Best Tent Camping near Bellingham, WA
Tent camping options near Bellingham, Washington include a mix of primitive forest sites and scenic island destinations accessible by boat or hiking trails. Pine and Cedar Lakes Primitive Camping offers secluded tent sites at the end of a steep but short hike from town, while Lily and Lizard Lakes provides backcountry tent camping with established sites that require a hiking permit.
Most primitive tent sites around Bellingham require hikers to pack in all supplies, as amenities are minimal to nonexistent. Pine and Cedar Lakes features no drinking water, toilets, or trash facilities, making proper backcountry preparation essential. Fire restrictions vary seasonally, with some areas like Cedar Lake Campsite prohibiting fires year-round while others permit them when no bans are in effect. A recent review noted that at Lily and Lizard Lakes, "there are only 4 campsites there and all really close to each other. All the sites had a fire ring, bench and a flat area to set up your tent."
Walk-in tent locations in the Bellingham area provide unique natural experiences away from vehicle traffic and larger camping setups. The tent sites at Pine and Cedar Lakes are surrounded by dense forest with several spots offering lake views and wooden boardwalks for exploration. One camper shared that it's "a 15 minute drive from downtown Bellingham and you get yourself a secluded, quiet lake." For those willing to venture further, the San Juan Islands offer additional tent camping opportunities at places like Clark Island Marine State Park and Cypress Island Natural Resources Conservation Area, both accessible primarily by boat. These island tent sites typically include picnic tables and pit toilets but require campers to bring their own water or filtration systems.
