Best Camping in and near Ike Kinswa State Park

92% (6 reviews)

This lakefront peninsula is an aquaphile's paradise

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Stay at a public campground in Ike Kinswa State Park

92%

(6)

Ike Kinswa Campground

108 sites · RVs, Tents In Ike Kinswa State Park

Top-rated campgrounds near Ike Kinswa State Park

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Cowlitz River Rentals

54 sites · RVs, Tents70 acres · WA

WELCOME to Cowlitz River Rentals! We will be hosting a number of events this year, so be sure to plan your stay accordingly. 2024 EVENTS July 27-28 Muddaubers Jeep Races Aug 2-4 - Flivvers at the River Aug 3 - Gambler 500 "Run Forest Run" road rally & forest trash cleanup Aug 3-4 HooptieX car racing Aug 10 - Trail Mix 2024 endurance trail race (on foot) We plan to be open from May 1 - September 30, 2024. We do have some sites open for Labor Day this year. What is special here? -- Very large and spacious sites, w/no charges for extra tents and vehicles. -- Distance between sites for privacy. -- Room to accommodate large groups with multiple camp vehicles. -- River views from almost every site. -- "Float the Loop"-A 20-30 min river float without leaving the property. -- Pets off leash as long as they are under control. -- Four beaches that can be accessed by all campers. -- Many paths for walking and bicycling. -- An atmosphere to relax and play like a kid again! Thank you, to all who stayed with us in our first season. We hope you had lots of fun, in spite of the dust. We are now in the process of revamping some of the camping areas to allow for a better camping experience. We have created some new sites and have changed the capacity of others. Many names have changed, so be sure to read the descriptions. The names on the 2023 reviews may be off as well, since we changed some names and moved things around. We are also now have a website: CowlitzRiverRentals.com It is online with basic info. We will be adding more site information soon. Within the site listings here on Hipcamp, I will clearly notate if a site is brand new, or if it has a name/location change for 2024. We had to adjust our check-in/check-out to noon. You are welcome to come to the property early, and stay on the property until early evening to enjoy the river....there are plenty of places to park before you check-in or after you check-out. This is only valid for the days that you are booked. If nobody is booked in behind you, you can stay in your spot til late afternoon. We will have a spigot with potable water available at the gate area. If you are in a camp vehicle, be sure to ask about water BEFORE you drive to your site. It is long drive back out from the other end of the property. There will be plenty of porta potties spread throughout the property. These are cleaned weekly. This year we will have an option to pack out your own garbage or use our dumpster for $10/bag. Our 2024 season will have 10 Group sites and 15 Individual sites on 70 acres. Our sites are listed as: -Individual - up to 6 people -Group - up to 16 people. All of our group sites can accommodate much larger groups. Please call to make those reservations, so that we can make sure your specific needs can be met. USE THESE COORDINATES (46.5354948, -121.9697498) to get to the access road at Milepost 114.5 on Hwy 12, just west of Randle, WA. Once arriving there, follow the posted instructions. or USE THE WRITTEN DIRECTIONS in the BOOKING CONFIRMATION.....PLEASE! The sites are listed based on reviews, as a default of the Hipcamp site. Please scroll through. Not all sites can accommodate groups. Some sites are not feasible for large trailers. Click on a site for more details in the description. We offer some of the most beautiful scenery in western Washington. Here you will find the peaceful quiet of being "away from it all", yet in reality you are only a little over a mile from the local grocery store, restaurants, and gas stations along Hwy 12 in Randle. Randle is a gateway to many other outdoor areas and activities including Mt. Rainier, Mt. Adams, and Mt. St. Helens. We have a private entry from the highway, so you can feel safe leaving your camp set up while you take day excursions. We have sites scattered across 70 acres. Your perfect camping site may be found in the fields, in the shade of the trees, by the river, in view of Mt. Adams, or a combination of these. You can be assured plenty of space for privacy and quiet, even if other campers are in the vicinity. We currently host newly developed, private river access, camp areas on the upper Cowlitz River. Many of the sites may have a lot of dirt rather than grass. This dirt turns to dust in dry weather. We are hoping to have most of them seeded with grass, but we will see how that goes (grows). This has been a cattle grazing pasture for the past 100 years. It is also flood plain, so we get a fresh covering of river silt almost every year. This also turns to a fine powdery dust in dry weather. However, many say that the river access, the surrounding beauty, and the privacy, far outweigh the inconvenience of any dust. We also have a very active mole population throughout the property. This makes it extremely hard to keep sites level and smooth. We are mowing grassy areas, but many are still rough due to years as pastureland. If you are worried about bumpy ground, please bring a cot or some type of air mattress or cushion to put under your sleeping bag. The property has a TWO MILE perimeter.....there is plenty of room! We have 25 site locations strategically spread across this large acreage, each with its own "personality" and benefits. All campers have the ability to access the river at any of the four beaches. One of the most common comments from our campers is that they cannot believe how much space is between campsites. This year, almost all of the sites have a view of the river. We make an effort to maintain site privacy and a peaceful atmosphere. We value being in the outdoors, with the feeling of "getting away", without having the rules, restrictions, and the crowded conditions found in typical campground areas.... we figure you do too. WE JUST ASK THAT YOU RESPECT OTHER CAMPERS, ESPECIALLY CONCERNING CAMPSITE NOISE LEVELS AT NIGHT. Campers can "float the loop" which consists of launching on the upriver side of the peninsula, floating/kayaking around to the downriver side, getting out and walking across the field to launch again. PLEASE READ THE DESCRIPTION FOR EACH SITE to find out what type of vehicle it can handle. We have pictures for many, but we are still working to develop others. The only Hipcamp site location pinpoint will be for the access road at the highway. Please look at the picture of our site map to see where your site is located. We have to do this because people have not been reading the directions given, and our neighbors have given negative feedback about strangers driving into their yards. New pics will be added as we get them. Please feel free to ask questions about any site. Most areas can be accessed with 2wd vehicles, although certain areas may be a little rough for something with low clearance. Some sites are more friendly to larger trailers than others. Please read the descriptions and ASK QUESTIONS IF YOU ARE UNSURE. We have four separate riverbars, some with sandy beach areas. There is plenty of river space for all. Ask us about river floating and kayak options. Let us know if you have a special group event. We are very flexible and can help you create the situation that would suit your group the best. Pets are welcome, but be aware that coyotes, bobcat, and cougar have been sited in the valley. There are also eagles and hawks to be aware of for smaller animals. Feel free to reach out with questions before booking to make sure all of your needs can be accommodated. Things to be considered: Need for campfire wood, need for water, types of vehicles, your camping goal (group get together or total solitude with peace and quiet), quick easy access to the main road or camping way off the path, best pet areas, best kid friendly areas, ect. We welcome your questions. Our goal is to help you make great memories!

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(240)

Camp Hope

14 sites · RVs, Tents1000 acres · Oakville, WA

This is a quiet and secluded camping location with ACCESS to the river, access to farm land, ponds and DNR land. Our camp spots are private and not stacked on top of each other. We also have cows in our neighboring farm and places for you to walk, trails to hike and places to fish and duck hunt. Right now we have dry camping with outdoor honey buckets. Our goal is to have showers and running water soon. We are working on a 💯 solar ran facility soon. We are wanting something that you can clear your mind, camp In peace. We want our campers to help in the developing process. We also offer wood for sale and all of our sites have wood burning areas. We also have ice and delivery services. WE ARE VW Friendly!!! Lol We are about 45 minutes from ocean beaches, only a few minutes from the best riding, hiking and boating in the world. We have a cute bar and restaurant within a mile. Also gas and groceries are close as well. Boat launch is about 1/2 a block easy access.

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Favorite Creek Campground

15 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents100 acres · Westport, OR

Come and explore this 100 acre wood. Play in small creeks and waterfalls. Walk the trails. Take in the view from top end of property. Watch elk deer and other wildlife. Enjoy your campfire roast Hotdogs, marshmallows and make some-mores. Camp is just 10 minutes from The small town of Clatskanie. There you can find just about anything you need. Jones beach/ Columbia river is only about a 10 minute drive, fishing and popular wind surfing spot. This property is a work in progress. We are still cleaning up from prior owners. We also have our sawmill operating on the property so you might see messes , junk, trash, ext… And you might hear working noises machine is running, etc. we try to be courteous about it but we ask that you understand that we do have to work.

100%

(7)

Hidden Meadow on Henderson Inlet

3 sites · RVs, Tents4 acres · Olympia, WA

About us: Hello and thank you for checking out Hidden Meadow, our names are Jake and Molly. We love camping, hiking and any opportunity to be outside with our two children! In 2020 (one week before the whole world shut down from Covid) we found the hidden gem we had been searching for! A perfect place to raise our family, space to play and explore nature, super private and close to town! It seemed too good to be true and still does! After settling in and realizing what amazing natural beauty we had, we got to work developing our garden, orchards, trails, fire pits and….Campsites! After building a camp site for our family, we decided that we wanted to share this amazing space with other families to enjoy! We built Hidden Meadow to be the campsite that we have always searched for on our family adventures, surrounded by nature, away from the hustle and bustle of the world, with trails for hiking and a HOT TUB to relax in, in the evening! We hope that you enjoy it! About the property: We are located on a very private property (the only houses you will see are across the inlet) surrounded by nature but only about 10 minutes from downtown Olympia and 5 minutes from I-5 and Lacey. The property is situated on the very south end of Henderson Inlet. We are on the tide flats so twice a day (at high tide) we have the opportunity to explore on the water in canoes and kayaks. The property is spread over 16 acres and is comprised of two large fields (one in front of our home and the other is a smaller meadow off to the side (hidden meadow) and forest land. There is tons of space for playing, exploring and tiring out your kids and pups! Wildlife is abound with eagles, hawks, owls, falcons, shore birds and a variety of forest birds make this place their home. We are also frequented by the local deer who wonder through and say hi. About the campground: The campground is located in the far northeast corner of the property on the edge of the forest and meadow. In the common areas you will find the bathroom which has a shower and toilet. The toilet is an incinerating toilet (so cool!) and the shower is propane headed. There is a hottub situated right on the edge of the forest with peek-a-boo views of the inlet. You will also find garbage and recycling bins as well as a sink for washing hands (please water only down the sink). We have provided soap that is biodegradable for the sink and shower to help reduce our impact on this beautiful environment. There are trails throughout the forest along the 600 feet of water (tide) front. Along the trails you will find several different benches, seats and swings to relax and enjoy nature from. There is also several fairies and gnomes who have been sighted in the forest. If you look closely, you might spot one too! We ware, if you touch a fairy or gnome they do lose their magical powers so please respect the mystical creatures. 😊 The sites are about 500 feet from our house and offers great privacy. You may see us throughout the day and evening coming and going from the campground, working on the property or playing with the kids on the trails! Dogs: We do have two dogs on the property (Wilma and Bean) who are very friendly and we will keep them out of camp during your stay. Although they typically follow us when we walk down there. We allow dogs to be off leash at owner’s risk. There may be other dogs in camp so please use discretion when letting your dogs off leash and be mindful of other campers. You must be responsible for your own dogs, we are not responsible for any dog related or dog inflicted injuries. Getting here: We are off of Sleater Kinney Rd in Olympia. We have a long, steep, curvy driveway. At the bottom of the driveway, you will find signs directing you to the camp site. If you have extra vehicles, we have extra parking spaces adjacent to the campsite. The road out to camp may be bumpy (we do our best to keep it smooth) so go slow and beware of natural obstacles. Rules: 1. Check in time is 2:00pm or later. For afterhours arrivals, please let us know. 2. Check out time is 12:00pm or earlier 3. Quiet hours from 9pm to 8am. You are far from our house, so we can’t hear you but sound travels well over the water to our neighbors. Nobody wants grumpy neighbors, please be respectful. 4. Remain within the campground boundary during all times. If you need us, please feel free to text or call. 5. Please put all trash in the trash cans or take it with you. 6. Remove all dog doo and dispose of in the trash. 7. Leave what you find (except ripe blackberries). Please leave any forest treasures where you found them. 8. Cleanup any debris left from firewood/camp activities before departing. 9. Enjoy nature and respect it. Please stay on trails and respect the plants and the natural habitats. 10. Stay off the dock. It is closed for repair. 11. Do not use the trailside fireplace (if you find it) or our personal canoe or kayaks. However, feel free to enjoy the view from the seats by the fireplace. 12. Be cautious when walking around, the ground is bumpy and there are exposed tree roots that can be tripping hazards. We are not responsible from injuries. 13. Help us keep it clean- if you find any garbage around, please pick it up or let us know. 14. Keep fires small and when you are finished PUT YOUR FIRES DEAD OUT! There are 5 gallon buckets by each fire put to fill before you start your fire for putting them out. 15. Please do not burn trash or food. It can create issues with the wildlife. Put all waste in garbage cans.

Booked 26 times

Riverside Camping Near Mt Rainier

9 sites · RVs, Tents5 acres · Elbe, WA

Welcome to our campsite located near Mt. Rainier. Our property is close to the Nisqually River on one side and the Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad track on the other. The entrance to Mt. Rainier National Park is just a 15-minute drive away, making our campsite a convenient base for exploring the park. Enjoy fishing, hiking, and watching the scenic railroad pass by. Our campsite offers a peaceful place to relax and enjoy nature. Whether you're here for the outdoor activities or just want a quiet spot to camp, we look forward to hosting you.

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Cowlitz River Sandy Edge Campground

9 sites · RVs, Tents30 acres · Castle Rock, WA

The Cowlitz River Sandy Edge Campground is 30 acres of serenity and peace. A bird watchers dream place to be! lots of singing birds throughout the campground and the anglers delight with known fishing holes right off the banks. Enjoy the private campsite with ample space for family fun and cool quiet nights on the sandy edge of the Cowlitz River. Each site has a picnic table, fire ring and a large trash can. All campsite will have their own pathway to the river with seasoned blackberries to pick! I ask to help keep our environment as natural as possible pick up after yourselves and your furry friends. Also do not leave personal items on the beach overnight we need to leave a natural environment and we are not responsible for missing or lost belongings. As we all know about bodies of water and to be as safe as possible around or near them and I advise life jackets especially for the little guys. The campground has no life guards so swim at your own risk waiving all liability from Cowlitz River Sandy Edge campground. Each site are allowed 7 campers and 2 vehicles.... $5 charge per day guests and $5 per guest vehicle. Apply that cost to campsite booking please. Thank you Dry camping with self contained travel trailer only at River Run and River View Tent sites will have access to a porta potty with permanent bathroom in near future. Fishing, (w/your own lic.) kayaking, hiking and exploring. Leave what you find. Preserve as much as possible. Close to I-5 and is located adjacent to the quaint town of Castle Rock with everything less than a half mile away! Such as; coffee shops, donut bakery shop, Mexican restaurant, other great places to eat, Cascade grocery store, souvenir shops, farmers market on the weekends, motocross flat track racing usually on memorial weekend, and several different attractions at the Castle rock fair grounds. Mount Saint Helens only 30 minutes away! Sky diving, zip lining and big cheese festival in the town of Toledo next city northeast of Castle Rock. DIRECTIONS: If you're coming from South take I-5 North exit 49 make a left onto Huntington go over frwy bridge first right is Cowlitz View drive. If coming from the North take I-5 South exit 49 make a right onto Huntington then first right is Cowlitz View drive stay left and I'll meet you at the gate to escort you to your site.

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Wilderness Path

5 sites · RVs, Tents1 acre · Ashford, WA

Our rental property was once a mini Rail Road with full size locomotive's, train cars, pumper cars and more. My dad & grandpa layed all the tracks & put together the buildings in the 1970's. Once done my grandma sold tickets to the tourist and my grandpa ran the engine around the 7 acre oval track pulling a train car full of happy tourist through the woods over the train bridge and past the big water tower back to their vehicles so they could finish their journies with a drive to Mt. Rainier. There is a lot of history on this property for our family and we hope by sharing it with others they will be able to experience some fun here as well.

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Two Frog Bog

6 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents20 acres · Roy, WA

Welcome to Two Frog Bog, a 20-acre forested haven featuring 5 acres of wetland. Our accommodations include a 24-foot yurt with a private, semi-attached bathhouse, two 10 x 20-foot tent cabins with outdoor kitchens and private outhouses with composting toilets. You’ll enjoy the outdoor shower that is available for all guests. The communal fire pit is a great place to roast s’mores and maybe meet new friends. But wait, there’s more: a two-tent campground where we provide the tents, a shared, covered and fully equipped outdoor kitchen, a shared composting outhouse (cleaned at least once a day). Campground has access to shower and fire pit as well. Explore our forest trails leading to the serene wetland, and don't miss our unique 26-foot-wide, 10-foot-tall Woodhenge – a magical spot to relax in a hammock, read a book, or stargaze. Two Frog Bog invites you to immerse yourself in nature and enjoy the variety of accommodations and shared spaces we offer.

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Camp Birdwatch

13 sites · RVs, Tents15 acres · Elma, WA

Camp Birdwatch is 15 acres up against a wetland slough that has wildlife galore. Many bird species, come and see what birds you can find. A mile from the Grays Harbor County Fairgrounds which has car racing all summer long. Capital Forest entrances are nearby. Located in Elma, WA. Local access to Chehalis river, Porter Creek falls and Vance Creek Park for your fishing, swimming and hiking needs.

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Rainier Hideaway

7 sites · RVs, Tents1 acre · Ashford, WA

This location is only a mile away from the Mount Rainier National Park entrance. There is usually traffic going towards the National Park on weekends during peak season (July-August), so we encourage everyone to leave the site by 9 am during those days if you are planning on heading into the park. There is a full service restaurant (WildBerry Restaurant) that offers both traditional American and select few Nepalese dishes right next to the camping site. There are also more restaurants, gas station, and a grocery store about 5 miles from the location. You may see some elk and deers on the property if you get lucky.

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Isla Springs

10 sites · Tents22 acres · Winlock, WA

Beautiful wooded 22-acre campground with the Olequa creek running through it. Loaded with wildflowers, fruit trees, newly planted trees. Gravel and dirt roads circling throughout the area. Wood stoves in most campsites for cooking on and warmth. There is a big area that can be used for events.... We are conveniently located 4.8 miles off I-5 between Portland and Seattle.

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The Arboretum at Bear Canyon West

12 sites · RVs12 acres · Cinebar, WA

This is a gorgeous park-like campground situated between the trees of the arboretum. Beautiful view of the mountains and forests here in western Washington. We are close to Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Rainier and several lakes. There are walking trails all around the site. The 12 acre campground is located on a 136 acre property that is an active Christmas tree farm. Trails continue throughout the tree farm. Many trails have a view of the Tilton River, which can be reached via a challenging 3/4 mile trail. Sites are on 10 acres planted with many different species of trees that are about 30 years old. Giant Redwoods, Cedars, and Maples are just a few of the varieties present. Part of the farm is still a working Christmas tree farm. The trails are wide and grassy. The old logging road that we use as a trail to the river has an elevation change of about 500 feet, the trail can be quite challenging. Bear Creek empties into the Tilton river at the end of the trail. There is an ART GALLERY where you can learn to pound flowers, see the host's artwork and get a cup of coffee! This is upstairs above the shop, right on the property. Tilton River Studio Gallery. Three sites have electrical hookups. Every site has a water spigot (use a pressure regulator if you want to hook up). No restrooms or sewer hookups. Garbage disposal site available Memorial Day to Labor Day. We look forward to hosting you!

The best camping near Ike Kinswa State Park guide

Overview

About

Covering 46,000 feet of shoreline along Lake Mayfield, this Washington state park is understandably popular. The place is a goldmine for all types of water activities. Think boating, kayaking, paddle boarding and water skiing, just to name a few.

The park also has a two-lane boat launch, which requires a day-use launch permit. For a summer splash, the swimming beach is the place to be. Fishing enthusiasts come here for the trout and tiger muskie (Don't forget your fishing license.)

When it comes to camping at Ike Kinswa, you've got options. There are nine wilderness cabins, all within walking distance of the lake shore. The park also boasts just over 100 wooded and waterfront campsites, including 39 full hookup sites.

Nearby showers, flush toilets, and a dump station add an extra level of comfort and convenience.

Quick Reminder: This park gets swamped in the summer. For peak season travel, reserve your site ahead of time to secure your spot.

Notable campgrounds

Standard Campsites: Immerse yourself in the natural beauty with 27 sites perfect for tent camping amid the forest.
Partial Hookup Sites: Offering 72 sites with partial hookups, these are ideal for RVs up to 60 feet in length.
Cabins: For a more comfortable stay, reserve one of the nine cozy cabins available year-round.

Tips for snagging a campsite

Book early to secure your spot, especially during peak season when the park's popularity soars.
Consider visiting during the off-season for a quieter experience and easier reservation process.
Keep an eye on the park's website for updates on construction and closures to plan your visit accordingly.
Explore nearby camping options if your preferred site is unavailable, ensuring you don't miss out on the Ike Kinswa experience.

When to go

The best time to visit Ike Kinswa State Park is during the warmer months, from late spring to early fall, when all facilities are fully operational and the weather is ideal for outdoor activities. Winter brings closures due to freezing conditions, making some amenities like water supply unavailable, so plan accordingly.

Know before you go

Always keep dogs on a leash and follow the park's pet guidelines to ensure a safe visit for everyone.
Check for any burn bans or specific fire regulations before lighting a campfire in designated areas.
Be aware of the abrupt drop at the boat launch and use caution when accessing Mayfield Lake.
Accessible campsites and restrooms are available for those with mobility needs.
Remember to purchase a Discover Pass for park entry, with annual and one-day options available.