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Best Tent Camping near Ferndale, WA

649 Reviews

Tent camping near Ferndale, Washington provides access to diverse natural settings, from coastal islands to forested lakeshores. Pine and Cedar Lakes Primitive Camping offers secluded tent-only sites just 15 minutes from Bellingham, making it one of the closest backcountry options to Ferndale. For those willing to travel slightly farther, Obstruction Pass State Park on Orcas Island features walk-in tent sites with beach access and protection from winds. These tent campgrounds provide a true Pacific Northwest camping experience with views of mountains, lakes, and the Salish Sea.

Most primitive tent camping areas near Ferndale require some preparation for basic conditions. Pine and Cedar Lakes features hike-in access via a steep but short trail, with campsites marked by log benches and flat tent pads. No toilets are available, and campers must bring their own water or filter from the lakes. At Obstruction Pass, the walk-in tent sites sit just above the beach, keeping tents safe from high tides. Vault toilets are maintained, but no drinking water is provided. A Washington State Discover Pass is required for parking at many trailheads, costing approximately $10 per day. Fire regulations vary seasonally, with bans common during dry summer months.

The backcountry tent camping experience around Ferndale offers unique advantages for those seeking solitude. According to reviews, Cedar Lake campsites are "bigger and flatter" than those at Pine Lake, though both provide quiet lakeside settings. One visitor noted that despite being close to town, the area feels remarkably secluded. At Obstruction Pass, campers report the sites are "well protected from winds from just about any direction," making it ideal for tent camping in the often breezy San Juan Islands. Wildlife sightings are common throughout the region, with raccoons particularly active around food storage on the islands. Campers should arrive early during peak summer season as these first-come, first-served tent sites fill quickly.

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Best Tent Sites Near Ferndale, Washington (45)

    1. Mountain Lake Campground — Moran State Park

    12 Reviews
    Olga, WA
    17 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."

    2. Norwest RV Park

    1 Review
    Ferndale, WA
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (360) 384-5038

    "Small spaces but they are level and the price is right!"

    3. Sucia Island Marine State Park Campground

    6 Reviews
    Eastsound, WA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 376-2073

    "Madrona trees around every corner. And your choice between perfect privacy or a few neighbors. This island is amazing!"

    "The Caves are fun to climb around in and have a fun history of hiding smugglers."

    4. Pine and Cedar Lakes Primitive Camping

    3 Reviews
    Bellingham, WA
    13 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."

    5. Clark Island Marine State Park — Clark Island Marine State Park

    3 Reviews
    Lummi Island, WA
    13 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."

    6. Rolfe Cove Campground — Matia Island Marine State Park

    1 Review
    Eastsound, WA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 376-2073

    "The island itself is a wildlife refuge and not owned by the state parks so it is almost entirely untouched."

    7. Cedar Lake Campsite

    1 Review
    Bellingham, WA
    14 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."

    8. Obstruction Pass State Park Campground

    6 Reviews
    Olga, WA
    21 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."

    9. Patos Island State Park Campground

    2 Reviews
    Eastsound, WA
    17 miles
    +1 (360) 902-8844

    "A little bit hard to get to, the cove on Patos boasts strong currents that require you to anchor with care if not using one of the few mooring buoys."

    10. Patos Island Marine State Park Campground

    2 Reviews
    Eastsound, WA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 376-2073

    "Like all of the marine state parks in Washington, this site is well maintained. You will find clearings for pitching your shelter, a picnic table and relatively clean vault/pit toilets."

    "A little bit hard to get to, the cove on Patos boasts strong currents that require you to anchor with care if not using one of the few mooring buoys."

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Ferndale, WA

57 Photos of 45 Ferndale Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Ferndale, WA

649 Reviews of 45 Ferndale Campgrounds

  • HThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 13, 2024

    Lower Sandy Dispersed Camp

    Quiet camp with great views

    Arrived around 4pm on a Friday and there were a few spots left. Pit toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables available. No water. Got a spot with lake and Mountain View’s. Very small, quiet, stunning campground. Felt safe. We have a rooftop tent, not many sites with large enough spots to park trailers or vans. Mostly tent sites that are walk in. Mostly open, some sites in the forest. Had one bar of Verizon service. Would stay again!

  • Elise M.
    Aug. 11, 2020

    Harry Osborne State Forest - TEMPORARILY CLOSED 2023

    Quiet and Lots of Space

    Great place to bring your LQ (any size rig) and camp with your horses. There are a few non-equestrians, but we need to keep this a place for equestrians because we are losing more and more campsites.  Trails are well maintained and extensive.

    No water or electric at the camp, but you can drive down to a creek and pump or collect water for your horses. You will be boondocking.

    High-line poles are available to high-tie your horses. We set up a portable corral and were fine. Picnic tables and fire rings are also available.

    No manure pile or wheel barrow. There is a vault toilet and I got cell service on my phone.

  • Karen L.
    Jul. 9, 2018

    Maple Grove Campsites

    Peaceful, lakefront campgrounds with views of Mt Baker and Mt Shuksan

    These campgrounds are about a 4 mile hike in from the trailhead. Plenty of wild berries, flowers, and ferns along the way. We had fun just relaxing under the Big Leaf Maple trees. Each campground has a flat tent site. Some also have fire pits with grills and picnic tables, but not all. There is a pit toilet and urine diverter on site. There are also a couple bear boxes to share, as bear (and deer!) roam this area. The lake is lovely, though it was a bit too cold in June to swim. There is a small floating dock on the lake. Spectacular views of Mt Baker and Mt Shuksan - be sure to watch the sunset. Boaters frequent this lake so there is a bit of motor noise, but this doesn't bother me. Dog-friendly campsite. This made for a very relaxing overnight backpacking trip!

  • Eric O.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Baker Lake Road Dispersed Campsite

    All things considered, good spot

    Many pull offs along the gravel road. Stayed at one that was overlooking the lake. Lots of spots with easy lake access.

    Pros: free, good views, easy to get to, plenty of spots (even on Labor Day), fire rings.

    Cons: some spots have lots of trash (please remember leave no trace), most spots are along the gravel road so there are cars passing by every once in a while and sometimes they go by quite quickly kicking up lots of dust.

    All things considered, pretty good spot and would stay again.

  • Sarah C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 30, 2017

    Silver Fir Campground

    Beautiful Views

    This spot is perfectly situated for exploring the surrounding area, including Mount Baker and Mount Shuksan. Operated by the USFS, this facility offers typical amenities like vault toilets and potable water during the summer months. The nice thing about this popular spot is that you CAN actually reserve a site through https://www.recreation.gov

    Just be sure to make your reservation sooner than later, because this place fills up quickly. Sites can accommodate RVs (no hookups) and tents and offer picnic tables, fire rings with grills and plenty of shade thanks to the massive Hemlocks and Red Cedar trees. The North Fork of the Nooksack River is also a short walk from the campground and can be perfect on a hot summer's day!

    This is one of the nicer USFS run campgrounds I've stayed at! Maybe that's because this concessionaire runs the place http://hoodoorecreation.com

    Check it out!

  • Doug C.
    Sep. 6, 2022

    Horseshoe Cove Campground

    Great spot with variable site quality

    We had sites 28 and 30 for Labor Day weekend. Site 30 had a nice flat tent pad but was overall smaller. Site 28 took a little more effort to set up our family’s tent on level ground, but was overall more spacious and so our group also used that site as our kitchen/campfire area. Both sites have a view of the lake down the campground loop and are relatively close to the vault toilets, which was fine except for the morning we left when wind off of the lake carried unpleasant smells our way. Overall the lake is beautiful, and there’s great access at this campground. Would absolutely recommend and/or go back, just be careful with site selection!

  • H
    Sep. 22, 2022

    Deception Pass State Park Campground

    Cozy campsites !

    There were SO MANY available campsites when we got there. About mid afternoon. The ranger was super friendly and welcoming! The bathrooms were nice and had showers that require tokens that you can buy with your site at check in. The sites vary in size and shape but most of them are decently private/ spaced apart. The site next to us never got booked, probably because it was small, but it was nice for us because it was only a few bushes away. Sites include a picnic table and fire ring with grill grate . There was a trail to the beach not far from us and it was super nice. Although there are plenty of signs that require dogs to be on leashes most people did not adhere to those rules, so keep an eye out if you're bringing the doggos. Very family friendly, very cozy, very nice stay!

  • Travis D.
    Aug. 6, 2017

    Deception Pass State Park Campground

    Ranger Review: Green Goo at Deception Pass State Park Hike-In Campground

    Campground Review

    My three-year-old and I backpacked in and it was amazing. Crazy crowded and crazy loud with the military jets overhead (Naval Air Base nearby) – but beautiful none the less. It’s good to note that the jets do shut off around 5 pm and there is plenty of quite time from that point on. But be prepared during the day for some ear splitting noise - I would actually advise ear plugs!

    We hiked in for the adventure, but also because all the drive-in sites were reserved. They have several secluded campsites set aside for hikers and bikers, and they were totally worth the work. We ended up in site #233 and it was perfect. Totally tucked away in the trees with soft ground and simple surroundings. If you plan to hike or bike in and use these spots, get there as early as you can. All the sites got used and several folks who showed up toward evening didn’t get spots. We walked around to see all the drive-in spots and there are some pretty nice ones, but none as secluded as the hike/bike spots. The hike in from the northern park boundary is amazingly beautiful and it sure makes you appreciate the spot once you get there.

    There are trails everywhere from the campsites, but most importantly down to the beach and Cranberry Lake. I must say it’s quite amazing to sleep amongst the tall trees of the forest and then meander down to the beach to play! Cranberry Lake has a designated swimming area where the water is super shallow and just perfect for the kiddos.

    Amazing beauty and well worth the experience!

    Product Review

    Green Goo – Multiple Products

    As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I get products to test from time to time – on this trip I tested the amazing variety of salve and such from Green Goo. I made sure to take the salve for Dry Skin, Foot Care, and Pain Relief – all great stuff for backpacking! One feature I really like about the salves is the tin, they are perfect for stuffing in a little side pocket of your pack and don’t add much weight at all. It was heavenly to rub the balm into sore muscles and feet after we set up camp and recovered from the hike. The foot care stuff is especially helpful for me since my heels crack so bad. This stuff has really made a difference for my heels like nothing I’ve tried before. My daughter is a pretty rough and tumble little adventure seeker and has never been without some sort of scrape, scratch, or bump from climbing everything and running everywhere – the Skin Repair tin gets multiple uses daily – and it really does help heal her up quick. Overall – this stuff rocks, I’m totally sold on it and can’t wait to try other products from the company!

  • Ethan A.
    Apr. 26, 2020

    Maple Grove Campsites

    Lakeside campsites that can be reached by foot or by boat

    Seems like these sites are quite popular. However, I went during the middle of the week, on a slightly rainy day, at the end of August and was the only person there. 

    If you're like me and not from Washington, remember to get a discovery pass (~$10 per day) if you're parking at the Baker Lake Trailhead. The hike in to Maple Grove is approx. three and a half miles. Don't be surprised if you run into some folks on horseback. 

    The trail is relatively flat and goes through some beautiful old growth forest. We got a spot right by the lake that was flat and soft. All of the sites had fire pits and seemed pretty dispersed. There were also bear boxes.  The vault toilets were some of the cleanest I'd seen. 

    As you can see from some of the photos, there's a dock that you could boat up to that doubles as a great place see Mt. baker.

Guide to Ferndale

Discover the beauty of tent camping near Ferndale, Washington, where lush landscapes and serene lakes offer a perfect escape into nature.

Explore Scenic Lakes and Trails

  • Experience the tranquility of the Pine and Cedar Lakes Primitive Camping, where a short hike leads you to secluded sites surrounded by dense forest and picturesque lakes.
  • Enjoy the stunning views and hiking opportunities at Cedar Lake Campsite, featuring two well-maintained sites with built-in benches and fishing spots.
  • For a more remote experience, Matia Island Marine State Park offers a wildlife refuge atmosphere with untouched landscapes and a mile-long hiking trail.

Activities for Outdoor Enthusiasts

Amenities for a Comfortable Stay

  • Odlin County Park Camping - Lopez Island features waterfront sites with picnic tables and drinking water, making it a convenient choice for families.
  • Campers at Hidden Meadow Retreat can enjoy a private meadow setting with amenities like fire pits and fresh water, all while being close to hiking trails.
  • Norwest RV Park offers a range of accommodations, including tent sites with access to showers and toilets, ensuring a comfortable camping experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find tent camping in Ferndale?

The Ferndale area offers diverse tent camping options. Baker Lake Road Dispersed Campsite provides free camping with pull-offs along a gravel road, some offering lake views with easy access to the water and established fire rings. For those seeking a more developed experience, Norwest RV Park near Ferndale offers reservable tent sites with amenities. The region also features several marine camping opportunities accessible by boat in the nearby San Juan Islands, perfect for adventurous campers looking to explore the area's natural beauty.

What is the best time of year to go tent camping in Ferndale?

Late spring through early fall provides the best tent camping conditions in Ferndale. Summer (June-August) offers warm, dry weather and longer daylight hours perfect for enjoying outdoor activities. Moran State Park campers particularly enjoy late summer for swimming in Cascade Lake and comfortable overnight temperatures. Jones Island Marine State Park visitors note spectacular summer sunsets. To avoid crowds, consider mid-week visits even during peak season. Early fall brings pleasant temperatures and fewer insects, while spring camping features beautiful wildflowers but potentially more rainfall. Winter camping is possible but requires preparation for cold, wet conditions.

What amenities are available at Ferndale tent camping sites?

Amenities at tent sites around Ferndale vary widely based on the type of camping experience. Maple Grove Campsites offers flat tent sites with some featuring fire pits with grills and picnic tables. At Clark Island Marine State Park, you'll find well-maintained facilities including picnic tables, vault toilets, and spacious camping areas. Marine parks typically provide basic amenities like pit toilets but require you to bring your own water. Dispersed camping options around Ferndale are more primitive, offering fire rings but generally no toilets or potable water, so campers should prepare to be self-sufficient.

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