As anyone who's ever gone camping in the rain knows, weather can significantly affect a trip. In Washington state, the Cascade mountains, which run through the western third of the state, greatly impact rainfall and weather. Destinations west of the mountains experience high rainfall, and some regions like the Olympic Penninsula receive so much precipitation that they are considered rainforests. For campers driving large motor homes, rain may not be a major issue, but for RV campers bringing soft top pop-up trailers, staying dry should be a major concern. West of the Cascades, the best season to camp is during the summer before heavy rains begin in the fall and winter. East of the Cascades, the climate is much drier, with hot summers and cold winters. Summer temperatures can reach 100 degrees Fahrenheit, and winter temperatures often drop below freezing. As a result, RV campers may prefer to visit in the spring and fall, when temperatures are not so extreme.
Because the Cascade mountains receive significant amounts of snow throughout the winter, roads leading into camping areas in the mountains often stay closed until late spring and early summer, especially at higher elevations. Given the high quantities of snow and rainfall, especially in the Cascade mountains and western Washington state, road conditions can also become perilous, especially RV campers. Drivers can help reduce their risk by making sure their vehicle is balanced properly and not overloaded.
Both grizzly and black bears live in Washington state and can be found in popular camping areas, such as North Cascades National Park. Bears have been known to visit campgrounds in Washington state in search of food. As a result, RV campers using soft-sided trailers should never store food inside their trailer. Instead, campers should use food lockers to store food and any other items that give off a scent, such as toothpaste and soap. Campers traveling in a motor home should make sure they lock all windows and doors whenever leaving their RV unattended. All campers should throw away trash in bear-resistant trash barrels and keep their campsites free from garbage and food residue.
National Parks attract millions of nature lovers and campers every year. In Washington state, the main national parks are Olympic, Mount Ranier and North Cascades in addition to the Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area. RV campers should be aware that none of the national parks in Washington state offer full hookups; dump stations are not available in all campgrounds. While large motor homes can be accommodated in the national parks, the number of pull-through campsites is always limited.
Washington operates more than 60 state parks that offer campgrounds with an RV dump station. Like the national parks within the state, full service hookups are not available at any Washington state park campground. The Washington State Parks website recommends that visitors make campground reservations in advance during the busy summer months. Campers can make reservations over the phone by calling 888-226-7688.
