Pets allowed
Allowed
Guided tours
No
Backcountry camping
Yes
Lodging
No
Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.

Located in Carnation, Washington, at the confluence of the Snoqualmie and Tolt Rivers, Tolt-MacDonald Park might be the most rewarding and easiest Seattle get-away. Particularly if you are escaping with kids, Tolt-MacDonald Park truly has it all; it is the setting for the archetypal summer camp.

A total of 574 acres flank both sides of the Snoqualmie River, and the banks are connected with a 500-foot long suspension footbridge. The park features large playing fields (one soccer field and two baseball fields), a playground, countless picnic tables and three distinct picnic shelters, fishing, a sandy beach, easy hiking trails through a native conifer forest, and a 38-site campground with additional yurts and two very large group campsites.

Creation of the park began in 1970 and wrapped up in 1976 after Boy Scout Council Chief, John MacDonald, lead 20,000 Boy Scouts in a massive undertaking to construct many of the park's facilities, including campsites, picnic tables and shelters. The suspension bridge was built by the Army Reserves.

Note: There are two entrance points into the park. The main entrance is at the end of NE 40th Street in Carnation, while a separate south entrance and parking area provides access to the Tolt River, the park's beach, and the best fishing along the Snoqualmie River. To make reservations for the picnic shelters, call 206.205.5434 or email King County scheduling office at [email protected].

 

Logistics + Planning

Preferable season(s)

Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall

Congestion

High

Parking Pass

Not Required

Pros

Unique campground. Great day use amenities. Beach on Snoqualmie River.

Cons

Most of the campground requires a short walk for access.

Features

ADA accessible
Campgrounds + Campsites
Showers
Amphitheater
Backcountry camping
Flushing toilets
Boat ramp(s)
Potable water
Picnic tables
Covered picnic areas
Baseball
Fishing
Playground
Wildlife
Wildlife

Site type

Full hookups
Yurts

Location

Nearby Lodging + Camping

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