Campers visiting Chimacum, Washington can experience diverse terrain with elevation ranges from sea level to 400 feet, offering varied views across the Olympic Peninsula. The area receives approximately 30 inches of rain annually, creating lush forest conditions that transition between coastal and inland ecosystems. Winter camping typically sees temperatures between 30-45°F while summer ranges from 60-75°F, with July through September offering the driest camping conditions.
What to do
Beach exploration: Fort Worden Historical State Park offers numerous shoreline activities with accessible beaches for collecting shells and watching marine life. As Leonard H. notes, "Great coastal views and beach walks with lighthouse and pier access. Possibility to rent kayaks. Clean modern restrooms. Excellent hot showers."
Historical sites: Fort Casey State Park features military installations and a lighthouse that provide educational opportunities. "Really neat military relics. Walk to the ferry to visit Port Townsend for the day. Camp in the deep woods. This place is awesome!" shares Rand H.
Wildlife viewing: Dosewallips State Park has dedicated viewing platforms for birdwatching and elk spotting. A camper explains that "every night, my husband and I would walk to the wildlife viewing platform to see lots of birds, or walk down by the river and see lots of elk and bald eagles."
Boating and fishing: Lake Leland Campground provides a serene lake experience without motorized boats. John F. reports it's "quiet and tucked back. Easy to access and bathrooms are kept clean."
What campers like
Natural surroundings: Deception Pass State Park offers a combination of old-growth forests and beach access. Erica G. describes it as a "Cozy Campground in the Trees" where "trails to the bridge and beaches leave from right next to the sites."
Secluded glamping: Fay Bainbridge Park provides peaceful beach camping with mountain views for luxury tent camping near Chimacum. One camper shares: "This park has the most tremendous views of Mt. Rainier and Mt. Baker on a clear day and stunning sunrises!"
Spacious sites: Kayak Point County Park offers campsites with ample room between neighbors. Brooks S. explains, "Surprisingly the sites are not on top of each other and there is good privacy between sites."
Year-round accessibility: Fort Worden State Park maintains winter camping options when many other locations close. Christina F. recounts her January visit: "We had beautifully clear skies and little light pollution so it was really nice for stargazing. There are two gun batteries right next to the campground and a trail right out to the beach."
What you should know
Noise factors: Deception Pass State Park experiences occasional aircraft noise from nearby Naval operations. Will L. advises: "The only downside is the noise from the naval base nearby. You'll hear jets overhead on a regular basis."
Reservation requirements: Fort Worden State Park often fills completely, even during off-peak seasons. Doug M. suggests planning ahead: "Managed to get a last minute 2 night reservation in June. Site was great with lots of room and full services."
Seasonal facilities: Upper Oak Bay Park offers limited amenities during shoulder seasons. David J. points out: "OK camp spot. No showers. Lagoon that fronts the park smells at low tides."
Weather considerations: Camano Island State Park can experience significant rainfall even during summer months. One reviewer notes they experienced "rain was nice to enjoy through the windows" during their spring visit.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Kitsap Memorial State Park provides dedicated play areas for children. According to Valerie J., "Small and quiet. Large picnic area with park for the kids. A short trail brings you to a beautiful ampitheater amongst the trees."
Junior Ranger programs: Fort Casey State Park offers educational activities specifically for children. Becky R. recommends: "Kids of all ages should do the Junior Ranger program which the Gift Shop has the packets."
Kid-friendly beaches: Fay Bainbridge Park maintains shallow water areas that work well for families with small children. Tanya B. highlights the "Amazing kids area pirate ship. Great beach walk and good camp sites."
Glamping options for beginners: Kayak Point Regional Park rents yurts as an introduction to glamping in Chimacum without requiring equipment. Kim B. explains, "The coolest thing about the campground is the yurts. They're modern and pretty close together if it's just your family."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Upper Oak Bay Park has limited spaces for larger rigs. Chunjiang H. advises: "Hard to fill the fresh water tank" but notes there are "Campsites with view" and "Reasonable price."
Hookup availability: Dosewallips State Park offers both partial and full-hookup sites. James and Susan K. report: "Plenty of FHU sites and loads of camping sites. RV sites are blacktop and level. Some sites have partial hookups w/o septic. Dump station is on site."
Water pressure concerns: Kitsap Memorial State Park may have inconsistent utilities. K D. notes: "Water pressure is low, averaging just over 20psi" and "RV sites 1, 2, 4, 9, and 11 will be easier to back in to."
Winter RV access: Fort Casey State Park maintains year-round camping but with seasonal limitations. Judy T. shares: "We paid $20 for site 6. This is a standard site, meaning no hookups. Full hook up sites are available for more. The only faucet operating currently is the pump spigot as others were shut off due to frost."
