Where to RV in Washington State in October?

[PJinHawaii]

We are renting a 30 foot motor home in Tacoma WA, from Oct 5th through 13th inclusive. This is the first time we have rented a rig this big, as part of our research for an eventual purchase. We are renting from Cruise America in Tacoma.

We would like to explore central and SW Washington. Our prefered style is closer to boondocking than full-hookups. We shy away from RV parks with "full amenities", in favor of a quiet, campsites surrounded by trees where you can't see or hear your neighbors. But we would like the convienence of hook-ups a time or two during our adventures so DW can take a few of those long showers she loves so much! :-)

We hope to fill our days with day hiking (waterfalls are great), wildlife viewing, etc. and our nights with campfires and the sounds of nature.

The areas we are looking at include:

• Mt Rainier
• Goat Rocks Wilderness vicinty
• Mt. Adams vicinity
• Columbia River Gorge
• Mt. St. Helens vicinity
• Cape Dissapointment

October seems to be a tricky month because many campgrounds are already closed for the season.

We would greatly appreciate recommendations for places to camp. We'd love to try boondocking out in nature somewhere, but would be perfectly happy in campgrounds with our without hookups.

PJ in Hawaii

[Mr_D]

I'd recommend Silver Cove RV Resort on the way up to Mt. St Helens, but you say you don't like full amenities so then I'd say Seaquest State Park, also on the way up to Mt. St. Helens. We're a little too long for Seaquest at 41' unless we go up to the top to the large RV parking area. But a shorter rig should get in most spots. Seaquest used to be out favorite park till we got the bigger rig.

[ShadowT]

Don't forget the Olympic Peninsula with Port Townsend and Port Angeles, with a ferry trip by foot to Victoria Canada, Olympic National Park and Forest (both with RV areas) and the Hoh Rain Forest. There are many places to park...do a net search ..
http://www.roadtripusa.com/maps/paci...ashington1.gif

[frankdamp]

There's a county park just west of Port Angeles that was the header for this forum for a while. we haven't stayed there but it looked pretty good.

If you go further up the Columbia, we'd strongly recommend Beebe Bridge Park, just east of Lake Chelan. we were there last week. Quiet, peaceful, warm and only $12 a night for a pull-thru (senior off-season rate), If you use TL's directory, it's under "Chelan Falls".

There's also what we've been told is a very good park in Woodland, called Columbia River RV Park.We were planning to stay there this month, but went over US2 to Leavenworth instead.

Another "friends'" recommendation, close to Mount Adams, is Toll Bridge Park, just south of Hood River. It is also a county park facility. Haven't been there either! That's on next year's list.

[awarnes]

OK you have 8 days and you won't be able to see everything suggested. I would do my time in this order.
1. Mt Saint Helens
2. Cape Disapointment - might need reservation (check online for WA State Parks)
3. Columbia River Gorge

This way you will have a couple of days at each location to explore and not long driving periods. About 2+ hours from Tacoma to St. Helens and a couple of hours for the other 2 legs with about 4 to 5 hours home to Tacoma. This is from someone who has lived his whole life in the PNW and spent a great amount of time in those 3 areas. Be aware that it could get cold and wet.

Enjoy
Arnold

[RUFINIT]

Since you like hiking and wildlife, Cape Disappointment is a great place. Our favorite place along the WA coast. Great state park there. No reservations necessary this time of year.

[JohnQ]

Quote:

Originally Posted by frankdamp There's a county park just west of Port Angeles that was the header for this forum for a while. we haven't stayed there but it looked pretty good.

It is a Clallam County Park called Salt Creek with the very best view of the Strait of Juan DeFuca possible in an RV. It is off of State Hwy 112 onto Camp Hayden Road.

[oldcouple]

Castle rock will let you camp by the river for free for a couple of days. And Winlock will do the same in the park.

[PJinHawaii]

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldcouple Castle rock will let you camp by the river for free for a couple of days. And Winlock will do the same in the park.

This sounds interesting... Are these places (castle rock and winlock) down by Columbia river gorge? Are they parks? Or private?