Tent campsites near Acme, Washington range from lakeside primitive sites to densely wooded forest camping areas throughout the North Cascades foothills. Most primitive camping locations sit at elevations between 800-2,500 feet, with summer temperatures typically reaching 70-85°F during day and dropping to 45-55°F at night. Fall and spring camping often requires additional cold-weather gear as overnight temperatures can drop below freezing even when days remain mild.
What to do
Lake swimming and fishing: Blue Lake BackCountry Campsites offers swimming and fishing opportunities during summer months in a mountain setting. A camper notes: "There are multiple spots to pitch a tent and there is even a vault toilet thing but never had to use it. There were two other groups camping at the same time and you would never know they were there. Lots of huckleberries too!"
Hike to scenic overlooks: Cypress Island Natural Resources Conservation Area features trails with panoramic views. One visitor shared: "There are incredible hikes on the island including one to Eagle Cliffs that has the best sunset views. Eagle Cliffs is closed for parts of the year to allow Peregrine Falcons time to nest in peace."
Kayaking after dark: For a unique nighttime experience, Cypress Island offers bioluminescence viewing opportunities. A camper reported: "Relaxed and swam by day, fabulous hikes with amazing views, and did a bioluminescence tour in the kayaks after midnight on the northern end of the island that was heart stopping."
What campers like
Secluded island camping: Moran State Park Mountain Lake on Orcas Island provides a unique camping experience with access to multiple water bodies. A camper observed: "This is a large campground on Orcas Island. It sits on Lake Moran which is a fun lake to kayak and cliff jump. If you follow the road up to Mt. Constitution, there is a lookout tower that resembles a castle."
Wooden boardwalks through wetlands: Pine and Cedar Lakes Primitive Camping features distinctive boardwalks traversing wet areas. According to one visitor: "Steep but short hike, but hey, it's close to town! A 15 minute drive from downtown Bellingham and you get yourself a secluded, quiet lake. Pine Lake is prettier and has fun boardwalks to explore."
Built-in seating at campsites: Lily and Lizard Lakes offers rustic but thoughtfully designed camping areas. A reviewer noted: "All the sites had a fire ring, bench and a flat area to set up your tent. The hike up is pretty easy but the only water source is from the lakes which is not the cleanest water so bring a good filter."
What you should know
Bridge closure adds hiking distance: Access to some primitive camping areas requires additional hiking due to infrastructure issues. A recent visitor to Blue Lake BackCountry Campsites reported: "The bridge over the nooksack River on Forest service road 12 has been out for the last few years... Therefore, to get to Blue lake you have three extra miles of road to walk before the trailhead."
Limited cell service: Communication options are limited throughout the region. A camper at Hidden Meadow Retreat mentioned: "There was no cell phone service for me, so I recommend printing directions. I trusted my GPS and it got me there, but I wasn't 100% sure I had arrived."
First-come availability: Many tent campsites around Acme fill quickly, especially the most desirable spots. A camper at Pine and Cedar Lakes advised: "There are a few campsites along the lakes, but the best one is on the island at Pine lake. There is a boardwalk that gets you there. I've camped there a few times and always loved it. Heads up, it's first come first serve for these sites."
Tips for camping with families
Short backpacking introduction: Blue Lake provides an excellent first backpacking experience for young children. A parent shared: "We were looking for a short destination that would introduce my 5 and 7 year old boys to the wonderful world of backpacking. Blue Lake was perfect. It is a very short hike to the lake ~1.5 miles-ish. You could even make multiple trips to your car if needed."
Barrier-free exploration: Cedar Groves Rural Campground offers accessible nature immersion opportunities. A visitor commented: "Cedar Groves has some great tent sites surrounded by tall dense trees, with tons of wildlife all around you!"
Pack insect protection: Bugs can be problematic at several camping locations during summer months. A camper at Pine and Cedar Lakes advised: "Pine Lake is prettier and has fun boardwalks to explore, but the campsites at Cedar Lake are better (bigger and flatter). Log benches mark the campsites as well as the remnants of past fires, but please mind fire bans, and don't forage! No toilets, but pets allowed. Bring bug spray!"
Tips from RVers
Level parking options: Norwest RV Park in nearby Ferndale provides one of the few developed options with hookups. A camper reported: "Small spaces but they are level and the price is right!"
Parking limitations for primitive sites: Most tent campsites near Acme have no parking at trailheads or limited parking that fills quickly on weekends. A hiker at Lily and Lizard Lakes observed: "There is no overnight parking at the top lot that is half way up the trail, so you have to park on Chuckanut drive. First half is steep and extremely busy but second half is quiet. There are only a few spots so it's good to get there early!!"
