Tinkham Campground
Tinkham Campground is located along the South Fork Snoqualmie River in Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. It offers some of the most stunning scenery in Washington's North Cascades, as well as easy access to an abundance of recreational activities.
More like this: reservable in Washington · big rigs in Washington · pets allowed in Washington
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 42 |
| Tent-only | 3 |
| Host/management | 6 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 46 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
45 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 002 | Standard | Back-in | 36 | Gravel | Full | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard | |
| 003 | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | Full | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard | |
| 004 | Standard | Back-in | 25 | Gravel | Full | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard | |
| 005 | Standard | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | Full | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard | |
| 006 | Standard | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | Full | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard | |
| 007 | Standard | Back-in | 34 | Gravel | Full | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard | |
| 008 | Standard | Back-in | 32 | Gravel | Full | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard | |
| 009 | Standard | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | Full | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard | |
| 010 | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | Full | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard | |
| 011 | Standard | Back-in | 24 | Gravel | Full | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 46 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Accessibility | Sites 021, 022 are listed accessible |
Tinkham Campground offers single-family sites, a few of which are accessible. Picnic tables, food storage lockers, and campfire rings with grills are provided, as are vault toilets and drinking water. No electrical hookups are available.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Closed for the season. Forest Service sites close for the season; check the official page for the reopening date. |
| Season | 5/27 to 09/13 |
| Forest | Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Seattle, Washington, go east on I-90 to Exit 42. Turn south and go approximately 1 mile to the campground.
| Coordinates | 47.4025° N, 121.5675° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- WildfireThree Queens
14 mi from the campground · 9,575 acres · 33% contained
- WildfireKing
15 mi from the campground · 3,427 acres · 36% contained
- WildfireWest Fork
32 mi from the campground · 310 acres · 16% contained
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | EVO ↗ | 7.3 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 16.9 mi |
| RV sales & service | Sunset RV ↗ | 27.8 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Tinkham Campground Review
Worth a stop
Mount Rainier National Park is about an hour away. This beautiful park offers fantastic glimpses of glaciers, subalpine ecology and volcanic landscapes. Hiking and scenic driving are the area's most popular activities.
- 2.3 miTalapus Lake Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 7.4 mi
Trails nearby
- 0.1 miTinkham Discovery ↗0.2 mi trail · hiking
- 0.9 miGarcia ↗7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.2 miMcClellan Butte ↗5.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.2 miBandera Mountain1 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 1.7 miIra Spring4 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 2 miIsland Lake0.5 mi trail · hiking
Trailheads within three miles
- 1.2 miMcClellan Butte Trailhead ↗Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
- 1.7 miIra Spring Trailhead ↗Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
- 2.3 miTalapus Lake Trailhead ↗Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest begins about 4.4 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 4.4 miMt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 2,025,595 acres
- 7.7 miAlpine Lakes Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 414,322 acres
- 10.1 miOkanogan-Wenatchee National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 3,858,129 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Lake Keechelus Snowshed BridgeStructure · Hyak · 10 mi
- North Bend Ranger StationHistoric district · North Bend · 11.3 mi
- McGrath Cafe and Hotel–The McGrathBuilding · North Bend · 12 mi
Natural features
The campground sits alongside the river, in a towering canopy of Douglas fir, cedar and western hemlock, providing abundant shade. Rugged peaks, scenic rivers and abundant wildlife define the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest and surrounding designated wilderness areas. On a clear day visitors can see Mt. Baker, which rises to an elevation of 10,781 feet. The active volcano is perpetually snow-capped. Mt. Baker's summit, Grant Peak, is actually a 1,300-foot-deep mound of ice, which hides a massive volcanic crater. Wildlife in the area ranges from mountain goats in the higher elevations to coyotes and pine martens in the forests. Migratory birds and native fish find ample habitat in the varied ecosystems as well.
Recreation
The surrounding area is a prime location for hiking, fishing, picnicking and horseback riding in summer and early fall. In winter, visitors can take advantage of skiing and snowshoeing opportunities. A handful of hiking trails lie within a short driving distance, making Tinkham an ideal setting for both individual and family camping excursions. The 0.5-mile Tinkham Discovery Trail is an easy, family-friendly nature path. It weaves through fallen, moss-covered trees to a small pond. Children love investigating the insects, wildflowers and fungi along the trail.
Guidebooks for Washington
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Tinkham Campground?
Sites at Tinkham Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Tinkham Campground?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Tinkham Campground open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026. Season 5/27 to 09/13.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Tinkham Campground have?
51 sites, including 42 standard sites without power and 3 tent-only sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Tinkham Campground?
The longest site here provides 46 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are pets allowed at Tinkham Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Tinkham Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Tinkham Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there are 3 active fires within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one.
Source: Fire nearby
Are there accessible sites at Tinkham Campground?
Sites 021 and 022 are listed accessible on Recreation.gov. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is there cell service at Tinkham Campground?
FCC coverage maps show Verizon 4G LTE, AT&T 5G, and T-Mobile 4G LTE at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Tinkham Campground?
The surrounding area is a prime location for hiking, fishing, picnicking and horseback riding in summer and early fall. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What if Tinkham Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Denny Creek Campground (5.9 mi), Middle Fork Campground (10.2 mi), and Kachess (15.5 mi, partly first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby