Tent camping near Coupeville, Washington offers access to both protected coves and forested settings within the rain shadow of the Olympic Mountains. The region receives approximately 20-30 inches of annual rainfall, significantly less than Seattle's 37 inches, making it relatively drier for camping from May through September. Most campsites in the area sit at sea level or low elevations under 500 feet.
What to do
Beach exploration: Odlin County Park offers tent campers access to a long sandy beach where activities range from swimming to paddling. One camper noted, "There's a long sandy beach where locals and tourists alike come to spend their days."
Mountain biking: Fort Ebey State Park Campground maintains dedicated mountain biking trails through forest areas. According to a visitor, "There are great hiking and mountain biking trails through forest, ocean views and beach access, and it's also fun to explore the old WWII facilities."
Hiking to panoramic viewpoints: Trek to Eagle Cliff in Cypress Island Natural Resources Conservation Area for sunset viewing. A camper described it as having "the best sunset views" and mentioned that "Eagle Cliffs is closed for parts of the year to allow Peregrine Falcons time to nest in peace."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Tent campers appreciate the well-maintained bathroom facilities at many campgrounds. At Mountain Lake Campground, visitors enjoy "coin-operated showers" and "clean" bathrooms, with one camper noting they "spent two nights here in late July and had an awesome stay!"
Wildlife viewing: Deer sightings are common at several campgrounds. At Odlin County Park, one camper mentioned, "We had deer in our campsite everyday." Another visitor to Fort Ebey shared, "We've camped here a few times, and we've seen wildlife each time, mostly deer."
Lakeside recreation: Several campgrounds feature lake access for swimming and water activities. A camper at Mountain Lake Campground described it as "a fun lake to kayak and cliff jump."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most established campgrounds fill quickly during summer months. At Odlin County Park, "Reservations are available 90 days prior and necessary July – August."
Weather considerations: Despite being in the rain shadow, winter camping can be wet. A camper at Mountain Lake Campground reported, "We were soaked the entire time - granted we were fully expecting that going in February."
Limited services: Boat-in campgrounds like James Island Marine State Park Campground typically have minimal facilities. A visitor warned, "Several boaters forgot to seal things up at night, and the raccoons and other varmints had made an enormous mess overnight. If you leave it out, they will go for it."
Park passes: Some areas require specific permits. A Fort Ebey camper advised, "As this is considered a state park don't forget to bring your discovery pass! They also sell them at the front check-in station."
Tips for camping with families
First-time backpacking: Obstruction Pass State Park Campground offers an excellent introduction to backpacking for children. A parent shared, "My twelve year old wanted to try backpacking, but not hike too far... The hike is short, the campsites are good, and there is a pit toilet, unlike some other backpacking options."
Kid-friendly recreation: Fallen trees at Obstruction Pass provide natural play structures. As one visitor described, "There are a bunch of fallen trees that are fun to walk on and see how far you can get before losing your balance."
Manageable hiking distances: Select campgrounds with short trails suitable for children. At Obstruction Pass, "The hike in is fairly flat, with just moderate ups and downs. The trail also does a loop, which is fun to explore."
Nature education: Several campgrounds feature interpretive trails. At Fort Ebey, one camper mentioned a "beautiful hike around Lake Pondilla with interpretive signage naming the native moss and lichen."
Tips from RVers
Road access limitations: Many island campgrounds have restricted vehicle access. For Dungeness Forks Campground, a visitor cautioned, "The drive to the site was accurately steep with little room on either side. Our 19ft campervan made it up and down but a car did need to pull off to the side for us."
Site selection: When tent camping at established RV areas, choose sites away from main roads. At Fort Ebey, one camper advised, "There's a few walk-in tent sites off the road that are a little more secluded."
Seasonal considerations: Tent camping becomes more challenging in wet months. A visitor to Dungeness Forks warned, "March we woke up to snow just fair warning."
