Family-friendly
Recent Hipcampers say this Hipcamp is great for families and kids.
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John is a Star Host
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Off-leash friendly
Pets can be off-leash at this Hipcamp.
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Shady Grove Campsite
95%
(28)Campfires allowed
Toilet
Potable water
Pets allowed
Showers
Picnic table
from
for NaN guests$100
/ nightReviews
95% Recommend28 ratings · 28 reviews
Recommends
· September 2025
Tent · With kids ·
Shady Grove Campsite
What an amazing and memorable trip! John was so accommodating and welcoming. The site was very well maintained and you can tell John really takes time to make sure his guests feel comfortable. My 3 year old had a blast and our dog has been sleeping for 2 days because he is so tired from all the fun! It rained our last night but watching the thunderstorm was magical. Thanks again for your hospitality John!
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Sara J.
2 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· August 2025
Tent ·
Shady Grove Campsite
This is an amazing campsite! It's unique, spacious, and really one of a kind. It's very private and quiet, and surrounded by forest. The bathroom and outdoor shower are really nice, and the campsite has electricity, water, and everything you need. I definitely recommend staying here!
Anna T.
105 reviews
Mixed feelings
· August 2025
Tent ·
Shady Grove Campsite
On the plus side: the property is beautiful and there are amenities I haven’t found in any other site here. There’s a covered cooking area (sink w/ hot & cold, ample power, picnic tables), secluded glen to pitch a tent, hammock and chairs, super clean and well-supplied bath house with indoor and outdoor showers. John is a friendly and accommodating host. There is also plenty of space for larger groups than my solo camp.
However, there were two main drawbacks. First, I did not actually have the whole place to myself as I expected based on the ad. The first day, a friend of the host and a family member were on site and walking around throughout for over an hour. To be fair, John asked me if it would be ok, and I agreed. I didn’t expect them to be there so long, though. Then, the next afternoon the host & sister were on site for a stretch of time. Then, later (after 5:00 pm) the host returned, appearing unexpectedly on one of the fringes of the property. This leads to the 2nd issue. John was naked except for a hat & boots. He carried a bucket, but at a distance I couldn’t tell what he was doing. When he eventually walked past me at the campsite, I asked he was doing. He said he was pulling weeds and didn’t seem to understand the problem. I left early, John refunded my visit, and the explanation came down to a supposed miscommunication. I suggest asking direct and explicit questions about who’ll be there & when, and what dress code he’ll be observing..
Mark S.
4 reviews
We had a magical time at John’s site! It has everything you need (water, electricity, shower, toilets, WiFi) and then some. John was nice enough to show us around but also tell us some fun beaches and sites to hit up. The kids had a lot of fun on the play structure and also going off on their own and exploring. John also set up a badminton net so we all enjoyed that as well. It was so quiet - so different from the city! My dogs also had a great time running around and exploring unleashed. There were some friendly neighbor calves who greeted us throughout the day - really one with nature. Will definitely come back and recommend to others! Thanks so much for sharing your land, John!!
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Young Ji H.
5 months on Hipcamp
Lovely barn and host! Huge plot of land all to yourself and friends. You can tell the host is dedicated to creating a fun and memorable experience for you with all the unique features he always seems to be adding. If your lucky sometimes some cows will roam in the surrounding area. The restroom is as clean and well maintained as the pictures suggest. With the enclosed porch space, large playground, fire pit area, and kitchen station I felt like I was at an expensive camp retreat. 🏕
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Nina N.
2 reviews
Really sweet spot right near 2 state parks with beaches. The campsite itself was really nice - love that they built a bathroom right on the property that is easy to get to.
Jeani H.
2 reviews
Recommends
· July 2025
Tent · Group trip ·
Shady Grove Campsite
Our trip got cut a bit short (one of our campers got injured off-site) but I would 100% go back to Shady Grove the next time I'm camping in Longbranch! The property is extremely spacious and has more than enough for a comfortable camping experience - shaded areas for tent pitching, a full bathroom, showers (indoors and outdoors), additional sink outside, playground for the kids. John was a great host, and you can tell he really cares about creating the best experience for campers on his land. He checked in on us multiple times and fixed a leaky hose right away when we brought it to his attention. Shady Grove is definitely worth a visit:)
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Kayla L.
6 months on Hipcamp
Recommends
· July 2025
Tent · With pets ·
Shady Grove Campsite
Tent camping at the Huckleberry Haven was very lovely! We really enjoyed walking through the fields, copying up by the fire, and relaxing in the little wooded oasis! John and his wife were efficient and gave us the place to ourselves. There were tons of beautiful butterflies, dragonflies and birds flying around the entire day! A gorgeous bald eagle did circle us, so we kept our small dog in the tent/trees. The property is so close to Penrose so we were able to enjoy that as well. We would definitely stay here again and bring the whole family. We loved that you get the full camping experience but still get a fully functional bathroom.
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April B.
6 months on Hipcamp
Recommends
· June 2025
Tent · With pets ·
Shady Grove Campsite
Truly loved this spot! Perfect for dogs to roam, top-tier play-structure (for kids and adults), scenic outdoor shower, and beautiful meadows + woods. We will definitely be back!
Joslyn T.
6 reviews
This is our second time staying at this HipCamp and we’ll be back over and over! John is an incredible host! This time around we were celebrating my birthday. John made a giant bonfire for solstice and was able to join us with his awesome kid and 9 of my friends/family while we listened to music and drank around the fire. He manages the perfect blend of available and unobtrusive as he doesn’t live on the land but he will come and bring anything you might need. The indoor and outdoor how showers are awesome and a clean bathroom makes it more like glamping. What a relaxing fun time we had despite the rain. John made it all as comfy as possible and it just feels like home. Book it! You won’t regret it!
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Claire D.
2 reviews
Recommends
· June 2025
Tent ·
Shady Grove Campsite
I absolutely loved staying here. It is totally private, you get a lot of space all to yourself complete with a couple of trails around the property, a bathroom and shower with hot water, a playground, power, wifi… truly a great “glamping” experience. John is a delight. He clearly loves sharing his space and has put so much TLC into the land and property. Will definitely stay here again.
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Rachael B.
6 months on Hipcamp
Recommends
· May 2025
Tent · With pets ·
Shady Grove Campsite
100% stay here! Oh my gosh I’m not even sure where to start. Firstly, John is an absolute gem of a human. It’s very obvious that he loves his land and is delighted to share it. There was plenty of room to spread out and make the place our own. We stayed for 5 days and explored the area. The running water, full bathroom, and electricity made it feel more like glamping. Our pup had a blast running around and exploring the land. We loved it so much that we booked our next week there while laying in the tent one morning. This place is seriously a slice of heaven. Thanks for sharing, John!
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Claire D.
2 reviews
Gorgeous property with clean facilities and plenty of room to romp around with your dogs and people.
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Rebecca K.
6 reviews
Not recommend
· September 2024
Tent · With pets ·
Shady Grove Campsite
It was literally in someone's back yard there was only about 20 feet of woods besides that just empty fields there was nothing to do also the listing said there was a camp fire available but when I got there the owner told me no and he literally wanted money for everything I'm sorry but with people like that (greedy) I willNEVER SpEND MY MONEY ON THEM when all they care is about money sorry! Check out was 3 but we left at 7 in the morning thats how disappointing it was there ...NEVER AGAIN and on top of this this HIPCAMP EXTRA TAX CHARGE IS RIDICULOUS I PAYD 3 TAXES THAT IS CRAZY
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Veronica B.
1 year on Hipcamp
Recommends
· September 2024
Tent · With kids ·
Shady Grove Campsite
My husband, 2 year old, and our 2 dogs went camping on John’s land and it was amazing! Our son adored the play set and our dogs ran free 24/7. The provided sink (with running water!) and a working bathroom with shower was a luxury. It made our last camping trip of the season easy to pull off. Because John offers extras (kayaks, paddle boards etc) I was able to take my 2 year old kayaking for the first time and we got up close and personal with a handful of seals in the bay! He absolutely adored it. A BIG shout out to John for his hospitality! My mom brain forgot the poles for our tent and John let us borrow one of his. Thank you again John! You have a wonderful property!
Kymberly E.
4 reviews
Recommends
· September 2024
Tent · With pets ·
Shady Grove Campsite
I booked this as a birthday gift for a good friend. They had a wonderful time with their 3 dogs and 1 year old. When asked what they would say in the review they stated: "He was super friendly and they have a lot of amenities to make it easier for families; potable water and a wash station, shower, bathroom, even a little pool to play in. And it was great to have a large fenced property for the dogs to run without worrying they’d get lost. 10/10 would go back"
Thank you John!
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Nicci P.
4 reviews
Recommends
· August 2024
Tent · With pets ·
Shady Grove Campsite
Really enjoyed the privacy and John is a great host. The amenities are great to have, and being that it's only one site on the property, it is a very peaceful place to be. Would definitely recommend it to anyone.
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Sam B.
1 year on Hipcamp
John's place is absolutely amazing! The property is bigger than it looks in the pictures. The outside kitchen, shower, and bathroom are really well done and convenient. The outside shower was definitely a highlight. I was really impressed by the quality construction and finishing touches. Taking a shower under the stars was very relaxing. The Shady Grove provided the perfect amount of privacy and cover for out large tent. We walked the trails around the woods and saw signs of wild animals. The playground was a real treat for the young one. We layed on our backs in the big open field to star gaze. We had the entire property to ourselves which looked to be about 3 or 4 acres. John was so attentive and hospitable. We will definitely be coming back!
Joshua
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Joshua C.
1 year on Hipcamp
Recommends
· August 2024
Tent · With pets ·
Shady Grove Campsite
We loved staying here. The host was there as we pulled in and he showed us around his property. He loves this place and it shows. It was very private and this place has everything. The shower/bathroom combo was so incredible. 10/10 would stay here again.
Tasha C.
13 reviews
Recommends
· August 2024
Tent ·
Shady Grove Campsite
Great site and exactly as we expected! We will definitely recommend this site to others!
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George W.
16 reviews
John is amazing! I have never felt such an awesome, unique, and SAFE experience!!
The events went something like this,
We met with John, and he showed us the property. He explained that the property itself is massive, and there are a few trails within the property, to go on if I wanted to stay near camp. He showed us the outdoor shower, and indoor bathroom with a shower (in case wind is a bit to chilly outdoors!).
We set up camp in the shady Grove, and had fun in the shade learning how to put together an overly complicated tent.
This is a Man who loves nature, and the community as a whole. Thank you so much John, you've made this camping trip FUN
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Robert E.
1 year on Hipcamp
I give this campsite a 10-out-of-5-star rating! As a returning camper, I am absolutely blown away by the incredible improvements John has made to the land. The addition of electricity and running water at our campsite has truly taken the experience to a whole new level!
From the moment we arrived, it was clear that John has poured his heart and soul into making this place a top-notch camping destination. The convenience of having electricity made our stay so much more comfortable, and having running water right at our site was an absolute game-changer.
The shower options here are simply fantastic. The outdoor/indoor shower choices are a major plus. While I highly recommend the outdoor shower for the ultimate nature experience, it's wonderful to have the flexibility to choose between the two. Plus, with multiple showers available, more than one person can shower at a time, making it super convenient for groups.
The provided bathroom is arguably nicer than most Seattle apartment bathrooms! As someone who was camping while taking antibiotics, the convenience of having such a nice and clean bathroom was truly appreciated. It’s spotless, well-maintained, and adds an extra layer of comfort that you don't typically find at campsites.
The campsite offers lovely tree shade, providing a cool respite on hot days, and plenty of walking paths through open fields. John has also carved a cozy trail through the trees that hug his property, making for a private and serene walk in nature.
Dria S.
4 reviews
We absolutely loved this spacious site! John has worked very hard to add everything from an indoor/outdoor shower, flushable toilet, water/power, a fireplace, tables/chairs, etc to create the best glamping experience. Was great to have so much space for us and our dog.
We will be back and next time bring some family/friends to enjoy it with us! 🏕️
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Denise D.
1 year on Hipcamp
Lots of room, private playground, wood for sale, rental bikes, sup, kayak (you need to transport), table and sink, a flush bathroom and indoor shower plus outdoor shower and hoses. We had a great time with our off leash dog, toddler, 2 adults. Recommended!
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Yuliya P.
1 year on Hipcamp
We loved camping here. It was the perfect place for the family of new campers. Everything was well prepared for guests. John was extremely pleasant and welcoming. He made us feel at home. There is an indoor shower and bathroom as well as an outside shower and urinal which made the family’s first time camping a much easier. John’s farm is absolutely wonderful!
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Kenny W.
1 year on Hipcamp
This site was everything we could ask for and more. John was a great host and welcomed us by showing us around the whole place. Large grass area all to ourselves with the option of setting up camp on the field or hidden amongst the trees. There’s a campfire site, table to relax at, a large playground, and a path that goes around the site that makes for an enjoyable light walk. There’s even multiple toilets, sinks, and warm showers (indoor AND outdoor) which was a nice surprise. It’s just far enough away from the city to truly feel the peace. We had the best sleep we’ve had in months. We really enjoyed our stay and would come back in a heartbeat if I’m looking in the area. Our dog gives this place a 10/10 as well!
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Jascha F.
2 reviews
Recommends
· October 2023
Tent · With pets ·
Shady Grove Campsite
John is a super host! His camp is a piece of heaven for family, particularly with dogs. Our dogs ran around the camp as free as one can imagine. The boys loved the play structure. It is like having a private playground. The amenity is plenty, including full bath with shower, gas grill, large fire-pit with lounges, we highly recommend this camp for large gathering.
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Catherine J.
2 reviews
I visited John's Shady Grove Hipcamp for a weekend with 5 other friends and it's unanimous: each of us would give John and his camping site 10 stars out 5! I've been using HipCamp for about three or four years now, and Shady Grove is hands down my favorite hidden gem so far.
Shady Grove is so spacious, we had one tent nestled in an alcove of trees, another tent pitched in a field flanked by trees, and another tent hidden next to a playground and hammocks. Though we could all still see each other's tent, we were so spread out that even the lightest sleepers in our group weren't disturbed by the loudest snorers.
Shady Grove is a product of love and passion, John has put so much work into making the space welcoming with an outdoor shower, flushing toilet, gravel fire pit, excavated and flattened tent spots, and more. He's even mentioned potentially offering dancing lessons in the future -- something I'd happily sign up for! In fact, there's so much opportunity for fun on site, one doesn't need to leave the campsite! Plan ahead and pack outdoor games like Frisbee, bad Minton, baseball, croquette! You won't be sorry :) And if you do want to venture out, there are two beaches, shops, and a great paddle boarding park about 30min away.
John was a pleasure to talk to, I enjoyed his company when he was around, as well as the privacy of his space. It was just my group, the star-freckled sky, and the noticable absence of the city. No doubt about it, we'll be back next season!
Dria S.
4 reviews
Location
Longbranch, Pierce, Washington, United StatesTo respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking
Hosted by John S.
Joined in July 2023Response rate: 100%
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