Camping options near Deming sit along the Mount Baker Highway corridor, approximately 30 miles east of Bellingham at elevations between 500-1200 feet. This area experiences mild summers with daytime temperatures in the 70s and cool, wet winters with significant rainfall rather than heavy snow at lower elevations. Most campgrounds in the region stay open from April through October, with only Silver Lake Park offering year-round camping.
What to do
Fishing at Silver Lake Park: The lake provides excellent trout fishing from the shore or small boats. "The cleanest restrooms and showers that I have ever experienced camping. We have been here three times now. No sewer, but the dump area is quiet and efficient. Beautiful woods and hiking available as well," notes Patrick J. about Silver Lake Park.
Hiking Vedder Mountain: Located approximately 8 miles from Deming, these trails offer ridge hiking with panoramic views. "On our hike, we ended up on a ridge overlooking both the US and Canada. As well, Silver Lake is only about a 20 minute drive away, so we went for a nice refreshing dip," shares Danielle S. about the trails near Hidden Meadow Retreat.
Nooksack River access: Several campgrounds provide river access for cooling off during summer months. "The Nooksack river provides a beautiful white noise generator that gives you additional sound privacy from your neighbors. I recommend reserving one of the spots along the river," explains Richard C. about Douglas Fir Campground.
What campers like
Farm experiences: Some campgrounds offer unique agricultural settings with animal interactions. "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, you have space to wonder and spread out," describes Christina B. about Oostema Farmstead.
Natural sound barriers: The rushing river provides privacy between campsites. "I loved this campground. Most sites are on the river, which provides perfect noise-cancellation acoustics. A sweet trail at the far end of the loop takes you under the road and through a forest along the river," says Catherine S. about Douglas Fir Campground.
Kid-friendly amenities: Many campgrounds cater to families with playgrounds and activities. "Great amenities…. Swimming pool, mini golf, arcade games, paddle boats. Lots of trees and shade! I love how it's tucked away and you forget your right in Lynden," mentions Renee R. about Lynden-Bellingham KOA.
What you should know
Limited services: Few grocery stores exist between Bellingham and Glacier. "Stop and get food before you get to Glacier because there is nothing around and no Mobile service," advises Brian M. about camping near Mount Baker.
Seasonal road closures: Mount Baker Highway beyond Glacier often closes during winter months. "This campground is about an hour away from Heather Meadows/Artist Point, so it is a bit of a drive if you're doing any hiking that way," explains Meghan B. about Silver Lake Park.
Cell service gaps: Many campgrounds have limited connectivity. "There was no cell phone service for me, so I recommend printing directions. I trusted my GPS and it got me there, but I wasn't 100% sure I had arrived," warns Danielle S. about camping at Hidden Meadow Retreat.
Tips for camping with families
Recreation variety: Campgrounds offering multiple activities keep children entertained. "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," shares Carlyn N. about Larrabee State Park.
Swimming options: Several campgrounds offer water access for cooling off. "We live about a 20 min drive from Silver Lake. We go often, sometimes to just go hike around the trails and have lunch, we also take day trips to the lake there and go kayaking and ALWAYS have fun there nice big lake and fun for the kiddos too!" says Johnny W. about Silver Lake Park.
Wildlife viewing: Animal encounters provide educational opportunities. "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," advises wisepig about camping at Larrabee State Park.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Reserve early for the most level and accessible spots. "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," cautions Jason W. about camping at Larrabee State Park.
Length restrictions: Many forested campgrounds have limited space for larger rigs. "I was a little upset when I booked two sites for a 24' motorhome and 26' trailer. Site 11 for the trailer was barely 26' deep and the angle to back in was opposite what it needed to be. There was no room left to park the truck," explains Bill T. about Douglas Fir Campground.
Full-service options: Some campgrounds provide complete hookups. "Equipment: 30' Travel Trailer. Stayed in South Campgrounds. Road through campsites are a little tight, but we fit!! Dump station at the front of the park," reports Ben C. about Birch Bay State Park.
Ranger
