Camping near Eastsound, Washington concentrates around Orcas Island's 5,000+ acres of public lands with elevation ranging from sea level to 2,409 feet at Mount Constitution. Winter temperatures typically remain above freezing even in January, making off-season camping viable though ferry schedules become more limited. Rainfall averages 29 inches annually, significantly less than mainland Washington due to the rain shadow effect.
What to do
Kayaking from Spencer Spit: Launch directly from the beach at Spencer Spit State Park on Lopez Island. "There's beautiful views and great beach combing. You can drive here from the Lopez, IS ferry but it's a great spot to boat to. The canoe/kayak sites are beautiful and pretty private," notes Kaila R.
Tide pooling and rock scrambling: Sucia Island offers excellent marine exploration opportunities. "Cool rock scrambling in the sandstone cliffs, great tide pooling, and great people. It's a pretty big island and it can take a few days to explore the whole thing," writes Kaila R. about Sucia Island Marine State Park.
Stargazing: Low light pollution makes the islands ideal for night sky viewing. "The beach is littered with beautiful driftwood and shells and even clams! There are picnic tables down on the spit, so pack a lunch and spend the day down at the beach, or come down in the evening for star watching and s'mores," recommends Valerie about Spencer Spit.
What campers like
Private water access: Many campsites offer direct lake or ocean frontage. "Most sites have their own private beach access if you want to keep your own boat on shore or swim with kids," says Beth E. about Southend Campground at Moran State Park.
Unique camping experiences: The San Juans offer non-traditional options. "The campsite leads right down to the lake where there is a big slab of rock to sit on," notes Sarah S. about site 17 at Southend Campground, while Christy K. mentions "glamping campsites in the south end of Moran State Park... Each site comes with a nice canvas tent, queen size bed, dresser, big chairs to sit by the firepit with basic amenities."
Wildlife encounters: Island camping provides opportunities for wildlife viewing. "We got to see an otter at Cascade Lake," reports Josiah P. about Mountain Lake Campground, while another camper at San Juan County Park writes that "Orcas are often seen just off shore before high tide."
What you should know
Ferry logistics: Plan ferry travel carefully. "The ferry ride over and back is gonna run you $80 per car," confirms Matthew G. at Midway Campground, while another camper warns "I had read that you should get a reservation but I ignored it, thinking it would be no problem. Luckily we were the second to last car to get on the ferry but we were really close to not making it."
Site selection matters: Campgrounds vary significantly in privacy and amenities. "The Southend campground at Moran is definitely the way to go... the bathrooms are newer and much nicer, and it is at the trailheads that goes up the mountains to the falls or beyond to Mt. lake, Pilchuck, Constitution, etc.," advises Beth E.
Off-season considerations: Winter camping offers solitude but requires preparation. "We were soaked the entire time - granted we were fully expecting that going in February. We brought all the rain gear," explains Kaysha R. about Northend Campground, adding "To warm up in the evening we ended up at the Doe Bay hot springs with a look over the ocean."
Tips for camping with families
Beach camping access: Choose sites with child-friendly water features. "Beach is great for kids - warm (enough) water, sandy bottom, and gradual depth change," notes Stephen R. about Northend Campground at Moran State Park, while another camper mentions "There is a lovely 3 mile hike around the lake with a fun bridge to jump off of to swim."
Playground availability: Some campgrounds offer dedicated play areas. "We enjoyed our stay at this campsite, but do note it is on the opposite side of the island from the ferry terminal. With young children we loved that Larrabee had a playground area and easy access to the beach," writes Carlyn N. about Larrabee State Park.
Terrain considerations: Consider campground layout with children. "Sites are on a hillside so not a great spot for kids to ride bikes," warns Stephen R. about Northend Campground, while Don notes "The campground is a bit hilly, so not ideal for little kids to ride bikes around. There are better campgrounds in WA for bike riding."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Bring equipment for uneven sites. "The site was extremely unlevel front to back so much so my rear stabilizers barely touched the ground," reports Jason W. about Larrabee State Park, while Chris N. at Northend Campground similarly notes "The sites are not level, we wished we carried leveling blocks in our van when we were trying to figure out how to park."
Road access challenges: Consider vehicle size when booking. "Road through campsites are a little tight, but we fit!!" mentions Ben C. about Birch Bay State Park, adding "Dump station at the front of the park." Another Birch Bay camper writes "The lots are pretty close together but it has everything you need--large picnic table, fire pit with grill, parking, and a good area for your tent."
Hookup variations: Research utility availability before booking. While several island campgrounds offer water and electric, full hookups are limited. "We stayed in RV in site without hook-ups," notes one Deception Pass camper, while others mention that Larrabee State Park offers water, electric and sewer at select sites.
