Camping Near University Place, WA, US: 12 Best Campgrounds 2025

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.

96% (13.2K)

Top-rated campgrounds

Waterfront resort with great amenities, surrounded by forest and trails.

19 sites · Longbranch, Washington

Boat, hike, bike or drive into this gorgeous oceanfront park with one of the best beaches around.

Pets

Toilets

Campfires

11. Saltwater State Park

83%

(3)

45 sites · Des Moines, Washington

Discover the coastal charm of Saltwater State Park.

Pets

Toilets

Campfires

12. Jarrell Cove State Park

25 sites · Herron Island, Washington

Forget about a bustling city life for a while at this waterside haven.

Pets

Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

Secluded Olympic Cabin ☜(ﾟヮﾟ☜)

96%

(95)

38mi from University Place · 1 site · Lodging · Brinnon, WA

Incredible location! This sweet cabin is nestled at the base of Mt. Jupiter, directly between Dosewallips beach and the Olympic national Park. There's lots of gorgeous, mossy maples, shaggy cedars, and elk herds roaming free. The Cabin is easily accessible from the road, and has parking available. There's a secluded fire pit behind the cabin with a seasonal stream running by. Its a relaxing place to hang out for a few days, and/or excellent basecamp to explore the amazing forests, mountains, and beaches nearby. Also, there's lots of great foraging to be done (nettles, mushrooms, and oysters; oh my!) GPS LOCATION: When driving to the cabin, your GPS will tell you that 'your destination is on the left'. This is a lie. The cabin will be on the right. There is a metal gate that is closed with a chain but not locked. CABIN LAYOUT AND SLEEPING AMENITIES: The Cabin is just a little guy; only 16'x20'. There is a kitchen, living room, and dining room area, and the bathroom is a separate room - we call it our 'studio cabin'. We have a fold out couch for which we provide linens, pillows, and a comforter. There is also an inflatable mattress that is a tight squeeze, but can allow for four people to sleep (with a little furniture rearranging). There is a deck that is large enough for a two person tent that would also make a four person camp-out comfortable. All linens and towels are stored in the trunk and the bathroom cabinet. There is a 4' round dining room table with four chairs and a small table on the porch with two more chairs. All the cushions for the chairs are in a cabinet under the table inside. ACCESSIBILITY: Unfortunately, the cabin is not wheelchair accessible. There are 5 stairs up to the deck and the bathroom door is only 27" wide. SURROUNDING AREA: There are small trails leading away from the cabin; do not walk down them! They lead to neighboring properties and I cannot guarantee that there won't be neighbors who would be very surprised by a stranger showing up on their land! There are lots of public trails only a few minutes drive in either direction from the property :) STOLEN LAND: This property is on stolen, indigenous land. If you are Coast Salish or Makah, please get in touch with me for a discounted stay.

Private Beach, 15 Acres, Vashon

98%

(149)

14mi from University Place · 5 sites · Tents, RVs · Vashon, WA

Visit Vashon Island and relax on a private estate property. Camp overlooking Puget Sound, walk the trail down to the secluded beach and enjoy 1000 ft. of peaceful waterfront. Vashon boasts great coffee hangouts, bakeries, galleries, wineries, restaurants (May's Thai, Lunetta Pizza, The Ruby Brink, The Hardware Store Restaurant, Snapdragon and others). 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. Outdoor fires are by permission only. There are sometime burn bans for air quality and/or high fire danger. fires are allowed AT THE BEACH, below the high tide line, between October 1 and June 15, but there are various reasons they may not be allowed (air quality bans, windy conditions, etc.) Any fire you light must be put out COLD (no steam, no heat) 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! Please note: It is very important that the number of people on site is accurate. Please contact Hipcamp to change the number of people - there currently is no way to do that on the site?! There is an additional charge per person above the base 2 person rate. There is no outdoor music at any time. Quiet hours are 8 pm to 10 am. There is no picnic table or any amenities, but you can fill up water at our barn if needed. DO NOT USE THE WOODS AS A BATHROOM. It is necessary to bring your own latrine. The water at (shallower) Dockton Park (about a 6 min drive away) gets warm from swimming in summer if you prefer it to 54 degree deep water here! Please clean up after your pet. Dogs must be leashed AT ALL TIMES in the field. If no one is around at the beach, they can be off leash, but leash up if anyone approaches until they pass. Please never leave your dog unattended outside where barking will disturb the peace. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions. Looking forward to hosting you! IN CASE OF EMERGENCY, DIAL 911 FROM A CELL PHONE. 4025 SW Pt. Robinson Rd. is the address. Lisa 206 498 4359 Chiara (July - Sept only) 206 409 7975 Larry Sherry 206 295 4564/206 295 7333 Andre 206 335 6731

100%

(14)

8.1mi from University Place · 1 site · Lodging · Anderson Island, WA

Cute little wood cabin on a large, quiet lot, with covered porch looking out towards the water near the end of Cole's Point. Gravity fed fresh water at the sink on the porch. Inside, includes couch, queen bed, twin bed, fridge with chilled water, freezer, microwave. Nicely heated in winter and stays cool in summer. Sitting in comfy camp chairs on the covered porch can be magical during a spring rain. Outhouse with nightlight and composting toilet. Firepit with kindling and firewood in winter. (Summer fires are not allowed.) Short walk to the beach to the north. Short walk south to the edge of the Oro Bay as well. Kayaks can be rented on island. (Not related to the host.) Multiple hikes / walks within Jacob's Point, Andy's Marine Park, and 7 other parks on island. One wonderful little grocery store on island for fresh or incidental items along with one cafe, and one restaurant. The historic Johnson Farm and Museum can be a great place to sample island life from 100+ years ago. Pay extra for use of the twin electric bikes to ride the many quiet, scenic roads around the island. These roads can take you to the hikes, the store, cafe, or sample the sights like the 1928 ferry "Ocean City" slowly sinking into the mud in Oro Bay. There is often deer, hawks, eagles, coyotes, bunnies, and sometimes humpback or orca whales, all within sight of the cabin. It's a great place to escape the hectic pace of the city and enjoy the solitude interrupted only by the sound of the birds, and perhaps the distant trains about 3 miles away. Writer looking for a spot to focus on your next book? Reader wanting to finish a good book? Both are a perfect fit. Dogs are welcome but cannot run free due to the native animals that call the area home. The ferry is a 1 hour walk so cars are recommended. The Steilacoom ferry to Anderson Island leaves from the wonderful historic town of Steilacoom which is also well worth visiting. Want to add boating to your visit, reach out to South Sound Sailing Tours / Capt. Corey (360) 489-7476, CaptainCorey76@gmail.com .

Public campgrounds near University Place

75%

(14)

Dash Point Campground

9.6mi from University Place · 132 sites · Tents, RVs · in Dash Point State Park

88%

(8)

Penrose Point Campground

9.9mi from University Place · 83 sites · Tents, RVs · in Penrose Point State Park

Joemma Beach Campground

12mi from University Place · 19 sites · Tents, RVs · in Joemma Beach State Park

83%

(3)

Saltwater Campground

15mi from University Place · 45 sites · Tents, RVs · in Saltwater State Park

Jarrell Cove Campground

17mi from University Place · 25 sites · Tents, RVs · in Jarrell Cove State Park

90%

(5)

Hope Island Campground

18mi from University Place · 4 sites · in Hope Island State Park

100%

(2)

Belfair Beach Loop Campground

21mi from University Place · 45 sites · Tents, RVs · in Belfair State Park

The pads have the sizes listed, but we didn't take note and brought a tent that was a bit overkill. We made it work though!

100%

(2)

Belfair Tree Loop Campground

21mi from University Place · 57 sites · Tents, RVs · in Belfair State Park

Belfair Main Loop Campground

22mi from University Place · 56 sites · Tents, RVs · in Belfair State Park

83%

(3)

Blake Island Campground

23mi from University Place · 46 sites · Tents, RVs · in Blake Island Marine State Park

100%

(2)

Twanoh Campground

23mi from University Place · 48 sites · Tents, RVs · in Twanoh State Park

Manchester

25mi from University Place · 1 site · in Manchester State Park

Stories from the community

B

Bryan

6 days ago

16 ft travel trailer

With pets

3 nights at Private Beach, 15 Acres, Vashon

A beautiful spot for a primitive camp experience. We had a wonderful time.

Jeffrey

1 week ago

15 ft campervan

3 nights at Highland Park Hideaway

Good flat quiet spot with a metal roof. Good lighting. Great electric hookup.

V

Victoria

1 week ago

19 ft campervan

2 nights at Private Beach, 15 Acres, Vashon

What a lovely view and open space to enjoy! It was a treat to see Lisa with her horse and pony riding in the light of the setting sun. A bit of magic. The directions were clear to get there. Loved being close to the beach and lighthouse to stroll to. The Bird King was close by as well. A lovely stay.

Lindsey

1 week ago

Weekend Trip to Elfendahl Forest

This is the best hipcamp I've ever been to. It was so quiet, the camper was extremely cozy and well stocked, and the spot was very private. The off grid hot tub was unique and well worth the extra fee! The whole campground is a very fun and creative space and you can really tell how much love and care Gary and crew have put into this place. I'll be back for summer camping!

A

Auriana

2 weeks ago

2 nights at Elfendahl Forest

Gary was so attentive and welcoming! Even though I came during a rainy time, the land was beautiful and whimsical. The staff there were all so accommodating and helped with anything I needed (firewood, the hot tub, heaters). The community kitchen was sooo much fun to use and the shower was amazing! It was fun to walk around and see the bunnies and chickens as well as see how hard the staff work to create more fun amenities for the future. Gary mills the wood himself and you can see how all of the structures are such a labor of love!

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Ryan

2 weeks ago

23 ft Class C

2 nights at Highland Park Hideaway

Patrick’s spot was the perfect set up for us while visiting Seattle. We had originally planned one night but extended to 2 just so we could have more time there. If you need a convenient spot to park your RV (ours was 23ft) like we did then I would definitely recommend this site as it was super easy to find and use as a base in Seattle.

S

Stormee

2 weeks ago

With pets

4 nights at Secluded Olympic Cabin ☜(ﾟヮﾟ☜)

We had the COZIEST little getaway here. 😍 My husband and I really enjoyed being able to unplug from the world while on our honeymoon.

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Brooklyn

2 weeks ago

Tent

Weekend Trip to Green Acres for Friends and Fam

This campsite is so perfect. It’s really beautiful and the hosts were so kind and helpful. They provided endless wood and water for us. Such a cute area, would definitely recommend!

A

Annette

2 weeks ago

With pets

3 nights at Cole's Cabin on Anderson Island

If you like to camp in the winter, like to take your dog, and want a roof with a heater over your head, this is perfect! It was a perfect island adventure. Fred's special touches included easy access pottable water and dishwashing sink on the porch of the cabin, a clean/neat outhouse, a bug flap, heater, microwave, fridge, and COOKIES! We walked down to the beach, took a couple trips to beautiful parks, and enjoyed the views of the water from the cabin. We brought a tent/shelter and put it up for an extra "room" to enjoy the views and grilled cheese/tomato soup, hot cider, and apple crisp. We heard coyotes howling in the distance, owls hooting, saw deer, coyotes, and river otters. We truly had an island adventure we will always cherish and remember. Thank you Fred for providing us this opportunity!!

E

Emily

2 weeks ago

Weekend Trip to Elfendahl Forest

The bus was so cozy and the host and staff were extremely friendly and responsive. Perfect for winter camping!

Chris

2 weeks ago

25 ft travel trailer

Weekend Trip to Hairy Eagle Lookout 🦅

This was a lovely place to camp with an incredible view! Level parking for our 25 foot trailer. There is some slight highway 101 noise, but nothing that would keep us from returning. It was a misty weekend, so we hunkered in most of the time. The clouds amongst the trees made for a beautiful view. We enjoyed going into the very small town to the Tipsy Whale for nice cider and beers. Mostly, we toured around and enjoyed the sea lions, seals, and many birds.

C

Caesar

3 weeks ago

Tent

1 night at Green Acres for Friends and Fam

It’s very private since we were the only campers that time we stayed there. I definitely would like to stay there in summertime . The caretakers did way beyond what. We expected . He gave us wood to burn and we did enjoyed our overnight there even it rained . The brook an added tranquil touch of my experience. Thank you and I hope to go back again soon.

Scott

3 weeks ago

19 ft campervan

1 night at AYH Ranch Campground & Lodging

Judy’s land was the perfect spot for an overnight stay on Vashon Island. We had our VW camper van and found a convenient place to park and spend the night. The facilities were great. There is a kitchen, showers, a large event room, but this time of year all was pretty quiet.

A

Angela

3 weeks ago

Tent

Weekend Trip to Sun Outdoors Gig Harbor

Car camping here felt safe. It was clean and quiet. When I checked in they were nice and helpful. Would do it again! Thank you Sun Outdoors!

K

Kahiwahiwa

3 weeks ago

Tent

Group trip

Weekend Trip to Hood Canal Oyster Farm | Lilliwaup

This was our second time at this campsite in Lilliwaup! The location is great, it was quiet, the campsite & porta-potty were clean, and Jim was a great host. Since it was a wet weekend, he brought dry kindling to our site and made sure we were all set for the evening. We'll be back again!

D

Dawn

November 2025

With pets

1 night at Wildfern Grove

We had a wonderful stay, sad we didn't get a longer visit. There is tons of places to explore and we would definitely love to come back. The folks were helpful, kind and welcoming. Definitely has a family friendly welcome. The yurt was warm even though it was pouring all night long. First night we left heat on low, second night we left it off. They have probably one of the most well appointed kitchens we have ever seen, big and roomy. There are games and books and seating. Big family style table for games and dining. Like home away from home with loads of hiking trails near by. We brought our dogs and they had a blast. Next time we come to visit I wont be in class all day. We cannot say enough about how beautiful it is in camp and the surrounding area. 100% recommend!

P

Philip

November 2025

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to Riverside Camping Near Mt Rainier

Great campsite with a wonderful view of the bridge over river

J

James

November 2025

Weekend Trip to Cedar River Retreat

Great site, super comfortable cabin. Great weekend spot being so close to the city!

Robert

November 2025

With pets

Weekend Trip to Alder Grove Retreat

This place is glamping at its absolute best. It has everything you need and more, yet you feel at one with nature. My wife and I stayed for one night with the idea of shutting away from technology for the weekend and boy did it deliver. We ended up enjoying the view and just talking all night while listening to the rain. If you need a break from the real world, this is 100% the place to go. A huge thank you to the owner.