area alone, you'll have plenty of campsites to choose from. Whether you're a seasoned camper or new to the outdoor scene, our top campsites, like The Landing at Index WA (597 reviews), Unique Bay Front Camping (404 reviews), and Bumps & Bruzas (333 reviews), are sure to impress. Plus, you'll enjoy popular amenities like campfires, toilets, and trash services. And when you're ready to explore, take advantage of nearby activities such as boating, biking, and swimming. With an average price of $50 per night and options as low as $5, you'll find the perfect camping experience for your wildlife watching adventure.