Camping near Bellingham offers diverse options from lakeside sites to mountain retreats in Washington's northwestern corner. The region sits between the Cascade Mountains and Puget Sound, with camping elevations ranging from sea level to 2,400 feet. Summer temperatures average 70-75°F while spring and fall camping often means dealing with frequent rainfall and temperatures between 45-60°F.
What to do
Hiking at Pine and Cedar Lakes: The primitive camping areas require a challenging hike to access. "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," notes Niki A. about Pine and Cedar Lakes Primitive Camping.
Lake activities at Moran State Park: Located on Orcas Island, this park offers excellent lake recreation. "Jump off the bridge, midnight skinny dipping, star gazing galore, deer spotting or beach combing. This spot has everything you need!" says Jessica M. about Midway Campground — Moran State Park.
Shellfish harvesting at Birch Bay: This state park provides excellent opportunities for harvesting your own dinner. "This has to be one of my all time favorite places for Shell Fishing and Crabbing! Peaceful and not too busy, access to the beach, and group camp sites, makes this a family destination for quiet fun," writes Dani H.
What campers like
Beach access and sunsets: Many campgrounds offer waterfront experiences. "We just did a quick over-nighter here on our way back from CA. We set up camp and had our dinner on the beach to watch an incredible sunset!" shares Maggie M. about Birch Bay State Park Campground.
Wildlife encounters: Local campgrounds often feature resident wildlife. "Nice campground with great views of the water. Just be aware that it has some nosy raccoon residents who feel very comfortable coming right up to camp to investigate your food situation :) Nothing bad - just have to be careful not to encourage them," reports wisepig about Larrabee State Park.
Clean facilities: Campgrounds in the region maintain good standards. "Bayview is one of my husband and I's favorite state parks for short term camping. Even when it's full, it's peaceful and the majority of sites have decent privacy via trees + shrubs," writes CJ W. about Bay View State Park Campground.
What you should know
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience noise disruptions. "Lovely area and views. We visited in the winter, so it was quiet. Downside was the trains barreling through all night. Could barely sleep with earplugs," explains Daryl N. about Larrabee State Park.
Weather preparedness: The Pacific Northwest climate affects camping conditions. "Three main camping areas separated along Route 20. Each has hiking trails through the trees... many have views of the water. Clean rest rooms in our area. Be prepared for rain," advises Leonard H. about Deception Pass State Park Campground.
Reservation timing: Popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially in summer. "We reserved our spot 6 months ahead of time (It took us weeks of early mornings in October to get a spot) because we thought Mountain Lake was more remote," shares Trisha R. about Mountain Lake Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Farm experience camping: Unique family camping opportunities exist near Bellingham. "Lisa gave us a tour and let our children pet/feed the cows, goat, and pig. The kids loved it!! We like that there isn't rows of RVs and Trailers stacked on top of each other," raves Christina B. about Oostema Farmstead.
Kid-friendly activities: Several dog friendly campgrounds near Bellingham offer amenities specifically for children. "We stayed during Memorial weekend and had a blast! With young children we loved that Larrabee had a playground area and easy access to the beach. We also took advantage of the hiking trails nearby," explains Carlyn N.
Day trip opportunities: Many campgrounds provide excellent bases for exploring. "The campground is very well maintained and the staff is super friendly and helpful. They are close to Chuckanut Drive, which is amazing, a must do when there, you finish the drive in Bellingham!" advises Vivi W.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling issues: RVers should be aware of uneven terrain at some campgrounds. "We had site T6 which is full hook up pull through. The site was extremely unlevel front to back so much so my rear stabilizers barely touched the ground," warns Jason W. about Larrabee State Park.
Hookup availability: Check for RV amenities when booking dog friendly campgrounds near Bellingham. "Most of the campsites are nice and grassy with trees, but fairly close together. Ours was gravel and apart from the others, but did not have a sewer hookup," notes Ray & Terri F. about Oostema Farmstead.
Access considerations: Some campgrounds have challenging access routes. "Parking can be tricky in the higher numbered sites, especially for large vehicles," warns CJ W. about Bay View State Park Campground.
