USA / Washington

Rent a Camper in Washington Three National Parks Near Seattle

Seattle puts you within striking distance of Olympic, Rainier and North Cascades national parks. The PNW van life culture means excellent campervan selection on peer-to-peer platforms. All four major rental companies operate here.

Washington Rental Pricing

Platform Pricing Notes
Outdoorsy$110-$325/nightStrong campervan selection, PNW van life scene
RVshare$90-$280/nightGood motorhome inventory, delivery available
Cruise America$100-$250/nightSeattle area location
Escape Campervans$90-$165/nightSeattle pickup, one-way to Portland available

Seattle as a Starting Point

Seattle is the undisputed PNW camping hub. Sea-Tac airport has cheap flights. The city's outdoor culture means a thriving van conversion scene — unique rigs on Outdoorsy you won't find anywhere else. Bainbridge Island ferry is 35 minutes from downtown and puts you on the Olympic Peninsula road.

Dense Pacific Northwest evergreen forest
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Best Road Trips From Seattle

Olympic National Park

80 miles west (plus ferry or drive around Puget Sound). 3-5 days to see all three ecosystems: rainforest, alpine meadows and rugged coastline. Kalaloch and Hoh Rain Forest campgrounds have RV sites. No hookups inside the park. The Hoh is the wettest spot in the contiguous US — bring rain gear year-round.

Mount Rainier National Park

60 miles south. Weekend or 2-3 days. Cougar Rock and Ohanapecosh campgrounds fit RVs. Paradise area has the best wildflower meadows in July-August. Snow closes many roads October through May — check conditions. The mountain creates its own weather — clear mornings often cloud over by afternoon.

North Cascades National Park

120 miles northeast via Highway 20. The "American Alps" — glaciers, turquoise lakes and jagged peaks. Colonial Creek and Newhalem campgrounds work for RVs. Less crowded than Rainier or Olympic. Road closes in winter (typically November through April). Diablo Lake overlook is the must-see viewpoint.

Oregon Coast

280 miles south to Cannon Beach. 5-7 day trip along the coast. Dozens of state park campgrounds with RV hookups right on the beach. Fort Stevens, Cape Lookout, Beverly Beach — all excellent. Escape offers one-way vans between Seattle and Portland, which works perfectly for a coastal one-way drive.

Mountain lake reflecting snow-capped peaks in Washington
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Washington-Specific Tips

  • Summer is short and busy. July-August is the only reliably dry window. Everyone camps then. Book national park campgrounds 3 months ahead for summer.
  • Rain is real. September through June brings frequent rain. A campervan with no indoor standing room gets claustrophobic in the rain. Make sure your rental has a good awning and livable interior.
  • Mountain passes close in winter. Highway 20 to North Cascades, some roads in Olympic and Rainier — all seasonal closures. Check WSDOT pass reports before planning mountain routes.
  • National forest camping is abundant. Mount Baker-Snoqualmie, Olympic and Gifford Pinchot national forests surround Seattle with free or cheap dispersed camping.