Camping season is here so now is the time to start making plans.
Western Washington has some pretty awesome campgrounds within a few hours of Seattle. Many have some really neat of local activities to keep big and little kids busy. Here are just a few of our local favorites.
1. Camano Island State Park (48.125596,-122.4935674)
About an hour from Seattle, Camano Island is located to the west of Stanwood about 30 minutes off I-5. With a bridge connecting the island to the mainland, there’s no waiting in ferry lines. Camano gives you that far away island feel without having to go far at all.
Camano Island State park offers 173 acres to explore and over a mile of beach. The park has 88 first come first serve campsites, 5 cabins, a kitchen shelter and a group camp that can accommodate up to 100 people. Services and groceries are nearby at the Elger Bay Store.
2. Deception Pass State Park (48.4060706,-122.6632132)
Known best for it’s close proximity to Deception Pass and the Deception Pass Bridge there’s a lot more Deception Pass State Park than meets the eye.
Encompassing 4,134 acres, offering 77,000-feet of saltwater shoreline and 33,900-feet of freshwater shoreline on three lakes, there’s plenty to do. The park has 167 tent sites, 143 utility spaces, five hiker / biker sites, two dump stations, 20 restrooms (four ADA), and ten showers (four ADA). Although spacious, camping does fill up on holiday weekends so reservations are recommended.
3. Fort Casey on Whidbey Island (48.159417,-122.6778163)
Built as a strategic marine defense in the early 1900’s, this retired military base is now a 467-acre camping park with 21 standard tent sites and 14 utility sites. This very cool piece of history is now a hands-on museum to discover and explore. Space can be limited on weekends, so reservations are recommended here too.
4. Horseshoe Cove at Baker Lake (48.6719444,-121.6763889)
Located in the shadow of Mt. Baker and just off Highway 20, Horseshoe Cove Campground is one of the most popular on the lake. The campground includes 38 tent/trailer sites, 2 of which are double units and 3 group sites. 25 campsites are reservable, others are on a first-come, first-served basis.
5. Verlot Campground (48.0898259,-121.7779042)
At the foot of Mt. Pilchuck, Verlot is easily accessed from the Mt. Loop Highway. This family-friendly campground is nestled next to the South Fork of the Stillaguamish River offering great places to fish and play. Directly across the street from the campground is the historic Verlot Ranger Station. Originally built between 1936-38 to act as headquarters for the newly formed Monte Cristo Ranger District a newly renovated museum, gift shop and information center are located inside.
Photo by Adam Barhan
