Best Tent Camping near Bow, WA

Tent campers visiting Bow, Washington can find several primitive camping options within a short drive of town. Pine and Cedar Lakes Primitive Camping offers hike-in tent sites with fire rings and free camping, while Lily and Lizard Lakes provides walk-in tent access with designated camping areas that require permits. Cedar Groves Rural Campground, located near Bow, features four walk-in tent sites with picnic tables and toilet facilities.

Most primitive tent sites in the area lack basic amenities, requiring campers to pack in their own water and supplies. Pine and Cedar Lakes has no drinking water, toilets, or trash facilities, making it essential to prepare for self-sufficient camping. Walk-in tent sites at Lily and Lizard Lakes feature fire rings, benches, and flat areas for tent setup, but limited water sources mean bringing a good filter for lake water. Cedar Groves offers more developed tent camping with toilets and picnic tables, though still maintaining a rustic experience. Fires are permitted at most locations, but seasonal fire bans may apply during dry summer months.

The tent camping experience near Bow provides opportunities for solitude and immersion in natural settings. At Pine and Cedar Lakes, campers can enjoy two distinct lakes with Cedar Lake offering better campsites that are "bigger and flatter," according to visitor reports. The short but steep hiking trails to these primitive tent sites keep crowds minimal. Lily and Lizard Lakes features only four campsites, all positioned close together, offering good views but limited privacy between tent sites. A visitor noted that "all the sites had a fire ring, bench and a flat area to set up your tent," making these primitive locations suitable for basic tent camping despite their remote nature.

Best Tent Sites Near Bow, Washington (61)

    1. Pine and Cedar Lakes Primitive Camping

    3 Reviews
    Bellingham, WA
    9 miles
    Website

    "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."

    "Close to Bellingham, no bay views but nice scenery, little lake, and dense forest nonetheless. Good steep trails nearby and charming boardwalks."

    2. Lily and Lizard Lakes

    2 Reviews
    Bow, WA
    4 miles

    "Spent one night at Lizard Lake. 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."

    "A good one or two night backpacking experience. There is no overnight parking at the top lot that is half way up the trail, so you have to park on Chuckanut drive."

    3. Cedar Groves Rural Campground

    1 Review
    Sedro-Woolley, WA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 420-3999

    $20 - $80 / night

    "Cedar Groves has some great tent sites surrounded by tall dense trees, with tons of wildlife all around you!  Check them out and share some pics from your stay on the Dyrt!"

    4. Cypress Island Natural Resources Conservation Area

    3 Reviews
    Anacortes, WA
    12 miles
    Website

    "It's nicely wooded and has awesome areas (with picnic tables) to call home. The scenery is breathtaking and if you're lucky you might even see some orcas swimming by."

    "There are also ponds and wetlands scattered around the island and chances to view wildlife in quiet."

    5. Mountain Lake Campground — Moran State Park

    12 Reviews
    Olga, WA
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 376-2326

    "The way the campsites are tiered allows for a sense of seclusion even with neighbors on all sides. "

    "We were in site 22, right on the water (but also right next to the access road.) There is a lovely 3 mile hike around the lake with a fun bridge to jump off of to swim."

    6. Cedar Lake Campsite

    1 Review
    Bellingham, WA
    8 miles

    "One north and one south of the lake. A few good level sites and some built in benches. No fires permitted and a few fishing spots if you are daring."

    7. Obstruction Pass State Park Campground

    6 Reviews
    Olga, WA
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 902-8844

    "My twelve year old wanted to try backpacking, but not hike too far. My wife didn't want us to get eaten by bears. The solution? Obstruction Pass!"

    "I kayaked in to this campground and though it's an awesome location it was a bit disappointing."

    8. James Island Marine State Park Campground

    2 Reviews
    Blakely Island, WA
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 902-8844

    "There are hiking trails, beautiful bluffs to view sunrise and sunset. The area isn’t super level, perfect spot to hammock camp. Only accessible by water. There are picnic tables."

    9. Odlin County Park Camping - Lopez Island

    6 Reviews
    Lopez Island, WA
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 378-8420

    "There are plenty of beach sites, a few are “walk-in” – which just means that you can’t park your car there. There are lots of forested sites which offer more privacy than the beach."

    "It has waterfront with beach, campsites are neat and restroom is better other campsites! This place is perfect for who goes on bikepacking or using car to camping there."

    10. Clark Island Marine State Park — Clark Island Marine State Park

    3 Reviews
    Lummi Island, WA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 376-2073

    "This is yet another Washington Sate Park in their Marine Island system. Clark Island offers a nice, large rocky beach that makes it easy to beach your boats to set up camp."

    "I recently did a solo kayak trip around Orcas Island, WA and Clark was my first stop. I've camped on this island before so was looking forward to visiting again."

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Tent Camping Reviews near Bow, WA

972 Reviews of 61 Bow Campgrounds



Guide to Bow

If you're looking for tent camping near Bow, Washington, there are some fantastic options that offer beautiful scenery and a variety of amenities.

Tent campers should check out Mountain Lake Campground

  • Enjoy a serene experience at Mountain Lake Campground — Moran State Park, where you can relax by the lake and take advantage of the nearby hiking trails.
  • This campground allows pets and features amenities like drinking water, picnic tables, and showers, making it a comfortable choice for families.
  • With access to both boat-in and drive-in options, you can easily reach this well-reviewed spot for a weekend getaway.

Some prices for tent camping range from $20 to $30

Explore local attractions like Mt. Constitution

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Bow, WA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Bow, WA is Pine and Cedar Lakes Primitive Camping with a 4.7-star rating from 3 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Bow, WA?

TheDyrt.com has all 61 tent camping locations near Bow, WA, with real photos and reviews from campers.