Camping spots near Anacortes, Washington range from island getaways to mainland forest retreats with elevations from sea level to 2,400 feet at Mount Constitution. Winter temperatures average 35-45°F while summer temperatures typically stay between 65-75°F with occasional summer fog. Camping sites frequently fill between May and September, especially during weekend periods.
What to do
Beach exploration at low tide: Washington Park Campground offers direct access to rocky shores perfect for tidepooling. "There is a park for the kids, and trails down to cool spots to hang out by the water," notes Ashlie M.
Mountain hiking with panoramic views: Moran State Park on Orcas Island provides access to Mount Constitution with summit views of the entire archipelago. "We camped on a lake that had easy trailhead access to the peak of Mt. Constitution, an easy/moderate hike with excellent views," shares Matthew G.
Kayaking from protected waterways: Spencer Spit State Park on Lopez Island is recognized for water-access camping. "Great kayak launch spot or a base camp for exploring Lopez Island in the San Juan's... Nice wide beach for kayaks to enter the water," according to Joel T.
Crabbing and boating opportunities: Coastal campsites provide direct access to productive shellfish areas. "Easy access to water nearby for crabbing/boating," explains Michael L. at Larrabee State Park.
What campers like
Privacy levels between campgrounds: Some locations offer more separation between sites. At Washington Park Campground, Norleen O. mentions, "Most sites back up to the forest and have nice privacy. The park rangers come around several times a day to check reservations and bring wood."
Quiet periods during weekdays: Many campgrounds show significant differences in occupancy patterns. "Busy on the weekend but nearly empty come Monday," reports Ana about Midway Campground at Moran State Park.
Loop options for varied experiences: Bay View State Park offers distinctive camping zones. "Even when it's full, it's peaceful and the majority of sites have decent privacy via trees + shrubs," explains CJ W.
Easy access to town amenities: La Conner Marina RV Resort provides convenience to local shopping. "Easy short walk to town," says Maegan M., making it suitable for campers who want both outdoor experiences and access to restaurants.
What you should know
Naval air activity impacts: Several campgrounds experience periodic jet noise. "The only problem is the noise from the naval base nearby. You'll hear jets overhead on a regular basis," shares Michael L. at Larrabee State Park, though he notes, "It was hard to get a good sleep."
Ferry planning requirements: Midway Campground on Orcas Island requires substantial travel planning. "The only bummer is that it is a long trip from anywhere and the ferry is not cheap," notes C M.
Off-season facilities limitations: Bathrooms and showers may have maintenance issues in shoulder seasons. Kim G. notes about Washington Park, "Washrooms didn't seem clean. No hand soap in washrooms. One of two showers in the women's room in the C-loop broken."
Train noise impacts: Sites near rail lines experience disruption. "There is however, a train that runs right by the campground and it is loud!" warns Danielle S. about Larrabee State Park, while another camper mentioned, "Could barely sleep with earplugs."
Tips for camping with families
Protected swimming areas: La Conner RV offers designated water play zones. "Anything we forgot we didn't notice. Thousand Trails has everything that we may have left behind, very convenient to pick up from on-site store. There were plenty of outdoor activities to keep the dogs and kiddos entertained," says Melissa C.
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature built-in entertainment. "We loved that Larrabee had a playground area and easy access to the beach," notes Carlyn N.
Island exploration with children: Camping on islands provides unique educational opportunities. "The quaint village of Lopez is also a short bike or drive away. Hitchhiking is highly common and very acceptable on Lopez as well," shares Kelsey M. about Spencer Spit.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Children can observe various species in protected habitats. One camper at Spencer Spit mentions, "The park offers a cool lagoon to watch birds and other wildlife."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: North Whidbey RV Park requires attention to alignment. "The site was extremely unlevel front to back so much so my rear stabilizers barely touched the ground," notes Jason W. at Larrabee.
Hookup availability variations: Services differ substantially between parks. "Not all services are available at each site... Only a few have water views," explains Paula C. at La Conner RV.
Sewer connection limitations: Many state parks lack full hookups. "There are about 5 or 6 newer pull through that are good size. The remainder of the sites are small," shares a camper about La Conner Marina RV Resort.
Off-peak value considerations: Shoulder seasons provide better value and availability. "We spent 4 nights here as a jumping-off point to explore Whidbey Island and a day trip to visit Orcas Island. We were leery of bringing our trailer onto the ferry for the first time, so we took the driving route via Deception Pass," explains Kristin S.
Traveler
