Wondering where to go camping in Washington state? Washington has so much to offer and when we first moved here from Southern California, we knew our summers would be filled with camping trips. But when it came time to researching campgrounds, we were overwhelmed with all how many campsites were available for us to pick from!
From our two years living here, we’ve found some campgrounds that we LOVE and would definitely go back to. I hope this list helps you find a campground where you can enjoy a fun outdoor adventure! Here are the best campgrounds we’ve found in Washington (so far).
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Best Campgrounds in Washington
Lake Wenatchee State Park
Lake Wenatchee State Park is about 2 hours east from Seattle. It’s the perfect campground to visit in the summer because of the beach and lake with the beautiful mountains in the background.
- Distance from Seattle: 107 miles
- Dogs allowed? Yes
- Restrooms? Yes, with sinks and flushing toilets
- Nearby attractions: Leavenworth, Stevens Pass
What To Do at Lake Wenatchee State Park
- Swimming
- Paddleboarding
- Hang out on the beach
- Hike
- Boating
- Fishing
You can learn more about Lake Wenatchee State Park here.
Fort Ebey State Park
Fort Ebey State Park is north of Seattle, over on Whidbey Island, and was used as a coastal defense fort in World War II.
- Distance from Seattle:
- Taking the ferry to the south end of Whidbey Island: 61 mi
- Driving up to the north end of Whidbey Island, over Deception Pass: 100 mi
- Dogs allowed? Yes
- Restrooms? Yes, with sinks and flushing toilets
- Nearby attractions: Deception Pass
What To Do at Fort Ebey State Park
- Explore the bunkers (bring a headlamp!)
- Hike to Lake Pondilla
- Picnic on the bluffs
You can learn more about Fort Ebey State Park here.
Moran State Park
Moran State Park is located in the San Juan Islands, north of Seattle, and you have to take a ferry or boat to get there. You can drive from Seattle to Anacortes Ferry Terminal, take the ferry, then drive 12 mi to the east side of the island to Moran State Park.
- Distance from Seattle: 118 miles
- Dogs allowed? Yes
- Restrooms? Yes, with sinks and flushing toilets
What To Do at Moran State Park
- Boating
- Paddleboarding
- Fishing
- Kayaking
- Hang out on the beach
- Biking
- Hike, drive, or bike to Mt. Constitution (Pro Tip: The view faces east, so I’d recommend going during sunrise. If you go during sunset, there’s a west-facing viewpoint before you reach Mt. Constitution.)
You can learn more about Moran State Park here.
What to Bring Camping
Here are camping essentials that you should bring for every camping trip. If you’re going with a group, it helps to split the food, cooking supplies, and activities with each other. Check out my Beginner’s Guide to Car Camping for more information and a complete list of what to bring camping.
- Tent: Our REI Half Dome 2 Plus tent fits my husband, dog, and I well. It’s rain fly design adds some extra coverage outside the entrances to place your shoes and bags. The fly is also easy to roll up to easily enter and exit the tent. My favorite part are all of the pockets inside the tent. And it’s easy enough for me to set up by myself!
- Sleeping bag
- Sleeping pad
- Camping pillow
- Camping chair
- Headlamp
- Day pack
How to Reserve Campsites in Washington
For National Parks, you can reserve sites through Recreation.gov.
For Washington State Parks, you can reserve campsites through the State Parks online reservation system.
Conclusion
Washington has so many campgrounds available, and I hope this helps you decide where to go camping in Washington. Camping is one of my favorite outdoor activities and is great for the whole family, a group of friends, and even the pup!
If you go to one of these campgrounds, tag me in your photos on Instagram @kellycrispina! I’d love to see you out enjoying the outdoors!