Let’s Go Camping: State Parks of Southwest Washington 

Since moving back to Washington after a few years away, my family and I have made it a tradition to go camping with my husband’s brother and his family every Labor Day. It’s been the perfect way for our kids to say goodbye to summer by running around the forest with their cousins. State parks have been our top choice for their well-kept trails, bathrooms and reasonable prices, even on a busy holiday weekend.

There are some breathtaking state parks in our state, but since school starts the week before Labor Day, we keep our camping location less than two hours away. We have loved some state parks for a quiet and secluded camping experience and others for the beautiful views. Here is my list of the those we have visited and what we liked most at each one.

Beacon Rock: Best All Around – State Parks of Southwest Washington

I’ll start this list with the one we keep coming back to: Beacon Rock. We first visited this park when COVID was in full swing and we were looking to do a small hike. When the park finally opened, we grabbed our Discover Pass and headed out.

Upon arrival, we found that while the park had opened, unfortunately the actual Beacon Rock trail had not. Instead, we decided to try Pool of the Winds, which ends in a beautiful waterfall. On our way, we met some hikers coming down who encouraged us to go a bit father to see the view. That stretch of the hike definitely stretched my two young kids at the time, but the view of the Columbia Gorge was absolutely worth it and started our yearly family hike tradition. A few years later, we completed the nearby Hamilton trail with some friends.

We love this state park for the campground itself, too. The individual camping area only has 26 sites so it’s never too busy or noisy. (Our favorite spot is near the creek that sings us to sleep at night.) My husband and son have also stayed in the group campground which has A-frames for sleeping and was a perfect spot for a father-and-son outing our church organized.

Beacon Rock State Park also has a beach and boat launch on the Columbia River with a designated swimming area. A late summer Labor Day was the perfect time to swim, however, you do need to watch the water levels. The time we camped over the Fourth of July, it was far too dangerous to swim because the current was so fast.

What brings us back again and again is the smaller size of the campground, awesome trails with beautiful views, shady campsites and the fact that it’s less than an hour away. For those looking for just a day trip, I suggest hiking Beacon Rock and then enjoying lunch at the picnic tables just above the playground area. The view is beautiful!

Battle Ground Lake: Closest Lake – State Parks of Southwest Washington

Camping is always better with friends, so when some old friends from Olympia wanted to try Battle Ground Lake, we were happy to tag along. Even though we were less than thirty minutes from home, any camping felt like a real vacation for our then first grader and second graders. This campground has over 50 campsites which makes it a busier state park, especially in the summer when people come to hang out at the lake for the day. The parking lot can fill up fast and I have seen rangers turning people away when they reach capacity, so I strongly suggest avoiding weekends if you can.

The swim area is also nice, but because there is no creek bringing fresh water into Battle Ground Lake, it occasionally has unsafe levels of E. coli and/or algae. I prefer walking the short trail that circles the lake. One time, my kids and I took a wrong turn and ended up on an equestrian trail that was covered in poop and hard to navigate. Those trails lead to equestrian campsites, which are much more secluded.

I recommend this park for the fishing and lake trail more than the camping, unless you happen to have a horse.

Paradise Point: For Disc Golf Fans – State Parks of Southwest Washington

One year we were late to book a campsite, so the only place left with Labor Day availability was Paradise Point in Ridgefield. While it has some great features, this is also not a place I recommend for overnight camping. There were no trees to keep our area shaded, and it was very close to the freeway, making it noisy at night. The only tree near our campground was an apple tree which attracted bees to all the fruit it was dropping. On the plus side, since there weren’t trees serving as a barrier between campsites, it was easy to set up close to our family so we could cook meals together.

There is a great sandy spot to drop in a kayak or paddleboard and a nice disc golf course here. We liked having an open field next to our campsite where we set up ladder ball and the kids played with frisbees. We also found a blackberry patch that provided endless snacking. Horseshoe Lake was less than a 10-minute drive, so when it got hot in the day we spent time there.

Seaquest: Best Playground and Museum – State Parks of Southwest Washington

Seaquest State Park in Castle Rock is a campground I highly recommend. The tent sites were all fantastic with lots of trees and space. There were only a few small hiking trails, but the playground is where my kids spent a lot of their time. Most playgrounds at state parks tend to be wooden, small and old. This playground was big and had things for both younger kids and even teens to play on. There was a huge hill they ran up and down and rolled down just like when they were toddlers.

After breakfast one day, we walked across the street to the Mount St. Helens Visitor Center. Adults and kids alike loved the exhibits and stories of the eruption, and it was a great place to get a family photo with the mountain in the background. I also found the perfect gift for my mother-in-law: a glass Christmas ornament made from volcanic ash. Since our visit, this center recently reopened with new exhibits after a renovation closure.

By afternoon it was hot, so we were hoping to take a swim. Unfortunately, there is no water access at Seaquest State Park, despite being right next to Silver Lake. When we asked the ranger about nearby swimming holes, he directed us to a spot off Tower Road on the Toutle River. It was the perfect place to try out our new paddleboard, but the kids loved riding their inner tubes down some miniature rapids over and over. It was even fun to go down without a tube!

Rainbow Falls: Best Swimming Hole – State Parks of Southwest Washington

Further north in Chehalis, Washington is Rainbow Falls State Park. This was an unexpectedly quiet location, despite having close to 50 camp sites. The beautiful waterfall and river drew us there every day. Most of the swimming area was deep so younger kids will need life jackets or floaties.

The first day we were there, we noticed a large tree that had fallen right across the top of the waterfall, jutting out over the edge. My niece, who happened to be on the swim and dive team at school, was brave enough to walk across this tree and show us her signature dives. Teen boys who were there tried showing off but could not match her style or grace.

The next day, rangers chopped up the tree so I think that may have been a one-time experience. However, to the left there is a lower spot you can climb the rocks and then jump into the waterfall and ride it down like a water slide. My husband was able to convince my daughter and I to do it, and once we got started, we didn’t want to stop.

The short Oxalis and Hemlock trails should not be missed, even though it’s about a 5-minute drive from the camping area. We saw an enormous gray owl there that took our breath away. I would honestly go back just to walk that trail again.

Lewis and Clark: Best Kept Secret – State Parks of Southwest Washington

Also in Chehalis, Lewis and Clark State Park is a hidden gem. With only 24 campsites, this would have been the quietest campground I have ever been to if it hadn’t been for the owls. There must have been one living in the tree right next to our tent. Even though the owls kept us up at night, it was amazing to hear them calling back and forth from miles away.

We chose to camp here in early April during spring break, which is always a gamble in terms of weather. That year happened to be a very wet spring break, and we spent most of the time in the tent playing card games. (Not a bad deal if you ask me.) When there was a break in the rain, we headed over to the Old Growth Forest Loop. Before walking this path, you must read the signs posted about the life cycles of forests. My family loved being able to identify the phases of the trees as they grow and die, always providing places for life to grow.

There were also exhibits of Native American traditions built into the trees. If you’re looking for a last-minute camping spot, this should be first on your list to check because it’s rarely full, but a beautiful park!

Millersylvania: A Little of Everything – State Parks of Southwest Washington

When my husband and I lived in Olympia years ago, we would visit Millersylvania State Park but never camped there overnight because we didn’t own camping gear yet. This is a large state park with two different swimming beaches on Deep Lake, miles of forested trails for hiking or biking, and a boat launch. They also provide kayak and paddleboard rentals seasonally. It’s definitely a busier park with 248 individual campsites in addition to group campsites.

Like Battle Ground Lake, the swimming brings a lot of day visitors, so weekends can be extra full. If you need a spacious campsite, this is not your campground. But it’s hard to find another place that has this many activities and amenities, so I say it’s still a great place for camping, especially with kids.

Ike Kinswa: Next on Our List – State Parks of Southwest Washington

If you’ve read this far, you know that we prefer to camp where there’s a place to swim, which is why Ike Kinswa State Park on Mayfield Lake in Silver Creek is next on our list. The 101 campsites and nine cabins are divided into three different parts of the park, making it feel like a much smaller campground. The swimming area is the biggest of all the state parks I’ve mentioned, so even though it is a busier park, there’s plenty of space for everyone.

What brings most people to Ike Kinswa is the boating and fishing. The lake is stocked annually with rainbow trout, and you can also find trophy tiger muskies which can weigh over 31 pounds. I imagine my husband will be happily sitting on the shore waiting for a fish to bite, while I get to enjoy the lake on my paddleboard. It’s a win-win for everyone!

I’m grateful that even as my kids get older, they still look forward to camping in our old tent because of all the memories we’ve made in it. We create a home away from home without screens or distractions for four whole days. And though camping isn’t exactly a vacation for my husband and I who do most of the work, it’s work we enjoy. Watching our kids create a world of their own from only sticks and pinecones when they were younger turn into teens who love long hikes has been worth every bit of planning and packing.

Photos courtesy Washington State Parks

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