free or near it
Seattle
Where you can sleep in a van
Van life · the suburbs
Don't try to van-camp in Seattle proper. The city actively patrols overnight parking and most neighborhoods have aggressive 2-hour parking limits. Plan to stay outside city limits.
Saltwater State Park in Des Moines (about 25 min south) has 47 campsites for tents and small RVs. About $30-$40/night. Reservable through Washington State Parks.
Lake Pleasant RV Park in Bothell (about 25 min north) has full hookups, family-friendly amenities, and easy access to I-405. Around $80-$100/night.
Vasa Park Resort on Lake Sammamish (about 30 min east) has tent and RV sites, lake access, and a slower pace. About $50-$80/night.
Where you can't sleep: No street parking overnight in any Seattle neighborhood. No camping at city parks, beaches, or unmarked pullouts. Park-and-rides are not for overnight stays. If you're traveling in a van, plan to base outside the city and take light rail in for the day.
free or near it
Bainbridge & Whidbey
Where you can sleep in a van
Van life · the parks
Deception Pass State Park has 230+ campsites across three areas (Cranberry Lake, Bowman Bay, Sunrise Resort). Tent sites about $30/night, utility sites about $40/night. Reservable through Washington State Parks 9 months out, books fast for summer weekends. Walking distance to the bridge and beaches.
South Whidbey State Park south of Coupeville has 56 campsites in old-growth forest. Quieter than Deception Pass. About $30/night standard.
Fort Ebey State Park near Coupeville has 50 campsites with bluff trails and beach access. About $30-$40/night.
Where you can't sleep: No vehicle camping at any beach access, ferry terminals, or unmarked pullouts on either island. Bainbridge has no public campgrounds. If you're traveling in a van and want to do Bainbridge, do it as a day trip from a Seattle-area campground.
free or near it
San Juan Islands
Where you can sleep in a van
Van life · campgrounds
Moran State Park (Orcas) has 124 standard sites and 6 hiker/biker sites across four campgrounds. About $30-$45/night. Reservations open 9 months ahead and prime summer weekends sell out within minutes. Cascade Lake and South End campgrounds are family favorites. No electrical hookups, no sites longer than 45 ft.
San Juan County Park (San Juan Island) on the west side is the only campground on San Juan Island. About 20 standard sites, no electrical hookups, but stunning sunset views over the Strait. Reservable through SJC Parks. Books up 3-6 months out.
Spencer Spit State Park (Lopez) has 50 campsites including a few right on the spit. About $30-$45/night. Reservable through Washington State Parks 9 months out.
Where you can't sleep: No vehicle camping at any beach access, ferry terminals, or unmarked pullouts on any island. Tribal authorities and county sheriffs do enforce.
free or near it
Tacoma & Olympia
Where you can sleep in a van
Van life · campgrounds
Dash Point State Park (15 min north of Tacoma) has 114 sites including 28 with full hookups. About $30-$45/night. Beach access, paved bike trail. The closest van-camping option to Tacoma. Reservable through Washington State Parks.
Millersylvania State Park (15 min south of Olympia) has 168 sites including 48 utility sites. About $30-$45/night. Lake access, 5-mile trail system. Good base for both Olympia and the Mt. Rainier south route.
The Seattle/Tacoma KOA in Kent (between the two cities) has full hookups and family amenities. About $80-$120/night. Closer to Seattle if you're splitting the trip.
Where you can't sleep: No street parking overnight in either downtown. No camping at city parks. Park-and-ride lots are not for overnight stays. Stick with the state parks or KOAs.
free or near it
Rainier North
Where you can sleep in a van
Van life · campgrounds
White River Campground is the only in-park camping on the north side. 112 sites, no hookups, max RV length 35 ft. About $30/night. Open early July through late September only. Reservations through Recreation.gov, book the day they open. 4,400 ft elevation, old-growth forest, river running through. The Wonderland Trail crosses the campground.
Silver Springs Campground (Forest Service, just outside the park on Highway 410) has 55 sites along the White River, $24/night, no hookups. Open May-September. Cheaper than in-park, similar feel.
Lodgepole Campground (Forest Service, near Chinook Pass on Highway 410) has 33 sites at 3,500 ft, $20/night, no hookups. Open July-September. Higher elevation, cooler at night.
The Dalles Campground (Forest Service, off WA-410 closer to Greenwater) has 45 sites along the White River, $24/night. Open May-September. The biggest Forest Service option in the area.
Where you can't sleep: No vehicle camping at trailheads, pullouts, the Sunrise parking lot, or visitor centers. Park rangers patrol overnight and will issue tickets. Some Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest dispersed camping is allowed in designated areas off Forest Roads, check the specific district rules.
free or near it
Rainier South
Where you can sleep in a van
Van life · campgrounds
Cougar Rock Campground (between Longmire and Paradise) has 173 sites, no hookups, max RV length 35 ft. About $30/night. Open late May through early October. Reservations through Recreation.gov. The closest in-park camping to Paradise.
Ohanapecosh Campground is CLOSED for all of 2026 for major rehabilitation (185 sites being upgraded). Expected to reopen for the 2027 season.
Big Creek Campground (Forest Service, just outside the Nisqually entrance off WA-706) has 30 sites, $20/night, no hookups. Open May-September. Cheaper than in-park camping, less competitive for reservations.
La Wis Wis Campground (Forest Service, near Packwood) has 100 sites along the Cowlitz River, $24/night. Open May-September.
Mounthaven Resort in Ashford has full-hookup RV sites and cabins. Year-round, more expensive ($60-$100/night for sites). The only full-hookup option that close to the entrance.
Where you can't sleep: No vehicle camping at trailheads, pullouts, or visitor centers. Park rangers patrol overnight and will issue tickets. National forest dispersed camping is allowed in some areas of Gifford Pinchot National Forest (south and east of the park) but check the specific district rules.
free or near it
North Cascades Loop
Where you can sleep in a van
Van life · campgrounds
Colonial Creek South Campground (in-park, on Diablo Lake) is the headline. 142 sites, no hookups, max RV length 30 ft, $24/night. Open mid-May through mid-October. Reservations through Recreation.gov, book the day they open. Sites along the Diablo Lake shore are the most coveted in the entire park.
Colonial Creek North Campground (in-park) has 26 sites $24/night, no hookups, smaller and quieter than South.
Newhalem Creek Campground (in-park, near the Visitor Center) has 107 sites $24/night, no hookups. Easy access to the easy interpretive trails.
Goodell Creek Campground (in-park, west of Newhalem) has 19 first-come-first-served sites $20/night. Often available when others are booked.
Klipchuck and Lone Fir Campgrounds (Forest Service, east side near Mazama) have $20/night sites with no hookups. Lower elevation, often available when in-park sites are full.
Pearrygin Lake State Park (3 mi north of Winthrop) has 156 sites with hookups, $35-$50/night. The full-service option with showers, swim beach, and dump station. Reservations through Washington State Parks.
Where you can't sleep: No vehicle camping at Highway 20 pull-offs, trailheads, or visitor centers. Park rangers patrol overnight and will issue tickets. Some Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie and Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest dispersed camping is allowed in designated areas, check the relevant ranger district.
free or near it
Leavenworth & Stevens Pass
Where you can sleep in a van
Van life · campgrounds
Lake Wenatchee State Park has 197 sites including hookups, plus showers, swim beach, and trails. About $35-$50/night with hookups. Year-round (sites limited in winter), reservations through Washington State Parks. The closest real camping to Leavenworth at 20 min north.
The Leavenworth/Pine Village KOA on US-2 east of town has full hookups, a swim pool, kid-friendly amenities, and walking distance to downtown via the river path. Pricier ($60-$110/night) but the most-amenities option.
Stevens Pass Resort offers overnight RV parking with 20- and 30-amp service for about $25/night in summer. The best ski-resort van-life option if you're using Leavenworth as a Stevens Pass base.
Tumwater Campground (Forest Service, off US-2 west of Leavenworth) has 84 sites, $30/night, no hookups. Beautiful but currently subject to flood-repair work, check status.
Icicle Group Campground and other Forest Service sites along Icicle Road for tent camping closer to the Enchantments trailheads. First-come-first-served for some sites, reserve through Recreation.gov for others.
Where you can't sleep: No vehicle camping in downtown Leavenworth, on US-2 pull-offs, or at most trailheads. Police patrol downtown overnight and parking restrictions are enforced. Some Wenatchee National Forest dispersed camping is allowed in designated areas, check the Cle Elum Ranger District for specifics.
free or near it
Columbia Gorge West
Where you can sleep in a van
Van life · campgrounds
Ainsworth State Park. Right on the Historic Highway between Multnomah and Bonneville Dam. 45 sites, full hookups, $25-$35/night. The closest campground to Multnomah Falls, books out months ahead for summer weekends. Reservable at oregonstateparks.org.
Eagle Creek Forest Campground at I-84 exit 41. The oldest Forest Service campground in America (1915), 19 sites along Eagle Creek. About $25/night. First-come first-served, arrive by Friday morning for weekend sites. Note: Eagle Creek Trail itself is still closed in 2026.
Cascade Locks Marine Park Campground. Right on the river with hookups, $25-$45/night. The Cascade Locks RV park anchor. Reservable.
Memaloose State Park 20 miles east of Cascade Locks. The eastern Gorge state park, 110 sites, full hookups, $25-$35/night. Drier and warmer than the west Gorge, good shoulder-season option.
Where you can't sleep: No overnight at waterfall trailheads, Vista House parking, or Multnomah Falls Lodge parking. Strictly enforced.
free or near it
Hood River & Fruit Loop
Where you can sleep in a van
Van life · campgrounds
Memaloose State Park. 15 min east on I-84. 110 sites with full hookups, $25-$35/night. The closest state park to Hood River, books 2-4 months ahead for summer weekends.
Toll Bridge Park. On the Fruit Loop near Parkdale. Hood River County park with tent and RV sites, $25-$40/night. Family-friendly with the playground right there.
Hood River Marina RV Park. Right in town at the waterfront. Full hookups, walking distance to downtown, $50-$70/night. The convenient RV-in-town option.
Trillium Lake Campground. 1.5 hours south near Mount Hood. 57 sites with the iconic lake-and-Mount-Hood view, $25-$35/night. The Mount Hood side option, books 3-6 months ahead.
Lost Lake Resort campground. 1 hour southwest. Quieter alternative to Trillium, with a lake beach and small store. $30-$45/night. Open mid-May through October.
Where you can't sleep: No overnight in downtown Hood River, Walmart in The Dalles allows overnight, Fruit Loop farm stands prohibit overnight parking.
free or near it
Walla Walla Wine Country
Where you can sleep in a van
Van life · campgrounds
Walla Walla RV Resort. 5 min from downtown. Full hookups, walking distance to one Costco, $50-$70/night. The convenient downtown-adjacent option.
Lewis & Clark Trail State Park. 30 minutes west of Walla Walla on US-12. 30 sites with full hookups, $25-$35/night, plus historic Lewis & Clark interpretive trails. The state-park option with hiking trails.
Fort Walla Walla Park Campground. 4 miles south of downtown. 15 sites with hookups, $30-$40/night, at the museum complex. The "we want easy in-and-out" option.
Bennington Lake (no overnight). Day-use only at the lake itself. For overnight, use the parks above.
Where you can't sleep: No overnight on downtown streets, Walmart Walla Walla allows overnight, winery parking lots prohibit overnight stays.
free or near it
Spokane & Palouse
Where you can sleep in a van
Van life · campgrounds
Riverside State Park. 10 minutes northwest of downtown Spokane. 250+ sites with hookups, full facilities, $25-$45/night. The closest state park to downtown Spokane, books 2-4 months ahead for summer weekends.
Mount Spokane State Park. 30 minutes northeast. Forested sites at higher elevation, 12 sites with hookups, $25-$35/night. The cooler-temperature option in summer heat.
Spokane RV Resort. South of downtown. Full hookups, family-friendly, easy in-and-out, $45-$65/night.
Palouse Falls State Park Campground. 11 first-come-first-served sites at the falls. Primitive (no hookups), $12-$20/night. The "we want to wake up at the falls" option, fills fast for summer weekends.
Kamiak Butte County Park. 9 primitive sites near Pullman. Forested setting, $12-$15/night. The hidden Palouse camping option.
Where you can't sleep: No overnight at Steptoe Butte summit (day-use only), no overnight at Riverfront Park, Walmart Spokane Valley allows overnight, most Spokane churches and big-box stores prohibit overnight parking.
free or near it
Portland
Where you can sleep in a van
Van life · campgrounds
Jantzen Beach RV Park. North Portland, walkable to MAX line. Full hookups, $55-$80/night. The most-recommended Portland-adjacent RV park, on Hayden Island.
Portland Fairview RV Park. East Portland near the airport. Full hookups, family-friendly, $60-$85/night.
Crown Point RV Park. Corbett, 25 min east of Portland near the Columbia Gorge. Pretty rural setting with hookups, $50-$75/night. The "we want to also do the Gorge" option.
Where you can't sleep: No overnight on downtown streets or downtown parking lots, Walmart in Jantzen Beach and Hillsboro permit overnight RV, most Portland parks prohibit overnight.
free or near it
Newberg-Dundee-McMinnville
Where you can sleep in a van
Van life · campgrounds
Champoeg State Heritage Area Campground. 15 min east of Newberg. 74 hookup sites (20 full, 54 electric) plus walk-in tents, yurts and cabins. Roughly $29 tent and $50-$53 hookup after the May 2026 fee change. The most-recommended wine country camping, books 2-4 months ahead for summer weekends.
Olde Stone Village RV Park (McMinnville). Edge of McMinnville. Full hookups, walking distance to Third Street, $50-$75/night. The convenient downtown-McMinnville option.
Willamette Wine Country RV Park (Dayton). Minutes from Dundee. Full hookups in the middle of wine country, $55-$85/night. Dundee Hills Resort on Fox Farm Rd in Dundee is the other vineyard-setting option.
Where you can't sleep: No overnight at wineries (their parking lots prohibit it), no overnight on downtown streets in Newberg or McMinnville. Walmart Tualatin (30 min east) permits overnight.
free or near it
Salem & Silver Falls
Where you can sleep in a van
Van life · campgrounds
Silver Falls State Park Campground. Inside the park. 100+ sites including RV hookups, $24-$45/night plus reservation fee. The most-iconic Oregon waterfall camping, books 6 months out for summer weekends.
Salem Campground & RV's. South Salem. Full hookups, family-friendly, $45-$65/night.
Champoeg State Heritage Area. 25 min northeast of Salem. 67 sites with hookups, $25-$40/night, the historic park with kid-friendly trails.
Where you can't sleep: No overnight at Riverfront Park, no overnight at Silver Falls day-use parking, Walmart Salem permits overnight RV.
free or near it
Eugene & South Willamette
Where you can sleep in a van
Van life · campgrounds
Eugene Kamping World RV Park. It is actually in Coburg, 10 min north of downtown Eugene. Full hookups, family-friendly, right off I-5, $50-$75/night.
Premier RV Resort. Also Coburg, at I-5 exit 199, not Eugene proper. Full hookups, indoor pool, family-friendly, $55-$85/night.
Shamrock Village RV Park on Franklin Blvd in Eugene. Affordable RV park with hookups, $45-$65/night.
Belknap Hot Springs campground. 1 hr east on the McKenzie River. RV sites plus tent camping with hot springs access, $30-$50/night, and note kids under 5 are not allowed in the pool area. The "we want McKenzie River" van option.
Where you can't sleep: No overnight at Saturday Market site or downtown parks. Walmart Eugene and Springfield both permit overnight RV. Plenty of options without breaking rules.
free or near it
Oregon North Coast
Where you can sleep in a van
Van life · campgrounds
Cape Lookout State Park on the Three Capes Loop has 217 sites including hookups, yurts, and cabins. One of the best in-park beach campgrounds on the Oregon Coast. About $30-$50/night. Reservations through oregonstateparks.org. The waterfront sites are the most coveted on the entire coast.
Fort Stevens State Park north of Astoria has 478 sites including hookups, yurts, deluxe cabins. About $30-$50/night. The biggest state park campground in Oregon, year-round. Walking distance to the Wreck of the Peter Iredale.
Nehalem Bay State Park at Manzanita has 281 sites with hookups, yurts, and a fly-in airstrip. The 7-mile beach is right out the door.
Hug Point State Recreation Site day-use only (no camping).
Cape Kiwanda RV Park in Pacific City has full hookups for RVs, $60-$100/night. Walking distance to the beach and Pelican Brewing.
Where you can't sleep: No vehicle camping at beach access points, US-101 pull-offs, or downtown areas. Cannon Beach actively patrols for overnight parking. Some Tillamook State Forest dispersed camping is allowed in designated areas.
free or near it
Oregon Central Coast
Where you can sleep in a van
Van life · campgrounds
South Beach State Park in Newport has 240 sites including hookups, plus yurts. About $30-$50/night. Walking distance to the South Beach jetty, walkable to the Aquarium. The Newport headliner.
Beverly Beach State Park south of Newport has 250 sites including hookups, yurts. Wide sandy beach right out the door, family-friendly.
Devil's Lake State Park in Lincoln City has 100 sites with hookups on a freshwater lake. Best for families wanting both ocean and lake access.
Cape Perpetua Campground in the Siuslaw National Forest, just east of the visitor center. 38 sites, no hookups, $24/night. The closest camping to Thor's Well and the dramatic coastline.
Carl G. Washburne State Park 14 miles north of Florence has 58 sites with hookups, yurts. Quiet, less-crowded, beach right out the door.
Jessie M. Honeyman State Park 3 miles south of Florence has 350 sites with hookups, yurts. The biggest state park campground on the Central Coast, with two freshwater lakes for swimming and the Oregon Dunes right out the door.
Where you can't sleep: No vehicle camping at beach access points, US-101 pull-offs, downtown areas, or Cape Perpetua pull-offs (rangers patrol). Some Siuslaw National Forest dispersed camping is allowed in designated areas.