Community Forums

tcamper · 02-17-2025, 01:32 PM

These Texans are planning to head to Washington State this summer!
We have never been there and have no set plans other than to RV in a part of the country that we have never been. I look on the Wizzard and there are a lot of campgrounds all over Washington to choose from.
We just want to land in an area(s) for a couple weeks, and just enjoy as much as we can from a home base ... before we head back to Texas.

We would welcome any suggestions/reccomendations for the best area(s) to land and enjoy the scenery and as much cool stuff as we can cram in!

PS ... and thanks for all the great suggestions on highway travel through the mountains in the Navigation, Routes and Roads forum

rgvtexan · 02-17-2025, 04:19 PM

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frankl...Roosevelt_Lake
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_R...ecreation_Area
Come to the DRY SIDE. It is very different from the WET SIDE. Just cross the Cascades, to the East.

SafariBen · 02-17-2025, 08:27 PM

I agree, I don't know what the summer weather is in Seattle, but it's amazing weather and scenery on the dry side and to the EAST in the state. Western Washington is rain forest, Eastern Washington is bordering on high desert, at least from a midwesterner's perspective.

**Lt Dan** · 02-17-2025, 09:05 PM

Definitely include visits to Mt. St. Helens and Mount Ranier. Widbe Island is a good visit but I don't know about RV places there. Nothing special around the Seattle area to visit but the coast line all the way down into Oregon is outstanding.

SergioP · 02-17-2025, 10:05 PM

Drive down the Colombia river

twogypsies · 02-17-2025, 11:02 PM

The Olympic Peninsula is the place to go. So many fun activities, concerts, beach sand castle contests, homegrown food, etc. Stay in Port Townsend or Sequim and you can do many day trips. You could even take a day ferry over to Seattle to visit the Aquarium which is where the ferry will let you off. Then walk a short distance to board the monorail taking you across town to the Olympic Space Needle. Return via the monorail to Pike Market and do some shopping before boarding the ferry for your return. It's makes for an awesome day!

tcamper · 02-22-2025, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rgvtexan

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frankl...Roosevelt_Lake
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_R...ecreation_Area
Come to the DRY SIDE. It is very different from the WET SIDE. Just cross the Cascades, to the East.

Thanks for that info!

tcamper · 02-22-2025, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SafariBen

I agree, I don't know what the summer weather is in Seattle, but it's amazing weather and scenery on the dry side and to the EAST in the state. Western Washington is rain forest, Eastern Washington is bordering on high desert, at least from a midwesterner's perspective.

Good info, thank you!

tcamper · 02-22-2025, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lt Dan

Definitely include visits to Mt. St. Helens and Mount Ranier. Widbe Island is a good visit but I don't know about RV places there. Nothing special around the Seattle area to visit but the coast line all the way down into Oregon is outstanding.

Awesome, thank you!

tcamper · 02-22-2025, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twogypsies

The Olympic Peninsula is the place to go. So many fun activities, concerts, beach sand castle contests, homegrown food, etc. Stay in Port Townsend or Sequim and you can do many day trips. You could even take a day ferry over to Seattle to visit the Aquarium which is where the ferry will let you off. Then walk a short distance to board the monorail taking you across town to the Olympic Space Needle. Return via the monorail to Pike Market and do some shopping before boarding the ferry for your return. It's makes for an awesome day!

Great info, thank you!

BeatCJ · 03-17-2025, 03:29 PM

When you are going matters. I have literally travelled the entire state for work, and there are points of interest everywhere. I live on the wetside, but work a lot on the east side of the cascades during the summer.

As a rule, Washington beaches are always cool and windy, unless we get a summer offshore wind event. Many of the mountain campgrounds are a little small for larger trailers. During summer, it's easy to need both of your A/C units. I have worked 5 days straight in 104 degree days. Polycarbonate glasses lenses will craze if left in the glovebox.

What in particular are you looking for? The Olympic Peninsula is spectacular from Port Townsend and the haunted Manresa Castle Hotel to the Hoh Rainforest with 28' diameter spruce trees, there are nice beach places, to the eastside with the Palouse (rolling plains in the SE), the Channeled Scablands, the Blue Mountains. In the SE you are close enough to take a day trip to Hells Canyon in Idaho. Too much good stuff.

Psneeld · 03-17-2025, 04:04 PM

If camping West of the Cascades (Seattle to the coast) you better make reservations fast. Last Summer I tried once I got out there, and it was nearly impossible to put more than a couple days together anywhere West of Seattle.

Frustrated I thought I would head East to Spokane until I saw the forecast temps of over a 100F for the foreseeable future. Plus, any spots near a recreation area were pretty well booked on weekends so extended stays were tough to piece together.

Short stopped in Cle Elum just East of Seattle for a month and the higher elevation kept the temp bearable and there are 3 large reservoirs for fishing, boating and hanging out. Not a bad central location to take day trips from but they will be long drives.

Next to Cle Elum is Roslyn where the TV series Northern Exposure was filmed. We enjoyed watching some shows at night then driving through Roslyn on the way to the reservoir each day and recognizing landmarks from the show. Not a lot was changed.

Big state lots to see but summer is the same as anywhere else...if you want to get near the coast good luck.... big parks, good luck.... out of the way but great spots and nice campgrounds or BLM land made the trip one to remember.

ttavasc · 03-17-2025, 04:20 PM

Regarding the Olympic NP rainforest area - that is closed indefinitely at this time due to the only road in/out of the area being washed out. See attached notice off recreation.gov.

There are a lot of nice state parks to consider - WA State Parks

As with most everything else - get your reservations in early if possible. Here is a link to a state map that shows all the state parks to help find those in the areas you are interested in:

WA State Parks Map