My wife and I are planning a trip this summer and are trying to decide between Washington State and Texas. We will be leaving the Sacramento area in California. We would like to camp at sites with at least water and electricity. The more trees and nature the better as apposed to concrete and asphalt. If we went to Washington we would also like to take a day trip to Canada. If Texas then we get a few more cool state stickers to add to the side of our trailer. Lol. Where would you guys suggest we stay? Names of RV parks or camp grounds... Thanks

I like Millersylvania State park that is located just east of I 5 and a few miles south of Olympia. They have a lake, plenty of trees, and some sites with 30 amp electrical.I would recommend Washington because of lack of humidity, and probably 20 - 30F cooler than Texas. If it is really warm near I-5, try moving inland to a higher elevation. Mt Rainier? I took a trip through Washington near July 4th back in 98, and went to the Olympic National Park area, the only rain forest in the 48 states. It was very 'cool' in the summer. Lots of lakes and trees! I think that I moved around every few days, and one day I could have taken a ferry ride to Vancouver Canada, but skipped it because our dogs would not like waiting for our return a few hours later. If you go north past Seattle, you do not need the Ferry ride, just drive in, enjoy and leave via I-5 or several other routes.Going through Grants Pass (I lived there from 71 - 75) you might want to stop at Schroder County Park. It is south of town, to the west, and has plenty of trees, 30 amp electric, and grass to park on. IT is on the Rouge River, and you can see and hear the jet boats going by a couple of times a day. The jet boats are a lot of fun, and go from town to Hellgate Canyon. Hellgate.com They have dinner tours and daily runs in the morning and afternoon. In late August they might shut down because of low river water. They must have 6" draft for the larger boats, and a little less for the smallest ones. Get reservations if you want to go. It is a lot of fun!There are several RV campgrounds along the Rouge River, between Medford and Grants Pass. It is about a 4 hour drive from there to the Washington State border. Traffic near Portland is hectic from 2 pm until about 7 pm, due to small freeways and hundreds of commuters. Avoid it on any weeknight or morning. Taking bypass 205 will speed things up and avoid the drawbridge on I5. Saturday and Sunday are still going to be heavy traffic days, but not quite as bad. I drive it daily, and it goes along OK.Have fun on your trip!Fred.

A couple of years ago we stayed at Salt Creek County park on the Olypic Peninsula close to Port Angeles Very nice campground with water and electricity They take reservations Check it out

rustybronco wrote:My wife and I are planning a trip this summer and are trying to decide between Washington State and Texas. We will be leaving the Sacramento area in California. We would like to camp at sites with at least water and electricity. The more trees and nature the better as apposed to concrete and asphalt. If we went to Washington we would also like to take a day trip to Canada. If Texas then we get a few more cool state stickers to add to the side of our trailer. Lol. Where would you guys suggest we stay? Names of RV parks or camp grounds... Thanks I really like Washington state. I really enjoyed Whidby Island. Many little quaint towns to see. Many forest natural like State parks. I prefer driving all up the coast of Oregon and Washinton. All kinds of RV parks all the way up the coast. From Sac. I would suggest going north to hwy. 20 to 101 then head north to Washington. I like the summer weather much better going north in comparison to Texas. Email me privately if you more specific information.

Summer trip? You ask Washington or Texas? Really? :@Washington, of course!

Wow thanks everyone for the great information and recommendations! Yes we are leaning towards Washington since we have skipped it the past few years in our travels. We went to Colorado twice last year, Oregon the year before, and Arizona, Wyoming,utah,Nevada and Idaho in 2011. Been trying to see as many different states as we can each summer for vacation but Washington keeps sounding better and better the more we talk to people.

Washington state or Texas? | Good Sam Community

30 Replies

Winterwolf227
Explorer
Mar 25, 2015
downtheroad wrote:
Ed_Gee wrote:
Summer trip? You ask Washington or Texas? Really? :@

Washington, of course!

Enough said...and you get the bonus option of camping in Oregon (coast).

X2 Hwy 101 up the California, Oregon and Washington Coast.....Or the desert of Arizona, NM and Texas.....Ill take the coast all day long !!
patperry2766
Explorer II
Mar 25, 2015
I live in Texas, and won't camp here in the summer. We always head elsewhere. Texas is a great state to live in, but sadly it doesn't have a lot to offer in the way of cool weather camping options and the beaches leave a lot to be desired.
patperry2766
Explorer II
Mar 25, 2015
I live in Texas, and won't camp here in the summer. We always head elsewhere. Texas is a great state to live in, but sadly it doesn't have a lot to offer in the way of cool weather camping options and the beaches leave a lot to be desired.
RollandB
Explorer
Mar 25, 2015
Saw Palouse Falls last spring. The day we went was the one day they had the road closed for oiling. We still walked back into it which was worth the hike though the dogs didn't like it as much.
Bigdog
Explorer
Mar 25, 2015
vermilye wrote:
For a "different" part of Washington from the popular coast and cascades, check out their newly named "State Waterfall". Located in Palouse Falls State Park located about 2 hours southwest of Spokane. Dry camping that is really set up for tents, however a good size RV will fit in the overflow parking lot. If you are lucky, the host site with full hookups might be available.

More information from my visit starts here.
Palouse Falls State Park:

The road in can be quite ruff in places, but ok. Last time we were there we saw several rattlesnakes sunning themselves in the parking lot. Awesome pix though. There is a youtube video of a guy going over the falls in a kayak.
wing_zealot
Explorer
Mar 24, 2015
Summer and Texas don't even belong in the same sentence.
jamesu
Explorer
Mar 24, 2015
Yup, for the most part summers in Western Washington (approx. 4th of July to well after Labor Day) are to die for. The rest of the year you might not see the sun for 2 months at time...you never know. East of the Cascades the climate during summer is more like Texas without the humidity.
PawPaw_n_Gram
Explorer
Mar 24, 2015
As a Texas resident since 1986,

When we bought our first TT, we quickly realized we would use it in Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, etc.

And we would NEVER camp in Texas in July and August.

Also, sadly, we've had a multi-year drought across much of Texas - lakeside sites tend to now be dozens, maybe a hundred feet from actual water. Poor swimming most places also.

(Though I must admit my sig photo was taken in Texas and we volunteered/ camped there last May-August. But the CG was also 5,400 ft elevation. Never a temp above 95. Slept only three nights with the windows closed and AC on.)
newk
Explorer
Mar 24, 2015
Oh my, such an easy question. For summer camping? Washington! It has some great NPs with campgrounds. It really has a lot to offer.
vermilye
Explorer
Mar 23, 2015
For a "different" part of Washington from the popular coast and cascades, check out their newly named "State Waterfall". Located in Palouse Falls State Park located about 2 hours southwest of Spokane. Dry camping that is really set up for tents, however a good size RV will fit in the overflow parking lot. If you are lucky, the host site with full hookups might be available.

More information from my visit starts here.
Palouse Falls State Park:

Forum Discussion

Washington state or Texas?

30 Replies

About Campground 101

Related Content

Texas to Washington State

Washington State

Washington State

Washington State Campgrounds

WASHINGTON STATE PARKS