BY MATT KITE for WEEKLY VOLCANO 5/16/25 |
With Memorial Day weekend fast approaching, campers everywhere are airing out their tents and stocking up on supplies. The last weekend of May typically marks the beginning of camping’s busy season, and countless campsites nearby beckon. What follows are five popular camping destinations within an easy drive of Tacoma. Before making plans, be sure to confirm your campsite’s fees, reservation policies, and other pertinent details.
Dash Point State Park
Located just across the county line in Federal Way, popular Dash Point is a mere 20-minute drive from Tacoma. With 461 acres and 3,301 feet of shoreline, this urban oasis offers activities ranging from hiking and biking to birdwatching and skimboarding. But the main attraction here is the beach. Wait for low tide to explore the mudflats, which provide a commanding view of Puget Sound. Whether you prefer to sleep in a cabin, a tent, or an RV (no longer than 32 feet), Dash Point has you covered. As with all state parks, dogs are allowed on a leash, and fires are permitted in designated areas. But leave your horse or pack animal at home. With cars arriving and departing at all hours, your best bet is to reserve a campsite as far from the main road as possible.
Illahee State Park
If you appreciate the modest rates and popular amenities of state parks but prefer more solitude, Illahee State Park in Bremerton offers year-round camping and a mix of recreational activities. Illahee, which means “homeland” in Chinook, was once inhabited by the Coast Salish people. Today, it’s known for its sandy beach, fishing pier, and steep hiking trails. Depending on the season, you can harvest everything from oysters to crab. Bring your kayak, or simply explore the beach. A park memorial showcases a pair of naval guns that once protected the U.S.S. West Virginia.
Alder Lake Park
Owned and operated by Tacoma Power, this camping destination sits along the shores of Alder Lake, a seven-mile-long reservoir near Eatonville. The lake was born in September 1944, when Tacoma Power built Alder Dam, which today provides enough hydropower annually to power roughly 18,000 homes. RV owners will be pleased with the amenities, which include water, electricity, sewer hookups, and a dump station. But whether you’re sleeping in luxury or a one-man dome tent, you’re probably here for one reason: to recreate on the lake. Fishing, boating, swimming, waterskiing, kayaking—the possibilities are endless, and the views of Mt. Tahoma from the lake are stupendous. Just be sure to watch out for the submerged stumps of the trees that once covered the lakebed before it was a lake.
Big Creek Campground
Situated near the shores of Lake Cushman and just a short drive from Hoodsport, Big Creek serves as a gateway to Olympic National Park and the Olympic Mountains. From the loop trail that starts and finishes at the campground, hikers can catch a connector trail and climb to the glorious summit of Mount Ellinor. But you don’t have to be a hiker to enjoy this lovely wooded destination maintained by the U.S. Forest Service. Stay here on a weeknight in September, and you’ll likely have your pick of all 64 campsites. When you’re ready to turn in for the night, fall asleep to the soothing sounds of Big Creek.
Penrose Point State Park
Penrose Point provides an idyllic outdoor experience from its location near Lakebay on Key Peninsula. Known for its pleasant trails and scenic views of Puget Sound from the shoreline, this 237-acre marine park features close to two miles of shoreline, overnight moorage, and 82 private campsites beneath a canopy of trees. Activities range from scuba diving to metal detecting, but those brave enough to dip a toe into the water will be surprised to find it warm—at least by Puget Sound standards.
