Glamping near Olympia with campfires

A short drive from Seattle, in the Puget Sound region, Washington’s state capital of Olympia offers easy access to the Olympic National Forest and Olympic National Park, and many campers pick up groceries and supplies here before heading into the woods. While most of the area’s camping options are outside of Olympia’s city limits, it’s still worth checking out if you’re a fan of smaller communities with an unconventional feel, and there are lots of independently owned shops and restaurants that cater to students at the Evergreen State College, Washington’s very own alternative state school.

With nearly a million acres of ancient groves, wild beaches, and even geothermal hot springs, Olympic National Park is an exceptional place to experience Washington's ecological diversity. Highlights include the Hoh Rainforest, with its ancient moss-covered trees, and Mount Olympus, a popular destination among experienced alpinists.

Olympia has a temperate climate and gets plenty of rainfall from fall through spring. Summer is the best time to visit, when the chance of rainfall is low and temperatures often reach the low 80s, but you'll have to compete for campsites with the summer vacation crowd if you come in July or August. Fortunately, the weather usually stays pleasant well into September, after local kids have gone back to school for the year.