Camping in University Place, WA, US: 12 Best Campgrounds 2024

United States
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Washington
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University Place

97% (7920 reviews)

Popular camping styles for University Place

Available this weekend

Top camping destinations

Mt. Hood National Forest

Mount Rainier National Park

Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest

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Breakfast at Heart Lake, in the Seven Lakes Basin

Olympic National Park

1093 campgrounds

12 top campgrounds near University Place

97%

(487)

The Hairy Eagle Lookout 🦅

3 sites · RVs, Tents10 acres · Olympia, WA

Experience breathtaking views! Positioned atop a 500ft hill, you will witness phenomenal sights of Puget Sound inlets, Mount Rainer, St Helens, Adams, and much more on a clear day. Resting against the Capitol State Forest, and mere miles away from Olympic National Forest, this serene secluded location is surrounded by majestic beauty. Recently awarded runner-up for the best Hipcamp in Washington 2023!

100%

(62)

Private Beach, 15 Acres, Vashon

1 site · RV, Tent15 acres · Vashon, WA

Visit Vashon Island and relax on this private 15 acre property. Camp near the bluff, overlooking Puget Sound, walk the trail down to the beach and enjoy 1000 ft. of secluded beach. Please note: There is an additional charge of $25/person/night above the base rate. For some reason hipcamp doesn't automatically add in this charge, so we will request it separately. It must be paid in full prior to arrival to avoid cancellation of your stay. The island boasts great coffee hangouts, galleries, wineries, restaurants (Earthen, The Ruby Brink, The Hardware Store Restaurant), Snapdragon and others. Minglement, the Burton Coffee Stand, and Cafe Olio Vino have great coffee. Thriftway is a great grocery store. The Burton Store is worth a visit if you are coming from the Tacoma/Pt. Defiance ferry as you will pass it on your way to the property. There a galleries, shops and restaurants in the town of Vashon and also in Burton. Vashon Center for the Arts, O-Space and the Chamber of Commerce have events that might be of interest. Bikes, E-bikes, paddle boards and kayaks can be rented from Vashon Adventures and Vashon Bikes.They also rent tents and some camping equipment. Before lighting an outdoor fire, please check with us. There are sometime burn bans for air quality and/or high fire danger. Generally, fires are allowed at the beach below the high tide line and must be put out COLD with water and buried with sand before leaving them unattended. You are responsible for any damage or injuries caused by a fire you start, so please be careful!

The 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

88%

(4)

Evergreen Edge Escape 🦭

1 site · RV, Tent2 acres · Olympia, WA

Welcome to Evergreen Edge Escape, where nature's tranquility meets coastal charm! Nestled along the saltwater shoreline, our campsite offers a serene getaway surrounded by dense woodlands. Step out of your tent and onto the water for a kayaking adventure, where you'll encounter seals, otters, deer, salmon, and a variety of birds. Don't forget your binoculars to fully appreciate the wildlife wonders! The air is filled with the scent of salt and the rich aroma of towering evergreens, creating an immersive natural retreat. While you're surrounded by nature's beauty, you're still close to local breweries, providing the perfect blend of outdoor bliss and local indulgence. As the sun sets, gather around your firepit, sharing stories and laughter under the canopy of trees. Whether you're exploring the coastline, relaxing by the water, or enjoying a cozy evening by the fire, Evergreen Edge Escape promises an unforgettable camping experience where the whispering tides and crackling fire create lasting memories.

Curley Creek Canyon

8 sites · RVs, Tents10 acres · Port Orchard, WA

Forest camping on a huckleberry farm with a salmon stream. 10 acres of permaculture and mycology includes 5 granite fire pits and loop trails with dispersed tent sites. A remote island, naturist beach and kayak at the creek. Parking is limited. Guests love it here: "We stayed two nights at Curley Creek Canyon and loved the experience! Jerrett was a wonderful host and met us upon arrival with great recommendations of places to explore on his beautiful property. The camp sites are clean, private, and have fire pits, and benches provided. We took the roped trail down to the creek (bring gloves its a bit steep) and saw large groups of salmon swim upstream. This time of year is magical with the dropping leafs and lush moss/fungus sightings. Highly recommend if you're looking for a quick getaway from the city to connect to nature. Thanks, Jerrett for the experience and look forward to our next visit!"

93%

(169)

The Happy Horse Farm

5 sites · RVs, Tents5 acres · Lakewood, WA

Property is a 5-acre gated horse farm surrounded by wooded military property on 3 sides. Conveniently located 15-20 minutes from Tacoma and Olympia. Just 5 mins to Starbucks/coffee and grocery stores but far enough away from the city so it feels more secluded. American Lake and Spanaway Lake (and their parks with playgrounds) for swimming and paddle boarding are both just 5 mins away! The owner lives on site, as well as several horses, chickens, and a dog. Large stone fire pit with chairs near house is available for camper use. Pending: Paddle board rental and bicycles for use on property or trails! Set-up your tent anywhere within the horse paddocks - there are no specific sites, although there is a small fire pit and rustic bench seating at far back corner of property. Tents can be outside of horse areas as well, if preferred. RV dry camping anywhere within or outside horse areas. For RVs needing dedicated electrical/water hookup, there are specific sites closer to the house. ***If you are travelling with more than one vehicle, please purchase an car extra parking spot.*** Only four 30amp RV spots are available and are most easily accessible for Rvs under 30'. Standard 110volt outlets can also be available for RV use. Woodbrook Hunt Club, the oldest fox hunting club west of the Mississippi, is a neighbor so lots of horseback riding goes on in the neighborhood. (Dragged scent only, no live foxes are harmed.) Private horseback riding lessons or guided trail rides available by reservation only, subject to weather and owner availability. Use of military trails adjacent to property for hiking and bike riding subject to open land usage and permitting by military base. Happy HipCamping! 😊

Dean’s Campground

14 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 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. 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).

100%

(7)

Two Frog Bog

4 sites · Lodging20 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.

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(183)

Honeysuckle Meadery

3 sites · RVs, Tents10 acres · Rainier, WA

Welcome, to the Meadery, we are a working winery with several other interests to investigate as well. Come learn about making Mead. We have an annual cider press in late September or early October as well. Want to learn how to Roast your own coffee bean? Or maybe you are competitive and want to race 132 or 124 slot cars on a Carrera 124 Digital Track. There is also a nice walk in the woods, and if it is hot you can float down the Deschutes River that is very close by. Pitch your tent in a few areas you pick, there are Mountain Bike and Little kid ATV trails around the property as well. For more extensive ATV trails Capital Forest is about 30 minutes away. If you have a Weyerhaeuser permit for the area near me the gate is 2.5 miles away. There is a winery on site and an outside tasting area with a fire pit. Two bathrooms with showers. There are powered and non-powered RV sites. Water is available at the water station but not directly at the camp sites. We are pet friendly. We offer firewood for sale on site, camp fires permitted outside of a burn ban. Guests love staying here: "Dean's acreage is a dream! We stayed there in our motorhome and absolutely loved it. We have two dogs and they are picky about making friends but adored Deans dogs. They are the sweetest and make the camping even more enjoyable. Dean was kind enough to show us his Meadery and the property so we felt comfortable exploring and walking around. We would definitely recommend it for other campers whether you have an RV, tent, van, etc. For reference we comfortably parked our 31 ft motorhome and we were able to hookup to electricity (only available in one spot so inquire with dean!). There is a shower and toilet available for use in a separate building from his home in the backyard."

98%

(24)

Lakebay Getaway

2 sites · RVs1 acre · Lakebay, WA

This property is a large RV site with 2 separate hookups directly across the street from Mayo Cove Inlet, 1 mile from Penrose State Park, 3 miles from Joemma State Park, and less than a mile from Bay Lake. Across the street from the RV site is access to Mayo Cove Inlet where you can easily drop your kayak or paddle board into the water. (Know Lakebay Marina is currently not open). There is still access to the water! It's only a short paddle out before you will have a stunning, unobstructed view of Mt Rainier. Penrose and Joemma offer clamming, fishing, oyster/muscle hunting in season. Bay Lake is known for amazing fishing, including large mouth bass and rainbow trout. This RV site is a perfect landing spot while you spend your days adventuring. There is also a full RV trailer on the upper lot available if you wish to travel with friends. The listing can be found on Air Bnb at https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/561878031678560053?preview_for_ml=true&source_impression_id=p3_1668318410_NqIfGmf4KvJpRtP7.

100%

(113)

Jo-El Tree Farm

4 sites · Tents6 acres · Summit, WA

We are a one hundred year old family owned farm with an organic garden, Permaculture garden, an apiary, and Christmas trees on six acres. We have horseshoes, tether ball, and disc golf. Early spring the frogs go crazy later followed by the sounds of nesting birds. Fall is the season for migrating birds that rest at the ponds next door. August is the time to fill up on blackberries. There are individual campsites with a barbecue and picnic table and a shared fire pit. The fire pit didn't see much use last two years because of the fire danger so we'll have an area at each campsite if you want to bring a propane fire ring (or we will have some for rent). I want to thank past campers for their suggestions, they have been tremendously valuable. We are becoming increasingly suburban and there is some road noise that can be heard and even with farms on three sides of us, you still might hear our neighbors in the distance. Campsites one and four are across the road from each other and campsites two and three are adjacent to each other, perfect if you have another family traveling with you. Eagles, hawks and Ospreys are frequent visitors.

Booked 41 times

Skokomish Park At Lake Cushman

60 sites · RVs, Tents10 acres · Hoodsport, WA

2024 Reservations are Open 2024 Season runs from March 29 - November 3 KING5 Evening Magazine's "The Best of the Northwest Escapes" competition voted us 2nd Best Campground. Come on out and check out the natural beauty Skokomish Park at Lake Cushman has to offer. Skokomish Park at Lake Cushman, formerly known as Camp Cushman or Lake Cushman State Park, covers over 500 acres with three boat-launch ramps on the 41,500 feet of freshwater shoreline on Lake Cushman. Park facilities include campsites, RV pull-thru and back-in sites, walk-in campsites, and two group camping areas. Plus, two fantastic day-use areas with picnic sites, a picnic shelter, and comfort stations located throughout the park. The natural beauty of the area can be explored on any of our trails. The eastern part of the Olympic Peninsula has loads of great trails around us in the Olympic National Park. Trailheads nearby include Big Creek, Mount Rose, Mount Ellinor, Dry Creek, Copper Creek, Wagonwheel Lake, Staircase Rapids, Big Log Camp, and Flapjack Lakes. Mount Ellinor Trail is rated 5 stars by many.

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Camping near University Place guide

Overview

If you're looking for the perfect camping experience near University Place, Washington, Hipcamp has over 1200 options to choose from. Whether you prefer tent camping, RV camping, or cabin rentals, you'll find something that suits your style. With an average price of $55 per night and options as low as $20, there's a campsite for every budget. Check out top campsites like Four Directions Retreat (300 reviews), Bumps & Bruzas (333 reviews), and Maple Creek Outfitter Campsites (263 reviews). Enjoy popular amenities like pet-friendly sites, potable water, and showers. And if you're into paddling, surfing, or climbing, you'll find plenty of opportunities to indulge in your favorite activities.