Community May 2, 2021

Western Washington’s Best Camping Trips

Summer is almost here and if you haven’t started planning your camping trips, now’s the time! There are so many wonderful places to choose from, and here are some of our favorites. It’s important to note that campsites offering reservations fill up fast while others are on a first-come, first-served basis so check now and plan accordingly.

Birch Bay State Park

Photo by Leo Phillips.

 

Just below the Canadian border sits Birch Bay State Park. Birch Bay, Washington is a quaint town with a water slide amusement park and many cute shops. Birch Bay State Park provides an incredible experience perfect for all ages with its expansive waterfront – just be sure to book in advance.

Availability and Reservations

Cost (seasonal pricing): $20-37 for standard sites, $35-50 for full utility trailer sites

Drive-Up Camping: Yes

Deception Pass State Park

Photo by WA State Parks.

With miles of beachfront and trails to enjoy, this popular destination is hard to beat. The impressive Deception Pass Bridge connects to the mainland and you can easily head to Anacortes from there. Plus, the San Juan Islands are just a ferry ride away!

Availability and Reservations

Cost: $30 per night

Drive-Up Camping: Yes

The Enchantments

 

deception state park

Photo by Leo Phillips.

 

In the Bavarian town of Leavenworth lies the Aasgard Pass, and it is stunning. It’s also just a small part of the Enchantments. There are many picturesque areas with excellent campsites. You’re likely to see mountain goats on the trails so be ready to snap some photos.

Availability and Reservations

Cost: $5 per person, per day

Drive-Up Camping: Limited

Kalaloch Campground

 

Kalaloch Beach

Photo by Leo Phillips.

 

Overlooking the seaside beach of the western side of the Olympic Peninsula, Kalaloch is one of two campgrounds there where you can make reservations in advance from the end of May to mid-September. Otherwise, it’s on a first-come, first-served basis. For those that like to plan ahead, book your advance reservations here. Or, make a mad dash to get there on a Friday morning and hope for a site. The remaining 22 of its 170 sites are first-come, first-served. Also, as a heads up, there are no showers.

Availability and Reservations

Cost: $24 per night for standard campsites, $48 per night for group sites

Drive-Up Camping: Yes

Olympic National Park

olympic mountains

Photo by Leo Phillips.

 

If you want the quintessential remote backpacking experience, the Olympics are your mountains!  Nothing compares to the jagged majesty of the soaring Olympic range, nor the primitive campsites that connect the epic adventures that await. While there are some drive-up campsites (like the popular Hurricane Ridge and Deer Park), be prepared for steep drop-offs on the mountain roads leading up.

Availability and Reservations

Cost: $8 per person, per night

Drive-Up Camping: Limited